Easy: Monty Python

I want to know how to switch groups.

How about a bot that types slowly, so it can have time to consider what it’s going to say? Or perhaps a web page with an “Analyzing issue” status bar that takes several minutes to complete, because computers just do better if they’re given time to work on a problem?

Another example of Republican principles. Corporations are protected by laws but not bound by them, while the average citizen is bound by laws but not protected by them.

“We’re always looking for ways to improve our customer service experience.”

LOL!

The librarians I’ve talked to simply don’t know how any of this works. I’ve been told 3 times (the 3rd one today) that epub version of books are not available. Today it was a “trained computer aid that offers technology assistance” saying the epub format I download just last week is not available from the library.

Define cheap. 11" Dell 3140’s in like new condition with Intel N200 processors, 8GB RAM, wifi, SSD and a decent keyboard have been coming up on Ebay and Woot every few weeks for $170 or so. Debian 12 detects all hardware immediately on installation.

Overdrive’s being phased out and being replaced by Libby according to the 2 libraries I frequent. I wonder if it will still be supported on Kobo OS once the website and apps are shut down?

It’s not just Amazon. Libraries (and Libby, the app they use) are also making it difficult to do anything but read in a browser or use Kindle.

The really amazing thing is that spez’s planet-sized ego created the whole user exodus. People were willing to pay a monthly fee to continue to use the site ad-free via our mobile apps. Hundreds of other companies remove ads when people pay fees, but all of that revenue is just gone along with a big chunk of contributors because spez had a tantrum.

Yes for both of my refrigerator sensors. There’s a concrete floor and multiple concrete walls between one of the sensors and the hub and it still works perfectly.

“NaziAI” has a real ring to it.

If you’ve not ordered from Aliexpress be aware their website is set up to display deep discounts for first time orders by default. Once you log in after your first order the discounts disappear and the prices are much higher.

Pretty crappy business practices, but when a product is 1/4 the price of buying locally, still hard to pass up. For $4 a pop I put leak sensors under every sink and toilet in the house. At the time they were $17 each on Amazon. Also be aware it is very easy to buy a wifi version instead of Zigbee because of the way the website is set up. Many Tuya wifi devices require always on Internet access.

I’m in the U.S. and it’s $4-$5. Free shipping with a $10 purchase. Surprised it’s so much more in the E.U.

A friend just had her Windows 11 PC hijacked and used to drain money from her bank account. Not too much of a worry with Linux of any flavor.

It took 5x as long to wipe the disk and reload Windows as it would have to load Linux, plus another hour to change the settings to turn off as much of of Window’s advertising and spyware as possible. Microsoft will no doubt change the settings back when Windows update runs, or maybe they’ll just pile on more ads.

I’d much rather deal with some hardware incompatibilities than Microsoft’s bullshit.

It’s this one: https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256805942369090.html?gatewayAdapt=glo2usa

One of my main goals when setting up home automation was making sure the devices I’m using do not need cloud access. The only exception is an old Honeywell thermostat that I’ll replace eventually. Everything else, including security camera occupancy detection continues to work if the Internet goes down.

My router only has one open port and that’s for Wireguard. It’s set to a random port number and appears closed to external scanners so I believe my network security is reasonably good. Devices that like to connect to external servers like TP-Link cameras and bulbs are blocked by the router’s firewall.

For occasional external access I use Tasker to detect what network I’m on and then automatically connect to Wireguard when away from home. After the WG tunnel’s up it starts Home Assistant Companion. It’s not as seamless as Home Assistant Cloud, but for occasional use it’s fine.

Warning about Home Assistant: It’s ridiculously addictive. It is also so flexible that I’ve been able to implement almost anything that comes to mind and ended up with more sensors and automations than I ever thought I’d use.

Linux Mint is an excellent choice for both new and experienced users. After distro-hopping for years I went back to Mint because it works on my hardware with very few problems and I was tired of troubleshooting other distros odd problems. I haven’t used Mint on a Go 2, but I have used the full version with Cinnamon Desktop on a Dell Venue with similar hardware restrictions and currently run Mint on a Surface Laptop 4.

As to whether the Go 2 will work for your uses, the Venue had 4GB of memory and a 128GB SSD and worked fine for simple spreadsheets, word processing, web browsing, email and as an ebook reader. It was used daily for 1-3 hours for 7 years. Even after cracking the screen I was able to run Debian 12 and Home Assistant on it for almost a year more. A Micro SD was great for extra storage, but was far too slow for running an OS IMO. Despite the daily use and running a Swap file, I did not have any SSD problems in almost 8 years of use. It still works and if it weren’t for the cracked screen I’d probably still be using it.

Because of the limited memory I used Zram. Once set up it’s completely transparent and Mint is noticeably faster when running multiple apps. The 128GB SSD was big enough as long as I was careful with downloads and moved large, little used files to the Micro SD. No problems 99% of the time with the processing power.

I now use a Surface Laptop 4 with Mint. The Linux Surface Github page provided the info and procedures needed to set it up. An external USB keyboard and mouse were required for installation because the keyboard and trackpad would not work until the Surface kernel was installed. It works perfectly after installation and configuration.

Libreoffice Draw works as a PDF editor and does what you’re looking for. No experience with Linux note taking apps or a stylus.

Seems to be. It reads within 1 degree of a digital refrigerator thermometer.

I use the round version of the same Tuya temperature sensor in my refrigerator and with Home Assistant. For $4 I wouldn’t hesitate trying one in a protected area outside. As long as it’s not directly exposed to rain or sun it’ll probably work fine.