[2026-01-18]

SRG Public Service Media

The Halving Initiative as a Technical Stress Test for Public Service Media

The so-called halving initiative demands a fifty percent reduction in SRG's budget. While politically controversial, from a technical perspective it acts like a radical load test on a media system that structurally belongs to a different era.

$ cat halving-initiative-as-technical-stress-test.md →

[2026-01-14]

MyRide Public Transport Switzerland

MyRide instead of 1st Class GA

How a new public transport pricing model makes my daily life more flexible and cheaper. I travel a lot by train for work and held a 1st class GA Travelcard for a long time. When I heard about the new MyRide model currently being tested in Switzerland, I decided to cancel my GA and try out MyRide.

$ cat myride-instead-of-1st-class-ga.md →

[2025-10-21]

Ubuntu Linux Dracut

Ubuntu 25.10: Why the Switch from initramfs-tools to dracut is Important

Ubuntu 25.10 is switching from initramfs-tools to dracut. What does this mean for users and why is this step important for the future?

$ cat ubuntu-25-10-why-the-switch-from-initramfs-tools-to-dracut-is-important.md →

[2025-09-27]

iPhone Apple Review

iPhone Air: The Thinnest iPhone Ever – My 3-Day Conclusion

Three days with the iPhone Air: An emotional purchase or technically sensible? My honest conclusion on the thinnest iPhone Apple has ever built.

$ cat iphone-air-the-thinnest-iphone-ever-my-3-day-conclusion.md →

[2025-08-24]

GNOME Linux Screenshot

Gradia – The Best Screenshot App for GNOME | App Showcase

Finally, a native screenshot app for GNOME that combines capturing and editing. Gradia solves a long-standing problem of the GNOME desktop.

$ cat gradia-the-best-screenshot-app-for-gnome.md →

[2025-08-17]

AI Proton ChatGPT

Proton Lumo in Comparison with ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity, and Mistral

Proton Lumo promises AI chats with data protection. How does the new service stack up against ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity, and Mistral? A detailed comparison test.

$ cat proton-lumo-in-comparison-with-chatgpt-gemini-perplexity-and-mistral.md →

[2025-08-14]

TUXEDO OS KDE Plasma Linux

Two Months with TUXEDO OS – Impressions of a Linux Veteran from a Beginner's Perspective

TUXEDO OS in a long-term test on an HP EliteBook. An experienced Linux user deliberately takes a beginner's perspective.

$ cat two-months-with-tuxedo-os-impressions-of-a-linux-veteran.md →

[2025-06-07]

Linux KDE GNOME

The Battle for the Desktop: A Story of Freedom, Betrayal, and Visions in the Linux World

Why are there so many Linux desktops? A story of philosophical debates, design conflicts, and the visions that emerged from them.

$ cat the-battle-for-the-desktop-a-story-of-freedom-betrayal-and-visions.md →

[2025-03-08]

GNOME Linux Apps

Shortwave – The Best Internet Radio App for Linux | App Showcase

Shortwave makes discovering and listening to radio stations worldwide especially easy. A native GNOME app with a recording function.

$ cat shortwave-the-best-internet-radio-app-for-linux.md →

[2024-10-09]

Data protection Bitcoin Proton

Proton Wallet in review: A strange product

I have been a loyal and happy customer of Proton for many years. I use ProtonMail, ProtonPass and ProtonDrive every day and am largely happy with them. At the end of July this year, Proton announced the product 'Proton Wallet' and made it available in a semi-open beta. Since I am a Proton Visionary user, I had direct access to the beta and have taken a closer look at the product over the last few weeks.

$ cat proton-wallet-in-review-a-strange-product.md →

[2024-08-21]

Linux Distributions Linux

The Illusion of Diversity: Why Linux Distributions Today Have More in Common Than What Divides Them

Linux users are proud of the sheer endless variety of distributions that offer a solution for almost every use case. Whether for the desktop, the server, embedded systems, or special niche applications – there is a suitable distribution for every taste and every requirement. But on closer inspection, it turns out that this diversity is often only superficial. While there are countless distributions, they share the same basic components at their core. So are we really dealing with true diversity, or just an illusion of choice?

