Christine Hall
@brideoflinux.bsky.social
Stuff I've written about includes Linux, tech, and open source, radical leftist politics, alternative spirituality, music (mainly rock, jazz, and American songbook, but any genre). Once upon a time radio talk show host, music DJ, and program director.
"In a previous column, I argued that self-hosting is resistance in an age where ownership is increasingly illusory": Self-Hosting is Rising and Linux Users are Leading This Revolution
Self-Hosting is Rising and Linux Users are Leading This Revolution
Self‑hosting isn’t anti‑cloud; it’s pro‑agency. It’s choosing the right locus of control for the things you care about.
ift.tt
November 28, 2025 at 7:30 PM
"In a previous column, I argued that self-hosting is resistance in an age where ownership is increasingly illusory": Self-Hosting is Rising and Linux Users are Leading This Revolution
Just published on FOSS Force: Collabora for Desktop Brings Modern UI and New Workflow to LibreOffice fossforce.com/2025/11/coll...
Collabora for Desktop Brings Modern UI and New Workflow to LibreOffice - FOSS Force
This new offering from Collabora takes the company’s popular modernized LibreOffice spin from online to offline on users’ local machines. Although I usually write in…
fossforce.com
November 28, 2025 at 7:20 PM
Just published on FOSS Force: Collabora for Desktop Brings Modern UI and New Workflow to LibreOffice fossforce.com/2025/11/coll...
I wish I had known about this. I would have covered it: StarlingX 11.0 addresses edge security, IPv4 exhaustion for massive deployments @sterlingxsm.bsky.social
StarlingX 11.0 addresses edge security, IPv4 exhaustion for massive deployments
StarlingX cranks open-source cloud network infrastructure to 11.
buff.ly
November 28, 2025 at 7:00 PM
I wish I had known about this. I would have covered it: StarlingX 11.0 addresses edge security, IPv4 exhaustion for massive deployments @sterlingxsm.bsky.social
"I delivered a keynote speech last night.The talk was recorded and I'll add the video to this post when I get it, but in the meantime, here's the transcript": (Digital) Elbows Up
Pluralistic: (Digital) Elbows Up (28 Nov 2025) – Pluralistic: Daily links from Cory Doctorow
Pluralistic: Daily links from Cory Doctorow
buff.ly
November 28, 2025 at 6:30 PM
"I delivered a keynote speech last night.The talk was recorded and I'll add the video to this post when I get it, but in the meantime, here's the transcript": (Digital) Elbows Up
"This resurrection became possible after Google open-sourced PebbleOS in January 2025": After Fitbit Killed it in 2016, Pebble Returns with 100% Open Source Software and Hardware
After Fitbit Killed it in 2016, Pebble Returns with 100% Open Source Software and Hardware
Creator Eric Migicovsky releases hardware schematics and mobile apps.
ift.tt
November 28, 2025 at 6:00 PM
"This resurrection became possible after Google open-sourced PebbleOS in January 2025": After Fitbit Killed it in 2016, Pebble Returns with 100% Open Source Software and Hardware
"Xebian is a Linux distribution with the goal to make an Xfce Debian based system that is much like Xubuntu": Xebian - Xfce Debian-based system - LinuxLinks
Xebian - Xfce Debian-based system - LinuxLinks
Xebian is a Linux distribution with the goal to make an Xfce Debian based system that is much like Xubuntu.
buff.ly
November 28, 2025 at 5:30 PM
"Xebian is a Linux distribution with the goal to make an Xfce Debian based system that is much like Xubuntu": Xebian - Xfce Debian-based system - LinuxLinks
When EFF speaks, we listen. They usually think things through: The UK Has It Wrong on Digital ID. Here’s Why.
The UK Has It Wrong on Digital ID. Here’s Why.
In late September, the United Kingdom’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced his government’s plans to introduce a new digital ID scheme in the country to take effect before the end of the…
ift.tt
November 28, 2025 at 5:00 PM
When EFF speaks, we listen. They usually think things through: The UK Has It Wrong on Digital ID. Here’s Why.
