Category Archives: Life story

Best tablet? Microsoft Surface Pro 4.

Hello, dear reader! In this post, I will tell you about the Microsoft Surface Pro 4, my new and best purchase. I really love it!

What is the Surface Pro 4?

It’s a tablet with a keyboard. You can see pictures on my Twitter (X). It features an Intel Core i7 6650U, 16GB of DDR3 RAM, and 256GB NVMe storage. The

12″, 4K touchscreen has very good quality; it’s an IPS display that looks like retina. Yes, it’s a fully functional computer in your small backpack, with a weight of only 1.1kg (with the keyboard). Pretty awesome, isn’t it?

Why did I buy it?

Before this, I had a MacBook Pro 15 from 2017. You can read my post about it. You might think everything was good, and I liked it; I even called it the best laptop. So, what went wrong?

Firstly, it was too heavy and big for me. I didn’t need or like the big 15″ screen at all. I couldn’t carry it with me anywhere easily. It was not nice at all. I wanted to take it outside, to a cafe or a park, but I couldn’t. Even carrying it a little bit made my hands hurt a lot.

Secondly, it got too hot. Even simple tasks made it very hot, and it was uncomfortable to use it on my lap, etc.

Thirdly, there were software issues. Over time, macOS became a bit laggy for some reason. There were problems with the touch bar; it stopped working normally. Some clicks were ignored, among other iss

ues. And I wasn’t the only one who noticed this problem.

Why did I choose the Surface?

There are a few reasons.

Firstly, it’s something different and completely new for me. It’s post-PC! I always wanted to try a post-PC device. A tablet PC sounded really nice and interesting. I was afraid to try it and end up with something bad, but I took the plunge and didn’t regret it. It’s really awesome and very convenient.

Secondly, being a tablet, it’s small and lightweight. I can carry it everywhere in my very small backpack and not feel any strain on my back. It’s very portable.

Thirdly, it’s powerful for a tablet. It can handle all my tasks and works great. It also has an amazing screen and an awesome keyboard. I can type on it very quickly and easily. I called the MacBook keyboard the best one, but this one is even better! (Although the new MacBooks with non-butterfly keyboards are the same!).

Fourthly, it has a very nice design. It looks really awesome, and the materials are neat. The tablet is made from aluminum, and the keyboard is made from alcantara—a unique choice of material. However, the lighter versions might get dirty quickly, so be careful with them! It also has a stand behind it, which is really useful. You can see it on .

How do I use it?

I use it for tasks like messaging, email, entertainment, and so on. I watch videos on it, chat using Matrix and Telegram, post tweets on Twitter, write this blog, and many other things! I haven’t tested demanding tasks like video editing (just for testing) or gaming yet. It’s powerful enough for gaming, and I will surely test it later and tweet about the results, most likely.

Microsoft doesn’t sell devices, Microsoft sells a lifestyle

What? Why?..

Of course, this can vary for everyone, but that’s how it was for me. After getting the Surface, I always want to go out, travel, and use it outside. For instance, recently I spent some time outside, sitting in the park and chatting with my friend, and later I wrote half of this post. It’s so small and gives me the feeling of “oh, I should take it outside!” and so on. It’s really nice. Just like Apple, Microsoft sells a lifestyle! (For example, their Apple Watch might make you more active, even though they are quite expensive. I might consider getting a Series 3 later, but I’m not sure; I’ll think about it).

It’s important to remember that this is how it happened for me. It depends on the individual. I used to be someone who would spend all my time at home, and the Surface changed that. However, for you or someone else, it might not change anything.

Conclusion

The Surface tablet is the best laptop. Really, it is. It’s an awesome tablet, easy to carry anywhere, powerful, with an awesome screen. It can be an awesome device for travelers—much more convenient than laptops. It has a useful touchscreen and more!

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Written by Alina Lunaris for the n9io blog.
Please send any comments to ahr@anche.no.

The beginning and the end of Betsu!

Hello, dear reader! The Betsu association is going to be suspended on July 18. But before we talk about the end, let’s talk about the beginning!

The beginning

Betsu was originally called REPW (The Rainbow Everywhere Project). This project was planned a long while ago but wasn’t brought to fruition. Later, the CatServ project was planned, which aimed to provide free/libre hosting for software like Invidious and SearXNG. Then, CatServ Membership was also planned with the idea of offering web hosting, XMPP server, and potentially more services. Additionally, LibreCDN was in the works, which would host mirrors for projects such as GNU, FreeBSD, Trisquel, and others.

