Lunduke
News • Science & Tech
Make Computers Fun Again - Linux, UNIX, Alternative Operating Systems, Computer History, and Retro Computing. Also dad jokes.
Interested? Want to learn more about the community?
December 21, 2021
What a year!

Holy smokes. I mean. 2021... Absolutely bonkers.

We're up to 3,765 total members here on Locals. Most are free accounts (obviously), but very happy with the steady growth.

And the Substack has really exploded as well. Articles there are regularly clocking in over 10K reads (some much more). And the growth rate is fantastic. Way beyond what I have expected, and way beyond the total traffic that any of my past publications (including Linux Journal, and Network World) hit.

I am, without a doubt, keeping both Locals and Substack around. I love the two platforms (for different reasons). And I'm going to keep publishing everything to both.

I do have three challenges ahead of me, over the coming months. Figured I'd talk about it with all of you... cuz we're all buds here.

1) The smallest challenge is a short term one. I'm about 34 total paying subscribers short of my end-of-year goal. I've got about a week and half to hit that number... which seems super doable. Maybe I'll do a sort of pledge drive thing. Any ideas? Figure I'll come up with something and start on that tomorrow. If I can hit that (or close to it), I can keep everything ad-free. Which is worthwhile. Open to suggestions! Definitely achievable... just don't want to badger folks to pull it off. šŸ˜Ž

2) Looking into January, I want to get regular shows going again. Articles have had a great cadence and the results have been wonderfully good. But issues with being "mobile" has made recording shows a lot trickier. I miss the regular shows, and I know many of you do too. Steady, weekly, fun shows. I've been working to get things set up to make this easier (and better) over here. First week of January should be rocking and rolling. This is a challenge that I've almost finished taking care of... just figured I'd mention it because it was a lot of work. šŸ˜‚

3) Which brings me to a longer term challenge that I don't yet have a solution for. Live, in person shows. I have 3 shows written (plus a start on a new Linux Sucks)... that just won't be anywhere near as fun if they're just me sitting or standing in an empty room talking to a camera. These shows need a live audience. Those are always more fun. Unfortunately there just aren't many live conferences going in the next 6 months. Texas Linux Fest is still "on hold", for example. And, because flying is out of the question for me right now... I'm limited to conferences happening in driving distance of "The South". Texas to Florida, essentially. Heck, even if I could fly... events like Linux Fest NW are dead now (they're going to try to do a fully virtual event next year... but even that doesn't look certain). So. What to do? If I can find a conference going (that will have me), I could do a whole bunch of big shows at it. But, so far, no dice. Putting this out into the universe in case anyone has an amazing idea! 😜

So... yeah! Great year! Amazing year, in so many ways. Thanks, really, to all of you. You, and your support, has made all of this possible.

Seriously. You are amazing. The best group of nerds on planet Earth.

Super stoked to see what we can accomplish in 2022.

Interested? Want to learn more about the community?
What else you may like…
Videos
Podcasts
Posts
Articles
Reddit Fined $19 Million USD by UK for "Not Checking the Age of Users"

In related news: The GRANITE Act (which would provide a legal framework for protecting against foreign censorship), has passed the Wyoming House of Representatives.

More from The Lunduke Journal:
https://lunduke.com/

00:15:33
February 25, 2026
California Law to Require Linux, Windows Implement Age Verification by Jan 1, 2027

A new California Law (AB-1043), signed by Governor Gavin Newsom, requires all Operating Systems (from macOS to FreeBSD) to implement age verification, at the system level, this year.

More from The Lunduke Journal:
https://lunduke.com/

00:14:07
February 24, 2026
Democrats Introduce Bill to Require Age Verification on Linux, Windows

"Age Attestation on Computing Devices" (Colorado State Bill 26-051) would require age verification on all Operating Systems (both Open Source and proprietary), with fines for violations.

More from The Lunduke Journal:
https://lunduke.com/

00:13:03
November 22, 2023
The futility of Ad-Blockers

Ads are filling the entirety of the Web -- websites, podcasts, YouTube videos, etc. -- at an increasing rate. Prices for those ad placements are plummeting. Consumers are desperate to use ad-blockers to make the web palatable. Google (and others) are desperate to break and block ad-blockers. All of which results in... more ads and lower pay for creators.

