Open Source
Ongoing coverage on Open Source.
Latest coverage
Gaming on Linux with an older GPU levels up with DXVK-Sarek v1.12 bringing major new features
DXVK-Sarek v1.12.0 has been released, offering significant updates for Linux gamers with older GPUs that do not meet Vulkan 1.3 requirements. This fork of DXVK introduces dyasync for improved asynchronous pipeline compilation and the port of D7VK, adding support for older Direct3D versions. The update also includes numerous fixes from upstream DXVK, enhancing compatibility for a wider range of games and ensuring older hardware remains viable for modern gaming.
TRX the open source re-implementation of Tomb Raider is making progress on Tomb Raider 3
The open-source re-implementation of Tomb Raider, TRX, is making significant progress on Tomb Raider 3. Version 1.5 introduces enhancements like multi-key shortcuts, improved modding, and bug fixes, while also showcasing early work on Tomb Raider 3 features. TRX offers native Linux support, allowing classic Tomb Raider games to be played on PC with a thriving modding scene.
Luanti (formerly Minetest) v5.15.2 brings critical security updates
Luanti, formerly known as Minetest, has released version 5.15.2, addressing two critical security vulnerabilities. These issues involved insecure environment access control bypass and a mod security sandbox escape that could lead to arbitrary code execution. The update is crucial for all users of the free and open source voxel game engine.
Sentinel is an achievement watcher for non-Steam games on Linux
Sentinel is a new open-source tool for Linux users that allows for achievement tracking in non-Steam games. It monitors emulator achievement files, providing real-time desktop notifications for unlocks and progress updates, and includes features like game library viewing with completion stats and global achievement percentages via the Steam API.
Open source RTS game Warzone 2100 version 4.7 brings major changes
The open-source real-time strategy game Warzone 2100 has received a major update, version 4.7, dubbed the 'Legacy & Lobby Update'. This release introduces significant improvements to Vulkan support, enhanced shadows, a new soundtrack, and a campaign balance mod. The most notable addition is a revamped lobby system for online play, featuring easier game joining via Game IDs, improved connection stability, IPv4 and IPv6 hosting support, and expanded host options for security and customization.
Sunday Tech Bits
NASA has open-sourced the original Apollo 11 code, making the Command Module and Lunar Module code public domain resources. This move by NASA provides valuable historical and technical data for public access.
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.
