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?
February 06, 2025

From The Dystopia Chronicles: trying to improve your lot improves your lot.

In my country, Serbia, a law is about to enter into effect that mandates all users of prepaid mobile phone numbers register. I seriously considered not registering and letting my phone number lapse. But the number has been in my family for decades, and it's kind of a vanity number (it's very memorable) and some of the previous users of the number are dead and buried so it's kind of a heirloom at this point. So I went physically to the carrier's shop to register. I didn't do that electronically, I went physically.

I was expecting them to try and swindle me, to try and get me to divulge private data, and I was right. The conversation opened with the faux nice lady asking me an innocuous question that had me give away private information. It was "how much money do you spend on the phone?" If you think about it rationally, it's the most idiotic question, since the carrier knows that information. Why ask me it? Well, they trick you immediatelly and make you (a) give up private information more precious than gold and (b) they make you think about giving them money. Then she asked me a bunch of actually relevant things, and then came in the barb. She asks "who is your Internet provider?" And then "do you live in a house or appartment?" And sadly I fell for it and divulged the ISP. I don't remember telling her if it was a house or not but it doesn't matter because... Because she wrote down information from my ID card, which includes the place of residence. And it's trivial for them to figure out if I live in a house or appartment from the address.

Fortunately, just after telling them that information I realized what I did. And I got mad. Properly mad, at them and their little head games.

Then she wanted me to sign consent. Well, that's when I started trying to regain control. Better late than never, plus I was still fuming from the way they tricked me. I said I don't want to. The funny thing is, she didn't even show me the document I was supposed to sign, she just gave me a tablet with a big field in which to sign. Then I tried to negotiate a better deal. Because, obviously, if the whole thing is based on this (phantasmagoric but whatever) idea of rational market actors making rational decisions for their own good, then clearly, I ought to be able to have some choice. And I mean choice other than the "my way or highway" choice. I mean if we're going to pretend this is all consensual, if we're going to be putting the lipstick on the pig, then I'll call their bluff and actually try to be a rational actor engaging in rational economic activity. But as you might expect, the only thing I got when I told her to give me another offer was "this is a routine document that everybody signs". :) Then I asked her for a copy of the document. Now to her credit, she did actually try to figure out if she could print it. I have to give her that, she did try. But they don't have a single printer in the entire shop and sending it by email wasn't an option because neither did she ask for an email address, nor would have I given it had she asked. Apparently you can get it in "the app", but I don't have a smartphone so that option is out as well. So then it came down to me reading the document right there. Apparently this is something people don't do.

The document was as bad as you could imagine. All your base are belong to us. My favorite part was the part where they say they won't - now pay attention - they won't use my private information to form offers to third parties, in the sense they won't sell my data to third parties. But do you get it? xD They won't use it to form offers. But, of course, if they were - purely out of completely unrelated business practice - to already have a blanket deal for sharing information with those same third parties, then third parties accessing my information isn't them making an offer to the third party and therefore, they'll argue in court, I gave them permission to do that.

The fact all of this was eating their time was not something I intentionally set out to do, but it was a welcome side effect. If they don't want to negotiate a mutually acceptable offer with me, then it's resistance against the machine time.

But all of this did eventually get me something. As I was reading the document, the faux nice lady wandered off. And then I realized something. The document has a clearly separated part out, with two checkboxes, "yes" and "no", and the part says "I give permission to the company to use my data to give me offers yadda yadda yadda". Realising I just got an oppportunity, I quickly tapped "no", and then manhandled the tablet until I could figure out how to sign the document. I think the faux nice lady didn't realise I tapped that "no" when I handed her the tablet back. :) I don't really expect this will amount to anything, but it's at least a vague hope some SQL and PHP gears will grind to a halt when they see that little "no" in the database and I'll escape, I hope, at least some 60% of the evil practices going on in the company. Who knows, I might even escape their "not"-selling my data to third parties.

Given all of the above, I have a recommendation: get yourself in the headspace of "they are thieves" and immediatelly say no. Let no, negation, be the first thing that comes out of your mouth. Actually no, don't do that because the script might have an allowance for that. Instead say "I don't really know". Make it vague and confusing on the hope the script doesn't have allowance for that. Because your mind all too often runs on autopilot and if you play by the script, a script they wrote for you to follow, you won't get anywhere. So take back control.

