Tinker ☀️

Tinkerer | Solarpunk | Hacker ☸️ Buddhist ☸️ Profile Pic: @PixelOccult

Single Unit Hydroponics: https://infosec.exchange/@tinker/112164392670338644
Multi Unit Hydroponics: https://infosec.exchange/@tinker/111438984877146261

Public Key

npub1hqevlj9hckkq0t30yachlqr06pcf8avevw9v5h8areekx3z2y54shent6l

NIP-05 Address

[email protected]

Profile Code

nprofile1qqstsvk0ezmuttq84chjwutlsphaquyn7kvk8zk2tn73uumrg39z22cpz3mhxue69uhhyetvv9ujuerpd46hxtnfduqs6amnwvaz7tmwdaejumr0dsag82vx

Publishing to

relay.damus.io

nos.lol

Author Public Key

npub1hqevlj9hckkq0t30yachlqr06pcf8avevw9v5h8areekx3z2y54shent6l

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Last Notes

2026-09-07 11:57:39 GMT

This affects the Fediverse.
This affects the Internet.
This is the equivalent of the "rubber hose method" of decryption.
All technical solutions (read: all technology) is subject to politics. To political power. To political interactions.
You cannot rely on purely technical approaches. You have to have social approaches, too. Like. Actual policy and procedure geared around social and political group dynamics.
Like. How will we react when the US Govt requires that @npub1vtx…e7wk to shut off infosec.exchange servers.
Or how we'll react when a specific Mastodon server is declared part of a terrorist infrastructure. Will federating with it mean any other Mastodon server is now part of the officially designated terrorist network (what then of people that federate with a server that federates with a server that is classified as part of a terrorist network. And so on)
You cannot carry the conceit that tech alone or a purely technical approach will save you.
#AutisticiInventati #fediverse
https://sabot.media/post/ai-shuts-down

2026-08-26 21:28:15 GMT

Well, genAI has finally arrived at my job's doorstep.
fuck.
I test computer systems to see if they can be hacked.
I do this by actually hacking into them.
I am NOT being asked to use AI tools to do my normal day to day job, specifically (though many in my field are doing that and advocating for those tools' use).
But.
I *am* being asked if our systems can be hacked by the current genAI hacking tools.
And the only way to determine that is by running those tools against our systems.
And, from a professional standpoint, I agree with this. We need to know if the current genAI tools can successfully allow a "hacker" (read script-kiddie... or AI-kiddie in this matter) to actually hack into our systems.
My role in my job has always been to become the "bad guy". I do what the bad guys do. And if the bad guys are using genAI hacking tools....
...then I have to use genAI hacking tools.
At least insofar as to see if they are effective.
I hate my job.

2026-08-21 18:42:36 GMT

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- Hahaha, Mr Wizard being mean is an old joke / meme because of how clear and direct he was with his instructions and clarifications. I grew up with him and absolutely loved and preferred his method of communication.
In the spirit of the joke, here is a montage of him being a "jerk" 😂 (You can legit see how much he loves and cares for the children. He's smiling and encouraging them often in these clips):
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=VkJEt1UsUcs

2026-07-19 02:56:30 GMT

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- I give up. Who?

2026-07-18 15:06:55 GMT

- reply

- ooh!

2026-07-16 11:34:16 GMT

Regarding AI slop permeating everything...
It's incredibly important to know that right now there is a MASSIVE amount of money and effort by corporations, financial institutions, and governments to get people to use it.
(There are motivations behind pushing that use that go well beyond just making a buck. AI is a layer of abstraction over information control, it's a method of locking in compute control, etc etc)
But that use is still heavily subsidized - from cheap tokens and use subscriptions to local governments subsidizing power and water and taxes for their data centers.
That can't last.
And nor can its current heavy use.
I have no idea how it will look moving forward. So much of AI is propped up artificially on one hand that it will fall if left to its own devices. But on the other hand there is so much money and power behind it that it can last artificially for a long time.
Anyhow. Don't give up hope. Every act of resistance increases its cost and therefore its ability to withstand.

2026-06-30 14:10:51 GMT

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- I see what you're saying, but I'm not approaching this in a "Prove God doesn't exist" sort of way.
I'm creating a meaningful threat model where if you need privacy and security, relying on a system that cannot meaningfully provide that privacy and security is a bad idea.
VPNs don't have tech to allow for zero trust. The end-to-end encryption is solid and does work, but one of those ends is the VPN host itself - which you have to trust not to log.
It's as simple as that.

2026-06-30 13:13:43 GMT

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- ok. we're talking circles around each other. I didnt state what you just said I stated.
I'm coming at this from several angles, namely:
- technical specs, limitations, and technical ability to abuse
- business, legal, and practical ability to abuse
- group dynamics, actual implemented coordinated actions where folks planned in secret and carried out actions within a framework of operation security, and breaks within that opsec resulting in leaks
- actual examples of abuse (not theoretical, not conspiratorial, but actually documented)
- and personal experience in my professional career working within information security and IT (not in VPN companies) as well as my own experience running my own VPNs
I'm fully experienced in threat modeling, threat scenarios, being a threat, countering threats. The philosophical concepts of "Trusting Trust" etc et al.
But I dont think further clarification or discussion will be fruitful.
Anyhow. I hope your day goes well.

2026-06-30 12:58:28 GMT

- reply

- Ok...
- just because any given VPN has not been exposed yet, doesnt mean its not an issue
- just because any given VPN has passed previous tests doesnt mean they'll continue to be good
If there is the TECHNICAL ability to be abused, it will be abused. If there is a FINANCIAL or LEGAL incentive to be abused, it will be abused.
Lastly, I'm not talking conspiracy theories here. This is a thing that is exposed time and time again.
See screenshot and article and plenty plenty plenty legal court cases.
https://www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/why-you-should-be-skeptical-about-a-vpns-no-logs-claims/
https://media.infosec.exchange/infosec.exchange/media_attachments/files/116/839/170/044/961/297/original/ea074e796c97ceab.jpeg

2026-06-30 12:43:51 GMT

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- The bulk majority of the employees dont need to be in on it. The technical ability to maintain and transmit logs to a third party is a straightforward and easy thing to do.
Look at large ISPs that are required by law to maintain lawful intercept solutions... and ask the bulk majority of people that work there what lawful intercept even is.
So yes. A small "conspiracy" (read business use case) that consists of the c-suite and a handful of IT held under NDA is enough.

2026-06-30 11:42:24 GMT

All "privacy oriented" commercial VPNs are honeypots.
You can't change my mind on that.
Mullvad VPN has heavy marketing in Washington DC (their ads are plastered all across the metro stops frequented by government workers and foreign diplomats) for example.
The whole "you need to hide something? here we'll hide it for you! Everyone that wants to hide something should put is all in this one consolidated place!"
But they totally won't look at it.
They swear.
No logs, bro. I promise. I can look, but I won't. I could log, but I won't.
So while Mullvad the company is showing their ass, asking what other VPN to hop to begs the question: Why are you using a commercial VPN?
If it's to change your IP address to bypass porn restrictions in fundamentalist theocratic states, then cool. That's a solid use case.
If it's for a nebulous reason like "for privacy" or "for security". Then you might want to see if that tool actually meets your specific threat modeling.
#VPN #mullvad #mullvadVPN

2026-04-21 13:48:47 GMT

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- Yeah. Thats where I was. Getting in and its amazing. The best healthcare Ive ever had.
That said...
I'm im Virginia along the corridor serving DC, Richmond, and Quantico.
So it very well may be that my VA is a fluke.

