To compare the ANBERNIC RG556 and the Steam Deck, let's examine their key specifications:

Processing Power

ANBERNIC RG556:

• CPU: Unisoc T820
• GPU: Mali-G57
• RAM: 8GB

Steam Deck:

• CPU: Custom AMD Zen 2, 4 cores/8 threads, 2.4-3.5GHz
• GPU: AMD RDNA 2 with 8 compute units, 1.0-1.6GHz
• RAM: 16GB LPDDR5[1][4]

The Steam Deck has a more powerful custom APU designed specifically for gaming, while the RG556 uses a more general-purpose mobile processor.

Display

ANBERNIC RG556:

• 5.4" AMOLED touchscreen
• 1920x1080 resolution (1080p)

Steam Deck:

• 7" LCD touchscreen (original model)
• 1280x800 resolution
• 7.4" HDR OLED touchscreen (newer model)
• 1280x800 resolution, up to 90Hz refresh rate[1][4]

The RG556 has a higher resolution but smaller AMOLED screen, while the Steam Deck offers a larger display with HDR capabilities in its OLED model.

Storage

ANBERNIC RG556:

• 128GB internal storage

Steam Deck:

• Options range from 64GB eMMC to 512GB or 1TB NVMe SSD
• MicroSD card slot for expansion[1][4]

The Steam Deck offers more storage options and expandability.

Battery

ANBERNIC RG556:

• 5000mAh battery
• Approximately 8 hours of average use

Steam Deck:

• 40Whr battery (LCD model)
• 50Whr battery (OLED model)
• 3-12 hours of gameplay depending on usage[1][4]

Both devices offer similar battery life, with the Steam Deck potentially lasting longer for less demanding tasks.

Operating System

ANBERNIC RG556:

• Android-based system

Steam Deck:

• SteamOS 3.0 (Arch Linux-based)
• KDE Plasma desktop environment[1][4]

The Steam Deck's custom OS is optimized for PC gaming, while the RG556 uses a more familiar Android environment.

Price

ANBERNIC RG556:

• Approximately $185

Steam Deck:

• Ranges from $399 to $649 depending on the model[2]

The RG556 is significantly less expensive than the Steam Deck.

In summary, while the ANBERNIC RG556 offers a compact and more affordable option with a high-resolution AMOLED screen, the Steam Deck provides superior processing power, a larger display, more storage options, and a custom-built gaming-focused operating system. The Steam Deck is better suited for running more demanding PC games, while the RG556 is more oriented towards emulation and Android gaming.

Citations: [1] https://www.steamdeck.com/en/tech [2] https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/steam-deck-valve-gaming-handheld [3] https://retrododo.com/anbernic-rg556-review/ [4] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steam_Deck

To play Magic: The Gathering (MTG) against a computer opponent on Manjaro Linux, you have a few options:

Magic: The Gathering Arena

Magic: The Gathering Arena is the official digital version of the game, which allows you to play against computer opponents and other players online. While it's not natively supported on Linux, you can run it using Wine or through Steam:

Using Wine

1. Install Wine and its dependencies:

sudo pacman -S wine jq curl

2. Clone the mtga-launcher repository:

git clone https://github.com/otti358/mtga-launcher.git
cd mtga-launcher/

3. Run the launcher:

./mtga-launcher

Using Steam

To install and play "Magic: The Gathering Arena" (MTGA) on Manjaro Linux using Steam's Proton compatibility layer, follow these updated steps:

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Install Steam on Manjaro: Open a terminal and run the following command to install Steam:

   sudo pacman -S steam
   

2. Launch Steam: After installation, launch Steam from your application menu.

3. Enable Steam Play for Windows games:

   • In Steam, click on "Steam" in the top-left corner and select "Settings."
   • In the Settings menu, click on "Steam Play" in the left sidebar.
   • Check the box for "Enable Steam Play for all other titles."
   • Select the latest Proton version from the dropdown menu.
   • Click "OK" and restart Steam to apply the changes.

4. Install "Magic: The Gathering Arena":

   • Use the search bar in the Steam store to find "Magic: The Gathering Arena."
   • Click on the game in the search results and then click the "Play" button to install it.
   • Follow the prompts to complete the installation.

5. Launch the game:

   • Once the installation is complete, go to your Library.
   • Find "Magic: The Gathering Arena" in your game list and click "Play."
   • Steam will automatically use Proton to run the game on Manjaro.

Additional Tips:

• Check Game Compatibility: Before playing, you can check the compatibility of MTGA on ProtonDB to see if there are any specific tweaks or settings recommended by other users.

