Episode Summary: Untitled Linux Show 204: The Scrollodex

Release Date: May 25, 2025

In episode 204 of the Untitled Linux Show, hosted by Jonathan Bennett from TWiT, the discussion delves deep into the evolving landscape of Linux desktop environments, audio subsystems, gaming distributions, and significant developments from major tech players like Microsoft and Mozilla. The episode is structured into several key segments, each shedding light on critical advancements and changes within the Linux ecosystem.

1. Wayland's Ascendancy and the Decline of X11

The episode kicks off with an in-depth discussion on the transition from the X11 window system to Wayland, a modern display server protocol.

Jonathan Bennett ([03:18]) introduces the topic:

"Wayland, the desktop environment enablement technology from the future, the one that we're all running now. Everybody's running Wayland once again."

Ryan Reynolds ([03:30]) elaborates on Fedora's move:

"This week the Fedora engineers and steering committee have signed off on having the next version of Fedora 43 to be fully Wayland only and completely removing the GNOME X11 packages."

Key Points:

• Fedora 43 will exclusively use Wayland, aligning with GNOME's plans to deprecate X11 by GNOME 50.
• GNOME Display Manager (GDM) in GNOME 49 will remove X11 sessions by default, signaling a complete shift towards Wayland.
• X11 users can still enable it manually by modifying the GDM configuration, but support will dwindle as upstream maintenance decreases.
• The community is advised to transition to X Wayland for legacy applications, although support will eventually cease as major distributions follow suit.

Ken Starks ([09:05]) adds concerns about the future of X11:

"There's nobody maintaining it. With everyone moving away from it, ... within two years, none of your major distros are going to ship the X11 server at all."

The panel emphasizes the inevitability of Wayland's supremacy due to its modern architecture and the diminishing resources allocated to maintaining X11.

2. KDE Plasma Updates and Future Releases

Transitioning to desktop environments, the conversation shifts to KDE Plasma's latest developments.

Ryan Reynolds ([19:17]) mentions Nate Graham's insights:

"Nate Graham highlights KDE's focus on bug fixes and preparation for Plasma 6.4 release, scheduled in about three weeks."

Highlights:

• Plasma 6.4 is prioritizing stability with minor feature enhancements such as automatic switching of wallpapers between light and dark modes based on the daylight cycle.
• Discover Update: The graphical interface for installing programs now excludes add-ons and wallpapers from search results unless specifically requested, enhancing search relevance.
• Audio Volume Widget: A refreshed, less cluttered interface for users with multiple audio devices, improving usability.
• Performance Enhancements: Addressing bugs like Kwin crashes when disconnecting multiple KVM-connected screens and instantaneous application of screen tearing settings.

Jonathan Bennett ([23:49]) expresses enthusiasm for testing the upcoming Plasma 6.4 beta:

"I'm very tempted when I get back home to go ahead and update to Fedora 42 and run the KDE 64 beta, just to see, kick the tires, as it were, and see what's going on there."

The discussion underscores KDE's commitment to refining user experience and preparing for future releases with meticulous attention to detail.

3. PipeWire Advancements and OBS Integration

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to the Linux audio subsystem, specifically PipeWire and its integration with OBS.

Ken Starks ([14:09]) summarizes PipeWire 1.4.3 updates:

"It brings support for correctly writing MIDI streams, better error handling, support for sending custom commands, and many NetJack 2 improvements."

Notable Features:

• Enhanced MIDI stream handling and debugging tools like pw_mididump for easier troubleshooting.
• Improved flexibility for developers with the ability to direct all commands to nodes.
• Stability improvements in audio processing through better filter graph state management.
• Optimizations in ALSA for accurate audio device integration.

Jonathan Bennett ([16:27]) highlights the anticipation for PipeWire's virtual camera functionality in OBS:

"That's when all of this is really going to get interesting and get cool."

Ryan Reynolds ([16:59]) shares his experience with OBS and PipeWire:

"I need that pipewire video so I can get rid of the loopback device."

The panel discusses the future potential of PipeWire in both audio and video domains, emphasizing its role in modernizing Linux multimedia applications.

4. Microsoft's Open-Source Momentum at Build Conference

The episode shifts focus to Microsoft's recent announcements from their Build developers conference, highlighting their increasing contributions to open-source projects.

Ryan Reynolds ([30:00]) outlines the key updates:

"WSL is now open source and available for all on GitHub under the MIT license... They've announced a new open source command line text editor for Windows written in Rust... They will be open sourcing GitHub Copilot in VS Code."

Key Contributions:

• WSL (Windows Subsystem for Linux): Now open-sourced, inviting community collaboration and potential enhancements.
• Command Line Text Editor: A new tool designed to enhance the Windows command-line experience, still in early development.
• GitHub Copilot for VS Code: Open-sourced to foster greater transparency and community involvement.
• Mesa 3D Graphics Stack: Microsoft contributed 62,000 lines of code to introduce a new Gallium 3D front end, focusing on API implementation over Direct3D12 hardware drivers.

Jonathan Bennett ([34:10]) comments on Microsoft's strategic open-sourcing:

"Microsoft loves Linux and Open Source because they just keep on contributing."

The discussion reflects on Microsoft's evolving relationship with the open-source community, highlighting their strategic contributions to bolster interoperability and cross-platform functionalities.

5. SteamOS 3.7.8 "Go Country" and the Rise of Linux Gaming Distributions

A pivotal segment covers the latest SteamOS release and its implications for Linux gaming.

Ken Starks ([47:53]) details the SteamOS 3.7.8 release:

"SteamOS 3.7.8, known as Go Country, has officially been released... It now supports the Lenovo Legion Go S and improves compatibility with other AMD-powered handhelds like the ROG Ally from Asus."

