diff --git a/Cargo.toml b/Cargo.toml
index 0206968..aaf81cc 100644
--- a/Cargo.toml
+++ b/Cargo.toml
@@ -14,12 +14,12 @@ authors = ["src_resources"]
 
 [workspace.dependencies]
 gl = "0.14.0"
-glfw = "0.55.0"
-image = "0.25.1"
-nalgebra-glm = "0.18.0"
-lazy_static = "1.4.0"
-russimp = { version = "3.2.0", features = ["prebuilt"] }
-rand = "0.9.0-alpha.1"
-rand_pcg = "0.9.0-alpha.1"
+glfw = "0.59.0"
+image = "0.25.6"
+nalgebra-glm = "0.19.0"
+lazy_static = "1.5.0"
+russimp = { version = "3.2.1", features = ["prebuilt"] }
+rand = "0.9.1"
+rand_pcg = "0.9.0"
 freetype = "0.7.2"
 rodio = "0.18.1"
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index e08fb5a..ddf5e03 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -21,6 +21,12 @@ resources at once:
 
 ## Build the source code
 
+Check the source code first:
+
+```shell
+cargo check
+```
+
 To build and run test, switch to the repository root directory and run:
 
 ```shell
@@ -47,4 +53,4 @@ For the images, audios and models used under this repository (under the `resourc
 [LearnOpenGL About](https://learnopengl.com/About) page.
 
 For the other parts, licensed under [the Apache License v2.0](https://spdx.org/licenses/Apache-2.0.html).
-See [LICENSE.txt](LICENSE.txt) for details.
\ No newline at end of file
+See [LICENSE.txt](LICENSE.txt) for details.
diff --git a/crates/1.getting_started/2.1.hello_triangle/src/main.rs b/crates/1.getting_started/2.1.hello_triangle/src/main.rs
index 3e49b8f..1d0bc44 100644
--- a/crates/1.getting_started/2.1.hello_triangle/src/main.rs
+++ b/crates/1.getting_started/2.1.hello_triangle/src/main.rs
@@ -97,7 +97,7 @@ fn main() {
         // check for linking errors
         gl::GetProgramiv(shader_program, gl::LINK_STATUS, &mut success);
         if success == 0 {
-            gl::GetShaderInfoLog(shader_program, 512, ptr::null_mut(), &mut info_log as *mut _);
+            gl::GetProgramInfoLog(shader_program, 512, ptr::null_mut(), &mut info_log as *mut _);
             let info_log_vec: Vec<_> = Vec::from(info_log).iter().map(|it| *it as u8).collect();
             println!("ERROR::SHADER::PROGRAM::LINKING_FAILED\n{}", String::from_utf8(info_log_vec).unwrap());
         }
diff --git a/crates/1.getting_started/2.2.hello_triangle_indexed/src/main.rs b/crates/1.getting_started/2.2.hello_triangle_indexed/src/main.rs
index 481330d..31e918b 100644
--- a/crates/1.getting_started/2.2.hello_triangle_indexed/src/main.rs
+++ b/crates/1.getting_started/2.2.hello_triangle_indexed/src/main.rs
@@ -96,7 +96,7 @@ fn main() {
         // check for linking errors
         gl::GetProgramiv(shader_program, gl::LINK_STATUS, &mut success);
         if success == 0 {
-            gl::GetShaderInfoLog(shader_program, 512, ptr::null_mut(), &mut info_log as *mut _);
+            gl::GetProgramInfoLog(shader_program, 512, ptr::null_mut(), &mut info_log as *mut _);
             let info_log_vec: Vec<_> = Vec::from(info_log).iter().map(|it| *it as u8).collect();
             println!("ERROR::SHADER::PROGRAM::LINKING_FAILED\n{}", String::from_utf8(info_log_vec).unwrap());
         }
diff --git a/crates/1.getting_started/2.3.hello_triangle_exercise1/src/main.rs b/crates/1.getting_started/2.3.hello_triangle_exercise1/src/main.rs
index b1aaff8..b0474ae 100644
--- a/crates/1.getting_started/2.3.hello_triangle_exercise1/src/main.rs
+++ b/crates/1.getting_started/2.3.hello_triangle_exercise1/src/main.rs
@@ -97,7 +97,7 @@ fn main() {
         // check for linking errors
         gl::GetProgramiv(shader_program, gl::LINK_STATUS, &mut success);
         if success == 0 {
-            gl::GetShaderInfoLog(shader_program, 512, ptr::null_mut(), &mut info_log as *mut _);
