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Jonathan Riddell Leaves KDE After 25 Years
Jonathan Riddell, the founder of Kubuntu, later focused on KDE Neon and was responsible for the release management of KDE Plasma.
He announced his departure from KDE after 25 years.
He mentioned disagreements over governance and feelings of marginalization, expressing complex emotions about leaving.
Given his long-standing contributions to the widespread adoption of Plasma, his departure marks a significant moment for the KDE community.
Historical Background
Jonathan Riddell created Kubuntu to make the KDE desktop accessible to everyday Linux users, later focusing on KDE Neon, which provides the latest Plasma versions directly to users. After Canonical ended official support for Kubuntu, Neon became the vehicle for the latest KDE software and community testing. Over the years, Riddell also managed the release of KDE Plasma, helping guide the release of the desktop environment.
Did you know?
Riddell helped bring KDE Plasma to millions of users worldwide through his work with Kubuntu and KDE Neon.
Technical Details
KDE Plasma:KDE Plasma is a Linux desktop environment that provides a graphical interface, panels, menus, and system tools for user interaction.
Kubuntu:Kubuntu is an Ubuntu-based distribution that comes with KDE Plasma by default, providing an easy way to use KDE on a stable Ubuntu base.
KDE Neon:KDE Neon is a project aimed at quickly delivering the latest KDE software to users, described as the platform for the current Plasma version and development adoption.
Quick Q&A
Which KDE-related projects is Jonathan Riddell most associated with?He founded Kubuntu, later focused on KDE Neon, and managed the release of KDE Plasma.
What were the reasons for Riddell’s departure from KDE?He mentioned a shift in collaboration and transparent governance, stating that decision-making had become too centralized, leading to his marginalization.
Did Riddell indicate his next role or project?No, he stated he would leave KDE but did not specify any concrete next steps.
Mozilla Releases Firefox 143, Adds Copilot Access
Mozilla has released Firefox 143 for download, which adds camera previews in the permissions dialog, enhanced fingerprint protection, and the ability to create web applications on Windows.
This update also adds access to Microsoft’s Copilot chatbot and displays date information in the address bar.
The final version was officially released on September 16, 2025, prior to the announcement.
Event Timeline
❶ September 15, 2025 The final version of Firefox 143 was released before the announcement
❷ September 16, 2025 Firefox 143 officially released; available for download
Historical Background
Firefox is an open-source web browser developed by the Mozilla community and released by the Mozilla project. Mozilla follows a rapid release cycle for Firefox, with regular updates gradually adding features, fixes, and security improvements.
Technical Details
Fingerprint Protection:Browser fingerprinting uses device and configuration signals to identify users across websites; Firefox 143 enhances defenses to reduce this data surface and hinder tracking.
Installable Web Applications (Windows):Firefox 143 allows Windows users to create web applications that run like native applications, improving taskbar/start menu integration and focus on web tools.
Copilot Access in Sidebar:The browser exposes Microsoft’s Copilot chatbot in the sidebar, enabling quick AI-assisted queries while browsing normally.
Quick Q&A
Does Firefox 143 include AI features?Yes, it adds access to Microsoft’s Copilot chatbot in the sidebar.
What privacy changes are included in this version?Firefox 143 enhances anti-fingerprinting protection, making cross-site tracking more difficult.
Is web application creation available on all platforms?This version emphasizes the new web application creation feature on Windows.
Torvalds Releases Linux 6.17-rc6, Progressing Smoothly
Linus Torvalds announced the release of the sixth release candidate (rc6) for Linux 6.17.
Reports indicate that the cycle has been smooth and calm so far, with normal releases proceeding as planned.
Historical Background
The Linux kernel follows a predictable development rhythm: after about two weeks of new feature merge windows, weekly release candidates are published to stabilize the code. Over the years, under Linus Torvalds’ leadership, this RC process has guided kernel releases. Most cycles end after seven to eight RCs, although occasionally extended if late issues arise. This approach balances rapid innovation with careful regression testing before stable releases.
Did you know?
The Linux kernel cycle typically ends after seven to eight RCs, but if unexpected situations arise, Torvalds occasionally adds an extra week.
Technical Details
Release Candidate (RC):RC is a pre-release snapshot intended for testers and developers to validate fixes, discover regressions, and ensure stability before the final version is released.
Normal Release Rhythm:In the time-based model of the kernel, weekly RCs continue until maintainers believe the tree is ready for a stable tag, usually around rc7-rc8, unless significant late issues arise.
Quick Q&A
What does “proceeding as normal release schedule” mean?It indicates that the regular weekly RC rhythm for 6.17 is expected to proceed without unusual delays.
How did the reports of Torvalds’ announcement describe rc6?It was described as a smooth and calm point in the cycle so far.
AMD Terminates AMDVLK, Shifts Focus to Mesa RADV on Linux
According to reports from Phoronix and GamingOnLinux, AMD has officially discontinued its open-source AMDVLK Vulkan driver and will focus on supporting the Mesa RADV driver on Linux.
