Destination Linux

Latest Episodes:

455: The ID Verification Nightmare: Is Your Privacy Dead? Mar 02, 2026

Show notes

Welcome to episode 455 of Destination Linux! This week, Ryan and Jill are tackling one of the biggest emerging threats to your online privacy: mandatory ID verification. Ryan delivers a massive, impassioned call to action on why we must protect our digital anonymity and push back against these invasive policies before it's too late.

But that's not all! We’re also discussing Proton's surprising move away from Switzerland and what it means for your secure data. Plus, we dive into Intel's latest push for Linux gaming, explore some fantastic file-sharing applications, and talk about our excitement for the upcoming Southern California Linux Expo (SCaLE). Grab your favorite beverage, pull up a chair, and let's get into the latest in Linux and open source!

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Chapters / Timestamps:
00:00:00 Welcome to Destination Linux
00:01:22 Community Feedback on Matrix
00:03:00 The Threat of ID Verification
00:18:04 Supporting Our Patrons
00:19:36 Exploring File Sharing Apps
00:29:14 The Southern California Linux Expo
00:33:41 Intel's Focus on Linux Gaming
00:41:00 Proton's Move from Switzerland
00:55:34 Thank You and Community Engagement

454: Zen Browser: The Modern Firefox We’ve Been Waiting For? Plus Security Scoop With Craig Rowland Feb 24, 2026

Show notes

The "Modern Firefox" has arrived, but is it secure?

In this episode of Destination Linux, we explore the Zen Browser, a gorgeous, privacy-respecting fork of Firefox that’s modernizing the web with vertical tabs and split views. But beauty isn’t everything, so we brought in the ultimate defense specialist, Craig Rowland from Sandfly Security, to help us navigate the increasingly hostile digital landscape.

From AI-driven phishing attacks to the Notepad++ supply chain breach, Craig gives us a masterclass in "agentless" security and how to stay safe without bloating your system. We also break down Linux Kernel 6.19, featuring a 40% performance boost for older AMD hardware and the path toward stable HDR on the Linux desktop.

Grab your favorite beverage, put down that USB drive, and let’s get started!

Chapters
00:00:00 Welcome to Destination Linux
00:01:07 Community Feedback
00:07:57 Security Scoop with Craig
00:08:30 Browser Extensions and Security
00:16:41 Agentic AI and Privacy Concerns
00:26:28 Notepad's Security Vulnerabilities
00:30:42 Notepad++ Supply Chain Attack
00:35:52 Linux Kernel 6.19 Updates
00:48:04 Exploring the Zen Browser
00:55:39 Closing Thoughts and Thanks

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Special Guest: Craig Rowland.

453: Leveling Up: Lutris Creator Mathieu Comandon & Finding Zen in the Browser Wars Feb 17, 2026

Show notes

This week on Destination Linux, we are joined by a true legend of the open-source world: Mathieu Comandon, the creator and lead developer of Lutris. We dive deep into how Lutris became the "One Launcher to Rule Them All," managing everything from GOG and Epic Games to your retro console emulators.

Check out Lutris here: https://lutris.net

Mathieu gives us the inside scoop on the new Playtron partnership, the UMU (Unified Media Updater) initiative and we even discuss how Lutris helps non-gamers install apps.

Plus, we tackle the Discord Debacle, are chat apps losing their way?

Whether you're a distro-hopper, a Steam Deck user, or just here for the "shenanigans," this episode is your ultimate guide to the Linux-verse.

Support the Show:
Destination Linux is a podcast supported by the viewers, for the viewers. Become a Patron to get exclusive perks!
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Chapters:
00:00:00 Intro: Welcome to the Lutris Playground
00:01:28 Community Feedback: Gaming the Linux Way
00:11:01 Sponsored by YOU, the Awesome Penguins
00:11:22 Interview: Leveling Up with Mathieu from Lutris
00:13:30 What Is Lutris? One Launcher to Rule Them All
00:15:53 Lutris + Playtron
00:20:31 Jill’s Humble Brag
00:22:26 What Is UMU? Proton’s Fancy Cousin
00:28:33 Why Every Gamer Should Care About Lutris
00:29:47 Beyond Games: Installing “Real Work” in Lutris
00:30:35 Lutris Flatpak: One Click to Game City
00:36:39 Rootkits & Kernel Anti-Cheat: Boss Fight Mode
00:40:11 Headless Docker: Ghost Servers for Your Games
00:41:25 Wish List: “Send To” Magic Button
00:43:28 How Lutris Helps Non-Gamers (Yes, Really)
00:47:04 Tech YouTubers Jumping on the Linux Hype Train
00:48:51 Do Devs Even Have Time to Game?
00:50:37 Will AI Actually Help with Game Support?
00:58:55 How You Can Help Lutris Level Up
01:01:04 Lightning Round: Quick‑Fire Gaming Questions
01:06:27 Discord Debacle: Chat Apps Behaving Badly
01:15:56 Teaser for Next Week’s Linux Shenanigans
01:16:20 Outro: Keep Your Penguins Gaming