2026-04-14 00:04:04 GMT

Fediverse Question (especially for hackers, burglars, lockpickers, and miscreants):
What is that name of this lock?
I need to replace it. And I need to know what to type into the search bar to replace it.
(The lock mechanism uses wafers. But I'm not looking for a "wafer lock" - like... I can't put a cabinet wafer lock on this).
It's used for locked glass bulletin boards (physical boards). I dont want to buy a new board. I just need to replace the lock. We can pick it open (and pick it closed) but not everyone knows how to jiggle a jiggler.
(side question... I dont even need to replace the lock if it has a standard key)
(Edit. Maybe if I added the pictures that would help)
#infosec #pentest #lockpicking #locksport
https://media.infosec.exchange/infosec.exchange/media_attachments/files/116/400/139/905/151/093/original/64e5c91992e5c946.jpeg
https://media.infosec.exchange/infosec.exchange/media_attachments/files/116/400/139/996/022/527/original/2a513997c9f8cf86.jpeg
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2026-03-20 17:02:52 GMT

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I want to highlight something as it relates to starting up new community groups - whether it be this Linux Install Party or a Food group or whatever...
Folks often worry that they will have to do it all on their own. But I've found that once you get something going, other folks in town will come help out. If you do the work of getting a place, loosely organizing it, and providing the basic tools needed, plenty of folks will show up to lend a hand.
To put it another way, many people are looking for ways to help or to hang out or to just make their town better. And they're just waiting at home for someone to give them something to do.
If you do the part of giving them something to do, they'll help you out.
For example, look at this screenshot. I just posted the Linux Install Party in the town's sub reddit. It was NOT a call for volunteers. It was just a posting about the event and welcoming folks to come hang out.
And someone posted up wanting to help out with the event.
This happens all the time, no matter what type of event. Just put something together. Have a place, a time, and the things you want to do. And others will help you out.
#solarPunk #community #mutualAid
https://media.infosec.exchange/infosec.exchange/media_attachments/files/116/262/570/177/411/491/original/5c030471d4159cfb.png

2026-03-04 16:33:45 GMT

In prep for the Windows 12 rollout, now is a good time to get your town's Linux Install Parties planned and advertised.
Here's my town's https://fxbginstall.party/
Here's a quick how-to guide to spinning one up in your town:
Goals:
- Install Linux on your neighbors' laptops. This preserves older laptops ( #permacomputing #ewaste prevention). This removes people from one part of the surveillance economy. And it saves people money.
- The party should be geared towards NON-TECHIES. This is NOT a Linux Users Group. This is not for enthusiasts. This for folks who just want their computer to work and let them do the basics. Bend the tech to the people, not the people to the tech.
Date and Time:
- Shoot for monthly parties. Try for a specific day of the week. Say the "First Saturday" or "Second Sunday" of every month.
- Easy for folks to remember and if they miss one month, they'll be there the next month
- Try for between two hours to four hours for the event.
- Be consistent. Show up for the full time even if no one shows up. Some times it takes two or three meetings before people start to come regularly.
Location:
- Shoot for a public community area
- The best bet is your local library if they have rooms or conference areas.
- City community centers are good, too
- Also look for religious institutions, civic orgs, or fraternal orgs if need be. It needs to be open to
the public, though, with no requirements to push other agendas on to visitors.
Linux Distro:
- Shoot for a single distro that caters to folks who are new. I usually go for Linux Mint, but go with what you like. Focus on ease of use and familiarity for folks who arent used to Linux or various Desktop Environments.
Waivers & Backups:
- Everyone should sign a waiver. You keep the signed waiver. They can have a copy of the waiver
- Explain that while you and other volunteers will make your best attempt to install Linux, you make no guarantees. You may brick their machine accidentally. And no files that were on the harddrive will remain. Everything will be deleted.
- They should make backups of their files before you start the install process (either online/cloud, or local on a USB)
- Some folks want you to try for a dual-boot, but thats up to you if you want to offer it. Still let them know that you might brick the machine even (especially?) if you try for a dual boot install.
- Example Waiver: https://tldp.org/HOWTO/Installfest-HOWTO/legalprotection.html
Advertisements:
- Create a simple brochure website and fliers with info and time and date
- Use words like "Update to a modern, private, and fast operating system. No monthly subscription. No cost. Volunteers will install for you." Appeal to folks whose laptops cant upgrade. "Can't install Windows 11 or 12? Don't throw your laptop away, install Linux. It's free, up to date, and secure" Etc etc.
- Use your town's local social media (eg Town Subreddit, Online/Offline Classifieds, Library Announcements, Town Events Page)
- Post fliers in various coffee shops, libraries, bars, restrooms, and community centers
- Tell other similar groups (hacker spaces, maker spaces, linux groups, etc) both to spread the word and get volunteers
- Word of Mouth: Just tell everyone you run into. And tell them to tell everyone they know.
What to bring:
- Multiple install media/USBs with your Distro on it to install on the laptops
- A couple "Demo Laptops" with your distro of choice installed for people to try out (install games, office suites, common programs for folks to try it out - aim for what people use so various browsers including Firefox and Chrome, Zoom / Teams, LibreOffice, MS Office on browser, browser games, desktop games, etc)
- Your own laptops to do internet lookups and specialized downloads (weird stuff happens - its good to be prepared)
- Extension cables and power strips
- Cheap USBs for last minute backups prior to installation that folks can take home with them
- Some screwdrivers or tools to open up laptops for light repair if you like
What to do:
- Greet folks as they come in and invite them to try out the demos
- Encourage questions and discussions (AVOID DISTRO FLAME WARS OR WHICH WINDOWS MANAGER BEATS WHAT DESKTOP ENVIRONMENT FOR FUCKS SAKE! THESE ARE NORMAL PEOPLE DONT SCARE THEM AWAY WITH YOUR NERD SHIT!!!!)
- If folks brought laptops for installation explain and have them sign their waivers, make sure they know all files will be deleted, ask if they've made backups, and then install!
- Help folks troubleshoot issues or install programs for those that already have Linux installed and need community support
That's it. Make it a regular occurrence and you'll get folks coming in for fresh installs monthly and to ask for help with previous installs. Also a really chill way to meet other folks and have a lovely afternoon.
If you have any questions, post up in this thread.
If you have any suggestions or tips and tricks that have worked at your own Linux Install Party, share with us as well!
#ewaste #linuxinstallparty #installparty #solarpunk #windows12 #windows11 #linux

2026-03-03 01:59:28 GMT

I don't post my every thought here on this account.
Nor do I post every action of my life here.
I specifically focus on solarpunk, mutual aid, and actions that can improve our life in the here and now... with what we have to work with.
And I'll occasionally post privacy or hacking related stuff. Every once in a while.
So. With that. And with everything that is happening right now. I want to post a quick mundane and happy update.
Tonight was the monthly meeting of
my town's Free Fridge and Food Rescue group. In addition to online chat and an email newsgroup, we meet in person once a month as a sort of anchor.
Tonight was special for me for one particular reason.
I haven't done jack shit for the group this last month.
I am going through the final bits of legally ending a previous relationship and I'm taking on LOTS of side gigs to pay for that. I am *not* in a good place financially... but I have paths forward.
But that doesn't matter for this post. Here's what matters...
...the group has THRIVED without me.
This is huge. I and a couple of others created the group a little over a year ago. Those other founders have had to step aside and many others have stepped up. For the first chunk of all of this, I had to have my hand in everything to keep it going.
But y'all.
Others have stepped up and taken leadership in initiatives. And many many others have followed those leaders and helped accomplish things.
In fact, I've taken a massive step back from the Free Fridge side of things and am now focusing on Food Rescue solely (in the very small moments I have). Those that have taken over the Free Fridges are doing amazing things that I would not have thought to do.
The entire group is running itself now. Without my help. And has done so for over a month.
To have something you created continue on without you is an incredible feeling.
Tonight was a good night. A mundane night. We discussed things we had done last month and things we plan on doing next month. Different folks talked and others brought up questions and ideas. Folks broke off and collaborated.
Oh... and it was brought up that we need another potluck / BBQ. We said we would have those quarterly and, well, the last one was three months ago.
So that's gonna happen here soon too.
#solarPunk #mutualAid #community

2026-01-31 00:53:40 GMT

So more Epstein files were released...
...and many are now being deleted because they contain references to Trump.
But plenty of folks downloaded and backed up the files before they were deleted.
Should run a diff to see what files were deleted and look at those specifically. They'll be the juiciest ones.
#Epstein #epsteinFiles #Trump

2026-01-27 13:32:41 GMT

Went to make my youngest pancakes and burnt the first one. Left it cooking for too long.
Dumped it, cleaned up, and started over.
The second one I tried to flip too early and the shape just collapsed and the batter started to spread.
So! I just kept stirring it.
Made scrambled pancakes.
Little clumps of baked doughey goodness. Warm butter and maple syrup lightly drizzled over. With a small dollop of strawberry preserves in the middle of the mound.
I tried a bit. It was awesome.
Today is a scrambled pancake day.