It's a fascinatingly annoying cycle. And there's only one viable way out of it.

Looking for the Podcast RSS feed or other links? Check here:
https://lunduke.locals.com/post/4619051/lunduke-journal-link-central-tm

Give the gift of The Lunduke Journal:
https://lunduke.locals.com/post/4898317/give-the-gift-of-the-lunduke-journal

The futility of Ad-Blockers
November 21, 2023
openSUSE says "No Lunduke allowed!"

Those in power with openSUSE make it clear they will not allow me anywhere near anything related to the openSUSE project. Ever. For any reason.

Well, that settles that, then! Guess I won't be contributing to openSUSE! 🤣

Looking for the Podcast RSS feed or other links?
https://lunduke.locals.com/post/4619051/lunduke-journal-link-central-tm

Give the gift of The Lunduke Journal:
https://lunduke.locals.com/post/4898317/give-the-gift-of-the-lunduke-journal

openSUSE says "No Lunduke allowed!"
September 13, 2023
"Andreas Kling creator of Serenity OS & Ladybird Web Browser" - Lunduke’s Big Tech Show - September 13th, 2023 - Ep 044

This episode is free for all to enjoy and share.

Be sure to subscribe here at Lunduke.Locals.com to get all shows & articles (including interviews with other amazing nerds).

"Andreas Kling creator of Serenity OS & Ladybird Web Browser" - Lunduke’s Big Tech Show - September 13th, 2023 - Ep 044
20 hours ago

Questions about AI

1) If you create something with AI, who holds the rights??
2) If you do hold the rights, how can you enforce them??
3) If you have no rights, then should anything you create be considered Public Domain??
4) If you want to make something private, how do you tell AI to make it so??
5) How can you be sure that using AI can be totally private??
6) Do you or can you trust any big company to be private and respect your rights??
7) With AI having the right to scrape the internet with out reguard to privacy, what do you do now???

February 25, 2026

Lee Goes Into AI Slop Business

I have a guilty pleasure - I listen to AI Slop stories on YouTube. These are clearly AI written stories. Low quality. AI voicing - low quality. I think there may be 3 plots and infinite retelling of those same three plots. My boss fired me, but I own the patents is just one.

Thing is - these are ā€œhelp me sleepā€ stories. I don’t care that I fall asleep. I may pick up where I left off the next night or I may never know how it turns out that the poor daughter that the rest of the family looked down on, had secretly started a tech company worth a billion dollars.

I don’t think these stores could be any worse if you tried. Then someone said - an author used AI to create a book. Not for her to publish, but to read for herself. The light bulb went off in my head.

I could have Betsy, my OpenClaw Bot write stories for me that are based on what I like. Competence porn. Think Jack Reacher, Ender Wiggin, Harry Potter. I can create a team of AI’s that ...

šŸ™„ George Carlin said the "Big Club" (which includes Government) wanted school to create "Workers Smart Enough to Operate The Machines - and TOO DUMB to Question Motives of Authority or the Rate of Taxation" (paraphrased).

The "Big Club" seems to have decided that STUPID is good enough for their specifications on a utopian society.

Hypothetical Situation:

  • [Prompt] Hey A.I. ChatBot - I need you to THINK for at least 10 seconds, because this problem had me totally confused after two minutes.... šŸ’µ After writing a Check for $23.86 to the Grocery Store, What will be my Bank Balance when the Check is Processed? Also: What is a Grocery, and why would I buy one?

ā†˜
New Study Says Kids Are Trying to Use Books Like Phones in the Classroom
https://www.dexerto.com/entertainment/new-study-says-kids-are-trying-to-use-books-like-phones-in-the-classroom-3308875/

post photo preview
February 12, 2026
4th Wall Almost Full, $89 Lifetime Deal Ends Very Soon

Woo-hoo! The 4th Lunduke Journal Lifetime Subscriber Wall of Shame Awesomeness is almost full!

  • That means that, within the next day or two, the massively discounted Lifetime Subscriptions will go back to their normal price. So if you wanted to snag the $89 / $99 Lifetime Sub (instead of paying $300), now’s your last chance.

  • If you are already a Lifetime Subscriber and want to be added to the 4th (or the start of the 5th) wall, email me (bryan at lunduke.com). There are only a couple of spots left on Wall 4.

