Pavouk106's recent activity
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Comment on Jet Lag Season 16: Hide + Seek United Kingdom | Trailer in ~hobbies
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Comment on Is it possible to live without WhatsApp? in ~tech
Pavouk106 (edited )LinkI'm replying on the headline. Short amswer: Yes. Long answer: Yes. I never installed it on my phone. Part of that is I had Pinephone at the time, which is basically Linux computer so I would have...I'm replying on the headline.
Short amswer: Yes.
Long answer: Yes.
I never installed it on my phone. Part of that is I had Pinephone at the time, which is basically Linux computer so I would have to get it running somehow in the first place, and I installed Element, which is Matrix.org client. And since then I'm installing Element to family members and talking my friends into using it. I now have Android phone yet I still use Element exclusively.
I'm seen as outcast by many of them though. But since I'm that IT weirdo anyway, I couldn't care less about my image.
Why don't I jump on the WA train then? There are more reasons and ways to look at that. Some of them are:
- owned by Meta; I don't want to throw even more of my pruvacy at them than I already do by browsing the web and having Facebook links everywhere... I have Facebook account, but only for my work and only on my work laptop, I don't use it in my private life
- it boasts having end-to-end encryption (E2EE) but literally nobody around me ever questioned why they don't have to input they private key when installing WA on their new phone (this is what you have to do with Element/Matrix or you lose all history because you can't decrypt it); even worse, people don't realize that it may have E2EE but Meta owns your keys - when I tell them it's like wanting to go into your own house but having someone else to come by and unlock it for you because that stranger is the only one who has keys they just shake it off... People don't realize what is being done to their own data when they use the app and even worse - they don't care. Well, I care!
How I do without WA with friends who don't want to use Element ("I won't use it because you don't want to use WA")? If I want to tell them something I use what the phone is best for - call. When something less immediate is needed, I do the second best thing the phone does - SMS. And when I need to send them photo? I will let you make a guess... ... ... Yeah, you probably got it right - e-mail. And when I make some video at some place and they want it shared with them I teach them how to use Quick Share (Airdrop for Android for all the Apple people here) and share the video FAST and in really truly original quality (last time I sent 500MB video in 10 seconds using that).
There are ways to live without WhatsApp, all it takes is your own willpower (or stubborness, I guess).
EDIT: Finally read the article/blog post. Nice read, author gets to many great points - the best one being "Long conversations on WA (or whatever IM) can be done in one pretty short call".
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Comment on What's something you're "in too deep" on? in ~talk
Pavouk106 Link ParentI tend to not do binpkgs, I'm masochist. Buz I don't care how long it takes, the server runs 24/7 anyways and such rebuild isn't that crazy even on electricity bill. I happened to stumble upon...I tend to not do binpkgs, I'm masochist. Buz I don't care how long it takes, the server runs 24/7 anyways and such rebuild isn't that crazy even on electricity bill.
I happened to stumble upon profile update long after it got out as I update the system like once a month or two. And I just followed instructions, easy as that. Compared with Gentoo of 15 years ago, it's a piece of cake nowadays.
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Comment on What's something you're "in too deep" on? in ~talk
Pavouk106 Link ParentWell, I run it on home server, you may even call it "production" if you will. And that is really adventurous! But I'm pleased with how it runs. It can have problems here and there like: "You can't...Well, I run it on home server, you may even call it "production" if you will. And that is really adventurous! But I'm pleased with how it runs. It can have problems here and there like:
"You can't update Perl because you have lrevious version" - Well, that is THE reason I want to update it! And to update it, I had to remove it and then install it again (the new version). Or the whole system being pleased with Python 3.13 and that one package doesn't want to update because Python 3.13 is too new for it. You know - the everyday Gentoo stuff :-D
Actually this happens like a few times a year at max, more like just once or twice.
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Comment on What's the coolest thrift store find you've ever scored? in ~talk
Pavouk106 LinkI bought Gran Turismo 2 for 8€ a few years back. I wanted to finish the collection so this was a perfevt buy for me. And I needed PS1 save card and boughr one from Ebay (let's consider it a thrift...I bought Gran Turismo 2 for 8€ a few years back. I wanted to finish the collection so this was a perfevt buy for me.
And I needed PS1 save card and boughr one from Ebay (let's consider it a thrift store for this one) and when I got it... What do you know - Gram Turismo 1 save on it after finishing the game!
