Technology

FollaCell, a cornerstone employer in Follafoss, Norway, has announced a full production stop and subsequent employee furloughs, citing a weakening global market for paper, pulp and timber products. The decision, announced on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, marks the first complete production halt for the company in twelve years. The move impacts approximately 70 employees and apprentices, according to reports.

The downturn affects MM FollaCell AS, a significant industrial presence in the region. Factory manager Odd Morten Aalberg stated that current sales forecasts necessitate the production pause and temporary layoffs. While the company has experienced growth in recent years, shifting global economic conditions have created unfavorable market conditions. This decision underscores the vulnerability of even established manufacturers to fluctuations in the international economy.

The production stoppage will function as a three-week collective vacation for the workforce, a measure intended to mitigate the financial impact on the company while navigating the challenging market landscape. This approach allows FollaCell to temporarily reduce output without permanently reducing its workforce. The company remains optimistic about future prospects, despite the current difficulties.

Impact on the Local Economy

FollaCell’s operations are deeply intertwined with the economic well-being of Follafoss and the surrounding Steinkjer municipality. As a “cornerstone enterprise,” the company’s struggles reverberate throughout the local community. The temporary closure will undoubtedly create uncertainty for employees and their families, as well as impacting local businesses that rely on FollaCell’s workforce. The company’s recent securing of a “historically large contract” highlights the recent positive trajectory, making the current situation particularly jarring.

Global Market Pressures

The decision to halt production is directly linked to deteriorating conditions in the global market for paper, cardboard, and pulp. Demand has softened, creating a surplus and driving down prices. This trend is affecting manufacturers worldwide, forcing them to adjust production levels and implement cost-cutting measures. The downturn is a reminder of the interconnectedness of global supply chains and the sensitivity of manufacturing to external economic forces.

Despite the challenging circumstances, reports indicate that a significant portion of the FollaCell workforce remains optimistic about the company’s long-term viability. This resilience is likely fueled by the company’s history of success and its importance to the local economy. The company has not yet announced a firm date for resuming production, but will continue to monitor market conditions closely.

Recent Regional Incidents

While unrelated to the production halt, a separate incident occurred near Follafoss on February 16, 2026, involving a semi-trailer truck blocking a county road at Follavatnet. Steinkjer-avisa reported the incident, which caused traffic disruptions. This event, while separate, highlights the logistical challenges faced by businesses operating in the region.

Looking ahead, the duration of the production stoppage will depend on the recovery of the global market. FollaCell will be closely monitoring economic indicators and adjusting its operations accordingly. The company’s ability to navigate this challenging period will be crucial not only for its own survival but also for the economic health of Follafoss.

What are your thoughts on the challenges facing manufacturers in the current global economic climate? Share your comments below, and please share this article with your network.

KDE Plasma continues to solidify its position as a leading desktop environment for Linux, offering a compelling blend of power and flexibility. The latest iteration, Plasma 6.6, delivers a host of new features and usability improvements aimed at enhancing customization, streamlining workflows, and providing a more polished experience for users across a variety of distributions, including Kubuntu, KDE Neon, and Fedora KDE. From granular theme control to a revamped screenshot tool, Plasma 6.6 offers something for both seasoned Linux veterans and newcomers alike.

At the heart of this release is a continued focus on personalization. Users can now save customized color schemes and apply them as global themes for day or night modes, allowing for a truly tailored desktop aesthetic. Addressing accessibility, Plasma 6.6 introduces new display filters designed to support individuals with four different types of colorblindness, demonstrating a commitment to inclusivity. These enhancements build upon Plasma’s reputation as a highly adaptable and user-centric environment.

One of the most immediately noticeable improvements is the upgrade to Spectacle, the built-in screenshot tool. Spectacle now boasts Optical Character Recognition (OCR) capabilities, enabling users to extract text directly from captured images – a feature previously found in applications like macOS’s Preview. This functionality streamlines workflows by eliminating the need for separate OCR software, allowing for quick and easy text capture from scanned documents or images.

For users relying on touch-enabled devices or 2-in-1 laptops, Plasma 6.6 introduces a revamped on-screen keyboard, known as Plasma Keyboard. This provides a more comfortable and efficient typing experience when a physical keyboard isn’t available. Beyond individual tools, the update also introduces a new Plasma Setup tool, designed to simplify the initial configuration process for new installations. This tool guides users through essential setup steps – account creation, network connection, and timezone selection – after the base operating system is installed, mirroring the setup processes found in Windows and macOS. KDE notes this is particularly beneficial for businesses and organizations deploying Plasma on refurbished computers or pre-installing it on new hardware.

The update also includes a new Plasma Login Manager, requiring a systemd-based Linux distribution. This sparked brief concern within the community regarding potential compatibility issues with systems not utilizing systemd, such as FreeBSD. But, the KDE team quickly addressed these concerns, clarifying that alternative login managers will continue to function and that core Plasma components will not require systemd. In a statement on Mastodon, the KDE team directly refuted claims of dropped support, stating, “There are sad people who will do anything for attention and clicks, will spread FUD and fake controversies to obtain them, including decontextualising comments on merge requests, stating as facts and official communications what are personal opinions, and finally straight up lying.”

