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The browser alternative users are switching to
Who's ready to rethink privacy? Most cloud storage providers hold the keys to your data, and that padlock icon isn't protecting you the way you think. We're also breaking down why open source governance isn't one model but several working at once, how Don built self-resetting guest accounts on Linux Mint to secure public computers, and why users are switching to Zen, the Gecko-based browser with workspaces, split view, and unrestricted ad blocking.
On the podcast, Alya Abbott explores why most projects pick their communication tools the wrong way, how proprietary platforms extract your data, and why good documentation signals a project truly welcomes contributors. This is edition #71 of the We ❤️ Open Source newsletter. Made and curated by Jason & Todd.🙂
This week we'll look at...
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Articles
 | Most cloud storage providers encrypt your data with keys they control. That padlock icon isn't protecting you the way you think. This piece breaks down what end-to-end encryption actually means, why open source implementations matter, and what to look for when choosing a solution. WHY WE ❤️ IT: Most people think the padlock means privacy. This piece explains exactly why that assumption is wrong. |
 | Most people look for the governance model a project uses. Mature projects actually use several at once. This plain-language guide maps every major model and explains why knowing which one applies before a hard decision lands is the most underrated skill in open source. WHY WE ❤️ IT: Governance sounds like paperwork until a hard decision breaks your project. This guide makes it practical. |
 | How do you keep public computers secure when files persist after logout? Don demonstrates a clever solution: Self-resetting guest accounts on Linux Mint MATE using tmpfs. Every reboot delivers a fresh session, protecting privacy while extending the life of aging hardware in libraries. WHY WE ❤️ IT: Don is showing how we can literally save old hardware and give it a new, more secure life. |
What's in your technology toolbox?
Tired of Firefox feeling stagnant? Learn Linux TV reviews Zen Browser, a Gecko-based alternative with workspaces, split view, and unrestricted ad blocking. See why Linux, Windows, and MacOS users are switching and what makes Zen the Firefox modernization users demand.
WHY WE ❤️ IT: Jay demonstrates workspaces instantly organizing tabs by project, split view comparing websites side-by-side, and uBlock Origin working exactly as intended.
From the We ❤️ Open Source Podcast
 | Most open source projects fragment across Discord, email, and Discourse without a strategy. Alya Abbott joins us for the podcast to explore how to choose communication tools strategically, why proprietary platforms like Slack extract your data, and how good documentation signals a project truly welcomes contributors. WHY WE ❤️ IT: Alya's nanny hiring book insight cuts through chaos: Identify your requirements first. Most projects skip this step and regret it for years. |
Featured podcast shorts
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Wrap Up
If you've made it this far (thank you!), check out everything we do, our YouTube channel with 1000's of open source talks, the many meetups we host around the southeast and NYC, the All Things AI spring event we co-host, and of course All Things Open, the largest open source tech conference on the US east coast.
We hope you learn something new this weekend!
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