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diff --git a/content/post/_index.md b/content/post/_index.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..8a084d9 --- /dev/null +++ b/content/post/_index.md @@ -0,0 +1,6 @@ ++++ +aliases = ["posts", "articles", "blog", "showcase", "docs"] +title = "Posts" +author = "Hugo Authors" +tags = ["index"] ++++ diff --git a/content/post/programs/index.md b/content/post/programs/index.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6766253 --- /dev/null +++ b/content/post/programs/index.md @@ -0,0 +1,86 @@ ++++ +author = "Kumar Damani" +title = "Programs and Equipment" +date = "2021-11-12" +description = "Overview for the programs and equipment I use day-to-day." +tags = [ + "personal", + "tech", +] ++++ + +The programs and equipment I use on a daily basis. +<!--more--> + +# Programs and Equipment I Use +I'm about getting things done quickly and having as little space between +my thoughts and actions on the computer. + +I like having vim-like bindings and prefer running programs in the terminal for simplicity's sake. +That said, I'm very much against the cringe meme that things in the terminal are "cooler" or "nerdier" XD. +Terminals are good for most tasks, but useless for others, for example, browsing the web +(I admit this unfortunate fact with much consternation) or looking at maps. + +## Software I Use + +### OS Distribution +[Manjaro](https://manjaro.org/) (stable) though this is a bit of a moot point since there's been a lot of convergence among the +popular distros recently especially since they all offer some dedicated channel for getting up-to-date +software. The real day-to-day difference to workflow comes from the choice of desktop environment. +I do like Debian, and Fedora as well. + +### Desktop Environment +I've settled on [KDE Plasma](https://kde.org/plasma-desktop/) w/ Wayland after many years of hopping. +Plasma comes with all the tools you'd expect to see in a modern desktop, +and for the most part these tools are perfectly capable of doing the task they are meant to do. +Prior to KDE, I've used Dwm/Bsmpw + Sxhkd, i3 etc. I'm glad these exist and people get +use out of it, but for now I do not miss it - I'm sure that will eventually change too. + + + +### Text Editor +[(neo)vim](https://neovim.io/). Less of a text editor and more of a lifestyle. Check out my dotfiles for this. +No, I'm not going to ever switch to emacs. + + + +### Web Browser +[Firefox](https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/features/) / +[Brave](https://brave.com) / +[Vivaldi](https://vivaldi.com). +I have tried, Chromium, Qutebrowser in the past. + +### File Manager +[nnn](https://github.com/jarun/nnn). Yes, I have used ranger. + + + +## Where can I find good software options? +The program of your dreams is probably listed below: +* The [suckless](https://suckless.org/rocks/) website's list of programs that "rock". +Generally minimalist programs. +* A more comprehensive [list](https://github.com/mayfrost/guides/blob/master/ALTERNATIVES.md) +of minimalist software. +* [FSF's Free Software Directory](https://directory.fsf.org/wiki/Main_Page). + Emphasis on libre software (although most software in the links above will have free licenses as well). +* [Gentoo Wiki Recommendations](https://wiki.installgentoo.com/index.php/List_of_recommended_GNU/Linux_software) + A good mix of programs for novices and advanced users. + +## Hardware I Use + +### Laptop + +The main laptop I use is the [Framework laptop](https://frame.work/). +I'm a huge fan of the whole upgradability concept coming from a few generations of ThinkPads. + + +## What I don't use +Proprietary software. + +I'm not going to endorse proprietary services that have gone out of their way to spy on or politically +suppress their users, just as Facebook, Discord etc. +One of the many take-aways you should get from me is that the use of libre/free software, +by its nature, is more constructive and extensible; and **that's the point**. + +There are philosophical reasons for this I'll talk about in time, but for now, +suffice it to say I will not endorse the usage of proprietary software. diff --git a/content/post/self-host/6imv05.jpg b/content/post/self-host/6imv05.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..d042d7a --- /dev/null +++ b/content/post/self-host/6imv05.jpg diff --git a/content/post/self-host/elections.jpg b/content/post/self-host/elections.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..ac4ac96 --- /dev/null +++ b/content/post/self-host/elections.jpg diff --git a/content/post/self-host/freedom.jpg b/content/post/self-host/freedom.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..d62048a --- /dev/null +++ b/content/post/self-host/freedom.jpg diff --git a/content/post/self-host/index.md b/content/post/self-host/index.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6d13fc2 --- /dev/null +++ b/content/post/self-host/index.md @@ -0,0 +1,125 @@ ++++ +author = "Kumar Damani" +title = "Why do I self-host?" +date = "2022-09-12" +description = "Overview of why I self-host." +tags = [ + "personal", + "tech", +] ++++ + +My reasons for self-hosting. +<!--more--> + +## Digital freedom/independence + + + +To put it simply, if you use a service such as Lastpass, iCloud, Dropbox, GDrive, OneDrive, etc. +to store your data, **you do not own it**. + +You are *trusting* corp. X to store it, secure it, and make it available to you. +Beyond the obvious privacy pitfalls with this, there are many other things that +could go wrong with your data being stored this way: + +* Corp. X could vanish/close/"declare bankruptcy" (as with many crypto corps. lately), and you lose your data. +* Corp. X could make a policy change and lock you out from accessing your account. +* Or you could "forget" to pay the bills a few times and get locked out. +* Corp. X could get hacked, and your data gets stolen. This is the latest trend! +* Many other doomsday 💀 scenarios. + +Personally, I don't feel comfortable depending on the existence of corp. X *for data that is important to + me* i.e. a lifetime's worth of documents, memories, and passwords etc. +I 💤 much better at night knowing I am avoiding most if not all of the risks above. + + +## Privacy +Normies often ask me some variation of: +* Why do I care if corp. X has my data? I have nothing to hide! +* Since I'm aware of targeted advertising, it won't work on me, + so why should I care if corp. X has my data? + +{{< figure src="why.jpg" alt="my pic" width="75%" >}} + +To such questions, I follow-up with: +> **Do you want to contribute to a dystopian ([Orwellian](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orwellian) future?