Our first full year on Substack: 100+ articles, thousands of readers, and deep dives into AI, gaming, Linux, and tech ownership. An honest look at what worked, what didn't, and where we're headed.
Great read! I really appreciate how SK NEXUS focuses on real engagement and purpose rather than chasing flashy numbers. The honest reflection on growth and learning truly stood out.
Looking forward to seeing how this journey continues in the year ahead.
This piece really captures what real growth looks like, not metrics, but readers who think, push back, and stay.
Also appreciate the shoutout in the quantum discussion. Those kinds of thoughtful back-and-forths are exactly why I like Substack over other platforms.
Wishing you a strong 2026! And I am excited to see where you take SK NEXUS next.
I just recently started reading you guys and especially you Mohib! and I have to say, all of you are producing such great content and I know it in my heart that this publication will grow big one day and when it does don't forget me, lol.
Not only did you change the way I think, you also made me act to protect the security of all data. Now you have given me peace of mind so I don't worry about Windows 10 because of the alternative we chose. You made this time productive instead of just wasting it. We are so very grateful to you. You deserve the best of 2026.
What an incredible article. It truly felt like I went on a journey with you through 2025.
There were two quotes that really stood out to me - and are what I am continually trying to find within all the noise out there...
"That meant challenging industry narratives about ownership, repairability, privacy, and control. It meant explaining what’s actually happening beneath the marketing language. And it meant providing region-specific context that’s usually missing from Western tech coverage...
Everything I learned here - researching properly, questioning assumptions, simplifying complex systems, and defending ideas with logic - quietly stacked up. Enough to land a job, enough to change how I think. That still feels unreal."
It's truly a pleasure to be able to learn from your work.
I would love to ask you:
1. Favorite article you've published in 2025?
2. What was your most surprising lesson you learned in 2025?
3. What do you see as an opportunity in the tech space going into 2026?
4 What do you see as something to be cautious of going into 2026?
Thanks for the take! Really appreciate you taking the time to go through this rather long piece :D
As for your questions,
I come from a Product/Software background, so lemme give my jaded lens take:
1 - I think this was a piece that got overlooked coz its not are usual tech coverage. Where I come from, tech is the career to be in, and a lot of folks often ask how they can make their way in -> https://www.sknexus.org/p/getting-into-a-tech-job
But to put it simply, I think more people need to 'stick' to stuff longer and should expect results later.
3 - Well, AI is the defacto answer these days, more specifically the new Agentic, Orchestration, and Automation mythologies that are coming out. These topics might be a bit too technical for what we usually cover, but it for sure will be impacting a lot of tech space on the 'backend' of everything we use.
Besides that however, recently a new chip shortage has begun due to AI demand, prices are expected to rise up - and in times like these, I am really looking forward to cost effective or more efficient tech solutions to come out and offer bang for the buck. So that's a hope.
4 - Scams and Misinformation. I mean that is an issue every year. But it feels like with each day moving forward it is becoming far more accessible to run these systems by any bad actor. Years ago you would need a team of experts and dedication to run scams at large in a systemized manner - not true anymore.
-
To end it, I wanted to ask if there are any topics or areas you would like us to cover? We are always looking for new inspiration to write on when it comes to tech.
Great read! I really appreciate how SK NEXUS focuses on real engagement and purpose rather than chasing flashy numbers. The honest reflection on growth and learning truly stood out.
Looking forward to seeing how this journey continues in the year ahead.
And thanks for the knight status🗡️
Thanks for being here as our day 1's : D
And def you are going to be seeing a lot of new stuff this year...
It's hard not to focus on flashy numbers especially when AI bots swarm platforms, but we tried and I guess it worked.
Thanks for your kind words!
You should write for us :D
Congrats on the milestone 👏
This piece really captures what real growth looks like, not metrics, but readers who think, push back, and stay.
Also appreciate the shoutout in the quantum discussion. Those kinds of thoughtful back-and-forths are exactly why I like Substack over other platforms.
Wishing you a strong 2026! And I am excited to see where you take SK NEXUS next.
Thanks as always Erich! - really appreciated your support this year.
Sure thing!
We are as excited as your are Erich, Thanks!
I am looking forward to your next piece!
Thanks a lot Erich, and thanks for all your support!
Sure thing! Our accounts have grown together from the beginning!
I, myself, am a writer, and I can sense three distinct personalities shining through in this article - Saqib, Mohib, and Yousaf bhai.
