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I’ve been thinking lately about the files I create and the formats I use to store them. On Linux, I’ve always appreciated the feeling of freedom that comes with being able to choose my own path. I can install what I want, configure things the way I like, and use programs that don’t necessarily belong to one particular company or ecosystem. But I’ve started wondering about…
We live in a world that seems increasingly obsessed with speed. We expect our computers to start instantly, our applications to open immediately, and every action we take to produce an almost instantaneous response. When something takes a few seconds longer than we expect, we often describe it as “slow”. But I sometimes wonder if we’ve simply become too impatient. I am not…
Rust is often treated like the saviour of modern programming, a language that promises safety, performance, and purity all in one shiny package. In reality, it’s an overhyped experiment that’s being force-fed into every corner of the software world, regardless of whether it actually fits. The obsession with rewriting decades of stable, battle-tested C code in Rust isn’t progress, it’s hubris…
There’s a quiet corner of the internet waiting for you. It’s not on any particular website, and it doesn’t depend on algorithms or ad-blockers. It lies in the space between intention and attention, the place you choose how to meet the infinite noise. The internet can feel like a thousand people talking at once, each one louder than the last. It’s easy to fall into the rhythm of urgency, refresh,…
The internet moves fast. Faster than thought, faster than feeling. But it doesn’t have to. A calmer internet begins in the small moments. Before opening a tab, pause. Notice the impulse. Is it curiosity, or restlessness? Calmness starts with awareness. When you read, read slowly. When you scroll, scroll less. Let the noise pass by. Calmness online is not silence. It’s gentleness. It’s choosing…
Slowness. It’s almost a lost art these days. We live in a world that’s obsessed with fast. The fastest boot-up time. The fastest internet. The fastest file transfers. Even in the world of websites, where once people took joy in hand-crafting code and experimenting with every detail, the trend now is drag-and-drop builders like Squarespace or Wix, instant websites, instant gratification. And yet,…
On August 21, 2025, the Arch Linux team shared an important update regarding the recent disruptions many users have noticed when trying to access core parts of the Arch ecosystem. The project has been dealing with an ongoing denial of service (DoS) attack, which has primarily affected: The main Arch Linux website (archlinux.org) The Arch User Repository (AUR) The Arch Forums For a distribution so…
Stop paying for your own digital handcuffs.. For years, microsoft has built its empire on a simple strategy: lock people in, make switching for them painful, and then slowly turn up the heat. LibreOffice recently called them out for their “artificially complex” office XML format, a deliberate choice designed to make interoperability a nightmare for anyone outside microsoft’s walled garden. Think…
When it comes to my computer, I tend to keep things simple these days. I don’t want to put up a fight or constantly have to fix what isn’t broken. I’m not looking for endless tweaks, flashy extras, or software “experiments” that end up breaking something down the line. I simply want my system to start up, run smoothly, and get out of the way so I can actually use it.