This move comes after months of limited visible activity from AMDVLK and consolidates AMD’s Vulkan efforts on Linux around RADV, which GamingOnLinux describes as a more popular choice among users.
This change solidifies AMD’s Vulkan work on Linux, centering it around the Mesa stack.
Event Timeline
❶ Recent months Observers noted limited activity from AMDVLK before the announcement
Historical Background
Vulkan is a low-overhead, cross-platform graphics and compute API overseen by the Khronos Group, widely used across various operating systems, including Linux. Historically, AMD provided two open-source Vulkan paths on Linux: AMDVLK (AMD’s own) and RADV (part of Mesa, a community-driven graphics stack). Over time, many distributions have defaulted to using the Mesa driver for easier integration, and RADV has matured rapidly through community development.
Did you know?
Vulkan is maintained by the Khronos Group, the industry consortium also responsible for OpenGL and OpenCL.
Technical Details
Vulkan Driver:Vulkan drivers implement the Vulkan API for GPUs, enabling high-performance graphics and compute workloads in games and applications.
Mesa RADV:RADV is the open-source Vulkan driver for AMD GPUs within the Mesa stack, widely adopted by Linux distributions, and is now AMD’s recommended Vulkan path on Linux.
AMDVLK:AMDVLK is AMD’s official open-source Vulkan driver project, now deprecated, as AMD shifts its focus to RADV.
Quick Q&A
Which driver does AMD now recommend for running Vulkan on Linux?AMD recommends using the Mesa RADV driver for running Vulkan on Linux.
What happened to AMDVLK?AMDVLK has been deprecated, and AMD is shifting its focus to RADV.
Godot Releases Engine 4.5 with Multiple Improvements
According to Linux-focused media, Godot Engine 4.5 has been officially released, bringing “multiple improvements” that further enhance this free, open-source, cross-platform game engine.
Technical Details
Open Source:Open source means the engine’s source code is publicly available, facilitating community contributions and transparency.
Cross-Platform:Cross-platform software is designed to run on multiple operating systems, helping developers reach a broader audience, including Linux users.
Quick Q&A
What was released?Godot Engine version 4.5, an update containing multiple improvements.
What does this mean for Linux users?Godot is a free, open-source, cross-platform engine, and its release has garnered attention from Linux-focused media and the community.
AOMedia to Release AV2 by End of 2025
The Alliance for Open Media (AOMedia) has announced that it will launch the next-generation AV2 video codec by the end of 2025.
AV2 is the successor to AV1, aimed at improving compression efficiency and increasing support for AR/VR use cases.
AOMedia noted that it has received broad support from the streaming industry.
Historical Background
AV1 was developed by AOMedia and launched in 2018, becoming a widely supported modern video codec used across various browsers and platforms. AV2 is now positioned as the next-generation product from the alliance, aimed at further advancing compression and new use cases, with a planned release by the end of 2025.
Technical Details
Video Codec:A video codec is a method and software/hardware implementation for compressing and decompressing digital video, aimed at reducing bandwidth and storage while maintaining quality.
Compression Efficiency:Improving compression efficiency means achieving similar or better visual quality at lower bitrates, which can reduce streaming costs and improve playback on limited connections.
Quick Q&A
When is AV2 expected to be released?AOMedia plans to release AV2 by the end of 2025.
What are the main advantages of AV2 over AV1?AV2 aims to improve compression efficiency and increase support for AR/VR compared to AV1.
Wine 10.15 Adds Unicode 17 and Initial NTSYNC Work
The Wine project has released development version 10.15, adding support for Unicode 17 and introducing some initial work on NTSYNC.
GamingOnLinux views this as a step towards Wine 11, expected to be released next year.
This version is now available.
Event Timeline
❶ September 2025 Wine 10.15 development version released
Historical Background
Wine is a long-running compatibility layer that enables many Windows applications to run on Linux and other Unix-like systems by translating Windows API calls rather than emulating full hardware. Development versions like 10.15 provide frequent incremental improvements for downstream users and distributions to test before the next stable milestone. The Unicode standard continues to evolve to cover scripts and symbols used globally, so keeping Wine up to date helps with the internationalization of applications that rely on it.
Did you know?
GamingOnLinux notes that this development path is moving towards the anticipated release of Wine 11 next year.
Technical Details
Unicode 17:Unicode is a universal character set standard; Wine 10.15’s support for Unicode 17 aligns its text processing with the latest specifications for broader script and symbol coverage.
NTSYNC:NTSYNC refers to synchronization aligned with Windows NT semantics; Wine 10.15 introduces initial groundwork in this area, which is crucial for proper Windows-style thread and process coordination within Wine.
Quick Q&A
What are the main changes in Wine 10.15?This development version includes support for Unicode 17 and initial steps towards NTSYNC synchronization.
Is Wine 10.15 a stable version?No, it is a development version now available for testing and packaging.
Article Focuses on Four Linux Tools and Their Shortcomings
Three reviews explore Linux workflow tools from different perspectives: XDA Developers lists four Windows utilities the author misses while using Ubuntu daily, TuxMachines highlights four MX Linux tools they wish were included by default on Ubuntu and other distributions, while Linux Today showcases four free, open-source Distrobox GUI frontends.
