The Privacy Dad

https://social.linux.pizza/@theprivacydad

I write a digital diary of my privacy journey as a non-IT person and parent.

Website: https://theprivacydad.com/

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Last Notes

2026-09-12 23:16:21 GMT

Standard Notes is ending the Listed blogging platform.
Announcement on r/StandardNotes: https://www.reddit.com/r/StandardNotes/comments/1w9vuwt/an_update_on_the_listed_blogging_platform/
I migrated my notes over to Joplin half a year ago and have been running them side-by-side, with a view to switching. I love SN but the feeling is that since Proton took over, it's not going anywhere. I share the disappointment about removing a neat feature like Listed on a paid-for application.
[@standardnotes](https://mastodon.social/@standardnotes ) #notes #standardnotes #joplin [@joplinapp](https://mastodon.social/@joplinapp )

2026-09-10 15:16:27 GMT

Good news for Linux mobile users!
"We’ve been working on Linux ARM64 support and it’s now available for beta testing. There are Debian and AppImage packages available. We’d appreciate your help testing it on your favorite ARM processor! Please let us know how it goes and share your feedback here. :heart::penguin:"
https://community.signalusers.org/t/beta-test-signal-desktop-for-linux-arm64/76184
From @npub1ev5…qaeu @npub1rkw…5q62

2026-09-06 10:09:39 GMT

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You are right! Thanks for catching that. I'll fix it today.

2026-09-04 20:13:35 GMT

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Thanks!

2026-07-08 15:49:23 GMT

Someone else wrote a positive review of #uruky privacy search engine!
https://blog.sulimans.space/my-review-of-uruky/
#search #digitalprivacy #onlineprivacy #privacytools #alternativeto

2026-05-10 10:18:42 GMT

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I will check out MetaGer, thanks.

2026-05-09 18:16:48 GMT

A special guest post by one of the Privacy Kids!
Droidian is an awesome system that runs quite smoothly with occasional crashes and occasional discrepancies.
https://theprivacydad.com/droidian-an-awesome-phone-os-for-patient-people-guest-post/
#linuxonmobile #hightide #flare #droidian #linux #privacy
@npub1f43…svec @npub19z2…f7kf @npub1qnk…g8jk [@Nokse](https://hachyderm.io/@Nokse ) @npub1fnc…xa2m

2026-05-09 11:29:00 GMT

Just started a subscription with https://uruky.com/, a privacy-first search engine.
With some tweaks, the experience is really good, and support from the husband-and-wife team excellent!
#privacy #digitalprivacy #searchengine #uruky #EU

2026-04-17 11:12:24 GMT

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ok, I see. The article I wrote is aimed at people who don't know how to or don't feel familiar with flashing a custom ROM. It's intended as a first step.
About the bootloader, it is my understanding (I could be wrong, I should add!) that if you walk around with an unlocked phone, then someone who finds it and has the know-how could quite easily get into your phone (with your data on it).

2026-04-17 10:38:48 GMT

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I have used those methods too, especially on kids' phones. One issue is that you have to leave the bootloader unlocked with /e/OS, which is not secure. As second is that it's not entirely clear what is or what isn't happening with Google services on /e/OS; not technical enough to understand. My own phone is GrapheneOS atm.

2026-04-17 00:48:34 GMT

It is ironic that the European Commission has introduced a verification method by which its citizens must have their smartphones with them all the time.
https://theprivacydad.com/a-first-look-at-the-eu-age-verification-app/
#eu #ageverification #mobilephones #privacy @npub1h4k…yl06 @npub1m96…ag4y

2026-04-15 19:23:47 GMT

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I'll have to look into what Shizuku does. Thanks for the tip.
One concern here is of course https://keepandroidopen.org/

2026-04-15 18:49:56 GMT

Disabling Google's default apps on Android can help reduce your exposure to Google's data mining system somewhat, while their open source alternatives are generally excellent.
https://theprivacydad.com/using-android-without-a-google-account-in-2026/
#android #google #privacy #opensource

2026-04-12 15:33:00 GMT

This post is a placeholder for any potential discussion or feedback on my blog's links page: https://theprivacydad.com/links/

2026-01-02 16:00:40 GMT

Ready for more blogging in 2026!
@npub12w6…2axu [@techlore](https://social.lol/@techlore )
#digitalprivacy #blogging #writing #parenting
https://cdn.social.linux.pizza/system/media_attachments/files/115/826/330/697/391/285/original/45082e9e3c902780.jpg

2025-12-29 23:09:47 GMT

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Thanks! I thought it was good that Vishnu welcomed the feedback, good and bad, when I presented the idea. I plan to write my own review in the near future. Thanks for reading!

