This Week in TUXEDO OS #35-2025 - TUXEDO Computers

Hello TUXEDO Fans and Open-Source Enthusiasts!

The Linux penguins aren’t just lounging idly in their igloos – quite the opposite: they’re rolling up their flippers and getting to work! With the end of Windows 10 support approaching, friendly Linux communities all over the world are organizing installation parties and Linux cafés – for example in Germany in Bielefeld or Darmstadt. At the penguin headquarters in Augsburg, we’re also inviting people to join our workshops, which help newcomers find their way into the world of free operating systems. Chances are there’s a Linux User Group or a similar group offering events right in your area too. Just search for "linux user group yourtown or „linux installfest yourplace“. Experienced Linux users are taking newcomers by the hand – and our community keeps growing day by day.

Enjoy reading,
The TUXEDO OS Team

TUXEDO OS Updates

DisplayLink 1:6.0.0–3tux1

• New evdi for kernel compatibility with Linux ≥ 6.14
• Released simultaneously with the kernel

Linux v6.14.0–107028.28~24.04.1tux1

• Based on kernel 6.14
• Fixes IBPGen10 AMD GUI freeze
• Fixes issue where Nano Pro Gen13 devices do not wake from suspend

tuxedo-yt6801 v1.0.30tux3

• Renamed functions to fix compile errors with kernel 6.16 and newer

tuxedo-yt6801 v1.0.30tux4

• Fixes race condition in idle power consumption fix

KDE App of the Week: Manage Contacts and Addresses with Kontact

These days, contacts, calendars, and emails can hardly be managed with a classic address book or notepad anymore. For this purpose, the KDE community provides the modular groupware client Kontact.

Centralized Management of Personal Data

Kontact brings together several programs for organizing personal information within a single interface. This allows you to keep emails, appointments, contacts, and RSS feeds all in one place. Unlike many proprietary web services, Kontact protects your privacy, relies consistently on open standards, and gives you full control over your data – both online and offline.

Suite Components

Technically, Kontact is built on the Akonadi backend and integrates multiple applications on top of it. These include KMail, a versatile email client; KOrganizer for managing appointments and calendars; KAddressBook, an address book for contact synchronization; and Akregator, a convenient RSS reader. All programs access the same data and settings, so you can use either the full suite or just individual applications.

Installation on TUXEDO OS

For space reasons, Kontact is not preinstalled on TUXEDO OS. However, you can easily install the suite via the Discover software center or from the terminal:

sudo apt update && sudo apt install kontact

Looking Ahead: Kube

In parallel, the KDE community has been developing a modern successor called Kube together with Kolab Systems AG since 2020. The project aims to provide a cross-platform application for email, contacts, calendars, notes, and tasks, which can be used not only on Linux but also on macOS, Windows, Android, and iOS.

TUXEDO OS Tips & Tricks: Customize Titlebar Buttons

The concept of placing applications freely in windows on a digital desktop is almost as old as the personal computer itself. Xerox developed it for their Xerox Alto and brought it to market with the Xerox Star. Many innovations from the Alto were later adopted by Steve Jobs for Apple’s Lisa and Macintosh.

Even today, we move windows across the screen with the mouse. In KDE Plasma, KWin handles the task of wrapping applications in windows and providing a titlebar. The window manager also offers a range of effects, which can even be expanded.

One of the basic functions of the window manager is drawing a frame around the application. You can move and resize the window via this frame. A set of buttons allows you to maximize, minimize, or close the window. But these are just the standard functions.

In KWin, you can configure which buttons are displayed. To do this, open System Settings and navigate to Appearance & Style » Colors & Themes » Window Decorations. Click the Configure Titlebar Buttons button. Here, you can drag additional switches like Keep Above others windows or On all desktops into the desired position. This is especially useful when playing a video in your browser, for example.

In another section, you have further options for customizing the titlebar and its buttons. If you want to highlight the close button with a color, go again to Appearance & Style » Colors & Themes » Window Decorations and click the small pencil icon on the Breeze theme. Here, you can resize icons or use Draw a circle around close button to make it visually stand out.

Firfox Tip: By default, Firefox draws its own window frame around the browser window. If you want a consistent look across your KDE Plasma desktop, you can disable this. Open Firefox and right-click on an empty spot in the titlebar. In the context menu, choose Customize Toolbar…. Then, check the box for Title Bar in the lower-left corner. From now on, Firefox will use KWin’s window decorations and display any additional buttons you have configured.

Insider Tip: The Firefox developers have hidden a small Easter egg here. Drag all tools from the left list into the Overflow Menu field. At the end, only Flexible Space remains. Then, an unicorn icon appears next to the Manage Themes button. Click it to start a – admittedly simple – Breakout game controlled with the arrow keys. Clicking Restore Defaults immediately returns you to the usual menu.

Ubuntu Security Updates

The security updates listed here from Ubuntu are directly integrated into TUXEDO OS:

• USN-7719–1: Linux kernel (Raspberry Pi Real-time) vulnerabilities: Several security issues were fixed in the Linux kernel.
  IDs: CVE-2025–21776, CVE-2025–21758, CVE-2025–21763 + 69 others
  Affects: Ubuntu 24.04 LTS

• USN-7717–1: GStreamer Good Plugins vulnerabilities: Several security issues were fixed in GStreamer Good Plugins.
  IDs: CVE-2025–47183, CVE-2025–47219
  Affects: Ubuntu 25.04, Ubuntu 24.04 LTS, Ubuntu 22.04 LTS

• USN-7716–1: GStreamer Base Plugins vulnerabilities: Several security issues were fixed in GStreamer Base Plugins.
  IDs: CVE-2025–47806, CVE-2025–47807, CVE-2025–47808
  Affects: Ubuntu 25.04, Ubuntu 24.04 LTS, Ubuntu 22.04 LTS

• USN-7715–1: nginx vulnerability: nginx could be made to expose sensitive information over the network.
  IDs: CVE-2025–53859
  Affects: Ubuntu 25.04, Ubuntu 24.04 LTS, Ubuntu 22.04 LTS

Current BIOS/EC Versions

An EC/BIOS update affects key system components. Please ensure that you follow the instructions carefully and take your time. The process is usually completed quickly. If you have any doubts, our support team is happy to assist you. The following devices have BIOS/EC updates available: