Untitled Linux Show 234: Crescent Wrench AI

TWiT.tv – December 21, 2025
Hosts: Jonathan Bennett (A), Rob Campbell (B), Jeff (C)
Special Note: Always skipping over ads and intros; focusing on the Linux, open source, and tech conversation.

Episode Overview

This holiday episode spotlights pivotal Linux and open source news, with a heavy focus on Mozilla’s new CEO and the AI direction for Firefox, the Vizio GPL court case update, the Linux Foundation’s robust financial state, practical Linux tool improvements, and drivers/file system advances. Topped off with lively banter, unique command-line tool recommendations, and the signature “Poetry Corner.”

Main Topics & Key Discussions

Mozilla Hires a New CEO — AI and Choice

(02:01-07:34)

• Mozilla ends interim leadership, appointing Anthony Enzer DeMayo as CEO.

• Public statements centered on user agency and choice, especially regarding AI:

  "People want software that is fast, modern, but also honest about what it does...Privacy, data use, and AI must be clear and understandable. Controls must be simple. AI should always be a choice. Something people can easily turn off." — Anthony Enzer DeMayo (Summarized by Rob, 02:07)

• Commitment to a so-called "AI kill switch" in Firefox, shipping Q1 2026—users can disable all AI features:

  "Rest assured...Firefox will always remain a browser built around user control, that includes AI. You will have a clear way to turn AI features off. A real kill switch is coming in quarter one, 2026. Choice matters." — Rob recounting CEO's words (04:44) "Firefox will have an option to completely disable all AI features. We've been calling it the AI kill switch internally, but I'm sure it'll ship with a less murderous name. But that's how serious and absolute we're taking this." — Jake Archibald, Firefox developer, summarized by Rob (05:18)

• AI in browsers debated:

  • Jonathan: Skeptical about the need for browser-integrated AI vs. web-based AI (08:05)
  • Notable use case: automatic alt-text for images.
  • "Why spend the work when people really don't want it?" (A, 09:25)

• Thunderbird 145 to get native Microsoft Exchange support in 2026; new ThunderMail and Thunderbird Pro in the pipeline.

GPL Court Case Update: Software Freedom Conservancy vs. Vizio

(10:31-14:18)

• Background: Vizio used GPL code in their TVs but refused to fully release source, prompting SFC to sue.
• Update: Tentative court ruling in SFC’s favor — confirms direct contract between SFC and Vizio exists when SFC requests source code.
  • Strengthens the legal standing for GPL enforcement:

    "...Strengthen[s] the GPL quite a bit. It's interesting, as you read through this, there's some almost bizarre legal arguments that Vizio was trying to make...judge was not having it..." (A, 13:24)

  • Not the final decision, but an important step.

Community Frustrations: AI Ubiquity and User Control

(14:23-16:48)

• Jeff:

  "A.I. I think, is a wonderful tool, but I only want the tool when I need the tool. It might be the best crescent wrench in the world, but I'm eating supper. I don't need a crescent wrench right now. Stop trying to force it on me." (C, 14:35)

• Consensus: AI is valuable, but its forced integration is resented, hence the importance of off-switches and respecting user intent.

Ubuntu Mainline Kernel Packages Return: Easier New Kernel Installs

(18:25-24:43)

• Jeff explains: The Ubuntu mainline kernel install tool broke over a year ago. Now it's back, providing:
  • Easier access to the latest kernels (not officially supported or warrantied by Ubuntu).
  • Two main install paths: via a trusted third-party GUI tool or manual .deb installation.
  • Benefit: Maintainers and advanced users can pre-test packages, hardware, and driver support on upcoming kernels.
  • Safety: Old kernels remain available for selection in the bootloader if problems arise.

  "I was happily surprised to see the mainline kernel tool is back." (C, 22:55) "You talked about people that want to be able to use that, and I will add another one—and that is other maintainers that are maintaining packages." (A, 24:43)

Linux Foundation's Financial Health and Expanding Reach

(25:14-31:51)

• Rob reviews LF’s Annual Report:
  • 2025 projected revenue: Over $311 million—crossing the $300M mark for the first time.
  • Expanded investment into AI (Agentic AI Foundation) and robotics (Newton, with Disney/Google/Nvidia collaboration).
  • 2025 forecasts large surplus—over $30 million after expenses.
• Humorous Moment:

  "I just, it's driving me nuts because it doesn't make any sense. It makes no sense at all...Maybe they should not have let the AI make the ring charts." (A, 29:23) "Boys and girls, that's why you always double check the work that's done when you ask AI to do something." (C, 30:30)

Nvidia Drivers: Arch Embraces Open Kernel Modules

(32:33-37:16)

• Arch Linux is now, by default, switching Nvidia packages to the new open-source kernel modules (Nova), following Nvidia's official move.
  • Significance: Potentially closing the gap between proprietary and open driver performance; significant for users valuing open source.
  • Discussion of proprietary firmware vs. open drivers, where to draw the line on what counts as “open.”
  • "Pretty soon I'm not going to be able to rag on Nvidia for their proprietary-ness." (B, 35:53)

OpenZFS 2.4.0: Major New Features

(38:38-45:43)

• New OpenZFS features:
  • Default quotas per user/group/project, improved encryption with AVX2, ZIL and vdev enhancements, scrubbing improvements, etc.
  • Supports Linux 4.18 – 6.18 kernels.
  • File system best for enterprise, Proxmox/backup appliances, and advanced home labs—particularly for snapshotting, replication, data integrity.

