Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Joseph Zikusooka (ZIK) @jzik.bsky.social · 23d

Earlier this week, I visited Nkozi, home to Uganda Martyrs University (UMU) to speak with IT & science students about #OpenSource software. Their passion & energy was inspiring!

Thanks @opensuse.org for the swag & to UMU for the hospitality. The future is open!

#FOSS #TechInAfrica #openSUSE #Linux

A building block at Uganda Martyrs University (UMU)

UMU students seated at a conference table with laptops while listening to a speaker (not shown) at the front

Two T-shirts the first one written on "OpenSUSE - 20 YEARS" and the second on "SUSE Arm Geeko" vertically

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Joseph Zikusooka (ZIK) @jzik.bsky.social · Sep 10

I have uploaded the latest image of 𝐉𝐚𝐦𝐛𝐮𝐥𝐚 𝐎𝐒, a custom #Linux OS for embedded SoC devices. If you are building smart automation solutions using the #raspberrypi this update is definitely worth checking out.

code.jambula.net/zikusooka/Ja...

#JambulaOS #Linux #smarthome #homeassistant #Opensource

JambulaOS 2025.9.0 running on a Raspberry Pi 5 shows system information including IP addresses, uptime, and disk usage.

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Joseph Zikusooka (ZIK) @jzik.bsky.social · Sep 5

Hass Core Installer 2025.9.0 released! No major changes - just updated to the latest Home Assistant release.

This free & open source tool helps you install/upgrade #HomeAssistant via the (now deprecated) core method.
https://github.com/zikusooka/hass-core-installer

#smarthome #Linux #opensource

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Joseph Zikusooka (ZIK) @jzik.bsky.social · Sep 4

For anyone interested in using Kea DHCP server with buildroot, I have submitted a new patch that's currently awaiting upstream review. Check it out at:
https://patchwork.ozlabs.org/project/buildroot/patch/[email protected]/

#buildroot #kea #dhcp #networking #linux #opensource

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Joseph Zikusooka (ZIK) @jzik.bsky.social · Sep 4

💡Calculate the number of days since a given date (e.g. 30 June 2025) on a Linux system:

echo $(( ( $(date +%s) - $(date -d "2025-06-30" +%s) ) / 86400 ))

@opensuse.org @fedora.fosstodon.org.ap.brid.gy @debian.bsky.social
#ZikTIPS #Linuxtips #LinuxTechTips #Linux #FOSS #Opensource

TIP: Calculate the number of days since a given date (e.g. 30 June 2025) on a Linux system:

echo $(( ( $(date +%s) - $(date -d "2025-06-30" +%s) ) / 86400 ))

#ZikTIPS

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Joseph Zikusooka (ZIK) @jzik.bsky.social · Jul 15

Two weeks ago at the @opensuse.org conference in Germany, I spoke about the impact of the digital divide and how free and open source software can empower rural communities as a force for change #Uganda #Africa #FOSS #globalimpact #opensource

Watch the full talk here: https://youtu.be/olMcEiI8EVw

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Joseph Zikusooka (ZIK) @jzik.bsky.social · Jul 10

Really enjoyed openSUSE Conference 2025 in Nuremberg! A standout was Tropic Square's hands-on session
featuring TROPIC01, the 1st open &
auditable secure element. Big thanks for the devkit & great insights on hardware security for #Linux, edge, and secure infrastructure.
@opensuse.org #opensource

Image of a USB dev kit from Tropic Square

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Joseph Zikusooka (ZIK) @jzik.bsky.social · Jul 9

Have you upgraded to the latest version of Home Assistant i.e. 2025.7.1?

Try Hass-Core-Installer, a simple tool I created to make installs & upgrades of Home Assistant *Core* fast and seamless.

github.com/zikusooka/ha...

