Catbird Linux 1.8.0 Released! ^{(Blog Post)}
Greetings to All, I am pleased to announce the availability of Catbird Linux version 1.8.0, bringing software updates, bug fixes, and a new AI application. There is a new Linux Kernel, 6.1.28, some updates to Neovim, LibreOffice, and other applications. Terminal GPT (tgpt) is my favorite new tool, as it may be used anonymously and without an account or API keys. (grin) Ask and it will tell you, except for certain things unfit for discussion on the polite side of the internet. Several other AI tools are bookmarked in Firefox, and a new Google Bard plugin has been added to augment your searches. Cheers, PC / Catbird Linux
Last updated: 2023-06-03

Catbird Linux Version 1.6.0 is Released ^{(Blog Post)}
Happy New Year! Catbird Linux 1.6 is released. Features of this new release are: fresh kernel, trimmed Python cache, added Python support for DuckDB and MySQL, and several small system tweaks. There is a new "SDR Map" for finding live KiwiSDR and WebSDR servers, replacing the group of individual server bookmarks in Firefox. It seemed that every week, a few SDRs were coming, going, or changing urls. The map solves the problem, as it is capable of updating itself. If anything else, it provides a nice visual display of day and night in the world. SDR bookmarks (keybound to Super + S) have some new stations added in. (grin) Enjoy Radio Caroline, more BBC Radio 4 Longwave, and Radio 208 Copenhagen. I have become aware of the need for more frictionless access to VPN Gate's massive pool of OpenVPN servers. Use "VPNGate Connect" to find working servers and connect easily. Use "VPNGate Download" to get a big batch of ovpn files -the server access configs- to use or save for later connection needs. Regards, PC / Catbird Linux
Last updated: 2023-02-28

Catbird Linux 1.7.0 Released ^{(Blog Post)}
Catbird Linux 1.7.0 is now available for download. This one has some changes for the i3 window manager and a new SDR client. Caja, the file manager. and Alacritty, the terminal emulator, are now configured to be automatically hidden on the scratchpad or shown on the present workspace. When you hit a keybind to initially open either of those apps, they will open as fairly large floating windows. Instead of closing them when no longer needed, you should hit the same keybind to remove the app from view. Notice that I didn't say, "close" the app... The auto show and hide function moves the affected applications to the scratchpad if it finds them opened on a workspace. Conversely, if the auto show and hide function finds the application already on the scratchpad, it is moved to the present workspace as a floating window. To summarize: Caja and Alacritty are opened if not running and toggled in or out of view by their associated hot keys. I am enjoying that, as the system brings them up or stows them away in mere milliseconds - far faster than fully opening or closing them. The other notable item for version 1.7.0 is the addition of SuperSDR, a client for KiwiSDRs which makes it possible to tune in mediumwave or shortwave signals from around the world without dependence on the web browser. Sure, the KiwiSDRs present a nice web interface; SuperSDR works with much less RAM, lower latency, on a full screen, and with a much better spectrum waterfall. It is really nice. SuperSDR, like Catbird Linux, is largely operated by the keyboard. Hit "F" to enter a new frequency , "A" to receive AM, "U" or "L" for upper or lower sideband, respectively. Float the cursor over "HELP" for the full set of keybinds for the radio client. It is pretty slick for a news junkie like myself, who can pull up AM talk radio from different regions at will. It is a lot like the configuration I set in Skywave Linux, but Catbird has better code working behind the scenes. Watch my video here to see these changes in action. Regards, PC / Catbird Linux
Last updated: 2023-02-28

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