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Make Computers Fun Again - Linux, UNIX, Alternative Operating Systems, Computer History, and Retro Computing. Also dad jokes.
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Bryan Lunduke@Lunduke
October 26, 2020
Lunduke's Perfect Operating System

There have been a few questions from the community lately that have got me thinking (again -- my mind goes here fairly regularly) about what my ideal Operating System looks like.

Figured I'd make myself a list and publish it here. See what all you lovely nerds think of my "Perfect OS". :)

Probably built on Linux

Linux is so mature, with such great hardware support, this just makes sense. There are other great kernels and base systems out there... but hard to think of a good reason to not use Linux.

No On-Line updates.

If I want an update, I'll download it myself and install it, thank you very much. :)

No On-Line software repositories or stores.

Same goes for software. If I want to install an application, I'll download it (or get it off physical media) and put it on my computer myself.

In fact, no On-Line functionality in the OS at all.

No activation. No phone-home functionality. Applications can have all the connectivity they like, but the base OS itself? Shouldn't ever require the Internet. For anything. Zero exceptions.

All applications as single, movable file

I prefer the old-school Mac way of doing applications. Want to install a piece of software? Drag and drop it to your computer. Done. On Linux this can be accomplished via AppImage. I think that's how it should be.

No rapid releases

Releasing new versions every 6 months is not great. Every year? Better, but still too frequent. I would propose new major releases every... 5 years? Maybe. Part of me wants to say 10 years, but 5 years might be a nice sweet spot. Computers should last. And so should the software that runs on them. This is good for the environment, good for software compatibility, good for the soul. When new releases do come out? Focused on making sure applications continue to be backwards compatible. And forwards compatible. I want to be able to use the exact same version of a word processor in 2020 as in 2035.

One Desktop Environment

The look and feel of an OS should always be customizable. Window decorator themes, etc. are a good thing. But focusing on just one Desktop Environment makes it easier to ensure a good experience and software compatibility. Not sure which of the existing Desktop Environments would be the right way to go. Probably MATE, XFCE, CDE, or something along those lines. Fast, light, lean, clean. Modern GNOME and KDE are a no-go.

Modest System Requirements

The OS itself should not take a gig of space. 1 gig of RAM should be more than enough for the system to run smoothly (some applications could obviously require much more... but not the OS itself or the default software it ships with). The goal here is that the system should run (and run well) on low-end, currently available hardware -- with an eye towards long-term hardware compatibility.

Thoughts on viability of this approach

Creating such a system is, obviously, completely viable. All the pieces exist already (in use by various Linux distributions, etc.), just waiting to be assembled and tweaked for this setup.

Once created, is this a system that others would want to use?

Honestly? No clue.

I mean, I sure want to use this. If this existed right now, I would be using it today. There are a few systems out there (such as Puppy and PCLinuxOS) that address some of these items (quite well). But not all. With all these checkboxes checked? Holy moley would I get excited.

Using the same OS version in 2020 as in 2025? Sounds like heaven.

Getting excited about the big "2.0" release coming out -- a few years down the line? Yes, please!

Knowing that I could develop and release a piece of software now and have it work for all users of the OS for the foreseeable future? And that I, as an end user, can feel confident the software I own will work until the end of time? TAKE MY MONEY.

I want this.

Maybe it's time to buckle down and make it happen.

00:14:01
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Bryan Lunduke@Lunduke
November 24, 2025
Installing Linux Software Just Got More... Gay

Bazaar, a new Linux App store for GNOME includes the ability to apply LGBT themes. And ONLY LGBT themes. Plus... you can't get rid of them.

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

00:10:55
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Bryan Lunduke@Lunduke
November 24, 2025
X's New "Country Based In" Feature is Not Doxxing

X's new feature reveals where the bots & anti-Jewish posts come from (hint: Not the USA). Plus: Would it makes sense to offer a "Mute This Country" feature?

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

00:30:15
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Bryan Lunduke@Lunduke
November 22, 2025
Guaranteeing Rights Against Novel International Tyranny & Extortion

The GRANITE Act has been filed in the state of Wyoming. And The Lunduke Journal got an early copy of the bill which fights censorship of Americans by foreign governments.