** + +{{< figure src="police.jpg" alt="thought police" width="75%" >}} + +If your answer is *yes*, then no need to read further, the following will not change your mind. + +If your answer is *no*, but you aren't convinced that/how these are related, +then the *argument goes something like this...* +* We live in a world of mass data-collection/surveillance. +* This enables corp. X to use techniques such as ML (Machine Learning) to build/train models (or "AI" - + Artificial Intelligence)that aim to predict human behaviour. +* That by itself is not a problem here. +* The problems arise when corp. X use these techniques for profit without + regard for the harm they cause at a *population level*. + +I have unfortunately lived through enough of these cases to be able to cite a few recent examples: +* Instagram (etc.) designs its apps/products optimizing for maximum <cite> addiction[^1]</cite>. + Think slot-machines. + You might think you are "too smart" to fall for these tricks, and you might be right, + but what about the millions of adolescents using these platforms who aren't as wise as you? + The data collected, and techniques developed from *your usage* enables platforms + to target not only you, but *all* users on the platform, including the most vulnerable. + + Unfortunately, many of these kids will end up suffering from mental-health, + body-image, self-esteem <cite>issues[^2]</cite>, + and for some it **will be fatal**. + I do not think this is morally acceptable, and is primary reason I refuse + to participate in social-media platforms. + +  + [^1]: [Smartphones and dompanime](https://sitn.hms.harvard.edu/flash/2018/dopamine-smartphones-battle-time/) + [^2]: [Mental health and social media](https://onlinedegrees.unr.edu/online-master-of-public-health/impact-of-social-media-on-youth-mental-health/) + +You could say "well that's due to bad parenting", but the point remains that +more and more of the digital world is having <em>real world</em> negative consequences regardless of +your individual participation level. Another example: + +* By now its well known that Facebook's (etc.) targeted advertising + played a significant a role in the 2016 US <cite>Elections[^3]</cite>. + Facebook was able to do this thanks to its users voluntarily giving personal information for two decades. + However, the policies that come out of this election has real world consequences to millions + (if not billions) of people, regardless of their *individual* Facebook usage, which + undermines the very purpose of a democratic republic. + Regardless of your political affiliation, it should worry you that this *can* happen. + +  + [^3]: [Excerpt from Facebook ex-exec](https://www.theverge.com/2017/12/11/16761016/former-facebook-exec-ripping-apart-society) + +To summarize, it might not be a problem if individuals disregard their +privacy at the individual level, but in aggregate, a <em>population-wide</em> disregard +has dystopian consequences. + +So the question you have to ask yourself is: +> **What can I do?** + +Start by **valuing your privacy**. +Then, follow some of these tips to *say no...* +* **Limit your exposure to these services.** If a friend stops talking to you because + of this, then congratulations, you've just gotten rid of a fake friend. You're welcome. +* [Self-host](https://wiki.r-selfhosted.com/getting-started/what-is-self-hosting/) + as much as you can. + You can see how I [implement](https://gitlab.com/kdam0/vps) this and replicate it yourself, + though it is a bit involved for normies. +* If neither of the above work for you, then you'll need to do some research to + find an alternative source that you can trust isn't doing the same thing. + Use [this](https://github.com/awesome-selfhosted/awesome-selfhosted) + as a starting point and try to search (Ctrl+f) for your service. For eg. Twitter, and + Instagram both have popular options available. +* **Stop using Chrome.** If you must use it, use [Brave](https://brave.com/) instead. + I advocate for [Firefox](https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/new/?redirect_source=firefox-com). + Neither are perfect, but both offer privacy respecting options in their settings. + Specifically disabling cross-site tracking is important. + Beyond that, install an ad-blocker extension such as [UBlock Origin](https://ublockorigin.com/) + on both of them. Don't forget to do the same on your mobile device! +* Things get more complicated on cell-phones. + I suggest switching to a privacy respecting operating-system such as [GrapheneOS](https://grapheneos.org/) + Short of this, you can only limit your usage. +* Support government policies that respect user-privacy. + +{{< figure src="office.png" alt="office pic" width="75%" >}} diff --git a/content/post/self-host/office.png b/content/post/self-host/office.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..9cff3ce --- /dev/null +++ b/content/post/self-host/office.png diff --git a/content/post/self-host/police.jpg b/content/post/self-host/police.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..dde2b44 --- /dev/null +++ b/content/post/self-host/police.jpg diff --git a/content/post/self-host/why.jpg b/content/post/self-host/why.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..eda5402 --- /dev/null +++ b/content/post/self-host/why.jpg |
