Untitled Linux Show 221: Cooperative Socialist Paradise

Date: September 21, 2025
Host: Jonathan
Panelists: Ken, Rob Campbell
(Jeff absent this week)

Overview

This episode of the Untitled Linux Show dives into the evolving relationship between major hardware vendors (namely Intel) and open source, the emergence of new Linux distributions (like Bluefin LTS), kernel and filesystem drama (bcachefs), the increasing role of AI in code contribution, and ongoing changes in the Linux and open source desktop environments. The hosts also cover practical command line tips, new releases in multimedia software, and highlight up-and-coming operating systems like Redox OS. The conversation, as always, is lively, slightly irreverent, and rich with insights for Linux enthusiasts and open source watchers.

Key Discussions & Insights

1. Intel's Retreat from Open Source

• [02:34] Rob highlights a trend of Intel scaling back its open source commitments:
  • Intel previously shut down Clear Linux and recent layoffs orphaned open source Intel drivers.
  • Notably, maintainers of x86 SIMD sort (an AVX512 sorting library integrated with NumPy) no longer work at Intel.
  • Intel agreed to transfer this library to NumPy maintainers.
  • Concerns raised about future Linux driver support without corporate backing.
  • Quote: “Without the support of intel things are likely to eventually fall behind, I would think … kind of the struggles of the Novu Nvidia driver had…” – Rob Campbell [05:00]
  • Jonathan frames Intel's actions as business-driven retrenching towards "core business."
  • The team discusses Intel’s large financial loss in 2024 and the ongoing threat from AMD.
  • Quote: “In 2024, Intel had a net loss of 18 billion with a b. Dollars.” – Jonathan [07:39]

2. Bluefin LTS: A New Immutable Desktop

• [08:15] Ken introduces Bluefin LTS:
  • Aims to combine “reliability and ease of use of a Chromebook with the power of a GNOME desktop.”
  • Bluefin LTS is now based on CentOS Stream 10 with EPEL packages for stability and long-term support (3-5 years).
  • Focus on containerized app distribution (Flathub, Homebrew), with no local package layering.
  • Includes secure boot, ZFS, and GNOME 48.
  • Discussion about Linux LTS kernels’ shrinking support window, Red Hat’s historical approach to kernels.
  • Quote: “It seems like it might be a pretty neat distro to run.” – Jonathan [10:28]

3. bcachefs: Life After Kernel Rejection

• [13:47] The team discusses bcachefs now being available as a DKMS module for Ubuntu and Debian following its uncertain status in the mainline kernel:
  • Easy installation via external APT repo.
  • Benchmarked: Not the fastest file system, but offers modern features like snapshots.
  • ZFS and ext4 remain top performers for speed and reliability—ZFS particularly strong in SQL use cases.
  • Quote: “There’s something to be said for just using ext4. It just works. It’s been battle-proven and it’s fast.” – Jonathan [16:54]

4. Linux Beyond Earth

• [19:10] Ken and Jonathan touch on the adoption of Linux in space:
  • ISS laptops, Mars probes, and SpaceX rockets all run Linux.
  • Ongoing efforts to set a “base standard” for space-based Linux OSes.

5. CUDA on Ubuntu: Easier AI Stack

• [20:48] Rob discusses how CUDA will soon be easily installable from the official Ubuntu repositories:
  • Removes the convoluted process of adding extra repos and keys.
  • Makes Ubuntu more attractive for AI, data science, and HPC.
  • ROCm (AMD’s competitor) is also growing, aiming for parity.
  • Quote: “What used to be a multi-step headache is about to become a one liner…” – Rob Campbell [23:36]
  • Jonathan: Notes the ongoing debate over closed source in Ubuntu’s repositories.

6. Advances in EBPF & Research Funding

• [24:53] Ken highlights the EBPF Foundation’s research grants:
  • $100k split between University of Michigan (“verifier cooperative instrumentation” for safer EBPF) and UC Riverside (“EBPF Governors” for power management).
  • Potential collaborations with network acceleration experts (e.g., XDP2).
  • The panel muses on creative uses for EBPF in video streaming and security.
  • Jonathan notes the importance of funding for open source innovation.

