What's Old is New
Living the early 2000s life for focus and calm.…
Adult Survival #2: Offline Tools > Desktop Web Apps > Web Browser > Mobile Apps
If you're as prone to addictions as I am, then you've certainly spent many days and nights doomscrolling or going on an online research spree. The second survival strategy is to follow the flowchart: offline tools > online desktop apps > web browser > mobile apps.…
Analog is Still King
Growing up in the digital era, I've always been fascinated by emerging technologies. I've tried incorporating various apps and devices to organize my life and research, from zettelkasten apps and e-ink notepads to plain text. However, time and time again, I find myself reaching for the…
On Old Things
Some time ago, I dropped my Macbook Pro into water, causing unrepairable damage. I am on a tight budget, so I bought a $200 refurbished Thinkpad off of Amazon which was all I could afford. I installed a minimal Linux distro, and threw on the lightweight XFCE desktop environment. It…
No Optional Websites: Month 1 Update
A month ago, I expressed a desire to live without optional websites as infinite feeds were making me feel overwhelmed. It's been a month and the experiment was largely a failure. These addictive websites prey upon my lowest moments. If I am having a great day, then abstaining…
Two Years of Living Without
Manuel Moreal has a series of blog posts on the year of living without, in which he temporarily eliminates aspects of his life to see how it goes. In a way, I've already lived a year without in 2022, and would like to continue with this trend in…
The Flat File Lifestyle
Over the years, I've grown increasingly wary of using any application that stores its data in a nonstandard format or in a relational database. My main concern is longevity: I've jumped apps enough times to know that most software companies or projects don't last…
Single-Purpose Smart Devices
Are our smart devices the ultimate minimalist dream? After all, a single smartphone can replace notepads, books, a compass, maps, an mp3 player, a TV, a remote control, a grocery list, a camera, a landline, and many more. Smartphones are, indeed, the ultimate Swiss army knife. I realize, though, that…