Unfortunately, technical problems prevented these ideas from becoming a reality. But then…

The Betsu Project was founded, and CatServ was finally created. It hosted SearXNG and Invidious. Later on, we added an XMPP server and The Lounge (an IRC bouncer), and started accepting requests. Everything worked great.

Eventually, “The Betsu Project” became simply “Betsu!” and transitioned into a UNA Not-For-Profit (Unincorporated Association).

Later on, a major update called Betsu Next was planned, a new site was created (private), and we added more services. These included a DNS service that blocks ads, trackers, malware, and other harmful elements, as well as webpaste services. We also established the IRC Network – C&C IRC.

The end

Everything seemed to be going well, but I (the founder of Betsu) started encountering more and more health problems in real life. I was diagnosed with Chronic Progressive Schizopytal Disorder and other issues. I often experience depression, go to doctors almost every day, undergo medical tests, and deal with various challenges. I have no time, desire, or energy to manage Betsu. As a result, some services became insecure and broke down. Even simple tasks like going to the toilet have become significant challenges for me, leaving me unable to do anything.

Continuing would be impractical, so now Betsu will be suspended on July 18. The official site states:

“Due to real-life problems, we are unable to manage the Betsu Infrastructure. On July 18, all accounts will be suspended, all data will be permanently removed, and all services will be down. C&C IRC will continue working in the usual mode but may be suspended in the future. Eventually, we will come back with something awesome, but for now, we have to say goodbye. Thanks to everyone for their support and for being with us all the time. See you in the best times. Sincerely, RANET Systems.”

It’s not really the end!

It’s the end of the current Betsu, but it’s not the end overall! Someday, we will return with something truly great, although it won’t be in the near future. If I remain alive, of course. Betsu will continue to serve as a CDN and C&C IRC.

That’s it.

Please send any comments to ahr (at) anche (dot) no.

It’s finally happening

Hello, dear reader!

As you probably already know, I am transgender MTF. After a year of suffering from gender dysphoria, I said, “fuck it all,” and started hormone replacement therapy (HRT).

There haven’t been many changes yet, as I am only a few days on estrogen (E), but damn, finally, I did it! Recently, I reached a point where I wanted to give up and attempted suicide by overdose. Fortunately, medical workers saved me. I didn’t want to live in this body; I wanted to be a girl, and now I am finally becoming one. I

I will write more posts about my journey, but in the meantime, you can expect other interesting content! Thanks for reading. Have a happy Pride Month.

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Please send any comments to ahr (at) anche (dot) no.

My Experience Using a Graphic Tablet as a Trackpad

Hello, dear reader! In this post, I want to tell you about my experience of replacing my computer mouse with a graphic tablet as a trackpad, and why I decided to make the switch.

Additionally, I will be discussing a software called Barrier. Enjoy!

Problems with My Hands

In the past, I used my hands inaccurately, constantly clicking on the keyboard and using my graphic tablet at a fast pace. Unfortunately, this was a big mistake that has led to persistent pain in my hands.

Whenever I type too much or use a mouse, the pain intensifies. It has even reached a point where I struggle to hold objects, such as a mug, due to the intense pain. At times, my fingers can stop working and cause excruciating pain for a period of time, making it necessary for me to be very cautious.

Replacing the Mouse

Since using a mouse causes me a lot of pain and inconvenience, I began searching for an alternative. In the past, I used a trackpad which was less painful, so I thought of getting an external trackpad for my computers. However, I only found trackpads from Apple, which come with exorbitant prices. Although I acknowledge that it is a great device, I do not want to support the company due to their controversial practices.

Afterward, I began using my old graphic tablet, an Xp-Pen G640, which was not very painful and worked great. It was then that I had an idea to purchase a graphic tablet with a multi-touch surface that could double as a trackpad. My initial choice was the Wacom CTL 480, but I could not find it in my country as it was only being sold by one individual who quickly sold out. Instead, I decided to purchase the Wacom CTL 680S, which has worked out well for me.

Using the Wacom CTL 680S as a Trackpad

Now, onto the question: how has the Wacom CTL 680S worked out for me?

In a word, it’s been amazing. The size of the tablet is almost the same as my laptop, with a large surface area that’s extremely convenient to use. Additionally, all gestures work, including scrolling and switching between workspaces, but only if you configure the drivers correctly.