Oh and remember that thing in November when I said the electrical utility is trying to shut down payments in cash? They shut it down completely. All the counters are shut down, in the entire country. At this point it's impossible to make them take cash from your hand. I don't plan on giving up, and I do plan on still going physically somewhere (post office?) and paying in hard cash. Resistance is not futile. We just need to increase our numbers and they'll obey. :)

Interested? Want to learn more about the community?
What else you may like…
Videos
Podcasts
Posts
Articles
The Unpublished Anti-Lunduke Hit-Piece

A Tech Journalist interviewed me for a hit-piece article. But the questions made them look bad, and they shelved the story. So I'm publishing their hit piece for them.

More from The Lunduke Journal:
https://lunduke.com/

00:18:15
October 18, 2025
Rust Changes from "Master" to "Main"

Two weeks ago, The Lunduke Journal pointed out how many Leftist Open Source organizations (Rust, NixOS, Linux Kernel, etc.) still used the "Master" branch naming (against their "inclusive naming" rules). Yesterday, Rust changed to "Main".

More from The Lunduke Journal:
https://lunduke.com/

00:05:11
October 17, 2025
GNOME Foundation Discusses Refusing Funds from Framework Computer

Framework Computer is offering monthly financial support to the GNOME Foundation. Framework also supports Omarchy Linux & Hyprland, which GNOME activists call "Fascist", so GNOME may refuse those funds.

More from The Lunduke Journal:
https://lunduke.com/

00:09:00
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

Ok, Printers have "always" been troublesome - but these days What Product or Service of "Big Tech" Is NOT a Pain-in-the-Butt?


Family Excited To Get New Inkjet Printer That Will Work Flawlessly For First Six Hours And Then Never Again
https://babylonbee.com/news/family-excited-to-get-new-inkjet-printer-that-will-work-flawlessly-for-first-six-hours-and-then-never-again

post photo preview
October 19, 2025

I need to vent and i figure you all can have a good laugh at my expense...
I've got this HP Vectra 486/33VL I've been working on. On my bench, I got everything working but the CDROM. So I decided to put everything back together. It looked good but the rear panel was loose which I knew I need to deal with.
That's when I started having issues...
The computer was no longer talking to the Sound Blaster 16. I tried everything. I spent hours troubleshooting. Was pulling parts in and out and the whole time, the rear of the case was getting looser and looser. I knew I needed to repair the clips on it, but what's the point if I can't get the stupid computer working?
I was inspecting traces and going over every inch with a microscope. I was checking voltage rails and pinouts.
After over 3 hours and attempting a fresh install of DOS, which was a pain itself since I couldn't get the CDROM or Floppy drive working, I got seriously frustrated with the back panel and just removed it.
That's when I realized ...

October 15, 2025
post photo preview
The Unpublished Anti-Lunduke Hit-Piece
A Tech Journalist interviewed me for a hit-piece article. But the questions made them look bad, and they shelved the story. So I'm publishing their hit-piece for them.

Back in September, shortly after the assassination of Charlie Kirk, I was contacted by a Tech Journalist writing for FossForce.com (a smaller, Open Source focused publication) who was working on an article around Open Source, Antifa, and the Lunduke Journal’s coverage of those topics.

This particular outlet had, several months prior, run an “anti-Lunduke” hit piece without first reaching out for comment — which resulted in their most popular article (at least on social media) in quite some time.

With that in mind, it seemed reasonable that they’d want to repeat that success with another “anti-Lunduke” story.

This time they were doing the responsible thing. They reached out to the subject of the hit-piece article with questions. I like encouraging Tech Journalists when they do actual journalism, so I answered each and every query with easy-to-quote responses.

But, it would appear that the answers they received were not conducive to creating the hit-piece they were hoping for — my guess is they realized their questions made them look like the villain in the story. The villain they, clearly, hoped to portray me as.

They opted to not publish the piece.

So I’m publishing their hit-piece for them.

Below is every question — and every answer (with no edits) — which I was asked, on September 19th, by a Tech Journalist by the name of Christine Hall, writing for FossForce.

Fair warning: This is very, very politically charged.

Enjoy.


September 19th

Hall:

The last time I mentioned you in an article, you castigated me for not reaching out to you beforehand. Well, I’m reaching out now. We’ll see what comes of this.

You do recognize that the vast majority of organizations using the term antifa as a descriptor are not in the least bit terrorist and pose no threat to society -- and indeed, the only threats they might pose to fascist groups are not physical or life-harming?

Lunduke:

Hello Christine! Nice to hear from you!

Many, if not most, of those proclaiming support for Antifa (within Open Source) have also made statements encouraging or supporting violence and discrimination.

Regardless of that fact -- which I have documented extensively in Lunduke Journal coverage -- when violent acts are committed (such as murder, riots, and lynchings) in the name of “Antifa”, to turn around and immediately declare yourself to be “Antifa” is a clear declaration of support of that violence.