Beyond these headline features, Plasma 6.6 incorporates a range of smaller refinements. Automatic screen brightness adjustment is now available on devices equipped with ambient light sensors. Users can now install fonts directly through the Discover software center, and animations have been optimized for smoother performance on high refresh rate displays. A new skin tone selector has been added to the emoji panel (accessed via the Windows+Period keyboard shortcut), and QR code scanning functionality allows for easy connection to Wi-Fi networks.

For users on rolling-release distributions like KDE Neon, Arch Linux, openSUSE Tumbleweed, or NixOS, the Plasma 6.6 update is already rolling out. Kubuntu 26.04, slated for release in March 2025, will include Plasma 6.6 as part of its default installation. This latest release underscores KDE’s commitment to delivering a refined and feature-rich desktop experience, solidifying its position as a top choice for Linux users seeking a customizable and powerful environment. The ongoing development of KDE Plasma and its integration into various distributions demonstrates the vibrant and collaborative nature of the open-source community.

As the Plasma ecosystem continues to evolve, the focus will likely shift towards further refining existing features and exploring new avenues for customization and integration. The KDE team’s responsiveness to community feedback and its dedication to innovation suggest a promising future for this popular desktop environment. Keep an eye on the Fedora KDE project page for further updates and announcements.

What are your thoughts on the new features in Plasma 6.6? Share your experiences and feedback in the comments below!

For years, Spotify has been the go-to destination for music streaming, a reliable space to discover new artists and enjoy familiar favorites. But a recent shift in strategy, prioritizing video content alongside audio, is leaving many long-time subscribers feeling alienated. What was once a focused music platform is increasingly resembling a video hub, prompting questions about Spotify’s future and its commitment to its core user base.

The change is noticeable. Users are reporting an influx of podcasts, short-form video clips, and other non-music content appearing on their home screens. Although Spotify frames these additions as a way to foster connection between artists and fans, many subscribers feel it disrupts the listening experience they’ve come to expect and pay for. The core issue isn’t the addition of new content, but rather the way it’s being integrated – or, as some users argue, forced upon them.

Spotify’s Attempt to Compete with Video Giants

Spotify’s move towards video is widely seen as an attempt to boost engagement and attract a wider audience, particularly in comparison to platforms like TikTok, and YouTube. These platforms command significant user attention, and Spotify appears to be seeking a piece of that pie. But, this ambition comes at a cost, potentially diluting the incredibly qualities that made Spotify a success in the first place. As Android Police points out, Spotify seems to be prioritizing growth metrics over user experience.

The fundamental problem lies in the differing contexts of audio and video consumption. YouTube is a destination for active viewing, where users intentionally seek out video content. Spotify, is often used as a background companion – during commutes, workouts, or while working. Forcing video onto users in these scenarios feels disruptive and out of place. The platform’s video catalog also pales in comparison to YouTube’s vast library, offering a limited selection of official releases and partner content. As one user noted, “When I want to watch a music video, I go to YouTube. Why? Because YouTube has everything.”

Data Usage and Storage Concerns

Beyond the user experience, Spotify’s video push also raises practical concerns about data usage and storage. Audio streaming is relatively efficient, consuming approximately 43MB of data per hour at a standard bitrate of 96 kbps. However, even standard definition video can consume 300MB to 500MB per hour, and high-definition video can easily exceed 1GB to 2GB per hour, according to reports. This significant increase in data consumption can be problematic for users with limited data plans.

The increased video content also impacts device storage. Android Police reports that the Spotify app can now occupy over 10GB of storage space, effectively turning a music player into a data-intensive video platform.

The Case for Unbundling

A potential solution to Spotify’s dilemma is to unbundle its audio and video offerings. Launching a separate “Spotify Video” app would allow the company to compete directly with platforms like YouTube and TikTok without compromising the core music experience. This approach would cater to users who actively seek video content while preserving the streamlined, audio-focused experience that existing subscribers value. Alternatively, Spotify could introduce a “Classic Mode” that reverts the app to its original, music-centric interface.

Spotify’s current strategy feels like a misstep, a distraction from its core strength. With 268 million paid users and a leading recommendation algorithm, Spotify has already “won the war” for audio streaming. As the company navigates the evolving digital landscape, it must prioritize its existing user base and avoid sacrificing its core identity in pursuit of fleeting trends.

The future of Spotify hinges on its ability to strike a balance between innovation and user experience. Whether the company will heed the concerns of its subscribers remains to be seen. The coming months will be crucial in determining whether Spotify can successfully integrate video content without alienating the loyal audience that built its success. What will Spotify do to address these concerns and retain its position as the leading audio streaming service?

What are your thoughts on Spotify’s new direction? Share your experiences and opinions in the comments below.