• Try Different Proton Versions: If you encounter issues while playing, you may need to try different Proton versions:

  • Right-click on "Magic: The Gathering Arena" in your Library.
  • Select "Properties."
  • Go to the "Compatibility" tab.
  • Check the box for "Force the use of a specific Steam Play compatibility tool" and select a different Proton version from the dropdown menu.

• Non-Steam Games: If you want to add non-Steam games to Steam and use Proton, you can do so by:

  • Clicking "Add a Non-Steam Game" in the Steam Library.
  • Selecting the game's executable file.
  • Setting the compatibility layer (Proton version) in the game's properties.

Alternative Options

If you're having trouble running MTG Arena, consider these alternatives:

Forge

Forge is an open-source MTG simulator that runs natively on Linux:

1. Install Java if not already installed:

sudo pacman -S jdk-openjdk

2. Download Forge from its official website.
3. Extract the archive and run the launcher script.

Forge offers single-player modes against AI opponents and allows you to play against yourself.

XMage

XMage is another open-source MTG client that supports playing against AI:

1. Install Java if not already installed.
2. Download XMage from its official website.
3. Extract the archive and run the launcher.

XMage provides a rules engine and AI opponents, allowing you to play against the computer or set up games against yourself.

Citations: [1] https://github.com/otti358/mtga-launcher [2] https://forum.garudalinux.org/t/installing-magic-the-gathering-arena-fails-using-lutris/34461 [3] https://www.reddit.com/r/archlinux/comments/1cbk7k2/dockerized_magic_the_gathering_arena_for_arch/ [4] https://forum.manjaro.org/t/how-to-install-magic-the-gathering-arena-on-manjaro-arch/122546

To boot your Lenovo laptop from a USB drive with Windows 11, follow these steps:

Accessing BIOS/Boot Menu

1. Restart your Lenovo laptop.

2. As soon as the Lenovo logo appears, repeatedly press the F12 key to enter the Boot Menu[1][5]. On some models, you may need to press Fn+F12 instead[6].

3. If F12 doesn't work, try F1, F2, or F10 to access the BIOS settings[7].

Preparing BIOS Settings

1. Once in BIOS, navigate to the "Security" tab and disable "Secure Boot" if it's enabled[1].

2. Go to the "Startup" tab and enable the "F12 Boot Menu" option[2].

3. In the "Configuration" tab, ensure USB support is enabled[2].

4. Save changes and exit BIOS (usually by pressing F10).

Booting from USB

1. Plug in your bootable Windows 11 USB drive.

2. Restart your laptop and press F12 to enter the Boot Menu.

3. Use the arrow keys to select your USB drive from the list of boot devices[5][6].

4. Press Enter to boot from the selected USB drive.

Troubleshooting

If you're still having issues:

• Try a different USB port on your laptop[3].
• Ensure your USB drive is properly formatted and contains a valid Windows 11 installation[3].
• Check if your Lenovo model supports Windows 11 and meets the minimum system requirements.
• Update your BIOS to the latest version, as this can sometimes resolve boot issues[3].

If all else fails, you may need to perform a clean installation of Windows 10 first and then upgrade to Windows 11 using the installation assistant[3].

Remember, the exact steps may vary slightly depending on your specific Lenovo model. If you continue to experience difficulties, consult Lenovo's support documentation for your particular laptop model.

Citations: [1] https://recoverit.wondershare.com/usb-tips/lenovo-boot-from-usb.html [2] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CxtWvo-DU4I [3] https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/how-to-install-windows-11-on-new-lenovo-ideapad3/1ab8b0dd-3e8c-4d63-b7e4-94ace917603c [4] https://www.reddit.com/r/MDT/comments/13flzxu/creating_a_bootable_windows_11_usb_for_lenovo/ [5] https://support.lenovo.com/us/en/solutions/ht118361-how-to-boot-from-a-usb-drive-thinkpad [6] https://pcsupport.lenovo.com/us/en/products/laptops-and-netbooks/yoga-series/yoga-11-notebook-ideapad/2696/solutions/ht500207-how-to-boot-from-usb-disk-in-the-bios-boot-menu-windows-8-windows-10-ideapadlenovo-laptops [7] https://www.easeus.com/partition-manager-software/boot-lenovo-laptop-from-usb.html [8] https://pcsupport.lenovo.com/us/es/products/laptops-and-netbooks/ideapad-l-series-laptop/l3-15iml05/solutions/ht500207-how-to-boot-from-usb-disk-in-the-bios-boot-menu-windows-8-windows-10-ideapadlenovo-laptops

I'm considering upgrading my laptop and giving my current one to someone else. I'm looking for a device with a 15.6" FHD display, at least 8GB of RAM, a 256GB SSD, HDMI, USB 3.0, and an audio jack, all within a budget of under 500€.