+            gl::GetProgramInfoLog(shader_program, 512, ptr::null_mut(), &mut info_log as *mut _);
             let info_log_vec: Vec<_> = Vec::from(info_log).iter().map(|it| *it as u8).collect();
             println!("ERROR::SHADER::PROGRAM::LINKING_FAILED\n{}", String::from_utf8(info_log_vec).unwrap());
         }
diff --git a/crates/1.getting_started/2.4.hello_triangle_exercise2/src/main.rs b/crates/1.getting_started/2.4.hello_triangle_exercise2/src/main.rs
index 07df383..bcc36d1 100644
--- a/crates/1.getting_started/2.4.hello_triangle_exercise2/src/main.rs
+++ b/crates/1.getting_started/2.4.hello_triangle_exercise2/src/main.rs
@@ -96,7 +96,7 @@ fn main() {
         // check for linking errors
         gl::GetProgramiv(shader_program, gl::LINK_STATUS, &mut success);
         if success == 0 {
-            gl::GetShaderInfoLog(shader_program, 512, ptr::null_mut(), &mut info_log as *mut _);
+            gl::GetProgramInfoLog(shader_program, 512, ptr::null_mut(), &mut info_log as *mut _);
             let info_log_vec: Vec<_> = Vec::from(info_log).iter().map(|it| *it as u8).collect();
             println!("ERROR::SHADER::PROGRAM::LINKING_FAILED\n{}", String::from_utf8(info_log_vec).unwrap());
         }
diff --git a/crates/1.getting_started/3.1.shaders_uniform/src/main.rs b/crates/1.getting_started/3.1.shaders_uniform/src/main.rs
index 2b2bc62..f95df94 100644
--- a/crates/1.getting_started/3.1.shaders_uniform/src/main.rs
+++ b/crates/1.getting_started/3.1.shaders_uniform/src/main.rs
@@ -97,7 +97,7 @@ fn main() {
         // check for linking errors
         gl::GetProgramiv(shader_program, gl::LINK_STATUS, &mut success);
         if success == 0 {
-            gl::GetShaderInfoLog(shader_program, 512, ptr::null_mut(), &mut info_log as *mut _);
+            gl::GetProgramInfoLog(shader_program, 512, ptr::null_mut(), &mut info_log as *mut _);
             let info_log_vec: Vec<_> = Vec::from(info_log).iter().map(|it| *it as u8).collect();
             println!("ERROR::SHADER::PROGRAM::LINKING_FAILED\n{}", String::from_utf8(info_log_vec).unwrap());
         }
diff --git a/crates/1.getting_started/3.2.shaders_interpolation/src/main.rs b/crates/1.getting_started/3.2.shaders_interpolation/src/main.rs
index 2318c2d..f196cbc 100644
--- a/crates/1.getting_started/3.2.shaders_interpolation/src/main.rs
+++ b/crates/1.getting_started/3.2.shaders_interpolation/src/main.rs
@@ -100,7 +100,7 @@ fn main() {
         // check for linking errors
         gl::GetProgramiv(shader_program, gl::LINK_STATUS, &mut success);
         if success == 0 {
-            gl::GetShaderInfoLog(shader_program, 512, ptr::null_mut(), &mut info_log as *mut _);
+            gl::GetProgramInfoLog(shader_program, 512, ptr::null_mut(), &mut info_log as *mut _);
             let info_log_vec: Vec<_> = Vec::from(info_log).iter().map(|it| *it as u8).collect();
             println!("ERROR::SHADER::PROGRAM::LINKING_FAILED\n{}", String::from_utf8(info_log_vec).unwrap());
         }
diff --git a/crates/1.getting_started/5.1.transformations/src/main.rs b/crates/1.getting_started/5.1.transformations/src/main.rs
index 933fcc7..e3b90bd 100644
--- a/crates/1.getting_started/5.1.transformations/src/main.rs
+++ b/crates/1.getting_started/5.1.transformations/src/main.rs
@@ -23,8 +23,7 @@ use gl::types::*;
 use glfw::{Action, Context, Key, OpenGlProfileHint, Window, WindowEvent, WindowHint};
 use learnopengl_shared::filesystem;
 use learnopengl_shared::shader_s::Shader;
-use image::io::Reader as ImageReader;
-use image::{RgbaImage, RgbImage};
+use image::{ImageReader, RgbaImage, RgbImage};
 
 const SCR_WIDTH: u32 = 800;
 const SCR_HEIGHT: u32 = 600;