#HomeAssistant #smarthome #IoT #DIY #Linux #OpenSource

GitHub - zikusooka/hass-core-installer: An install and update tool for the latest versions of Home-Assistant core

An install and update tool for the latest versions of Home-Assistant core - zikusooka/hass-core-installer

github.com

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Joseph Zikusooka (ZIK) @jzik.bsky.social · Jul 5

Agama, the modern, adaptive installer for @opensuse.org has reached a new milestone: Version 16

New in this release: https://agama-project.github.io/blog/2025/07/04/agama-16

I gave a talk & live demo at openSUSE Conference 2025:
https://youtu.be/LXJbOy-pXMc

#Agama #openSUSE #Linux #OpenSource

Zik on stage at OpenSUSE Conference 2025. Text on projected screen reads: Unattended & Advanced. Linux Installations

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Joseph Zikusooka (ZIK) @jzik.bsky.social · Jun 29

Yesterday at the OpenSUSE Conference 2025, I had the pleasure of demonstrating Agama, the innovative new Linux installer set to debut in @openSUSE Leap 16 and @SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 16 #oSC25 #openSUSE #Linux #OpenSource

Learn more about #agama at:
https://agama-project.github.io/docs/user

A picture of Zik on stage at #oSC25 presenting on Agama the new Linux installer for #openSUSE

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Joseph Zikusooka (ZIK) @jzik.bsky.social · Jun 27

Thrilled to celebrate 20 years of openSUSE at #oSC25 in beautiful Nuremberg, Germany 🐧🎉 Connecting with Linux contributors & innovators. Here’s to the next 20 @openSUSE #openSUSE #Linux #FOSS #opensource

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Joseph Zikusooka (ZIK) @jzik.bsky.social · Jun 25

Currently in Frankfurt, Germany, en route to the openSUSE Conference 2025.

Join me for my talks on Thursday and Saturday! #oSC25 #openSUSE #Linux #OpenSource

Talks:

1. events.opensuse.org/conferences/...

2. events.opensuse.org/conferences/...

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Joseph Zikusooka (ZIK) @jzik.bsky.social · Jun 20

🚀 Jambula OS Linux 2025.6.0 is now live!

This maintenance release brings key improvements for edge devices & smart automation setups

🛠️ Lightweight, flexible Linux for Raspberry Pi & ARM SoCs
🏠 Built for smart home developers
🌐 Open source & community-driven

Get it here: github.com/zikusooka/Ja...

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Joseph Zikusooka (ZIK) @jzik.bsky.social · Jun 13

💡Making a presentation? Add a slick QR code using the Linux command line:

1️⃣ Save your info:
printf "Name: Zik Joseph\nBlog: zikusooka.com/n%22 > my_contacts.txt

2️⃣ Generate QR:
qrencode -o zik.png -r my_contacts.txt

Drop zik.png into your slides. Easy!
#ZikTIPS #Linux #FOSS #TechTips #OpenSource

Image with a QR code and text showing the TIP and usage

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Joseph Zikusooka (ZIK) @jzik.bsky.social · May 17

💡Use the following command line to list of security advisories on a Fedora and RedHat based Linux systems #ZikTIPs #LinuxTips #LinuxTechTips #Linux #Opensource
@fedora.fosstodon.org.ap.brid.gy

sudo dnf advisory list

Linux terminal output showing Fedora and Red Hat security advisories, including package names, types, severity, and issue dates.

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Joseph Zikusooka (ZIK) @jzik.bsky.social · May 14

I'm excited to share an updated version of Hass-Core-Installer - a flexible &
customizable tool I wrote for power users who want full control when
installing Home Assistant on several platforms, including ARM64! #homeassistant #smarthome
Download:
https://github.com/zikusooka/hass-core-installer

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Joseph Zikusooka (ZIK) @jzik.bsky.social · Mar 20

🚀 I have uploaded the latest image of Jambula OS Linux - version 2025.3.0!

