https://assets.amuniversal.com/4b9229f0ee3e013975b0005056a9545d

Dilbert Daily Strip

https://protone.media/img/header_social.jpg

Laravel News Links

https://static1.makeuseofimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/fedora-silverblue-gnome-software-updates.png

Fedora Linux is one of the most well-known versions of the Linux operating system. This community-run Linux distribution, sponsored by Red Hat, prides itself on developing and introducing the software that eventually makes its way to other Linux distros.

Fedora Silverblue packages and uses that software in a way different from the traditional Linux desktop model, one that may become the way forward for Fedora and, possibly, other Linux distros. You can already use it today, and here’s why you might want to.

What Is Fedora Silverblue?

Fedora Silverblue is a version of Fedora Linux centered around rpm-ostree and Flatpak. In a nutshell, this provides Linux with the kind of security and app distribution seen on mobile phones and Chromebooks. To understand Fedora Silverblue, it helps to understand these two technologies first:

What Is rpm-ostree?

Instead of distributing an operating system consisting of hundreds of packages, Silverblue provides your system as a single image. When updates arrive, rather than downloading newer versions of specific packages, such as the system components and libraries that operate in the background, Silverblue provides a single newer image that contains these updates.

This comes with a few big benefits. One is stability. Your system won’t fail to boot or malfunction because a single package is missing or corrupted. Instead, your system is one big all-or-nothing image. But if a problem does arise, you can easily undo the mistake by booting using a previous image that is known to work.

What Is Flatpak?

Flatpak is a universal app format that enables you to install an app on virtually any Linux distro. This is a replacement for traditional packages such as DEB and RPM, which are not universal. A distro that uses DEB packages, such as Debian or Ubuntu, can not install RPM packages, and vice versa.

Flatpaks also come with added security benefits. Each app is a sandbox, isolated from the rest of your system. For an app to access other components, such as your files or your webcam, you must grant it permission.

Getting Started With Fedora Silverblue

Installing Fedora Silverblue works the same way as installing Fedora Workstation. You can head to the same website, getfedora.org, and scroll down until you see Silverblue, or you can go directly to the Silverblue website to download the necessary ISO.

If you’re familiar with the installer in Fedora Linux or Red Hat Enterprise Linux, then you already know what to expect in Silverblue. Newcomers will find the process comparable to installing applications on Microsoft Windows, where clicking the “Next” button often enough will eventually result in the software you want being installed.

Once you reboot into your new system, you will see a pristine GNOME desktop and the GNOME Tour app, which introduces you to the way GNOME works. At this point, you haven’t yet encountered a difference between Fedora Silverblue and Fedora Workstation, but you’re about to.

How to Install Updates

One of the first things you will need to do on your new system is install updates. You can open GNOME Software and try to view available updates, but this may or may not work. For better or worse, this is not an issue specific to Fedora Silverblue. I find GNOME Software to be an unreliable tool for displaying and installing updates on Fedora Workstation as well.

If GNOME Software works, you will see a prompt to “Restart & Update.” Unlike Fedora Workstation, you won’t need to wait, after you restart, for Fedora to install your packages. Instead, Silverblue will simply start back up using the newer system image that you’ve just downloaded.

If you’ve been using Linux long enough, GNOME Software not working may not seem like much of an issue. You may already be accustomed to installing updates through the command line. This is not because it is the only or easiest way to install updates on Linux, but because the command line often does the job faster and with maximum information presented, showing exactly what updates you’re getting.

On Fedora Workstation, you can install updates with:

sudo dnf upgrade

However, this doesn’t work in Fedora Silverblue. Instead, you will need to use the command:

rpm-ostree upgrade

Notice that in Silverblue the command does not require sudo or administrator access. On Silverblue, you don’t need elevated permissions to upgrade your system or install software.

When the upgrade completes, the terminal displays a full list of upgraded packages in the new system image and a command you can run to restart your system, which you need to do before any of the downloaded updates will take effect.

How to Install Apps on Silverblue

At the first launch, GNOME Software will seem more lightly populated than usual. That’s because Fedora Silverblue does not provide all of the apps available as RPMs in the usual Fedora repository. Silverblue instead uses a separate Fedora repository of Flatpak apps known as the Fedora Container Registry. Various GNOME apps, games, and a few key productivity apps like LibreOffice are available, but there’s much to be desired.

To get more software, you will want to head to Flathub and follow the very simple setup instructions. This will greatly expand the apps that are available in GNOME Software.

To install apps from the terminal, you simply use the flatpak install command. Unlike DNF, you do not need to know the exact name of a package. Flatpak will generally guess what you’re looking for or present you with options if the answer isn’t clear.

If a program you want isn’t available as a Flatpak, you still have the option to install RPMs, but here is where things get tricky.

For apps you intend to use often, you will probably want to append them to your system image using the rpm-ostree install command. Follow this command up with the exact name of the DNF package you wish to install. You will need to restart your computer afterward. From then on, your system image will include these apps during upgrades. To remove software, including preinstalled apps like Firefox, use the rpm-ostree override remove command.

