Matrix has a WhatsApp bridge and an SMS bridge. Perhaps it’s possible to combine these for a WhatsApp <> SMS bridge? I don’t know if these bridges can work in this way. I’m just aware of their existence. Even if it does work, I imagine it’d be pretty suboptimal. But it’s potentially an option.

I’d love to see something like this in a tower format, and with regular 5.25" bays with faceplates rather than these faux floppy drives.

I’d pay a somewhat unreasonable amount for that.

That would suck if so since I obviously utilize it heavily but this doesn’t seem to be the case? Latest release was just a month ago and their github repo is active.

Jellyfin/Plex like many have mentioned.

I personally like Syncthing for petty much everything else. For general file syncing of course. But also with Joplin pointed to a synced directory for notes. With keepass as a password vault. With synced config directories for some apps across devices like newsboat for RSS, and neomutt for email. I also used to use it with rtorrent via a watch directory, though I currently am using a seedbox for that purpose.

VPN (openvpn/wireguard) is a good idea if you want to access your services outside your local network, without exposing them all globally.

True. But most of the platforms used by people around the world to communicate (social media, instant messaging, etc) are owned by US companies. So our shitbag of an upcoming President could have a global impact in this regard.

That being said, I don’t find myself particularly worried about this specific thing. Hopefully I don’t eat my words.

I tend to be nostalgic for the tech of my childhood. VHS is an exception. It always was horrid.

(Yes, I know you’re referring to it’s use in horror films.)

I hope it’s a positive experience when you do!

An hour old post about Windows on the Fediverse and no one has said use Linux?

Use Linux.

Found it mentioned as an alternative when Reddit announced their API changes.

To an extent. But it wouldn’t surprise me at all if sometime in the near future they force the use their own DNS servers within their browser instead of respecting your network configuration.

The best solution to circumventing Chrome’s bad behavior is to not use it.

Edit: speiling

As long as the record is in good condition, I find the sound comperable. I’ve played the same song on a high bitrate digital audio file and on vinyl and I found both equally pleasing to listen to.

I have a Fluance RT80 turntable, and am using the built in preamp. It’s connected to a home audio receiver (Sony STRDH590) with a 2.1 speaker setup (Polk Audio Monitor 60 Series II Floorstanding Speakers and a Polk Audio PSW10 10" Powered Subwoofer). A pretty midrange setup in others words. And I’m no audiophile, so weigh accordingly.

Edit: I realized you asked specifically about streaming. This link https://support.spotify.com/us/artists/article/audio-file-formats/ indicates that Spotify does up to OGG 320kbps/AC3 256kbps which is comparable to my personal audio library. So, statement holds.

I got caught up in the vinyl revival, so I enjoy collecting that media. But even then, I consider it more of a novelty.

Generally speaking though, I prefer locally stored digital media without DRM over physical media. It’s just more practical.

That being said, I’m glad that physical media exists and hope it continues to be made. Choice is good.

I can easily believe these types of continued enshittification will help drive more users to Linux desktop usage. But that will still be a small percent.

People have to know and care about the problem and then be willing to put in the effort to understand what to do. That combination is pretty limiting.

I’d love to be proven wrong, though.

Ublock origin has cookie banner filters. I didn’t have this problem, I assume that’s why.

Edit: autocorrect

Not literally a tamagachi, but if you want to go down the super niche rabbit hole that’ll include interfacing a TV and keyboard to a 6502 processor, there’s a guy named Ben Eater who does a great job covering that stuff. eater.net or search his name on YouTube.

I use rsync for this purpose and the only notable bottleneck is my download speed, fwiw.

I wonder how repairable and maintainable these will be as compared to EV’s from other markets and if replacement batteries will be available as the original ones reach the end of their useful life.

If these concerns end up being valid, and the tariffs are large enough that these cars aren’t priced particularly competitively, that’d be enough for this EV consumer to pass it up for his next vehicle. Will be interested to see how it plays out.

Edit: Wanted to say I’m not against Chinese EV’s. If it ends up making sense to get one, I will.

Speaking as an atheist, can confirm.

“Peak Windows” is a fun one to ponder. I’d probably pick XP for fairly high reliability and fairly low bloat. Or 2000 if taking business oriented versions in to consideration.

You should check protondb and see if your games of choice are supported, if you’ve not done so already.

I completely jumped ship from Windows the better part of a year ago now and haven’t encountered a single game that didn’t run, at the least, reasonably well. And usually just fine OOB. Though ymmv of course.