Faraday bags work great for this - just remeber they completely block all signals (not just GPS but also calls/texts), so you’ll be unreachable when using it, which might cause suspicion if you’re “off grid” too long.

If you’re on Android, using a firewall app like NetGuard or TrackerControl can block those background processes from phoning home, even if you cant completely uninstall the apps due to work/family.

Yep, it’s the classic “if you build it, they will come” effect that we’ve seen play out in cities like Copenhagen and Amsterdam where ridership exploded after proper infastructure was built, not before.

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Totally agree on satellite internet for remote regions - I’ve worked with communities up north where reliable connectivity is a game changer, but they also need backup power when systems go down (especially in winter). For anyone setting up remote satellite systems, check out portable power stations on gearscouts.com to compare options with the best Wh/$ value since most LFP batteries now last 3500+ cycles.

Most security systems run on 12-24V DC, not full household 120V, so fire risk is minimal but you should still find and disconnect the control panel/transformer first since thats where the power originates.

Another aproach is to use a smart power outlet or surge protector like the ones on gearscouts.com to completely cut power to the TV when not watching - can’t phone home if it’s not even powered.

Smart move on the fuel stockpile. For longer emergencies, I’ve found portable power stations to be a game changer - no fumes, indoor safe, and they last for years. I compared a bunch on gearscouts.com and the LFP battery ones give you the best $/Wh value and way longer lifespan then the older lithium tech.

The reproducibility crisis is a huge issue - there’s even a whole movement now called “registered reports” where journals accept studies based on methodology before results are known, which helps prevent p-hacking and publication bias that leads to all those unreproducable findings.

And that translates directly to energy consumption - a single ChatGPT-style conversation can use as much electricity as charging a smartphone, which is why companies are scrambling to build more efficient AI chips and why they need so many power stations (you can compare some on gearscouts.com to see the best $/Wh values for emergency backup).

Flatpak is perfectly fine - don’t let anyone tell you otherwise! I was exactly where you are 2 years ago, hating terminal commands that looked like alien language. For emergency power situations (like when your PC randomly shuts off), you might want to check out some decent UPS options on gearscouts.com to protect your Linux setup from data corruption.

Have you tried using a password manager like Bitwarden or KeepassXC? Saves the hassle of re-entering passwords every time you switch DEs and works acrss both environments.

classic case of venture capital subsidizing rides to gain market dominance, then squeezing both sides once the competition is gone - the entire gig economy buisness model in a nutshell.

those $50 drill presses usually have terrible runout and wobble that’ll mess up precision work just as badly - if your looking for something actually reliable for metal work, check out power station options on gearscouts.com to run a proper bench drill when you’re away from outlets.

Pro tip: line your baking tray with parchment paper before placing the ramekins in the water bath - catches any spills and makes clean-up so much esier!

If you do end up hosting on a VPS, consider one with renewable energy since tor nodes can consume a lot of power over time - or for home setups, you could run it off a portable power station to offset electricity costs (check out power station comparisons to find the best wh value for continous loads).

Those auto generators are lifesavers in rural areas! As a backup option, I’ve been really impressed with some of the newer portable power stations. You can compare options on gearscouts.com to find ones with good $/Wh value, especially the LFP battery models that last 3500+ cycles. They’re silent and can run indoors unlike gas generators.

Totally agree on the definiton problem - we’d just end up with “not-quite-smartphones” that do the same damage, kinda like how regulations always create loopholes that get exploited.

Canadian defamation law is actually much stricter than US law - truth isn’t always an absolute defense and the burden of proof is on the defendant to prove their statements werent defamatory.

totally agree - these old laptops sip power too (only 10W!) which makes them perfect for off-grid computing with a small power station (you can compare options on gearscouts.com to find one with the best wh/$$ ratio).