Updates Include:

• New Base and Drivers: Updated to a newer Arch Linux base and Linux kernel 6.11 with enhanced Mesa graphics drivers.
• Plasma 6 Integration: Incorporates Plasma 6 for desktop mode, bringing modern desktop features to SteamOS.
• Hardware Support: Expanded compatibility with AMD-powered handheld devices, positioning SteamOS as a versatile choice for gaming hardware.
• Developer Features: Enhanced tools for developers, including improved recovery images and easier testing on AMD handhelds.

Ryan Reynolds ([54:33]) speculates on SteamOS's potential impact:

"Maybe they should in time for like the end of Windows 10 something to kind of fill that gap as a gaming desktop."

Mint Mobile Advertiser ([75:12]) discusses CashOS's rise:

"CashOS is the fastest growing Linux distribution based on a trend analysis using the Proton database."

Highlights:

• ProtonDB Rankings: CashOS has been climbing steadily, now standing alongside Arch Linux and Fedora in popularity among Linux gamers.
• Distribution Trends: While Arch-based distributions dominate, there's a noticeable decline in others like Manjaro and Pop!_OS, attributed to quality assurance challenges and shifting developer focus.
• Future Prospects: The adoption of SteamOS on more handhelds could bolster Linux gaming's presence, potentially influencing mainstream game development to prioritize Proton compatibility.

The conversation underscores the expanding role of Linux in gaming, driven by optimized distributions and robust community support.

6. Mozilla's Strategic Streamlining: Shutting Down Pocket and Fake Spot

The discussion touches upon Mozilla's recent decisions to discontinue specific services.

Ken Starks ([40:18]) reports on Mozilla's closure:

"Pocket will shut down July 8, 2025... Fake Spot feature within Firefox will shut down on June 10, 2025."

Jonathan Bennett ([46:21]) reflects on the implications:

"Mozilla is focusing on Firefox and Thunderbird, shedding additional projects to streamline their efforts."

Key Insights:

• Pocket Integration: Originally a Firefox extension acquired by Mozilla in 2017, Pocket's discontinuation signals a pivot towards enhancing core browser functionalities and email services.
• Resource Allocation: By discontinuing lesser-used extensions like Fake Spot, Mozilla aims to concentrate resources on projects aligning more closely with user needs and browsing habits.
• Community Impact: While some users may lament the loss of these tools, Mozilla's strategy emphasizes sustainability and focused development on primary offerings.

The panel debates Mozilla's approach, recognizing the necessity of prioritizing core projects to maintain Firefox's competitiveness and reliability.

7. Essential Command Line Tips

The episode provides practical command-line tips beneficial for both novice and advanced Linux users.

Ryan Reynolds ([81:22]) introduces the "Z Run" utility:

"Z run will uncompress the arguments in a command... with zrun cat file1.txt.gz, it decompresses and executes the command seamlessly."

Jonathan Bennett ([82:00]) highlights its clever implementation:

"You can link a name beginning with a Z and when the link is executed, it's equivalent to running zrun proxy."

Ken Starks demonstrates using PipeWire's CLI tools:

"Using pwcli list-objects and pwcli info [ID], you can inspect Core, Device, Clients, and Ports..."

Mint Mobile Advertiser ([86:30]) presents "Y Cruncher":

"Y Cruncher is a powerful number crunching tool capable of computing PI and other mathematical constants to trillions of digits."

Jonathan Bennett ([83:54]) commends the tool's utility:

"It's a nifty little hack... very clever."

Additional Tips:

• LS MEM and CH_MEM: Commands designed for enterprise-grade servers to manage memory blocks, allowing hot-swapping of RAM modules. Useful for high-availability systems requiring minimal downtime.

The segment emphasizes leveraging command-line tools to enhance system management, debugging, and computational tasks.

8. Community Spotlights and Closing Remarks

In the concluding segment, the hosts share community news and upcoming topics.

Ken Starks ([109:07]) announces upcoming discussions:

"We got confirmation on some more changes with Ubuntu 25.10, including switching over to Chrony for time synchronization and introducing new applications like Petyxis and Loupe."

Jonathan Bennett ([110:02]) encourages community engagement:

"Check out the articles linked in the show notes and see what you think about this up and coming distribution."

Closing Thoughts: The hosts express appreciation for the community's support, encouraging listeners to engage through various platforms and consider supporting the show via Club Twit for ad-free content and exclusive perks.

Notable Quotes

• Jonathan Bennett ([83:24]):

  "It really fascinates me that we see so many of these becoming popular that are re-spins of existing very old, very well-maintained distros."

• Ryan Reynolds ([26:23]):

  "If you're a AAA house, you're going to be able to call up Steam and go, 'Hey, give us some documentation of the protocols you fully support.'"

• Mint Mobile Advertiser ([65:56]):

  "If this is something you're interested in, GNOME could use your help."

Conclusion

Episode 204 of the Untitled Linux Show offers a comprehensive exploration of current trends and updates within the Linux ecosystem. From the steady rise of Wayland and KDE Plasma's refinements to PipeWire's expanding capabilities and SteamOS's strategic releases, the episode encapsulates the vibrant and dynamic nature of open-source development. Additionally, insights into Microsoft's open-source initiatives and Mozilla's strategic streamlining provide a broader perspective on how major tech entities influence and integrate with the Linux community. Practical command-line tips further enhance the episode's value, catering to the technical curiosity of its audience. Overall, this episode serves as an informative guide for Linux enthusiasts keen on staying abreast of the latest developments.