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Intel Arc A380 Desktop Graphics Launch In China

Phoronix - Wed, 06/15/2022 - 16:23
Overnight Intel announced that the Arc A380 desktop GPU has launched in China and will begin appearing in the Chinese market this month...

How I use LibreOffice keyboard shortcuts

opensource.com - Wed, 06/15/2022 - 15:00
How I use LibreOffice keyboard shortcuts Jim Hall Wed, 06/15/2022 - 03:00 Register or Login to like Register or Login to like

I have used word processing software for as long as I can remember. When word processors moved from direct formatting to leveraging styles to change how text appears on the page, that was a big boost to my writing.

LibreOffice provides a wide variety of styles that you can use to create all kinds of content. LibreOffice applies paragraph styles to blocks of text, such as body text, lists, and code samples. Character styles are similar, except that these styles apply to inline words or other short text inside a paragraph. Use the View -> Styles menu, or use the F11 keyboard shortcut, to bring up the Styles selector.

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(Jim Hall, CC BY-SA 40)

Using styles makes writing longer documents much easier. Consider this example: I write a lot of workbooks and training material as part of my consulting practice. A single workbook might be 40 or 60 pages long, depending on the topic, and can include a variety of content such as body text, tables, and lists. Some of my technical training material may also include source code examples.

I have a standard training set that I offer clients, but I do custom training programs too. When working on a custom program, I might start by importing text from another workbook, and working from there. Depending on the client, I might also adjust the font and other style elements to match the client's style preferences.  For other materials, I might need to add source code examples.

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To enter sample source code using direct formatting, I need to set the font and adjust the margins for each code block in the workbook. If I later decide that my workbook should use a different font for body text or source code samples, I would need to go back and change everything. For a workbook that includes more than a few code samples, this could require several hours to hunt down every source code example and adjust the font and margins to match the new preferred format.

However, by using styles, I can update the definition once to use a different font for the Text Body style, and LibreOffice Writer updates my document everywhere that uses the Text Body style. Similarly, I can adjust the font and margins for the Preformatted Text style, and LibreOffice Writer applies that new style to every source code example with the Preformatted Text style. This is the same for other blocks of text, including titles, source code, lists, and page headers and footers.

I recently had the bright idea to update the LibreOffice keyboard shortcuts to streamline my writing process. I've redefined Ctrl+B to set character style Strong Emphasis, Ctrl+I to set character style Emphasis, and Ctrl+Space to set No Character Style. This makes my writing much easier, as I don't have to pause my writing so I can highlight some text and select a new style. Instead, I can use my new Ctrl+I keyboard shortcut to set the Emphasis character style, which is essentially italics text. Anything I type after that uses the Emphasis style, until I press Ctrl+Space to reset the character style back to the default No Character Style.

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(Jim Hall, CC BY-SA 40)

If you want to set this yourself, use Tools > Customize, then click on the Keyboard tab to modify your keyboard shortcuts.

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(Jim Hall, CC BY-SA 40)

 

LibreOffice makes technical writing much easier with styles. And by leveraging keyboard shortcuts, I've streamlined how I write, keeping me focused on the content that I'm meant to deliver, and not its appearance. I might change the formatting later, but the styles remain the same.

Keyboard shortcuts keep me focused on the content that I'm meant to deliver, and not its appearance.

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A beginner's guide to cloud-native open source communities

opensource.com - Wed, 06/15/2022 - 15:00
A beginner's guide to cloud-native open source communities Anita Ihuman Wed, 06/15/2022 - 03:00 Register or Login to like Register or Login to like

Some people think the cloud-native ecosystem has a high barrier to entry. At first glance, that looks like a logical assumption. Some of the technologies used in cloud-native projects are complex and challenging, if you're not familiar with them, so you might think you need proven expertise to get involved.

However, looks can be deceiving. This article provides a detailed roadmap to breaking into the cloud-native ecosystem as an open source contributor. I'll cover the pillars of cloud-native architecture, the Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF), and ways to earn more.

Most importantly, after grounding you in the basics of cloud-native practices and communities, the article provides a three-step guide for getting started.

What is cloud native?

A program is cloud native when it's explicitly developed to be integrated, hosted, and run on a cloud computing platform. Such an application possesses the cloud's inherent characteristics, such as portability, modularity, and isolation, and it adapts to the cloud deployment models of cloud service providers (CSPs).

Cloud computing is a general term for anything that delivers hosted services over the internet. It usually implies clusters of computers, a distributed file system, and containers. A cloud can be private or public. Cloud computing comes in three major categories: Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS), Software-as-a-Service (SaaS), and Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS).

From a business perspective, cloud computing means that rather than investing heavily in databases, software, and hardware, companies opt for IT services over the internet, or cloud, and pay for them as they use them.

Cloud-native infrastructure

Cloud-native infrastructure includes datacenters, operating systems, deployment pipelines, configuration management, and any system or software needed to complete the lifecycle of applications. These solutions enable engineers to make rapid, high-impact modifications with little effort, implement new designs, and execute scalable applications on public, personal, and hybrid clouds.

