

Linux & Open Source News
The Linux Experiment
Weekly roundup of everything new in the Linux and Open Source world! May contain gaming and privacy related topics.
This is a longer counterpart to the Linux and Open Source news videos available on The Linux Experiment Youtube Channel.
Iβm Nick, Iβve been making Linux and Open Source related videos on YouTube since 2018, with a sizeable following of more than 300 000 subscribers. Iβve been using Linux since 2006, starting with Ubuntu (like most people), and I have 12 years of experience in project management and UX, and thatβs the lens I use to view the progress of our Linux desktops and open source applications!
This is a longer counterpart to the Linux and Open Source news videos available on The Linux Experiment Youtube Channel.
Iβm Nick, Iβve been making Linux and Open Source related videos on YouTube since 2018, with a sizeable following of more than 300 000 subscribers. Iβve been using Linux since 2006, starting with Ubuntu (like most people), and I have 12 years of experience in project management and UX, and thatβs the lens I use to view the progress of our Linux desktops and open source applications!
Episodes
Mentioned books

May 31, 2025 β’ 25min
SteamOS "destroys" Windows, kernel 6.15, Nice Firefox changes
SteamOS has outperformed Windows in gaming performance, battery life, and usability, making waves among gamers. The release of Linux kernel 6.15 brings exciting updates, including improved Nvidia drivers. Firefox has revamped its search and URL bar for better user experience while introducing faster uploads and customization options. Meanwhile, XFCE's integration of Wayland marks a significant advancement in Linux. Plus, Tuxedo unveils its new powerhouse laptop, and Peertube launches a crowdfunding initiative to enhance mobile app capabilities.

10 snips
May 24, 2025 β’ 27min
Fedora and GNOME remove X.org, Microsoft open sources WSL
Fedora and GNOME bid farewell to X11 as they embrace Wayland, signaling a major shift in the Linux landscape. Microsoft surprises everyone by open-sourcing the Windows Subsystem for Linux, alongside its new open-source text editor. Mozilla shuts down Pocket and Fakespot, refocusing on improving Firefox. Meanwhile, Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10 rolls out with exciting features like enhanced AI tools. And Nvidia updates its Wayland roadmap, addressing user challenges while improving the dual-boot experience with Windows.

7 snips
May 17, 2025 β’ 26min
Plasma 6.4 beta, BIG Web Search changes, AI isn't fair use
Explore the beta release of Plasma 6.4, showcasing exciting updates and a sleek new theme engine. Microsoft has closed its Bing Search API, reshaping the search engine landscape. The US Copyright Office declares AI isnβt fair use, stirring controversy. Discover initiatives to help Windows users transition to Linux, as well as the launch of the Orion browser with cutting-edge technology. Meanwhile, Valve introduces a simplified compatibility rating for SteamOS, raising questions about game performance assessments.

May 10, 2025 β’ 26min
GNOME's new leadership, Mint themes libadwaita, OpenSUSE ditches Deepin
Exciting changes are brewing in the Linux landscape! GNOME welcomes a new director while Mint integrates a fresh theming approach for GNOME apps. OpenSUSE has taken a bold step by removing the Deepin desktop due to security concerns. Meanwhile, Ubuntu gears up to implement a Rust-based alternative to 'sudo' for heightened security. The KDE community is working on a unified design system for better consistency, and a new Linux distro inspired by Windows 11 has emerged from a Microsoft employee. Plus, Peertube launches its mobile app!

11 snips
May 3, 2025 β’ 26min
KDE planning big changes, Wikipedia adopts AI, OpenSUSE leaps into the future
The KDE community is revitalizing its environment with exciting updates and a fresh support model. Wikipedia is set to embrace AI, aiming to enhance content moderation while putting human oversight at the forefront. OpenSUSE Leap 16 is also on the horizon, promising substantial advancements. Meanwhile, Firefox rolls out new features, including improved profile management and security enhancements. Financial challenges loom for some open-source initiatives, highlighting the ongoing need for support in the tech community.

