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.

  • 0 Posts
  • 17 Comments
Joined 1 year ago
cake
Cake day: June 5th, 2023

help-circle



  • TrailSense, an easy to use, comprehensive wilderness tool.

    The goals of the developer are fun to consider:

    Goals

    • Trail Sense must not use the Internet in any way, as I want the entire app usable when there is no Internet connection

    • Features must provide some benefits to people using the app while hiking, in a survival situation, etc.

    • Features should make use of the sensors on a phone rather than relying on stored information such as guides

    • Features must be based on peer-reviewed science or be verified against real world data

    Likewise, the features being developed under those goals are great for getting outside:

    Features

    • Designed for hiking, backpacking, camping, and geocaching
    • Place beacons and navigate to them
    • Follow paths
    • Retrace your steps with backtrack
    • Use a photo as a map
    • Plan what to pack
    • Be alerted before the sun sets
    • Predict the weather
    • Use your phone for astronomy
    • And more









  • 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.