Freeing Apple Devices from Apple

Over the past year I’ve often come across folks talking about de-Googling which largely comes down to disconnecting from Google services by finding alternatives. When I began my transition away from Apple a few months back I wasn’t sure what I would do with my various Apple devices. I knew I wanted to switch to GNU/Linux on my 2012 Mac, but I would still have several devices that would be stuck with an #Apple OS...

#Privacy#Computing
https://beardystarstuff.net/posts/2025-08-29.html

@PttP I'd like to see my current effort of one turn into a #FreeSoftware user group that can multiply the offering. #Rural #Missouri is fairly impoverished, I think if we can keep at it we'll slowly raise an awareness of what #GNU #Linux and Free Software can do for people on a budget. And, along with that, improve local users' knowledge, #computing self-reliance and willingness to help other users is #MutualAid. A seed that can be planted anywhere if there's a local gardener to care for it. 🙂 🌱

If you're in Missouri and want to share Free Software with others I'm looking for folks to join in the effort.

Fascism is here. Whether it's coming from the current admin or capitalists, #FreeSoftware is worth fighting for. We do not have to accept their effort to control us. We do not have to cooperate in our own subjugation. We can organize in our communities to help others be more free. We can all do our part.

#Resist#Computing#BigTech #microsoft#Google#Apple

https://libreplanet.org/wiki/Group:LibrePlanet_Missouri

Back in the 80's and 90's, when PCs were new and intriguing to humans, they dedicated a corner of a room or a full room to host these strange Machines, putting them on altars –later known as computer shelf– to properly exhibit them.

Most of these altars were equipped with shelfs so the different elements of the Machine could rest comfortably, some additional shelfs were dedicated so the humans of the time could place offerings, like softwares boxes and books to appease the Spirit of the Machine or trinkets to attract good fortune when he was using it.
Some altars were equipped with doors so the Machine could have some privacy during it sleep.

At the time, we went to the computer like ou ancestors go to the church: to received Answers, it was way before the enshitification of the internet.

#Computing

"If it's still regularily used, it's not old. It's stable and sustainable"

#timeless #stable #computing #linux #foss

Back in the 80's and 90's, when PCs were new and intriguing to humans, they dedicated a corner of a room or a full room to host these strange Machines, putting them on altars –later known as computer shelf– to properly exhibit them.

Most of these altars were equipped with shelfs so the different elements of the Machine could rest comfortably, some additional shelfs were dedicated so the humans of the time could place offerings, like softwares boxes and books to appease the Spirit of the Machine or trinkets to attract good fortune when he was using it.
Some altars were equipped with doors so the Machine could have some privacy during it sleep.

At the time, we went to the computer like ou ancestors go to the church: to received Answers, it was way before the enshitification of the internet.

#Computing

#Computing#Privacy#Cloud#Microsoft#FreeSoftware#Google

"If it's still regularily used, it's not old. It's stable and sustainable"

#timeless #stable #computing #linux #foss

Watching the Dune Prophecy series. Does the Dune universe's Butlerian Jihad have it right? Was mechanical computing a bad idea?

#SciFi#Dune#DuneProchecy #computing

Time to thin the library of software engineering books that I no longer need or, in the case of the C++ ones, no longer (and never did) bring me joy. I doubt any charity shop will take these and I can’t just put them in recycling. If you would like any of these for the cost of postage (which for some will be sizeable), DM me. UK only, and I am in East Sussex if you wished to collect. Titles and weights in alt text. Please boost for reach and reuse! #computing #retrocomputing #books#Perl#Linux

I updated my post "Do I need a Lisp Machine comeback?". I have added the new information I've found with chatting with folks on lisp IRC channels.

https://far.chickenkiller.com/computing/do-i-need-a-lisp-machine-comeback/

Seems like I was looking for was "residential style development" or something. Dunno yet what does it mean. But for sure I am digging something out of grave!

#lisp #lispmachine #interlisp #residentialdevelopment #development #softwaredevelopment #programming #commonlisp #clisp #cl #computing #computers #retrocomputing #wakegp #research

An excellent but brief overview of the history of ODF. Well worth watching if you're interested in #freesoftware but unfamiliar with with this bit of history.

"A silent war has shaped the digital world: ODF vs OOXML. From the rise of OpenOffice.org and #LibreOffice to Microsoft’s controversial standardization of OOXML, this video tells the untold story of control, freedom, and the future of digital documents."

#Microsoft #BigTech #Computing

https://yt.cult9.xyz/watch?v=dgxhn3bCD58

Most Americans I know pretend they are helpless to enact change on a personal level. That's not true.

#ClimateDiary#Computing#Resist

I got new stickers from @fsf so I fixed the outside of my 2012 Mini to match the inside which runs Trisquel GNU/Linux.

Many of us spend a lot of time using computers everyday and we can do more to make sure we use an OS and software that is built to respect our freedom, privacy and security.

Bonus: It runs great on old computers, is climate and resource friendly, saves money.

#Apple#FreeSoftware#GNU#Linux#Computing#FreeComputing #repair#Resist#BigTech#Degrowth #ClimateDiary

I got a start in upgrading 7 donated laptops. 4 are done. GNU/Linux Mint with Xfce desktop installed in about 30 minutes per computer. Another 10-15 minutes to run updates. Specs: 4 to 8GB of memory, hard drives (rather than SSDs). Instead of being recycled they are ready for continued use. Totally usable for day-to-day general use. Anyone can do this kind of direct action, community mutual aid that conserves energy and resources.

#GNU#Linux#Endof10#MutualAid#Computing#Tech#Climate

Imagine a fascist state populated by citizens that happily volunteer to carry data/location tracking devices with them every minute of every day.

Every minute, everyday, reporting on yourself. That's you.

A fascist regime (I expect them to break out some sort of perverse new Nazi inspired logo armband and flag any day) but for now heavily armed, masked ICE agents will do.

Don't cooperate with your subjugation.

#Google#Apple#Microsoft#Fascism#BigTech#Computing#Security#Privacy

Many reasons, inspired by emotion and logic. I think those can work well together. I embrace and use my rage.

Rather than rehash here, I'll just say I have many posts dealing with it including a recent post dedicated to ethics and computing.

#Apple#Fascism#Ethics#Computing#TimCook#FreeSoftware

https://beardystarstuff.net/posts/2025-07-04.html