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Comment on What's something you're "in too deep" on? in ~talk
Pavouk106 Link ParentThere was a thread recently that very strongly supports my decision to self-host. I'm not saying self-hosting is the best way to do things, I just like to have my things under my control. I have...There was a thread recently that very strongly supports my decision to self-host. I'm not saying self-hosting is the best way to do things, I just like to have my things under my control. I have it running kinda well at the moment. Although I run Gentoo Linux and that, being on the bleeding edge, gets complicated sometimes, but so far so good. Maybe my experience helps, as I do this kind of thing for 10-15 years. I have took down my self.hosted services over the time though, I don't run my own e-mail service, I don't even have open HTTP(S) out into the internet anymore. But I set up much more services inside my network. Media library is one thing, Immich is another. And I run backup server (not service backup, just data backup) and I'm working on backing up photos for the whole family (my own and in-law too).
If you are going the cloud route anytime in the future, think about backing up, please. It was said in the linked thread's comments already - second cloud can work as your backup, for example, but that may get pricy. Maybe have at least your photos (or other important stuff) on cold harddrive connecting it only to make backups.
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Comment on What video games would you say have the best stories? Feel free to suggest more than one. in ~games
Pavouk106 Link ParentSorry, I didn't mean you offended or accused me of anything. I just wanted to let you and others know that I played a bit of FF7, but can't conclude on anything since my knowledge is very limited....Sorry, I didn't mean you offended or accused me of anything. I just wanted to let you and others know that I played a bit of FF7, but can't conclude on anything since my knowledge is very limited.
I should have written that when in my original comment, my bad.
EDIT: I see I wrote I haven't played FF7 in my original comment. I should have written "didn't finish" as it would be more precise.
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Comment on What's something you're "in too deep" on? in ~talk
Pavouk106 Link ParentOn "what do I get" - I would repeat myself, so please have take a look here for some ideas.On "what do I get" - I would repeat myself, so please have take a look here for some ideas.
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Comment on What's something you're "in too deep" on? in ~talk
Pavouk106 Link ParentI made my server from i5-4590 (or whatever) that I had on hand doing nothing. I also had motherboatd and RAM to go with it, so I just bought PSU and HDDs to store data in RAID5 and built my own...I made my server from i5-4590 (or whatever) that I had on hand doing nothing. I also had motherboatd and RAM to go with it, so I just bought PSU and HDDs to store data in RAID5 and built my own case for it all. And added GTX750 later for on-the-fly re-encoding when needed by streaming from Jellyfin.
It's quite power hungry as it idles at around 50W. But the price of the hardware kinda leveled it out.
EDIT: It may not be the best idea, but have a look at RPi5 + SATA HAT maybe? Or some older notebook for a few bucks. Or older workstastion (like 5-8 years old). That way you'll spend kinda low money and will get the base of your server.
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Comment on What video games would you say have the best stories? Feel free to suggest more than one. in ~games
Pavouk106 Link ParentI know a lot about FF7, I even played it up to Junon (I beliebe that is the name of the city) and I know some of the most important things that happen in the story. I also played and finished FF7:...I know a lot about FF7, I even played it up to Junon (I beliebe that is the name of the city) and I know some of the most important things that happen in the story.
I also played and finished FF7: Crisis Core.
I know FF7 is legend and I know it deserves its status. I just haven't played it enough to make conclusion on my own.
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Comment on What's something you're "in too deep" on? in ~talk
Pavouk106 LinkI'm in too deep withhome networking and self-hosting. I spent around 2000€ on all the stuff like switch, router, wifi APs, server hardware, too much time invested in setting the server up, and...I'm in too deep withhome networking and self-hosting. I spent around 2000€ on all the stuff like switch, router, wifi APs, server hardware, too much time invested in setting the server up, and running the wires and then managing it all... It was kinda hobby and kinda needed and it works, but yeah, I'm so deep in it financially and time-wise.
But I'm hosting for the whole family, backing up the photos to another server of mine and I don't have any problems with networking at home. It was and still is worth it.
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Comment on What video games would you say have the best stories? Feel free to suggest more than one. in ~games
Pavouk106 LinkFinal Fantasy X - I haven't played better game when it comes to story. You have to get into the game though. When I played it, I felt like I was living the life of main character. I went through...Final Fantasy X - I haven't played better game when it comes to story. You have to get into the game though.
When I played it, I felt like I was living the life of main character. I went through the struggle as him, I felt the same feelings as him, I was him. That means I went on a journey with other characters, made connections with them, became friend of theirs. And if you are able to do this, you are ready for the rollecoaster ride that the story of this game is.
I don't want to spoil anything, but if you keep attention on what goes on and remember it (and doean't mix in another game while you play), you're not gonna believe how the story goes and after ending the game you won't believe how absolutely perfectly the story got executed (as in made into reality, not butchered). The ending sequence of the game is unforgettable. If you ever play the game, these words of mine will come back into your mind when you finish the game.
It is the best game I have ever played. There are no games anywhere near this one on the top of my "story hall of fame".
