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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. :)

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Bryan Lunduke@Lunduke
3 hours ago
Open Source is Anti-Free Speech

The first instinct, in almost every Open Source & Linux organization - From GNOME to Arch, NixOS to openSUSE - is to censor. To mute, delete, and block any who disagree.

I have the receipts.

00:34:34
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Bryan Lunduke@Lunduke
February 04, 2025
Is Arch Linux Woke? Looks like it: Forum Censors Mentions of "Lunduke", Discord Goes on Lockdown

Following Arch Linux Discord voting to ban "links to X / Twitter" & death threats towards a journalist, all official Arch Linux channels begin mass censorship campaign.

00:29:39
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Bryan Lunduke@Lunduke
February 03, 2025
The Most Important Tech News of January 2025 (That Only The Lunduke Journal Covered)

H1-B Visas, Non-Woke Operating Systems, Facebook ending DEl, Memory Leaking Rust, Godot Went Woke Went Broke, Debian Linux Doubles Down on Wokeness, & more.

00:49:50
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Bryan Lunduke@Lunduke
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
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Bryan Lunduke@Lunduke
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!"
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Bryan Lunduke@Lunduke
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
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Bradford@CerealDrumlin
2 hours ago

So, umm, @Lunduke the USDS (US Digital Service) is now DOGE, and was tasked with auditing the US budget and departments... Senator John Kennedy of Louisiana has a way with words.

Senator John Kennedy on reactions of folks in Washington DC on changing anything at all:
these people could make a valium nervous

He then stated:
they don't want to talk about the spending porn, about what's been found

referring to the Trump administration's review of the budget and auditing of the various departments.

Also, apparently, the USA, through USAID, has been giving money to Afghanistan, Syria, Gaza/Hamas, the Al-Nusra Front (an al-Qaeda affiliate at war with Syria who was also receiving money), and Yemen... countries the USA was allegedly at war with.

That's... umm... a thing. So, the US's IT department has been uncovering the budget, and that budget is weird. For example, advancing woke education in Macedonia. Even for those who support woke movements, should the USA being doing that? Or ...

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Scott Loveless@sdloveless
6 hours ago

Food nerdery alert!

I've spent most of my life absolutely hating rye bread. Recently, I ventured into a local German market (currently operated by the daughter of the German immigrant who opened it in the 60s) looking for, among other things, some bread. She recommended one of the rye breads and I politely declined. "You don't like rye bread? Most rye bread in the US is Jewish Rye, which contains caraway. This bread doesn't." She cut off a small piece and handed it to me. OMG! Heaven.

Now I'm on the hunt for more. I can always get it there, but most bakeries here in the US only have seeded ryes. It just so happens that the wife-type recently took a sourdough class and came home with a starter. This looks a lot like the bread I purchased. https://www.thespruceeats.com/black-forest-bread-schwarzwaelder-kruste-1447356

I'ma get so much fatter...

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Bryan Lunduke@Lunduke
February 05, 2025
Thank you for all of the support!

Just wanted to send out a heartfelt thank you to everyone who subscribes to The Lunduke Journal. We're in a really solid place -- and growing at a nice pace -- all thanks to you.

The February fancy-shmancy discount ended last night at midnight. If you picked up one of those Lifetime subscriptions, your account is all set -- and you should have already received a confirmation email (if you haven't, feel free to reach out to me at bryan at lunduke.com).

I feel pretty gosh darned lucky to be able to do this work. And none of this would be possible without you.

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Bryan Lunduke@Lunduke
February 03, 2025
Fund Indie Tech Journalism. Lifetime Subs & Discounts available for 48 hours.

February is upon us! And — would you look at that — thanks to all of you, The Lunduke Journal is already fully funded through the end of February!

That means: We can continue to have zero sponsors, zero advertising and, even more importantly, zero influence from Big Tech.

Now. How amazing would it be if The Lunduke Journal could reach our funding goals through the end of March… almost two months ahead of time? Pretty freaking amazing. And absolutely doable.

Let’s do it.

Through Tuesday (February 4th), we’ve got a handful of discounts on Lunduke Journal subscriptions. Take a look. A huge thank you to everyone who has already subscribed — you make this all possible.

Every penny goes towards keeping truly independent journalism alive.

Lunduke Journal Discounts

For the next 2 days (through Tuesday, February 4th), in addition to regular subscriptions, you can grab two limited discounts:

  1. Discounted Lifetime Subscriptions (scroll down for details)

  2. DRM-Free, MP4 Downloads for 2024 & 2025 (combined) for 55% off.

There many ways to support The Lunduke Journal. Choose the option that makes you smile. It’s all listed below.

Where to grab a Monthly or Yearly Subscription:

These are regular price. But still awesome.

Lifetime Subscription Details:

  • Pay once, full subscription for life (on Locals, Substack, or both).

  • Available only until Tuesday, February 4th. Then the Lifetime Subscription option goes “back in the vault”.

  • Can be purchased via Locals, Substack, or with Bitcoin. Chose whichever works for you. Scroll down for steps.

Where to buy a DRM-Free, MP4 video yearly download pass:

Want to be able to download every show The Lunduke Journal releases (and watch them on whatever device you like)? Yeah. You can do that.

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.

New Lifetime Subscriptions are available, for $200, from now through February 4th. 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.)

The Famous Lifetime Subscription via Substack:

You can also snag a Lifetime Subscription via Substack:

  1. Go to Lunduke.Substack.com/subscribe.

  2. Select the “Lifetime Subscription” option.

  3. 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.)