2026-01-23 09:15:10 GMT

This.
This is why I focus on food.
This is why I'm building apparatus and infrastructure for me and my neighbors to have free food. Post-scarcity food.
It isn't "being kind". It isn't "out of the goodness of my heart" or "altruism". Or any other dismissive infantilization. (I do care. People should be kind. We *can* take care of each other out of love and support and we should! But I fucking hate that dismissive bullshit attitude from folks who idealize greed and power and oppression).
I build mutual aid to remove the leverage of those that exploit and harm others.
Here is a perfect example of what I am fighting: ICE is using starving kids - a situation they and the people that deploy them have intentionally created - to kidnap and exploit kids.
If everyone was fed, they couldn't use this leverage. (If everyone had universal healthcare, corporations would lose one more means of exploitation. Et cetera, et al.)
Food is power dynamics.
To be fed is to be free.
#solarPunk #mutualAid #postScarcity #foodSecurity #ICE
https://meidasnews.com/news/minnesota-elementary-school-sends-urgent-message-as-ice-sends-flyers-offering-food-support-to-families

2026-01-22 20:54:27 GMT

Quick public service announcement.
The US government is now officially and openly posting fake AI images (both doctored and outright fabricated) and passing them off as real.
While we've seen some examples of this in the past, and there has been speculation on others, it is now openly brazen with two official sources having posted contradictory images.
Example Link - Fabricated Image from official US White House Twitter/X account - Image shows arrested individual as openly crying. She was not: https://x.com/WhiteHouse/status/2014365986388951194?s=20
Example Link - Original Image from Secretary Kristi Noem's official account - Image blurs out govt agent face, but it otherwise *appears* as a normal image and shows arrested individual with a relaxed dignified face: https://x.com/Sec_Noem/status/2014357826081071513?s=20
See attached for screenshot documentation for when they delete the above posts.
https://media.infosec.exchange/infosec.exchange/media_attachments/files/115/940/650/765/265/234/original/6155e817b3eff8d2.png
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2026-01-22 13:10:53 GMT

The boy in the blue cap.
The girl in the red coat.
https://media.infosec.exchange/infosec.exchange/media_attachments/files/115/938/904/134/331/431/original/3659693d6e59c920.png

2026-01-09 16:56:37 GMT

That weird feeling when your local world is falling deeper into fascism and you're just... planning work travel to go visit a client.
Still gotta eat, I suppose.
Just surreal.

2026-01-08 00:01:21 GMT

In an age of blatant lies shouted by public figures and weaponized disinformation campaigns at scale...
...the role of citizen archivist is incredibly important.
Download everything. Save copies. Share them with each other. Let the records of truth stand the test of time and the attacks of liars.

2026-01-07 21:42:32 GMT

In light of the murder by ICE, this article shows people banding together to stop ICE.
The town's folk even move against ICE after this. The people are trained and coordinated. Look in your local town and city for similar and join them.
You don't have to figure out what to do. You don't have to build something from nothing. Groups and training are already in place. You just need to join.
This is an amazing article: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jan/07/ice-shooting-minneapolis-minnesota-reaction

2026-01-04 15:58:09 GMT

- reply

- It was a wholesome cry for help! Too much food! 😂

2026-01-03 18:10:09 GMT

You can't beat the US military, itself.
We literally have caches of munitions and equipment in ice caves and various other places throughout the world. - A ride to the hospital costs $5,000 and is not covered by taxes/govt. College isnt covered. We have minimal pensions or worker support. Et cetera.
All the public money that could go to social needs goes to violence.
And we're good at it.
You have to go after leadership (not a threat from me or a call to violence). The think tanks, the political apparatus, the corporations that profit from war efforts, the billionaire oligarchs.
The "vote them out" stage is in one year and we have no idea if we'll even have a means to democratically transfer power.
You are in it now. There is no waiting. Nazi Germany, Fascist Italy, North Korea, Oligarch Russia - if you've ever asked yourself what you would do in those times and places... you are doing it right now.
If you have means and power, sort out ways to counter the current regime's leadership and initiatives.
If you don't have that power and are just a "normal
person with a family and job", then actively join and build Community and Mutual Aid in your neighborhood. You need to feed each other. Shelter each other. Care for each other's kids. Actively take care of each other. This isn't kumbaya woo-woo feel-good shit. This is removing the threat they have over our heads.
No one wants to and many can't fight back because we are all wage slaves who cant afford not to work for capitalist corporations that fund the war effort.
So build apparatus that lets us get out from under the capitalist boot. Build it. Now. Right at your doorstep. Go... GO!
#venezuela

2026-01-03 09:25:05 GMT

Digital Independence from American closed source and hosted tech and tech corporations is incredibly important for non-American countries and people...
...and its also incredibly important for Americans themselves.
It provides us a means to be outside of our surveillance apparatus. It gives us one more tool to fight against the evils and injustices from the inside. It lets us remove and reallocate our personal money from the financial pipelines of oppression. It lets us fund tech and economies that dont actively engage in harming others.
As an American, please actively support, fund, build, and embrace Digital Independence.
#digitalindependenceday #diday

2026-01-01 11:43:58 GMT

The year 2000 was 26 years ago.
In 2000, 26 years prior was 1974.
#HappyNewYear #NewYear

2025-12-31 00:09:17 GMT

We had a "good emergency" tonight at our original free fridge!
Someone dropped off *too much* food and it didn't fit into the pantry and refrigerator. There was also a lot of boxes left over!
So a call went out to discord and five people showed up to sort and put away what could fit, clean up the boxes, AND take the extra food to the new free fridge as well as a local "little free pantry" that a local girl scout troop set up!
Oh, fun thing! While we were putting away the original food drop off, two other folks came and dropped off their own supplies. We pointed them to the other fridges/pantries for the future and took what they dropped off as well to spread around.
Also, while we were there multiple families and folks came by and utilized a lot of the food! But there was still so much left over even after folks took their fill.
#solarPunk #freeFridge #mutualAid #foodSecurity
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2025-12-17 12:34:25 GMT

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- Microsoft Edge is a fork of Google Chrome/Chromium
Yes, it is that hard.
The modern web runs full blown applications within a sandboxed browser. It's massively complex. Front End (what the user sees) and backend (what does all the heavy computing on the server side).
There *are* efforts to build new browser engines separate from Firefox/Chrome but they are underfunded and understaffed. Its firefox (paid for massively by Google donations) and Google proper. That's it.

2025-12-17 09:19:48 GMT

I'm sorry, but if your web page doesnt load in Netscape Navigator v9.0.0.6, then I'm just not viewing it.
#firefox #chromium #librewolf #AI #mozilla

2025-12-17 09:03:38 GMT

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- It absolutely is a security issue, but this is a situation where it's the best we can get.
Librewolf works by forking the main project (which is toxic but not as toxic as Chromium projects) and trying to scrub the bad stuff out.
That sucks (as a concept) and it's a tough job, but there just isnt a better alternative now.
There just aren't any clean Web Browser Engines that are fully functional and useful now. We have hope for other projects building separate web browser engines but those aren't ready yet. We are stuck with Mozilla's Firefox and Google's Chrome/Chromium as the only two engines to build off of.
The best we have is the heroic team at LibreWolf and a very few other similar projects trying to filter out the poison so we can injest it without hurting as much than if we injested the main fully poisonous core project.

