Linux Magazine #297 - Digital Issue
AUGUST 2025 – Cleaning Up
Linux comes with lots of files, and more are added every time you download software, install packages, or navigate a system update. Plus logs get longer, and who knows what's really in that /tmp directory. Once in a while, it makes sense to clean it all up.
DVD contents are not available with the digital edition.
IN THIS ISSUE:
Kernel News
* Learning Developer Practices
* APFS Support
Cleaning Up
File bloat can happen to anyone. These simple tips will help you keep your systems lean and responsive.
Cleanup Tools
The Linux environment includes dozens of tools for disk maintenance. We introduce you to a few of the favorites.
Distro Walk – SDesk
SDesk aspires to be the Fedora of Arch Linux. We talk to Stephen Byrne about his passion project.
Gimp 3.0
The latest Gimp release offers a non-destructive workflow and an improved codebase that promises future enhancements.
Tuning for AMD GPUs
CoreCtrl and RadeonTop monitor the utilization and clock frequency of AMD chips with the potential for boosting performance.
Push Notifications
If you host a lot of services on your home server, it helps to have them send you timely notifications. With ntfy, you can send push notifications to your phone or desktop.
Command Line – The Debian Alternatives System
Maintain a list of alternative Debian packages and easily designate the default.
Graphics in Python with Cairo and GTK
Add graphics that automatically update. We show you how to build an analog clock widget with the Cairo and GTK libraries.
Programming Snapshot – Go Analytics
To gain insight into his Amazon orders, Mike Schilli writes a Go program that runs statistics and displays the results graphically.
Shell-Based Encryption
Sensitive data should never be stored in the clear, but encrypting data often requires dealing with the GnuPG juggernaut. v02enc takes the worries out of encryption with a simple process, shell-based access, and storage in Git directories.
PWM Buzzer
Use the buzzer to have your MCU play small wake-up melodies, signals, or music to accompany LED animations. The sound might not be a feast for the ears, but it does give your projects a great retro feel.
Sending Notifications
If you use sensors with a Raspberry Pi or Arduino in your home network, you may want to get desktop notifications on your Linux PC whenever some interesting event is detected. You can send messages via SSH or through simple TCP connections and display them with notify-send.
Doghouse – Real Beowulf
The prohibitive expense of early proprietary supercomputers is just part of why Linux has taken (and kept) the lead in this area.
ChimeraOS
Play Steam, GoG, and Epic games with one steamy and epic OS.
FOSSPicks
Nate explores the top FOSS, including the latest Trinity Desktop, a database for first-person shooter strategies, and an AI for building LEGO structures.
Tutorial – Interactive Fiction
Inform is your guide to the strange worlds of interactive fiction and text-driven games.