Linux Format

Linux Format is your complete guide to the world of Linux. Whether you've just discovered Linux, or you're a full-time guru, Linux Format has everything you need to make the most of your OS. The editorial formula is a mix of features, reviews and practical tutorials that tackle topics as far ranging as installing software to socket programming and network management. Thought-provoking features and interviews also provide a focus on key technologies, trends and issues in the fast-paced world of Free and Open Source software.

MEET THE TEAM • This issue we’re looking at more open AI and machine-learning concepts, so what’s the most interesting thing you’ve found yourself using AI for?

Inside AI

Is Valve starting an OS war with Microsoft? • Valve branding hints at SteamOS expansion, while Microsoft’s TPM requirements frustrate users. Could this spark a shift towards Linux?

ChromeOS upgrades • Rumours of Google’s plans to merge ChromeOS into Android mean Apple’s tablet dominance could be challenged. But what about existing Chromebooks?

Intel announces Arc B series • Battlemage is accompanied by open source drivers.

MAKE A DATE!

CHANGES IN STORE?

Linus hates CPU feature levels • Linux creator slams “completely broken” x86_64 feature levels.

Paid software on Flathub? • Gnome seeks a program manager to set up payments.

Mozilla pixel brand refresh • Non-profit hopes to “reclaim the internet” with a new logo.

Distro watch • What’s behind the free software sofa?

MEDIA UPDATE

ELECTRIC THEMES

Kernel Watch • Jon Masters summarises the latest happenings in the Linux kernel, so that you don’t have to.

Answers • Got a burning question about open source or the kernel? Whatever your level, email it to answers@linuxformat.com

Mailserver

Helpdex

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YOUR DIGITAL ISSUE ACCESS • Linux Format print subscribers can now access digital back issues two ways! * Who’s a lucky bunch of readers?!

AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D • AMD forges the unquestioned gaming champ, Paul Alcorn finds.

GhostBSD 24.10.1 • Nate Drake determines whether this is the Casper of the BSD world or whether your system will be haunted by bugs.

Tucana Linux 3.1 • Nate Drake is left scratching his head over this latest distribution for building your own OS (almost) from scratch.

Br OS 24.10 • Nate Drake delves into this colourful Latin American distro, which couples KDE Plasma 6 with its very own dock.

BackBox 9 • After two years, Nate Drake finally gets to review this Ubuntu-based pentesting distro. Can it contend with greats like Kali?

AI chatbots • Imagine a digital companion who’s memorised the entire internet. That’s what AI chat offers, and Michael Reed takes a look at five alternatives.

GET INSIDE OPEN AI! • Long-suspected chatbot Jonni Bidwell invokes all his neural networks to harness the power of open source AI.

AI then and now • A potted history of where all this artificial intelligence stuff came from and how it got to where we are now.

How AI works • How intelligent is artificial intelligence really? And what’s going on behind the proprietary tech scenes?

Run your own LLMs • You don’t need to sacrifice your commitment to open source to play with chatbots. You can easily run them locally. ou’re probably familiar with the models we mentioned on the previous page, but there’s

LM Studio in depth • Explore LM Studio’s more advanced features, learn how GPTs work, and play with some other models

Multiple Pi 5 releases in time for 2025 • It seems there are Pis flying at us faster than we can dodge them all!

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