$ cat the-illusion-of-diversity-why-linux-distributions-today-have-more-in-common-than-what-divides-them.md →

[2024-06-11]

General LibreOffice

The End of LibreOffice: Why It Fails to Meet Modern Demands

About 9 months ago, I interpreted the release notes of LibreOffice 7.6.0 to mean that the LibreOffice developers and the foundation behind it have largely given up on the product. And I speculated that LibreOffice would be put into a kind of 'maintenance mode' and there would only be bug fix updates. To the blog post at the time. 9 months later, it's time to check this prediction.

$ cat the-end-of-libreoffice-why-it-fails-to-meet-modern-demands.md →

[2024-05-29]

Personal Nicotine Smoking

Three days of not smoking and a look into my inner self.

As I write these lines, I have been smoke-free for almost exactly 72 hours. And yes, 3 days doesn't sound like much, and people who have never smoked will not really be able to understand the achievement behind it. But for me, it is a first big step towards freedom and health. These first days without cigarettes were a real challenge. The physical withdrawal is noticeable: headaches, inner restlessness and the constant craving for nicotine.

$ cat three-days-of-not-smoking-and-a-look-into-my-inner-self.md →

[2024-05-05]

Password Manager Security 1Password

The Challenges of Passkeys: A Future Without Passwords?

In the spring of 2022, technology giants like Apple and Google announced the introduction of passkeys on their platforms. This technology, which was to be implemented on iPhones, Macs, and Android devices, was hailed as a revolutionary step toward a passwordless future. Two years after this announcement, however, a complex picture is emerging: passkeys are both a source of frustration and confusion, especially for those not deeply rooted in the IT world.

$ cat the-challenges-of-passkeys-a-future-without-passwords.md →

[2024-04-12]

Linux Ubuntu

A first look at Ubuntu 24.04 (Beta)

The beta of Ubuntu 24.04 was recently released a little late. I took a look at it and will tell you about the new features in this article. I will not talk about the Gnome desktop and its new features in this article. If you want to know more about Gnome 46, I recommend the article from DerStandard.at. When we talk about new features in Ubuntu, I am addressing two different user groups here. On the one hand, those who are currently using the last Ubuntu version 22.04. But also those who have gone through all the STS versions and are currently on version 23.10.

$ cat a-first-look-at-ubuntu-24-04-beta.md →

[2024-03-30]

Linux Security Linux

The 'xz backdoor' endangers countless computers worldwide - what we know so far.

It always has to be the holidays. In December, there was the 'Log4j' security vulnerability that massively endangered countless servers and computers worldwide. Application developers and system administrators had a stressful Christmas back then. Now they have a stressful Easter. Yesterday it was announced that the 'xz' library contains a backdoor. What is 'xz'? Many of you will be asking: What the hell is xz? Well, xz is a compression format, similar to ZIP or RAR - with the difference that xz is not an archive and always contains only a single compressed file.

$ cat the-xz-backdoor-endangers-countless-computers-worldwide-what-we-know-so-far.md →

[2024-01-06]

Linux Asahi Linux MacOS

Asahi Linux – a second look a year later.

About a year ago, I took a detailed look at Asahi Linux. My conclusion at the time was that Asahi Linux is not yet worthwhile. I criticized the Arch Linux base and the fundamentally lacking software. A year has now passed and Asahi Linux has developed massively, the base is now Fedora and the hardware support is also very good. So a good time to take a second look at Asahi Linux.

$ cat asahi-linux-a-second-look-a-year-later.md →

[2023-12-01]

Linux Linux systemd

When Linux sees blue: A Windows classic gone astray

With systemd version 255, which will probably be released sometime in December 2023, the well-known 'blue screen' from Windows is now coming to Linux for the first time. Below I will write something about the history of the blue screen, why Microsoft developed it and why it is also a good idea for Linux. Why is the blue screen blue? The first blue screen was with Windows NT 3.1 from 1993 and was integrated into all subsequent Windows versions in the following years. The blue screen was developed by the then Microsoft employee John Vert.