452: Can Open Source Save Us from the AI Dystopia? Feb 10, 2026

Show notes

Can Open Source save the world? In episode 452, the crew dives deep into the "In-Between Dystopia" of AI layoffs and whether we are headed toward a Star Trek-style post-scarcity economy or a Mad Max wasteland. We also discuss why governments are finally breaking up with Big Tech to build sovereign stacks like La Suite, and why this is a massive win for the FOSS ecosystem.

Plus, we look at Firefox’s return to its roots, the latest security blunders in the "Heap of the Maggots," and a surprising Linux update from GOG.

Support the show by going to deviantairwaves.com and become a Patron or get some SWAG!

00:00 Intro: Open Source Can Still Save the World
01:06 Community Feedback: Star Trek or Mad Max?
03:46 Star Trek Nerd Fight: TNG vs DS9 vs TOS
05:04 AI Layoffs & the In‑Between Dystopia
06:52 Will We Ever Reach the Star Trek Economy?
07:54 Jill Corrects “Star Track” & Defends TOS
09:04 Capitalism, Greed & Why Jill Still Has Hope
09:53 Zeb’s View: Shareholders, NVIDIA & AI Hype
12:27 Why Destination Linux Stays Out of Politics
15:02 Sponsored by Our Awesome Patrons
17:47 Governments Break Up with Big Tech
19:28 Visio & La Suite: Building a Sovereign Stack
20:02 Why This Government Trend Is a Win for FOSS
26:29 Could We Run DL on La Suite Someday?
28:17 Firefox News: Our Favorite Browser Fights Back
31:42 Firefox Getting Back to Its Roots
33:14 Open Source Moves Faster to Fix Things
34:16 Heap of the Maggots: Security Hall of Shame
35:27 Notepad++ Gets Hacked
38:39 How Can Companies Protect Themselves from Hackers?
43:26 The Biggest Threat Vector
49:17 Jill Finds a Game She Doesn’t Like
50:47 GOG Shows Linux Some Love
56:43 Outro: Keep Your Penguins Marching

451: The Ultimate SCaLE 23x Guide & The End of Private Encryption? Feb 03, 2026

Show notes

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.

Use code 'LOL' for 40% off Scale23x

Head to deviantairwaves.com to get more show content!

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

450: Open Source Business Secrets & The Orion Mystery Jan 27, 2026

Show notes

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

449: The Future of Open Computing: Inside RISC-V with DeepComputing CEO Jan 20, 2026

Show notes

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

448: The Return of the King: Zebedee Boss is Back! + GeForce NOW Hits Linux Jan 13, 2026

Show notes

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!

447: Linux Hits 5%! 2025 Year in Review & 2026 Bold Predictions (ft. Máirín Duffy) Dec 23, 2025

Show notes

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

446: Ubuntu From The BIOS & The Quest for an Open Source Mac Dec 16, 2025

Show notes

This week on Destination Linux, we are joined by a special guest host: Craig Rowland, the CEO of Sandfly Security! We’re diving deep into the reality of modern security—specifically when third-party code knocks over your castle. From malicious VSCode extensions to the "React2Shell" vulnerability, we discuss why "Open Source" doesn't automatically mean "Safe" and how to protect your supply chain.

Then, is it possible to have the macOS experience without the Apple ecosystem? Ryan explores ravynOS, a daring new project with "macOS vibes and a BSD soul." It’s attempting to bring the Aqua interface—and eventually Mac app compatibility—to the open-source world.

Plus, Jill brings us massive news from Canonical and AMI. You might soon be installing Ubuntu directly from your motherboard's BIOS without ever needing a USB drive. We break down how this partnership changes the game for hardware.

Finally, we read an incredible listener story.

Show Notes:

00:00:00 Intro

00:02:39 Extended Intro: Open Source or Bust

00:03:08 Community Feedback: A Pentester’s Origin Story

00:10:03 Guest Host: Sandfly Security & Agentless Protection

00:15:53 Security Deep Dive: Supply Chain Attacks, Malicious VSCode Extensions & React2Shell

00:44:31 ravynOS: The Open Source Mac Killer?

00:56:05 News: Canonical + AMI: Installing Ubuntu from the BIOS

01:08:07 Outro

01:09:33 Post-Show Shenanigans

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