Open Source
Ongoing coverage on Open Source.
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French government says au revoir Windows, bienvenue Linux
The French government has announced its intention to replace Microsoft Windows with the open-source Linux operating system on its workstations. This move is part of a broader European effort to enhance digital sovereignty and reduce reliance on foreign technology companies. France is also migrating its videoconferencing tools and health data platforms.
Even the French government is switching to Linux now in a bid for 'digital sovereignty'
The French government is planning to transition away from the US-made Windows operating system to Linux as part of its digital sovereignty initiative. This move aims to reduce dependency on foreign technology and regain control over digital infrastructure and strategic decisions. The National Health Insurance Fund plans to migrate its 80,000 agents to 'sovereign solutions' by the end of 2026.
Legendary, the free and open source Epic Games Launcher, has moved to a new organisation
The open-source Epic Games Launcher, Legendary, has been transferred to a new organization on GitHub to ensure its continued development. The original creator handed over the project to existing contributors of the Heroic Games Launcher fork due to time constraints. This move aims to facilitate bug fixes and improvements, potentially revitalizing the project.
Godot gets a funding boost from Slay the Spire 2 devs Mega Crit
Mega Crit, the developer behind Slay the Spire 2, has significantly increased its funding for the open-source Godot Engine, reaching the Corporate Platinum sponsorship level. This renewed and increased support highlights successful developers giving back to the tools they utilize.
Chiaki-ng the open-source PlayStation Remote Play app gets better streaming quality and stability
The open-source PlayStation Remote Play app, Chiaki-ng, has released version 1.10.0, introducing significant improvements to streaming quality and stability through enhanced queueing, congestion control, and reset handling. This update also adds an OpenGL renderer backend, VSync support, and improved PSN remote play reliability, making it a robust alternative for streaming games to devices like the Steam Deck.
OpenGOAL project adds the Naughty Dog classic Jak 3
The OpenGOAL project has released a native PC port for the PlayStation 2 classic Jak 3, completing the trilogy's availability on PC alongside Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy and Jak II. This open-source initiative provides quality-of-life improvements and modding support, though users must supply their own game assets. Support for Jak 3 is currently in beta, and the project has deprecated its Steam Deck plugin in favor of its own launcher.
Google releases Gemma 4, a family of open models built off of Gemini 3
Google has released Gemma 4, a new family of open-weight large language models built upon the technology behind Gemini 3 Pro. The models come in various sizes, including 2-billion and 4-billion parameter versions for edge devices, and 26-billion and 31-billion parameter versions for more powerful hardware. Google claims these models offer an unprecedented level of intelligence-per-parameter and are capable of processing video, images, and audio in over 140 languages.
Mesa 26.0.4 open source graphics drivers released for Linux
Mesa 26.0.4 has been released as a bug-fix update for the open-source graphics drivers on Linux. This point release focuses solely on addressing issues, with new features expected in the upcoming Mesa 26.1 release. The update includes numerous fixes across various components and drivers.
OptiScaler tool gets a huge new release with more upscaling and frame generation goodies
The open-source tool OptiScaler has received a major update, version 0.9, introducing significant improvements to upscaling and frame generation technologies. This release enhances compatibility with AMD FSR 4.1 and XeSS 3.0, adds Vulkan and DirectX 11 support for various upscaling methods, and includes new features like a process filter and DLL blacklisting for broader game compatibility, including on Linux and Steam Deck.
AI Yi-Yi!
The proliferation of AI has begun to impact open-source software, with concerns that AI-generated content could undermine the development and maintenance of these community-driven projects. This trend raises questions about the future sustainability of open-source initiatives.
In the long list of awful things AI might lead to we can also add killing open-source software
Researchers Dylan Ayrey and Mike Nolan have demonstrated a method using AI to legally clone and relicense open-source software as proprietary. This "AI clean-rooming" raises significant concerns about the future of open-source development and copyright law. The article explores the implications and questions whether open-source software can survive this new technological capability.
Framework becomes a KDE Patron helping to fund open source
Hardware vendor Framework has become a KDE Patron, providing financial support to the open-source Plasma desktop environment. Framework founder Nirav Patel expressed excitement about supporting KDE's efforts, while KDE President Aleix Pol highlighted the alignment of Framework's commitment to repairability with KDE's values for a sustainable industry.
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang says of AI that 'open is not a thing, it’s proprietary and open', sparking a conversation about bot orchestras
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang stated that the distinction between proprietary and open AI models is not a clear-cut one, suggesting that proprietary systems can incorporate open elements. This perspective is emerging as AI orchestration systems, which manage interactions between various AI models and tools, become more prevalent. The discussion highlights the evolving landscape of AI development, where complex interactions between different types of models are becoming the norm.
RTS game PERIMETER: Legate Edition gets Linux ARM64 binaries and Steam Workshop support
PERIMETER: Legate Edition, an enhanced version of the 2004 real-time strategy game, has received an update adding Linux ARM64 binaries and Steam Workshop support for mods. The game's code is also open source under the GPL. This update includes improvements to campaign mods, Steam integration, and bug fixes.
GNOME Fellowship program announced to support "critical and under-resourced areas"
The GNOME Foundation has announced the GNOME Fellowship program to provide financial support for individuals working on critical and under-resourced areas of open source development. The program aims to address the reliance on volunteers for essential open source technologies. Applications are now open for the first cycle, which will begin in May 2026, with fellows generally working for 12 months on areas of their choosing, including build systems, testing frameworks, and documentation.
Infinity Engine open source remake GemRB 0.9.5 gets Baldur's Gate II: Enhanced Edition playable
The open-source Infinity Engine remake project GemRB has released version 0.9.5, significantly improving compatibility for classic RPGs like Baldur's Gate, Planescape: Torment, and Icewind Dale, including their enhanced editions. This update brings enhancements to audio, input handling, pathfinding performance, and adds EE-like zoom functionality across supported games.
Thief-like open source game project The Dark Mod 2.14 released
The free and open source stealth game project The Dark Mod has released version 2.14, focusing on bug fixes and performance improvements since the 2.13 release. This update enhances AI visibility, resolves long-standing bugs related to saving and crashes, and improves graphical features like tone-mapping and projected decals. The game engine continues to be supported by a community building maps and campaigns for a modern Thief-like experience on Linux and Windows.
OpenTTD asks people to please stop being mad at Atari for forcing the game off Steam: 'OpenTTD as a project retains its full independence,' and you can still get it for free
The OpenTTD development team is asking fans to stop directing anger at Atari following the removal of OpenTTD from Steam and GOG. The team clarified that Atari has been collaborative, allowing OpenTTD to remain free on its own website while Transport Tycoon Deluxe is re-released commercially. Atari will also contribute to OpenTTD's server infrastructure costs.
Atari Partly Funding OpenTTD Following Controversial Steam and GOG Changes
Atari is now partly funding the upkeep costs for the open-source simulation game OpenTTD, following recent controversial changes to its Steam and GOG releases. The developers clarified that Atari, owner of Transport Tycoon Deluxe, agreed to contribute to server infrastructure costs without pressure, while OpenTTD retains its independence. These changes mean players must now own Transport Tycoon Deluxe to access OpenTTD on Steam or GOG.
OpenRazer v3.12.0 brings Linux support for more Razer devices
The open-source project OpenRazer has released version 3.12.0, adding support for several new Razer peripherals on Linux. This update includes devices like the Razer BlackWidow V4 Tenkeyless HyperSpeed, Razer Mouse Dock Pro, and Razer Huntsman V3 Pro 8KHz, alongside various bug fixes and improvements to the Python library. The project aims to provide a community-driven alternative to vendor-specific software.
