Hello TUXEDO Fans and Open-Source Enthusiasts!
KDE vs. GNOME. Qt vs. GTK. What sounds like a cinematic monster showdown is still passionately debated in the Linux world today. Many users do not simply choose a desktop environment, but an entire ecosystem: on one side GTK applications such as Builder, EasyTAG or Newsflash, on the other their Qt counterparts like Kate, Kid3 or Akregator.
Yet beyond personal preferences, the communities are moving closer together. A visible sign of this is the joint Linux App Summit , taking place this year on May 16 and 17 in Berlin. The conference aims to bring together desktop environments, distributions and developers to foster a consistent and attractive app ecosystem for Linux. TUXEDO Computers supports this initiative as one of the sponsors .
A look at Linux’s different areas of deployment reveals a clear contrast. In the server space, Linux has been firmly established for years — in fact, for decades — and is actively developed and financially backed by numerous companies with strong economic incentives. This commercial support ensures stability, long-term planning reliability and continuous innovation.
On the desktop, however, many of these major market players are absent. This comes with both advantages and challenges. On the one hand, independent, community-driven projects thrive, offering transparency, flexibility and a strong focus on user needs. On the other hand, limited resources can affect the breadth and pace at which certain applications or professional software solutions are developed. All the more reason why collaboration within the community, and between distributions, projects and companies, remains so important.
With that in mind, in the latest edition of our TWIX we introduce the lightweight feed reader Syndic as an alternative to Akregator, take a look at the Panel Colorizer in our tips section, and, as always, round things off with the latest updates in TUXEDO OS.
Enjoy reading,The TUXEDO OS Team
Note: We would like to keep you updated on the latest developments in TUXEDO OS with the TWIX series and introduce you to exciting applications as well as practical tips related to the KDE desktop and TUXEDO OS. However, this section should not be a one-way street: your feedback, ideas, and suggestions for improvement are very welcome! For this purpose, we have created a thread on Reddit, where you can reach us directly.
Updates in TUXEDO OS
tuxedo-yt6801 1.0.31–1
Updated driver sources to upstream version 1.0.31
Linux Kernel 6.17.0–105014.14
Kernel base upgraded from 6.14 to 6.17
tipp10 3.3.0–3build2~tux1 (Rebuild)
Rebuilt against TxOS (Qt compatibility ensured)
nvidia-driver-pinning
Introduced new packages to set up APT pinning for the respective driver branch
Added:
tuxedo-nvidia-driver-default-pinning 1.0–580-tux1
nvidia-driver-pinning-580 580–1tux1
tuxedo-fix-amdgpu-disable-psr 1.0.2
Switched packaging to simple-package-creator
tuxedo-common-settings 1.3.8~tux1
Fixed journal configuration overrides
KDE App of the Week: RSS Feed Reader Syndic
We have already introduced the RSS feed readers Akregator , Alligator and RSS Guard in this series. Today, we turn to Syndic , a simple, touch-friendly RSS and Atom feed reader developed specifically for the KDE Plasma desktop and also available on mobile devices. When browsing feeds, it adapts dynamically to mouse or touch input. The user interface was designed with Plasma Desktop and Android in mind, but it should also run in other environments.
Syndic’s minimalist interface is intuitive even for RSS newcomers
What does Syndic have to offer?
Syndic features an adaptive layout with 1-, 2-, or 3-column modes depending on the available screen size. Feeds with little content remain visible through automatically generated highlights. The lightweight feed reader also supports full-text article downloads, keyword search, and the ability to mark favorites.
Usage
On first launch, Syndic provides an input field for the address of the RSS feed you wish to subscribe to. Enter a descriptive display name and, if needed, create a category. Clicking Preview in the top right displays the feed if the address is correct. If everything looks good, subscribe by clicking Subscribe .
After entering the feed URL, use Preview and Subscribe to complete the subscription
Availability
Syndic is not preinstalled in TUXEDO OS, but it is available as a Flatpak in the Discover software center. Instructions for building the package from source can be found on the website . The Android app is available on GitHub as an APK . At present, the Android version lags slightly behind, as Android-specific code still needs to be ported to Qt 6.
