Destination Linux

In episode 451 of Destination Linux, we are joined by Ilan Rabinovitch and Hannah Anderson from the Southern California Linux Expo (SCaLE 23x). We dive deep into what makes SCaLE one of the premier open-source events in the world, what attendees can look forward to this year, and essential tips for first-timers. Whether you are looking for your first role in tech or your next big career move, we discuss how to effectively network and leverage conferences to grow professionally.

In the news, we cover the latest Google Voice Assistant settlement and the implications for user privacy. We also take a look at the troubling reports of Microsoft potentially turning over Bitlocker keys and the ongoing privacy concerns surrounding WhatsApp’s data practices.

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0:10 Welcome to Destination Linux

1:47 Listener Feedback

4:40 New Patron Shoutout

5:21 ScALE 23x Discussion & Interview

48:10 Privacy and Security Concerns

1:08 Final Thoughts and Goodbye

In this milestone Episode 450, Jill, Ryan, and guest host Zeb dive deep into the practicalities of building and running a startup entirely on Open Source software. We break down the essential tools making this possible, including VDO.Ninja for high-quality production, Nextcloud for seamless collaboration, and Matrix/Element for secure communication.

The team also takes a hard look at the Orion Browser. It promises industry-leading privacy and security, but the big question remains: is it truly Open Source? We explore the nuances of its development and what it means for the community. Plus, we tackle the growing phenomenon of Ad Fatigue, the ethics of modern advertising, and how AI is changing the landscape of gaming reviews.

00:00:00.000 Welcome to Destination Linux

00:01:17.758 Listener Feedback : AI and Job Displacement

00:06:52.000 Patrons and Support

00:08:33.642 Security with Sandfly Sponsor

00:10:17.000 Running a business with Open Source VDO.Ninja

00:16:54.081 NextCloud for Collaboration

00:20:38.644 Matrix Element Chat

00:24:12.235 Privacy and Discord

00:26:35.000 Orion Web Browser

00:38:00.000 The Ethics of Ads

00:56:12.736 Gaming Review with AI

01:08:57.700 Closing Thoughts and Future Topics

Is RISC-V the hardware revolution we've been waiting for? On Destination Linux Episode 449, we sit down for an exclusive interview with DeepComputing CEO Yuning Liang. We dive deep into his personal origin story, the challenges of building open hardware, and the roadmap for the DC-ROMA and the future of RISC-V. Whether you are a developer, a hardware enthusiast, or a Linux lover, you won't want to miss this conversation about the next frontier of open computing!

00:00:00 Intro: Rebel Alliance Linux

00:01:44 Interview Begins: Yuning & RISC-V

00:02:46 Origin Story: From Nokia & Samsung to RISC-V

00:07:24 From Drones to Laptops: Early Projects that Shaped RISC-V

00:11:38 What Makes RISC-V Truly Different

00:16:43 Hard Mode Enabled: Challenges & Dark Moments

00:22:39 Big Wins: RISC-V Milestones & Supply Chain Reality

00:25:43 Chasing Full Linux Kernel Support

00:28:22 RISC-V History Lesson: From Idea to Ecosystem

00:36:17 Philosophy of Openness & Hardware Sovereignty

00:42:40 Can We Stop AI from Gobbling All the Hardware?

00:51:07 Why Now Is the Time to Challenge x86

00:56:21 RVA-23: Setting the Bar for RISC-V Laptops

01:00:11 Modular Dreams: Framework & RISC-V

01:02:33 Building a Sustainable Open-Hardware Future

01:11:03 Big Dreams: One-Third of CPUs on RISC-V?

01:14:06 How People Can Get Involved

01:17:45 Lightning Round: Fun with Yuning

01:21:44 Interview Wrap-Up

01:25:15 Thanks to Till & the RISC-V Tattoo Origin

01:26:00 Show Outro

The OG is back! This week on Destination Linux, we celebrate the new year with a legendary reunion as Zeb returns to the host desk as a guest alongside Ryan and Jill. We’re kicking off 2026 with a packed show full of cloud chaos, gaming breakthroughs, and some serious questions for Intel.

In This Episode:

The Return of Zeb: We welcome back as a guest the an OG of the show to talk about the current state of the Linux desktop.

Nextcloud Chaos: Ryan and the crew discuss the journey of moving back to open-source tools and whether the self-hosting struggle is worth the reward.

Wayland Check-in: Is it finally ready for primetime? We look at the progress and the remaining hurdles for the year ahead.

GeForce NOW on Linux: It’s finally (almost) official! We dive into what this means for the future of AAA gaming on the Linux desktop.

Intel’s Open Source Cred: From firmware changes to driver shifts, is Intel losing its status as the "Gold Standard" for Linux users?

Zeb’s Gaming Gauntlet: We wrap up with game reviews specifically chosen to "welcome" Zeb back in the most chaotic way possible.

Timestamps

00:00:00 Intro: New Year, New Linux, Same Zeb

00:02:38 Going Back to Open Source Tools (Nextcloud Chaos)

00:06:50 Community Feedback: AI vs. Human Creativity

00:29:44 Sponsor: Sandfly – Agentless Linux Bodyguard

00:32:31 GeForce NOW on Linux: Official at Last (Almost)

00:44:41 Is Intel Losing Its Open Source Street Cred?

00:58:55 Game Reviews Crafted to Torture Zeb

01:07:37 Thanks Zeb: OG Captain Back on Deck

01:09:01 Outro: Happy New Year!

What’s Inside:

The 5% Milestone: We analyze the data behind the massive surge in Linux desktop adoption and why gaming is the secret weapon.

The UpTech Project: Máirín Duffy introduces us to a student-led initiative bridging the digital divide with Linux.

2026 Predictions: From RISC-V taking over wearables to the COSMIC desktop challenging the status quo, we look at where the "Time Machine" is headed.

And so much more!

00:00:00 Intro: Linux Time Machine to 2026

00:01:50 Extended Intro: Meet Captain Ryan, Jill & Mo

00:02:20 Show Schedule Update: New Flight Plan

00:02:59 Community Feedback: The Great Cranberry Sauce Debate

00:12:40 AI and Energy: Hungry Models, Huge Power Bills

00:15:51 Empowering Youth Through Linux & Tech

00:29:11 2025 Highlights: Linux Market Share Levels Up

00:33:18 Outtake: Technical Turbulence in the Time Machine

00:34:16 Shifting to Linux & AI: Hype, Hope, and Worry

00:40:38 Steam Machines Dream: PC Gaming’s Second Chance

00:43:38 SteamOS on ARM: Deck Power Everywhere

00:45:34 Wayland Takes the Bridge: Desktop Evolution

00:49:07 Red Hat Lightspeed: AI Co‑Pilot for Sysadmins

00:56:58 Destination Linux Grew: 2025 Community Wins

00:58:32 Linux 2026: Bold Predictions & Future Trends

01:03:00 Cosmic Becomes the Top DE?

01:06:41 Windows’ AI Future: Copilot All the Things

01:09:13 Linux Desktop Market Share: Past 5%, Aiming Higher

01:09:38 Subscription Backlash: Users Hit Unsubscribe

01:11:27 Return to Physical Ownership: Discs, Devices & Freedom

01:15:28 Old Is Better: Vintage Gear vs Disposable Tech

01:21:09 AI’s Role in Linux Development: Help or Hassle?

01:24:57 A Bold Prediction: Jill’s 2026 Mohawk

01:26:19 Future Show Tease: More Linux, Less Bloat

01:26:44 Thanks Mo: Red Hat Wisdom in the Time Machine

01:27:07 Outro: See You in 2026