10 snips
Apr 26, 2025 β’ 26min
OpenAI wants to buy Chrome, final COSMIC alpha, Fedora could drop X11 entirely
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02:12 OpenAI would buy Chrome if Google had to sell it
https://www.androidcentral.com/apps-software/ai/chatgpt-chief-says-openai-would-buy-chrome-if-google-is-selling
https://www.theverge.com/news/652746/google-samsung-gemini-default-placement-antitrust-trial
04:46 Final Cosmic alpha is here
https://blog.system76.com/post/cosmic-alpha-7-never-been-beta
07:23 Fedora 43 proposal to drop GNOME X11 entirely
https://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Changes/WaylandOnlyGNOME
https://gitlab.gnome.org/GNOME/gnome-session/-/merge_requests/99
09:33 GNOME STF progress report is HUGE
https://blogs.gnome.org/tbernard/2025/04/11/gnome-stf-2024/
13:12 Steam will drop 5 year old distros
https://linuxiac.com/steam-will-stop-working-on-outdated-linux-systems-this-august/
14:51 NVK adds support for older Nvidia GPUs
https://www.gamingonlinux.com/2025/04/mesa-nvk-nvidia-vulkan-driver-now-vulkan-1-4-conformant-on-maxwell-pascal-and-volta-gpus/
16:41 Ubuntu moves forward with Rust core utilities
https://discourse.ubuntu.com/t/migration-to-rust-coreutils-in-25-10/59708
https://alexgaynor.net/2025/mar/22/coreutils-in-rust/
19:14 Linux beats Windows again on recent AMD CPUs
https://www.phoronix.com/review/ryzen-ai-7-pro-360-windows-linux/5
20:55 Chrome wonβt ditch third party cookies
https://digiday.com/media/google-chrome-will-now-continue-to-use-third-party-cookies/
23:00 Owner of IGN & CNET sue OpenAI
https://www.theverge.com/news/656044/ziff-davis-sues-openai-ign-cnet-pcmag
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Apr 19, 2025 β’ 25min
Fedora 42, Manjaro Immutable, Arco Linux shuts down
Discover the exciting release of Fedora 42, boasting improved features and reliability. Dive into the alpha launch of Manjaro's immutable version as it takes a bold step forward. Unfortunately, the community bids farewell to Arco Linux. Also, check out the new Ubuntu 25.04 and its enhancements. Don't miss advancements in KDE Gear 25.04 and LXQT 2.2. Finally, learn about Nvidiaβs innovative drivers that elevate gaming experiences while navigating the evolving tech landscape amidst Google's antitrust challenges.

Apr 12, 2025 β’ 24min
Firefox's AI summary, Wayland restores windows, Framework 12 preorders open
Discover the new AI summary feature in Firefox that extracts article highlights, raising questions about content authenticity. Wayland introduces a protocol to restore window sizes and positions, making multitasking smoother. Preorders for the Framework Laptop 12 are now open, promising innovative hardware. Meanwhile, Microsoftβs AI has pinpointed vulnerabilities in bootloaders, showcasing the power of artificial intelligence in security. Nvidia takes a leap by open sourcing its PhysX and Flow SDK, enhancing gaming realism.

Apr 5, 2025 β’ 29min
Thunderbird's paid service, open source DNA database deleted, EU takes aim at encryption
Thunderbird is introducing a paid service, sparking discussions about monetization in open source. A substantial open source DNA database has been deleted to protect user privacy against potential government misuse. The EU is targeting encryption practices, raising concerns around data security. Additionally, comparisons of Wayland and X11 performance reveal that Wayland excels on larger desktops. Meanwhile, Windows 11 faces criticism for blocking local accounts and pushing users toward Microsoft accounts.

11 snips
Mar 29, 2025 β’ 30min
AI harms Open Source projects, Android goes private
AI bots are putting intense pressure on open source projects, driving costs up for developers and causing resource issues. Meanwhile, Android is shifting to a private development model, affecting custom ROM developers. The release of Linux kernel 6.14 promises boosts for gaming performance. HP is favoring SteamOS for handhelds, aiming for better user experiences. Additionally, Ubuntu's 25.04 beta introduces exciting features, and there's movement towards Rust-based drivers for enhanced GPU access.


