I'm aware of Debian's reputation for not having the most up-to-date software in its repository but have just noticed that Thunderbird is on its current version. Which makes me ask:

When does Debian update a package? And how does it decide when to?

I'm particularly interested in when it will make available the upcoming major release of GIMP to 3.0.

If I want to install and use a different desktop environment than came with my distro, what (if any) problems can I expect to encounter?

I currently use Debian with GNOME and I want an optimised system for music production and graphic design. As far as I can tell, the two main options I have are to make some tweaks to my current system's configuration (rt kernel, swap use, cpu behaviour and others) or to switch to a dedicated media distro which is configured already. The creative distros that I like the look of don't use GNOME though.

Which option will be easiest for me?

What are some of the easiest ways for a beginner to make their system untable when they start tinkering with it?

Does anyone know of an Android app for measuring decibels/loudness/volume?

I only need to measure sounds relatively, so it doesn't need to be accurate.

Does anyone here use Starlabs computers? I'm thinking of buying one of their laptops and I'm interested in how well their products are supported in the long term. Specifically, firmware updates and spare parts & repairs.

Thanks

GIMP 3.0 is over 96% complete! The GIMP team got sick at the Libre Arts conference over the summer, hence the setback to the release schedule but they are now back making good progress.

Along with non-destructive editing and a colour overhaul we've all been waiting for, longstanding critics of the UI/UX will be pleased to hear that GIMP are setting up a UX repository and are looking to build a dedicated team of designers to develop this.

All of these things look set to make the GIMP project feel a lot more current and dynamic. I can't wait!

And if anyone wants to help out it looks like testing/reporting, donations and updating the help manual are all welcomed by the project at the moment.

What are some Lemmy communities which surprise you by their low number of subscribers or which you think more of us should engage with?

Can anyone recommend a simple and noob/nonprofessional-friendly cross-platform app for simple graphic design and photography uses?

I normally recommend GIMP for this but for some people who I help with their projects it's overkill and not worth learning for infrequent use.

What can I recommend/teach such people to use, which is more stripped back?

Common use cases are putting together basic flyers & ads, restaurant menus, cropping photos etc.

Does anyone know how I can select my audio output via the command line? I'm frequently switching between using my monitors inbuilt speakers and a USB audio interface and I'm finding it laborious to navigiggerate graphically through the settings in GNOME to do so.

What I'd like to do is set up a couple of bash aliases and do it in my terminal.

What's the best way for me to do that?

Many thanks

We have a past which is chequered, like veryone else's. Successes, failures, and things which have changed in our thinking and our values.

The systems we have produced are incomplete or not current - they don't match up to what we need or want. And there is stasis and inertia in them; they have not changed for a few generations. Change will come at some point though, whether we have a say in it or not.

What shall we do to define, advocate and enact our stake in that change? What are the frontiers that we need to acknowledge and approach?

What are the spirits/ideas of our culture that we can harness to make Earth a better place?

I spend too much time commenting on and witnessing failed ideas and the consolidation of power to no worthwhile end. It's now my belief that the only earnest thing to do is to move forward with an imagining and an eventual implementation of systems which emerge beside those which are already established. None of us want to go against the system in our own lives because it punishes us if we do. So, let's make another one beside it which is better. That the old one doesn't apply to.

What are your thoughts?

Let's first have a discussion about our principles and concepts.

Please speak openly, freely and optimistically - it might be the most important thing you ever say.

Does anyone have experience with a good privacy-focussed VPS provider? What do you recommend?

I've been using 1984 for quite a while and they have been solid but they have just put their prices up. It's still affordable but I thought it would be a good time to have another look at what else is out there.

I'm thinking of getting a new laptop which uses Coreboot. The reason is that I'm into FOSS and would also like to not have IME installed. Currently I'm looking at Starlabs' Starbook, which can optionally be bought with Coreboot.

Can anyone help me evaluate it? I would likely use Debian 12 as my OS.

Many thanks