They collectively emphasize how the community addresses shortcomings in everyday desktop and Linux development tasks by borrowing ideas and building open tools.
Historical Background
The diversity of Linux distributions has long led to different default settings, tools, and software package ecosystems, which can inconvenience users when switching environments. Containerization has become a popular way to standardize development workflows across systems, allowing applications to run with isolated dependencies. Distrobox builds on this by providing rootless, container-based environments that can host multiple Linux distributions on a single machine.
Did you know?
MX Linux is described as one of the “more uniquely looking” Linux distributions, designed to make the experience less cumbersome for average users.
Technical Details
Rootless Containers:Running containers without administrative (root) privileges enhances security and accessibility for desktop users managing development environments.
Distrobox:Distrobox creates and manages container-based environments, allowing users to run various Linux distributions on a single host system, simplifying cross-distribution workflows.
MX Linux Tools:According to TuxMachines, MX Linux includes utilities designed to make the overall experience less cumbersome for average users, which may not be available on other distributions.
Quick Q&A
What is Distrobox? Why should Linux desktop users care about it?Distrobox manages rootless, container-based development environments, allowing you to run multiple Linux distributions on a single host, making it easier to mix and match tools across different distributions.
What is the common theme among these three articles?They all emphasize practical tools—missed Windows features, MX Linux utilities, and Distrobox GUI—that aim to simplify everyday Linux workflows and usability.
Fedora Releases 43 Beta, Featuring Linux 6.17
Fedora 43 Beta has released its ISO image for public testing.
This Beta version features the Linux kernel 6.17, GNOME 49, and KDE Plasma 6.4.
Early testing shows that Fedora Workstation 43 Beta runs well on a Framework desktop with AMD Ryzen AI Max+ “Strix Halo,” with the final version targeted for release in late October or early November.
Event Timeline
❶ September 15, 2025 Fedora 43 Beta wallpaper revealed.
❷ September 16, 2025 Fedora 43 Beta ISO image released for testing.
❸ Late October–Early November 2025 Target release window for the final version of Fedora 43.
Historical Background
Fedora follows a frequent release rhythm, often serving as a testing ground for new Linux technologies before they land in long-term enterprise releases. Each cycle, Fedora typically provides a Beta phase to gather extensive community testing and feedback before the final release. For this cycle, comparisons with Fedora 42’s performance provide continuity and context for improvements or changes in Fedora 43 Beta.
Did you know?
Phoronix benchmarked Fedora Workstation 43 Beta against Fedora 42 to assess performance changes on the new AMD hardware.
Technical Details
Linux 6.17:This kernel supports the operating system with updated drivers, scheduler changes, and hardware support; Fedora 43 Beta includes it to provide the latest upstream improvements.
GNOME 49 and KDE Plasma 6.4:These desktop environments provide the user interface and application integration layer; including them keeps Fedora’s Workstation and derivatives aligned with current UI/UX and toolkit updates.
AMD Strix Halo Ready:Early testing on the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ “Strix Halo” Framework desktop indicates that Fedora 43 Beta runs well on the next-generation x86 APU, which is a positive sign for early adopters.
Quick Q&A
What kernel and desktop does Fedora 43 Beta include?It includes Linux 6.17, GNOME 49, and KDE Plasma 6.4.
How does Fedora 43 Beta perform on AMD Strix Halo?Phoronix reports that it runs well in early testing on the Ryzen AI Max+ “Strix Halo” Framework desktop.
When is the final version of Fedora 43 expected to be released?The target window is late October or early November 2025, depending on Beta testing results.
GNOME 49 Released, libadwaita 1.8 Launched
GNOME 49 has been released alongside libadwaita 1.8, which brings improved keyboard shortcuts and styling to GNOME applications.
The “Dash to Panel” extension has been updated to support GNOME 49 and adds new features.
Community posts indicate that GNOME 49 is running on Arch Linux and Gentoo.
Historical Background
GNOME is a widely used desktop environment in many Linux distributions, providing a unified shell, applications, and design language. Libadwaita is a library for GNOME applications based on GTK4, providing standardized widgets, styles, and behaviors to ensure consistency across the ecosystem.
Did you know?
The update to Dash to Panel specifically targets the “upcoming GNOME 49” series, indicating that the extension is well-prepared for broad adoption.
Technical Details
Libadwaita 1.8:The GTK4-based application library for GNOME adds improved keyboard shortcuts and style updates in version 1.8.
GNOME Shell Extensions:Extensions modify or enhance shell behavior; the new version of Dash to Panel adds compatibility with GNOME 49 and new features.
Quick Q&A
What changes does libadwaita 1.8 introduce?It brings improved keyboard shortcuts and style updates to enhance the GNOME application experience.
Which popular extension has been updated to support GNOME 49?The Dash to Panel GNOME Shell extension has been updated to support GNOME 49 and adds new features.
Where has GNOME 49 been found running early?Community posts indicate it is running on Arch Linux and Gentoo.