Linux Kernel Ported to the Nintendo 64

Phoronix reports: It’s been a turbulent year and 2020 is certainly ending interesting in the Linux/open-source space… If it wasn’t odd enough seeing Sony providing a new official Linux driver for their PlayStation 5 DualSense controller for ending out the year, there is also a new Linux port to the Nintendo 64 game console… Yes, a brand new port to the…

Intel Begins Their Open-Source Driver Support For Vulkan Ray-Tracing With Xe HPG

In preparation for next year’s Xe HPG graphics cards, Intel’s open-source developers have begun publishing their patches enabling their “ANC” Vulkan Linux driver to support Vulkan ray-tracing. Phoronix reports: Jason Ekstrand as the lead developer originally on the Intel ANV driver has posted today the initial ray-tracing code for ANV in order to support VK_KHR_ray_tracing for their forthcoming hardware. Today is…

Betelgeuse is smaller, closer, and won’t explode any time soon

According to new research, the red supergiant star Betelgeuse – which began to dim dramatically in brightness in late 2019 – might not explode for another 100,000 years. The star is also smaller and closer to us than first thought. Source: https://earthsky.org/space/betelgeuse-supergiant-smaller-closer-wont-explode-soon…

Google Data Centers’ Secret Cost: Billions of Gallons of Water

To meet surging demand for online information, internet giant taps public water supplies that are already straining from overuse. From a report: In August 2019, the Arizona Municipal Water Users Association built a 16-foot pyramid of jugs in its main entrance in Phoenix. The goal was to show residents of this desert region how much water they each use a day…

800-year-old spiral rock carvings marked the solstices for Native Americans

The Pueblo people created rock carvings in the Mesa Verde region of the Southwest United States about 800 years ago to mark the position of the sun on the longest and shortest days of the year. Source: https://www.livescience.com/spiral-petroglyphs-southwest-marked-solstices.html

Every Half-Life Game Is Now Free On Steam

With Half-Life: Alyx launching in March 2020, Valve is offering gamers the opportunity to play every Half-Life game on Steam for free. “This is basically a two-month-long trial; you won’t get to keep these games,” notes The Verge. “Every game is compatible with Windows, Linux, and macOS (though all of these games are 32-bit apps, which means they don’t work on…

UFO filmed dropping ‘fireballs’ over Arizona

A couple from Mesa recently recorded footage of a mysterious object dropping glowing orbs over the city. “I love to watch the skies,” said Kerri Burne… Source: https://www.unexplained-mysteries.com/news/332900/ufo-filmed-dropping-fireballs-over-arizona…