diff --git a/crates/1.getting_started/5.2.transformations_exercise1/src/main.rs b/crates/1.getting_started/5.2.transformations_exercise1/src/main.rs
index ba20a70..592026c 100644
--- a/crates/1.getting_started/5.2.transformations_exercise1/src/main.rs
+++ b/crates/1.getting_started/5.2.transformations_exercise1/src/main.rs
@@ -23,8 +23,7 @@ use gl::types::*;
 use glfw::{Action, Context, Key, OpenGlProfileHint, Window, WindowEvent, WindowHint};
 use learnopengl_shared::filesystem;
 use learnopengl_shared::shader_s::Shader;
-use image::io::Reader as ImageReader;
-use image::{RgbaImage, RgbImage};
+use image::{ImageReader, RgbaImage, RgbImage};
 
 const SCR_WIDTH: u32 = 800;
 const SCR_HEIGHT: u32 = 600;
diff --git a/crates/1.getting_started/6.1.coordinate_systems/src/main.rs b/crates/1.getting_started/6.1.coordinate_systems/src/main.rs
index 8e92087..d6f3900 100644
--- a/crates/1.getting_started/6.1.coordinate_systems/src/main.rs
+++ b/crates/1.getting_started/6.1.coordinate_systems/src/main.rs
@@ -23,8 +23,7 @@ use gl::types::*;
 use glfw::{Action, Context, Key, OpenGlProfileHint, Window, WindowEvent, WindowHint};
 use learnopengl_shared::{filesystem, util};
 use learnopengl_shared::shader_m::Shader;
-use image::io::Reader as ImageReader;
-use image::{RgbaImage, RgbImage};
+use image::{ImageReader, RgbaImage, RgbImage};
 
 const SCR_WIDTH: u32 = 800;
 const SCR_HEIGHT: u32 = 600;
diff --git a/crates/1.getting_started/6.2.coordinate_systems_depth/src/main.rs b/crates/1.getting_started/6.2.coordinate_systems_depth/src/main.rs
index c163f76..8e02973 100644
--- a/crates/1.getting_started/6.2.coordinate_systems_depth/src/main.rs
+++ b/crates/1.getting_started/6.2.coordinate_systems_depth/src/main.rs
@@ -23,8 +23,7 @@ use gl::types::*;
 use glfw::{Action, Context, Key, OpenGlProfileHint, Window, WindowEvent, WindowHint};
 use learnopengl_shared::{filesystem, util};
 use learnopengl_shared::shader_m::Shader;
-use image::io::Reader as ImageReader;
-use image::{RgbaImage, RgbImage};
+use image::{ImageReader, RgbaImage, RgbImage};
 
 const SCR_WIDTH: u32 = 800;
 const SCR_HEIGHT: u32 = 600;
diff --git a/crates/1.getting_started/6.3.coordinate_systems_multiple/src/main.rs b/crates/1.getting_started/6.3.coordinate_systems_multiple/src/main.rs
index f0a2e10..eb1f338 100644
--- a/crates/1.getting_started/6.3.coordinate_systems_multiple/src/main.rs
+++ b/crates/1.getting_started/6.3.coordinate_systems_multiple/src/main.rs
@@ -22,8 +22,7 @@ use gl::types::*;
 use glfw::{Action, Context, Key, OpenGlProfileHint, Window, WindowEvent, WindowHint};
 use learnopengl_shared::{filesystem, util};
 use learnopengl_shared::shader_m::Shader;
-use image::io::Reader as ImageReader;
-use image::{RgbaImage, RgbImage};
+use image::{ImageReader, RgbaImage, RgbImage};
 
 const SCR_WIDTH: u32 = 800;
 const SCR_HEIGHT: u32 = 600;
diff --git a/crates/1.getting_started/6.4.coordinate_systems_exercise3/src/main.rs b/crates/1.getting_started/6.4.coordinate_systems_exercise3/src/main.rs
index 52acd71..2f4ceef 100644
--- a/crates/1.getting_started/6.4.coordinate_systems_exercise3/src/main.rs
+++ b/crates/1.getting_started/6.4.coordinate_systems_exercise3/src/main.rs
@@ -22,8 +22,7 @@ use gl::types::*;
 use glfw::{Action, Context, Key, OpenGlProfileHint, Window, WindowEvent, WindowHint};
 use learnopengl_shared::{filesystem, util};
 use learnopengl_shared::shader_m::Shader;
-use image::io::Reader as ImageReader;
-use image::{RgbaImage, RgbImage};
+use image::{ImageReader, RgbaImage, RgbImage};
 
 const SCR_WIDTH: u32 = 800;
 const SCR_HEIGHT: u32 = 600;
diff --git a/crates/1.getting_started/7.1.camera_circle/src/main.rs b/crates/1.getting_started/7.1.camera_circle/src/main.rs
index 6503c2a..93f6ad8 100644
--- a/crates/1.getting_started/7.1.camera_circle/src/main.rs
