Quoting: ElectricPrismYou know how some people backup the header of encrypted disks:
 
sudo cryptsetup luksHeaderBackup /dev/<your-disk-luks> --header-backup-file luks2-header-backup-$(date -I)

If somebody wants a project make a interface equivalent to Etcher that optionally backs up the MBR + Linux / Windows boot partitions.

Then next time Windows fucks this up. ( Which they have been for decades and we haven't done anything about it. ) A person can load a Live USB, create a new backup in the broken state and run the Restore tool to revert the changes to before Microsoft screwed the pooch.

Who knows maybe what I'm imagining already exists, there's a lot of fine people out there who do amazing work all the time on our apps.

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Boot-Repair [External Link]

Honestly I don't know how well it works. I haven't dual booted for close to twenty years and this tool didn't exist then as far as I know. At that time, all you had to do was live boot off a CD and chroot to your Linux partition, then rerun your boot loader install command, and it was all back to normal. It's a minor inconvenience for seasoned Linux users, but newbies immediately think Linux sucks and doesn't work. Obviously MSFT's intention. I don't remember a time that updating Windows didn't rewrite the MBR.

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This is another important factor. Hours played is something I look at to determine if I would even read a review. If they let me filter for reviews by Steam Deck players, this will be really helpful.

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Quoting: Marlock

Quoting: Highball

Quoting: MarlockQuick question: what system has a copy of grub installed (not by windows, because it's never used by windows) but doesn't have linux so it's ok to replace/block grub?

Any system.

Please elaborate

You can point Grub at any kernel to load. Haiku, Redox, whatever. LILO was popular back in the day. Nothing is stopping anybody from getting rid of Grub and switching boot loaders. You can even point one boot loader at another boot loader. That's how most people dual boot Windows. Grub loads, then start WinLoader, then WinLoader starts onekernel.

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Quoting: MarlockQuick question: what system has a copy of grub installed (not by windows, because it's never used by windows) but doesn't have linux so it's ok to replace/block grub?

Any system.

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I'm sure this "bug fix" is just a lead up to a AzureLinux expanding to Desktop as well. Soon it will be an Office365 option and eventually a Windows userland on top of the Linux kernel. People think MSFT's endgame is to have WSL steal developers back to Windows. If MSFT can put a WinLinux userland in the cloud, it will save them billions on compute time.

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Quoting: Mountain ManAs far as Microsoft is concerned, this isn't a bug, it's a feature.

Correction... As far as Microsoft is concerned, this is Linux's fault.

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Quoting: Purple Library Guy

Quoting: LamdarerPerfection

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I mean, I'm very positive and all, but actually that graph makes it kind of clear: We're talking about 1% in 2 1/2 years. At that rate, in 25 years we'll be at 12%. World domination in under 250 years!
That said, significantly faster than the Linux desktop share grew from ~2000 to 2022, so still seems like pretty good times!

I think the network effect kicks in soon. Feels like it's happening now. It's shocking to see average users getting help with their game in non-Linux specific forums. That would just never, ever happen prior to the SteamDeck. In the past 25 years, MSFT has always been able to scuttle the ground Linux has made with gaming or hardware compatibility, if not that, MSFT has always used the power of their purse to crush any Linux adoption. So far there has been no response from MSFT, other than forcing it's OEM's to produce some of the worst handheld experiences. And their OEM's can't use SteamOS or they risk losing their volume licensing deals which would be suicide in volume pc sales. MSFT really has one chance to bring a handheld XBox OS that plays PC games for their OEMs. If they can't do that in the next 2-3 years and the SteamDeck2 releases, any XboxOS handheld will be DOA. MSFT needs a DX13 that is so compelling it forces every game studio to stop what they are doing and retool. Right now, as it is, in 2-3 years, game studios will be releasing games that were designed with Proton as a first class citizen. All these game studios will have support for Proton support built-in to their tools and libraries. MSFT is running out of time to scuttle gaming on Linux. I know I'm always optimistic about everything in life especially Linux. But seriously I am still gobsmacked over AAA titles SteamDeck verified day 1. Things are just different. It's exciting to see how it all fleshes out.

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Quoting: pleasereadthemanual

Quoting: HighballBTW, how do the folks down under even work with their keyboards upside down?

What I don't get is how you guys use computer rodents with the tail facing you.

La rata has been tailess for a decade now, it's not even a problem anymore.

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Quoting: PinguinoLovely news! BTW, what happened in December 2023 that caused the drop in OS X from 20 % to 15 % (apparently in favor of Windows)?

I haven't been able to figure that out myself. Looks like U.S. and Australia specifically. The numbers are based on total views, so maybe a lot of machines just aged out and not replaced. There was a little bit of a rebound in both U.S. and Australia but those gains were eaten into by a global slump it seems.

BTW, how do the folks down under even work with their keyboards upside down?
(I know, I make bad jokes, don't flame me too badly, haha).

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Quoting: Purple Library GuyIt's a pleasant thing when a big drop still leaves you at the second highest level ever.

Pretty cool. Looks like another month with Linux at 4% [External Link]

The Network Effect for Desktop Linux is gonna happen soon. When that happens, Microsoft will no longer be able to use the power of their purse to maintain dominance with the Desktop market.

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