--- /dev/null
+Title: Run your industrial metal working machine using Debian?
+Tags: english, debian
+Date: 2022-03-02 18:10
+
+<p>After many months of hard work by the good people involved in
+<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LinuxCNC">LinuxCNC</a>, the
+system was accepted Sunday
+<a href="https://tracker.debian.org/pkg/linuxcnc">into Debian</a>.
+Once it was available from Debian, I was surprised to discover from
+<a href="https://qa.debian.org/popcon.php?package=linuxcnc">its
+popularity-contest numbers</a> that people have been reporting its use
+since 2012. <a href="http://linuxcnc.org/">Its project site</a> might
+be a good place to check out, but sadly is not working when visiting
+via Tor.</p>
+
+<p>But what is LinuxCNC, you are probably wondering? Perhaps a
+Wikipedia quote is in place?</p>
+
+<blockquote>
+"LinuxCNC is a software system for numerical control of
+machines such as milling machines, lathes, plasma cutters, routers,
+cutting machines, robots and hexapods. It can control up to 9 axes or
+joints of a CNC machine using G-code (RS-274NGC) as input. It has
+several GUIs suited to specific kinds of usage (touch screen,
+interactive development)."
+</blockquote>
+
+<p>It can even control 3D printers. And even though the Wikipedia
+page indicate that it can only work with hard real time kernel
+features, it can also work with the user space soft real time features
+provided by the Debian kernel.
+<a href="https://github.com/linuxcnc/linuxcnc">The source code</a> is
+available from Github. The last few months I've been involved in the
+translation setup for the program and documentation. Translators are
+most welcome to
+<a href="https://hosted.weblate.org/engage/linuxcnc/">join the
+effort</a> using Weblate.</p>
+
+<p>As usual, if you use Bitcoin and want to show your support of my
+activities, please send Bitcoin donations to my address
+<b><a href="bitcoin:15oWEoG9dUPovwmUL9KWAnYRtNJEkP1u1b">15oWEoG9dUPovwmUL9KWAnYRtNJEkP1u1b</a></b>.</p>