2025-12-29 22:15:00 GMT

While a child can appreciate the privacy-first goals of an app like Ente, features like customer service by mail and collaborative albums are less of a priority.
https://theprivacydad.com/my-teenagers-review-of-entes-privacy-photo-app/
@npub1c4m…wtqs #privacy #parenting #photo

2025-12-29 09:47:47 GMT

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Thanks for your response. GrapheneOS is now my daily driver. The 'extraordinarily false narrative' you refer to is my personal experience. As a regular user I am not aware of discussions happening between the groups in the background.

2025-12-29 01:23:25 GMT

https://theprivacydad.com/for-the-grapheneos-crowd-the-options-in-burger-town/
Thanks @npub1dm2…7754 and @npub1kwa…e0nj for all the good work you do!

2025-11-29 04:59:06 GMT

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Thanks for the mention, and great idea!

2025-11-15 22:44:23 GMT

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I just did it and it all seems to work ok. I'm just worried it's not a good idea in the long run, because everyone I ask advices to revert to Android 9 first, for firmware reasons.

2025-11-15 22:02:18 GMT

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Yes, several people on forums say it is. When you read the documentation for UT or Droidian they all start with "Make sure you downgrade to Android 9 first" but nowhere do they explain how to do that if you already have a Linux os installed.

2025-11-15 21:57:39 GMT

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Thanks! One thing that is really unclear to me is how you can reinstall back to Android 9 between Linux installs.

2025-11-14 21:24:30 GMT

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https://theprivacydad.com/using-droidian-on-a-google-pixel-3axl-phone/

2025-11-14 20:30:46 GMT

Droidian is potentially the best Linux mobile operating system for on-boarding newcomers into the field.
https://theprivacydad.com/using-droidian-on-a-google-pixel-3axl-phone/
@npub19z2…f7kf @npub1qnk…g8jk @npub1cc9…zrg3 [@techlore](https://social.lol/@techlore ) #linux #privacy #linuxonmobile

2025-11-08 21:41:30 GMT

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I got the camera working now. I had to revert to Droidian 101 instead of 102. People on their Matrix explained it to me. The UBports installer installs 102, but the camera doesn't work on 102 yet.

2025-11-05 23:28:29 GMT

Great interview with Mo Bitar, creator of @npub1na5…vkqr, by Vishnu from @npub1c4m…wtqs !
I liked Mo's comments about building privacy into a 'regular' app, rather than focusing on hardcore privacy first.
#ente #standardnotes #proton #privacy

2025-11-05 17:00:27 GMT

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Ah, ok. Is Droidian not fully optimised for the XL? The link you shared suggests that it should be.

2025-11-05 11:51:32 GMT

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Thanks, and, yes! I am testing it out right now. With Flare as a Signal app that actually works, this looks like it could be a daily driver. Only - the camera app doesn't work on the Pixel 3A XL. I can't seem to find a forum for Droidian.

2025-10-27 20:15:46 GMT

Ubuntu Touch is an important project for a freer future for mobile platforms, but current alternative operating systems are simpler to use at the moment.
https://theprivacydad.com/using-ubuntu-touch-on-a-pixel-3a-phone/
#ubuntutouch #pixel3A #privacy #mobile @npub1lmq…xa4a

2025-09-26 15:04:23 GMT

Teenagers can manage their own time on screens using parental control tools provided the initiative comes from the children themselves.
https://theprivacydad.com/can-teenagers-manage-their-own-screen-time/
#eos #fdroid #screentime #parenting #parentalcontrols #privacy #teenagers @npub1akt…zuh6 [@Fairphone](https://social.weho.st/@Fairphone ) @npub19s7…z6ml

2025-09-07 18:17:05 GMT

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Maybe 'behavioural data' or 'personal prediction data'

2025-09-07 14:05:16 GMT

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I wrote this article about the term 'metadata' after reading Shoshana Zuboff's chapters on this: https://theprivacydad.com/why-the-term-metadata-is-not-helpful-in-discussions-around-privacy/
#surveillance #surveillancecapitalism #metada

2025-09-04 13:57:21 GMT

Keeping screens out of bedrooms, talking, and learning how to manage passwords together are three ways you can help your child build healthy and safe online habits.
https://theprivacydad.com/three-tips-for-parents-to-help-your-child-with-screen-management-and-online-safety/
#parenting #digitalprivacy #onlinesafety @npub1ajf…rx6k @npub1c4m…wtqs

