FOSS Weekly #26.26: Brave Browser, Niri Tiling & More

Linux Desktop Updates: Gaming, Window Management, and Audio Tools

Linux users who have been eyeing EA's gaming catalog just received unexpected news. Brave Browser, the privacy-focused alternative that has steadily built its Linux presence, now includes Origin Access integration directly within its platform. The move signals a shift in how gaming services view the Linux desktop, not as an afterthought but as a legitimate platform worth native support.

The integration means Linux gamers can access EA's library without wrestling with Wine configurations or compatibility layers for the launcher itself. Brave handles the authentication and library management, while games still run through Proton or native builds where available. This "Bravy" development, as the community has dubbed it, demonstrates how browser-based gaming platforms can sidestep traditional Linux distribution challenges.

Desktop Innovation Continues with Niri

The Wayland compositor landscape gained another compelling option with Niri's continued refinement of scrollable tiling. Unlike traditional tiling window managers that divide screen space into fixed grids, Niri treats your workspace as an infinite horizontal canvas. Windows tile vertically within columns, but those columns scroll left and right as needed.

The approach solves a persistent problem with tiling workflows: what happens when you need more windows than fit comfortably on screen? Traditional solutions involve complex workspace switching or nested containers. Niri simply lets you scroll. This creates a spatial memory model that many users find more intuitive than abstract workspace numbers.

Configuration remains straightforward through a single TOML file. The compositor supports all the Wayland protocols you would expect. Screen sharing works. Fractional scaling performs smoothly. Multi-monitor setups behave predictably. The project has matured beyond experimental status into something genuinely usable for daily work.

Performance characteristics stand out particularly on systems with limited resources. Because Niri only renders visible portions of the scrollable workspace, memory usage stays reasonable even with dozens of windows open. The compositor leverages GPU acceleration effectively, making animations fluid without taxing the CPU.

Firefox Power User Techniques

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Firefox continues to offer configuration depth that other browsers have abandoned in pursuit of simplification. The about:config interface remains a treasure trove for users willing to explore beyond default settings.

Enabling userChrome.css customization lets you reshape the entire browser interface. You can hide tab bars when using tree-style tabs, relocate the URL bar, or strip away interface elements that consume screen space without adding value. The process requires creating a chrome folder in your Firefox profile directory and toggling a single preference. The results transform how the browser looks and behaves.

Container tabs deserve more attention than they typically receive. The Multi-Account Containers extension lets you segregate browsing contexts completely. Keep work accounts separate from personal ones. Isolate shopping sessions. Compartmentalize any activity you want to keep distinct.

Each container maintains its own cookies, cache, and login state. The feature proves particularly valuable on Linux systems where multiple user accounts feel heavier than necessary for simple context switching.

Firefox's reader mode includes a send-to-device feature that many users overlook. Articles you start on desktop can transfer seamlessly to mobile devices signed into the same Firefox account. The sync happens through encrypted channels, and the reader mode strips away distractions before sending, ensuring you get clean text regardless of the original site's design.

Keyboard navigation reaches deeper than most users realize. The quick find feature, triggered by a single forward slash, lets you jump to any visible text without reaching for the mouse. Combined with caret browsing mode, Firefox becomes navigable entirely from the keyboard. Accessibility advocates appreciate this capability, but it benefits anyone who prefers keeping hands on the home row.

Myna Arrives in Ubuntu Repositories

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Ubuntu's package repositories now include Myna, the audio management tool that has been gaining traction in the Linux audio community. Myna provides a graphical interface for PipeWire configuration, making advanced audio routing accessible without diving into configuration files or command-line utilities.

The tool addresses a real gap in the Linux desktop experience. While PipeWire solved many underlying audio system problems, configuring it remained intimidating for users who just want to route their microphone through noise cancellation or split audio between different outputs. Myna presents these operations visually, with drag-and-drop connections between audio sources and sinks.

Package availability in Ubuntu's main repositories means Myna receives the same security updates and maintenance as core system components. Users no longer need to add PPAs or compile from source, lowering the barrier to adoption significantly.

The timing aligns well with PipeWire's maturation across major distributions. As more systems ship with PipeWire as the default audio server, tools that make it approachable become increasingly valuable. Myna fills that role without oversimplifying to the point of uselessness, a balance that audio tools often struggle to achieve.

The Broader Pattern

These developments share a common thread: they make Linux more capable without sacrificing the control and flexibility that define the platform. Brave's Origin Access integration brings commercial gaming services to Linux on terms that respect user choice. Niri explores new paradigms in window management while remaining lightweight and configurable. Firefox's power user features continue to serve those who want browsers that adapt to their workflow rather than dictating it. Myna makes professional-grade audio routing accessible without hiding the underlying system.

The Linux desktop does not succeed by imitating other platforms. It succeeds by offering alternatives that respect user agency while removing unnecessary friction. Each of these projects demonstrates that philosophy in practice, solving real problems with solutions that feel distinctly Linux in their approach.