For as long as I’ve used Linux, Ubuntu has been a name I associated with approachability & stability. It was often the distribution I recommended to new users, an accessible introduction to the wider Linux world that made things feel less intimidating. But lately, I’ve found myself pausing, and not just pausing, but reconsidering whether Ubuntu is still aligned with what I value in a Linux…
Traditionally, Linux desktops have used X11 (via X.Org Server) to render windows and manage input. wayland emerged as a modern, simpler, and more secure protocol, with compositors like GNOME’s Mutter, KDE’s KWin, Sway, Weston, and others implementing it. Yet most existing applications, and many workflows, rely on X11. That’s why Xwayland was created, to serve as a bridge that allows X11…
I’ve made a conscious decision to avoid Electron-based applications like Discord and Spotify. This stems from the same philosophy that guides me away from many popular browsers: a preference for efficiency, simplicity, and respect for system resources. Electron apps bundle an entire instance of the Chromium web engine with every application. In effect, each one is running its own standalone…
If you’ve ever wanted to explore a Linux distribution without the fuss of downloading ISOs or setting up virtual machines, DistroSea lets you dive in instantly, right from your browser. 1. What Is DistroSea? DistroSea is a free web-based platform that lets you launch and interact with over 60 Linux and BSD distributions directly in your browser, no installation needed. From mainstream distros like…
Semi-Automated Workflow to Add Belfast Giants Fixtures to Google Calendar.. This guide walks you through extracting all upcoming fixtures from the Belfast Giants Game Centre, saving them to a CSV file, and importing them into Google Calendar — no login, APIs, or scraping frameworks required! What You’ll Need.. Firefox or Chrome Python 3 installed Basic terminal access (Linux/BSD, Haiku or macOS )…
In recent years, we’ve watched the web, once a messy, wild, gloriously chaotic frontier, be slowly strangled under the guise of “safety.” Of all the regulatory assaults on the open internet, few are more deceptive, misguided, and insidiously destructive than age verification (AV). These mandates, imposed by governments in a growing number of countries, force websites to demand deeply personal user…
Every day, we are invited, encouraged, even, to imagine AI as something eerily like ourselves. It talks like us. It “feels” like us. It offers comfort, guidance, inspiration. It tells jokes, writes poetry, composes music, translates languages, generates ideas, and even apologises when it gets things wrong. It is, in so many ways, designed to appear human. And yet… it is not. Let’s be clear: AI is…
In the ever-evolving world of Linux desktop environments, there’s been a clear trend: Wayland is growing. It’s sleek, modern, and promises a more secure and efficient future. But for many of us, Xorg (X11) still represents stability, flexibility, and control. Whether you’re on older hardware, running highly configurable window managers, or just appreciate the tried-and-true…
In a world that constantly pushes us toward the newest devices and the fastest updates, there is a quiet satisfaction in choosing to continue using what we already have, especially when it comes to our smartphones. If you are still using an older Android phone beyond its official warranty and support period, you are not alone. You are also not wrong to do so. There is a certain mindfulness that…
Minimalist design, when done well, can be timeless. It can speak softly but leave a lasting impression. Whether it’s a website, a product package, or a brand identity, good minimalist design doesn’t just strip away excess, it reveals the essence of what’s left. That’s what I love about it. But lately, something I’ve observed repeatedly has made me pause, reflect, and think. Much of…
When it comes to system service managers on Linux, such as systemd, OpenRC, runit, SysVinit, and others, the conversation can quickly turn into a debate. Each has its merits, its history, and its dedicated user base. But for most people using Linux on a desktop or laptop, the differences between them often fade quietly into the background. At their core, service managers are responsible for…
“Life is only a dream, and we are the imagination of ourselves.” At first glance, this phrase sounds poetic, almost surreal. But within it lies a profound perspective on existence, one that challenges how we perceive reality, identity, and purpose. If life is a dream, then what we call “reality” may be less solid than we think. Perception filters our experiences, memories, and beliefs,…
The kitchen was small. Not in a sad way, more like a cozy way, like it had decided long ago it didn’t need to impress anyone. The cabinets were slightly crooked, the window rattled when the wind got opinionated, and the old radiator made ticking sounds like it was keeping score. But in the soft, amber light of a the morning, the space felt almost enchanted, like it knew how to hold quiet moments…
