Non-Technical Tips for the Linux Beginner

Buckle up, we’re going on a road trip with this one, but I promise if you stick with me it will be worth it… In this article I am going to lay out five non-technical tips for the Linux beginner. These are things I wish someone had told me twenty plus years ago when I started to tinker with my first Linux installation.

Open Hardware: Raspberry Pi, PinePhones and More

• Build a Raspberry Pi Zero W Amazon price tracker

  Have you ever missed out on a great deal on Amazon because you were completely unaware it existed? Are you interested in a specific item but waiting for it to go on sale? Here’s help: Devscover’s latest video shows you how to create an Amazon price tracker using Raspberry Pi Zero W and Python.

• Environmentally-friendly Raspberry Pi projects

  However, not only is the Raspberry Pi line good for your conscience, they’re also pretty good for the environment too. The device runs off a very low-voltage micro USB power supply, making it incredibly energy efficient and, providing you take decent care of your Raspberry Pi, the hardware usually has a long life span. This means there is no reason for your Pi to end up in a landfill within a few years or so of purchasing it, unlike a lot of hardware.

• Build a Raspberry Pi laser scanner

  You really don’t need anything too fancy to build this Raspberry Pi laser scanner, and that’s why we think it’s pretty wonderful.

• February Update: Post CNY And FOSDEM Status Report

  A lot has happened in the past month. PinePhones have finally begun arriving in the hands of their owners, we had a great showing at FOSDEM, and new hardware was announced. If you haven’t yet read my post about our trip to FOSDEM and the new devices, then I encourage you to do so. Behind the scenes, much work is currently being poured into consolidating and evolving current projects as well as exploring new ones. There are some really exciting months ahead of us!

  In the meantime, we have plenty to discuss.

• Use your TV as a computer monitor: Everything you need to know

  You definitely can use an HDTV as your PC's display, though. Here’s everything you need to know about how to set up a TV as a computer monitor—and why you might not want to.

Android Leftovers

• Android users FINALLY get some good news about dangerous apps in the Play Store

• Vivo Funtouch OS 10 (Android 10) update delayed due to coronavirus outbreak

• [Xiaomi India also confirms] Mi A3 Android 10 update will arrive in March, says Xiaomi France

• Mi A3 Android 10 Update — When You Can Expect it (PS: It's Within a Month)

• 2-year-old Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9+ get Android 10 in Malaysia

• Android 11 DP1: Dark theme can now be scheduled for sunset, custom time

• Android 11 does not shut down Bluetooth if you turn on Airplane mode while listening to audio (Updated)

• Android 11 makes 'waterfall' curved-edge screens less frustrating to use

• Android 11’s new ‘Gabeldorsche’ Bluetooth stack was given its name for a great reason

• Android 11 reorganizes everything in the Do Not Disturb settings menu

• Android electronic IDs will support driver's licenses first, passports later (Update: Android 11)

• Vu 4K Cinema LED Android TV Review

• How to Enable Dark Mode in iOS and Android

VirtualBox 6.1.4 Released with Full Support for Linux Kernel 5.5

Coming approximately one month after the VirtualBox 6.1.2 point release, which introduced Linux host support for the latest Linux 5.5 kernel series (support for Linux guest additions wasn’t available), VirtualBox 6.1.4 is here to add full support for Linux kernel 5.5, for both host and guest. Additionally, VirtualBox 6.1.4 improved shared folder support on Linux guests by fixing loopback mounting of images. Other changes include the ability to report EFI support through DMI table and always report non-ATA disks as ready, as well as reduced stack space usage for INT 10h handlers.