Hall:

And why did you feel it necessary to call out Danielle Foré’s [the founder of the elementary OS Linux Distribution] trans status in such an ugly manner?

Lunduke:

There is a noteworthy overlap between “Trans activism” and support for political violence -- including in the recent murder of Charlie Kirk (the murderer’s boyfriend was “Trans”).

In the case of Daniel Fore, he, a leader of an Open Source project, regularly calls for discrimination (and violence) against people he disagrees with -- often in conjunction with his self-declaration as “Trans”.

Thus, his declaration of being “Trans” becomes a part of the overall story.

It is worth noting here that The Lunduke Journal has never -- and would never -- call for discrimination or violence against someone because of how they identify or who they may (or may not) vote for.

This is in stark contrast those, such as Mr. Fore, who consider themselves “Trans” or “Antifa” -- who actively advocate for both discrimination and violence.

Hall:

Mentioning a person’s trans status in ways that are pertinent to your argument necessates rudeness such as calling her a “dude who likes to wear dresses”?

Lunduke:

Dan Fore is, in fact, a dude who likes to wear dresses.

The only reason to view that as a negative is if you view dudes wearing dresses as a negative.

Hall:

I’ll quote you on that, which I’m pretty sure won’t bother you in the least.

Lunduke:

Absolutely! Quote anything I say here. In fact, I suggest quoting absolutely everything I’ve written to you here, today.

Hall:

You also understand, don’t you, that voicing disagreement with an assessment made by POTUS is not only legal but a healthy part of the national dialog.

Lunduke:

Absolutely! Did I say somewhere that it was illegal to disagree with a politician? It seems unlikely that I have ever said that.

Hall:

Also, how would you reply to this:

There have been very few murders linked to individuals associated with Antifa, some incidents of rioting attributed to Antifa supporters, and no credible evidence of lynchings conducted in the name of Antifa. Compared to far-right groups, violence attributed to Antifa is much less frequent and lethal, with only one suspected kill—Aaron Danielson in Portland, by an anti-fascist activist—officially confirmed in recent U.S. history.

Lunduke:

Murder is bad. I am opposed to all murder.

In the context of these discussions, bearing in mind the Kirk murder is important (as many statements were made in response to it). The murderer of Kirk appears to have been pro-Trans and pro-Antifa (based on all available information).

Hall:

Is there any evidence that the suspect was part of an antifa group? I haven’t seen any.

Lunduke:

I have seen some reporting to this effect (including statements from family and messages he wrote).

But, far more important to this story, is the response to the murder among Antifa supporters (including those within Open Source). A large portion of Antifa supporters have celebrated the murder as justified because it killed someone they considered to be a “fascist”.

Hall:

Also, no group should be held responsible for what some deranged person who identifies with the group has done.

Lunduke:

I agree that a broader group should not be held responsible for the actions of a small number of individuals.

However, and this is critically important, it is entirely appropriate to hold people responsible for their own statements and actions.

With that in mind: The overall messaging of Antifa (and Antifa supporters) tends heavily towards violence. Punching, killing, molotov cocktails, etc. are all common messaging used by Antifa (including by those I quote within the Open Source world -- many of whom have advocated violence against myself).

Advocating for violence, then celebrating when violence is committed, are not good things.

Yet we see a great deal of that among Open Source supporters of Antifa.

Read full Article
October 13, 2025
Sale ends in a few hours, Lifetime Subs set up.

Holy moly, you guys are amazing.

A few days ago I published a “50% off” sale for Lunduke Journal subscriptions… and all of you showed up. In a big way.

To everyone who grabbed a Lifetime Subscription over the last few days: All of you are set to full Lifetime access. You should have a confirmation email in your inbox. If not, email me and I’ll make sure you’re setup properly.

That “50% off” sale ends tonight at midnight. So you have a few hours to snag a discounted subscription, if you haven’t already.

A huge thank you to everyone who supports this work. Couldn’t do it without you.

-Lunduke

Read full Article
October 12, 2025
50% Off Lunduke Journal Extended Through Monday (Oct 13th)

Just a quick heads up:

The “50% off every kind of Subscription to The Lunduke Journal” sale has been extended through Monday (October 13th).

So. You know. Grab one at 50% off between now and end of the day on Monday.

To all of you amazing nerds who have picked up a Lifetime Subscription already this weekend: You are awesome. You’ll be receiving a confirmation email, with all of the Lifetime Subscription details, by tomorrow (if you haven’t already).

Oh, and remember how we hit 11 Million views last month? Yeah. We’re well on our way to blowing past those numbers in October.

Wild.

See you all on Monday!

-Lunduke

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