There’s a certain stillness that lives in the steam of a freshly brewed cuppa tea. Not the hurried sip between meetings or the lukewarm remnants forgotten at the side of the desk, but the perfect cuppa. The one you prepare with care, not just for the taste, but for the ritual. It starts with the boil, that patient crescendo of water warming, humming a quiet promise of pause. Then comes the pour, a…
There’s a sacred stillness to the early hours. Before the world stirs, before notifications blink to life, and before the rush begins, there exists a space of serenity that asks nothing of us but to simply be. It’s in that quiet, often overlooked moment that we find one of life’s purest joys: the first sip of morning coffee. The warmth of the cup in your hands. The gentle steam rising like…
Traditional minimalism might remind us of cleaning out closets or investing in that perfect, minimalist item. But modern minimalism has evolved into a practice that touches every aspect of our lives. It encourages us to let go not only of physical items but also of the mental and emotional baggage we accumulate over time. Just as physical clutter can obscure our space, clutter in the form of old…
Listening to.. Delirious Powerwolf Lord of The Lost Unleash The Archers Playing.. TF2 Working on.. A minimalist gtk theme. Learning.. GTK themeing Qtile
In a world that often feels overwhelmingly noisy, taking time to be still and speak less can have a profound impact on our wellbeing. Mindfulness isn’t just about meditation or quiet reflection—it’s about cultivating a lifestyle that values listening over constant chatter, intentionality over impulsiveness, and inner calm over external chaos. In this post, I want to try and explore the…
This is my take on Mozilla’s New Firefox Terms of Use effective as of February 25, 2025. Whenever Mozilla’s updated the Firefox Terms of Use, I had a read, and honestly, it left me a bit frustrated. I’m not here for any of the extra data sharing or corporate maneuvering.. I just want a straightforward, no-frills web browser. I Just Want a Browser, Not a Data Processor.. What really gets me is the…
Valve has just unveiled a massive update to the Source SDK that now features the complete Team Fortress 2 client and server game code. This significant move empowers modders to develop anything from subtle tweaks to entirely new games built on the TF2 engine, while also breathing new life into other classic multiplayer titles powered by the Source engine. In this post, In this post I want to share…
Minimalism is a mindset, a way of simplifying life, focusing on what truly matters, and letting go of distractions. I’ve embraced this philosophy, striving for a life unburdened by excess and filled with a clear mind. Yet, minimalism isn’t just about things; it’s about relationships too. And that’s where I find my greatest lesson in balance. You see, I share my life with someone who loves…
When it comes to choosing a Linux distribution, the options can feel overwhelming. From the giants like Arch, Fedora, OpenSuse and Ubuntu, to the more niche derivatives that branch off these powerhouses, there’s a flavor for just about everyone. But what happens when you venture beyond a first-layer derivative to a derivative of a derivative? While it might seem harmless, this extra step away from…
There’s something magical about letting life surprise you with its absurdity. When we talk about having a sense of your own ridiculousness, it’s not about self-deprecation or undermining your worth. No, it’s about celebrating the quirks, the little missteps, and the delightful messiness that make you unapologetically you. Life is a canvas splattered with imperfections—smudges, unexpected colors,…
The noise is getting noisier. The distractions? Louder than ever. These days, it feels like we’re all rushing to keep up—plugged in, switched on, and racing through life at full throttle. Diaries packed, to-do lists overflowing, and a constant stream of “urgent” demands knocking at our doors. It’s no wonder the world feels a bit overwhelming sometimes. But have you noticed…
Nestled in the picturesque landscapes of County Antrim, Northern Ireland, the small village of Gleno is often overlooked by visitors, yet its charm and history make it a fascinating stop for those seeking to explore Northern Ireland’s rich heritage. Though small in size, Gleno is a village steeped in local lore, natural beauty, and historical significance. Origins and Name The name Gleno, or…
There’s something undeniably special about finding a brand that feels like it was crafted in the clouds—a brand that brings joy with each click and sparkles with creativity, quality, and a unique sense of charm. That’s precisely the experience you get with Elleni the Label. When you step into the world of Elleni the Label, you’re not just browsing another clothing site. You’re entering a…
Creating an interactive bash script is like adding a dash of magic to your terminal adventures!! It’s a fun and clever way to automate repetitive tasks and make your command-line experience smoother and more enjoyable. Here’s a little guide to sprinkle some scripting sparkle into your life: Create the Script File: Start by creating a new file for your script. Open your terminal and use a text…
