Libra Ibex

Privacy Apocalypse

Fri, 23 Feb 2024

Privacy on the internet has never been so dead, yet so alive.

In 2012, Edward Snowden unveiled the mass surveillance happening on the internet. We have never recovered since.

All of that surveillance is still happening. While there are efforts to curb it, it’s still done in secret. The scale of the internet and the progress of technology has only made surveillance easier. The pushback against surveillance is itself pushed back with even greater force.

Stagnant Blog, Stagnant Code

Fri, 23 Feb 2024

This blog has not been active for a long time. It has been so long that I have completely forgotten Hugo’s templating syntax.

I have not kept up with the blog’s software dependencies. I am not aware of any breaking changes or added features. My site generation depends on some PostCSS hooks - I believe it is a miracle that it continues to be functional, since the JavaScript package ecosystem moves so fast.

Troubleshooting Low Volume Problems with Apple USB-C to 3.5 mm Headphone Jack Adapter on Android

Tue, 12 Sep 2023

I’ve recently bought an Apple adapter to drive my IEMs effectively, but I’ve found that it doesn’t work as intended on Android devices.

To “fix” this issue (albeit temporarily, since you’ll have to repeat this process every time you plug in your adapter), you need to root your phone and install a Magisk module.

The Magisk module in question can be found in this XDA post, which also provides instructions on what to run inside Termux as root.

Fixing 'Permission denied' Errors When Mounting Volumes in Rootless Podman

Sun, 16 Jul 2023

If you see “permission denied” errors in your container logs when mounting volumes, it’s likely caused by incorrect SELinux labels on the host directories. Docker and Podman allow you to modify these labels using two special mount options: :z and :Z.

If you are on a SELinux enabled distribution like Rocky Linux, the container won’t have permission to the volumes. This results in “permission denied” errors.

Using :Z marks the mounted content as private and unshared:

No More Folders

Fri, 17 Mar 2023

We have created this abstract organizational concept called a directory/folder. It is a part of the skeuomorphism design. The folders we all see in the computer world are purely a conceptual tool for interaction, a way to conveniently organize files containing information we need.

We humans put things in piles, shelves, boxes, folders. It’s the only real way we can physically organize objects. But computers don’t store any physical objects. So why have we chosen this method of organization?

Will I Be Rewriting My Blog?

Fri, 17 Feb 2023

There have been a lot more options popping up since I set up my blog. I am currently using Hugo, but with each new software I encounter, I want to switch to something else. What is there to say about that feeling? It’s the craving of adventure, of fun. I barely remember how I got my blog working to the way it does now. I am not a big fan of Hugo, but I respect its simplicity and speed, and doing the right thing since the beginning.

Logseq

Sun, 15 Jan 2023

After I had stopped using Roam Research, I started using Logseq. The price of Roam Research was too expensive for me, and I wouldn’t have been able to use it in the near future. Logseq was the closest program to Roam I could find at that time, and I am still using it.

Logseq is overall a great experience. It has its moments of shame when it stutters, lags, or experiences some sort of bug, but they are fixed very soon once reported. If they’re not reported yet, you can feel free to open an issue on their GitHub. That is the magic of open source, after all. The software is constantly improving, and there are a lot of contributors making the software better every day.

Computing at the Speed of Thought

Wed, 26 Oct 2022

Low latency allows me to control the computer as if it were my body. I am able to control it through its peripherals without deliberately thinking. This is possible because of muscle memory. It’s what allows people to perfect their respective crafts, whether they be programmers, surgeons, or cooks.

Our bodies can notice delays within the single-digits of milliseconds. When we do notice them, they can be quite uncomfortable. In the natural world, no such delays are present, but digitally many such delays occur at every given moment. We, of course, should strive to minimize these uncomfortable delays.

We Don’t Use Our Own Domains With Email

Thu, 14 Jul 2022

At least I don’t…

I have my own domain, and of course I use it with my email provider. But the problem is, I don’t use that domain for anything other than emailing others. I don’t use it for signing up for various online services.

Instead, I use the generic email domain. The reason? I just don’t want to be personally identified. I don’t want every account to be associated with my online identity (my website).

How to Avoid Getting Flagged by Discord’s Anti-spam System

Sun, 03 Jul 2022

Joining a popular internet community without using Discord is pretty hard these days. Everyone’s switched over because it’s easier and attracts a larger crowd, but for those who have their privacy in mind, it can be uncomfortable.

If you’re a Linux user, you use a VPN or Tor, or your own email domain, then there is a pretty high chance of you getting flagged by Discord and forced to provide a phone number.