+++ b/crates/1.getting_started/7.1.camera_circle/src/main.rs
@@ -22,8 +22,7 @@ use gl::types::*;
 use glfw::{Action, Context, Key, OpenGlProfileHint, Window, WindowEvent, WindowHint};
 use learnopengl_shared::{filesystem, util};
 use learnopengl_shared::shader_m::Shader;
-use image::io::Reader as ImageReader;
-use image::{RgbaImage, RgbImage};
+use image::{ImageReader, RgbaImage, RgbImage};
 
 const SCR_WIDTH: u32 = 800;
 const SCR_HEIGHT: u32 = 600;
diff --git a/crates/1.getting_started/7.2.camera_keyboard_dt/src/main.rs b/crates/1.getting_started/7.2.camera_keyboard_dt/src/main.rs
index 75f246b..59c8cf7 100644
--- a/crates/1.getting_started/7.2.camera_keyboard_dt/src/main.rs
+++ b/crates/1.getting_started/7.2.camera_keyboard_dt/src/main.rs
@@ -22,8 +22,7 @@ use gl::types::*;
 use glfw::{Action, Context, Key, OpenGlProfileHint, Window, WindowHint};
 use learnopengl_shared::{filesystem, util};
 use learnopengl_shared::shader_m::Shader;
-use image::io::Reader as ImageReader;
-use image::{RgbaImage, RgbImage};
+use image::{ImageReader, RgbaImage, RgbImage};
 
 const SCR_WIDTH: u32 = 800;
 const SCR_HEIGHT: u32 = 600;
diff --git a/crates/1.getting_started/7.3.camera_mouse_zoom/src/main.rs b/crates/1.getting_started/7.3.camera_mouse_zoom/src/main.rs
index 5c7bd43..875cb3c 100644
--- a/crates/1.getting_started/7.3.camera_mouse_zoom/src/main.rs
+++ b/crates/1.getting_started/7.3.camera_mouse_zoom/src/main.rs
@@ -22,8 +22,7 @@ use gl::types::*;
 use glfw::{Action, Context, CursorMode, Key, OpenGlProfileHint, Window, WindowHint};
 use learnopengl_shared::{filesystem, util};
 use learnopengl_shared::shader_m::Shader;
-use image::io::Reader as ImageReader;
-use image::{RgbaImage, RgbImage};
+use image::{ImageReader, RgbaImage, RgbImage};
 
 const SCR_WIDTH: u32 = 800;
 const SCR_HEIGHT: u32 = 600;
diff --git a/crates/4.advanced_opengl/10.2.asteroids/Cargo.toml b/crates/4.advanced_opengl/10.2.asteroids/Cargo.toml
index 22e030f..c7458df 100644
--- a/crates/4.advanced_opengl/10.2.asteroids/Cargo.toml
+++ b/crates/4.advanced_opengl/10.2.asteroids/Cargo.toml
@@ -12,3 +12,4 @@ nalgebra-glm.workspace = true
 lazy_static.workspace = true
 rand.workspace = true
 learnopengl-shared = { path = "../../../shared" }
+learnopengl-shared-ex = { path = "../../../shared-ex" }
diff --git a/crates/4.advanced_opengl/10.2.asteroids/src/main.rs b/crates/4.advanced_opengl/10.2.asteroids/src/main.rs
index 2f97289..a1ca04a 100644
--- a/crates/4.advanced_opengl/10.2.asteroids/src/main.rs
+++ b/crates/4.advanced_opengl/10.2.asteroids/src/main.rs
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ use learnopengl_shared::shader::Shader;
 use lazy_static::lazy_static;
 use rand::Rng;
 use learnopengl_shared::camera::{Camera, Movement};
-use learnopengl_shared::model::Model;
+use learnopengl_shared_ex::model::Model;
 
 const SCR_WIDTH: u32 = 800;
 const SCR_HEIGHT: u32 = 600;
@@ -89,27 +89,27 @@ fn main() {
         // ------------------------------------------------------------------
         let amount = 1000usize;
         let mut model_matrices = vec![util::glm::diag_mat4(1.0); amount];
-        let mut rng = rand::thread_rng();
+        let mut rng = rand::rng();
         let radius = 50f32;
         let offset = 2.5f32;
         for i in 0..amount {
             let mut model = util::glm::diag_mat4(1.0);
             // 1. translation: displace along circle with 'radius' in range [-offset, offset]
             let angle = i as f32 / amount as f32 * 360.0;
-            let displacement = (rng.gen::<i32>() % (2.0 * offset * 100.0) as i32) as f32 / 100.0 - offset;
+            let displacement = (rng.random::<i32>() % (2.0 * offset * 100.0) as i32) as f32 / 100.0 - offset;
