Hexbear2 [any]

2001-2005. My computer lab in the school of math and natural sciences (including computer science), had windows 2000 (best windows of all time), Apple Power PCs, and all dual booted linux. All we used for comp sci was linux. Yellowdog on the Power PCs. Learned to program/develop in C++ and Java, mostly used e-macs, goal was to never lift hands from the keyboard or use the mouse, keeps you in the zone. Used Gnome as the desk top environment back then.

So pretty good :)

Today I use linux mint with cinamon for day to day computing, been using it for about 10 years now without issue.

I went back to college for a professional program, and used linux mint in 2022, it worked out just fine. As far as office software, I used word 365 online through the university web portal.

I think word sucks a lot and 2003 and 2007 are the best versions and little improvement since then (improvement is efficiency and easy of creating an end-product), but I’m not willing to re-learn how to master Libre Office, I just can’t be bothered. So no input on that.

This shit is uniquely evil. Like, you could write a sci-fi distopian novel best seller about how bad some of this shit is and 8th graders would be forced to read it.

I think that the way we’re splitting up software monopolies is pretty damn ridiculous in this field. I’m Linux gang all the way, but let Microsoft own the OS how they see fit, and especially the kernel, and instead go after the third party hardware vendors being locked into MS contracts. Just make it not legal for third party hardware vendors to sell computers with pre-installed operating systems, and it solves a lot of the monopoly issues. So no more Dell, HP, etc, with forced windows, make the consumer buy the OS separately.

Could also go after bundling, like OS can’t be sold with office suite software.

I bought an amaztech stratos fitness watch, worth every penny if you use it for running. Tracks your run distance/time via gps, streams music via bluetooth and doesn’t require a phone, heartbeat monitor, etc. But otherwise I agree, quartz timekeeping is the way to go.

Expensive Cars. If you have to have one, buy a cheap one. One of the worst lifetime financial decisions you can make is spending money on cars, all of them get you to A to B. A used Prius is just about the most economical car you can buy for total cost per mile travelled. It would be nice if more cities had good public transportation systems, but unfortunately most don’t. I love long island, getting around on public transportation is so convenient.

Edit: Something like this example prius is the way to go if you are trying to maximize your dollar. Drive it until the wheels fall off:

https://www.truecar.com/used-cars-for-sale/listing/JTDKB20UX77667158/2007-toyota-prius/?zipcode=80501

Writing in Xi Jinping (no, not that one, a different one)

I have experience with alcoholics in the family and haven’t drank more than a handful of drinks in the last 5 years, because I don’t want to go down that road, but the things you need to ask yourself are: Are you prepared to have her never changed and eventually drink herself to death? Are you prepared for her behavior to get even worse over the years towards you and herself? Are you prepared for the drinking associated health complications, she won’t be able to function as an adult for her last 5-10 years. Are you prepared to deal with potential DUIs, job losses, and other alcohol related complications? Are you prepared to give up your life to deal with her situation?

If the answer is no, you need to think about your future with her. You can’t help her through this one.

In Firefox, on Linux, behind a VPN and firewall with ad blocker, I run 5 different privacy/ad blocking extensions. I keep hearing about adds, but not seeing them.

Supposedly Youtube now is getting more agressive on this? I wouldn’t know. Haven’t seen a Youtube notice about it yet.

But really, I dream of the day youtube is replaced by something else. Fracture Youtube into 1,000 pieces and scatter it into the wind.

Nope. Alternate power structures that can seize power during crises is how socialist revolution can come about. Much writing on this, here is a link I randomly googled:

https://dsa-lsc.org/2018/12/31/dual-power-a-strategy-to-build-socialism-in-our-time/

Star Trek Industrial Replicator…Star Trek has never really had an episode that explored the magic of what you could do if you had a replicator. Just having ONE, would change the world overnight, and forever. I’d start replicating replicators and handing them out.