✅ Tailscale support for secure remote access 🌐
✅ Audio calendar alerts using Radicale🔔
✅ Nginx web/proxy support 🖥️

🔗 Get it now: github.com/zikusooka/Ja...
#JambulaOS #JambulaTV #smarthome #FOSS #Linux #OpenSource

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Joseph Zikusooka (ZIK) @jzik.bsky.social · Mar 15

Just shared a recap of my FOSS Backstage 2025 presentation on open source adoption in Africa.

Read it on my blog at: joseph.zikusooka.com?p=2617

#FOSS #OpenSource #Africa

A recap of my presentation at FOSS Backstage 2025 – Joseph Zikusooka ~ Zik

joseph.zikusooka.com

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Joseph Zikusooka (ZIK) @jzik.bsky.social · Mar 10

Attending FOSS Backstage 2025? Don't miss my session on Tuesday, March 11, at 11:35 CET (Wintergarten)

https://25.foss-backstage.de/session/empowering-african-communities-using-open-source-software

#FOSSBack #FOSSBack25 #FOSSBackstage #FOSSBackstage2025 #FOSS #Africa #Diversity #Opensource

A poster displaying the text:

"Diversity & Inclusion

Empowering African Communities using Open Source Software"

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Joseph Zikusooka (ZIK) @jzik.bsky.social · Mar 4

💡Record audio from a microphone on a Linux system using gstreamer @fedora.fosstodon.org.ap.brid.gy @opensuse.org

gst-launch-1.0 alsasrc ! audioconvert ! lamemp3enc ! filesink location=recorded.mp3

#ZikTIPs #pipewire #pulseaudio #techtips #Linuxtips #LinuxTechTips #Linux #Opensource

A screenshot showing this Linux tip on how to Record audio from a microphone on a Linux system using gstreamer

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Joseph Zikusooka (ZIK) @jzik.bsky.social · Feb 12

I'm so excited to be speaking at this amazing open source software event taking place March 10-11 2025 in Berlin, Germany #FOSSBackstage #opensource
https://25.foss-backstage.de/session/empowering-african-communities-using-open-source-software

https://tickets.plainschwarz.com/fossback25/c/VEwUGCJhf

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Joseph Zikusooka (ZIK) @jzik.bsky.social · Feb 3

💡To create a file with a specific access & modification timestamp in #Linux

touch -t [FILE] e.g. March 10 2025 9AM
touch -t 202503100900 mytalk.txt

To verify: stat -c %x%y mytalk.txt
@fedora.fosstodon.org.ap.brid.gy @opensuse.bsky.social
#ZikTIPs #Linuxtips #LinuxTechTips #Linux #Opensource

Image displaying text of above Linux tip

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Joseph Zikusooka (ZIK) @jzik.bsky.social · Jan 28

I've just released a new image for Jambula OS Linux 2025.1.0 featuring:
🌟 Easy Home Assistant upgrades
📅 Radicale calendar server
🎵 Audio notifications
🌦️ Periodic weather updates
📷 CCTV motion detection alerts
More ..
github.com/zikusooka/Ja...
#JambulaOS #Linux #smarthome #homeassistant #OpenSource

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Joseph Zikusooka (ZIK) @jzik.bsky.social · Jan 27

💡You can simultaneously query multiple #DNS records using dig in #Linux:

dig OPTIONS @SERVER -f FILE e.g.
dig +nocmd +noquestion +nostats +nocomments @8.8.8.8 -f mydomains.txt

cat mydomains.txt
example.com A
example.net MX
example.org NS

#ZikTIPS #CLI #Opensource

An image showing a screenshot of a Linux terminal with the mentioned tip command and output

Joseph Zikusooka (ZIK) @jzik.bsky.social · Jan 22

💡 To display a full list of known users on a Linux system, use the following command @fedora.fosstodon.org.ap.brid.gy @opensuse.bsky.social @ubuntu-ls.bsky.social

lslogins

#ZikTIPS #Sysadmin #CLI #Fedora #OpenSUSE #Linux #opensource #Tips

A screenshot image of a Linux terminal showing the output of the command "lslogins"