             let x = angle.sin() * radius + displacement;
-            let displacement = (rng.gen::<i32>() % (2.0 * offset * 100.0) as i32) as f32 / 100.0 - offset;
+            let displacement = (rng.random::<i32>() % (2.0 * offset * 100.0) as i32) as f32 / 100.0 - offset;
             let y = displacement * 0.4; // keep height of asteroid field smaller compared to width of x and z
-            let displacement = (rng.gen::<i32>() % (2.0 * offset * 100.0) as i32) as f32 / 100.0 - offset;
+            let displacement = (rng.random::<i32>() % (2.0 * offset * 100.0) as i32) as f32 / 100.0 - offset;
             let z = angle.cos() * radius + displacement;
             model = glm::translate(&model, &glm::vec3(x, y, z));
 
             // 2. scale: Scale between 0.05 and 0.25f
-            let scale = (rng.gen::<i32>() % 20) as f32 / 100.0 + 0.05;
+            let scale = (rng.random::<i32>() % 20) as f32 / 100.0 + 0.05;
             model = glm::scale(&model, &util::glm::scale_vec3(scale));
 
             // 3. rotation: add random rotation around a (semi)randomly picked rotation axis vector
-            let rot_angle = (rng.gen::<i32>() % 360) as f32;
+            let rot_angle = (rng.random::<i32>() % 360) as f32;
             model = glm::rotate(&model, rot_angle, &glm::vec3(0.4, 0.6, 0.8));
 
             // 4. now add to list of matrices
diff --git a/crates/4.advanced_opengl/10.3.asteroids_instanced/Cargo.toml b/crates/4.advanced_opengl/10.3.asteroids_instanced/Cargo.toml
index ed27659..8bb8e07 100644
--- a/crates/4.advanced_opengl/10.3.asteroids_instanced/Cargo.toml
+++ b/crates/4.advanced_opengl/10.3.asteroids_instanced/Cargo.toml
@@ -12,3 +12,4 @@ nalgebra-glm.workspace = true
 lazy_static.workspace = true
 rand.workspace = true
 learnopengl-shared = { path = "../../../shared" }
+learnopengl-shared-ex = { path = "../../../shared-ex" }
diff --git a/crates/4.advanced_opengl/10.3.asteroids_instanced/src/main.rs b/crates/4.advanced_opengl/10.3.asteroids_instanced/src/main.rs
index 0d21b16..7dabf85 100644
--- a/crates/4.advanced_opengl/10.3.asteroids_instanced/src/main.rs
+++ b/crates/4.advanced_opengl/10.3.asteroids_instanced/src/main.rs
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ use learnopengl_shared::shader::Shader;
 use lazy_static::lazy_static;
 use rand::Rng;
 use learnopengl_shared::camera::{Camera, Movement};
-use learnopengl_shared::model::Model;
+use learnopengl_shared_ex::model::Model;
 
 const SCR_WIDTH: u32 = 800;
 const SCR_HEIGHT: u32 = 600;
@@ -91,27 +91,27 @@ fn main() {
         // ------------------------------------------------------------------
         let amount = 100000usize;
         let mut model_matrices = vec![util::glm::diag_mat4(1.0); amount];
-        let mut rng = rand::thread_rng();
+        let mut rng = rand::rng();
         let radius = 50f32;
         let offset = 2.5f32;
         for i in 0..amount {
             let mut model = util::glm::diag_mat4(1.0);
             // 1. translation: displace along circle with 'radius' in range [-offset, offset]
             let angle = i as f32 / amount as f32 * 360.0;
-            let displacement = (rng.gen::<i32>() % (2.0 * offset * 100.0) as i32) as f32 / 100.0 - offset;
+            let displacement = (rng.random::<i32>() % (2.0 * offset * 100.0) as i32) as f32 / 100.0 - offset;
             let x = angle.sin() * radius + displacement;
-            let displacement = (rng.gen::<i32>() % (2.0 * offset * 100.0) as i32) as f32 / 100.0 - offset;
+            let displacement = (rng.random::<i32>() % (2.0 * offset * 100.0) as i32) as f32 / 100.0 - offset;
             let y = displacement * 0.4; // keep height of asteroid field smaller compared to width of x and z