2025-12-07 19:14:43 GMT

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We did it!!!
We built a new free fridge and community pantry!
It took about a hundred days from deciding to do it, through planning, and finally execution (thread above tracks this). And that is for putting down concrete and electrical. If we did a simple fridge on a pallet, it can be quicker. But even going all out, dang!
So we held the ribbon cutting ceremony. A lot of folks showed up to do the initial stock. Now we'll maintain it and spread the word out to the community. The town has a food resource app. The library maintains a list. I'll add it to our site. The local paper is writing an article.
This is also just the first part of this fridge. They're adding another pantry and an awning to cover it all.
Alright. This one is done. On to the next one!
#solarPunk #solarPunkSunday #freeFridge #foodSecurity #postScarcity #mutualAid
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2025-11-29 13:26:03 GMT

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- I like Neal Stephenson's description of his proper "3D Printed" concept in Diamond Age. He goes into detail on how it compiles things from basic atomic level matter. Goes into the logistics and transportation of said matter - heck, even presents narrative plots where terrorists attack the feeds that bring that matter to various "printers"
That said, to your points, its absolutely far-future and not a viable goal any time soon.
#solarPunk
https://media.infosec.exchange/infosec.exchange/media_attachments/files/115/633/206/855/231/749/original/76fdcdd4bb9da3f5.png

2025-11-22 02:37:59 GMT

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- Cant wait to hear how it turns out!!!

2025-11-18 20:31:42 GMT

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Here's some picture's for the concrete slab and electrical outlets for the new Free Fridge in town!
Note: Free fridges don't usually require this level of installation. As long as the fridge has power and a place to sit (even if its on a used pallet), thats good enough.
This church was given a donation with the stipulation that it go to serving the local community, and they decided to install a free fridge and put some infrastructure and accessibility behind it.
#solarPunk #mutualAid #freeFridge #foodSecurity #foodScarcity #postScarcity
https://media.infosec.exchange/infosec.exchange/media_attachments/files/115/572/586/533/635/279/original/c1f86f1147255489.png
https://media.infosec.exchange/infosec.exchange/media_attachments/files/115/572/586/819/406/303/original/bef709fef5277906.png

2025-11-18 16:50:17 GMT

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- That is absolutely an option! All that is required of a host is providing a place to put the fridge and a way to power it. The power can absolutely be renewables and off grid.

2025-11-18 16:06:26 GMT

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- I'm one person of a group of folks that have come together to do this. The big thing is each person does a little bit, whatever they can, and it takes as long as it needs to. But it gets done.

2025-11-18 15:45:57 GMT

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Update on the new Free Fridge and Community Pantry in town!
They've completed the electrical work and are laying a concrete slap today. They're also bringing in a person to build out a pantry and paint a mural on it.
We have a ribbon cutting ceremony scheduled for December 7th where folks will bring shelf stable food and fresh produce to add to the first stocking of the fridge!
Note: this site really wanted to go all in. You really only need electrical and something to put the fridge on (minimum concrete blocks or a pallet). But these folks decided to put donated funds to it as they are focused on serving the community.
I'll post pictures of the ribbon cutting ceremony!
Also also! Two other sites have expressed interest in hosting a free fridge now that they've heard about this one! Once you build the first one, subsequent ones become easier!
#freeFridge #mutualAid #solarPunk #foodScarcity #foodSecurity #postScarcity

2025-11-18 13:30:15 GMT

It's my Fediverse/Mastodon Cake Day!
Cheers for eight wonderful years!
Big shout out to @npub1vtx…e7wk and team for keeping this server running!
#fediverse #mastodon #anniversary
---
(If you want to help Jerry offset costs, donate here:
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/infosecexchange
Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/infosecexchange
Liberapay: https://liberapay.com/Infosec.exchange/
You can also support with a one-time donation using PayPal to "[email protected]". )

2025-11-09 17:59:11 GMT

I guess you've arrived in the Linux Distro world when someone posts a heckling thread about your distro in Hacker News.
Jeese, ya'll, if you don't like it, don't use it.
Over here minding my own business and sharing with five other people who enjoy it 😂 😭
#writerDeckOS #Linux

2025-11-08 22:13:34 GMT

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Ok! The Linux Install Party is done!
I am declaring it a success!
So we only had one week to prepare for this and notify folks in town about it.
Last week we:
- Reserved a room at the local library
- Created the website (just a digital flyer site)
- Printed out release forms
- Made a handful of install USB ISOs with Linux Mint on it
- Made a post on the town's subreddit, a couple local discord channels, and told people to tell others
Not a lot of advertising at all.
But!
We had:
- 7 volunteers show up
- 5 groups of people who got Linux installed on their laptops (including one family: a mom and dad who were updating an old laptop for their 8 year old to use)
- And a good handful of people who stopped by to see what it was about, ask questions, and try out our demo laptops running Linux
All installs went chill. We even popped open one laptop to try and repair it (the keyboard and touch pad were borked. It turned out to be a hardware issue. We determined that an external keyboard and mouse were the quickest and cheapest fix. the laptop itself and linux install worked great)
When we werent installing things, we were hanging out, discussing linux and various open source projects and town groups and events and getting to know each other and generally just having a great time. I met new people from town and had some wonderful conversations. No masking, just being myself.
Folks really wanted this to happen again. We even had a librarian come in and ask when we were doing it again so they could bring their laptop to get Linux installed! Some of the volunteers were from the local college and said they had a great time and want to do these events at college and in town again.
We're shooting for next February (in conjunction with a repair cafe) and will try and hold it every month thereafter. Once its a regular monthly event and word of mouth and proper advertisement and posting flyers up in cafes etc, more people will show up and it will grow!
We also think we can make it an official library event (and not just a community event using library space). Once that happens it gets into the town events notification and really attracts folks!
That was awesome.
#solarPunk #mutualAid #FOSS #Linux #LinuxInstallParty #endOf10

2025-11-08 19:07:56 GMT

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Y'ALL Y'ALL Y'ALL!!!!
Somebody from the community - NOT part of any technical group - just a family... they came in and had an old laptop they wanted Linux installed on.
They saw the post on our town's subreddit and wanted to give their 8 year old kid a new laptop. So we installed Mint on it, gave them basic instruction and a way to get ahold of us in the future
And they went on their merry way!
Y'all!!!! It worked!!! We're installing linux on folks' computers! Bringing life to old systems and moving folks off corporate surveillance OS's!!!!
#solarPunk #linuxInstallParty

2025-11-08 18:58:03 GMT

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IT'S GOING REALLY GREAT!!!!
We had a LOT of volunteers show up. Like 8 folks just came to chill.
We had a couple of folks come in just to chill and hang out and ask questions. They tried out the demo laptops and asked questions. This is their first exposure to Linux.
Also, this pic. It screams LAN party...
#solarPunk #linuxInstallParty
https://media.infosec.exchange/infosec.exchange/media_attachments/files/115/515/600/796/025/701/original/02fe8f0b90e0ee3f.png

2025-11-08 16:50:38 GMT

All set up for the Linux Install Party!!!
(This is the first one. And it was on short notice. There will probably be more volunteers than actual folks getting Linux Installed. BUUUUUT!!!! It'll be a good way to work out any other things that we can think of)
1st lesson already... bring a power strip and extension cords....
https://fxbginstall.party
#linux #linuxInstallParty #solarPunk

2025-11-06 12:42:15 GMT

With Mozilla becoming further and further enshittified, and the only alternative browsers being Chrome/Chromium based.... and finding out how difficult it is to really make a modern web browser...
...it makes me really want to embrace simpler and streamlined internet protocols. I'm halfway wanting to just dive into "gopher" for Eris' sake.
Edit to add link to quote toot: https://mastodon.social/@nixCraft/115501880824995582
#mozilla #chrome #web #gopher #gopherProtocol
#note1523…mtsc

2025-11-01 20:40:19 GMT

Alright! Our town has our first Linux Install Party scheduled for next Saturday!
Plenty of volunteers to help out. We got a free meeting room at the library. We're installing Linux Mint as a default (but will be able to install other distros). We're putting together demo laptops this week.
Going to use this as a "first event" to iron out how to do it. Will set up to do it on a more consistent basis next year. May even make it part of the repair cafe and an official library event moving forward.
I'll let y'all know how it goes!!!
#solarPunk #mutualAid #linux #endOf10 #permacomputing
https://fxbginstall.party

