It's not quite the same, but I do like firing up https://radio.garden/ on occasion and rotating through international channels (after getting around the geoblock in the UK). Theres a random Arctic Outpost AM broadcasting from Longyearbyen I stick on for background noise.
The thing is - the 'old' internet is still there. IRC is there, despite slack and discord making closed privately hosted versions. NTTP newsgroups are still there, despite reddit and stackoverflow etc. All that infrastructure still there that doesn't algorithmically keep you in a perma-outraged state for engagement. If I have some sort of spiritual or scientific awakening that I just have to share with the world - The web still lets you self host. I can hide that behind onion routers if I need to.
Not to say that the modern alternatives don't fix a lot of problems, particularly with accessibility to end users, but whats to stop us from going back and creating a new branch from that base that tries to solve the problems without the toxicity? And more importantly, engaging only with that network? (the sad probable answer: Because we're collectively lazy).
I've a Framework 13, which I got at launch (11th Gen), and have upgraded that to 12th Gen motherboard as well as swapped the hinges and backplate for a better less wobbly display. Probably the best laptop I've ever had, but it is pricey. I'm not sure theres much cost savings with upgrading vs buying whole new laptops every 18 months, but at least I'm not throwing out material. I have the old 11th Gen motherboard in a coolermaster case with spare RAM/SSD waiting for me to get time to make it into a media server.
I then got the Framework 16 with GPU module. Upgraded the camera but no CPU/GPU upgrades thus far. Use Keyboard and Numpad for the input panel options, but I've the LED panels to swap out when showing it off. The GPU is beefy enough that I can avoid also having to pack my steam deck, but you do need the better power supply, it drains battery even when plugged in otherwise. 165Hz display is great, but I do miss the 3:2 ratio screen. My only real issue is battery life in general. You do need to get it plugged in often.
I think in hindsight I prefer the FW13, it's just so much easier to travel with and the AMD APU probably has enough GPU power to play the limited games I do so I may move back, get the new 2.8k display and AMD motherboard. I much prefer the 3:2 display.
In both cases I got the DIY edition and found cheaper sources for RAM and SSD. I have had no issues with compatibility.
I intend to stick with framework longer term though. For me the benefits outweigh the cons, and its a more fun and personal ownership experience.
Experience with support was reasonable, I did have an issue with the 12th Gen board where it wouldn't power on, but a few days of back and forth with email support got it revived and I avoided having to do an RMA.
The swappable ports are a very handy feature - as well as configuring it to what I think I'll need I can carry a bunch of spares easily. One trouble is that they also work on other laptops, so I find myself loaning e.g. the HDMI port to Macbook Air users. And I sometimes don't get them back. Oh well.
I also 3D printed out the cupholder attachement, which gets a few laughs. Not sure I'd use it for real though....
I wouldn't recommend it to everyone, if you want an utterly premium experience with the best OLED displays and battery life etc theres better, but I've had a lot of value from my two, and I seem to have convinced at least one local biz to swap to them because of the ability to fix them quickly when parts break.
I'm running a couple of 28" 3:2 ratio displays ( https://consumer.huawei.com/uk/monitors/mateview/ for the exact model). The extra vertical space is great, been wanting desktop displays in this ratio ever since getting a Surface Book and I'm upgrading to a Framework partly down to the 3:2 display there too.
Downside of this particular monitor is the lack of VESA mount, it could be a tad brighter (but is fine for the office), and I'd prefer 120Hz vs 60. I'm really hoping there is more choice in this 3:2 space down the road. Like if Microsoft released that Surface Studio as a monitor..
Virgin media have a 'memorable word' that you quote to the phone agents as a proof that it's you talking to them. It's not the password to the online account and it's only one of a few bits of info you get asked to prove you are the account holder.
I think this is what is being talked about. Not the actual account 'password'.
I have an extremely common name (There are at least 5x people with my name in my city alone). I have one social media account.
Lets say I disclose that social media account. The Immigration agent searches the other social media platforms, and the other people with my name show up. The agent then accuses me of lying on this question.
How do I prove that those other accounts aren't me?
The Surface Studio is perfect looking, 28" 3:2, 4500×3000 (192 PPI). The frustrating thing is that it's not a standalone monitor/touchscreen - the computer is built in, doesn't look all that powerful considering what you pay, and doesn't look upgradable.
There's gotta be a market for these types of monitor...
I really like the 3:2 ratio display of my Surface Book. I just wish there was a fairly affordable way of getting 27-30 inch versions of the screen, and then put two of those side by side. That, would be my idea of perfection.
As it stands I just use a 27" 16:9 1440p display flanked by a 23" 1080p in portrait mode. (At my desktop workstation)
"This is the tartan of The Debian Project: an association of individuals who work together to create a free operating system that is called Debian GNU/Linux, or simply Debian for short. In 2007 Debian held its eighth annual gathering of developers from all over the world in Edinburgh, and the tartan was designed to celebrate that fact. The colours are references to various logos: Reds for the Debian swirl, Blue for Captain Blue-Eyes (the old Debian logo), and Yellow, Black & White for Tux, the Linux logo. If the image is rotated 180 degrees, the White can be seen to be arranged so as to spell out DEBIAN in Morse code (with a correct 1:3 ratio for dots to dashes, and for the pauses in and between letters)."
Maybe I'll start with posting on sites rather than just reading the comments :)
For a few examples I have in mind:
Instead of just playing games, try to create them. Theres the global game jam coming up. I'll make some time for it. And spend the first few weekends this year going over unity tutorials.
Instead of just using apps, hit the hackathons join the teams and try to make a few. Learn new frameworks and maybe even languages while doing so.
Instead of listening to podcasts, write a couple on topics I'm working on or in proximity to (Not just tech, but political activism im my case). Record a few. See what the feedback is like.
Instead of just voting, get involved in political parties (I already do this I must admit), get out campainging and creating new support.
Instead of just passively using open source libraries, have a skim through the issues and see if theres anything I can spend an hour or two helping with. Even if it's just documentation or tests.
The main point of it all is, even if it's bad or goes nowhere, I've found at least trying to create rather than just passively read/play/consume tends to have positive outcomes, even if that's just learning new things, getting new contacts, or getting new ideas to try further down the road. Hence, the resolution: More creating, less consuming.
"All vetting of people
coming into our country will be considered “extreme vetting.” "
I visit the US every year to see friends. Some of whom are Arab-American. I'm seriously worried that I'm going to find myself on the receiving end of 'extreme vetting'.