One important footnote - I haven't played Final Famtasy 7. I know it is good, but I don't have my own experience to back it up or make comparison.
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Comment on Leaving Apple behind after eighteen years in ~tech
Pavouk106 Link ParentI have dumb car, I won't be using Android Auto at all. It's more about how to do Google Play and still keep it out of the system as.much as I can. I will very likely be using just the banking app...I have dumb car, I won't be using Android Auto at all. It's more about how to do Google Play and still keep it out of the system as.much as I can. I will very likely be using just the banking app and leave everything else for F-Droid or manual installs and updates.
I'm not switching to OG Pixel system, Graphene it is and it will be for me. I will try doing the two user setup. Thanks!
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Comment on Leaving Apple behind after eighteen years in ~tech
Pavouk106 Link ParentI run Graphene right now and I use Google Play on it. I olan on leaving Google behind in service department - I'm jumping the ship in 2026 with e-mail, contacts, calendar and I already did with...I run Graphene right now and I use Google Play on it. I olan on leaving Google behind in service department - I'm jumping the ship in 2026 with e-mail, contacts, calendar and I already did with Google.Photos - actually I still have the app installed, but I don't do backups and will get rid of it when I jump the ship.
The thing is - I still need Google Play because of banking app. I can likely source apps from elsewhere including installing APKs straight from Github or not using the apps at all (using browser for access to services), but I can't get rid of Google Play completely.
How to approach that? Using two users in Graphene of which only one will have Google Play and banking app and the other one will be the default user with all the other stuff? Do.I have to manually switch between them? Will that keep Google Play from accessing the rest of my phone? Does it even matter?
Seems like you use Graphene too, maybe you can give some tips...?
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Comment on Fitness tracker smart watches that work well without a smartphone app? in ~health
Pavouk106 Link ParentThis is that Nothing. They make cheap(er) stuff under the CMF brand (CMF by Nothing). I bought the Watch 2 Pro (or whatever) in sale for around 50€. It looks great IMO, the aluminium circle around...This is that Nothing. They make cheap(er) stuff under the CMF brand (CMF by Nothing).
I bought the Watch 2 Pro (or whatever) in sale for around 50€. It looks great IMO, the aluminium circle around the display is a bit higher than glass, so no shattering when bumping into wall (or other dull/blunt thing; it wouldn't survive corner hit). I had to buy leather strao though as the silicone one got me rash due to sweating under it.
Functions: I use it as notification client, I don't do exercise, running or activities (I should though). It lasts for around a week on battery with heart rate monitoring on. It has GPS and does tracking my occassional walks well, but when you have activity on, it can't be minimalised - no watchface then. You have 4 different screen where you can put either four smaller or two bigger widgets on each (2x2 on each screen). These widgets can be shortcut to activity, timer, alarm, dialer, step count, HRM graph/reading, weather... There are quite a few watchfaces available and likely even photo one. I use one of the default ones which suits the watch well and kinda sold the watch to me. You can change some of the things on watchfaces - battery, steps, calories, HRM... Not everything on every watchface though. And you can do accent color on some if them. It has auto-brightness built-in too.
What I didn't know when I bought the watch and what is actually the most useful thing is calling. The watch has microphone and speaker and works as bluetooth call device. I drive my car, phone in the boot/trunk and my watch vibrates, I see it's daughter calling and ine tap on the watch later I speak with her through the watch. Very nice.
Overall: In my opinion for the price of around 50€ I couldn't have bought better device. Pre-sale price was around 60-65€, which is still cheap for what I got.
One drawback: Do not disturb on the watch doesn't work with the phone's one. I can have phone in DND and watch will still vibrate and vice-versa. I would love if they both worked in tandem, setting one's DND to on/off and the other one reacting by doing the same. Watch can be set to DND manually or on schedule, BUT when you use in schedule and then set it on or off manually, the schedule gets deactivated (which sucks). Still - just a minor software thing on overall cheap and good device.
We have introduced CMF Phone 2 into family this Christmas. I may have more information on that in a few months. For starters - reaponsive, nice display, nice cameras, no headphone jack but slot for microSD is present, though not occupied at the moment, IP54. Again - considering the price, of course.
EDIT: You want "Nothing X" app for the watch, not "CMF Watch".
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Comment on Fitness tracker smart watches that work well without a smartphone app? in ~health
Pavouk106 LinkIt was already mentioned, but if you are willing to connect it to smartphone via the app that isn'ŧ shady and doesn't call home, have a look at Gadgetbridge, especially how well various watches...It was already mentioned, but if you are willing to connect it to smartphone via the app that isn'ŧ shady and doesn't call home, have a look at Gadgetbridge, especially how well various watches are supported by it.