2025-10-29 23:45:59 GMT

Someone installed writerdeckOS onto a 32bit Sony Vaio P netbook!!!
Yay putting new life into old tech!
https://www.reddit.com/r/writerDeck/comments/1ojhua8/sony_vaio_p_writerdeck/
#writerdeckOS #permacomputing #solarPunk
https://media.infosec.exchange/infosec.exchange/media_attachments/files/115/460/107/239/654/342/original/3716bf560d0b9794.png
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2025-10-23 20:11:16 GMT

Ha!
Around town, whenever I spoke about free fridges and community pantries, folks kept telling me about a "Little Free Pantry" that was installed by a local Girl Scout troop.
And I finally found it (on the map at least). I need to run by and take a look at it in person!
#solarPunk #mutualAid #girlScouts #freeFridge #foodPantry #foodSecurity
https://media.infosec.exchange/infosec.exchange/media_attachments/files/115/425/292/893/395/259/original/9613d434099ff35f.png

2025-10-20 23:33:25 GMT

Oh wow.
Umm... the town's commission for sustainable initiatives has asked me to speak with their group regarding Free Fridges and Food Rescue...
This commission "advocates for a clean, healthy, and biodiverse urban environment, promotes a culture of sustainability in the city, advises City Council, and works with the City and community on projects, outreach, education, and innovation.
Well that's cool.
Guess I'll go do that, then.
#solarPunk #mutualAid #freeFridge #foodRescue #foodSecurity

2025-10-20 19:46:06 GMT

Monopolies are single points of failure.
#AWS #decentralization

2025-10-20 13:21:35 GMT

There is nothing funnier than putting out community calls for action only to run into other folks calling for the same thing.
Hahaha!!!
I put out a feeler for starting up a Linux Installation Party in a local town message forum and a person mentioned they were interested in starting one up.
I DM'd them and started introducing myself only to find out its a friendly librarian who runs the local library's makerspace.
Hahahaha!!!
I love this town.
#solarPunk #linux #permacomputing #mutualAid #libraries

2025-10-19 12:00:44 GMT

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- Blockchain and AI exhaust energy and water.
Use cases for blockchain and AI are better addressed with other technology that are more efficient, better automated, and more effective.
Neither AI nor blockchain are conducive to (and both are detrimental to) community, our environment, and #solarPunk.
Do not co-op those words for your venture capitalist, late stage capitalism, AI addled bullshit.

2025-10-16 19:12:54 GMT

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- lol! Hello!
I mostly post on local solarpunk initiatives like mutual aid efforts, food rescue, indoor apartment/townhouse food gardening, seed libraries, free fridges, repair cafes, permacomputing, and the like.
I also occasionally post about computer hacking. Because I hack into computers. But that's my day job.

2025-10-16 18:49:00 GMT

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- I saw this when Alison posted it and have been going through it! I've got a full monitor of the solarpunk hash tag, lololol! Hehehehe
But yeah, this is awesome.
(Edit: Just boosted it as well. I was too busy reading, hahaha! So thank you for reminding me!)

2025-10-15 16:03:16 GMT

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So it depends on what you do with your phone and what specifically you mean by sovereignty.
If you can away with it, go with a "dumb" phone / feature phone. Some run KaiOS, some are minimalist and run their own operating systems. Some run a stripped down version of Android. The android ones spy on you a lot.
The two big smart phone OS's are Android and iOS, of course. Both spy on you.
A decent option is going with a fork of the Android Open Source Project (AOSP) or "degooglefied" android. Something like GrapheneOS or LineageOS or eOS are great places to look. They have a lot of support and community.
Some you can get preinstalled, like eOS on Murena phones. Others you install on aftermarket phones. Look for "supported" phones to get examples of this.
There's also Linux Phones.
Purism's Librem 5 is great and you can buy it preinstalled with linux and they have great support.
If you want to install a Linux mobile OS on an aftermarket phone, you can go with PostmarketOS or Ubuntu Touch (ubports).
There's also SailfishOS.
Your mileage may vary, so dive in and have fun.
cc @npub1ywc…hk6t
#linuxPhones #AOSP

2025-10-14 13:16:35 GMT

So how many of us are taking advantage of the Win10 End of Life?
How many Linux Install Parties are you holding in your town?
"Did Windows 10 just notify you to pay and update?
Want to update your computer to a system that doesnt spy on you, is ad free, is secure, and doesn't cost anything?
Meet us at the library this Saturday from 10am to 3pm!
We'll install Linux on your laptop for free! (We'll even make it "dual boot" so you can keep your old system just in case!). Please remember to back up your documents and pictures on a thumb drive beforehand!
We'll have demo laptops so you can play with Linux and just check it out as well!)
#Windows #Linux #solarPunk #permacomputing

2025-10-11 23:05:09 GMT

I just saw this on a laptop at the @npub1zgs…70wt conference...
Ads.
On the lockscreen.
How. How do people live like this? Like seriously. Inundated by ads. I mean, not just the tracking and surveillance behind it... but blatant ads everywhere.
They PAY microsoft to show them ads on their lockscreen.
Remember adware? That would gum up your browsers in the early aughts? Like... that was considered malware at the time and removed by antivirus.
Can you turn this off? Is this a third party widget or something?
What....
https://media.infosec.exchange/infosec.exchange/media_attachments/files/115/358/021/192/031/894/original/431ac56c458b012c.png

2025-10-10 10:56:24 GMT

"The Norwegian Nobel Committee has decided to award the Nobel Peace Prize for 2025 to Maria Corina Machado.
She is receiving the Nobel Peace Prize for her tireless work promoting democratic rights for the people of Venezuela and for her struggle to achieve a just and peaceful transition from dictatorship to democracy."
#NobelPrize #NobelPeacePrize #MariaMachado #Machado
Full writeup:
https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/peace/2025/press-release/

2025-10-07 21:46:17 GMT

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😂😂😂

2025-10-07 21:40:08 GMT

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- I MISS YOUR FACE!!! Next time I'm in your neck of the woods, I'll DM you.

2025-10-07 21:29:29 GMT

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- Here for it.

2025-10-06 17:45:10 GMT

Signal Messenger is a really good app.
Full stop.
But it's preventing me from adopting a Linux Phone.
I can't get away from iOS or Google because of Signal.
(and "degoogled" AOSP with sideloaded Signal doesn't make sense to me. I can't sort it out. I'm trying to.)
Looking at who I talk to on Signal, I wonder if I can get another end-to-end encrypted messaging app that compares to Signal that would run on a Linux phone and that I could migrate all of my friends and family over onto (so it would have to be crossplatform with iOS and Android.)
Anyone have any recommendations (from personal experience. I'm doing lots of DuckDuckGo searches and wading through AI slop right now).
#linuxPhones #linuxPhoneApps #Signal

2025-10-02 14:17:11 GMT

Charlottesville, Virginia, USA has an e-bike lending library!
Just... go and check out an ebike. Ride it for a week for free. And then turn it back in. You can check it out multiple times so long as no has a hold for it.
#solarpunk #libraries #libraryOfThings #libraryEconomy #eBike
https://www.ebikelibrarycville.org

2025-10-01 11:13:02 GMT

Whew! Careful out there today.
There's a lot of people in my timeline boosting and posting misinformation (and disinformation).
(eg that McAfee *unwittingly* posted an AI image of a woman with three hands - even though that was the *point* of the ad campaign... selling AI detection.
or that Madonna has rejected a $500 million dollar deal from Elon Musk)
Everyone can fall for misinfo. If you read a claim - ESPECIALLY IF YOU AGREE WITH IT OR GET JOY FROM IT - please verify it before you post or boost it.
Dont boost until you validate.
Dont boost until you validate.
Dont boost until you validate.
(and unboost or delete the post if you later find it to be fake)
Posting this as a personal reminder. I make mistakes too and have accidentally boosted false info in the past. Bonus points for anyone who sends this post back to be in the future when I make that mistake again 😅

