Lunduke
News • Science & Tech
Make Computers Fun Again - Linux, UNIX, Alternative Operating Systems, Computer History, and Retro Computing. Also dad jokes.
Interested? Want to learn more about the community?

What a wonderful Christmas I've just had! I wish this amazing day didn't have to end.

This morning, I woke up to a giant surprise! My mom outdid herself again with gifts this year. The first surprise was like being a kid all over again: the first thing I opened was "Zelda II, the Adventure of Link" for the NES! I was absolutely hooked on that game as a kid, and we got it before the original Zelda, so this was just... I was speechless. It was one of those moments I wish I could hit pause on, and just live in for a while longer. But this was also the busiest Christmas we've ever had - not one but two rounds of guests coming - so my stepdad kept saying, "keep going" (lol). So I did: I got Blades of Steel, Ninja Turtles II ("The Arcade Game" ), Kung-Fu, and Hogan's Alley (a game I suggested cuz it's actually one of my sister's favorites and I like when she wants to play games together). Beyond that, I got a couple really funny T-shirts. One had the spinning ring web apps show when they're loading, and the words "I'm thinking". 🤣 Also a T-shirt with an NES controller and the words "keep it classic" (which is fitting considering the other stuff). And there were other things too, some nerdy, some not. But as far as the things I think this community would be interested, that's about all I'll go into. And even tho those old games are pretty cheap nowadays, I felt richer and more blessed than words can describe. More than the gifts, the thoughtfulness and love behind them meant so much to me. I've always said - and still firmly believe - that Christmas isn't about the presents, or even the family time. But this year was extra-special.

Then I did something I started last year, and recommend you guys do for your parents if you can. A few other surprise gifts came out! Not from me, cuz I gave them mine last nite. Not from Santa, cuz Santa's name usually shows up on gifts to me and my sister. No, these were from Frosty the Snowman. 🤣 There is an old family joke about Frosty, that I kinda took off and ran with. My mom once got this huge inflatable for our yard, and it kept tipping over, like non-stop. He looked... this is not exactly a cowboy-in-church word, but he looked drunk. 🤣 Kids and adults alike laughed about our drunken Frosty. Well last year I explained that he and I would get to watching hockey together. We'd hang out, our team would start losing (which happens a lot) and next thing I knew he had grabbed my debit card and shopped like he didn't know what he was buying. 🤣 I've never been drunk so that sentence is probably absolutely ridiculous, but people have done dumber things when they've had a few too many. Anyway, this year he got my stepdad one of those "Pie-zano" pizza makers and my mom a Pioneer Woman pot/pan set. They were as thrilled as I was with the Nintendo stuff. So yeah, to those of you who still live at home... this is a fun surprise to pull off! Maybe you have a funny story like mine (I've heard the "elf on a shelf" is a prankster in some houses) and it was very meaningful to give my parents a Christmas surprise.

The rest of the day was an absolute blur. The morning was spent getting ready for company (I helped drop a bunch of boxes off to recycling, helped Mom make a few things in the kitchen, set the table all fancy and stuff like that). Then we had this couple from church over for Christmas dinner (a feast fit for a king) We played Bingo (it's a family thing) and then did a "white elephant" game that was fun. Then was an hour and a half, not much of a break but we needed it. Then my aunt came over and we did gifts with her and dessert. Just when I thought things couldn't possibly get any better, she surprises me with a new slide board (kinda like a treadmill except you "skate" instead of walk)! There was so much giving and receiving and eating and laughing and just... wow...

Then at last, it was time for bed... but I simply had to try a few of my games first. 🤣 I started off with Zelda II, then Blades of Steel, then finally Kung-Fu. I barely - and I mean barely - beat easy mode on Kung-Fu. I got absolutely destroyed in Blades of Steel (oh darn, guess I gotta get good). 🤣 Beat the first palace (like a dungeon) in Zelda II too... I wish I could just stay up and keep going, but I'm so tired right now I'm grateful I was able to share this with you guys.

Merry Christmas, ladies and geeks! And a happy Hanukkah to @Lunduke and any others who celebrate it. Time for me to make like my NES and power down for the night. 🤣

Interested? Want to learn more about the community?
What else you may like…
Videos
Podcasts
Posts
Articles
December 23, 2024
Wikipedia Spends $31 Million on "Racial Equity" in 2024

Wikimedia Foundation now has $286 Million in assets, spends 10x more on "Equity" than server hosting.

00:15:50
December 21, 2024
Google Tells Courts How Google Should Be Punished (and Tried to Hide it)

Released Friday before Christmas -- the ideal time to hide any announcement -- in response to losing an antitrust suit, Google proposes no real changes to their company or search business. Unsurprisingly, Mozilla (who likes Google's money) agrees.

