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Free and Open Source Software, and Review
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GNOME Network Displays - cast your desktop to wireless displays
The software is aimed at desktop-to-display streaming rather than remote administration. It does not provide remote keyboard or mouse control of another computer. Successful connections depend on the receiving device, the local networking setup and the availability of suitable media encoders. For Miracast connections, the computer’s wireless hardware and networking components must support the necessary peer-to-peer and Wi-Fi Display functions.
Unlike a screen recorder, GNOME Network Displays is intended for live viewing on another device rather than saving a video file. It offers a way to share presentations, applications and other desktop content on compatible displays.
This is free and open source software.
clj-depend - Clojure namespace dependency analyser
clj-depend addresses these problems by allowing developers to define architectural layers and specify which dependencies are permitted between them. For example, an application might allow controller namespaces to access business logic and data models while preventing lower-level components from depending on controllers.
The software uses declarative configuration files to describe these relationships. It can also be accessed programmatically, making dependency validation suitable for automated development workflows and larger projects where architectural consistency is important.
This is free and open source software.
reorder-python-imports - automatically organise Python imports
A particularly useful aspect of the utility is its approach to reducing merge conflicts. By placing individual imports on separate lines, developers can add or remove imported symbols without repeatedly modifying the same lines of code.
The utility also assists with modernising older Python projects by replacing compatibility imports with their standard library equivalents where appropriate.
This is free and open source software.
Bootqt - create bootable USB drives from disk images
Alongside conventional image writing, Bootqt provides access to Ventoy, which takes a different approach to bootable media. Once Ventoy is installed on a USB drive, multiple compatible image files can be stored on the same device and selected from a boot menu. This is useful when maintaining a collection of installation and troubleshooting environments.
Writing an image is a destructive operation, as existing data on the chosen USB device may be overwritten. Bootqt provides a compact Qt interface that fits comfortably into Linux desktop environments, particularly KDE Plasma.
This is free and open source software.
Bootleg Toolbox - verify and manage lossless concert recordings
Bootleg Toolbox is a desktop application for collectors and traders of lossless live concert recordings. It brings together tools for checking recording integrity, identifying audio quality problems and preparing concert recordings for sharing.
The application is designed around collections organised by concert, disc and track. Users can load entire folders, inspect recordings and carry out operations on individual tracks or complete shows. It provides a graphical interface as well as command-line functionality for automated workflows.
This is free and open source software.
Xviewer - simple image viewer
Xviewer is designed to handle large images efficiently. Its zooming and scrolling implementation maintains constant memory usage, helping users navigate high-resolution photographs without excessive resource consumption.
The application is included in Linux Mint and supports additional functionality through a separate collection of plugins.
This is free and open source software.
Minisforum M2 Pro Mini PC Running Linux - Introduction
This is the first in a new series looking at the Minisforum M2 Pro running Linux. I’ll be examining its performance in everyday use, CPU and GPU benchmarks, gaming, and local AI, together with power consumption and noise.
DeepFilterNet Plus - noise suppression for microphones and recordings
The software provides two principal workflows. On Linux, it can process microphone audio in real time through compatible audio effects applications. It also offers a command-line utility for cleaning recorded WAV files on Linux, macOS and Windows.
The fork focuses particularly on improving the reliability and efficiency of real-time audio processing. It addresses problems that can occur when audio processing cannot keep pace with the incoming signal, making it suitable for applications where interruptions and audio glitches are undesirable.
This is free and open source software.
Personal Planner - daily planner with time tracking and reviews
Tasks are arranged along a timeline, and a timer records the actual duration of each activity. The results build a record that can inform future schedules and help identify patterns across days and weeks.
The application works offline without an account, storing its data locally. Optional synchronization allows multiple devices to share planner data using a Supabase project controlled by the user.
This is free and open source software.
RipperX 4 - GTK4 audio CD ripper written in Rust
The application provides a simple workflow for selecting tracks, retrieving album information and converting audio into digital files. It handles both lossless and lossy encoding, making it suitable for creating archival copies or music files for everyday listening.
RipperX 4 uses GStreamer for audio extraction and encoding rather than managing separate external encoder programs. Its interface focuses on the essential ripping options without requiring users to configure complex audio pipelines.
This is free and open source software.