2025-10-01 11:03:00 GMT

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- Ironically, your post seems to be a scam.
The ad campaign is ABOUT *detecting AI scams*. The video (of which your screenshot picture is from) is meant to be obvious and ludicrous and is immediately followed by a statement that says "McAfee - Now with AI scam detection across: Text, Email, Deepfakes" (see below for screenshot)
Here is the full ad, you can see for yourself.
Please do not spread misinformation.
https://www.facebook.com/McAfee/videos/get-mcafee-today/727749633627787/
https://media.infosec.exchange/infosec.exchange/media_attachments/files/115/298/565/758/938/589/original/c775815c0de40924.png
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2025-09-30 04:26:20 GMT

This is a wonderful wonderful thing.
Mychal the Librarian is hosting the new Reading Rainbow.
#readingRainbow #bookstodon #libraries #PBS
Source: https://archive.is/vmTF8
https://media.infosec.exchange/infosec.exchange/media_attachments/files/115/291/339/976/868/430/original/a65edcfae5836307.png

2025-09-29 19:12:50 GMT

Guess I'm never going to buy another EA game again...
Plenty of indie developers to choose from anyhow.
https://apnews.com/article/ea-electronic-arts-video-game-silver-lake-pif-d17dc7dd3412a990d2c0a6758aaa6900
#gaming #news
https://media.infosec.exchange/infosec.exchange/media_attachments/files/115/289/170/101/803/951/original/53ec20bb2ce87f3a.png

2025-09-28 21:57:35 GMT

Wait...
If streaming apps require you to pay and still have ads... why don't I cancel all of them and just watch the free streaming apps?
Free Apps with *NO* ads:
- Kanopy (uses library card)
- Hoopla (uses library card)
- PBS
Free Apps with ads:
- Fawesome
- Freevee
- Pluto
- Tubi
- Roku Channel
- Plex
- Sling Freestream
- Fandango at Home
- Filmzie
- Filmrise
- Crackle
- Xumo Play
I'm sure I've missed plenty.
Anyhow if I'm paying for the pleasure of watching ads, I'll just not pay.
Also 🏴‍☠️.

2025-09-28 18:13:10 GMT

My information was leaked during a breach of the ParkMobile app.
As part of the class action lawsuit that was settled with the company for mishandling my information, I am awarded...
...one dollar.
To be paid out as a... 25 cent discount... over four uses.
Well la dee dah.
#breach #parkmobile
https://media.infosec.exchange/infosec.exchange/media_attachments/files/115/283/270/212/631/339/original/db4406a6d5a6a7d8.png

2025-09-27 11:47:51 GMT

Large organizations and corporations moving to open source is a great thing.
If they have budget, they should still contribute and "pay" for the open source software they use.
Edit: Adding in this key quote as a positive example:
"Austria isn't just replacing Microsoft software. Unlike typical public-sector and corporate migrations, Austria's military has heavily invested in LibreOffice development itself. The armed forces have been funding the creation of new features and improvements that are now included in public releases. These additions, ranging from improved slideshow editing to better handling of pivot tables, have been rolled into the latest version of LibreOffice."
https://www.zdnet.com/article/this-european-military-just-ditched-microsoft-for-open-source-libreoffice-heres-why/

2025-09-22 15:10:47 GMT

So I've been going back through my DVD collection and digitizing backups of my already paid for DVD collection...
...but I need an app that can host my digitized versions of my personal DVD collection to view on my phone or TV.
Does anyone have any recommendations for a media server that has an app that I can LOCALLY STORE my PERSONAL DIGITIZED MOVIES and serve on my LOCAL TV or phone?

2025-09-16 00:23:29 GMT

Finishing up "Automatic Noodle" from @npub1hhs…rl5g - Really good book. Cozy. Mostly low stakes (all the harsh stuff is in the past and only brought up in remembrances/flashbacks). Very lofi.
Has convinced me to try and make biang biang noodles.
Cheers to @npub1x2w…azwy for recommending it!
I'm late in returning it to the library. Three people are waiting on me. So I'm finishing it tonight and will drop it back off in the morning! 😅
#solarPunk #hopePunk #cozyBooks #books
https://media.infosec.exchange/infosec.exchange/media_attachments/files/115/211/114/435/836/394/original/468b0e52e167d619.png

2025-09-14 01:39:18 GMT

Today's food rescue delivered to the free fridge.
#foodRescue #freeFridge #solarPunk #mutualAid #foodSecurity
https://media.infosec.exchange/infosec.exchange/media_attachments/files/115/200/087/573/806/486/original/97e47f5b5e112dd1.png

2025-09-12 20:15:06 GMT

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Charlie Kirk's widow is now a single mom.
White on white crime. Far right on far right. It leaves white families broken. Where are all the white men, the white fathers who will speak out against their broken suburban culture?

2025-09-12 20:07:25 GMT

Well maybe we pushed that watershed moment down the street a bit.
With it coming out that Kirk was assassinated by an even further right person, let's see how many days before everyone collectively moves on.
Trump is already deflecting questions and changing the subject when asked how he feels about Kirk passing. All the politicians that were openly calling for vengeance against "the left" are now downplaying and calling for understanding.
Silliness. Proper silliness.

2025-09-12 12:28:42 GMT

I've noticed that there havent been many (any?) Proud Boy, Patriot Front, or Oath Keeper demonstrations recently.
I've also noticed that ICE is using common Patriot Front tactics - like arriving in Penske Moving Trucks and a lack of professionalism in regards to pushing, provoking, and handling bystanders.
I think its obvious that the Trump regime has brought all of his brown shirts in under the fold and are providing them with training, weapons, resources, and pay.

2025-09-10 22:13:01 GMT

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- I don't believe we're fucked. Honestly. I believe there are multiple ways out of this. That said, I do believe getting through those multiple ways will not be easy or pretty.
Societies change, and morph, and I don't believe the authoritarianism will last. But I also don't think they'll leave easily either.
But we're not fucked.
Find hope. Build out the next good thing.

2025-09-10 22:06:19 GMT

I will say this.
I believe this is a watershed moment.
There have been recent class-based assassinations with the CEO of a health insurance company and others.
And, there have been recent political assassinations of state representatives and attempts on the current US president during the election.
But this is the first "big name" political assassination.
I fully expect tit-for-tat responses. I'm worried about a couple that I won't name out loud. There has been a LOT of stochastic terrorism. Fricken powder keg.
Some have called our current situation (prior to this) a "cold civil war" what with the US President deploying armed military to various cities and giving shows of force. Whether that term fits or not, I do believe we're in the midst of a civil war.
This is an escalation.
I expect it will continue.
Join community. Build up mutual-aid. Find folks to protect and those who can protect you.
Modern civil war is distinctly different from the 1800s and we're really not sure how it'll play out. But institutions are and already have crumbled - not everywhere and not uniformly.
But here we are.
#CharlieKirk #Charlie #Kirk

2025-09-10 21:55:46 GMT

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- Check with local artists in your town and see if any will take a commission.

