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Archive

A chronological archive of all posts, organized by year and month.

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July 27, 2026

Open Source Hero: How VLC Saves Money Without Big Tech Hassle

Discover why VLC Media Player is trusted by millions worldwide, with no ads, no tracking, and no subscriptions. Learn how to unlock free streaming from around the world, listen to radio stations, and watch podcasts all in one place without paying big tech companies.

the-crosswalk open-source-tools privacy-first-apps free-streaming vlc-tutorial vlc-tips

elementaryOS: Mac Look, Zero Apple

A screenshot-heavy introduction to elementaryOS Linux: what the boot process, desktop, and customization options look like, including dark mode, text sizing, and a built-in dyslexia-friendly font.

linux elementary-os live-boot open-source desktop-customization distro-tour distros

The Thought Process Behind Fixing Minecraft (Without Touching the Terminal)

When renaming my computer silently broke Minecraft's launcher, I had no error message and no idea what happened. Here's how I traced the problem through log files, broken symlinks, and a little help from AI, all without reinstalling or losing my worlds. Includes error log analysis, symlink troubleshooting, and backup best practices.

minecraft linux-troubleshooting game-launcher-fix computer-hostname

Browser Privacy Guide: Which Browser Actually Respects You?

Learn about browser options that block trackers and protect your privacy. Compare Firefox, Brave, Opera, Vivaldi, LibreWolf, and Chrome for secure web browsing on Linux systems.

browser-privacy tracker-blocking linux-browsers online-privacy Firefox brave-browser

You're Probably Already Using Open Source (You Just Don't Know It)

A plain-language explainer on what open source software actually is, why it's not just about saving money, and everyday examples like Firefox, WordPress, and the AI tools you already use.

open-source open-source-software Firefox WordPress linux privacy-tools free-software FOSS

Linux Gaming Out of the Box

Sometimes technology surprises us by removing friction where we expected headaches. Here's how my new mini PC ran Linux gaming perfectly without any tinkering.

linux zorin amd ryzen steam gaming mini-pc

The Distance Between Ordinary People and Power

A personal story about discovering an impervious smart meter box that disabled my A/C during a heatwave, and why surveillance isn't just about data collection, but about losing control over our daily lives to distant actors. The people who shape our lives are farther away from us than ever.

surveillance big-tech smart-meter utility-control digital-autonomy privacy autonomy privacy-tools consumer-rights remote-surveillance tech-accountability

Push notifications and privacy

You can have a super secure message, but if it appears on your lock screen in plain text, anyone holding your phone can read it.

push-notifications notification-metadata message-encryption fcm lock-screen-privacy surveillance-concerns

🚦 Start Here

A mom's honest guide to taking back control of your data without sacrificing convenience or breaking the bank. Learn about backups, Linux, alternative phones, and why some things really do work better than Big Tech alternatives.

getting-started beginner-resources privacy-basics digital-independence

Alternative Phones to Google and Apple

One busy parent's real-world experience using GrapheneOS daily. What works, what doesn't, and whether open source alternatives are practical for regular people who don't want to fight their phone.

grapheneos mobile-privacy android-alternatives pixel-smartphone secure-messaging nfc-payments

My Tips for After Installing Linux

A practical guide to post-installation Linux setup including system updates, browser settings, creating standard user profiles, configuring backups, and installing hardware drivers. Learn the 'boring but important' security practices that give you peace of mind.

linux post-install security-hardening user-profiles automatic-updates driver-management

How to Test Linux Before Installing (Live USB Boot Guide)

Learn how to create a live USB to test Linux distributions like Zorin OS and Linux Mint before installing. Includes a checklist for testing Wi-Fi, YouTube playback, audio, and hardware compatibility to avoid surprises after installation.

linux live-usb zorin-os linux-mint beginner-linux test-before-install

How to Back Up Your Files

Big Tech promises convenient cloud storage, but at what cost? Learn the 3-2-1 backup rule, why external drives beat subscriptions, and how to encrypt files before uploading. A practical guide to regaining ownership of your data without sacrificing privacy or breaking the bank.

backup-strategy data-ownership 3-2-1-rule external-drives cloud-storage encryption

Why I Switched to Linux (and Why You Should Too)

Tired of Windows 10 end-of-life issues, BitLocker lockouts, and forced updates? Discover how switching to Linux (specifically Zorin OS) saved me money, sped up my old laptop, and gave me back control over my data. A beginner-friendly guide to making the switch.

linux zorin-os windows-transition open-source cost-saving system-performance

Intro to the Crosswalk

An introduction to the blog's mission. Guiding regular people from expensive, ad-filled big tech traps to affordable, privacy-respecting open source alternatives without losing convenience.

mission blog-introduction digital-independence big-tech-alternatives privacy-principles