What Happened
In a move that has sparked debate among Linux users, Ubuntu 26.04 has ended the 46-year tradition of silent sudo passwords. The change, which will be implemented in the upcoming LTS release, means that every keystroke at a sudo password prompt will now echo an asterisk. This small UX fix has ignited one of Linux's fiercest debates in years.
Meanwhile, Pinterest CEO Bill Ready has come out in support of government bans on social media for users under the age of 16. In a piece published for Time, Ready cited the negative effects of social media on children, including rising anxiety and depression, eroding concentration, and classrooms competing for attention.
Why It Matters
The debate over sudo passwords may seem trivial to some, but it highlights the importance of user experience in the world of tech. As for the social media ban, it raises questions about the responsibility of tech companies to protect their users, particularly children.
Key Numbers
- 46 years: The length of time that sudo passwords have been silent in Linux.
- 16: The age threshold for social media bans proposed by Pinterest's CEO.
Background
In other tech news, a new tool has been developed to track the Baltic Sea shadow fleet, which has been linked to Russia's military activities. The tool, called Shadow Fleet Tracker Light, uses live AIS data to monitor the movements of over 1,200 vessels.
Additionally, OpenCode, an open-source AI coding agent, has gained popularity among developers. The tool allows users to connect any AI model from any provider, including Claude, GPT, and Gemini.
What Experts Say
"Children today are living through the largest social experiment in history." — Bill Ready, Pinterest CEO
Key Facts
- Who: Bill Ready, Pinterest CEO
- What: Advocated for social media ban for kids under 16
- Impact: Raises questions about tech companies' responsibility to protect users
What Comes Next
As the tech world continues to evolve, we can expect to see more debates about user experience, social media responsibility, and the role of AI in coding. Stay tuned for more updates on these and other tech stories.
What Happened
In a move that has sparked debate among Linux users, Ubuntu 26.04 has ended the 46-year tradition of silent sudo passwords. The change, which will be implemented in the upcoming LTS release, means that every keystroke at a sudo password prompt will now echo an asterisk. This small UX fix has ignited one of Linux's fiercest debates in years.
Meanwhile, Pinterest CEO Bill Ready has come out in support of government bans on social media for users under the age of 16. In a piece published for Time, Ready cited the negative effects of social media on children, including rising anxiety and depression, eroding concentration, and classrooms competing for attention.
Why It Matters
The debate over sudo passwords may seem trivial to some, but it highlights the importance of user experience in the world of tech. As for the social media ban, it raises questions about the responsibility of tech companies to protect their users, particularly children.
Key Numbers
- 46 years: The length of time that sudo passwords have been silent in Linux.
- 16: The age threshold for social media bans proposed by Pinterest's CEO.
Background
In other tech news, a new tool has been developed to track the Baltic Sea shadow fleet, which has been linked to Russia's military activities. The tool, called Shadow Fleet Tracker Light, uses live AIS data to monitor the movements of over 1,200 vessels.
Additionally, OpenCode, an open-source AI coding agent, has gained popularity among developers. The tool allows users to connect any AI model from any provider, including Claude, GPT, and Gemini.
What Experts Say
"Children today are living through the largest social experiment in history." — Bill Ready, Pinterest CEO
Key Facts
- Who: Bill Ready, Pinterest CEO
- What: Advocated for social media ban for kids under 16
- Impact: Raises questions about tech companies' responsibility to protect users
What Comes Next
As the tech world continues to evolve, we can expect to see more debates about user experience, social media responsibility, and the role of AI in coding. Stay tuned for more updates on these and other tech stories.