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October 15, 2024

On this week in privacy, let's explore web apps and convenience.

Web apps are cool

Web apps are applications that run inside web browsers. As you probably already know, web apps have been around for years, most notably with in the form of electron apps, and have had varying levels of success. Whole frameworks like React and Vue are designed specifically to turn an ordinary web page into an interactive app that runs offline.

There are advantages and disadvantages of web apps. On the plus side, unless you allow notifications, they turn off when the browser is closed. There's no secret spying. They're also compatible with every operating system with a decent browser. On the negative size, native apps can be more feature rich, and better handle touch controls.

We can install web apps from the Brave menu. This creates a link on the app screen. Alternatively, we can just bookmark the site. Either works.

Logging in every time sucks

One of the biggest advantages of web apps in a secure browser is also a huge inconvenience. When the tab is closed, the app is deleted. This also deletes the login. So, the next time we visit the site, we have to open the password manager, the 2FA app, and possibly check our email to log back in. You may only do this once every few years with a native app.

The Sacrificial Browser

The solution is to download a second browser. Vivaldi is a great choice. In this new browser, turn on ad blocking, use a VPN when on WiFi, but don't delete session data when a tab or the browser is closed. This will keep us logged in. However, this will also allow the web app to spy on us depending on the permissions we give the app.

For that reason, we will only use this browser for web apps. Do not feed the machine by browsing the internet.

Using web apps properly

Never allow a web app to show notifications when you see the popup. That can allow the web app to run when the browser is closed. If you like being spied on, that's how you do it.

Apart from this, each web app is granted certain default permissions. These tend to be browser specific, but most will allow network access, sound, video and tab sandbox access to things like screen size and such. A good browser will outright deny some access while making an app ask permission for additional access - via a popup.

Be very, very careful about giving a web app any permissions. Unless it is obvious that the app needs access, say to upload photos, don't give them anymore than the default set. No need to let the web app fingerprint your machine. If you make a mistake, you can just clear the site data, log back in, and try again.

Summary

1. Web apps used in a secure browser require you to log in every time. This is far less convenient than using a native app, but also far less privacy invasive.
2. Download a second browser only for web apps. Keep the same security settings, except that data is allowed to remain in the browser.
3. Install the web apps via this second browser, and never give it permissions it doesn't need. Any permission you give it can be used to spy on you.

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What else you may like…
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Articles
Discord Expanding Age Verification World-Wide

Starting in March, Discord will treat all accounts as "Teen by Default", requiring age verification for several features. This follows a breach of 70,000 Discord accounts (including IDs) last October.

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00:18:31
February 09, 2026
XLibre Dev Creates de-Rusted Git Fork

As Git prepares to make Rust a hard requirement for Git 3.0, this fork removes all Rust code and describes itself as "Git with WD-40 applied".

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00:17:36
February 07, 2026
With Git Moving to Rust, How Long Until a Git Fork?

Git 3.0 is scheduled to ship "second half of 2026", with a mandatory requirement of Rust. Which means Git will no longer build on many platforms. Setting the stage for a successful fork.

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00:15:13
November 22, 2023
The futility of Ad-Blockers

Ads are filling the entirety of the Web -- websites, podcasts, YouTube videos, etc. -- at an increasing rate. Prices for those ad placements are plummeting. Consumers are desperate to use ad-blockers to make the web palatable. Google (and others) are desperate to break and block ad-blockers. All of which results in... more ads and lower pay for creators.

It's a fascinatingly annoying cycle. And there's only one viable way out of it.

Looking for the Podcast RSS feed or other links? Check here:
https://lunduke.locals.com/post/4619051/lunduke-journal-link-central-tm

Give the gift of The Lunduke Journal:
https://lunduke.locals.com/post/4898317/give-the-gift-of-the-lunduke-journal

The futility of Ad-Blockers
November 21, 2023
openSUSE says "No Lunduke allowed!"

Those in power with openSUSE make it clear they will not allow me anywhere near anything related to the openSUSE project. Ever. For any reason.

Well, that settles that, then! Guess I won't be contributing to openSUSE! 🤣

Looking for the Podcast RSS feed or other links?
https://lunduke.locals.com/post/4619051/lunduke-journal-link-central-tm

Give the gift of The Lunduke Journal:
https://lunduke.locals.com/post/4898317/give-the-gift-of-the-lunduke-journal

openSUSE says "No Lunduke allowed!"
September 13, 2023
"Andreas Kling creator of Serenity OS & Ladybird Web Browser" - Lunduke’s Big Tech Show - September 13th, 2023 - Ep 044

This episode is free for all to enjoy and share.