Cloud-native architecture

Cloud architecture is a system designed to utilize cloud services. It leverages the cloud development model's distributed, reliable, scalable, and flexible nature. Networking, servers, datacenters, operating systems, and firewalls are abstracted. It enables enterprises to design applications as loosely coupled components and execute them on dynamic platforms using microservices architecture.

There are a few technologies that can be considered pillars of cloud-native architecture.

Microservices is an architectural system in which software systems are made up of small, independent services that communicate through well-defined application programming interfaces (APIs). This development method makes applications faster to develop and more scalable, encouraging innovation and accelerating time-to-market for new features. Microservices enable communication among applications using RESTful APIs and support independent deployment, updates, scaling, and restarts.

DevOps refers to the philosophy, practices, and tools that promote better communication and collaboration between application development and IT operations teams. The benefits of DevOps processes include:

  • Enabling automated release pipelines and integration
  • Ensuring quick deployment to production
  • Encouraging collaboration between development and other departments

Continuous integration and continuous delivery (CI/CD) refers to a set of practices that encompass the culture, operating principles, and procedures for software development. CI/CD practices focus on automation and continuous monitoring throughout the lifecycle of apps, from integration and testing phases to delivery and deployment. The benefits of CI/CD include:

  • Enabling frequent releases
  • Shipping software more quickly
  • Receiving prompt feedback
  • Reducing the risk of release

A container is a software package that contains all of the components (binaries, libraries, programming language versions, and so on) needed to run in any environment, making it possible for them to run on a laptop, in the cloud, or in an on-premises datacenter. A container is the optimal carrier for microservices.

More on Kubernetes What is Kubernetes? Free online course: Containers, Kubernetes and Red Hat OpenShift technical over… eBook: Storage Patterns for Kubernetes Test drive OpenShift hands-on An introduction to enterprise Kubernetes How to explain Kubernetes in plain terms eBook: Running Kubernetes on your Raspberry Pi homelab Kubernetes cheat sheet eBook: A guide to Kubernetes for SREs and sysadmins Latest Kubernetes articles What is CNCF?

CNCF is a Linux Foundation project founded in 2015 to help advance container technology and align the tech industry around its evolution. A sub-organization of the Linux Foundation, it consists of a collection of open-source projects supported by ongoing contributions courtesy of a vast, vibrant community of programmers.

Founding members of the CNCF community include companies like Google, IBM, Red Hat, Docker, Huawei, Intel, Cisco, and others. Today, CNCF is supported by over 450 members. Its mission is to foster and sustain open source, vendor-neutral projects around cloud native.

Perhaps the most well-known project to come from CNCF is Kubernetes. The project was contributed to the Linux Foundation by Google as a seed technology and has since proven its worth by automating container-technology-based applications' deployment, scaling, and management.

Learn cloud native

There are numerous resources to help you understand the basics of cloud-native architecture and technologies. You could start with these:

  • Cloud-native glossary: The Cloud Native Glossary, a project led by the CNCF Business Value Subcommittee, is a reference for common terms when talking about cloud-native applications. It was put together to help explain cloud-native concepts in clear and straightforward language, especially for those without previous technical knowledge.

[ More resources: Kubernetes glossary ]

Cloud-native communities

Outside the CNCF projects, some other cloud-native communities and initiatives aim toward sustaining and maintaining these cloud-based projects. They include:

  • Special interest groups (SIGs) and working groups (WGs): SIGs are formed around different cloud-native elements in training and development. These groups meet weekly and discuss the community activity. You could also start a new SIG.
     
  • Cloud-native community groups: There are numerous meetup groups focused on expanding the cloud-native community on a global scale. Many have regular meetings that you can be a part of.
     
  • CNCF TAG Network: TAG (for Technical Advisory Group) Network's mission is to enable widespread and successful development, deployment, and operation of resilient and intelligent network systems in cloud-native environments
Free training courses

Some training courses are available from the Linux Foundation to give beginners preliminary knowledge of cloud technologies. Some of these courses include:

Paid certifications

There are also paid certification programs from CNCF that test and boost your knowledge of cloud-native technologies from zero to expert. These certifications have proven to be a great addition to practitioners' careers.

  • Kubernetes and Cloud-Native Associate (KCNA): The KCNA certification prepares candidates to work with cloud-native technologies and pursue further CNCF certifications like CKA, CKAD, and CKS (see below).
     
  • Certified Kubernetes Application Developer (CKAD): A Kubernetes-certified application developer can design, build, configure, and expose cloud-native applications for Kubernetes, define application resources, and use core primitives to create, monitor, and troubleshoot scalable applications and tools in Kubernetes.
     
  • Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA): A certified Kubernetes administrator has demonstrated the ability to do the basic installation, configuration, and management of production-grade Kubernetes clusters. They understand critical concepts such as Kubernetes networking, storage, security, maintenance, logging and monitoring, application lifecycle, troubleshooting, and API primitives. A CKA can also establish primary use cases for end users.
     
