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Jack Wallen / Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNETIf you use a Linux distribution based on Debian or Ubuntu, the upgrade path is almost always painless. I’ve had maybe one Ubuntu upgrade in over a decade that had problems, and even that was a fairly straightforward fix.But not all Linux distributions are created equal, and some are more challenging than others. Some distributions even make the upgrade process more difficult, and a few give users fair warning about why it’s important to stay informed. Also: 7 things every Linux beginner should know before downloading their first distroThat doesn’t mean you should avoid the following Linux distributions. Just because the upgrade process isn’t always a single click doesn’t mean these distros aren’t worth trying. Which distributions require a bit more care during the upgrade process? Let’s take a look at a few of them. 1. Arch Linux The Arch Linux developers maintain a Newbie Corner with a pinned topic titled “Please Read Before Upgrading.” That post discusses pacman, the package manager for Arch, and outlines what users should know before upgrading. For example, the post reminds users to always check the Arch latest news because the developers regularly provide information about upgrades and any known issues. It also suggests watching pacman’s output during the upgrade since the package manager includes pertinent information and asks especially new users to pay close attention as the process proceeds. You don’t find such suggestions for Ubuntu, Linux Mint, ZorinOS or most other Debian-based distributions. Also: Archcraft is a solid, super fast distro for anyone ready to move beyond beginner LinuxThe developers also caution that every Arch user should read about pacman before running an upgrade. 2. Gentoo It’s almost unfair to include Gentoo on this list because, by nature, it’s one of the most difficult Linux distributions on the market. Because of that, upgrading Gentoo is always a challenge. Once you know all the commands for upgrading (emaint, emerge and dispatch-conf), it may look on paper like not a huge task, but there’s far more to a Gentoo upgrade than with most distros. Even after the upgrade is complete, you might need to update your profile. There’s also the cleanup process and the need to pay close attention to the information provided by Portage at the end of an upgrade. Also: Want to save your old computer? Try one of these 8 Linux distros for freeIn the end, with Gentoo Linux upgrades you’ll need to read, pay close attention and be careful. More

<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The CaseUp Combo includes ProtoArc’s wireless keyboard, mouse, and laptop stand for $50 on ProtoArc’s site. The ease of use and transport make this a solid option for improving your hybrid and remote work setup. However, the mouse, while comfortable, might be too small for some people. –> There is no […] More

Amazon’s annual Prime Day sale is one of the best times of the year to get major discounts on tech devices. Whether from Apple, Samsung, or Amazon itself, tablets are always one of the big-ticket items that see major discounts during Prime Day sales. If you know where to look — on Amazon More

<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The EcoFlow Delta 3 Plus is available now for $899. It’s a compact 1,024Wh power station that can connect to external batteries, and its improved cooling mechanism makes it a lot quieter than its predecessor. The silver finish has a tendency to get dinged up. –> Power stations come in all […] More

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Daniel Garrido/Getty Images The last time I booked a vacation flight, I literally spent over an hour finding the cheapest ticket to Hawaii with two criteria in mind: that it wasn’t a red-eye flight, and it only had one layover. At least one layover was to be expected (at LAX) because Kentucky is a long […] More

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ZDNETSpending long hours in front of a computer screen trying to plan vacations could soon become a thing of the past.The travel industry has enthusiastically embraced generative AI in recent years. Expedia, for example, integrated a ChatGPT-powered customer service chatbot into its app in early 2023. Kayak did something similar one year later, launching an AI platform trained on customer data and designed to provide personalized, real-time travel recommendations.Also: Are AI subscriptions worth it? Most people don’t seem to think so, according to this studyNow, an up-and-coming player in the industry is aiming to take things one step further, using AI to automate every step of the trip-planning process, from brainstorming to booking, for free.Launched in public beta in December, Airial Travel positions itself as an automated travel agent that helps users customize and plan travel itineraries based on their interests.Also: ChatGPT was downloaded 30 million times last month – but its user base data is more shockingAirial was founded by former engineers from Google, Meta, and Waymo, and leverages its proprietary AI model. The company has reportedly raised $3 million in seed funding.However, Airial doesn’t have the market for end-to-end travel planning cornered because platforms like Mindtrip and Layla offer similar services. More