The alternative approach is to launch apps from the command line. These apps will not appear in your app drawer, nor will their icons appear on your dock. To go this route, you will need to become familiar with Toolbox.

Working in the Terminal

Fedora Silverblue comes with a terminal, and most of the commands you come across will still work. But if you want to add or remove packages, you will need to turn to a tool called Toolbox.

Toolbox creates containers, or isolated workspaces, where you can install all the packages you want without cluttering your system.

To create a toolbox, use:

toolbox create

Then type:

toolbox enter

Now you can use DNF and install any Fedora packages you wish. When you are done, type exit to exit Toolbox.

Note, Toolbox containers are not isolated in a security sense. Each has access to your home directory and other aspects of your computer. Do not treat them as safe ways to mess with sketchy software.

Managing App Permissions

The Flatpak format does come with some protections against sketchy or compromised software. While you can see some of this when you open System Settings and navigate to Applications, to really take control you need to install a program known as Flatseal.

With Flatseal, you can block apps from gaining access to the network or limit them to only view files in a specific folder on your hard drive, for example. This program is available for any Linux distribution, but since Fedora Silverblue goes all-in on Flatpak, this means you have this level of control over the majority of apps on your system.

Is Fedora Silverblue Ready for Primetime?

Yes, there is already a community of people using Fedora Silverblue as their primary distro. Apps are stable and, for the most part, it looks just like regular Fedora Linux. Once you learn Silverblue’s quirks, you may actually even find it easier to use than a traditional Linux distro.

Fedora Silverblue isn’t alone. If you find this concept exciting, know that there are a few other Linux distros that have also embraced Flatpak for all of their apps. More could be on the way.

MUO – Feed

https://laravelnews.imgix.net/images/skipper18-FEATURED-IMAGE1-1631452140.png?ixlib=php-3.3.1

Laravel News

https://media.notthebee.com/articles/613d85e02d4e5613d85e02d4e6.jpg

A stray cat was saved by a few awesome fans and an American flag at the Miami Hurricanes football game tonight, and you’ve just gotta watch the video to believe it.

Not the Bee

https://theawesomer.com/photos/2021/09/making_natural_disaster_movies_t.jpg

Link

Movies and TV shows use a mix of practical, optical, and digital visual effects to simulate natural disasters. Insider compiled behind-the-scenes footage from eight movies where VFX pros brought storms, earthquakes, tsunamis, and other acts of Mother Nature’s fury to life.

The Awesomer

Collection::macro('insertBetweenEach', function ($value) {
    return $this->flatMap(fn ($item) => [$item, $value])->slice(0, -1);
});

collect([1, 2, 3])->insertBetweenEach(4)->dd();

[1, 4, 2, 4, 3]

// vendor/laravel/framework/src/Illuminate/Macroable/Traits/Macroable.php

trait Macroable
{
    protected static array $macros = [];

    public static function macro(string $name, object|callable $macro): void
    {
        static::$macros[$name] = $macro;
    }
}

// vendor/laravel/framework/src/Illuminate/Macroable/Traits/Macroable.php

trait Macroable
{
    protected static array $macros = [];

    public static function macro(string $name, object|callable $macro): void
    {
        static::$macros[$name] = $macro;
    }
    
    public function __call(string $method, array $parameters): mixed
    {
        if (!isset(static::$macros[$method])) {
            throw new BadMethodCallException(sprintf('Method %s::%s does not exist.', static::class, $method));
        }

        $macro = static::$macros[$method];

        if ($macro instanceof Closure) {
            $macro = $macro->bindTo($this, static::class);
        }

        return $macro(...$parameters);
    }
}

// vendor/laravel/framework/src/Illuminate/Macroable/Traits/Macroable.php

trait Macroable
{
    protected static array $macros = [];

    public static function macro(string $name, object|callable $macro): void
    {
        static::$macros[$name] = $macro;
    }
    
    public function __call(string $method, array $parameters): mixed
    {
        if (!isset(static::$macros[$method])) {
            throw new BadMethodCallException(sprintf('Method %s::%s does not exist.', static::class, $method));
        }

        $macro = static::$macros[$method];

        if ($macro instanceof Closure) {
            $macro = $macro->bindTo($this, static::class);
        }

        return $macro(...$parameters);
    }
  
    public static function __callStatic(string $method, array $parameters): mixed
    {
        if (!static::hasMacro($method)) {
            throw new BadMethodCallException(sprintf('Method %s::%s does not exist.', static::class, $method));
        }

        $macro = static::$macros[$method];

        if ($macro instanceof Closure) {
            $macro = $macro->bindTo(null, static::class);
        }

        return $macro(...$parameters);
    }
}

Laravel News Links

name: Apply PHP Code Style

on:
    push:
        branches:
            - 'master'
    pull_request:
        paths:
            - '**.php'

jobs:
    php-cs-fixer:
        runs-on: ubuntu-latest
        steps:
            - uses: actions/[email protected]
              with:
                  ref: $

