On January 15, 2021, Google announced they are “Limiting Private API availability in Chromium” on March 15 2021. On this day, Chromium Browser users will no longer have access to features found in Google Chrome.

Chromium Project

Chromium is an open-source browser developed by Google in 2008. Google’s Chrome browser is based on Chromium, as are other popular browsers such as Microsoft’s Edge, Opera, Brave, and Vivaldi. As of this writing, the browser market share across all platforms¹:

1. Chrome 63.63%
2. Safari 19.37%
3. Firefox 3.65%
4. Samsung Internet 3.49%
5. Edge 3.24%
6. Opera 2.16%

Google Chrome is the dominant browser, and Chromium, as the foundation…

I love technology and tinkering with it. After fifteen years of being a devout Apple fanboy, I switched to Linux. While there were many reasons for this significant change, at the core, it was about learning. Since the switch, I’ve learned more about how computers work, both the hardware and software. I’ve built a desktop computer and breathed new life into older computers with Linux. My recent acquisition of the Raspberry Pi 400 started me on a new journey learning physical computing.

Since the Raspberry Pi 3 release in 2016, I’ve been using Pis for single-purpose servers. I’ve set up…

I recently reviewed the Pi 400 Complete Computer Kit, with its ‘out of the box’ configuration running on Raspberry Pi OS. Now, I’m reviewing an alternative operating system, Ubuntu 20.10, running on the Pi 400.

Ubuntu Desktop, initially released in 2004, may be the most popular Linux desktop distribution in the world. It’s backed by Canonical, a UK-based private company that sells commercial support and services for Ubuntu-based products. Ubuntu comes pre-installed on desktop and laptop computers from various hardware vendors, including System76, Lenovo, and Dell. Ubuntu can also be installed on many other current and legacy computers.

With millions…

Never did I imagine a government request to wear a mask while in public, and when it began, I never imagined I would have an opinion about the design of a mask, but I do.

I expect most people own at least three masks and maybe a dozen or more. For those like my wife, Erica, who wears a mask nine or more hours a day while teaching at school, fit, comfort, and protection are important.

A friend, Johanna, is making masks and gifted one to me. I’ve worn store-bought and homemade masks, and Johanna’s mask is, by far, better…

In my post Pop!_OS Tiling — Always Float, I describe Window Exceptions and how to implement them manually. The latest release of Pop!_OS Shell, installed with the most recent Pop!_OS 20.04 update, now includes a graphical tool for managing Window Exceptions.

I’m a fan of tiling window managers. Pop!_OS introduced tiling windows, known as Pop Shell, in version 20.04. While the Pop implementation is not as powerful and functional as a tiling windows manager, like i3 or Awesome, it’s a great start but needs some improvements. In my post, Pop!_OS Switch Workspaces with Super + Number, I recommend adding keyboard mapping to move between workspaces easier.

Some windows don’t work well in tiling mode. The Settings and Calculator applications work better as floating windows

A learning experience.

At the beginning of the year, I built my first computer. This post is about my first hardware issue with that computer.

Hardware Failure

I should title this section, ‘User Failure’ or ‘Idiot’. My computer has been fantastic and worked flawlessly until I decided to upgrade, adding a second m.2 drive for expanded storage. While adding the new drive, I turned my back, and the computer fell from my desk onto the floor. Ugh. Then it would not boot.

No POST

The computer appeared to turn on, I could see lights and fans were spinning, but nothing appeared on the display…

For developers, I recommend using Pop!_OS as your first Linux distribution. After using MacOS for fifteen years, my first Linux experience was with Pop!_OS, and I’ve explored other Debian and Arch-based distros. I’m currently using Pop!_OS and EndevourOS.

Pop!_OS is an excellent transition distribution for developers moving to Linux for the following reasons:

Made by developers for developers.

Pop!_OS is maintained by System 76, a leading manufacturer of professional hardware designed to run Linux. In the hands of System76, there is a focus on performance, reliability, and usability for the developer. System76 descried Pop!_OS …