The tablet also comes with a great pen that you can use for drawing, using the system, or playing games. It’s completely up to you how you choose to use it. Personally, I found using the pen as a mouse to be amazing as it feels like holding the cursor in your hand. It’s incredibly easy to use and has been a great addition to my setup.

Pros:

Large surface area
Convenient to use with a pen
Has multi-touch functionality
Great design
Bluetooth module and battery can be easily added if required

Cons:

Like in most trackpads, the surface is not a big button and requires double-clicking the title of a window to move it, instead of just holding down. However, this issue can be easily solved by using the pen instead, which works much better.

Ultimately, whether or not to use a graphic tablet as a replacement for a mouse or trackpad is up to you. Personally, I found it to be very convenient and easy to use. After using it for over a week, I can confidently say that it’s the best way to control a computer that I’ve ever used.

Goodbye, mouse, forever.

About Barrier

Firstly, what is it?

Barrier is a KVM software that allows you to control multiple computers at the same time using only one keyboard and mouse.

Currently, I have three machines with graphical interfaces and one with a framebuffer console. Rather than having multiple keyboards and mice cluttering up my workspace, I can just move my cursor to the other machines and control them with ease.

If you use multiple machines, I highly recommend giving Barrier a try. It’s incredibly convenient and easy to use.

Thank you for reading.

Written by Alexa Hattori.

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Please send any comments to unixcat (at) anche (dot) no.

News #0

Hello, dear reader!

In this post, I want to write all the news I have about what I did and what I want to do.

This was written on 02.03.2023.

Coffee

I was studying coffee-making in a small café and I enjoyed it. I now understand the theory behind many classic drinks, and I will soon be able to put my knowledge into practice. I plan to buy a coffee machine this month, possibly within the next week, so I can start practicing and make nice coffee at home.

Collecting Data Storage Devices

I have decided to collect all the data storage devices that I can afford. For now, I have: a 5.25″ floppy, a 3.5″ floppy (which has not arrived yet), a micro cassette, a cassette, a video cassette, a 2.5″ hard disk drive, a 3.5″ hard disk drive, a SATA SSD, a USB pendrive, an SD card, a microSD card, and more! I will get more devices soon, and when I have the opportunity to take photos, I will write a post about my collection with pictures.

Fixed ThinkPad X200s

As I wrote in my post “How and Why I Use ThinkPad X200s,” I bricked it while trying to flash Libreboot. I took it to a repair center for a diagnostic, and after a week, they finally completed the diagnostic. They tried resetting the BIOS by removing the battery, and it booted. Yes, the fix was that easy; just resetting the BIOS. This is amazing, as I do not have to buy a new BIOS chip or motherboard.

Now I use it as a server for Invidious.

Got new network switch

I recently acquired a Linksys LGS116, a 16-port gigabit switch, which has one 10 Gbit/s port and 15 Gbit/s ports. Now, almost all of my computers are connected to this switch, and I haven’t had any problems. Everything works very fast.

Built PC for Plan9front

I finally built a PC for Plan9front, as previously mentioned in two posts (#0, #1).

Orange Pi 3 LTS is dead

Unfortunately, I think the Orange Pi 3 LTS has died due to power issues. It just stopped working, with only the fan spinning and the LED turned off. There was no output to the monitor, etc. I previously used it for IRC on my second monitor, but have since replaced it with my computer running Plan9front.

I do have another Orange Pi 3 LTS, but I was planning on using it as a server later on.

What I want to do

Acquire an old IBM computer (such as a POS terminal)
Obtain a ThinkPad X60
Purchase a digital photo camera
Obtain a small vintage IBM monitor
Build a Network-Attached Storage (NAS) device
Further my studies of Plan9front

and more things that I will share with you in the future.

Thank you for reading and stay tuned for future posts!

—

Please send comments to unixcat (at) anche (dot) no

About War in Ukraine

Hello, dear reader! Today, I want to talk about the war in Ukraine a bit and answer some questions people ask me.

Are you still in Ukraine or have you evacuated? If not, why?

Yes, I am still in Ukraine. Unfortunately, I am unable to leave Ukraine. My family and I have no support or connections in other countries.

What do you think about the war overall?

It is disgusting, any war for any reason. I hate wars, weapons, and militarism.

How is living in a country at war?

Obviously, there is nothing good about it. Of course, there are problems that we have/had, and I will tell you about them.