7. AI-written Code Coming to Mesa

• [32:43] Discussion on Mesa exploring the acceptance of AI-generated code:
  • Guidelines: Human author must fully understand code submitted by AI.
  • Mixed feelings: Useful for automation and boilerplate, but still a need for caution.
  • Quote: “It boils down to: the human author must understand what the robot wrote, which is a good idea.” – Jonathan [33:16]

8. KDE & Wayland News

• KDE 6.5 Beta: New features like Picture-in-Picture, pointer warp protocol for gamers, improved clipboard, and search.
• Departure: KDE’s Jonathan Riddell leaves after 25 years, sparked by disagreements over the cooperative model for Nate Graham’s Tech Paladin.
  • Quote: “Shouldn’t this be run as a cooperative, we wondered. No, that was far too complex… They are a cooperative socialist paradise.” – [35:37]
• Wayland Beyond Linux: Redox OS, the Rust-based Unix-like project, is also adopting Wayland for its modern, safe desktop ambitions.

9. Quick News Roundup

• [44:38] Ken shares about Giada 1.3 (loop machine for music/DJs) supporting multiple audio outputs, and GStreamer 1.26.6 adding new video codec support.
• Fedora 43 Beta: Includes Anaconda Web UI, DNF5, security/toolchain updates, and the launch of “Fedora Forge” (self-hosted git/forge platform).
• Systemd 258: Adds factory reset feature, improved UEFI firmware images. – [70:00]

10. Command Line Tips & Fun

• Semaphore: Rob demos using Semaphore (web GUI) to manage Ansible playbooks, variables, inventories, and scheduling ([53:14]).
• WPCTL Audio Profiles: Ken demonstrates wireplumber’s wpctl set-profile to toggle audio card profiles via the CLI, useful for scripting audio configurations ([58:29]).
• Terminus: Jonathan spotlights a text adventure game teaching Linux commands in the browser ([66:31]).

Notable Quotes & Moments

• "[Intel’s] willingness to hand over code to the community is nice, but scary for future driver support." — Rob Campbell [05:00]
• "If Intel goes down as a business, all of these things are immediately no longer supported." — Jonathan [06:41]
• "The fact that it's container-only means you better enjoy Flathub or Homebrew…" — Ken [09:36]
• "You really have to look at what your use case is…for snapshots, ZFS and Btrfs are great." — Rob Campbell [17:11]
• "What used to be a multi-step headache is about to become a one-liner…" — Rob Campbell [23:36]
• "Human author must understand what the robot wrote." — Jonathan (on AI code) [33:16]
• "They are a cooperative socialist paradise." — Quoting Jonathan Riddell on KDE/Tech Paladin dispute [35:37]
• "I went to Arch. I needed some excitement." — Rob Campbell (on switching from Fedora) [52:25]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Intel open source retreat: [02:34] – [07:51]
• Bluefin LTS discussion: [08:15] – [13:21]
• bcachefs & file system benchmarks: [13:47] – [18:19]
• Linux in space: [19:10] – [19:47]
• CUDA/Ubuntu repo news: [20:48] – [24:08]
• EBPF grants: [24:53] – [27:44]
• AI-generated code in Mesa: [32:43] – [36:07]
• KDE 6.5 & Riddell departure: [36:07] – [40:20]
• Redox OS & Wayland: [37:39] – [41:51]
• Music, multimedia software releases: [44:38] – [49:19]
• Fedora 43 & Forge: [49:18] – [53:14]
• Semaphore demo (Ansible GUI): [53:14] – [57:24]
• WPCTL audio profiles (wireplumber): [58:29] – [66:31]
• Terminus (command line game): [66:31] – [68:45]

Engaging Closing Remarks & Resources

• Ken recommends PC Linux OS Magazine’s special edition on recipes for those who “like to hack together meals as well as scripts.” [71:54]
• Rob plugs his site and “buy-me-a-coffee” for funding his (possibly) new M1 Mac; jokes about coffee payoff for Jeff. [69:21] [71:01]
• Club TWiT ad-free, Discord, and bonus shows plug [72:20]
• Jonathan highlights his work at Hackaday and on FLOSS Weekly [72:20]
• Show closes on the usual irreverent note about show length and the missing panelist.

Resources & Further Reading

• Bluefin LTS Release Article (Bobby Borisov)
• Phoronix bcachefs benchmarks
• Giada Looper & GStreamer Release Notes
• Semaphore Project (Ansible GUI)
• Terminus Learn Linux Game
• Fedora Forge
• Systemd 258 Release Notes
• PC Linux OS Magazine: Recipes Edition

(Check show notes for all referenced links and resources.)

For listeners: This episode mixes technical news, playful banter, and practical Linux open source insights. Whether you’re a seasoned sysadmin or a desktop Linux fan, there’s something here for you—plus a few good laughs along the way!