[-] smeeps@lemmy.mtate.me.uk 13 points 3 months ago

I use Nobara on my gaming PC just because it has some gaming tweaks by default but is otherwise just stock Fedora so any issues can be searched as if I was on Fedora.

[-] smeeps@lemmy.mtate.me.uk 22 points 3 months ago

Yep, software dev here for a static marketing site for a product. We are in a constant battle with PMs and SEO who want Google tracking, Facebook, TikTok, A/B testing, cursor tracking, etc. We're trying to keep page-speeds fast while loading megabytes of external JS code...

Luckily all that can be blocked by the end user without affecting the site though, all you'd lose is some carousels and accordions etc that are done with a few lines of code.

49
submitted 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago) by smeeps@lemmy.mtate.me.uk to c/privacy@lemmy.ml

I'm thinking of configuring a VPN in my router so that all traffic runs via Mullvad, just trying to consider if there are any downsides to this?

If I buy Mullvad via the onion site with Monero, obviously there's no link to me, and they appear to keep no logs, as has been tested. In any case I trust them to keep no logs more than my ISP and government.

I do already have ProtonVPN but it's attached to my debit card details, my email address, and name etc. No need to give them all my traffic too.

I know I can still be tracked by browser fingerprint and IP but I'll be one of many users using the same Mullvad IP and I also employ adguard DNS, anti fingerprinting on my browsers etc.

My threat model is generally removing as much passive data gathering and tracking as possible, corporate or state. My threat model does not include active investigation from the law enforcement or state

[-] smeeps@lemmy.mtate.me.uk 27 points 3 months ago

Pixel is the only game in town for anyone who wants a secure and privacy friendly smartphone as they're the only ones that run GrapheneOS.

I do like the look of the 9, especially finally being able to get a smaller Pro model but the prices are getting silly and my 7 Pro is still working fine. Maybe the 10 or 11.

I'm also keeping an eye on Fairphone but they need to add all the hardware GrapheneOS needs to support them for me to be interested. And it'd help if they weren't launching with last gen specs. Fairphone 5 came out after my P7P but is inferior in most ways, I just can't justify paying for a downgrade as much as I support the mission.

[-] smeeps@lemmy.mtate.me.uk 12 points 4 months ago

As time goes on you'll be exposed to more and more security vulnerabilities with no patches.

Nothing wrong with running an old phone but you should unlock it and put Lineage OS on or similar.

[-] smeeps@lemmy.mtate.me.uk 15 points 4 months ago

It would move the queues to the next bottleneck. "Just one more lane bro" planning never works.

Rail between London and Cornwall needs improving instead, as does local transport around Salisbury (active travel, public transport) as a large portion of the queuing vehicles are local drivers avoiding congestion in the town.

[-] smeeps@lemmy.mtate.me.uk 16 points 4 months ago

Authy is trash anyway.

[-] smeeps@lemmy.mtate.me.uk 41 points 4 months ago

I'm finding supermarkets locking their regular prices behind an app or loyalty card is getting out of control. Out of all the major supermarkets, ONLY Aldi has nothing of the sort currently.

Tesco and Sainsbury's will often have a £3 item that costs £6 without their loyalty card. Of course it's £3 in every other shop: it's not a special offer for members, it's a punishment price for those who don't give away their data.

288
submitted 4 months ago by smeeps@lemmy.mtate.me.uk to c/privacy@lemmy.ml

I had two reasons, the first is because i found it way too easy to spend on my card without thinking, and the second because I wanted to regain a bit of privacy alongside everything else I'm doing. Ive set it up in my bank that on payday, an amount of my salary automatically goes to the bills account, some goes to long term savings, some to short term savings, then the rest I take out in cash.

It really does change my perception of spending I think: Ive found myself not buying things because I didnt want to break a note and carry change. I can physically see how much I have left. I can take £20 to the pub and leave when its finished. Plus it feels really good knowing every single transaction isnt stored forever. I have a small amount of money on a contactless ring for emergencies like a bus fare or somewhere that unexpectedly only takes card.

Is anyone else still predominantly using cash day to day?

[-] smeeps@lemmy.mtate.me.uk 57 points 4 months ago

Crazy. There are already millions of Bitcoin wallet apps for small amounts and quick transfers. And anyone smart is storing significant amounts on hardware wallets.

Release the Linux Drive app please

53
Uses for local AI? (lemmy.mtate.me.uk)

Im using Ollama on my server with the WebUI. It has no GPU so its not quick to reply but not too slow either.

Im thinking about removing the VM as i just dont use it, are there any good uses or integrations into other apps that might convince me to keep it?

[-] smeeps@lemmy.mtate.me.uk 26 points 4 months ago

For me, phones have been more than powerful enough for probably 5 years. I'm predominantly looking for battery life from my new phone, not more power. I think I'd happily use a Pixel 1 processor if it had double the battery life.

[-] smeeps@lemmy.mtate.me.uk 16 points 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago)

I think this is a bit unfair. Most Google Takeout requests are fulfilled in seconds or minutes. Obviously collating 100GB of photos into a zip takes time.

And it's not googles fault you have internet issues: even a fairly modest 20Mbps internet connection can do 50GB in 6h. If you have outages that's on your ISP not Google. As others have said, have it download to a VPS or Dropbox etc then sync it from there. Or call your ISP and tell them to sort your line out, I've had 100℅ uptime on my VDSL copper line for over 2 years.

I was able to use Google Takeout and my relatively modest 50Mbps connection to successfully Takeout 200GB of data in a couple of days.

15
submitted 4 months ago by smeeps@lemmy.mtate.me.uk to c/edc@sopuli.xyz

For a while now I only take my phone and sometimes wallet while out and about on a daily basis. I'd like to be more prepared for things so I've picked up some kit, some of which I already had:

  • A UK legal knife
  • A multitool (screwdriver bits, bottle opener, pliers, etc)
  • Emergency foil blanket
  • Tinder starter/whistle
  • Two gas lighters
  • Keychain flashlight with integrated USB A port
  • Field notebooks and fountain pen
  • Lockpicking set with a pouch and a concealed credit card set
  • Slimline 65W 20000mAh USB A+C battery bank

I've got a messenger bag I can fit this stuff in, which will also fit my laptop so I can carry that around more often too when that would be useful. Obviously some things like the foil blanket and tinder starter probably aren't valuable in an urban area but they are so small and light I may as well include them. I plan to hang the messenger bag on the back of the front door with all this kit in so I always pick it up whenever I go out.

I wear different trousers every day and I'm useless for remembering to put stuff in my pockets so in terms of the pocket stuff it'll just be phone, keys (with shopping trolley key, bottle opener, USB A+C drive, Yubikey), and a metal wallet with some cards, the card lockpicks, and some cash.

Does this make sense? Is there anything I've missed?

[-] smeeps@lemmy.mtate.me.uk 17 points 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago)

I'll encrypt anything vaguely private. Honestly its a useful way of me not losing it around the house too, I must have 3 or 4 USB sticks in the house but when I need to install an ISO I can never find any

[-] smeeps@lemmy.mtate.me.uk 27 points 4 months ago

Well I carry it anyway for impromptu file transfers. I've just added 1gig of survival PDFs. Probably never need them but who knows

130
submitted 4 months ago by smeeps@lemmy.mtate.me.uk to c/linux@lemmy.ml

Just picked up a 128GB USB A/C stick that can go on my keyring. What are some things I should put on it to have access to at all times?

I already have self hosted services accessible over my VPN, so this would be for when I can't access that.

I'm thinking at least Ventoy and some common ISOs, then I'm not sure what else.

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smeeps

joined 4 months ago