"Because everything is in XML format and in the same location, identity systems can analyse the content without searching for it. Identity systems can focus on specific parts of a file rather than scanning raw binary blocks": The Role of ODF in Digital Identity and Authentication
The Role of ODF in Digital Identity and Authentication - The Document Foundation Blog
Reliable data flows, verifiable signatures and predictable structures are essential for digital identity systems, which touch every aspect of modern digital life. They authorise transactions, confirm…
buff.ly
November 28, 2025 at 4:30 PM
"Because everything is in XML format and in the same location, identity systems can analyse the content without searching for it. Identity systems can focus on specific parts of a file rather than scanning raw binary blocks": The Role of ODF in Digital Identity and Authentication
No mention of parallel port or serial port cables. I still have a lot of those around somewhere: These cables are outdated, but you should still keep them at home
These cables are outdated, but you should still keep them at home
You might need them someday, so keep them around for now.
buff.ly
November 28, 2025 at 4:00 PM
No mention of parallel port or serial port cables. I still have a lot of those around somewhere: These cables are outdated, but you should still keep them at home
"This is the second article in a new series looking at the latest piece of kit from the folks at Orange Pi": Benchmarking the Orange Pi 6 Plus Single Board Computer - LinuxLinks
Benchmarking the Orange Pi 6 Plus Single Board Computer - LinuxLinks
I put the Orange Pi 6 Plus through a series of benchmarks and compare its results to a variety of its competitors.
buff.ly
November 28, 2025 at 3:30 PM
"This is the second article in a new series looking at the latest piece of kit from the folks at Orange Pi": Benchmarking the Orange Pi 6 Plus Single Board Computer - LinuxLinks
"New file actions let you convert between various audio formats with PACPL, join MP4 and MKV files with FFmpeg, create SFZ sound libraries with makesfz, resize images with ImageMagick, and more": AV Linux 25 Multimedia Production Distro Brings Enlightenment to MX Linux 25
AV Linux 25 Multimedia Production Distro Brings Enlightenment to MX Linux 25 - 9to5Linux
AV Linux 25 distribution designed for music and video production is now available for download based on MX Linux 25.
buff.ly
November 28, 2025 at 3:00 PM
"New file actions let you convert between various audio formats with PACPL, join MP4 and MKV files with FFmpeg, create SFZ sound libraries with makesfz, resize images with ImageMagick, and more": AV Linux 25 Multimedia Production Distro Brings Enlightenment to MX Linux 25
We're definitely trying this out: Once you try cross-device clipboard, there’s no going back
Once you try cross-device clipboard, there’s no going back
After one taste of seamless copy-paste, you’ll never go back.
buff.ly
November 28, 2025 at 2:30 PM
We're definitely trying this out: Once you try cross-device clipboard, there’s no going back
We're all collecting old phones that still work. We might as well put them to use: Don’t buy an Android Auto head unit yet — your spare phone can handle it
Don’t buy an Android Auto head unit yet — your spare phone can handle it
Before spending on an Android Auto head unit, try your spare phone.
buff.ly
November 28, 2025 at 2:00 PM
We're all collecting old phones that still work. We might as well put them to use: Don’t buy an Android Auto head unit yet — your spare phone can handle it
A lifetime of cautionary science fiction tells us that's a valid concern: Americans fear losing control of AI more than losing their jobs, study shows
Americans fear losing control of AI more than losing their jobs, study shows - BetaNews
New research suggests Americans are more worried about who controls AI, and how it’s governed, rather than about losing their jobs to it. A study from
buff.ly
November 27, 2025 at 10:30 PM
A lifetime of cautionary science fiction tells us that's a valid concern: Americans fear losing control of AI more than losing their jobs, study shows
"Until very recently the only member of Congress excused from not having moved to impeach Trump was Rep. Grijalva, because until someone swore her in there was nothing she could officially do": Oaths Of Office, And How Everyone Not Moving To Impeach Trump Is Violating Their Own
Oaths Of Office, And How Everyone Not Moving To Impeach Trump Is Violating Their Own
Until very recently the only member of Congress excused from not having moved to impeach Trump was Rep. Grijalva, because until someone swore her in there was nothing she could officially do. But f…
buff.ly
November 27, 2025 at 9:30 PM
"Until very recently the only member of Congress excused from not having moved to impeach Trump was Rep. Grijalva, because until someone swore her in there was nothing she could officially do": Oaths Of Office, And How Everyone Not Moving To Impeach Trump Is Violating Their Own
"It isn’t just measles. Pertussis, commonly referred to as whooping cough, has also been on the increase over the past few years. The unvaccinated account for a heavy number of the infected and the deaths" - Not Just Measles: Anti-Vaxxers Have Produced 3 Infant Deaths From Pertussis
Not Just Measles: Anti-Vaxxers Have Produced 3 Infant Deaths From Pertussis
In all of our conversations surrounding RFK Jr.’s appointment to lead HHS and the legitimization of his anti-vaxxer beliefs as a result, we have understandably been hyper-focused on measles. …
buff.ly
November 27, 2025 at 9:00 PM
"It isn’t just measles. Pertussis, commonly referred to as whooping cough, has also been on the increase over the past few years. The unvaccinated account for a heavy number of the infected and the deaths" - Not Just Measles: Anti-Vaxxers Have Produced 3 Infant Deaths From Pertussis
A good list: You’re probably wasting money on these common tech traps
You’re probably wasting money on these common tech traps
Companies devise all kinds of ways for you to throw away your cash.
