Rust in the Linux Kernel, Immutable RHEL, and the Decline of Firefox (2026 Update)

Is 2026 the year of the Linux desktop? Join Nate, the Iron Sysadmin, as we break down ZDNet’s 2026 predictions, the rise of immutable Linux distributions like RHEL, and why users are ditching Windows. In this week’s news recap, we explore the evolving landscape of open-source software and digital freedom. We discuss the growing “Rust-in-the-kernel” movement, the reality of immutable operating systems going mainstream, and the concerning fall of Firefox’s market share. We also take a deep dive into the Freedom House 2025 assessment of global internet freedom and the “unbundling” of Twitter into decentralized protocols. ZDNet’s 2026 Predictions: https://www.zdnet.com/article/linux-and-open-source-2026-predictions/ Freedom House’s Assessment of Internet Freedom: https://freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-net/2025/uncertain-future-global-internet Net Influencer’s article on on Twitter’s users “Unbundled”: https://www.netinfluencer.com/twitter-alternatives-in-2026-the-platform-didnt-get-replaced-it-got-unbundled/