I tried out a handful of Lemmy apps and Thunder is what I used for most of it but then switched to Summit. There’s aspects I like about both and aspects I dislike about both, but they don’t have a bad UI.

I don’t really fault them when they don’t know there is an alternative. And the alternative isn’t clear cut and/or very good.

I do fault them for when they think that the platform is the solution and don’t expect the same thing to happen.

My work around was keeping the phone number but not on my phone so I never lose it like that.

Specifically I ported it to Google voice where its just parked with no monthly cost (there was a 1 time port cost). I’m not logged in to voice ever so the anti-privacy of google doesn’t apply. Any text messages I receive get forwarded to a non google email (but thats few and far between).

I’m sure there are other similar options out there, but I did what I knew and its been fine.

I feel you on that. Even not being on xyz social trend of the day you still get exposed to the mentality of it by the people that are. To some extent that’s fine, but it can get old really quickly.

I don’t want to doom scroll all day and night. I don’t want to socialize on media and follow people or have followers. Random people are not my entertainment. I don’t need my phone in my hand 24/7.

My take is that I will live my life by my culture. If people see me be me and follow my example, great. If people think I’m a weirdo, oh well I’ll just go do my own thing.

Its good to clarify that it’s not end to end encrypted like their email because its not clear from their marketing wording that its not. Its very easy to presume “encrypted” is the same encryption process they are known for on their email.

The flip side of that coin is that it is a separate tool you don’t have to use. You can choose to use as many or few of their products as you wish (its not forced on you).

It’s also a plus that there is SOME encryption and attempts at privacy vs every other alternative besides self hosting.

I’ve personally found lumo to be very useful in troubleshooting computer issues that I’m unfamiliar with. I’ve learned a lot from using it, and the researching was faster than scouring forums myself and presented to me in a single pane. Its just a tool similar to a web browser. I choose a browser that helps me be private and I choose an AI tool that does the same, but I don’t expect either to actually keep me private.

Companies that want control over their videos. I.e. not to have ads play, not to have their videos followed by suggested content that sends viewers to competitors, nor have that alternate content show when the UI is paused or interacted with. It also allows updating of videos (whereas YouTube makes you upload a new video and you loose all links or view stats/momentum from the switch)

It basically works offline.

You need a canva account associated with it, and there is a periodic online check in if I recall correctly. But it’s not an online always scenario in the slightest.

Though I have never used their AI tools/features at all, which might require online because it uses their servers (just speculation)

You can also try Caffeine which will prevent sleep and the monitors from turning off. It would be a dumb solution but could be a good temporary work around / troubleshooting tool.

Gotcha. That’s a fair point. I kind of jumped to the end because the typical response is to “just use libre office” and OP is clearly a power spreadsheet person where that’s not gong to work.

That’s my point. There are lots of spreadsheet options, but if they don’t meet all the needs then they really aren’t alternatives. Maybe it’s semantics, but I find that definition to not be misleading and keep expectations in line.

There is no Excel alternative. It sucks, bit its the reality. I run a VM specifically for a couple windows apps and 90% of that is excel.

I use version 2019 and manipulated the installer to only install excel and none of the other office suite apps.

You can also do the same in a docker container instead of VM (winboat) if that’s more your jam.

If you want more info on any of that I’d be glad to give you more details.

I have a similar view as you where I don’t have the time to really learn the intricacies of ensuring it’s all set up properly and securely.

I’ve recently started self hosting more things and found tailscale as a very adequate solution for secure connections in a simple fashion.

The other thing is that if it doesn’t need outside access you don’t need to do it which is an extra security step you can take.

Right, but as an update I now have vaultwarden running myself. Still testing implementation but the technical part is done.

I’m aware of vaultwarden and am considering self hosting my password manager. I literally almost installed it this weekend.

I’m also aware of the shifts bitwarden has made to their open source roots that might change the future of the product. I do think they will focus on enterprise for profit and that leaves the consumer base in limbo, but I’m not necessarily convinced that will be “soon”. I still think today bitwarden is one of the best out of the box solutions.

But to your point, yes I think that path is the one most orgs take as they grow.

I vote for bitwarden. I’ve used it for years and think its one of the best password managers.

At my work we use roboform. Its functional and not a bad choice, but bitwarden is better IMO.

Been a few months but I just got around to doing a solid setup of Navidrome. Just wanted to say thanks again because your detailed app breakdown saved me tons of time and headaches. Much appreciated!

One of the things I appreciate about the prequel is that it ends seamlessly into the first movie. It actually builds that tension that leads from the originals beginning. One of the best moments of the movie.

Secondary comment. Linux aside, I appreciate your Thing video. Yes, that’s exactly the difference with the original vs the prequel. I enjoyed the prequel much more than most (and you give it a nod at the end) but it’s far from the original.

Disclaimer, I did not watch the video other than the intro.

I intend to scrub through it, but its very long for an basics video. Maybe this should be broken up into a series.

Looking at the topics, it seems odd to including gaming for Grandma. Again, if it was a series you could do an offshoot gaming focused video for non grandma.

Though to be constructive and positive, I love your intent here. When you know nothing about Linux there’s a lot of information to process and understand (even for non grandmas). You cover a lot of important topics and how to get going.

The problem with tech support in general is that people want to have a trusted source. If you are successful in your endeavour, then you are that source. Therefore you will be called for everything. Absolutely everything.

Suddenly all people forget how to search online themselves or to actually look at the problem before reaching out. Not even a turn it off and on again mentality. You are now their source and will do everything for them.

Then it degrades from there. Problems become vague descriptions of “acting funny” and you spend far too much time trying to get accurate descriptions and scenarios to understand the problem before even being able to try to troubleshoot it.

All this jaded negativity is just me making a point that reasonable charges won’t get you very far. You will need to charge more to cover the time (yours or help) and then you will be deemed too expensive and people won’t call.