Rust’s First Mainline CVE in Linux Kernel

(46:29-54:00)

• Significance: Linux kernel’s first Rust-related CVE, in Android Binder driver (race condition bug causing crashes).
  • Not a “critical” remote exploit, but a real-world test for Rust in the kernel.

  "Rust is good, but not a perfect silver bullet. It is still susceptible to developer error, just less susceptible." (B, 51:42)

  • Reminder: There were 159 C-related CVEs issued on the same day.
• Discussion: Rust reduces but doesn’t eliminate bugs—especially where unsafe Rust and concurrency interact.

KDE Updates: Brightness Sensors, HDR Fixes & High Refresh Rates

(54:10-57:45)

• Highlights coming in KDE 6.6:
  • Ambient light sensor support (auto-brightness for laptops).
  • Fixes for HDR Windows games via Wayland.
  • Clipboard and frame rate improvements at extreme refresh rates.
  • Ongoing UI and minor fixes.
• User discussion of auto-brightness quality vs. annoyance on phones and potential for laptops.

GPU Performance Benchmarks: AMD vs Nvidia, Open Source Driver Progress

(58:08-66:01)

• Phoronix testing reviewed:
  • Nvidia 50-series and AMD 9000-series tested with open and proprietary drivers; open drivers now performing within ~20% of proprietary in some cases.
  • AMD 9060XT (open drivers) runs nearly equal to Nvidia 5060Ti (proprietary driver).
  • Nova driver making strong gains; open source catching up fast.

  "At their current rate of development it won't be too long...there's not going to be much...parity between...the Nvidia proprietary driver and the Novoo Nova..." (C, 61:25)

  • Hardware wisdom: Memory is expensive, GPU/value shoppers might benefit from older cards or picking up components (cases, PSU) while prices are low.

Command Line Tool Tips

(67:20–76:35)

SOT - System Observation Tool

(Rob)

• New TUI-based, “dashboard” Linux system monitor: CPU, memory, disk, process, network stats in one place. Easy install with pipx.
• “Kind of like all the other tops…but with a nice dashboard look.” (B, 68:10)

Open Terminal in File Manager

(Jonathan, courtesy Mrs. Jonathan Bennett)

• KDE/Dolphin: Right-click “Open in Terminal” to open a shell in your current directory.
• Bonus: From terminal, dolphin . opens file manager in that same path (“especially useful after deep compiles,” A, 72:55).

dog - Human-friendly dig/NS Lookup replacement

(Jeff)

• New “dig-like” DNS query tool; supports DNS-over-TLS/HTTPS, JSON output, colorized.
  • dog example.net
  • dog example.net MX
  • dog @1.1.1.1 -T TCP
• “Dog is a real command. Dog is not a better cat command though. It’s kind of like ‘dig’ with cooler output.” (C, 74:48)
• Noted: Snap version from Alan Popey; mainline tool by Benjamin Ogham Sago.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On forced AI everywhere:

  "It might be the best crescent wrench in the world, but I'm eating supper. I don't need a crescent wrench right now. Stop trying to force it on me." — Jeff (C) (14:35)

• On AI-generated reports:

  "Did they let the AI make the ring charts? Maybe they should not have." — Jonathan (A, 29:23)

• On Rust’s limits:

  "Rust is good, but not a perfect silver bullet. It is still susceptible to developer error, just less susceptible." — Rob (B, 51:42)

• Poetry Corner:

  "Roses are red. Violence or blue. Unexpected error at line 32." — Jeff’s Poetry Corner (C, 79:08)

Timestamps for Major Segments

| Segment | Timestamp | |------------------------------------------|---------------| | Mozilla CEO & AI/Thunderbird Discussion | 02:01–07:34 | | GPL/Vizio Court Case Update | 10:31–14:18 | | AI Frustration/User Agency Stories | 14:23–16:48 | | Ubuntu Mainline Kernel Returns | 18:25–24:43 | | Linux Foundation Finances & AI Expands | 25:14–31:51 | | Nvidia Open Drivers Now Default in Arch | 32:33–37:16 | | OpenZFS 2.4.0 Release | 38:38–45:43 | | First Rust CVE in Linux Kernel | 46:29–54:00 | | KDE/New Display Features | 54:10–57:45 | | GPU Performance/Driver Progress | 58:08–66:01 | | Command Line Tips Roundup | 67:20–76:35 | | Poetry Corner / Plugs | 78:34–79:23 |

Endnotes

• Holiday break: No live show for last week of the year; prerecorded episode will fill the slot. Regular live shows return next year.
• Hosts' Plugs:
  • Rob at robertpcampbell.com (LinkedIn, socials, digital tip jar)
  • Jeff by referral via Rob on LinkedIn (to avoid spam)
  • Jonathan at Hackaday (column retired, but still podcasting here)