The app itself is a bit rough on the edges, as many open source things are, but it works great after initial setup. I used it with Pinetime, Bangle.js 2 and I think I tried it with CMF Watch 2. I still use Nothing app over Gadgetbridge for CMF though as I have it for earbuds anyway and there are some things to set up in the app that Gadgetbridge can't do.
So just shouting out Gadgetbridge as possible app if there is ever need to connect the watch and not use the shady app of watch maker.
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Comment on YouTube is awful. Please use YouTube, though. in ~tech
Pavouk106 (edited )LinkI haven't read the article. I'm reacting purely on my own experience and on the headline. I will not use Youtube. Not for uploading vudeos (I don't do that anyway), nor watching them there. I use...I haven't read the article. I'm reacting purely on my own experience and on the headline.
I will not use Youtube. Not for uploading vudeos (I don't do that anyway), nor watching them there. I use Grayjay to watch Youtube videos without ads.
I still like video over text, especially if some of my favorite creators does it - Steve Mould, Veritasium, SmarterEveryDay, Technology Connections, JerryRigEverything, Louis Rossmann, you name them...
My friend rides a motorbike on longer journeys and shotots, cuts and uploads videos of it. His videos got taken down because of him using songs in them here and there (which is bad, he knows it). He moved to other platform since then - Vimeo at first and Odysse right now. The latter seems to be the most open platform that is somehow known at least a bit today. It doesn't make money for creators (from ads), but at the very least it is usable from the other point - you can watch videos uninterrupted by ads. And support the creators in another way, ie. Patreon, buy merch or donate.
Youtube is the biggest but it's becoming evil rather fast.
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Comment on What are some of your "life hacks" you use regularly? in ~talk
Pavouk106 Link ParentThat definitely is part of the "problem". Also when you had 4GB harddrive of which 0.5-1GB was OS and another 0.5-1GB for a game ypu didn't have that much to choose from. And then there was...That definitely is part of the "problem". Also when you had 4GB harddrive of which 0.5-1GB was OS and another 0.5-1GB for a game ypu didn't have that much to choose from.
And then there was Baldur's Gate with its 4 CDs (base game, if I recall correctly)bwhich you had to swap out as you traveled through the locations. Different times these were.
Nowadays you just click download and then (in my case) wait for 10+ hours instead of installing the game quickly from the disc. Why didn't PC gaming pick up on Blu rays? I guess it was too late with broadband internet already running at the time.
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Comment on What are some of your "life hacks" you use regularly? in ~talk
Pavouk106 Link ParentThat definitely is part of the "problem". Also when you had 4GB harddrive of which 0.5-1GB was OS and another 0.5-1GB for a game ypu didn't have that much to choose from. And then there was...That definitely is part of the "problem". Also when you had 4GB harddrive of which 0.5-1GB was OS and another 0.5-1GB for a game ypu didn't have that much to choose from.
And then there was Baldur's Gate with its 4 CDs (base game, if I recall correctly)bwhich you had to swap out as you traveled through the locations. Different times these were.
Nowadays you just click download and then (in my case) wait for 10+ hours instead of installing the game quickly from the disc. Why didn't PC gaming pick up on Blu rays? I guess it was too late with broadband internet already running at the time.
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Comment on What are some of your "life hacks" you use regularly? in ~talk
Pavouk106 LinkI have one hack as a gamer: Play one big game at a time. This makes you not to hop between many games and thus many controls schemes, stories, genres... You can focus on this one game, master its...I have one hack as a gamer: Play one big game at a time. This makes you not to hop between many games and thus many controls schemes, stories, genres... You can focus on this one game, master its controls, know the story well, live through it. You don't put the game down until you finish it or decides to put it away forever/be ok to start over next time in (for example) a fee years.
I do this since I bought Switch Lite in 2019 and I do this with Steam Deck. I finished so many games that I have even.played before but put down...
I still have skme sidekicks for when I need put down the big game for a day or two just to hink about something else for a moment. These sidekicks are easy no-brainers like American Truck Simulator, Carmageddon or a day/or even just one skirmish of Age of Empires 2. Something that doesn't need thinking about story or learning new controls set so.it doesn't interfere with the main game.
I'm going through my backlog effectively but very slowly with 2-5 games a year. But I finally finish them!
I'm just now watching the fifth episode on Nebula and it's great!
Spoilers
While Ben and Adam had their luck from the start coming to the Sam's station pretty early and Sam bad luck for not getting the cards he so desperately wished for, the end game completely stands out in this episode!Sam knowing he's not doing great time on his run really screwed Ben and Adam with the curses. This end game was really hilarious! If not for winning Sam discarded time bonuses to cast curses to amuse us, viewers, and he executed on this perfectly! Sam, your run will not be the winning one, but it will be forever remembered for the end game, bravo!