  • The new Lifetime Wall designs are locked and loaded, and will make their grand debut at the end of all new shows starting either Friday or Monday.

I also wanted to take a moment to thank all of the non-Lifetime Subscribers. The Lifetime Subs may get a little extra attention at the end of the shows… but every subscriber (Monthly & Yearly) helps to make this work possible.

All of you rule.

-Lunduke

Read full Article
February 08, 2026
79 Million Views in 6 Months for The Lunduke Journal

Welcome to February, all of you amazing nerds!

January was a fun month for The Lunduke Journal (thanks to all of you). For those interested in a little Inside Baseball, I’ve pulled together some stats and charts below.

The short version: Great month. Crazy news stories. Solid growth. Can’t complain!

Revamped Lifetime Wall

Oh! And the ā€œLifetime Subscriber Wallā€ is getting a ā€œretroā€ facelift.

This is what the four Lifetime Walls currently look like:

Ā 

Once that 4th Wall is filled (a little over 75% of the way there as of this morning), I’ll be introducing the new designs (for all the walls) along with the starting of Wall Number 5.

Each Wall now has its own, distinct look and theme. Very Retro Computer-y. You’re going to dig it.

To make that ā€œWall Number 5ā€ get here as fast as possible, I’ve gone ahead an reinstated the ā€œ$89 Lifetime Subscriberā€ deal. But only until Wall Number 4 is full.

Want to be on the Wall? If you don’t have a Lifetime Subscription, grab one. If you already have one, email me (bryan at lunduke.com) to let me know how you want your name to be displayed.

Once Wall 4 is full, the Super-Mega-Ultra Discounted Lifetime Subscription goes back to regular price. And, the next day, the new Lifetime Wall design appears at the end of new shows.

At the current rate, I expect that to happen in the next couple days.

Stats for January, 2026

Now let’s look at the stats for January.

Can’t lie. I’m pleased.

  • 30 new shows (just shy of one new show every day)

  • 15.2 Million views (including podcast downloads)

  • 2,326 new subscribers

The most popular story of January, 2026:

Taking a high level view: This means that, in the last 6 months (Aug ā€˜25 - Jan ā€˜26), The Lunduke Journal has had:

  • 79.4 Million views

  • 21,694 new subscribers

Bonkers, right?

Here’s a chart of ā€œviewsā€ for last 6 months:

Image
Ā 

The long-term trend continues to be solidly upward, with February (in the first 7 days, so far) currently tracking slightly ahead of January.

For those interested in the specific platforms: The Lunduke Journal is seeing the most growth on X and the Audio Podcast.

Here’s a combined subscriber chart for January (up 2,326 subscribers from the month prior):

Image
Ā 

Wild. It is truly amazing to me how widely these stories are spreading nowadays.

Over 15 million. In one month.

These are numbers that most of the big, ā€œMain Streamā€ Tech Journalists could only dream of.

The reach of The Lunduke Journal, thanks to all of you, is now wildly exceeding any other publication I have ever worked with.

Even though most ā€œMain Streamā€ Tech Journalists are refusing to cover some of the biggest stories in Tech… those stories are still getting out there.

They are being seen. Far and wide.

Thanks to all of you.

-Lunduke

Read full Article
January 31, 2026
$89 Lifetime Offer Ends at Midnight!

I’ll make this quick: The $89 Lifetime Subscription offer for The Lunduke Journal ends at midnight tonight (Saturday, January 31st).

Once the calendar reads ā€œFebruaryā€ — poof — the deal is gone.

If you wanted to save 70% on a Lifetime Subscription, these are your final hours.

A huge thank you to everyone who has signed up during this crazy deal. We are this close to filling up the 4th Lifetime Subscriber Wall (there’s a possibility it might fill up in the next few hours).

Far beyond anything I was expecting. All of you are absolutely amazing. The Lunduke Journal would not be possible without you.

If you were on contemplating grabbing that Lifetime Sub, I’d jump on it right now. The price goes back up to normal ($300) in about 12 hours or so.

Get it while it’s cheap!

-Lunduke

Read full Article
See More
Available on mobile and TV devices
google store google store app store app store
google store google store app tv store app tv store amazon store amazon store roku store roku store
Powered by Locals