buff.ly
November 27, 2025 at 8:30 PM
A good list: You’re probably wasting money on these common tech traps
"Pardus 25.0 continues to offer a choice of Xfce and GNOME desktops on its desktop flavours, while also providing a specialist edition for servers, all based on Debian's latest stable release": Distribution Release: Pardus 25.0 (buff.ly/rXdvSdX News) buff.ly/kFzvLuP
DistroWatch.com: Put the fun back into computing. Use Linux, BSD.
News and feature lists of Linux and BSD distributions.
buff.ly
November 27, 2025 at 8:00 PM
"Pardus 25.0 continues to offer a choice of Xfce and GNOME desktops on its desktop flavours, while also providing a specialist edition for servers, all based on Debian's latest stable release": Distribution Release: Pardus 25.0 (buff.ly/rXdvSdX News) buff.ly/kFzvLuP
"No wonder pornographers and sex workers embraced the VCR! No wonder they embraced the internet! No wonder they embraced cryptocurrency": Normie diffusion and technophilia
Pluralistic: Normie diffusion and technophilia (27 Nov 2025) – Pluralistic: Daily links from Cory Doctorow
Pluralistic: Daily links from Cory Doctorow
buff.ly
November 27, 2025 at 7:30 PM
"No wonder pornographers and sex workers embraced the VCR! No wonder they embraced the internet! No wonder they embraced cryptocurrency": Normie diffusion and technophilia
"AI slop makers and people in favour of AI generation will naturally not want these types of notices and will fight against them, while the other side no doubt value seeing the notice": According to Epic CEO Tim Sweeney - game stores don't need an AI label as it will be everywhere
According to Epic CEO Tim Sweeney - game stores don't need an AI label as it will be everywhere
With the increasing amount of games using AI, Epic Game's Tim Sweeney believes the AI messages on stores like Steam make no sense.
buff.ly
November 27, 2025 at 7:04 PM
"AI slop makers and people in favour of AI generation will naturally not want these types of notices and will fight against them, while the other side no doubt value seeing the notice": According to Epic CEO Tim Sweeney - game stores don't need an AI label as it will be everywhere
I try to avoid scanning QR codes at all costs: Online shoppers warned of QR code phishing scam
Online shoppers warned of QR code phishing scam - BetaNews
If scammers have your name and address from previous data breaches, scraped social media posts or public directories, they cab easily make a fake parcel look
buff.ly
November 27, 2025 at 6:30 PM
I try to avoid scanning QR codes at all costs: Online shoppers warned of QR code phishing scam
Just don't let your chatbot make your purchases for you: ChatGPT’s new feature is a game-changer for holiday shopping
ChatGPT’s new feature is a game-changer for holiday shopping
Let ChatGPT's shopping tool guide you to the perfect gift
buff.ly
November 27, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Just don't let your chatbot make your purchases for you: ChatGPT’s new feature is a game-changer for holiday shopping
If I understand this correctly, he's not ditching Gmail as much as he's ditching Gmail's online interface: I’m ditching Gmail for an email client you’ve never heard of
I’m ditching Gmail for an email client you’ve never heard of
The email app that convinced me to say goodbye to Gmail
buff.ly
November 27, 2025 at 5:30 PM
If I understand this correctly, he's not ditching Gmail as much as he's ditching Gmail's online interface: I’m ditching Gmail for an email client you’ve never heard of
I personally don't block ads, and if I did, I would only block ads that that use something like javascript and which attempt to install cookies: How LLMs could revolutionize ad blocking
How LLMs could revolutionize ad blocking - BetaNews
Ad blocking software has traditionally relied on filter lists. These need time consuming and regular maintenance in order to keep them up to date and effective.
buff.ly
November 27, 2025 at 5:00 PM
I personally don't block ads, and if I did, I would only block ads that that use something like javascript and which attempt to install cookies: How LLMs could revolutionize ad blocking
Just so you know, it's not open source: AI browser Opera Neon gains new tools and Gemini 3 and Nano Banana support
AI browser Opera Neon gains new tools and Gemini 3 and Nano Banana support - BetaNews
Opera has released a major update for Opera Neon, the experimental agentic browser it launched two months ago. The update adds a new one minute mode to the
buff.ly
November 27, 2025 at 4:30 PM
Just so you know, it's not open source: AI browser Opera Neon gains new tools and Gemini 3 and Nano Banana support