2025-09-02 22:40:25 GMT

Excellent article by @npub1gmn…zh7q , a staff writer for Privacy Guides, on the risks of government overreach to privacy.
This section focuses on the issue of chat control: https://www.privacyguides.org/articles/2025/02/03/the-future-of-privacy/#chat-control-wants-to-break-end-to-end-encryption
It is well worth reading.
#eu #privacy #fightchatcontrol #privacyguides

2025-09-01 06:25:05 GMT

If you are a citizen of the EU and are concerned about government surveillance of our private chats, photographs and documents, it is important to take action before October. This tool: https://fightchatcontrol.eu/ will easily enable you to draft an email to send to your MEPs.
Specifically, #estonia #germany #greece #luxembourg #romania and #slovenia are still UNDECIDED.
#fightchatcontrol #EU @npub14rv…y6tq

2025-08-05 15:15:57 GMT

Digital Minimalism: Using One Device for Everything
https://theprivacydad.com/digital-minimalism-using-a-single-device-for-everything/
Using a smartphone for everything is technically a form of digital minimalism, but its constant physical proximity leads to stress and addiction.
#smartphone #digitalminimalism #techlore [@techlore](https://social.lol/@techlore )

2025-08-04 23:36:46 GMT

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7FYfbSr6wz8&t=164s
Who will decide what is age appropriate and what is not?
#privacy #overreach #eu @npub1m96…ag4y @npub1trr…495l @npub16k0…n5ts

2025-08-04 17:17:37 GMT

This is terrible news for EU citizens with privacy concerns!
EU Age Verification App Sparks Ban on Non Google Licensed Android Apps
https://www.talkandroid.com/512861-eu-age-verification-app-google/
#privacy #eu #ageverification #google @npub1n3a…6he5 @npub1psa…j5uh @npub1etq…8z0t .

2025-06-25 21:48:38 GMT

Internet exploitation and abuse of children is a unique category of online crime and therefore cannot be used lightly by both sides in debates around regulation of online privacy tools.
https://theprivacydad.com/privacy-tools-vs-online-child-exploitation-and-abuse/
#parenting #regulation #exploitation #children #digitalprivacy

2025-06-02 22:23:28 GMT

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Reading the website, I get the feeling it's not designed to install other Linux mobile OS's on it.

2025-06-02 22:14:10 GMT

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Over 2000 euros for a phone, and 1300 the most discounted option - that is steep. Reading the site, it seems you can only use it with LiberuxOS.

2025-05-22 23:05:40 GMT

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What is neat.tube?

2025-05-13 14:04:23 GMT

If parents can band together when deciding on the right age for a smartphone for their younger children, they will stand a better chance to avoid making decisions based on peer pressure at school.
https://theprivacydad.com/how-parent-chat-groups-may-help-reduce-pressure-to-buy-a-smartphone-for-your-child/
#smartphone #dumbphone #featurephone #school #parenting #privacy
@npub12w6…2axu

2025-05-12 05:56:44 GMT

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I haven't tried Searx myself yet. This was a fun project to learn a bit more about he Pi.

2025-05-11 22:10:26 GMT

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Can't go wrong with Can.

2025-05-11 21:10:00 GMT

Installing Whoogle on a Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W in 2025
I had to update the instructions for my 2024 article. Here it is:
https://theprivacydad.com/installing-whoogle-on-a-raspberry-pi-zero-2-w-in-2025/
#whoogle #privacy #benbusby

2025-05-04 13:46:37 GMT

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So it still works? I see a big warning sign on the Github page: https://github.com/benbusby/whoogle-search
#whoogle

2025-04-30 16:56:17 GMT

What is the difference between Microsoft Copilot and a Microsoft Copilot+ laptop??
This article is useful in light of yesterday's news about them bringing back Recall on Copilot+ hardware:
https://www.wired.com/story/what-is-copilot-plus-pc/
There are very few users at the moment that will have to deal with Recall, but it only takes on Copilot+ laptop to start taking automatic and regular screenshots of messages in a private Signal group!

2025-04-30 11:04:53 GMT

Forbes article yesterday:
"Microsoft’s AI Starts Reading All Your WhatsApp, Signal Messages"
https://www.forbes.com/sites/zakdoffman/2025/04/29/microsofts-ai-starts-secretly-copying-and-saving-your-messages/
#privacy #privacynightmare #windows #microsoft #signal #ai #screenshot

2025-04-29 09:21:45 GMT

Interesting article on Cornell research:
"AI suggestions make writing more generic, Western"
https://news.cornell.edu/stories/2025/04/ai-suggestions-make-writing-more-generic-western
#research #llm #ai #language

2025-04-22 19:21:39 GMT

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Adds new meaning to 'taking a turn around the garden'!

