Destination Linux

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

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
Support the Show:
Sponsored by Sandfly Security: destinationlinux.net/sandfly - Get 50% off the Home Edition with code DESTINATION50 Special Guest: Craig Rowland.

The Ultimate Geek Gift Guide for 2025 is here! Don't buy that RAM yet—we explain the massive AI-driven price spikes. Also, testing the powerful VDO Ninja for streaming and our reaction to Linus Tech Tips' latest Linux takes.
00:00:00 Intro
00:01:54 Community Feedback
00:07:34 Testing Out VDO Ninja: Open Source or Bust
00:09:15 Sandfly Security
00:11:37 AI Sends RAM Prices to the Stratosphere
00:19:46 DasGeek’s 2025 Ultimate Geek Gift Guide
00:33:21 Linus Tech Tips vs Linux: Reaction from the Highlands
01:01:50 Outro
01:03:20 Post-Show Shenanigans
Hosted by:
Ryan (DasGeek) = dasgeek.net
Jill Bryant = jilllinuxgirl.com

Matt from Linux Out Loud guest hosts with Jill and Ryan to dive into major internet events and Linux news! We tackle Ryan's "disappointing" take according to a listerner on EU censorship and free speech, discuss the massive Cloudflare outage that took half the internet down, debate if antivirus is necessary on Linux, and look at ProtonDB and the Steam Survey to see if Linux gaming has already won. Plus, we highlight Rclone as the Software Pick.
00:00:00 Intro
00:01:54 Community Feedback: “Disappointed in Ryan” (EU Censorship & Free Speech)
00:31:10 Sandfly Security – Agentless Defense for Linux
00:33:48 Cloudflare Falls Over: When Half the Internet Trips
00:34:38 Game Preservation: Keeping Delisted Classics Alive
00:47:03 Kaspersky on Linux: Do We Even Need Antivirus?
00:54:28 ProtonDB & Steam Survey: Has Linux Gaming Already Won?
01:04:15 Software Pick: Rclone – RSync for All Your Clouds
01:06:29 Outro
Hosted by:
Ryan (DasGeek) = dasgeek.net
Jill Bryant = jilllinuxgirl.com
Special Guest = Matt (Linux Out Loud)