If you would like full, Lifetime access to Lunduke.Locals.com (which is included):

  1. Make a free account on Lunduke.Locals.com.

  2. Email “bryan at lunduke.com” with the email address you use on both Substack and Locals (can be different email addresses).

  3. Lunduke will toss you an email once your account is set to full lifetime status on Locals.

The Famous Lifetime Subscription (with Bitcoin discount):

And, finally, you can 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.

Once again, thank you. The Lunduke Journal would not be possible without your support.

You rule. Seriously.

-Lunduke

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Bryan Lunduke@Lunduke
January 13, 2025
Last 24 Hours: 55% off DRM-Free MP4s, & Discounted Lifetime Subscriptions

Holy guacamole, Batman! We are now over 80% of the way to our funding goal… for the end of February. And it’s not even half way through January! I am absolutely gobsmacked.

Want to help push us over the 100% line — and directly fund the truly independent Tech Journalism of The Lunduke Journal?

Lots of options. Big and small (and all amazingly helpful). Scroll down & choose whatever works best for you.

Lunduke Journal Discounts

For the next 24-sh hours (through Tuesday, January 14th), in addition to regular subscriptions, you can grab two limited discounts:

  1. Discounted Lifetime Subscriptions (details below)

  2. DRM-Free, MP4 Downloads for 2024 & 2025 (combined) for 55% off.

There many ways to support The Lunduke Journal. Choose the option that makes you smile. It’s all listed below.

Where to grab a Monthly or Yearly Subscription:

Lifetime Subscription Details:

  • Pay once, full subscription for life (on Locals, Substack, or both).

  • Available only through Tuesday, January 14th. Then the Lifetime Subscription option goes “back in the vault”.

  • Can be purchased via Locals, Substack, or with Bitcoin. Scroll down for steps.

Where to buy a DRM-Free, MP4 video yearly download pass:

Want to be able to download every show The Lunduke Journal releases (and watch them on whatever device you like)? Yeah. You can do that.

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.

New Lifetime Subscriptions are available, for $200, from now through January 14th. 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.)

The Famous Lifetime Subscription via Substack

You can also snag a Lifetime Subscription via Substack:

  1. Go to Lunduke.Substack.com/subscribe.

  2. Select the “Lifetime Subscription” option.

  3. 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.)

If you would like full, Lifetime access to Lunduke.Locals.com (which is included):

  1. Make a free account on Lunduke.Locals.com.

  2. Email “bryan at lunduke.com” with the email address you use on both Substack and Locals (can be different email addresses).

  3. Lunduke will toss you an email once your account is set to full lifetime status on Locals.

The Famous Lifetime Subscription (with Bitcoin discount)

And, finally, you can 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. Lots of options.

Once again, thank you. The Lunduke Journal would not be possible without your support.

You rule.

-Lunduke

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Bryan Lunduke@Lunduke
January 12, 2025
Discounted Lifetime Subs, 55% Discount on MP4 Downloads for 2 Days

The Lunduke Journal remains 100% free from advertising… and, even more importantly, 100% free from all Big Tech influence.

And, because we never take a penny from any company, this is only possible thanks to you.

All of you amazing nerds showed tremendous support for The Lunduke Journal last month — grabbing Lifetime and standard subscriptions — meeting our necessary funding requirements for January… before January even started.

Mind. Blown.

This allows me to focus on new reporting — without needing to worry so much about funding and “business stuff” during the month. Which means more shows & more investigations. A massive win for all of us.

That also means that, this month, we don’t need to do a big “fundraiser”. Instead, we’re going to just send out this quick reminder of how absolutely critical your support is for the continued success The Lunduke Journal — the last bastion of truly independent Tech Journalism.

Seriously. Couldn’t do this without you.

Scroll down and take a look at the options. See if any jump out at you. Then give yourself a high five for making Tech Journalism that much more awesome.

Lunduke Journal Discounts

For the next 2 days (through Wednesday, January 15th), in addition to regular subscriptions, you can grab two limited discounts:

  1. Discounted Lifetime Subscriptions (details below)

  2. DRM-Free, MP4 Downloads for 2024 & 2025 (combined) for 55% off.

There many ways to support The Lunduke Journal. Choose the option that makes you smile. It’s all listed below.

Where to grab a Monthly or Yearly Subscription:

Lifetime Subscription Details:

  • Pay once, full subscription for life (on Locals, Substack, or both).

  • Available only until Wednesday, January 15th. Then the Lifetime Subscription option goes “back in the vault”.

  • Can be purchased via Locals, Substack, or with Bitcoin. Scroll down for steps.

Where to buy a DRM-Free, MP4 video yearly download pass:

Want to be able to download every show The Lunduke Journal releases (and watch them on whatever device you like)? Yeah. You can do that.

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.

New Lifetime Subscriptions are available, for $200, from now through January 15th. 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.)

The Famous Lifetime Subscription via Substack

You can also snag a Lifetime Subscription via Substack:

  1. Go to Lunduke.Substack.com/subscribe.

  2. Select the “Lifetime Subscription” option.

  3. 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.)

If you would like full, Lifetime access to Lunduke.Locals.com (which is included):

  1. Make a free account on Lunduke.Locals.com.

  2. Email “bryan at lunduke.com” with the email address you use on both Substack and Locals (can be different email addresses).

  3. Lunduke will toss you an email once your account is set to full lifetime status on Locals.

The Famous Lifetime Subscription (with Bitcoin discount)

And, finally, you can 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.

Once again, thank you. The Lunduke Journal would not be possible without your support.

You rule.

-Lunduke

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