            - name: Install
              run: composer install

            - name: Run php-cs-fixer
              run: ./vendor/bin/php-cs-fixer fix

            - uses: stefanzweifel/[email protected]
              with:
                  commit_message: Apply php-cs-fixer changes

Laravel News Links

https://miro.medium.com/max/2000/1*CsfGKvl5-dSZ4K-tqZP18Q.pngLaravel Spark doesn’t offer a way to load stripe plans from the database, so here is my approach on how I achieved this without updating the source of Laravel Spark.Laravel News Links

https://www.pewpewtactical.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Food-TP-Bullets-1024×683.jpg

I don’t think that anybody would argue that the past year and a half has been absolutely insane for gun sales.

I mean, seriously, we should all make congratulatory t-shirts or something. Part of the chaos of 2020-2021 has revolved around the gun industry as well.

We all know that firearms, ammunition, black powder, and other components have virtually disappeared from shelves throughout the nation.

And President Biden has positioned the Department of Justice to tackle topics like pistol braces and 80% receivers.

But we wanted to know what kind of impact the past year and a half has had on the world of 80% receivers.

So, if you’ve been curious about how 80% receivers have fared recently, keep reading to learn more.

80% Receiver Sales Spike

Since 2020 when guns began disappearing off gun store shelves, more Americans began turning to 80% receivers as it was one of the few options available.

As a result, people began buying them in droves. While Pennsylvania-based JSD Supply was already planning on expanding their capabilities before 2020, last year pushed them into expansion even further – almost accidentally, CEO and owner Jordan Vinroe stated.

JSD Supply is primarily geared towards the do-it-yourself firearm maker, with a host of products revolving around the DIY sector — including 80% AR-15 lowers, AR-10 lowers, and the like.

Vinroe said business was booming. But what caused this increase?

Executive Actions

“It’s most certainly due to government overreach. Anytime people try to restrict a right, people exercise that right as much as they can.”

Vinroe noted that when politicians talk about guns, gun sales always increase exponentially. History has proven that politicians often make the best gun salesmen.

In April, President Biden issues several Executive Actions targeting both braces and 80% kits. (You can read more about that here.)

“We’ve been expecting (and preparing) for legislation and regulation to come to the national stage for a while now, and today’s press conference from the White House confirms it. 80% Lowers are the main target of an aggressive executive push to undermine the community of home builders,” 80% Arms said in a statement shared with Pew Pew Tactical at the time.

“We believe the best way to ensure 2nd Amendment rights is to provide a method that allows citizens to manufacture their own firearms at home,” the company added.

Following the Executive Actions, the ATF issued a 115-page set of proposals attempting to reclassify a firearm’s “frame or receiver.” You can read more about that in our ATF’s Proposed Rules on Firearms, Receivers [Guide].

Nathan Deters of Anderson Manufacturing explained his company saw a significant increase in 2021 in 80% lower purchases. He said it was “definitely due to the recent ATF proposed rule changes on 80% lowers.”

Demand for 80% lowers reached such heights in 2021 that Anderson Manufacturing moved some production capacity over to 80% lowers.

Anderson Manufacturing also noted an uptick in jig kits and complete lowers as well.

Ghost Gunner also saw a massive spike starting in April 2021. Cody Wilson attributes this to when “Biden made his ghost gun rule press conference.”

As a result, the company struggled to keep enough .308 and AR-15 style receivers in stock. They’re flying off shelves as soon as they get them in.

“We sell every Polymer80 frame we can get in stock. People are aware of the state and federal doors closing on this activity,” Wilson stated, as well as noting that they’re seeing a spike in the sales of jigs for 80% lowers as well.

Akin to the other manufacturers I contacted, Ghost Gunner has also seen certain areas ordering more products than others.

Wilson noted that the demographics for sales have largely remained the same for the past five years. But said that California and cities such as Baltimore are overrepresented within his business.

Riots & Unrest

JSD Supply’s Vinroe explained that in addition to politics, cities hit with riots often saw customers calling JSD Supply “almost frantic” due to their inability to find a gun in local stores.

Missouri, in particular, saw an uptick in sales after riots broke out.

As far as customers themselves, JSD Supply said a large number of first-time gun owners purchased products and a significant number of burglary victims who believe that their homes were targeted as a result of local riots as well.

According to Vinroe, every product JSD Supply offers experienced an increase in sales over the past year and a half.

Conclusion

It should come as no surprise that 80% receiver sales are up. Virtually every item within the entire gun industry has seen spectacular sales for the past year and a half.

Driven both by civil unrest and politics, it seems as if the 80% trend isn’t slowing down anytime soon.

What do you think about 80% kits and lowers? Let us know in the comments below. Read up on 80% kits at What Are 80% Lower Receiver Kits and the Best 80% Receivers, Jigs & Frames.  

The post 80% Lowers & Kit Sales Spike in 2021 appeared first on Pew Pew Tactical.

Pew Pew Tactical