2025-09-10 14:50:17 GMT

Even notepad in Windows has Copilot?
I just... I just want a text editor to keep quick scratch notes on without having to worry about anything being sniffed up or...
Eris...
I hate using Windows....
(note: I have no control or choice in the matter of OS at this specific project. It hurts. But I get paid. So yay.)
#AI #microsoft #windows #notepad #privacy
https://media.infosec.exchange/infosec.exchange/media_attachments/files/115/180/553/598/446/821/original/c6891e8e468ecc40.png

2025-09-09 15:46:39 GMT

Just got back from a local Food Hunger Action Coalition meeting just now with a lot of the food groups throughout town. We aren't waiting around. Trump and Republicans just cut SNAP and WIC and School Lunch programs MASSIVELY. This at the same time that homeless and food insecurity have risen in part because of Blackrock and Blackstone and others buying up Rentral Properties and increasing rates, grocery stores cost more, and folks losing their jobs or not getting pay rates to match inflation.
So fuck it. We're building out our own systems. Each group is tackling different aspects of food security and we meet to discuss best practices, find efficiencies, and find ways to coordinate with each other - making each of our jobs easier.
#solarpunk #mutualaid #foodsecurity

2025-09-08 22:53:58 GMT

Wait... Peertube has Live ?!?!?!
https://video.infosec.exchange/w/hPrMTPpUuP8ZLoaqHTkLmd

2025-09-02 15:17:03 GMT

Public Service Announcement:
When someone says "I googled it" they NO LONGER MEAN "I did a web search and this is what one of the web sites that came up in the search said"...
..."I googled it" *now* means "I typed a question into google and google's AI spit out this answer."
Please adjust your conversation and cultural assumptions accordingly.
#AI #LLM

2025-09-02 13:18:31 GMT

More people showed up to our monthly meeting last night.
More people that want to build mutual aid and help out themselves and their neighbors and create, rescue, and distribute food.
With all the bullshit in the world, I'm heartened when I hang out with folks who are building and fixing.
We are making our neighborhood into the society that we want to live in. We are not waiting on "representatives". We are doing the work ourselves and it *is* working. Right now.
#solarPunk #mutualAid #community

2025-09-02 11:47:27 GMT

1: "Well ChatGPT says otherwise. It contradicts what you said about security."
0: "ChatGPT is consuming popular material from 10 years ago. The threat landscape has changed."
1: "Well the language is clear it's saying the exact opposite of you."
0: "It has made a statement. But what is it's reasoning. What is the logical argument behind its suggestion?"
1: "I just feel more comfortable going with what it say."
0: "After we've worked together for five years? After you've seen the results of my work? You realize this isnt your field of expertise? You arent able to explain its reasoning. Why it said it. The history and context behind it."
Well this is going to be fun.
Being a leader in your field and releasing new research that is different from the current consensus now has to fight AI and LLMs.
AI / LLMs is bias at scale. Now it's entrenched status quo.
AI cannot innovate. AI can only average out. And when that average is bad. Or dangerous. And speaks with authority. Folks will double down and be hurt.

2025-08-28 21:16:50 GMT

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Lettuce Wall Thread
Wood is stained and ready to assemble!
I've started to mount the T8 LED Grow Light strips. I'm putting two T8s on each shelf. I have left space to put a single T5 or T8 in the middle in the future if I need more light. But two T8s should be plenty.
(Note how long its been since my last update. It takes me a while to complete projects for a variety of reasons. I still work on them though even if they take a while. I complete as much as I'm able at any given time knowing that when I'm able to work on it in the future, I will. I have no set schedule and I am forgiving and easy on myself. It will get done. In its own time.)
#solarPunk #hydroponics #indoorGardening #verticalFarming #vegetableGardening #postScarcity #foodSecurity
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2025-08-26 14:02:58 GMT

In light of recent (again and again) shenanigans with Apple iOS and Google Android, I'm looking into Linux native smart phones yet again.
Linux phone operating systems have come a loooong way. Examples like PostmarketOS ( [@postmarketOS](https://social.treehouse.systems/@postmarketOS ) ), PureOS ( @npub1qy0…nsak ) and Ubuntu Touch / UBPorts ( @npub1lmq…xa4a ) offering a solid choice, the big issue is linux native apps, but those have come a long way as well.
First, many apps have fully functional mobile web sites and web apps that are, by nature, cross platform and available on linux through web browsers or as a Progressive Web App (PWA).
Second there are many native linux apps that work well on a mobile screen as well or apps specific to phones, etc.
Lastly, there are - for lack of a better word - emulators that let you load and run android apps, for example.
Linux Phones are not as polished as iOS or Android phones, but the control and privacy is there.
Ironically the biggest thing that've needed is Signal Messenger (@npub1rkw…5q62 ) on Linux. Almost everything else I need is there, including GPS maps and web app / PWA versions of transit apps and banking apps. Even Signal, I might break with as most of my chat groups might hop over to another end to end encrypted messaging service that runs on Linux.
What would you need to use a Linux Phone as your daily driver?
#linux #FOSS #solarPunk #iOS #android #Google #Apple

2025-08-26 13:21:56 GMT

The local library is doing the Repair Cafe!!! This is an initial event. Im hoping we can do something like this monthly once we get it going!!!
Repair Cafes are community events where people bring things to get fixed and maintained for free. Volunteers come to hang out, talk shop, and work on folks' items.
This is a mutual-aid event - So folks might be good at fixing bicycles but arent as good at mending jeans. So they might bring their jeans to get patched and then help tune a bicycle!
While my library has asked if I can help with desktop support (which I'm more than willing to do), I actually really like working on bicycles! So I let them know I could do that, too.
I'm at my bandwidth with creating and organizing things with the Free Fridges and Food Rescue, but I absolutely can join an volunteer on the days of if all I have to do is show up, hang out, and tinker on some repairs!
THIS IS SO EXCITING!!!
#solarPunk #repairCafe #rightToRepair #mutualAid #libraries #library #librarians

2025-08-20 22:52:29 GMT

Went down to the river.
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2025-08-19 20:54:07 GMT

I recorded a Lunch & Learn with my local library!
Introduction to Hydroponics
It covers the basics of:
- what a plant needs to grow in nature
- what a plant needs to grow in hydroponics
- an intro to various hydroponic methods
- a detailed description of the Kratky Method
- various resources for hydroponics
- an example grow-bin that you can build yourself
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=typP4TLqDY4
#solarPunk #library #libraries #hydroponics #kratky #gardening

2025-08-19 00:19:59 GMT

Move slowly and fix things.

2025-08-18 19:12:19 GMT

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Alright! Site plan for the new free fridge is completed. They're laying down a concrete slab and really setting this up! This host has received a generous donation and is actually spending money on setting up a free fridge. I love it!
Next steps will be getting an electrician to come out and put in some outlets. Need to check with the county to see if we need building permits as we're laying down concrete and putting up a little structure to protect against sun and rain.
The host is VERY excited and is eager to get this built in the next couple of months.
And new great news! Other churches and organizations are getting wind of this and are looking into setting up their own fridges for their own neighborhoods!!!!
#solarPunk #mutualAid #freeFridge #foodSecurity

2025-08-18 11:37:57 GMT

Finding myself intentionally buying things that can be repaired more easily.
Buying new (to me) computers or my next phone that are designed to be maintained, both hardware and software.
I'm tired of throwing things away if they stop working. Heck, tired of buying new things period once I have something that is solid and useable.
In the personal vehicle area, I really like standup eKickscooters for example. The common scooters are not intuitive to repair though. Everything is hidden inside tubes and its a pain to take apart, diagnose, and repair.
But electrified standup bikes and kickbikes fit my needs wonderfully. Everything is easily accessible, replaceable, or repairable.
Traditional bikes are absolutely the gold standard of repairability with a lot of tooling and parts available. So standup bikes and kickbikes are able to use a lot of that standard tooling as well.
An interesting observation: If its designed to be electric (even an eBike) its often more difficult to repair than an "electrified" bike. The aftermarket modifications are easier to maintain than factory designed ground up.
#rightToRepair #solarPunk #repair #repairability #permacomputing #permaEverything
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2025-08-13 12:28:06 GMT

There's always discussion around streaming services, algorithms, surveillance and advertisements, funneling money into big corps etc.
But I've been trying to find ways to seek more entertainment within physical spaces. Within community.
We have a small community theater near me. Multiple troupes, comedians, and improv groups use it.
I've seen broadway plays, classic and new, there. I've seen standup comedies. This weekend, I'm going to see an improv special.
The tickets are very low cost. No one is becoming a millionaire. And the cast is often made up of local folks who do this as passion projects.
The audience is so small and close that you become part of the show. Your vibes and energy directly affect the cast. If you are on fire, they are on fire. If you are down, it reflects in their performance. We are humans in community and can feel each other.
I'm going with friends, to this improv show. There are two showings. But its improv. So while there is a centralized theme, theres no set in stone script. Watch it twice and the performance is distinctly different. The first nights are often rough but frenetic. The second nights are smoothed out with experience. Both have a vibrant uniqueness about it.
I still watch streaming services. I still put on Kanopy or Hoopla with my library card. But going out to a community play is such a rich experience that I find every opportunity to do so.
#solarPunk #communityTheater #communityTheatre #Theater #Theatre