Currently, one of the biggest problems is power outages. They happen very often, sometimes disabling power for a few hours at a time, or even longer. For example, one time we only had electricity from 4 AM to 8 AM for two days. When the power outages first began, I would try to find places with power and internet, like a hypermarket. But now, internet is not as important to me and I just stay at home during outages. If my laptop runs out of power, I use an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) to charge it a bit. If the UPS also runs out of power, I just relax or do something else.

On holidays, we did not have any power outages. I assume the government did this for the holidays. Recently, a few days ago, the outages have started again, but I am used to it now.

Also, for those wondering, we have no problems with food and water supply, all is fine there.

When the war started

It was evening (or night, I don’t remember), I was lying with my laptop,
I don’t remember what I was doing exactly.
My parent called me and told me about the war.

What was my reaction to that?

To be honest, my reaction was strange, and I was a very bad person at that time. Please don’t hate me for my reaction,
I didn’t know what I was saying, I was stupid. I said: “Ok, and?”, and thought something like “Oh, finally something interesting, not just nothing,”
I don’t know why I thought that, to be honest, and also I didn’t realize at that time how bad the war could be, and how much worse it would get.

When the war started, I was reading the news all the time and telling my parents and other people I was talking to about them.

What happened after?

Medicines. Many pharmacies closed completely, and it was very hard to buy medicines.
Also, there were very long lines. Did that do anything bad to me? Directly to me – no, but..
We couldn’t buy morphine for my parent (to reduce pain), she wanted to get a prescription so much,
and when we finally got one, we couldn’t buy any.. She had really strong pain..
She died a few days later.. April 2. Fuck cancer. I cried while writing that :(

Everyone, please, appreciate your parents while you have them,
if you’re in bad relationships with your parents, try to fix that, if you did something bad to your parents,
please, apologize to them, while it’s not too late, you will never forgive yourself later.
I was a very bad person at that time, and I will never forgive myself. Don’t repeat my mistakes, please.

Okay, let’s continue..

Food. There were big problems, especially with bread, first time, it wasn’t possible to buy bread at all,
also many stores were almost empty, and there was no bottled water, but we don’t use bottled water (and you shouldn’t!), so that wasn’t a problem.

Thankfully, we had food supply at home (like, potatoes, onions, and other stuff).
Then, after some time we found where to buy bread, it was hard, very long queues, and not much bread for selling (people buy all quickly),
parent was purchasing a few loaves of bread, and we were putting them in the freezer, you can put bread in the freezer and then defrost it,
and this bread will be fine, that’s good if it’s hard to buy bread and you need to save for later.

Additionally, later on, there were places where you could get some food, etc, for free.
Of course, with long queues but I am not complaining, of course.
My parent obtained so much oil (for cooking) there, that we still use this oil and don’t need to purchase more.

A little history related to that:
Someone decided to help people and bought lots of chicken eggs and was giving them away for free,
like, “take as much as you need”, a good person.
But some people took lots of eggs from him, and then later were selling them, seriously..
Our society can be that bad sometimes, yeah.
He stopped helping after that.

Milk and how we walked 10 kilometers to get milk.
We couldn’t find milk at all for some time, and then we decided to go to a market that was far away from us (5 kilometers),
obviously, there was no transport. So, we walked to this market, bought food, bread, and of course milk.
We found great milk from Poland, and honestly, it was the best milk I ever tried.

Another history:
Some bad people were selling food that should be for the military.
Which is illegal, of course.

…

Most of the time, we heard explosions, shots, etc.
There was really so much when the war started.
By the way, that time, we had only one power outage, unlike now.

And what now?

And now, after more than a year,
there aren’t many explosions around.
There are no tanks, and few soldiers around.
There are no food or water problems at all, all is fine.

We have food, water, and heating, but as you can read above, we have problems with power.
Also, now, every market, coffee shop, etc has their own generator,
and people can buy what they need, or in some places, charge their devices and use the internet.

Recently, the government opened hundreds of points with heating, electricity (using generators), internet (fiber, Starlink), and free tea and cookies!
I’m glad they did. I’ve heard that people come to such places to work or just to charge their devices.
Personally, I’ve never visited such points, and all that is written above is what I’ve heard from the news and from people.
I’ve only seen one point and it was closed, but it was around 9 PM so maybe that’s why.
I just hope these points work and help people. If you’re from Ukraine and know something more, I would be glad to receive an email from you.

If you want to know anything else, feel free to email me.
Maybe I’ll write a second part of this post later.