Robotics

ZDNETI’ve been around Linux long enough that the second I see an app or a desktop that looks even remotely like what I used in the early days, I get a warm, fuzzy sensation in my chest.OK, maybe that’s a slight bit of hyperbole, but at least it makes me smile.Don’t get me wrong, I much prefer modern-looking desktops (with all the eye candy, thank you very much), but my early years with Linux were something special, and I don’t mind revisiting them one bit.Also: 5 lightweight Linux distributions with very low system requirements4MLinux is a feature-oriented, lightweight Linux distribution that can make old computers feel new again. The 4 M’s stand for Maintenance, Multimedia, Miniserver, and Mystery. What does that mean? Simple: 4MLinux can serve as a rescue CD (Maintenance), has full support for tons of multimedia files (Multimedia), and can be used as a server for FSP, FTP, HTTP, NBD, NFS, NTP, rlogin, SSH, Telnet, and TFTP (Miniserver). As to that “Mystery” piece, there’s actually an entry in the desktop menu labeled as such, and it contains a number of fun games you can play.But is 4MLinux a viable option for you?Let me break it down.What is 4MLinux really like?Imagine taking an old Linux distribution and giving it just enough of a facelift that it can be easily considered by those who’ve used Linux but don’t like the idea of an über-modern desktop or need to revive an aging computer.Now, imagine that the distribution’s desktop is a combination of Pantheon and Enlightenment, thanks to Joe’s Window Manager. There is a twist with 4MLinux.Also: 10 Linux apps I always install first – and you should tooDo you know how most Linux distributions simplify the process of installing applications with a package manager and a GUI frontend? Well, 4MLinux takes a decidedly different approach by way of Extensions.If you open the desktop menu (which you can access by clicking anywhere on the desktop or clicking the icon at the top left of the display), you’ll see an entry labeled “Extensions.” Click on Extensions, and you’ll see a few sub-menus, such as Office, NetApps, and MediaApps. Click on any one of those entries, and you’ll see related apps listed. Let’s say you want to install LibreOffice. Click on that entry in Extensions > Office, and then, when prompted, type y. The installation will begin and end, taking roughly 1-2 minutes. More

<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways A Shine Turbine kit, which includes that turbine, stand, guy lines and pegs costs $399, while the essentials kit, which adds a few more bits such as a wind speed meter, costs $488. The kit includes everything you need to turn wind into electrical energy, and the turbine features a 12,000 […] More

ZDNETHave you ever experienced a problem with your operating system — one that was self-inflicted? You might have misconfigured something, only to find that whatever you did caused a cascade failure of other services or apps.When that happens, you might not even remember what you did to cause the problem. Maybe it was a config file in /etc, which is often the case.Also: 10 Linux apps I always install first – and you should tooWhat if I told you there’s an app to restore your Linux distribution to a working state, and it’s easy to use?That app is called Timeshift. It creates restore points you can use to return your computer to a working state.Before I continue, it’s important to note that Timeshift is not a backup tool. Rather, it’s an application to help you recover from self-inflicted situations where you need to get your system back up and running.Let’s install Timeshift and see how it’s used.How to install TimeshiftWhat you’ll need: The only things you’ll need for this are a running instance of Linux and a user with sudo privileges. More

ZDNETIf you’re displaced by the devastating Los Angeles wildfires, Spectrum is offering free Wi-Fi to help you stay connected.Also: The best travel VPNsIn the midst of power outages and cell tower loss, it’s getting difficult for many people to contact loved ones or to do necessary things online. More than 100,000 people have been evacuated, nearly as many are on standby to evacuate, and more than a million people are without power.Free internet accessLast week, Spectrum opened 35,000 Wi-Fi hotspots in Los Angeles to the public, providing free internet access to anyone that needs it. The hotspots cover a large portion of the city, and you can find them in places like restaurants, parks, cafes, retail stores, city streets, and more. In most locations, you should even be able to access the internet in your vehicle outside.Also: How to use public Wi-Fi safelyThese networks are already free for Spectrum customers, but non-customers usually need to pay a small fee. Users who have taken advantage of the service report being online in seconds with good speeds. More

<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The Creative Aurvana Ace Mimi earbuds are available now for $129 on Creative’s official site. With rich, dynamic bass, well-blended mids, and crisp highs, these earbuds are a perfect match for any type of music you can feed them. The LE audio feature on these earbuds can cause brief disconnects, but […] More

Large tablets often feel large and unwieldy, but some manufacturers have taken this into consideration by combining lightweight designs with premium materials and excellent viewing angles. These top-tier models excel in performance and can easily be paired with keyboards or even second displays. But nothing beats the convenience of picking up a large tablet and hitting the road.Also: The best cheap tablets Tablets are considered “large” if they are 10-15 inches. The larger the screen size, the larger the working area is, which is especially useful if you’re using a tablet as a laptop replacement. Not all tablets approach 15 inches, but there’s more than enough screen real estate in the tablets available today.What is the best large tablet right now?Through our hands-on testing combined with our researched tablet picks, we did our due diligence to deliver you a list of tablets with wide displays and tip-top performance. Our pick for the best large-screen tablet is the 13-inch iPad Pro More

<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways Satechi’s Mini NVMe SSD Enclosure is on sale for $60. It’s a handy travel accessory for moving large files between multiple devices quickly However, getting the most from the device can be an expensive endeavor. more buying choices Data transfer is a large aspect of my day-to-day life. I’m constantly moving […] More

Kayla Solino/ZDNETIf you’re aiming for organization and decluttering this year, don’t forget your favorite tech. In a world where it’s easy to pile up dozens of cords, wall adapters, cables, chargers, accessories, and more, your tech can be an easy thing to ignore when simplifying your essentials.Also: I tested the viral ‘tangle-free’ USB-C cable, and it’s my new travel essentialAs ZDNET’s mobile accessory expert, I have a mountain of small tech gear that I regularly use for testing, as well as my own personal collection of everyday essentials. After countless trips commuting and traveling — with no real solution for storage besides shoving cords and cables into different pockets of my carry-on — I’ve dedicated 2025 to streamlining my daily essentials and giving each item a dedicated “home.”Multifunctional and structuredHere’s where Orbitkey’s 2-in-1 tech accessory pouch More