All working together to create SK Nexus, a knowledge hub for readers who genuinely care about tech.
Can't wait to see how 2026 will turn out.
Rooting for you guys from the receiving end of the optical cable :)
It was indeed a collective effort from all of us.
Glad you enjoyed the bits from transmission end of the cable :)
Thanks for the kind words! Excited for 26.
: D
I just recently started reading you guys and especially you Mohib! and I have to say, all of you are producing such great content and I know it in my heart that this publication will grow big one day and when it does don't forget me, lol.
Mohib's great and so are readers like you. Thanks for being with us @zyrox
I got 1tb storage of memory, I ain't forgetting anyone, ever!!!
Hah will never forget, don't worry. Hopefully we make it big :D
Thank you for your mention of my comment.
You, Mohib Ur Rehman, Erich Winkler and ToxSec AI have inspired me to alter all my preconceived ideas and to lock down my security.
All of you took a terrifying idea and broke it down so 2026 now starts with new security.
I cannot thank you enough for making me use this liminal time so constructively.
May all your dreams come true in 2026.
Thanks @gaylefranceslarkin
May you have a fantastic 2026 too, Best wishes from us at SKN!
That's so motivating to hear, Gayle.
It feels unreal reading such comments and knowing that someone out there changed the way they think because of the work I put in.
Not only did you change the way I think, you also made me act to protect the security of all data. Now you have given me peace of mind so I don't worry about Windows 10 because of the alternative we chose. You made this time productive instead of just wasting it. We are so very grateful to you. You deserve the best of 2026.
I am so glad, I was able to help you and buckle up - we will be trying our best in 2026 as well to provide you as much value we can!
Thank you! Hopefully we all collectively push each other.
What an incredible article. It truly felt like I went on a journey with you through 2025.
There were two quotes that really stood out to me - and are what I am continually trying to find within all the noise out there...
"That meant challenging industry narratives about ownership, repairability, privacy, and control. It meant explaining what’s actually happening beneath the marketing language. And it meant providing region-specific context that’s usually missing from Western tech coverage...
Everything I learned here - researching properly, questioning assumptions, simplifying complex systems, and defending ideas with logic - quietly stacked up. Enough to land a job, enough to change how I think. That still feels unreal."
It's truly a pleasure to be able to learn from your work.
I would love to ask you:
1. Favorite article you've published in 2025?
2. What was your most surprising lesson you learned in 2025?
3. What do you see as an opportunity in the tech space going into 2026?
4 What do you see as something to be cautious of going into 2026?
Thanks for the take! Really appreciate you taking the time to go through this rather long piece :D
As for your questions,
I come from a Product/Software background, so lemme give my jaded lens take:
1 - I think this was a piece that got overlooked coz its not are usual tech coverage. Where I come from, tech is the career to be in, and a lot of folks often ask how they can make their way in -> https://www.sknexus.org/p/getting-into-a-tech-job
But if we talk about our typical content, then it's really hard to pick a favorite - but again, I think this should have gotten more love -> https://www.sknexus.org/p/why-everyones-talking-about-linux
With platforms going all AI, locked in, and full on abusive to the consumers; we really need Linux to become an actual option for the everyday user.
2 - I think a lot of people will agree, but 2025 felt like a drag. On a personal level I have learnt a lot and I did cover some of that here -> https://www.sknexus.org/p/the-year-of-limit-testing
But to put it simply, I think more people need to 'stick' to stuff longer and should expect results later.
3 - Well, AI is the defacto answer these days, more specifically the new Agentic, Orchestration, and Automation mythologies that are coming out. These topics might be a bit too technical for what we usually cover, but it for sure will be impacting a lot of tech space on the 'backend' of everything we use.
Besides that however, recently a new chip shortage has begun due to AI demand, prices are expected to rise up - and in times like these, I am really looking forward to cost effective or more efficient tech solutions to come out and offer bang for the buck. So that's a hope.
4 - Scams and Misinformation. I mean that is an issue every year. But it feels like with each day moving forward it is becoming far more accessible to run these systems by any bad actor. Years ago you would need a team of experts and dedication to run scams at large in a systemized manner - not true anymore.
-
To end it, I wanted to ask if there are any topics or areas you would like us to cover? We are always looking for new inspiration to write on when it comes to tech.
Much appreciated!
Wow, that's a really nice topic area!
Thanks for the kind words.