In this episode, we discuss community feedback about the challenges of anti-cheat systems regarding privacy and security. Then we talk about Anduin OS and Linux distros that look a lot like Windows. Plus, the implications of Redis’ licensing shift back to open source. Jill updates us on the Open Source Lab’s successful funding campaign, and we share a lively discussion about “Floorp,” a Firefox-based browser focused on customization and tracking protection.
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Hosted by:
Ryan (DasGeek) = dasgeek.net
Jill Bryant = jilllinuxgirl.com
Michael Tunnell = michaeltunnell.com
Chapters:
00:00:00 Intro
00:01:27 Community Feedback: Rootkits, Anti-Cheat, and Apple’s Open Source Claims
00:07:20 When Anti-Cheat Starts Looking Like Malware
00:17:54 Sandfly Security
00:20:18 Preview: Red Hat Summit Coverage Plans
00:23:21 Distro Talk: Anduin OS, a Windows 11 Lookalike
00:28:24 Microsoft’s Next Move? Nobody Knows, Not Even Microsoft
00:29:47 Imitating Windows 11: Helpful Onboarding or User Trap?
00:34:02 Please Add Clippy
00:35:23 Big Profits, Bigger Cuts: Microsoft’s 3% Workforce Reduction
00:40:11 Final Thoughts on Anduin OS
00:41:24 Open Source Lab Reaches Funding Goal – What’s Next
00:47:26 Redis Flips Back to Open Source – Too Little, Too Late?
00:54:43 Software Spotlight: Floorp – A Firefox-Based Browser
00:56:59 Judging Browsers by Their Websites—Because We Can
00:58:11 Sea Monkey Website Roast & Browser Tangents
00:58:44 Fun Fact: Floorp Powers Garuda’s FireDragon Browser
00:59:04 SeaMonkey Browser: Stuck in Time, Just Like Its Website
00:59:46 Dial-Up Vibes Only: Exploring Netscape’s Classic ISP Site
01:01:01 SeaMonkey Nostalgia: Childhood Pets That Didn’t Do Much
01:02:05 Making Friends & Sea Monkey Sponsorship Pitch
01:03:13 SeaMonkey Browser: Channeling That Pet Shrimp Energy
01:04:17 Join the TuxDigital Discord—Your Next Linux Friend Awaits!
01:05:51 Membership Perks & Upcoming Merch Tease
01:07:13 Ryan’s SeaMonkey Obsession—And He Doesn’t Even Know What They Are
01:08:23 Outro
01:10:09 Post Show
Links:
- https://www.anduinos.com/
- https://news.anduinos.com/post/2025/5/6/story-behind-anduinos-a-letter-from-anduin
- https://osuosl.org/blog/osl-future-update/
- https://osuosl.org/donate/
- https://www.zdnet.com/article/redis-returns-to-open-source-with-agplv3-license-but-not-everyone-is-happy/
- https://floorp.app/en-US
- https://www.seamonkey-project.org/
- https://sea-monkeys.com/
Hello Michael, Jill, and Ryan:
I truly enjoyed this episode. I hope this week at Red hat Summit goes well. I do hope you get to film some of that.
I was interested in what is happening at Microsoft, they are slipping a bit and I have no plans to ever return to any of their products. I am also very disappointed in the direction that Apple is heading. I have completely severed ties to Apple by deleting my Apple ID which I have had since the .Mac days.
Since I finished my Bachelor’s degree, that was conferred April 1, 2025. As soon as coursework was completed (back in March), I was able to return to Linux. I chose Fedora 41 (now 42) for my transition back to Linux! I also of course am not renewing my Office 365 or using Adobe products, both of which were required by my school.
I have also finally switched to Zed from Visual Studio Code for developing. I would love to see a segment on Zed and maybe interview Nathan Sobo (hope I got that right) on the path from making Atom to Zed. Definitely, A to Z…
Great show and loved it as always!
With warmest Regards,
J. Michael Needham
You may use this on the show!
re: rootkits
This episode talks about rootkits and gaming, the bigger issue is - once you remove the semantics of what is by definition meaning of rootkits - who are you allowing access to your whole computer OS. If you were to remove gaming from the equation, then would any gamer be willing to allow Amazon, Wal-Mart, SteamOS or their next door neighbour access to their machine? Safe bet is the answer is no, but why?
As a non-gamer this whole discussion is absurd to me, as to why any game would warrant this invasion of privacy and anti-cyber security principles. Cheating will always happen, cheating always happens and no machine learning / A.I. will stop it. Much like security cameras everywhere to “stop” crime has not been proven to do so (reactionary process, not preventative). If gamers put up with this then they give permission to other software companies to find excuses for more rootkits to be included with their software executables. Linux is about Liberty of YOUR computer, no game ever is worth your liberty. Allowing this rootkit software you don’t know and have no guarantees that it won’t be in the future misused or hacked.
A rootkit by definition or not is problematic for any Linux user who has a shred of cyber security knowledge. We collectively Linux gamers and non-gamers should reject this invasive software.
re: AnduinOS
This developer clearly worked hard on making this OS look so close to Windows 11 which was done very well. The reason i suppose that these Linux distribution spins keep showing up is to give non-Linux users a branch of familiarity, with familiarity you will likely have a comfortable transition of just using the computer for mundane tasks while learning Linux.
Ubuntu and Linux Mint, especially PopOS were MacOS like (in look, task bar, etc) which was a selling point for me moving to Linux. MacOS has some Linux command compatibility so the move was easier for me than a Windows user.
I would imagine that since Windows is a very different OS, this AnduinOS is initially helpful based on look of theme. So many new-to-linux recommendations is to use Ubuntu based, which this is, so by this common rule it should be helpful overall. The problems for new Linux users from Windows is that the look of some app will look like Windows but the Windows keyboard shortcuts or Windows user-based knowledge will not be applicable, ultimately causing frustration. Also the biggest obstacle for all Linux users is what software is compatible. If Windows user is used to using one app, sees W11 looking Linux AnduinOS, there is risk they might assume compatibility.
Overall look-alike Windows Linux distributions are made for a reason, if it helps a few long term stick with Linux then the AnduinOS has done its job. Good chance that lawyers will be called and this Linux distribution will be killed off, the irony being lost on MSFT who has WSL and can’t have LW (Linux-Windows).
Continue the discussion at forum.tuxdigital.com