-            let displacement = (rng.gen::<i32>() % (2.0 * offset * 100.0) as i32) as f32 / 100.0 - offset;
+            let displacement = (rng.random::<i32>() % (2.0 * offset * 100.0) as i32) as f32 / 100.0 - offset;
             let z = angle.cos() * radius + displacement;
             model = glm::translate(&model, &glm::vec3(x, y, z));
 
             // 2. scale: Scale between 0.05 and 0.25f
-            let scale = (rng.gen::<i32>() % 20) as f32 / 100.0 + 0.05;
+            let scale = (rng.random::<i32>() % 20) as f32 / 100.0 + 0.05;
             model = glm::scale(&model, &util::glm::scale_vec3(scale));
 
             // 3. rotation: add random rotation around a (semi)randomly picked rotation axis vector
-            let rot_angle = (rng.gen::<i32>() % 360) as f32;
+            let rot_angle = (rng.random::<i32>() % 360) as f32;
             model = glm::rotate(&model, rot_angle, &glm::vec3(0.4, 0.6, 0.8));
 
             // 4. now add to list of matrices
diff --git a/crates/4.advanced_opengl/9.2.geometry_shader_exploding/Cargo.toml b/crates/4.advanced_opengl/9.2.geometry_shader_exploding/Cargo.toml
index c990920..529533b 100644
--- a/crates/4.advanced_opengl/9.2.geometry_shader_exploding/Cargo.toml
+++ b/crates/4.advanced_opengl/9.2.geometry_shader_exploding/Cargo.toml
@@ -12,3 +12,4 @@ nalgebra-glm.workspace = true
 lazy_static.workspace = true
 image.workspace = true
 learnopengl-shared = { path = "../../../shared" }
+learnopengl-shared-ex = { path = "../../../shared-ex" }
diff --git a/crates/4.advanced_opengl/9.2.geometry_shader_exploding/src/main.rs b/crates/4.advanced_opengl/9.2.geometry_shader_exploding/src/main.rs
index dd69ef8..e5207c2 100644
--- a/crates/4.advanced_opengl/9.2.geometry_shader_exploding/src/main.rs
+++ b/crates/4.advanced_opengl/9.2.geometry_shader_exploding/src/main.rs
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ use learnopengl_shared::{filesystem, util};
 use learnopengl_shared::shader::Shader;
 use lazy_static::lazy_static;
 use learnopengl_shared::camera::{Camera, Movement};
-use learnopengl_shared::model::Model;
+use learnopengl_shared_ex::model::Model;
 
 const SCR_WIDTH: u32 = 800;
 const SCR_HEIGHT: u32 = 600;
diff --git a/crates/4.advanced_opengl/9.3.geometry_shader_normals/Cargo.toml b/crates/4.advanced_opengl/9.3.geometry_shader_normals/Cargo.toml
index ff1975f..a5cee16 100644
--- a/crates/4.advanced_opengl/9.3.geometry_shader_normals/Cargo.toml
+++ b/crates/4.advanced_opengl/9.3.geometry_shader_normals/Cargo.toml
@@ -12,3 +12,4 @@ nalgebra-glm.workspace = true
 lazy_static.workspace = true
 image.workspace = true
 learnopengl-shared = { path = "../../../shared" }
+learnopengl-shared-ex = { path = "../../../shared-ex" }
diff --git a/crates/4.advanced_opengl/9.3.geometry_shader_normals/src/main.rs b/crates/4.advanced_opengl/9.3.geometry_shader_normals/src/main.rs
index 0fde21b..bb4ff31 100644
--- a/crates/4.advanced_opengl/9.3.geometry_shader_normals/src/main.rs
+++ b/crates/4.advanced_opengl/9.3.geometry_shader_normals/src/main.rs
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ use learnopengl_shared::{filesystem, util};
 use learnopengl_shared::shader::Shader;
 use lazy_static::lazy_static;
 use learnopengl_shared::camera::{Camera, Movement};
-use learnopengl_shared::model::Model;
+use learnopengl_shared_ex::model::Model;
 
 const SCR_WIDTH: u32 = 800;
 const SCR_HEIGHT: u32 = 600;
diff --git a/crates/5.advanced_lighting/8.1.deferred_shading/Cargo.toml b/crates/5.advanced_lighting/8.1.deferred_shading/Cargo.toml
index 2d1a96b..243bee0 100644
--- a/crates/5.advanced_lighting/8.1.deferred_shading/Cargo.toml
