Not only did I exit Apple in February (My first computer in 1993 and all since were Apple made) I've started a program at my local library to help others exit big tech, save money and continue using older hardware. Computing without #Apple, #Google, #Microsoft is entirely possible. Using #GNU#Linux#FreeSoftware has been a better #computing experience.

We can help one another do this. We do actually have a choice. They do not get to control everything. Make the effort.
https://beardystarstuff.net/posts/2025-03-16.html

I've posted a couple times in recent days on this topic and decided to write up a longer, proper blog post that's slightly less ranty:

Lefty Activists and Journalists: STOP using Google and other big US tech services!

Do not assume your data stored at #Google, #Microsoft or #Apple to be fully private or secure. Of course those companies will insist that it is and some is likely more secure than others. But these are all companies...

#Computing#Activism#Security

https://beardystarstuff.net/posts/2025-08-02.html

"Activists are often targets. Authorities and adversaries have long monitored activist movements. In the 1960s, for example, the FBI’s COINTELPRO program even spied on civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr., bugging his phones and tracking his activities.

Fast forward to today: law enforcement agencies monitor social media and online communications of protesters. In 2020, the D.C. Metropolitan Police and federal...

#Security#Privacy#Resist#Computing#Activism

https://museumofprotest.org/guides/guide-cybersecurity-and-privacy-for-activists/

"It’s been five months since I set-up my local files “cloud” and I thought I’d write a short update. I’ve made a few changes but, in short, it’s been a great experience with zero issues.

My initial cloud was going to be syncing between the LinuxMini and an M1 MacMini. I initially expected to continue using the iPad for computing while out on the porch, working off of files on the Mac that would then sync to the LinuxMini...

#Apple#GNU#Linux#Computing#FreeSoftware

https://beardystarstuff.net/posts/2025-07-31.html

Additional thoughts this morning as I continue an email thread with an activist/journalist friend who is in the process of pulling out of gmail now...

Activists/journalists that are still using gmail and iCloud are fucking negligent. Get your head out of your asses. If you really think Trump 2.0 is fascism and you keep using US based cloud and email, you're fucking negligent. Make a fucking effort to get off of that shit now.

runbox.com, mailbox.org or tuta.com

#Resist#Computing#Security

🧵 An illustration I made about the mid-2000s Sony rootkit scandal, published on the BoingBoing blog.

ℹ️ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sony_BMG_copy_protection_rootkit_scandal

#sony#RetroComputing #retro #computers #computing #2000s#tech #technology #nostalgia #design #artwork #sculpture#3DArt#3DModeling#3DArtist #illustration #illustrator #picture #digital #style #art #artist #arts #arte #designer#GraphicDesign#3D#3DRendering#CGI#Blender3D#B3D #blender #DigitalArt#ArtLovers #MastoArt#FediArt #CreativeToots#ArtistsOnMastodon

A journalist/activist friend has finally begun the process of exiting Google. She's also working on exiting the other tech-predators. Progress, one person at a time!!

She asked: What about the people I email with that still use gmail?

Me: We have to convince them to quit as well. And for sensitive data we have to INSIST on it. We must stop tolerating the use of companies that we have no reason to trust, especially those in the US.

DROP THEM ALL.
#Google #Microsoft #Apple #Amazon #Computing

Apple to GNU/Linux Journal: Food and exercise tracking with LibreOffice Calc

Transitioning my health tracking from proprietary apps on Apple devices to Free Software on GNU+Linux has proven fairly easy. The result is a simple spreadsheet that is private, future-proof, easy to update and back-up.

#Apple#Computing#Health#Fitness#FreeSoftware#GNU + #Linux#LibreOffice

https://beardystarstuff.net/posts/2025-07-17.html

Apple to GNU/Linux Journal: Food and exercise tracking with LibreOffice Calc

Transitioning my health tracking from proprietary apps on Apple devices to Free Software on GNU+Linux has proven fairly easy. The result is a simple spreadsheet that is private, future-proof, easy to update and back-up.

#Apple#Computing#Health#Fitness#FreeSoftware#GNU + #Linux#LibreOffice

https://beardystarstuff.net/posts/2025-07-17.html

The usual amazing interview with Cory Doctorow:
"In this episode of Dot Social, recorded live at the Fediverse House at SXSW 2025, Doctorow unpacks the concept of “enshittification.” ... He talks about how to challenge platform monopolies and the importance of true federation."

#Internet#Computing#Capitalism#Democracy#Resist#Oligarchy

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aULx-29nf-s

Shop keeper Phyllis used her computer system to automate book keeping, taking the time to prepare from five hours to five minutes.

Having learned the system down to hardware level, Phyllis is now building an electronics kit. Her aim? Build a computer herself; Or as we called it an “electronic gadget”.

What Phyllis doesn’t say is she was a maths graduate from University and “#Cypher Clerk” in “Hut 5” at #BletchleyPark during the war.

The”Official Secrets Act” was in force in 1983 😂🤣☺️

#UK / WW2 / #computing / #bombe / #SigInt / #accounts / #hardware #kits / #Commodore / #PET / #RetroComputing

Richard Stallman ruined my computing. I want to thank him for it.

When I moved my computing to GNU+Linux in February I still didn’t have a clue about the change of thinking that was coming for me in the next six months. And, frankly, I’ve got Richard Stallman to thank for that. Once I began tapping into his many articles and speeches, my entire understanding of my personal computing shifted to the degree...

#Apple#Google#Computing#FSF#FreeSoftware#GNU + #Linux

https://beardystarstuff.net/posts/2025-07-15.html

Shop keeper Phyllis used her computer system to automate book keeping, taking the time to prepare from five hours to five minutes.

Having learned the system down to hardware level, Phyllis is now building an electronics kit. Her aim? Build a computer herself; Or as we called it an “electronic gadget”.

What Phyllis doesn’t say is she was a maths graduate from University and “#Cypher Clerk” in “Hut 5” at #BletchleyPark during the war.

The”Official Secrets Act” was in force in 1983 😂🤣☺️

#UK / WW2 / #computing / #bombe / #SigInt / #accounts / #hardware #kits / #Commodore / #PET / #RetroComputing

“Meet the COMPUTER ADDICTS”

Chris was living his #RetroComputer life back in 1983. It was foretold 😂🤣☺️

#BBC / #computing #work / #hardware / #VideoGames / #Commodore / #PET 1983 <https://youtube.com/watch?v=jbu0kmCeLSI

Richard Stallman ruined my computing. I want to thank him for it.

When I moved my computing to GNU+Linux in February I still didn’t have a clue about the change of thinking that was coming for me in the next six months. And, frankly, I’ve got Richard Stallman to thank for that. Once I began tapping into his many articles and speeches, my entire understanding of my personal computing shifted to the degree...

#Apple#Google#Computing#FSF#FreeSoftware#GNU + #Linux

https://beardystarstuff.net/posts/2025-07-15.html

Slightly random but if you have any memories of Mirrorsoft - whether it's their games, Fleet Street Publisher or working there - do let me know. #computing #history #gaming #publishing

"The intent of proprietary computing is that everything users do should come under the dictates of the owners of the code...

You can agree to your own subjugation, that’s your choice. It may seem more convenient. It may seem comfortable. It may even seem pleasurable and safe. But in the end, you’re handing over your own fate."

#fsf#FreeSoftware#GNU + #Linux#Freedom#Democracy#Computing#Apple#Microsoft#Google#Amazon#Ethics#Libre

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