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No summary, post is pretty short. Also questions: Do you like the summary? Which method you like most? Is it useful at all?

This summary is generated with ChatGPT and edited by me

Heya folks! It's news time! Here’s the latest roundup from Solus.

Kernel Updates:

** kernels are updated to v6.9.10 (current) and v6.6.41 (LTS). The BORE scheduler is also updated to v5.2.4 on linux-current. These kernel updates include significant changes to the initrd:

• Removed previous init implementation that relied on symlink hacks.
• Added additional firmware paths to enable proper firmware file pickup.
• Included a depmod.conf file to adjust the kernel module search path within the initrd.
• Added a /.dracut-depmod-invalidate file to NVIDIA kernel module initrds to run depmod in the initrd, generating a new index.
• Adapted NVIDIA modules to the new changes.
• Temporarily moved the nvidia-glx-driver linux-current initrd to a subpackage due to user reports of issues with the 6.9 kernel.
• Disabled firmware initrd generation for NVIDIA drivers older than v555.x.

These changes make early KMS for NVIDIA cleaner and more maintainable. We’re looking for testers to join the packaging channel on Matrix to help improve this process further!

KDE Updates:

• KDE Plasma:

  • Updated to 6.1.3.
  • Bugfix release with translations and fixes including:
    • KWin Plugins nightlight: Relax custom times constraints.
    • KWin Tiling: Don’t put maximized windows in tile.

• KDE Frameworks:

  • Updated to 6.4.0.

MariaDB Update:

• MariaDB:
  • Updated to v10.11.
  • Changes to the package:
    • mariadb-libs is now mariadb-common.
    • Moved libmariadbd.so to mariadb-server, reducing mariadb-common size.
    • Reorganized utilities and man pages, added mariadb-errmsg.
    • Made mariadb and libdbi-drivers stateless.
    • Added perl-dbd-mariadb to replace perl-dbd-mysql.

Other Notable Updates:

• OBS Studio: Updated to 30.2 with UI updates, Hybrid MP4 recording, multitrack video output, and Nvidia NVENC support. Full release notes.
• Pipewire: Updated to v1.2. Read more.
• Abseil C++ (abseil-cpp): Updated to v20240116.2. Testing libraries moved to -devel package, reducing install size.
• PPP: Updated to 2.5.0. Many VPN packages updated. Please report any breakages.
• typos: Added to the repository. A tool to find and correct spelling mistakes in source code.

Deprecations:

• Kodi: Deprecated due to rebuild issues. Users are recommended to switch to the flatpak version or explore alternatives like Jellyfin.
• yubikey-manager-qt and ajour: Also deprecated.

Taskforce Updates:

Our Solus Package Taskforce has been diligently working to bring the repository up to current standards:

• Appstream Metainfo: 216 packages (down 13) need appstream metainfo added.
• Homepage Key: 307 packages (down 12) left without homepages.
• Build Failures: 16 packages (down 2) do not build.
• Obsolete Macros: 6 cargo packages (down 15).
• Tagged for Deprecation: 42 packages (down 2).

Security Updates:

• graalvm: Updated to 22.3.3-7. Includes fixes for CVE-2023-22006, CVE-2023-22036, CVE-2023-22041, CVE-2023-22044, CVE-2023-22045, CVE-2023-22049, CVE-2023-22051.
• libraw: Updated to 0.21.2-19. Includes fixes for CVE-2023-1729.
• nasm: Updated to 2.16.03-19. Includes fixes for CVE-2022-46456.
• openvpn: Updated to 2.6.12-36. Includes fixes for CVE-2024-5594.
• qt5-base: Updated to 5.15.14-106. Includes fixes for CVE-2024-39936.
• qt6-base: Updated to 6.7.2-30. Includes fixes for CVE-2024-39936.

Be sure to install all updates for the latest security protections.

That’s all for this week, folks! Tune in next week for more Solus news.

No Summary this week as the post is pretty short

Cheers!

Sync Updates

• Node.js 20 is now in the repository, and it is co-installable with Node.js 18. Some applications, however, are still using very old versions of Node.js. As such, they have to be removed. This list includes:
  • beekeeper-studio
  • mailspring
  • kitematic
  • mongosh
• emscripten package is also in need of a maintainer, or else it, too, will be removed from the repository.
• linux-firmware is now compressed using zstd. This should save around 400-500MB on end user systems.
• pinentry has been updated to 1.3.0. We now build GTK4 and Qt6 frontends for it. A wrapper script will detect at launch, the DE you are running, and will use a suitable frontends for said DE.
• Qt is now at version 6.7.2. This release contains over 200 bug fixes, security enhancements, and other improvements.
• XWayland 24.1 has landed in the repository, bringing explicit sync for GNOME Wayland users using AMD/Intel hardware.
• The Steam udev rules have been moved into their own subpackage, named steam-udev-rules. People using the Steam flatpak can now install it to enable use of gaming controllers with the flatpak version of Steam.

New Packages

• Several XApps have been added to the repository this week. If you haven't heard of them, XApps are generic applications for traditional GTK desktop environments that don't aim to integrate only in one environment. The following applications have been added:
  • xed, a text editor
  • xviewer, an image viewer based on Eye of GNOME
  • xviewer-plugins, a collection of plugins for XViewer
  • xreader, a PDF viewer
  • pix, a photo organization application based on gThumb
• Other new packages available in the repository this week :
  • ryujinx, a Nintendo Switch emulator
  • distrobox
  • fooyin, a customizable music player
  • lime3ds, a Nintendo 3DS emulator, replacing Citra
  • nxsiv, an image viewer, replacing xsiv

Staff Updates

We formed a taskforce to handle our repository housekeeping tasks. This taskforce will mostly do mundane, but much needed, chores for our packages repository. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Adding appstream metainfo - 316 packages (+8 font packages) need appstream metainfo added
• Adding homepage key - 435 packages left without homepage (Down from 2300 packages in October 2023)
• Fixing packages that do not build - 18 packages do not build
• Replace obsolete macros in recipes
• Tagging packages for deprecation

Most of these tasks are beginner-friendly, and can be a great way to learn Solus packaging. We invite anyone that has the time and inclination to join us!

Security Updates

• ghostscript was updated to 9.56.1-27. Includes security fixes for CVE-2023-28879, CVE-2023-38559, CVE-2023-43115, CVE-2023-52722, CVE-2024-29510, CVE-2024-33869, CVE-2024-33870, CVE-2024-33871.
• kerberos was updated to 1.21.3-22. Includes security fixes for CVE-2024-37371.
• wget was updated to 1.24.5-33. Includes security fixes for CVE-2024-38428.

This summary is generated by me (lol)

Sync updates

Applications updates

• KDE Gear has been updated to 24.05.1
• OBS Studio was updated to 30.1.2.
• Clear Boot Manager (CBM) now supports multiple kernel-dependent initrd extensions. This allows the graphics driver to initialize earlier in the boot, which can reduce flickering.

New application

• Papers has been added to the repository this cycle. It is a new PDF viewer for the GNOME desktop.

Development updates

• As a part of our plan to fully remove Python 2, the Solus Software Center will be replaced by GNOME Software and KDE Discover, since we don't have the developers to maintain the Solus SC application.
• In order for us to be able to do that, AppStream metainfo files have to be added to packages so they show up in the new software centers. There are 319 packages that need metainfo added before a switch can be made.
• Adding metainfo is a good and simple way to get started with packaging. We have an issue up on our tracker reagrding this effort. If you would like to help, get in touch in the Solus Packaging room on Matrix.

Security updates

• mbedtls was updated to 2.28.8-14. Includes security fixes for CVE-2024-28960.