Linux This Week: Standard Projects Folder, Firefox Ad-Blocker, and Major Distro Updates

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<h2 id="intro">Linux Landmarks in the Latest FOSS Weekly</h2> <p>The open-source ecosystem never sleeps, and this week brings a flurry of updates that matter to every Linux user. From a long-awaited standardisation of the user home directory to significant security incidents and major distro releases, here's your comprehensive digest of what's new and noteworthy.</p><figure style="margin:20px 0"><img src="https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2026/04/foss-weekly-2--2.webp" alt="Linux This Week: Standard Projects Folder, Firefox Ad-Blocker, and Major Distro Updates" style="width:100%;height:auto;border-radius:8px" loading="lazy"><figcaption style="font-size:12px;color:#666;margin-top:5px">Source: itsfoss.com</figcaption></figure> <h2 id="homenews">Home Directory Gets a New Standard</h2> <p>For years, Linux users have manually created a <code>Projects</code> folder alongside <code>Documents</code>, <code>Music</code>, and <code>Downloads</code>. That manual work is now officially obsolete. Multiple distributions are adopting a standard <strong>Projects</strong> directory as part of the default home folder layout. This means applications can now reliably use this location as a default save path for development or project files — a small change with big usability improvements. The exact icon remains a mystery, but the community is already speculating creatively.</p> <h2 id="firefoxnews">Quiet Ad-Blocker Upgrade in Firefox</h2> <p><strong>Firefox 149</strong> has quietly integrated Brave's open-source <code>adblock-rust</code> engine into its codebase. The feature is disabled by default and currently lacks a user interface, but advanced users can enable it via <code>about:config</code>. No mention was made in the release notes, raising questions about transparency. Nonetheless, this move could significantly improve content blocking performance in the browser.</p> <h2 id="ubuntuupdates">Ubuntu 26.04 LTS 'Resolute Raccoon' Arrives</h2> <p>Canonical has released <strong>Ubuntu 26.04 LTS</strong>, codenamed “Resolute Raccoon”. This long-term support version brings a host of updates:</p> <ul> <li>GNOME 50 and Linux kernel 7.0</li> <li>Wayland-only session (X11 removed)</li> <li>Five new default applications</li> <li>Return of DEB package support in the App Center</li> <li>Post-quantum cryptography enabled out of the box</li> </ul> <p>Ubuntu's official flavors have also been updated. We've already taken a close look at <strong>Kubuntu 26.04</strong> and <strong>Lubuntu 26.04</strong> to see what they bring to the table.</p> <h2 id="aionubuntu">AI Comes to Ubuntu – Locally</h2> <p>Canonical is embracing artificial intelligence with a local-first approach. Open-weight AI models will be delivered via Snap packages, allowing users to run machine learning models on their own hardware without sending data to the cloud. This privacy-conscious strategy could set a benchmark for other distributions.</p> <h2 id="fedora44">Fedora 44 Released After Delay</h2> <p>After a two-week postponement, <strong>Fedora 44</strong> is finally here. Key features include:</p> <ul> <li>Linux kernel 6.19</li> <li>GNOME 50 and KDE Plasma 6.6</li> <li><strong>NTSYNC</strong> for improved Windows game performance</li> <li>A completely refreshed <strong>Games Lab</strong> spin</li> </ul> <p>In related news, Microsoft is reportedly considering rebasing its <strong>Azure Linux</strong> distribution on Fedora — a move that would further cement Fedora's role in enterprise Linux.</p> <h2 id="terminals">Warp Terminal Goes Open Source</h2> <p>Warp, the AI-enhanced terminal emulator, has finally opened its source code. This is a significant development for developers who wanted to inspect, modify, or contribute to the tool. The community has long called for this change, and the decision is widely welcomed.</p> <h2 id="security">Security Incidents and Warnings</h2> <h3>PyPI Compromise Through GitHub Actions</h3> <p>A critical vulnerability in the <strong>elementary-data</strong> package's GitHub Actions workflow allowed a malicious actor to push a backdoored version to PyPI in under ten minutes. If you have <code>elementary-data 0.23.3</code> installed, immediate action is required.</p><figure style="margin:20px 0"><img src="https://feed.itsfoss.com/assets/images/warp.webp" alt="Linux This Week: Standard Projects Folder, Firefox Ad-Blocker, and Major Distro Updates" style="width:100%;height:auto;border-radius:8px" loading="lazy"><figcaption style="font-size:12px;color:#666;margin-top:5px">Source: itsfoss.com</figcaption></figure> <h3>LVFS Underfunded, Quotas Imposed</h3> <p>The <strong>Linux Vendor Firmware Service (LVFS)</strong>, which facilitates firmware updates across Linux systems, operates with only one full-time developer and no dedicated security team. After years of vendors consuming millions of downloads without contributing, the project now enforces download quotas and feature restrictions on non-sponsoring vendors.</p> <h3>MinIO GitHub Repo Archived Again</h3> <p>MinIO's repository entered maintenance mode last year and has now been archived again. Production users should plan an alternative object storage solution.</p> <h2 id="petition">Petition for Native Rhino 3D on Linux</h2> <p>A petition is circulating to request a native Linux version of <strong>Rhino 3D</strong>, a popular 3D architectural modelling program. Signing it could help bring a mainstream creative application to Linux, potentially boosting desktop adoption.</p> <h2 id="tips">Linux Tips and Tutorials</h2> <h3>Connect Phone with GSConnect</h3> <p><strong>GSConnect</strong> is a GNOME extension that brings KDE Connect functionality to your desktop. It enables file sharing, notification syncing, using your phone as a trackpad, and mounting Android folders over Wi-Fi — all without needing KDE.</p> <h3>Reset Forgotten Ubuntu Root Password</h3> <p>If you've forgotten your Ubuntu root password, boot into recovery mode, select the “dpkg repair” option to get a root shell, then run <code>passwd</code> to set a new one. This works only if a root password was previously set.</p> <h3>Hidden KDE Features</h3> <p>KDE Plasma packs many lesser-known features. For instance, you can customise window rules, create custom keyboard shortcuts for virtually any action, and use KRunner as a powerful calculator and launcher. Explore the system settings thoroughly — you might discover something new.</p> <h2 id="wrapup">What It All Means</h2> <p>This week's highlights reflect a vibrant, security-conscious, and user-focused open-source community. Whether it's standardising the home directory, strengthening firmware update infrastructure, or welcoming new AI integrations, Linux continues to evolve at a rapid pace. Stay tuned — there's always more to come.</p>