$ cat when-linux-sees-blue-a-windows-classic-gone-astray.md →

[2023-11-22]

Linux Distrobox Gnome

Unleash Linux: Experience limitlessness with Distrobox

What is Distrobox? Distrobox is a tool that allows you to run different Linux distributions within your current Linux system without needing a virtual machine. It uses the technology of Linux containers, but is designed to offer more user-friendliness and flexibility. Distrobox works in combination with Docker, podman and also lilipod. Basically, you can think of Distrobox a bit like the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL).

$ cat unleash-linux-experience-limitlessness-with-distrobox.md →

[2023-11-04]

Linux Gnome

Current developments in the Gnome ecosystem

Gnome 45 was released a little over a month ago. Of course, the best, most beautiful and greatest edition of the Gnome desktop so far 😉. The Gnome project has of course not rested on its laurels but is already working hard on the next version. The release of Gnome 46 is planned for March 20, 2024. The Gnome 46 Alpha should appear on January 6, 2024, the Beta on February 10. From February 10, the UI and feature freeze will also come. This means that no new functions or design changes may be made from then on. And the team then has about a month to stabilize the package.

$ cat current-developments-in-the-gnome-ecosystem.md →

[2023-09-27]

Data protection App SRF

The answers from SRF

Recently I wrote an article about SRF and the data protection there. In the course of this article I formulated 13 questions to SRF, towards the end of last week the answers came. Below are the questions and the answers from SRF. Afterwards I will give my thoughts on the answers. My thoughts on the answers.

$ cat the-answers-from-srf.md →

[2023-09-22]

Apple Biometrics MacOS

MacOS: Authenticate 'sudo' with TouchID

Anyone who not only uses Mac OS for graphics or video editing, but also actively works in the terminal, knows how important the terminal is. What is 'sudo'? Whether Linux or MacOS: To execute a command with administration rights, the tool 'sudo' is often used. For example, you can shut down your Mac with the following command: [...]

$ cat macos-authenticate-sudo-with-touchid.md →

[2023-09-14]

Linux Encryption TPM

Ubuntu 23.10: brings TPM-backed full disk encryption

For a long time I have been lamenting that the Linux distributions do not use the possibilities of TPM. Now Canonical announces out of the blue to implement FDE (Full-Disk-Encryption) with Ubuntu 23.10 (for now still experimental) in Ubuntu Desktop 23.10. What is FDE? The security of personal and business data is at the center of many technological considerations today. Under Linux, Full Disk Encryption (FDE) offers a solution to protect all data on a hard disk from unauthorized access.

$ cat ubuntu-23-10-brings-tpm-backed-full-disk-encryption.md →

[2023-09-07]

Data protection App Cookie

SRF and data protection: Concerns about cookies, AI and cross-border data transfer

SRF (Schweizer Radio und Fernsehen) is the public broadcasting corporation of Switzerland for the German-speaking part of the country. It is part of the SRG SSR (Swiss Broadcasting Corporation), which operates throughout Switzerland and produces programs in the country's four official languages (German, French, Italian and Romansh). A new data protection law has recently come into force in Switzerland.

$ cat srf-and-data-protection-concerns-about-cookies-ai-and-cross-border-data-transfer.md →

[2023-09-02]

General LibreOffice Red Hat Linux

The end of LibreOffice?

LibreOffice version 7.6.0 was recently released. In addition to the usual small improvements and bug fixes, the release notes in this version are particularly exciting. To be fair, Gerrit has already written about the topic in his blog. And our opinions on this topic are very much in line, but I would like to go into a few points here. The release notes for LibreOffice 7.6.0 are particularly exciting this time.