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

00:20:32
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Bryan Lunduke@Lunduke
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
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Bryan Lunduke@Lunduke
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!"
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Bryan Lunduke@Lunduke
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
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DMC@DMSR
4 hours ago

Quantum computing bubble...

Prediction: Wall Street's Biggest Bubble Will Burst in 2026 (and I'm Not Talking About Artificial Intelligence) | The Motley Fool
https://www.fool.com/investing/2025/11/28/prediction-wall-street-biggest-bubble-burst-2026/

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dirt@Dirt2901
5 hours ago

Oh, Really???

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dirt@Dirt2901
4 hours ago

PI, PIO????

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Bryan Lunduke@Lunduke
17 hours ago
post photo preview
Lunduke Journal's Blackest of Black Friday Sale of Blackness (Black)

Black Friday is upon us! Which means… massive discounts on Lunduke Journal subscriptions!

  • $27 Yearly Subscriptions with Promo Code “BLACKSALESMATTER” (regularly $54).

  • $150 Lifetime Subscriptions (Regularly $300).

Discounted price is good through Sunday, November 31st!

Every Subscription come with all of the perks:

50% Off Yearly Subscriptions:

Available via both Locals and Substack. (This includes full access the community Forum, and all other perks.)

$27 / Year (which works out to $2.25 / Month).

Via Lunduke.Locals.com:

Via Lunduke.Substack.com:

Note: You can also grab a Monthly subscription via X, YouTube, or Patreon — and get all of the same perks. There’s no way to offer a discount on those platforms, but those are still good options!

The Famous Lifetime Subscription:

The “World Famous Lunduke Journal Lifetime Subscription” is exactly what it sounds like. Pay once and get full access to The Lunduke Journal. For life.

Now, through Sunday, November 30th, you can snag one at a crazy discount. Normally these are $300… but you can grab one for $150. (You can also pay more if you’d like to donate a little extra.)

The Lifetime Subscription can be obtained via Locals, Substack, or using Bitcoin. All three options work great and are super easy (& all three include access to all of the perks). Scroll down and choose your option.

Note: The Lifetime Subscription only applies to Substack and Locals. Other platforms (such as X, Patreon, & YouTube) do not provide the functionality necessary to create Lifetime Subscriptions.

How to get a Lifetime Subscription via Locals:

  1. Go to Lunduke.Locals.com/support.

  2. Select “Give Once“.

  3. Enter “150“ (or more) into the amount field.

  4. After checking out, Lunduke will toss you an email once your account is set to full lifetime status. (This usually happens within a few hours.)

How to get a Lifetime Subscription via Substack:

  1. Go to Lunduke.Substack.com/subscribe.

  2. Select the “Lifetime Subscription” option.

  3. After checking out, Lunduke will toss you an email once your account is set to full lifetime status. (This usually happens within a few hours.)

If you would also like full, Lifetime access to Lunduke.Locals.com (which is included):

  1. Make a free account on Lunduke.Locals.com.

  2. Email “bryan at lunduke.com” with the email address you use on both Substack and Locals (can be different email addresses).

  3. Lunduke will toss you an email once your account is set to full lifetime status on Locals.

How to get a Lifetime Subscription with Bitcoin:

You can also obtain a Lifetime Subscription via Bitcoin.

bc1qyjakve8fywm8pz2v99v57yhjj0vzr2vjze6fcq

  • Email “bryan at lunduke.com” with the following information: What time you made the transaction, how much was sent (in Bitcoin), and the email address you use (or plan to use) on Locals.com or Substack.com (or both).

No matter which type of subscription you choose, thank you for your support! Every subscription goes directly towards keeping The Lunduke Journal running well into the future.

-Lunduke

 

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Bryan Lunduke@Lunduke
November 26, 2025
Happy Thanksgiving, you amazing nerds!

Just a quick note to let everyone know that I’ll be taking off the next few days to celebrate Thanksgiving with my family. You may still find me posting a few tidbits over on X, in between food comas, but no new shows until Sunday.

To all of you amazing nerds who make The Lunduke Journal possible: Thank you.

To say I am grateful for your support, over the last several years, would be the understatement of the century.