I've found some refurbished options at a good price, and these two seem like the best choices:

1. Lenovo ThinkPad L590: 15.6" i5 8365U, 8GB RAM, SSD 256GB, Full HD, Grade A
2. Lenovo ThinkPad T580: 15.6" i5 8350U, 8GB RAM, SSD 256GB, Full HD, NVIDIA GeForce MX150 2GB, Grade A+

Which one would you recommend?

Open source projects often face challenges in securing adequate funding, donations, and contributions for several reasons:

Limited Awareness and Visibility

Many open source projects struggle to gain visibility among potential users and contributors[1]. Without a large user base or strong marketing efforts, it can be difficult to attract donations or financial support.

Misconceptions About Open Source

There's a common misconception that open source software should be entirely free, including development costs[2]. This leads to a reluctance among users to financially support projects they benefit from.

Funding Models and Sustainability

Traditional funding models often don't align well with open source development:

Donation Challenges: Relying solely on donations is rarely sustainable for most projects[5]. Only a small percentage of users typically contribute, and amounts are often insufficient to support full-time development.

Venture Capital Complications: While VC funding can provide initial boosts, it often leads to pressure for monetization that may conflict with open source principles[3].

The "Free Rider" Problem

Many companies and individuals use open source software without contributing back, either financially or through code contributions[2]. This creates an imbalance where projects provide value but don't receive proportional support.

Your Proposed Solution

Your idea of a self-hosted project with a demo featuring ads presents an interesting middle ground:

Potential Benefits:

• Provides a steady revenue stream without compromising the open source nature of the project.
• Allows users to try the software before committing to self-hosting.
• Could generate enough income to support full-time developers.

Considerations:

• Ensure the ad implementation doesn't compromise user privacy or experience.
• Be transparent about how ad revenue is used to support the project.
• Consider offering an ad-free option for users who prefer to donate directly.

This approach aligns with the concept of "open core" models, where the core functionality remains open source while additional features or services generate revenue[1]. It could potentially address some of the funding challenges while maintaining the project's open source ethos.

Balancing Open Source and Sustainability

Your proposal represents a pragmatic approach to the open source funding dilemma. By generating revenue through non-intrusive means, the project can maintain its open source nature while working towards financial sustainability. This model could potentially:

1. Attract more contributors by demonstrating a path to sustainable development.
2. Provide resources for marketing and outreach, increasing the project's visibility.
3. Allow for consistent maintenance and feature development, benefiting the entire user community.

While not a perfect solution, this approach offers a promising compromise between open source ideals and the practical needs of sustainable software development.

Citations: [1] https://fundingopensource.com/funding-open-source-projects/ [2] https://stackoverflow.blog/2021/01/07/open-source-has-a-funding-problem/ [3] https://www.builder.io/blog/oss-consequences [4] https://www.infoworld.com/article/3557846/how-do-we-fund-open-source.html [5] https://www.cs.cmu.edu/~ckaestne/pdf/icse20-donations.pdf [6] https://www.karllhughes.com/posts/open-source-companies [7] https://opensource.com/education/11/9/how-build-sustainable-nonprofit-open-source-way

My father asked me to set up a Raspberry Pi with the essentials to try out Linux and potentially ditch Windows if he likes it enough. He specifically requested YouTube, Amazon Kindle, GIMP, Audacity, KeePass, and a text editor like Notepad. I've installed Armbian Debian with the Cinnamon desktop environment. What would you have chosen?

As for the essentials, I'm not sure where to find a list of the most commonly used programs to install. I've just installed what I think he would appreciate, for example, Firefox with uBlock Origin, SponsorBlock, KeePassXC-Browser, and G App Launcher extensions. Now I'm going to see if I can install Amazon Kindle and Notepad using Wine, along with a couple of alternatives like Calibre and gedit. Then I'll set up a Google Drive folder so he can share his files with his main computer until he decides to switch. Finally, I'll use Timeshift to create a snapshot after I've finished setting everything up.

What essentials am I missing? Do you have any suggestions?

edit: I've realized that this is a bad idea. I'll just install Linux on one of his spare x86 computers and explain that many programs aren't available for ARM. Then, after he gets used to Linux, I can install it on his current laptop and maybe move his Windows installation to the spare computer, if I can figure out how to do that.

I'd like to invite you all to share your thoughts and ideas about Lemmy. This feedback thread is a great place to do that, as it allows for easier discussions than Github thanks to the tree-like comment structure. This is also where the community is at.