2025-04-22 13:59:48 GMT

The term 'metadata' is an inaccurate description of behavioural surplus and helps to downplay the severity of the large-scale incursion on our privacy.
https://theprivacydad.com/why-the-term-metadata-is-not-helpful-in-discussions-around-privacy/
#metadata #behaviouralsurplus #ShoshanaZuboff #privacy #digitalprivacy #surveillancecapitalism

2025-04-17 00:43:43 GMT

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What are you deGoogling the Jelly Star phone with? Final attempt: The Accrescent App store has one notes app called 'Easy Notes' that does checklists. https://accrescent.app/. I think you can get Easy Notes on F-droid too.

2025-04-16 00:03:26 GMT

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or this one: https://f-droid.org/en/packages/com.k.todo/ (both notes and checklist, no sign in)

2025-04-15 23:59:00 GMT

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What about Markor? https://github.com/gsantner/markor/blob/master/README.md#features

2025-04-15 20:18:27 GMT

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Have you checked the F-droid store? https://search.f-droid.org/?q=notes&lang=en

2025-04-15 14:33:12 GMT

Behavioural surplus is the extra information that can be processed when we interact with an app, website or device, in order to be repackaged and sold as accurate predictions about us.
https://theprivacydad.com/what-is-behavioural-surplus/
#surveillancecapitalism #behavioralsurplus #behaviouralsurplus, #shoshanazuboff #dataprivacy

2025-04-15 11:30:24 GMT

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Not to be confused with armadildo...

2025-04-06 10:32:04 GMT

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I had to look up 'Gafam' :) I hope this is at least a step in the right direction. I believe some provinces in Germany have started using Nextcloud for education and government platforms.

2025-04-05 12:52:19 GMT

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Haadkoare

2025-04-04 21:45:39 GMT

France has been developing its own digital tools and platforms for governmental use. I hope other countries follow suit, rather than relying on Google or Microsoft for government and education systems: https://www.numerique.gouv.fr/uploads/DINUM-roadmap_EN.pdf
#dinum #foss #eu #privacy #data

2025-04-01 17:53:51 GMT

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What is a ball animal?

2025-03-19 21:58:26 GMT

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Great article!

2025-03-18 18:43:09 GMT

Writing The Privacy Dad blog has been a rewarding two-and-a-half year journey, and I hope to keep writing, albeit at a slower rate.
https://theprivacydad.com/on-writing-the-privacy-dad-blog/
#privacy #blog #surveillancereport

2025-03-16 18:14:11 GMT

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I found someone on Reddit who claims Shrek 2 can fit in a 55.7 MB mp4 file. So if we say 2TB is 2000000 MB, then you should be able to fit 35906 copies of Shrek 2 on that bad boy. I don't know if it will have audio though.
Source: https://www.reddit.com/r/gifsthatkeepongiving/comments/bsdogu/the_entire_shrek_2_movie_but_its_a_gif/

2025-02-27 00:01:16 GMT

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Thank you! I'm glad the Proton takeover hasn't changed the experience at all, thus far.

2025-02-13 21:59:51 GMT

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I like how now one seems to know the location of the battle.

2025-02-04 00:11:31 GMT

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Wonderful!

2025-02-03 22:15:34 GMT

Good overview of privacy alternatives; lots of useful and interesting reading links!
https://lukesnotes.mataroa.blog/blog/leaving-facebook-instagram-whatsapp-and-x-the-alternatives-or-not/
@npub13g4…d36e #privacy

2025-02-03 22:12:28 GMT

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Yes, a clean install. Not sure about BitLocker (or what that is). I believe I described everything I did in the article.

2025-01-31 21:41:03 GMT

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They've given it a name, some quirky friends and a song.

2025-01-21 17:28:32 GMT

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Nice one, Monique. I've been wanting to do something similar, and am glad to see this!

2025-01-14 21:46:00 GMT

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I'm glad to hear that!

2025-01-09 23:50:55 GMT

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Oh, thank you! That works. I'll update the blog post.

2025-01-09 00:26:40 GMT

Paying for Mullvad VPN Anonymously with Monero
Mullvad provides a user-friendly, private VPN service, but also shows that anonymous digital transactions without logging any user data are a viable way forward.
https://theprivacydad.com/paying-for-mullvad-vpn-anonymously-with-monero/
@npub1xh7…v9hj @npub1lnw…d45f @npub12y3…24m7 @npub12w6…2axu @npub1m24…d9a3
#VPN #Xmr #monero #surveillancecapitalism #privacy

2024-12-30 20:58:21 GMT

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You're not just any potato...your a PROTATO!

