Linux

A fresh entry has just appeared in the world of Linux distributions: Loss32, a lightweight operating system built from scratch with one goal in mind — giving old and low-resource computers a new lease on life. Announced by its small but passionate development team, Loss32 aims to be fast, respectful of older hardware, and friendly to users who want simplicity without sacrificing modern usability.

Whether you’re rediscovering an old laptop in a drawer or building a tiny home server, Loss32 promises to deliver a capable computing experience with minimal overhead.

A Distribution Born from a Simple Idea

Loss32 began as a personal project by a group of open-source enthusiasts frustrated with how quickly modern software has moved past older machines. They noticed that even relatively recent hardware can struggle with mainstream operating systems, leaving many devices underutilized.

Their solution: build a distro that boots fast, uses minimal RAM and disk space, and still provides a complete desktop environment for everyday tasks.

The name Loss32 stems from its focus on “losing” unnecessary bloat — keeping only what’s essential — and the fact that it targets 32-bit and low-resource systems that many other distros are abandoning.

Key Features of Loss32

Loss32 supports:

• 32-bit and 64-bit CPUs

• Machines with as little as 512 MB of RAM

• Hard drives and SSDs down to 4 GB usable space

These minimums open the distro up to machines that newer Linux distros won’t even install on.

Instead of heavy desktop environments, Loss32 ships with a customized Xfce/XF-Lite hybrid:

• Classic panel layout for easy navigation

• Small memory footprint for snappy response

• Simple app launchers and taskbars

This ensures a familiar feel while staying lean.

Out of the box, Loss32 includes a careful selection of applications:

• Web browsing — light browser with Web standards support

• Email and calendar — basic, responsive client

• Media playback — audio and video codecs included

• Simple document editing and PDF viewing

• File manager optimized for speed

The Linux kernel development cycle continues with the release of Linux 6.19-rc4, the fourth release candidate in the lead-up to the final 6.19 stable kernel. As with previous RC builds, this release is aimed squarely at developers, testers, and early adopters who help identify bugs and regressions before the kernel is finalized.

Release candidates are not feature drops — they are checkpoints. And rc4 reflects exactly that role.

What Does rc4 Mean in the Kernel Cycle?

By the time the fourth release candidate arrives, the merge window is long closed. That means all major features for Linux 6.19 are already in place, and the focus has shifted entirely to:

• Fixing bugs introduced earlier in the cycle

• Addressing regressions reported by testers

• Refining drivers, subsystems, and architecture-specific code

In other words, rc4 is about stability and correctness, not surprises.

What’s Changed in Linux 6.19-rc4

While rc releases don’t usually headline major features, they do include a steady stream of important fixes across the kernel tree.

Many of the changes in rc4 focus on hardware support, including:

• GPU driver fixes for stability and edge-case behavior

• Networking device driver cleanups

• Updates for input devices and platform-specific drivers

These changes help ensure Linux continues to run reliably across a wide range of systems, from desktops and laptops to servers and embedded hardware.

Several filesystems see incremental fixes in this release, addressing corner cases, error handling, and consistency issues. Storage-related updates also touch block-layer code and device-mapper components, helping improve reliability under load.

As usual, rc4 includes fixes tailored to specific CPU architectures, such as:

• x86 refinements

• ARM and ARM64 cleanups

• RISC-V and other platform-specific adjustments

These changes may not affect all users directly, but they’re crucial for maintaining Linux’s broad hardware compatibility.

Regression Fixes and Testing Feedback

A large portion of rc4 is dedicated to resolving regressions reported by testers running earlier release candidates. This includes:

• Fixes for boot issues on certain configurations

• Corrections for performance regressions

• Cleanup of warnings and build errors

As a software vendor, getting your product in front of the right audience is crucial. One of the best ways to reach business buyers is by leveraging B2B software comparison and review platforms. These websites attract millions of in-market software buyers who rely on peer reviews and ratings to make purchasing decisions. In fact, 88% of buyers trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations ^[1]. By listing your software on these platforms, you can gather authentic user feedback, build credibility, and dramatically improve your visibility to potential customers. Below we rank the top six B2B software comparison websites – and highlight what makes each one valuable for vendors looking to boost exposure and win more business. Now updated for 2026.

1. SourceForge

SourceForge tops our list as a powerhouse platform for software vendors. Why SourceForge? For starters, it boasts enormous traffic – over 20 million monthly visitors actively searching for software solutions ^[2]. In fact, SourceForge drives more traffic than any other B2B software directory (often more than all other major sites combined!) ^[2]. Semrush even estimates SourceForge's November 2025 traffic at 27.51 million visitors^[3]. This means listing your product here can put you in front of a vast pool of potential business buyers. SourceForge offers a complete business software and services comparison platform where buyers can find, compare, and review software. As the site itself says: “Selling software? You’re in the right place. We’ll help you reach millions of intent-driven software and IT buyers and influencers every day.” For a vendor, this translates into incredible visibility and lead generation opportunities.

