Ubuntu 25.10 loses security updates this week

Ubuntu 25.10 Questing Quokka desktop running on laptop showing GNOME 49 interface.Support for Ubuntu 25.10 “Questing Quokka” ends 9 July 2026 – which is this week. If you’re still using it, you can upgrade to Ubuntu 26.04 LTS directly to keep receiving updates. Ubuntu 25.10 was released in October 2025. As an ‘interim release’ the desktop edition it receives only 9 months of ongoing updates. Ubuntu’s Long-Term Support versions get 5 years of updates on desktop, plus a further 5 years through an Ubuntu Pro subscription. Nothing dramatic happens when a release goes end of life. Your install keeps working. What stops is the flow of high-impact security updates and critical bug fixes […]

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Ubuntu is swapping its time sync tool for a Rust-based version

Canonical wants ntpd-rs, a Rust rewrite of NTP (Network Time Protocol), to become Ubuntu’s default time sync client. To help get there, Canonical has become a Gold Sponsor of the Trifecta Tech Foundation, the non-profit behind ntpd-rs, committing €40,000 a year to help fund its memory-safe software projects. The goal is to make the Rust-based version the default time sync client and server in Ubuntu 27.04, and it will be made it available for testing in Ubuntu 26.10, out in October. Eventually, it’ll also replace chrony, linuxptp and gpsd for time-syncing use cases, according to Jon Seager, Ubuntu VP of Engineering at Canonical. Your Ubuntu system keeps […]

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PorteuX 2.6 Released with Linux 6.19, TLP Support, and Smarter Hardware Optimization

PorteuX 2.6 Released with Linux 6.19, TLP Support, and Smarter Hardware Optimization

The PorteuX project has officially released PorteuX 2.6, bringing a new round of updates to the lightweight Slackware-based Linux distribution. Designed to be fast, portable, modular, and immutable, PorteuX continues to appeal to users who want a complete desktop operating system that can run efficiently from a USB drive or other removable media. The latest release introduces a newer Linux kernel, improved power management, updated desktop environments, and numerous performance and usability improvements.

Released just two months after PorteuX 2.5, version 2.6 focuses on refining the user experience while maintaining the distribution’s minimalist philosophy.

Powered by Linux Kernel 6.19

At the heart of PorteuX 2.6 is the Linux 6.19 kernel series, bringing improved hardware compatibility, updated drivers, security fixes, and better support for modern processors and peripherals.

The updated kernel helps ensure smoother operation on both newer desktop hardware and laptops while continuing PorteuX’s emphasis on speed and low resource usage.

Better Battery Life with TLP Support

One of the headline features in PorteuX 2.6 is support for TLP, the popular command-line utility used to optimize laptop battery life.

Available through the PorteuX AppStore, TLP automatically adjusts various power-saving settings, including CPU behavior and device power management, helping extend battery life without requiring constant manual tuning.

For laptop users, this addition makes PorteuX an even more attractive lightweight operating system.

Automatic CPU Microcode Loading

The release also introduces automatic loading of Intel and AMD CPU microcode when booting in non-fresh modes.

Microcode updates help address processor bugs, improve stability, and deliver security fixes directly from CPU manufacturers. Automating this process reduces the need for manual configuration while ensuring supported systems benefit from the latest firmware improvements.

Updated Desktop Environments

PorteuX continues to offer multiple desktop editions, each updated to recent upstream releases.

Version 2.6 includes:

  • GNOME 49.4
  • KDE Plasma 6.5.5
  • Xfce 4.20
  • Cinnamon 6.6
  • LXQt 2.3
  • MATE 1.28.2
  • COSMIC 1.0.8
  • LXDE 0.11.1

This broad selection allows users to choose between modern feature-rich desktops and extremely lightweight environments depending on their hardware and workflow.

Performance Improvements Throughout the System

Although PorteuX has always emphasized performance, version 2.6 introduces additional optimizations behind the scenes.

Developers report improvements including:

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Snap Store will be down for maintenance this weekend

Ubuntu and Snapcraft logos arranged in a grid.Canonical’s Snap Store will be shutting down for database maintenance at the weekend, meaning users won’t be able to install or update snaps until it’s back online. The planned downtime is expected to last for four hours, starting on Sunday, 5 July 2026 at 22:00 UTC and ending on Monday, 6 July at 02:00 UTC. During the maintenance you will not be able to install or update snaps. If there’s an app you’ve been wanting to try, or your IoT or core device runs automated tasks during the affected window, you’ll want to plan accordingly To make that planning less […]

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Ubuntu 26.04 LTS has fixed its missing video/audio thumbnails

If you installed Ubuntu 26.04 LTS and noticed video and music files weren’t showing image thumbnails in the file manager, a packaging oversight was to blame, not anything you did. It turns out that Ubuntu’s Default install option (aka minimal install) wasn’t pulling in the gst-audio-thumbnailer and gst-video-thumbnailer packages which generate media thumbnails when you open a folder full of compatible files. A metapackage doesn’t contain software itself, just a list of the packages that need to be installed for, in this case, an Ubuntu desktop experience. Confusingly, both thumbnailers were present in the full install’s meta file, so if […]

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Linux App Release Roundup (June 2026)

Bag fill with app icons, Tux the Linux mascot behind.June was sweltering, but the summer heat didn’t slow down open-source software developers.  Last month delivered a wave of app updates, including the release of Firefox 152 with its streamlined settings, HandBrake resolved its Linux WebM handling and the Audacity 4.0 beta made a brand-new design available for public scrutiny (mainly of the “much better” variety). But underneath those highs – yes, I’m determined to make this heat theme work – a quiet simmer of smaller maintenance updates rolled out too… Cine gained Watch History I spotlighted the Cine Linux video player earlier this year. It’s an MPV-based player with […]

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