2024-12-15 10:38:56 GMT

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I think I installed it at the time because it was the only one out of the three I hadn't tried yet. Then I kept it because it works well. GrapheneOS is meant to be more secure than Calyx (see this comparison: https://www.privacyguides.org/articles/2022/04/21/grapheneos-or-calyxos/) but I've heard from people I respect that CalyxOS is fine too, if you have a normal threat model.

2024-12-13 00:08:56 GMT

Just learned about https://european-alternatives.eu/ via [@moniquebarrow_](https://mastodon.social/@moniquebarrow_ ) . It's a fantastic list of privacy software alternatives for anyone interested in server location.

2024-12-13 00:07:37 GMT

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https://european-alternatives.eu/ is such a great list for anyone interested in where data is stored!

2024-12-12 23:17:39 GMT

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Well it is, because
8 years = 2920 days @ 6 hrs of sleep a night = 17520 hours of sleep
6 months = 182 @ 24 hrs/day = 4368 hrs of being awake, often spent listening to a young animal crying.
How does one get those -13152 hours back, or do parents die 548 days (per child!) earlier than fated?

2024-12-12 21:59:23 GMT

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It's a good list!

2024-12-12 10:30:18 GMT

Good article about places you can find privacy software: https://theprivacycloud.substack.com/p/how-to-find-privacy-focused-software by [@moniquebarrow_](https://mastodon.social/@moniquebarrow_ )
#foss #privacy

2024-12-07 23:51:11 GMT

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Ah, sorry, ok. No, I don't have any experience with those apps. I guess you already know about this: https://privsec.dev/posts/android/banking-applications-compatibility-with-grapheneos/ . For what it is worth, I have found that creating a separate user profile and downloading from the Google Play Store has made some apps work that did not work with more private settings.

2024-12-07 20:03:14 GMT

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Maybe check the last section here: https://theprivacydad.com/whats-it-like-using-calyxos-every-day/ "Creating a separate user for Google applications". That works for me on GrapheneOS.

2024-12-03 21:26:27 GMT

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There is a similar story involving the Japanese noise artist Merzbow, a large bottle of coke, and a microphone.

2024-12-03 20:58:06 GMT

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Fixed, thanks!

2024-12-03 20:44:06 GMT

For my oldest child, who is now a young adult, CalyxOS feels no different to using regular Android, with a couple of exceptions (interview).
https://theprivacydad.com/i-ask-my-oldest-whats-it-like-using-calyxos-every-day/?token=9608bed2c4
@npub1xwa…75q9 @npub1606…yxcd @npub19kd…t56d #privacy #customrom #calyxos #proton #parenting

2024-11-28 16:34:09 GMT

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Spam via email? Or in the comments?

2024-11-28 11:22:57 GMT

PmWiki looks like an interesting project!
https://www.pmwiki.org/
#wiki #selfhosting

2024-11-28 00:59:45 GMT

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I need to try this out as well. I was hoping to try it out on my child's Chromebook from school, but I think you need to hold down a boot key when restarting (F12 on a Thinkpad, for example), and I've read it won't work on Chromebooks admined by a school.

2024-11-27 22:23:33 GMT

Nice site and blog on privacy & gaming:
https://monique-barrow.com/privacyknowledgebase/
[@moniquebarrow_](https://mastodon.social/@moniquebarrow_ )

2024-11-26 21:47:34 GMT

If you own the right smartphone, you can deGoogle and have it up and running within 30 minutes with CalyxOS.
https://theprivacydad.com/degoogle-a-smartphone-with-calyxos-in-under-30-minutes/
@npub1xwa…75q9 @npub1606…yxcd @npub1als…r5t8 @npub1gql…qma5 [@Fairphone](https://social.weho.st/@Fairphone ) #customrom #privacy

2024-11-26 16:11:51 GMT

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Also, back then, people used to put articles before first names.

2024-11-06 00:15:00 GMT

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The demo blog and @npub107n…gtam 's manpage blog links don't work for me. The BoxyBSD one does.

2024-11-05 01:45:34 GMT

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Neat! I've been told I am a right-brained person!

2024-11-03 00:02:38 GMT

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You've told us this before!

2024-11-02 11:29:34 GMT

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I'll add that to the blog post.

2024-11-01 23:20:12 GMT

If you have a compatible device, e Foundation's Easy Installer makes installing /e/OS a breeze.
https://theprivacydad.com/trying-out-eos-with-easy-installer-on-a-fairphone/
@npub1ruf…fe5f @npub19s7…z6ml @npub1mtr…trt0 #aurora store #privacy

2024-10-22 19:06:16 GMT

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With what??