+++ b/crates/5.advanced_lighting/8.1.deferred_shading/Cargo.toml
@@ -14,3 +14,4 @@ lazy_static.workspace = true
 rand.workspace = true
 rand_pcg.workspace = true
 learnopengl-shared = { path = "../../../shared" }
+learnopengl-shared-ex = { path = "../../../shared-ex" }
diff --git a/crates/5.advanced_lighting/8.1.deferred_shading/src/main.rs b/crates/5.advanced_lighting/8.1.deferred_shading/src/main.rs
index 393d00d..31f15bc 100644
--- a/crates/5.advanced_lighting/8.1.deferred_shading/src/main.rs
+++ b/crates/5.advanced_lighting/8.1.deferred_shading/src/main.rs
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ use lazy_static::lazy_static;
 use rand::{RngCore, SeedableRng};
 use rand_pcg::Pcg64;
 use learnopengl_shared::camera::{Camera, Movement};
-use learnopengl_shared::model::Model;
+use learnopengl_shared_ex::model::Model;
 
 const SCR_WIDTH: u32 = 800;
 const SCR_HEIGHT: u32 = 600;
diff --git a/crates/5.advanced_lighting/8.2.deferred_shading_volumes/Cargo.toml b/crates/5.advanced_lighting/8.2.deferred_shading_volumes/Cargo.toml
index 702d22e..679776a 100644
--- a/crates/5.advanced_lighting/8.2.deferred_shading_volumes/Cargo.toml
+++ b/crates/5.advanced_lighting/8.2.deferred_shading_volumes/Cargo.toml
@@ -14,3 +14,4 @@ lazy_static.workspace = true
 rand.workspace = true
 rand_pcg.workspace = true
 learnopengl-shared = { path = "../../../shared" }
+learnopengl-shared-ex = { path = "../../../shared-ex" }
diff --git a/crates/5.advanced_lighting/8.2.deferred_shading_volumes/src/main.rs b/crates/5.advanced_lighting/8.2.deferred_shading_volumes/src/main.rs
index 4394113..b95850b 100644
--- a/crates/5.advanced_lighting/8.2.deferred_shading_volumes/src/main.rs
+++ b/crates/5.advanced_lighting/8.2.deferred_shading_volumes/src/main.rs
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ use lazy_static::lazy_static;
 use rand::{RngCore, SeedableRng};
 use rand_pcg::Pcg64;
 use learnopengl_shared::camera::{Camera, Movement};
-use learnopengl_shared::model::Model;
+use learnopengl_shared_ex::model::Model;
 
 const SCR_WIDTH: u32 = 800;
 const SCR_HEIGHT: u32 = 600;
diff --git a/crates/5.advanced_lighting/9.ssao/Cargo.toml b/crates/5.advanced_lighting/9.ssao/Cargo.toml
index b7cbee1..839fad1 100644
--- a/crates/5.advanced_lighting/9.ssao/Cargo.toml
+++ b/crates/5.advanced_lighting/9.ssao/Cargo.toml
@@ -12,3 +12,4 @@ nalgebra-glm.workspace = true
 lazy_static.workspace = true
 rand.workspace = true
 learnopengl-shared = { path = "../../../shared" }
+learnopengl-shared-ex = { path = "../../../shared-ex" }
diff --git a/crates/5.advanced_lighting/9.ssao/src/main.rs b/crates/5.advanced_lighting/9.ssao/src/main.rs
index b70eb6a..83fbf0c 100644
--- a/crates/5.advanced_lighting/9.ssao/src/main.rs
+++ b/crates/5.advanced_lighting/9.ssao/src/main.rs
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ use learnopengl_shared::shader::Shader;
 use lazy_static::lazy_static;
 use rand::Rng;
 use learnopengl_shared::camera::{Camera, Movement};
-use learnopengl_shared::model::Model;
+use learnopengl_shared_ex::model::Model;
 
 const SCR_WIDTH: u32 = 800;
 const SCR_HEIGHT: u32 = 600;
@@ -165,12 +165,12 @@ fn main() {
 
         // generate sample kernel
         // ----------------------
-        let mut rng = rand::thread_rng();
+        let mut rng = rand::rng();
         let mut ssao_kernel: Vec<glm::TVec3<f32>> = Vec::new();
         for i in 0..64 {
-            let mut sample = glm::vec3(rng.gen::<f32>() * 2.0 - 1.0, rng.gen::<f32>() * 2.0 - 1.0, rng.gen::<f32>());
+            let mut sample = glm::vec3(rng.random::<f32>() * 2.0 - 1.0, rng.random::<f32>() * 2.0 - 1.0, rng.random::<f32>());
             sample = glm::normalize(&sample);
-            sample *= rng.gen::<f32>();