00:27:44
December 19, 2024
Mozilla Executive Pay Doubles as Loss of 80% of Revenue Looms

"Mozilla has shifted much of its work toward Al" as funds directed towards African "Digital Justice", "Queer Youth Inclusion", & "Digital Activism for Young Feminists".

00:25:04
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
What is it about December that makes folks want to become whistleblowers?

Last December I received an absolute mountain of leaked documents from Big Tech. It was wild.

Then, this week, the same thing happened. Right before (and during) Christmas -- ka-blammy -- a giant pile of leaked documents. Gigs of 'em. An almost overwhelming amount.

Is there something about Thanksgiving / Christmas / Hanukkah / New Years that causes people to want to become a whistleblower? 😜

Is it the extra few days off that allows them to finally pull the documents together? Or is it having a few drinks with their family and realizing "the heck with this stupid company" and hitting send? 🤣

Chag Sameach!

post photo preview
21 hours ago

#Ladybird

Posting from Ladybird browser that I built on my ThinkPad T440p! Took about 3 hours to build completely from scratch. Unfortunately, the browsing and interactivity performance is not good, at least not on this 10+ year old ThinkPad. Maybe on a recent machine it would be tolerable. Not sure if some debugging feature is slowing it down (it does log alot to the console), but it is not really usable at this speed.

post photo preview
15 hours left to grab a Lunduke Journal Lifetime Sub

Woo!  We're over 85% of the way to hitting our January subscription goal for The Lunduke Journal!  Not too shabby!

Want to help push us over 100% -- and keep truly independent Tech Journalism alive and rocking?  You can grab a discounted Lifetime Subscription until midnight tonight (Thursday, Dec 26th).

Those Lunduke Journal Lifetime Sub Details

  • Lifetime Subscriptions for $200, via Locals.

  • Lifetime Subscriptions for $190, via Bitcoin.

  • Either for yourself or for a gift.

  • Through December 26th.

All the details below. Or pick up a standard monthly / yearly subscription (via whatever subscription platform you prefer).  Everything goes directly towards that January goal — and keeping The Lunduke Journal confidently operating well into the future!

The Famous Lifetime Subscription via Locals

The "World Famous Lunduke Journal Lifetime Subscription" is exactly what it sounds like. Pay once and get full access to The Lunduke Journal (with all the perks of subscription on Locals). For life.

Plus: They make a great, nerdy gift.

New Lifetime Subscriptions are available, for $200, from now through December 26th. Then this option goes "back into the vault".

Here's how to grab one of these coveted bad boys for yourself:

  1. Go to Lunduke.Locals.com/support.

  2. Select "Give Once".

  3. Enter "200" into the amount field.

  4. After checking out, Lunduke will toss you an email once your account is set to full lifetime status. (This usually happens within a few hours.)

Want to purchase a Lunduke Journal Lifetime Subscription as a gift for someone else? Here's how:

  1. Go to Lunduke.Locals.com/support.

  2. Select "Give Once".

  3. Enter "200" into the amount field.

  4. Send an email to "bryan at Lunduke.com" with the subject "Lifetime Gift Subscription". Include the email address and / or Locals user name (if they have one) of the person you would like to gift the subscription to.

  5. Lunduke will email you to confirm details.

The Famous Lifetime Subscription (with Bitcoin discount)

You can also obtain a Lifetime Subscription via Bitcoin. Save a few bucks with this option, as Bitcoin processing has fewer fees associated with it.

  • Make sure you have a Lunduke.Locals.com account (a free account works just fine).

  • Send $190 worth of Bitcoin (or more) to the following address:

bc1qyjakve8fywm8pz2v99v57yhjj0vzr2vjze6fcq

  • Email "bryan at lunduke.com" with the following information: What time you made the transaction, how much was sent (in Bitcoin), and the email address you use (or plan to use) on Locals.com.

Nice and easy.

-Lunduke

Read full Article
December 22, 2024
post photo preview
Last week at The Lunduke Journal (Dec 8 - Dec 21, 2024)
Linux Foundation Lowers Linux Spending! IBM, Red Hat, & Mozilla Discrimination Lawsuits! ChatGPT Can't Say Lunduke!

What an absolutely insane month December has been so far.

The annual reports for The Linux Foundation and Mozilla both dropped (and were just as ridiculous as you'd expect).  Massive legal battles moved forward -- involving IBM, Red Hat, Mozilla, & Google.  Oh, and I convinced OpenAI to ban my name from usage in ChatGPT.  How nuts is that?

And, as usual, none of the big stories are being reported by The Generic Brand Tech News (tm) outlets.  The Lunduke Journal remains the only game in town.  All the links are below.