Be sure to subscribe here at Lunduke.Locals.com to get all shows & articles (including interviews with other amazing nerds).

"Andreas Kling creator of Serenity OS & Ladybird Web Browser" - Lunduke’s Big Tech Show - September 13th, 2023 - Ep 044

Old Computer Nerd: Goof-Off Show

I'm exhausted today. So, let's just have some fun:

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3 hours ago

Recognize any of these??

February 09, 2026
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February 08, 2026
79 Million Views in 6 Months for The Lunduke Journal

Welcome to February, all of you amazing nerds!

January was a fun month for The Lunduke Journal (thanks to all of you). For those interested in a little Inside Baseball, I’ve pulled together some stats and charts below.

The short version: Great month. Crazy news stories. Solid growth. Can’t complain!

Revamped Lifetime Wall

Oh! And the “Lifetime Subscriber Wall” is getting a “retro” facelift.

This is what the four Lifetime Walls currently look like:

 

Once that 4th Wall is filled (a little over 75% of the way there as of this morning), I’ll be introducing the new designs (for all the walls) along with the starting of Wall Number 5.

Each Wall now has its own, distinct look and theme. Very Retro Computer-y. You’re going to dig it.

To make that “Wall Number 5” get here as fast as possible, I’ve gone ahead an reinstated the “$89 Lifetime Subscriber” deal. But only until Wall Number 4 is full.

Want to be on the Wall? If you don’t have a Lifetime Subscription, grab one. If you already have one, email me (bryan at lunduke.com) to let me know how you want your name to be displayed.

Once Wall 4 is full, the Super-Mega-Ultra Discounted Lifetime Subscription goes back to regular price. And, the next day, the new Lifetime Wall design appears at the end of new shows.

At the current rate, I expect that to happen in the next couple days.

Stats for January, 2026

Now let’s look at the stats for January.

Can’t lie. I’m pleased.

  • 30 new shows (just shy of one new show every day)

  • 15.2 Million views (including podcast downloads)

  • 2,326 new subscribers

The most popular story of January, 2026:

Taking a high level view: This means that, in the last 6 months (Aug ‘25 - Jan ‘26), The Lunduke Journal has had:

  • 79.4 Million views

  • 21,694 new subscribers

Bonkers, right?

Here’s a chart of “views” for last 6 months:

Image
 

The long-term trend continues to be solidly upward, with February (in the first 7 days, so far) currently tracking slightly ahead of January.

For those interested in the specific platforms: The Lunduke Journal is seeing the most growth on X and the Audio Podcast.

Here’s a combined subscriber chart for January (up 2,326 subscribers from the month prior):

Image
 

Wild. It is truly amazing to me how widely these stories are spreading nowadays.

Over 15 million. In one month.

These are numbers that most of the big, “Main Stream” Tech Journalists could only dream of.

The reach of The Lunduke Journal, thanks to all of you, is now wildly exceeding any other publication I have ever worked with.

Even though most “Main Stream” Tech Journalists are refusing to cover some of the biggest stories in Tech… those stories are still getting out there.

They are being seen. Far and wide.

Thanks to all of you.

-Lunduke

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January 31, 2026
$89 Lifetime Offer Ends at Midnight!

I’ll make this quick: The $89 Lifetime Subscription offer for The Lunduke Journal ends at midnight tonight (Saturday, January 31st).

Once the calendar reads “February” — poof — the deal is gone.

If you wanted to save 70% on a Lifetime Subscription, these are your final hours.

A huge thank you to everyone who has signed up during this crazy deal. We are this close to filling up the 4th Lifetime Subscriber Wall (there’s a possibility it might fill up in the next few hours).

Far beyond anything I was expecting. All of you are absolutely amazing. The Lunduke Journal would not be possible without you.

If you were on contemplating grabbing that Lifetime Sub, I’d jump on it right now. The price goes back up to normal ($300) in about 12 hours or so.

Get it while it’s cheap!

-Lunduke

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January 30, 2026
The End of the $89 Lifetime Sub is Nigh!

Quick reminder: The massive deal The Lunduke Journal has been running — 70%+ off Lifetime Subscriptions, 50% off all other subscriptions — ends after tomorrow (Saturday, January 31st).

Considering that, here are the steps I recommend:

  1. Grab the $89 Lifetime Subscription before it ends tomorrow night.

  2. High five yourself for saving money and supporting Indie Tech Journalism.

  3. Maybe… grab a donut?

That is all.

-Lunduke

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