2025-08-13 00:41:28 GMT

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Well this is amazing!!!
We just got our first host that wants to put up a Free Fridge!!!!
I was going to put in a post of how we have multiple leads out and various irons in the fire, but dang, this one came quick! We've been talking to various folks for the past couple of months and there have been various interest, but nothing has been set in stone yet.
So, I posted a couple weeks ago how our Free Fridge and Food Rescue group got featured in the local town paper ( https://infosec.exchange/@tinker/114949623055200806 ) . Turns out various folks read it and were interested, both in the food rescue and in the free fridge aspect.
We have one free fridge in town hosted by a local community garden, but that is completely run by them. We help keep it clean and we help stock and utilize it, but my group was created to build other free fridges throughout town.
And sure enough, a local church read the article and came to our monthly meeting. They invited us to go to their church and tour it and see what they were doing.
They're a small church that is heavy in working with the Food Bank and doing distributions. They recently received a generous donation with the request that the money be used for community service. They're going to source the refrigerator, pantry, and even build out an area to provide cover and a walkway to it.
The location is great. It's accessible via public transit (such that we have here). It's decently walkable and the city is putting in improvements in the next year. They have a good parking lot and a location that is accessible to the public 24/7.
So I've put together a little project plan:
- Go onsite and create rough site plan: Designate location. Measure out area for concrete slab, awning, and potentially walkway
- Get estimates for outside electrical outlet installation, concrete slab / walkway construction, and awning construction
- Contact appropriate municipality / county to sort out any requirements or approvals
- Complete construction
- Source and install fridge and pantry
- Open to community & advertise new location
The head of their food missions has already sourced and purchased the refrigerator. So wow. Next step will be to go back onsite and do a rough site plan. Basically measure out the spot and sort out the concrete pad dimensions.
This is the first time I've done this... so I'll be learning along the way and documenting it for other sites (hopefully) in the future.
This is amazing. Our first fridge for our group and the second for my region!!!
#freeFridge #foodScarcity #foodSecurity #postScarcity #solarPunk #mutualAid

2025-08-11 17:23:01 GMT

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There are a lot of resources on Free Fridges and Community Pantries.
The Freedge group has a wonderful site that has resources for finding fridges in your neighborhood or installing new ones:
- Freedge: https://freedge.org/
- Starting a Free Fridge in your Town: https://freedge.org/freedge-yourself/
- Map of current Free Fridges: https://freedge.org/locations/
Some folks have had questions or concerns as it relates to Free Fridges. I have posted my answer to a couple of them below:
Worry about folks "taking advantage" of free food
https://infosec.exchange/@tinker/113765243630873685
Worry about tainted food being placed in the fridge?
https://infosec.exchange/@tinker/113765319396269374
Do free fridge initiatives even work?
https://infosec.exchange/@tinker/113766774842784296
I'll add to this post in the future if I find other resources.
#freeFridge
#foodScarcity
#foodSecurity
#postScarcity
#solarPunk
#mutualAid

2025-08-11 17:15:31 GMT

I'm looking to build out the Free Fridge & Community Pantries in my town.
I'll continue to update this thread with my progress.
So, the idea is to have nodes throughout town that allow folks to "Give a Food, Take a Food". Similar to "Little Free Libraries" are to books. Folks who have extra food can drop it off there, folks who need food can grab it there.
The focus here is mutual aid, not charity. So, absolutely, if you are food insecure or hungry, utilize it, right. Beyond that though, this is a great piece of infrastructure to share extra food with your neighbors. I will go down to the free fridge we have in town, drop off some of my extra produce that I have grown, and then pick up a can of black beans if I need it for dinner that night. We're meant to contribute AND utilize the free fridge.
There are many ways to create and maintain free fridges, from something as simple as a small box or outdoor cabinet on up to full stand up refrigerators and freezers with an outdoor pantry.
In general, you want it to be a couple of things:
- Accessible to the public
- 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
- Unmanned
- No restrictions on who can utilize it or take food from it - it should NOT employ any means-testing
- Receive shelf stable food and/or refrigerated food and/or frozen food
Further, you can break up the different groups that are involved in the free fridge:
- The Host
- The Maintainers
- The Community
The Host - provides a location for the fridge and pantry to be installed and accessed. They also provide electricity to power the fridge/freezer
The Maintainers - this would be my group. We source, install, maintain, repair, and clean the fridge, freezer, and pantry.
The Community - contributes food to and utilizes food from the fridge and pantry. This is important. While the host provides the site and the Maintainers keep it operational, neither one has to stock food or coordinate utilization. The community does it themselves.
Having it split up like this is nice. Can folks from the Host group maintain it? Certainly. But extrapolating it allows for ease of use.
So. Keeping it stocked is up to the community. I've seen it stocked by gardeners who have extra produce (Zucchini turns folks into socialists is the joke! You just grow sooooo much you end up LOSING FRIENDS when you try to push it off on others!). I've seen it stocked through Food Rescue efforts. Some families buy extra from the grocery store and this is a great place to drop it off. I've even seen the local Food Bank drop off extra food when they had left overs from a food distribution.
Keeping it utilized is also easy. You don't want the fridge to stay stocked, right. You want it to stay in the fridge for as short a period of time as possible before someone comes and grabs it. Heck! I've seen a food rescue of fresh produce from a farmer's market vendor be dropped off at a free fridge and then claimed by several families even before it had a chance to be placed physically into the fridge! This is ideal. One fridge and pantry needs to serve the local neighborhood. That's many many families. It can only do so if its filled up and then utilized multiple times a day.
Next post, I'll put some resources on starting your own in your town.
#freeFridge #foodScarcity #foodSecurity #postScarcity #solarPunk #mutualAid
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2025-08-08 02:02:05 GMT

I'm at a point in life where I crave stories that lack dramatic conflict.
I'm tired of fighting and of struggle. I'm extremely tired of violence and dystopia. And I want to rest in moments of escape and solitude within books and movies to where I can just exist and hold that existence without fear or anxiety.
I want the lofi of a book or movie.
There aren't many examples of that.
Becky Chambers' Monk and Robot Duology is one such example of low to no conflict stories and is a favorite of mine.
Chef (2014) comes close to where all the strife, such as it is, is at the beginning and the rest of the movie is the main character living life and growing closer to those he loves.
There are others. The New World (2005) though showing conflict throughout has a quiet beauty and approach to the story as to be atmospherically aware with a deep stillness.
Tonight I had the wonderful opportunity to watch the movie Perfect Days (2023). Its a moment in time of a man living his life. He has very normal experiences going to work and interacting with the people around him. There is sadness and pain some times. But so much joy and acceptance and stillness.
It is mundane. (How I long for the mundane.)
If you get a chance to watch it, do so. It's available on Kanopy for free with your library card. Its also on other streaming services.
#solarpunk #cozyStories #bookstodon #movies
https://www.kanopy.com/video/14800624
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2025-08-04 01:37:28 GMT

Holy shit. This. This is the song for now.
Haley Willians: True Believer
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=a5Uy5vDXhKI&pp=0gcJCfwAo7VqN5tD
Hayley Williams (of Paramore et al) is no longer bound by her record label. She just released 17 songs, free to the internet.
This is her completely without restriction.
A couple choice lines:
"They pose in Christmas cards with guns as big as all the children.
They say that Jesus is the way but then they gave him a white face.
So they don’t have to pray to someone they deem lesser than them."
Then follows it immediately with:
"The South will not rise again
Til it’s paid for every sin
Strange fruit, hard bargain
Till the roots, Southern Gotham"
Strange Fruit. Think Billie Holiday's haunting song.
Till the roots... rip up the roots so that tree doesnt grow again (with possible entendres to Emmett Till, etc).
I've heard people describe this song as an incantation, as a binding spell. I can imagine hundreds of thousands or millions singing and chanting this magic.
The sound is haunting.