This week's Linux and FOSS news:
LINUX NEWS
Linux Mint team plans new Cinnamon app menu, Firefox root certificate expiring in older versions, website backend rewritten and containerized:
https://blog.linuxmint.com/?p=4811
Gentoo offers bootable QCOW2 images for cloud deployment, without the need for manual installation:
https://ostechnix.com/bootable-gentoo-qcow2-disk-images/
(That's actually pretty cool, I could imagine beginner friendly distros like Linux Mint doing the same - but maybe with VirtualBox or VMWare images, because Windows users are probably more familiar with those - so they can try out Linux without the installation and then if they like the experience, they will be more motivated to learn how to install it on bare metal.)
Armbian 25.2 released with support for new boards, Linux kernel 6.12 LTS:
https://9to5linux.com/armbian-25-2-released-with-support-for-new-boards-linux-6-12-lts-and-more
KDE Plasma 6.3.2 released with Animated WebP and GIF support for Spectacle, bug fixes:
https://9to5linux.com/kde-plasma-6-3-2-released-with-animated-webp-and-gif-support-for-spectacle
Burn My Windows GNOME extension gets 4 new effects:
https://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2025/02/4-new-visual-effects-added-to-burn-my-windows-gnome-extensions
(They can't burn my Windows because I don't have it installed 200IQ lol)
Linux kernel 6.14 RC4 released with driver fixes, filesystem improvements, core kernel enhancements, networking adjustments:
https://ostechnix.com/linux-kernel-6-14-rc4-released/
NVIDIA 570 driver released with VRR (variable refresh rate) support on multi-monitor setups, new conceal_vrr_caps kernel module parameter to enable usage of features on some displays such as ULMB (Ultra Low Motion Blur), support for querying Dynamic Boost status, 32-bit compatibility support for the NVIDIA GBM backend, support for the systemd suspend-then-hibernate method of system sleep etc:
https://9to5linux.com/nvidia-570-linux-graphics-driver-released-with-new-features-and-improvements
Lutris 0.5.19 released with enhanced Proton integration, option to set the location of the emulator BIOS file used by libretro in the preferences etc.:
https://alternativeto.net/news/2025/2/lutris-0-5-19-brings-enhanced-proton-integration-and-other-enhancements-for-linux-gamers/
(FOSS news in comment)