Over the last few months, the audience size of The Lunduke Journal has absolutely exploded. Thanks, in large part, to all of you. You not only funded the coverage of these “Free from Big-Tech influence” stories… you helped spread them as well. Far and wide.

Because of you, stories are being told which would otherwise fly under the radar, hidden by the mainstream Tech Press.

You are, in a word, awesome. And I am thankful, every day, for the trust and support you have shown to The Lunduke Journal.

To all of my fellow Americans, Happy Thanksgiving. May your hearts and your stomaches be full.

To all of my non-American friends, I wish the same. Because there’s never a bad time to have a ridiculously big meal.

-Lunduke

Oh, lest I forget: For those who don’t have a Lunduke Journal subscription yet, there’s a Black Friday sale. Half off. Good stuff. For those of you who have already picked up your subscription, recently or years in the past, you have my thanks.

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Bryan Lunduke@Lunduke
November 24, 2025
Lunduke Journal's Black Friday Super Mega Sale 2000

Black Friday is almost upon us!

Hmm. Should The Lunduke Journal have a sale? Ok, ok! You’ve twisted my arm! A sale it shall be!

Behold! The Lunduke Journal Black Friday Super Mega Sale 2000!

Support the last bastion of truly independent Tech Journalism… and save 50% on a new subscription! Monthly, Yearly, or Lifetime Subscriptions! All 50% off! Huzzah!

Discounted price is good through Sunday, November 30th!

Scroll down. Pick the subscription type that looks the best to you — starting at $2.25 per month (not too shabby) to full Lifetime subscriptions.

Every Subscription come with all of the perks:

50% Off Yearly or Monthly Subscriptions:

Available via both Locals and Substack. (This includes full access the community Forum, and all other perks.)

That means $3 / Month. Or $27 / Year (which works out to $2.25 / Month).

Via Lunduke.Locals.com:

Via Lunduke.Substack.com:

Note: You can also grab a Monthly subscription via X, YouTube, or Patreon — and get all of the same perks. There’s no way to offer a discount on those platforms, but those are still good options!

The Famous Lifetime Subscription:

The “World Famous Lunduke Journal Lifetime Subscription” is exactly what it sounds like. Pay once and get full access to The Lunduke Journal. For life.

Now, through Sunday, November 30th, you can snag one at a crazy discount. Normally these are $300… but you can grab one for $150. (You can also pay more if you’d like to donate a little extra.)

The Lifetime Subscription can be obtained via Locals, Substack, or using Bitcoin. All three options work great and are super easy (& all three include access to all of the perks). Scroll down and choose your option.

Note: The Lifetime Subscription only applies to Substack and Locals. Other platforms (such as X, Patreon, & YouTube) do not provide the functionality necessary to create Lifetime Subscriptions.

How to get a Lifetime Subscription via Locals:

  1. Go to Lunduke.Locals.com/support.

  2. Select “Give Once“.

  3. Enter “150“ (or more) into the amount field.

  4. After checking out, Lunduke will toss you an email once your account is set to full lifetime status. (This usually happens within a few hours.)

How to get a Lifetime Subscription via Substack:

  1. Go to Lunduke.Substack.com/subscribe.

  2. Select the “Lifetime Subscription” option.

  3. After checking out, Lunduke will toss you an email once your account is set to full lifetime status. (This usually happens within a few hours.)

If you would also like full, Lifetime access to Lunduke.Locals.com (which is included):

  1. Make a free account on Lunduke.Locals.com.

  2. Email “bryan at lunduke.com” with the email address you use on both Substack and Locals (can be different email addresses).

  3. Lunduke will toss you an email once your account is set to full lifetime status on Locals.

How to get a Lifetime Subscription with Bitcoin:

You can also obtain a Lifetime Subscription via Bitcoin.

bc1qyjakve8fywm8pz2v99v57yhjj0vzr2vjze6fcq

  • Email “bryan at lunduke.com” with the following information: What time you made the transaction, how much was sent (in Bitcoin), and the email address you use (or plan to use) on Locals.com or Substack.com (or both).

No matter which type of subscription you choose, thank you for your support! Every subscription goes directly towards keeping The Lunduke Journal running well into the future.

-Lunduke

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