Microsoft finally makes Fedora an official Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) distribution
Well, it has finally happened. Fedora Linux is now officially available as a Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) distribution! That’s right, folks, following prior testing, you can now run Fedora 42 natively inside Windows using WSL. As someone who considers Fedora to be my favorite Linux distribution, this is a pretty exciting development.
Installing it is simple enough. Just open up a terminal and type wsl --install FedoraLinux-42 to get started. After that, launch it with wsl -d FedoraLinux-42 and set your username. No password is required by default, and you’ll automatically be part of the wheel group, meaning you can use sudo right out of the gate.
SiriusXM and FOX Nation team up for new streaming bundle
SiriusXM and FOX Nation are teaming up for an exciting new streaming deal that might catch the eye of folks who want more bang for their buck. You see, starting today, subscribers can get both services together here for just $11.99 a month. According to the companies, that’s a saving of about 33 percent.
With this new plan, customers get SiriusXM’s “All Access (App Only)” and everything FOX Nation has to offer. That means ad-free music channels, live sports, political talk, comedy, faith-based programming, and even FOX News simulcasts are all part of the package. FOX Nation brings in its original content, too, including titles like Martin Scorsese Presents: The Saints, Yellowstone to Yosemite with Kevin Costner, and Greg Gutfeld’s What Did I Miss?
Microsoft unveils new Surface Laptop and Surface Pro Windows 11 devices
Microsoft is back with two new Surface devices for 2025 -- the 13-inch Surface Laptop and the 12-inch Surface Pro. Both are “Copilot+ PCs,” which essentially means they’re built around Microsoft’s AI. These new portable computers promise better performance, better battery life, and yes, you guessed it -- more Copilot.
The new 13-inch Surface Laptop is a sleek-looking device. Microsoft says it’s thinner and lighter than any Surface Laptop before it. The aluminum chassis comes in Ocean, Violet, and Platinum. There’s also a matching Surface Arc Mouse if you’re really committed to the aesthetic.
Technology risks give compliance professionals sleepless nights
A newly released survey of US regulatory compliance professionals shows 63 percent say that technology-driven risk is the most significant market force likely to cause compliance issues for US financial services firms in 2025.
Other forces cited are global economic instability (58 percent), increasing regulatory complexity (48 percent), digital assets and crypto markets (37 percent each) and geopolitical instability (20 percent).
Our favorite free Windows customization tool just got updated -- download Winhance 5 now!
We wrote about Winhance 4 just a matter of days ago, telling you how it can debloat and optimize Windows 10 and 11, and keep it that way.
The tool was originally a PowerShell GUI application, but with version 4 it transformed into a standalone app that can be installed or uninstalled easily. It was also made available in portable form. The app has now been updated to version 5, and it fixes a number of problems and introduces new functionality.
The amazing (and free) Sucrose brings your Windows 10 or 11 desktop to life -- download it now!
Static Windows wallpapers can often feel a little, well, uninspiring -- especially if you don’t change them regularly. Sucrose is a free and fully open-source solution that brings a dynamic, customizable approach to desktop backgrounds.
This versatile wallpaper engine allows you to animate and personalize your desktops with interactive wallpapers, and it supports both light and dark themes. Sucrose works across multiple screens and supports a range of resolutions, making it compatible with various display configurations.
A third of employees keep their AI use secret
A new survey finds that 32 percent of employees who use GenAI tools at work say they're keeping it a secret from their employer.
The research from Ivanti finds that some use discretion when using AI because they like the 'secret advantage' it offers (36 percent); others because they worry their job may be cut (30 percent); and 27 percent have AI-fueled imposter syndrome, saying they don’t want people to question their ability.
Microsoft says the Windows 11 24H2 is ready for everyone... except for those that it's not
The rollout of Windows 24H2 has been a slow and bumpy road. We’re not far from entering 25H2 and Microsoft has just announced that the Windows 11 2024 Update is now “broadly available”.
The shift to broad availability means that anyone with a compatible system will now be able to download the update, but many people are likely to find that they are automatically upgraded without having to do anything. Despite entering the final stage of rollout and availability, Microsoft says there are still compatibility holds in place that will block access to the upgrade for some users.
Apple celebrates queer communities with the launch of its Pride 2025 collection
June is Pride Month, and ahead of this Apple has launched its Pride 2025 Collection. There are free components to the collection, in addition to some to purchase, making it accessible to everyone.
The company says it proud to financially support organizations that serve LGBTQ+ communities and is using the collection as a way to "celebrate the strength and beauty" of such communities around the world. Among the goodies on offer is the hand-assembled Pride Edition Sport Band for Apple Watch, but iPhone and iPad users have not been forgotten.
Microsoft cracks down on bulk email with strict new Outlook rules
I’ve got some bad news for you, email administrators -- your Monday may be getting a lot worse. You see, starting today, Microsoft has officially begun rejecting high-volume emails that don’t meet its new authentication rules.
Here’s the deal. If you send more than 5,000 messages per day to Outlook.com addresses (including hotmail.com and live.com) and you’re not properly set up with SPF, DKIM, and DMARC, your emails may never arrive. Yikes.
How cognitive load measurement can increase trainee performance [Q&A]
Proper training is vital to success in pretty much any job. That's even more true in complex and stressful environments.
How much the brain can cope with at any time, or 'cognitive load' is an important part of the process. We spoke to Nial Campion, co-founder of virtual reality training specialist VRAI, who believes that managing cognitive load is critical for developing the skills and resilience necessary for effective performance in high-stress environments.
Microsoft resolves a Windows 10 issue that broke Start menu jump lists
After the release of updates for Windows 10 in February, users started to complain of problems with jump lists. More than this, Start menu issues, and an inability to view recent files plagued systems after the installation of the KB5052077 update and later.
Affecting both Windows 10 Home and Pro, Microsoft found that the problems stemmed from the rollout of a feature that integrates account control experiences in the Start Menu in Windows 10 22H2. A fix has been issued, and Microsoft has advice for anyone still experiencing the problem.
Trump kicks the TikTok ban can down the road yet again
President Trump has made much of wanting to ban TikTok from operating in the US. In fact, he’s talked about it so much, and -- initially, at least -- with such passion, that you’d be forgiven for thinking that it was one of his top priorities.
But having already delayed the implementation of a ban twice, Trump has now indicated that he’d be willing to do so again. And the reason for doing so is just hilarious.
Skype shuts down today as Microsoft transitions users to Teams
Marking the end of an era, May sees the retirement of Skype, Microsoft’s loved and loathed messaging app. The death of Skype has been a long time coming, with the aged platform struggling to keep pace with the competition, and now the last rites can be read. Today, May 5, is the day Microsoft pulls the plug.
The writing was on the wall for Skype as soon as Microsoft started development of Teams, and this is precisely where the company is hoping ex-Skype users will move to. But while paying and non-paying users of Skype will have to find a new home, Skype for Business lives on... for now.
Spotify breaks out of Apple’s payment system stranglehold following court ruling
Moving incredibly quickly after a court ruled that Apple was in “willful violation” of an injunction that ordered it to allow out-of-app purchases, Spotify has updated its app with new payment options. Developers have long been frustrated by Apple’s requirement for purchases and subscriptions to be paid for via the App Store, and Spotify is the first to take advantage of the latest ruling.
The music streaming service submitted an app update to Apple which allows users to start a Spotify subscription or change plans within the app, change plans easily, and avoid Apple’s payment system. Apple has accepted the update, so users in the US now have more flexibility.
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