Speaking of which -- all of the links below are to Lunduke.Locals.com.  But you can now officially find all of these shows on a bunch of other platforms.  X, Rumble, Substack, Patreon, YouTube, Facebook, iTunes, Spotify... shoot... just about everywhere.  You can even downlad DRM-Free MP4s of all shows.  How crazy is that?  All the links are over on Lunduke.com.

The Shows

The Articles

The Comics

Previous Few Months

 

Reminder: Check out Lunduke.com for all the handy URLS.  Podcast RSS feeds, contact info, direct links to some of the big shows and articles and a bunch of other goodies.  And be sure to subscribe to The Lunduke Journal to help support the work... and make sure you don't miss out on anything.

Read full Article
December 24, 2024
No shows Dec 24th, 25th. Lifetime subs available through 26th.

A massive Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah to everyone!

This year the start of Hanukkah lines up nicely with Christmas (starting on sundown, Christmas Day) -- so I'm taking off the 24th and 25th (in honor of Christmas -- and to prepare of Hanukkah).  Regular Lunduke Journal Shenanigans (tm) will resume on Thursday, December 26th.

I love the years when Hanukkah and Christmas are at roughly the same time.  Because the Jewish year is on a lunar calendar -- sometimes that means Hanukkah starts as early as the end of November.  Hanukkah right after Thanksgiving?  Still a lot of fun, but not ideal.

For me, Hanukkah starting at sundown on Christmas Day is just perfect.  Lets each holiday shine and compliment each other.

Also: A huge thank you to everyone who has subscribed or donated to The Lunduke Journal this month.  Because of you we have almost accomplished our funding goal... for next month.  We're sitting around 80% or so.  How sweet is that?

That is one heck of a fantastic holiday gift for me -- as it means I may not need to worry about running any promotions or fundraising during the entire month of January.

Less time worrying about boring business stuff, more time doing the fun Tech reporting I love.  A great way to go into Christmas, Hanukkah, and New Years.

If anyone feels like pushing us over the line (zero pressure)... I'm keeping the Lunduke Journal Lifetime Subscription available through the 26th.  If you want one (for yourself or as a gift), feel free to snag one.  They're awesome.

Either way, you rule.  Enjoy whichever holiday you celebrate.

Eat something yummy.  Do something nerdy.  You deserve it.

-Lunduke

Those Lifetime Sub Details

  • Lifetime Subscriptions for $200, via Locals.

  • Lifetime Subscriptions for $190, via Bitcoin.

  • Either for yourself or for a gift.

  • Through December 26th.

All the details below. Or, you know, pick up a standard monthly / yearly subscription (via whatever subscription platform you prefer). No pressure. Everything goes directly towards that January goal — and keeping The Lunduke Journal confidently operating well into the future!

The Famous Lifetime Subscription via Locals (+ Gift Option)

The "World Famous Lunduke Journal Lifetime Subscription" is exactly what it sounds like. Pay once and get full access to The Lunduke Journal (with all the perks of subscription on Locals). For life.

Plus: They make a great, nerdy gift.

New Lifetime Subscriptions are available, for $200, from now through December 26th. Then this option goes "back into the vault".

Here's how to grab one of these coveted bad boys for yourself:

  1. Go to Lunduke.Locals.com/support.

  2. Select "Give Once".

  3. Enter "200" into the amount field.

  4. After checking out, Lunduke will toss you an email once your account is set to full lifetime status. (This usually happens within a few hours.)

Want to purchase a Lunduke Journal Lifetime Subscription as a gift for someone else? Here's how:

  1. Go to Lunduke.Locals.com/support.

  2. Select "Give Once".

  3. Enter "200" into the amount field.

  4. Send an email to "bryan at Lunduke.com" with the subject "Lifetime Gift Subscription". Include the email address and / or Locals user name (if they have one) of the person you would like to gift the subscription to.

  5. Lunduke will email you to confirm details.

The Famous Lifetime Subscription (with Bitcoin discount)

You can also obtain a Lifetime Subscription via Bitcoin. Save a few bucks with this option, as Bitcoin processing has fewer fees associated with it.

  • Make sure you have a Lunduke.Locals.com account (a free account works just fine).

  • Send $190 worth of Bitcoin (or more) to the following address:

bc1qyjakve8fywm8pz2v99v57yhjj0vzr2vjze6fcq

  • Email "bryan at lunduke.com" with the following information: What time you made the transaction, how much was sent (in Bitcoin), and the email address you use (or plan to use) on Locals.com.

Nice and easy.

Read full Article
See More
Available on mobile and TV devices
google store google store app store app store
google store google store app tv store app tv store amazon store amazon store roku store roku store
Powered by Locals