Deliverer of ideas for a living. Believer in internet autonomy, dignity. I upkeep instances of FOSS platforms like this for the masses. Previously on Twitter under the same handle. I do software things, but also I don’t.

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Joined 1 year ago
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Cake day: June 5th, 2023

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  • Use the user profiles feature of grapheneos to make a “social” profile and only use that to access Instagram / facebook.

    You’ll want to consider isolating IG from your primary profile, to start. The above user’s suggestion hits the nail on the head.

    Once the profile ks created, and you’ve installed IG, you’ll want to deselect the option in your Manage Profiles settings on GrapheneOS to ‘Allow running in the backgroud.’ This way, you can ensure the app is entirely stopped until you want it open.

    Another consideration may be to turn off your Bluetooth when it’s not in use, as well: BT emits an ‘address’ of sorts that, if another IG user has enabled BT access on their IG app, may be able to detect your phone and track a conversation knowing you are in the other user’s vicinity.













  • Recommendations to purchase a smart TV but never connect it to a network are futile, as well. Just like Amazon devices, smart TVs will find an open SSID and then phone home for updates without your knowledge.

    My recommendation, when these kind of topics come up, is: either exchange your smart TV for a dumb one, or go to an electronics repair shop to have a board or two exchanged (depending on the make and model, older dumb components may be direct-ish replacements for smart ones).

    EDIT: Another option? Try a projector! I was looking for dumb TV options online after writing up this comment, and someone on an old Reddit post recommended it. Great idea.

    2nd EDIT: Someone else also recommended buying digital signage, another solid dumb display option.




  • This is what’s up. Buy a small Intel NUC, a USB-C combo Blueray & DVD player, and watch any service / play any content without the ridiculousness.

    Spectres are reasonable TVs. Screen tech hasn’t improved drastically for the last few years, and streaming quality hasn’t had any major facelifts outside the frameworks we know and love – don’t let anyone fool you otherwise. Netflix, Hulu, Prime, etc., all stream comparably to one another.



  • I have owned the Light Phone 1 and the Light Phone 2 – both were built with the intent to stay connected in a handful of ways without needing to have a full-spec’d, app-heavy, typically-sized smart phone.

    If the intent and the vibe make sense to you, then it is a wonderful approach for a more ‘minimalist’ device: you can go outdoors, travel, hike, camp, etc., without having a smart phone to pick up and play with. I dig it.

    If the intent and vibe don’t make sense to you, the Light Phone may not be a good fit.

    I really like the device, and use it often enough as a daily driver on weekends. Always glad to see some public attention on it.