<p>While it is important to take backups, it is also important to make sure you are taking them properly. Follow the 3-2-1 backup rule. If you are using invasive services, encrypt all of your files before uploading them using a trusted piece of software like VeraCrypt.</p>
<p>Try to use services that you own as much as possible, to be completely independent. Make sure to have offline backups.</p>
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<imgsrc="operating-system.webp"alt="The three major operating systems (left to right): Windows (by Microsoft), Linux-based opearting systems, MacOS (by Apple)">
<p>I do not use Discord anymore and probably never will. Previously, it was difficult to delete my Discord account but Discord themselves have done all the hard work for me.</p>
<p>You should try to 'do it yourself'. Take control of your hardware and software and know what you are running. It will not only be cheaper, but it will make it easier to fix issues and learn about computing and technology in the long run.</p>
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<p>If you are the only person on your Linux machine, you should switch to doas. It is much more lightweight and is similar to sudo. It has a smaller codebase which, in my opinion, prevents exploits from popping up as often as sudo.</p>
<p>However, if you are in a professional environment, you should stick with sudo.</p>
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<p>That is it! You have setup encryption on your emails. This is a great step as email itself is very unsecure, so this will boost your privacy and security by a lot. Sharing passwords through email has never been safe but encryption allows you to do it with a good range of security.</p>
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<p>I just started using <ahref="https://ffmpeg.org/">FFmpeg</a>... and it is <strong>AMAZING!</strong> When I mean amazing, I really mean amazing.</p>
<p>For those of you who do not know what FFmpeg is, it is basically a command-line application that can be installed on all platforms that is basically the Swiss army knife of videos, audio files and images. It merges almost every single codec, encoders and decoders, filters and more in a single application allowing for fast access and modularity.</p>
<p>FFmpeg is one of those tools which have impacted your life without you realising it. Whenever you watch a movie, show or any piece of edited or converted content, there is an extremely high change that FFmpeg was involved.</p>
<p>You may say:</p><p><em>"Bu.. But I use a video editor and online file converters! Those are not FFmpeg!"</em></p>
<p>Most file converters and video editors use at least some FFmpeg. Many websites like YouTube and WhatsApp use FFmpeg directly when they need to compress a video.</p>
<p>The reason I switched is because of its versatility. You can create a single command to record your screen in lossless quality, save the original file in '.mov', the audio in '.mp3' format in another folder, encode a '.mp4' file, transcode it to be played on Android and trim a specific part of the video and send it to a server that you own.</p>
<p>FFmpeg is a difficult program to learn but the rewards are worth it. I currently have a command that records my screen, converts the audio in the recording from stereo to mono and finally encode it in <astyle="color:#50fa7b"href="../definitions/h264">H.264</a> for ultimate compatibility.</p>
<h2><i class="fa fa-book"aria-hidden="true"></i>To Close The File...</h2>
<p>GitHub is perhaps the only Git platform that has no option to <astyle="color:#50fa7b"href="../definitions/self-host">self-host</a>. You do not know what is running on their servers and cannot know what is happening with your code.</p>
<p>Please don't use GitHub. Just use alternatives or self-host it. GitHub does have a lot of projects but if you use it, it brings them closer towards extinguishing open-source.</p>
<p>This post is to inform you that the grace period for the deletion of my public Instagram account has been completed. My Instagram account has been deleted... forever. I highly recommend you do it too. Read <astyle="color:#bd93f9"href="../sm">this post</a> for more information.</p>
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<p>However, there is not a single <ahref="../definitions/free-software/"style="color:#50fa7b">free software</a> or even open-source <ahref="https://ahadith.co.uk/fortressofthemuslim.php"">Hisnul Muslim</a> application that I have noticed. Most <ahref="https://ahadith.co.uk/fortressofthemuslim.php"">Hisnul Muslim</a> apps I have used have the exact same duas since it is based off the 'Fortress of the Muslim' book. Just having a page with all duas with a simple search option and the translation in popular languages is all thats required to get the open-source savvy Muslim community to start using <ahref="../definitions/free-software/"style="color:#50fa7b">free software</a> for their duas.</p>
<p>Anyone can take the lead. In fact, this may be the first thing I try when I start developing applications.</p>
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<h2><iclass="fa fa-code"aria-hidden="true"></i>Closing The Program</h2>
<p>To sum it up, everyone should use and develop minimal software if possible. This is because minimal software is easier to maintain, debug and optimize due to its smaller codebase. It also runs fast on all devices and avoids complications during development time. Minimal software can also be liberated into <ahref="../definitions/free-software/"style="color:#50fa7b">free software</a> which will allow talented developers to review the program and contribute to the world.</p>
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<p>On the other end of the same spectrum, overcomplication also has a similar result. A technical example of this is software management. Windows and MacOS (at least how most people use MacOS) have complicated software management which results in difficult updates, confusing software usage and an overall increase in storage usage throughout the years. However, Linux has package managers. One command is all that is required to install a package and remove it. You can clear cache, download an older version, update both your system and applications at the same time and even view all installed packages.</p>
<p>In the end, most things are complicated. We can try simplifying them and that is perfectly fine. However, trying to oversimplify a problem and making it a binary outcome does not work in all cases. There are many factors to take into consideration. Oversimplification leads to no problems being solved. If anything, it creates and solves arbitrary problems that are not important.</p>
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<p>All in all, I use plaintext files because I can access them whenever and wherever I want on any device. It allows me to future-proof my writing and it also allows me to be more productive.</p>
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<p>There is not much left to say. I am much, much happier without social media. I have more time on my hands and I am still getting the information I want from RSS feeds without an algorithm trying to pull me in. Big corporations have much less data about me, I have a lot of time and have produced a lot of work. In terms of academics, my overall percentage in school has increased by over 20%. I find difficult subjects easier and easy subjects a piece of cake.</p>
<p>All in all, if you care about yourself, delete your social media. It is a hellhole that is getting worse by the day.</p>
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<p>If there is one thing you take away from this post, it is to make 2FA your baseline security protocol. Use 2FA for <strong>every account that has it.</strong> Do not use SMS, use authenticator apps. If possible, spend money on three <astyle="color:#50fa7b"href="../definitions/security-key">security keys</a>.</p>
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<p>Torrents should be used whenever possible. They are reliable, fast, prevent censorship, allow people to contribute easily, are flexible and cannot be manipulated easily. Just keep in mind to give back to the community by seeding and do not download illegal media.</p>
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<p>Metal is a superior material to plastic. It lasts much longer and breaks less easily. This is especially important for data transfer and having an emergency drive ready-to-go. If it dies or breaks at an unfortunate time, it can wreak havoc on both you and your sanity. This is why everyone should use metal USBs. They last longer and eventually break even with the price you paid for them.</p>
<p>You should try to buy thinner metal USBs. This is because a thin USB can dissipate heat better than a thick one. Metal is a conductor of heat. Because of this, you should try to buy a USB that is able to reduce the heat's effect.</p>
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<p>To conclude, I switched to VimWiki because I find it faster and easier to use Neovim directly on my computer. I love using <ahref="../definitions/markdown"style="color:#50fa7b">Markdown (.md)</a>, so I feel at home when using VimWiki. It is also because I prefer to use plaintext as much as possible.</p>
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TitanElectrons
1 year ago