+            sample *= rng.random::<f32>();
             let mut scale = i as f32 / 64.0;
 
             // scale samples s.t. they're more aligned to center of kernel
@@ -183,7 +183,7 @@ fn main() {
         // ----------------------
         let mut ssao_noise: Vec<glm::TVec3<f32>> = Vec::new();
         for _ in 0..16 {
-            let noise = glm::vec3(rng.gen::<f32>() * 2.0 - 1.0, rng.gen::<f32>() * 2.0 - 1.0, 0.0); // rotate around z-axis (in tangent space)
+            let noise = glm::vec3(rng.random::<f32>() * 2.0 - 1.0, rng.random::<f32>() * 2.0 - 1.0, 0.0); // rotate around z-axis (in tangent space)
             ssao_noise.push(noise);
         }
         let mut noise_texture = 0u32; gl::GenTextures(1, &mut noise_texture);
diff --git a/crates/7.in_practice/3.2d_game/src/game.rs b/crates/7.in_practice/3.2d_game/src/game.rs
index 0ccaafe..9e58e04 100644
--- a/crates/7.in_practice/3.2d_game/src/game.rs
+++ b/crates/7.in_practice/3.2d_game/src/game.rs
@@ -109,8 +109,8 @@ fn is_other_power_up_active(
 }
 
 fn should_spawn(chance: u32) -> bool {
-    let mut rng = rand::thread_rng();
-    let random = rng.gen::<u32>() % chance;
+    let mut rng = rand::rng();
+    let random = rng.random::<u32>() % chance;
     random == 0
 }
 
diff --git a/crates/7.in_practice/3.2d_game/src/particle_generator.rs b/crates/7.in_practice/3.2d_game/src/particle_generator.rs
index 4f2565f..46f660b 100644
--- a/crates/7.in_practice/3.2d_game/src/particle_generator.rs
+++ b/crates/7.in_practice/3.2d_game/src/particle_generator.rs
@@ -205,9 +205,9 @@ impl ParticleGenerator {
         offset: glm::TVec2<f32>
     ) {
         let particle = &mut self.particles[particle_index];
-        let mut rng = rand::thread_rng();
-        let random = ((rng.gen::<u32>() % 100) as f32 - 50.0) / 10.0;
-        let r_color = 0.5 + ((rng.gen::<u32>() % 100) as f32 / 100.0);
+        let mut rng = rand::rng();
+        let random = ((rng.random::<u32>() % 100) as f32 - 50.0) / 10.0;
+        let r_color = 0.5 + ((rng.random::<u32>() % 100) as f32 / 100.0);
         particle.position = glm::vec2(object.position.x + random + offset.x, object.position.y + random + offset.y);
         particle.color = glm::vec4(r_color, r_color, r_color, 1.0);
         particle.life = 1.0;
diff --git a/crates/7.in_practice/3.2d_game/src/shader.rs b/crates/7.in_practice/3.2d_game/src/shader.rs
index 7aee8f3..7aa192b 100644
--- a/crates/7.in_practice/3.2d_game/src/shader.rs
+++ b/crates/7.in_practice/3.2d_game/src/shader.rs
@@ -108,7 +108,7 @@ impl Shader {
             } else {
                 gl::GetProgramiv(object, gl::LINK_STATUS, &mut success);
                 if success == 0 {
-                    gl::GetShaderInfoLog(object, 1024, ptr::null_mut() as _, ptr::addr_of_mut!(info_log) as _);
+                    gl::GetProgramInfoLog(object, 1024, ptr::null_mut() as _, ptr::addr_of_mut!(info_log) as _);
                     let info_log_vec: Vec<_> = Vec::from(info_log).iter().map(|it| *it as u8).collect();
                     println!("| ERROR::Shader: Link-time error: Type: {}", type_str);
                     println!("{}", String::from_utf8(info_log_vec).unwrap());
diff --git a/shared/src/util/image.rs b/shared/src/util/image.rs
index fc94f1d..a2e6404 100644
--- a/shared/src/util/image.rs
+++ b/shared/src/util/image.rs
@@ -15,8 +15,7 @@
 // limitations under the License.
 
 use std::error::Error;
-use image::{RgbaImage, RgbImage};
-use image::io::Reader as ImageReader;
+use image::{ImageReader, RgbaImage, RgbImage};
 
 pub fn load_image_data_rgb(path: String) -> Result<RgbImage, Box<dyn Error>> {
     let img = ImageReader::open(path)?.with_guessed_format()?.decode()?.flipv();