Linux has always been more than just a kernel, it’s a living, breathing world of innovation, community collaboration, and divergent use cases. As we roll into 2026, the landscape is poised for exciting growth. From continuing evolution of core kernel infrastructure to newfound momentum in areas like gaming, AI-augmented tooling, hardware support and security, the coming year promises both refinement and transformation. Whether you’re a developer, system administrator, gamer, or casual user, here’s what you can expect from the Linux world in 2026.

1. Kernel Evolution: Performance, Security, and AI-Driven Behavior

The Linux kernel remains the beating heart of the OS. In 2026, we’ll likely see:

• New Long-Term Support (LTS) Baselines: With releases like 6.18 already declared LTS and successor branches maturing, distributions will rally around kernels that offer both performance gains and security longevity.

• AI-Driven Infrastructure: Kernel subsystems may start experimenting with machine-learning-informed scheduling, resource management, or dynamic power/performance tuning, not via heavy inference at runtime, but via control-plane advice integrated at build or boot time.

• Security Innovation: Hardware vulnerabilities like VMScape and speculative execution side channels have taught us that kernel mitigations remain crucial. Expect continued work on microarchitecture hardening, pointer tagging, and improved isolation.

The overall trend points to a kernel that is both more performant and more robust, without compromising the modularity that makes Linux adaptable across systems from supercomputers to handhelds.

2. The Desktop Experience: Polished, Consistent, and Accessible

For desktop users, 2026 should bring visible improvements to everyday workflows:

• Wayland Maturity: Wayland adoption continues to solidify across distributions, with fewer fallbacks to legacy X11 backends. Compositors and toolkits will refine scaling, multi-monitor behavior, and screen capture APIs.

• Accessibility Gains: Distros will invest more in accessibility, bringing improved screen reader support, better keyboard navigation, and wide internationalization.

• Distribution Diversity: More polished newcomers and revitalizations of existing distros will continue, especially projects aimed at lowering the barrier to entry for users migrating from Windows or macOS.

The promise here is a Linux desktop that feels friendly without diluting depth for advanced customization.

3. Cloud, Edge, and Server Infrastructure: Linux Everywhere

Linux powers the backbone of the modern server and cloud world. In 2026:

Introduction

Linux has long been known as the operating system of developers and power users, but today it’s far more accessible than ever before. Thanks to user-friendly distributions that prioritize simplicity, stability, and support, even someone who’s never used Linux can get up and running quickly. In this guide, we’ll explore some of the best Linux distributions (distros) for beginners, what sets them apart, and who each one is best suited for.

Whether you’re switching from Windows or macOS, using a PC for the first time, or simply curious about Linux, there’s a distro here that fits your comfort level and workflow.

1. Ubuntu: The Standard for New Users

Why it’s great: Ubuntu is one of the most recognizable Linux distributions, and for good reason. It offers a polished graphical interface, a massive community, and extensive documentation. If you’ve ever wanted a desktop that “just works,” Ubuntu delivers with minimal setup.

Key Features:

• Intuitive GNOME desktop environment

• Regular releases and a Long-Term Support (LTS) version with five years of updates

• Large software repository and excellent hardware support

• Strong community forums and extensive official documentation

Good for: Users completely new to Linux or those switching from Windows or macOS.

Best for: Desktops, laptops, beginners.

2. Linux Mint: Familiar Feel for Former Windows Users

Why it’s great: Linux Mint focuses on a familiar desktop experience. Its Cinnamon edition resembles the classic Windows layout, making the transition easier for users coming from that platform. Mint is stable, fast, and comes with many tools that simplify daily tasks.

Key Features:

• Traditional desktop layout (like Windows)

• Comes bundled with multimedia codecs and essential apps

• Excellent performance on older hardware

• Multiple desktop options (Cinnamon, MATE, Xfce)

Good for: Windows switchers looking for a gentle introduction.

Best for: Desktops, older machines, learners.

3. Zorin OS: A Windows-Like Experience With Style

Why it’s great: Zorin OS is designed with newcomers in mind. It’s polished, modern, and “comfortable” for users who may find traditional Linux desktops intimidating. Its interface can mimic Windows or macOS out of the box, and Zorin includes tools to effortlessly install popular applications.

Key Features:

• Look-and-feel switcher (Windows, macOS styles)