Here's how you can participate:

• Post one top-level comment per complaint or suggestion about Lemmy.
• Reply to comments with your own ideas or links to Github issues related to the complaints.
• Be specific and constructive. Avoid vague wishes and focus on specific issues that can be fixed.
• This thread is a chance for us to not only identify the biggest pain points but also work together to find the best solutions.

By creating this periodic post, we can:

• Track progress on issues raised in previous threads.
• See how many issues have been resolved over time.
• Gauge whether the developers are responsive to user feedback.

Your input may be valuable in helping prioritize development efforts and ensuring that Lemmy continues to meet the needs of its community. Let's work together to make Lemmy even better!

Debian and Ubuntu users have several package management options available, each with its own strengths and use cases. Let's compare apt, snap, flatpak, and pacstall:

APT (Advanced Package Tool)

APT is the traditional package manager for Debian-based systems, including Ubuntu.

Advantages:

• Native to Debian and Ubuntu
• Extensive repository of software packages
• Efficient use of storage space
• Fast application startup times
• Well-established and widely supported

Disadvantages:

• Can be challenging to install the latest software versions
• Potential for dependency conflicts
• Limited to packages available in official repositories

Snap

Snap is a universal package manager developed by Canonical, the company behind Ubuntu.

Advantages:

• Self-contained packages with bundled dependencies
• Easy installation of proprietary software
• Automatic updates
• Sandboxed applications for improved security
• Works across multiple Linux distributions

Disadvantages:

• Larger package sizes due to bundled dependencies
• Slower application startup times
• Limited to Canonical's Snap Store
• Some users dislike the automatic updates

Flatpak

Flatpak is another universal package manager, developed by the open-source community.

Advantages:

• Distribution-agnostic
• Self-contained packages with bundled dependencies
• Sandboxed applications for improved security
• Supports multiple software versions side-by-side
• Decentralized package distribution

Disadvantages:

• Larger package sizes due to bundled dependencies
• Manual updates required
• May require additional setup on some systems

Pacstall

Pacstall is a relatively new package manager that aims to bring AUR-like functionality to Ubuntu and other Debian-based systems.

Advantages:

• Provides access to a wider range of software
• Community-driven package repository
• Easier installation of software not available in official repositories
• Supports building packages from source

Disadvantages:

• Smaller package selection compared to other options
• Less established and potentially less stable
• May require more technical knowledge to use effectively

Comparison Table

In practice, many users opt to use a combination of these package managers. APT remains the primary method for system updates and core software, while snap, flatpak, or pacstall can be used for specific applications or newer software versions not available through APT[1][2][4].

For example, you might use APT for most system packages, Flatpak for desktop applications that require the latest versions, and Snap for proprietary software like Zoom or Spotify that isn't easily available through other means[4].

Ultimately, the choice between these package managers depends on your specific needs, the software you use, and your preferences regarding factors like update frequency, security, and system resource usage.

Citations: [1] https://www.reddit.com/r/linuxquestions/comments/1b4dhdw/flatpack_vs_snap_vs_aptget/ [2] https://www.techtarget.com/searchitoperations/tip/Ubuntu-snap-vs-apt-Which-package-manager-to-use-and-when [3] https://discourse.joplinapp.org/t/pacstall/25333 [4] https://www.zdnet.com/article/why-snap-and-flatpak-make-linux-a-better-os-and-how-theyre-different/ [5] https://www.baeldung.com/linux/snaps-flatpak-appimage

As a community grows in popularity, it often shifts from hosting insightful discussions to attracting memes, funny, and low-quality content. This change appeals to a larger audience interested in such content, creating a vicious cycle where valuable discussions are overshadowed and marginalized by the platform's primary demographic.

It's the pendulum swing of pretty much every community on Reddit.

• Community starts out with a small group of users dedicated to quality content related to the topic
• Community growth reaches a point where the most popular posts begin to trend outside of the community
• New users join the community after seeing popular posts show up in their own feeds. Growth accelerates
• Community becomes "popular" enough that posts regularly trend outside of the community
• New users flood in
• Users flood the community with low-effort content to karma farm
• Community now sucks.

It happened to basically every big sub on Reddit once reaching a large enough size.

I've explored a few platforms within the Fediverse, but most of them seem to be inspired by and mimic existing mainstream social media platforms like Twitter, Reddit, and Facebook. While this familiarity can be comforting, I can't help but wonder if there are any truly innovative and original platforms out there that offer a unique experience.

What makes them unique? How do they reimagine the social media experience?