In the quiet stillness of the morning, before the world had fully woken, there was a moment “a ritual” that was all his own. This was his time. The sacred few minutes dedicated to crafting the perfect cup of coffee with his beloved Aeropress. The kitchen was a sanctuary at this hour, bathed in the gentle light of dawn. He moved with purpose, each step a part of a dance he knew by…
Sometimes, it feels like we’re falling apart, like no matter what we do, we’re always falling short, making mistakes, messing things up, or that something goes wrong. But here’s the thing: we’re not always any of those things. Life can simply be hard sometimes. It’s full of challenges, unexpected twists, and moments that can make us feel overwhelmed or that the weight…
In the world of technology, there’s something quietly beautiful about the way people are revisiting and reimagining old terminal software. These programs, with their roots dating back to the early days of computing, have been the backbone of countless systems for decades. But as technology evolves, so do the ways we interact with it. Some modern developers are taking these time-tested tools and…
Asking questions is a fundamental part of learning and growth, yet many of us hesitate when it comes to seeking out the knowledge we need. Whether it’s due to a fear of judgment, a fear of appearing uninformed, or maybe simply not wanting to bother others, we often keep our questions to ourselves. But here’s the truth: there’s no shame in asking questions—only in missing out on the…
There’s something truly special about finding something that not only fits your needs but also brings you joy. For me, that’s Linux. It’s more than just an operating system—it’s a source of happiness, freedom, and all things good. I’ve been using Linux since 2002, and I can honestly say I’ve never looked back. There’s a certain magic in its flexibility and the way it empowers you to…
In today’s digital age, it’s easy to accumulate a cluttered and overwhelming collection of bookmarks in your web browser. A disorganized bookmark list can make it difficult to find what you need and can contribute to digital overwhelm. By organizing your browsers bookmarks thoughtfully, you can create a more mindful and efficient browsing experience. To achieve this, you can consider…
In the digital age, the internet has become a central part of our daily lives. It’s a place where we connect with friends, share our thoughts, and discover new ideas. However, it’s also a space that can sometimes feel overwhelming and negative. Amidst the noise, a simple yet powerful truth remains: kindness online can have a ripple effect. Imagine this.. You receive a heartfelt comment…
In the digital age, the internet has become an integral part of our daily lives. It connects us to a world of information, entertainment, and social interaction. Yet, as we immerse ourselves in this vast virtual landscape, there is a growing concern about the impact it has on our mental health and our connection to real life. The Allure of the Digital World The internet offers endless…
In our fast-paced digital age, smartphones have become indispensable companions, seamlessly integrating into our daily lives. However, as these devices grow more advanced, they often come laden with features and apps that can lead to a cluttered and overwhelming experience. For some it can also be an undesirable experience. Enter minimalism—a philosophy that, when applied to modern smartphones,…
A young girl always dreamed of a life that was big and grand, full of adventures that would take her to the far corners of the world. She believed that happiness could sometimes be found in those big adventures. “Hell yeah!” she shouted one morning, pouring a delicious mug of steaming hot coffee. The rich aroma filled her small kitchen, and for a moment, the world seemed perfect.…
If, like me, you use Sublime Text to draft blog posts or simply to write, you might find yourself wishing for an easy way to switch between a larger font size for writing and a more normal size for coding and everything else. In this post, I will guide you through creating a custom keybinding in Sublime Text that will make toggling font sizes a breeze, ensuring your writing & coding adventures…
Living with a minimalist mindset can be a serene and liberating experience. It’s about embracing simplicity and finding joy in the essentials, creating a sanctuary of calm in a world that often feels overwhelming. Yet, what happens when minimalism shares a space with a bit of delightful clutter? Imagine a home where clean, open spaces coexist with charming knick-knacks and treasured collections.…
In a quiet town nestled between rolling hills and dense forests, there lived a girl named Lily. With her fiery spirit and searching eyes, she always felt a bit out of place. An enigma to those around her, Lily embraced her uniqueness with quiet strength. As she walked through the town square, she would often whisper to herself: “Take me or leave me; you don’t have to believe me.”…
Jonny had always been curious about open-source technology, so when he heard about the open-source Heliboard keyboard for his phone, he decided to give it a try. The idea of using an open-source keyboard for enhanced privacy intrigued him, promising a level of data security that the default keyboard just couldn’t offer. He eagerly installed it, ready to protect his personal information.…