Destination Linux

Is RISC-V the hardware revolution we've been waiting for? On Destination Linux Episode 449, we sit down for an exclusive interview with DeepComputing CEO Yuning Liang. We dive deep into his personal origin story, the challenges of building open hardware, and the roadmap for the DC-ROMA and the future of RISC-V. Whether you are a developer, a hardware enthusiast, or a Linux lover, you won't want to miss this conversation about the next frontier of open computing!

00:00:00 Intro: Rebel Alliance Linux

00:01:44 Interview Begins: Yuning & RISC-V

00:02:46 Origin Story: From Nokia & Samsung to RISC-V

00:07:24 From Drones to Laptops: Early Projects that Shaped RISC-V

00:11:38 What Makes RISC-V Truly Different

00:16:43 Hard Mode Enabled: Challenges & Dark Moments

00:22:39 Big Wins: RISC-V Milestones & Supply Chain Reality

00:25:43 Chasing Full Linux Kernel Support

00:28:22 RISC-V History Lesson: From Idea to Ecosystem

00:36:17 Philosophy of Openness & Hardware Sovereignty

00:42:40 Can We Stop AI from Gobbling All the Hardware?

00:51:07 Why Now Is the Time to Challenge x86

00:56:21 RVA-23: Setting the Bar for RISC-V Laptops

01:00:11 Modular Dreams: Framework & RISC-V

01:02:33 Building a Sustainable Open-Hardware Future

01:11:03 Big Dreams: One-Third of CPUs on RISC-V?

01:14:06 How People Can Get Involved

01:17:45 Lightning Round: Fun with Yuning

01:21:44 Interview Wrap-Up

01:25:15 Thanks to Till & the RISC-V Tattoo Origin

01:26:00 Show Outro

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