$ cat the-end-of-libreoffice.md →

[2023-08-26]

General Fonts

Fira Code: The font for developers in detail with pros and cons

Programmers spend hours writing the perfect code that is not only functional, but also well-organized and understandable. An often overlooked but crucial component of this process is the font. Enter: Fira Code. History of fonts for developers Since the early days of computer programming, developers have been looking for ways to make their code more readable and understandable.

$ cat fira-code-the-font-for-developers-in-detail-with-pros-and-cons.md →

[2023-08-18]

Web Development CSS JetBrain

CSS Nesting: A Comprehensive Introduction

One of the most requested features that developers have been demanding from native CSS for years is the ability to nest styles. With CSS Nesting, nesting style definitions becomes easier and more native, without having to rely on preprocessors like Sass or Less. Historical Context When writing classic CSS today, you do a lot of typing. Many developers therefore rely on preprocessors like Sass and Less to write nested CSS.

$ cat css-nesting-a-comprehensive-introduction.md →

[2023-08-06]

Password Manager Reviews 1Password

Proton Pass in-depth review

Proton Pass was released about a month ago, I have tested the password manager extensively and also compared it with 1Password. Quick conclusion in advance: Proton Pass does a lot of things right, but currently has very annoying quirks. Why do I need a password manager and how does the test work? I work as a web developer and often use different browsers during work to test whether something that works in Firefox, for example, also works in Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge.

$ cat proton-pass-in-depth-review.md →

[2023-07-01]

Linux Red Hat Linux

The 'Parasites' and Red Hat Linux

First of all: This article is definitely an opinion piece. Opinions can sometimes be controversial and you are very welcome to have a completely different opinion. But please be friendly in the comments. What happened? For all those who didn't notice. Red Hat Linux will no longer make its package sources publicly available in the future. This announcement has caused a great stir in the open source community.

$ cat the-parasites-and-red-hat-linux.md →

[2023-06-10]

Linux

Will Linux distributions become one operating system in the future?

The title might be confusing for many. But I had another long, rather boring meeting and was able to philosophize with myself about Linux in my head again (and yes, I know that sounds crazy, and no, I'm not going to have myself committed to a psychiatric hospital). In any case, I'm now sitting by the lake in Zurich, drinking what is probably the most expensive Coke in the world (0.33L for 7.90 CHF - they're crazy in Zurich 🙄) and it's still far too hot for me to go home, so I'm writing down my thoughts - perhaps as a basis for discussion - on digital paper.

$ cat will-linux-distributions-become-one-operating-system-in-the-future.md →

[2023-06-03]

Reviews Apple Watch

Apple Watch – a review

Absolutely not a Linux topic, but I know that we have several members in the Linux scene who also have an iPhone, so it might be interesting for one or the other. I've had an Apple Watch for about a week now. To be fair, it's not my first Apple Watch. I bought the first Apple Watch (Series 0) back in 2015. But I returned it to the Apple Store after a few days.

$ cat apple-watch-a-review.md →

[2023-04-25]

Linux Gnome Visual Studio Code

How to Gnomify Visual Studio Code

Visual Studio Code has been my 'way to go code editor' for several years now. It's fast, unobtrusive, runs on all major platforms (Linux, Mac, Windows), and just works. Since Visual Studio Code is an 'Electron app', its integration into the Gnome desktop is more 'meh' than truly great. Since I was on an online call for almost 90 minutes today - in which I had absolutely nothing to do (why was I invited? 🙄) - I used the time to visually adapt Visual Studio Code a bit more to my desktop.

$ cat how-to-gnomify-visual-studio-code.md →

[2023-01-08]

Apple Linux Apple

Asahi Linux – The Linux for ARM Macs – a review

Apple's M-series processors are ARM processors (as we know them from smartphones and tablets) and thus a different processor architecture than what Intel or AMD have offered so far. These ARM chips work a little differently than what we know from the X86 series of chips. Since an M-processor is a so-called 'SoC' (System on a Chip) [...].

$ cat asahi-linux-the-linux-for-arm-macs-a-review.md →