  • Certified Kubernetes Security Specialist (CKS): Obtaining a CKS demonstrates possession of the requisite abilities to secure container-based applications and Kubernetes platforms during build, deployment, and runtime. A CKS is qualified to perform these tasks in a professional setting.
     
  • Cloud Foundry Certified Developer (CFCD) : CFCD certification is ideal for candidates who want to validate their skill set using the Cloud Foundry platform to deploy and manage applications.
     
  • FinOps Certified Practitioner (FOCP) :  An FOCP will bring a strong understanding of FinOps, an operational framework combining technology, finance, and business to realize business and financial goals through cloud transformation. The practitioner supports and manages the FinOps lifecycle and manages the cost and usage of cloud resources in an organization.

All of these can be found in the Linux Foundation training and certification catalog.

Start your cloud-native journey in three steps

Now that you're equipped with all this information, you can choose the direction you want to take. If you're overwhelmed by the options, just go step by step:

  1. Understand the basics: Due to the complex nature of most cloud-native technologies, someone new to this ecosystem should have preliminary knowledge of the core concepts. Basic knowledge of containerization, orchestration, cloud/infrastructure, and both monolithic and microservices architecture is a good start.
     
  2. Identify a cloud-native community or project: There are over 300 cloud-native communities that exist today. It is a lot easier to break into the cloud-native community through these established groups. While some of these communities are initiatives to sustain cloud-native projects, others have projects that offer cloud-native services. You can begin your journey by participating in any of these communities. Research the groups and projects that align with your interest, then follow the onboarding steps and get familiar with the projects behind them.
     
  3. Find a niche within the community: Since most cloud-native communities are open source, the diverse skill of the community comes in handy. Explore the various opportunities that align with your skills and interest, whether that's frontend, backend, developer relations (DevRel), operations, documentation, program management, or community relations. It is easier to contribute to cloud-native projects with a well-defined niche according to your skills and experiences.

You now have a basic understanding of the cloud-native ecosystem, both from a technological and community point of view. You can further extend your knowledge now and get involved. And once you do, remember to share your journey with others in the spirit of open source!

Start participating in the cloud-native ecosystem, even if you're a complete beginner.

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Kubernetes Cloud Education Containers Community management What to read next How to contribute to Kubernetes if you have a full-time job How I became a Kubernetes maintainer in 4 hours a week This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International License. Register or Login to post a comment.

How to Configure SSH Passwordless Login on openSUSE 15.3

Tecmint - Wed, 06/15/2022 - 12:11
The post How to Configure SSH Passwordless Login on openSUSE 15.3 first appeared on Tecmint: Linux Howtos, Tutorials & Guides .

One of the well-known and generally accepted OpenSSH best security practices is to configure and use public key authentication a.k.a passwordless authentication. Although this approach is fundamentally for security, on a lighter note, it

The post How to Configure SSH Passwordless Login on openSUSE 15.3 first appeared on Tecmint: Linux Howtos, Tutorials & Guides.

Dasharo 1.0 Open-Source Firmware Released For MSI Alder Lake Motherboard

Phoronix - Wed, 06/15/2022 - 12:00
Earlier this year the folks at firmware consulting firm 3mdeb announced a open-source Coreboot port to a retail Intel Alder Lake motherboard. It's very exciting since outside of Chromebooks, IHV reference boards, and custom server platforms at hyperscalers, it's still rare to find Coreboot support on modern, retail boards. That "Dasharo" open-source firmware effort for the MSI Z690-A WiFi DDR4 has come together nicely over a matter of weeks and the developers are now celebrating their v1.0 release...

Proton 7.0-3 With More Games Running Well On Linux, Experimental Preps More Changes

Phoronix - Wed, 06/15/2022 - 06:31
Valve today promoted Proton 7.0-3 to stable as the newest version of this software based on Wine and leveraging DXVK / VKD3D-Proton and other components for running Windows games with great success on Linux. Proton 7.0-3 is now available for Steam Play when firing up the Steam client while Valve also today issued a new Proton Experimental update...

GIMP 2.10.32 Released With JPEG-XL Backported & Other Work While Waiting On GIMP 3.0

Phoronix - Wed, 06/15/2022 - 06:12
We have been writing about GIMP 3.0 for nearly a decade and with that stable release still out of sight, GIMP 2.10.32 is out as a six-month update to the aging GIMP 2.10 stable series...

Linux Patched For New Intel "MMIO Stale Data" Vulnerabilities

Phoronix - Wed, 06/15/2022 - 01:39
In addition to the Hertzbleed frequency scaling side-channel attack being made public today as part of "Patch Tuesday" and affecting both Intel and AMD CPUs, Intel is additionally disclosing a set of "MMIO Stale Data" vulnerabilities. The Linux kernel has already been patched for these new vulnerabilities affecting multiple generations of Intel CPUs from Rocket Lake back to Haswell X and Skylake...

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