TUXEDO News via RSS
If you would like to stay informed about all TUXEDO news via RSS, we recommend starting with our article on TUXEDO via RSS feed .
Info: Are you interested in Plasma development and want to know what new features are planned and which programs have been recently updated? You can find a detailed overview in the weekly column This week in Plasma by KDE developer Nate Graham.
TUXEDO OS Tips & Tricks: More Design with the Panel Colorizer
One of the greatest strengths of the desktop environment used in TUXEDO OS is its exceptional flexibility. Nearly every element can be tailored to your needs — including the KDE Plasma panel. Simply right-click an empty area of the panel and select Enter Edit Mode to access its configuration options.
In edit mode, you can move the panel, change its alignment and width, adjust transparency, or enable the “floating” style — which is already the default in TUXEDO OS. In this state, the panel appears visually separated from the desktop as long as no application window is maximized or positioned too close to it.
Widgets on the KDE Panel
The elements displayed on the panel are just as flexible. You can drag applications directly from the application launcher onto the panel to keep them permanently within reach — something most KDE users are already familiar with. Via Add or Manage Widgets , you can integrate additional components.
Useful examples include a webcam activity indicator, media player controls, or a presentation helper. With a single click, you can disable the screensaver, prevent standby mode, and decide whether a projector mirrors your screen or acts as a separate display.
More Color and Fine-Tuning: Panel Colorizer
If KDE Plasma’s built-in options are not enough, the Panel Colorizer significantly expands the visual customization possibilities. You can install the widget directly via the integrated KDE Store:
Right-click the panel » Add or Manage Widgets » Get New… » Download New Widgets . Search for “Color” and install the Panel Colorizer with a single click into your user configuration.
Install the Panel Colorizer via KDE’s integrated widget store. After downloading, the widget immediately appears in the overview and can be added to the panel.
After installation, drag the widget from the list on the left side of the screen onto the panel. Right-click the new icon and choose Configure Panel Colorizer… to launch the setup assistant.
After installation, drag the Panel Colorizer widget directly onto the panel. Open its settings from the context menu to customize colors, transparency, and visual effects.
Within the assistant, you can load predefined style presets, define automatic profiles for different situations, or fine-tune colors, transparency, and effects manually. With just a few clicks, your panel gains a distinctive new appearance.
Use the Panel Colorizer to customize colors, transparency, and effects. Predefined styles make it easy to get started and quickly achieve a noticeable visual change.
Even subtle adjustments can noticeably change the overall impression of your desktop. If you prefer a more expressive design, combine bold colors, transparency effects, and additional options for a truly unique panel look.
Only subtle adjustments are enabled here. Those who prefer a more striking appearance can combine vivid colors, transparency effects, and additional features for a highly customized panel design.
Ubuntu Security Updates
The security updates listed here from Ubuntu are directly integrated into TUXEDO OS:
USN-8059–6: Linux kernel vulnerabilities
USN-8066–1: Rack vulnerabilities
USN-8065–1: Authlib vulnerabilities
USN-8063–1: Protocol Buffers vulnerability
USN-8059–5: Linux kernel (FIPS) vulnerabilities
USN-8059–4: Linux kernel (Real-time) vulnerabilities
USN-8059–3: Linux kernel vulnerabilities
USN-8062–1: curl vulnerabilities
USN-8045–1: Ceph vulnerabilities
USN-8052–2: Linux kernel (Xilinx) vulnerabilities
USN-8028–8: Linux kernel (IBM) vulnerabilities
USN-8059–2: Linux kernel (Raspberry Pi Real-time) vulnerabilities
USN-8059–1: Linux kernel vulnerabilities
USN-8058–1: rlottie vulnerabilities
USN-8057–1: GIMP vulnerabilities
USN-8056–1: U-Boot vulnerabilities
USN-8055–1: Evolution Data Server vulnerability
USN-8054–1: DjVuLibre vulnerabilities
