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Firefox is out, LibreWolf is in!

I started using Firefox in 2004. I mean, I was probably using beta releases before it was officially released. I think it was called m/b even? Anyway, it’s been a long time…

I’ve also been a supporter of Mozilla for a long time. I am a Thunderbird user (also for over 20 years) so it’s safe to say… I’m a fan, but…

Mozilla has made a lot of mistakes in recent years, and while I’m not about to switch to Safari or Chrome (or Chromium) I have switched to LibreWolf.

What is LibreWolf?

LibreWolf is a custom and independent version of Firefox, with the primary goals of privacy, security and user freedom.

LibreWolf is designed to increase protection against tracking and fingerprinting techniques, while also including a few security improvements. This is achieved through our privacy and security oriented settings and patches. LibreWolf also aims to remove all the telemetry, data collection and annoyances, as well as disabling anti-freedom features like DRM.

And most importantly, there is no AI in LibreWolf. They strip it out. This is the reason I switch. A few months back when I got sick of repeatedly disabling AI stuff in Firefox (and before they said they would add a “disable” button).

I also looked at Waterfox, but I could not get Firefox Sync to work. Sync is probably one of the most important features for me, since I use it on 5 computers, an iPad, and an iPhone on a daily basis.

I’ve come across very few issues with my switch to LibreWolf. I did have to mess with some of the more strict security settings when I started using it, but since then it’s been like using Firefox without the spying / data gathering.

I still have Firefox installed, but don’t use it much. LibreWolf has been great, and I’m glad I made the switch. I can also easily switch back, or still use Firefox if I need to since it’s just another browser in Firefox Sync I can synchronize all my settings to.

For now though, I will stick with LibreWolf.

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Goodbye Google Search!

DuckDuckGo

Google Search

Remember last year when I quit Google Mail and also quit Google Docs? Well, my efforts to DeGoogle didn’t end there…

I quit Google Search.

Yeah, Google Search… which I’ve been using for a quarter of a century. I even had a Google t-shirt back in… 1999 I think? No more.

DuckDuckGo

I switched to DuckDuckGo, which is a bit more focused on privacy and doesn’t use my search history for advertising purposes. I don’t even have an account to log into. You can still change some settings, which should persist across browser sessions thanks to cookies in your browser. (Though you then have to set them in each browser on each device you use. I think that’s a small price to pay.)

DuckDuckGo AI Settings

DuckDuckGo does have some AI features, but allows you to turn them off. Searching the web, not seeing any AI garbage, it feels like… like Google used to be, or like the web used to be. It’s pretty nice. Occasionally if I cannot find what I need I will open a private window and do a Google search, but it’s rare I need to do that.

SearXNG

While I’ve been happy with DuckDuckGo, I also try not to be complacent. I’ve installed SearXNG onto my home server which can also search the web.

SearXNG is a free internet metasearch engine which aggregates results from up to 251 search services. Users are neither tracked nor profiled. Additionally, SearXNG can be used over Tor for online anonymity.

So SearXNG goes out and does the searches using all sorts of search engines but protects your privacy by being a middle-agent. (There some public instances you can try, though they may be hit or miss, and localized results may be off.)

Mojeek Search

I’ve also had someone suggest I try Mojeek which claims to be “The alternative search engine that puts the people who use it first.” and unlike SearXNG does not rely on existing search engines but instead uses the Mojeek index of the web, so it is independent. (And, not into AI.)

I’ve left out a few options you could use instead of Google, but for those of use remember Ask Jeeves, Lycos, Alta Vista, Yahoo, and all the other search engines of 30 years ago, I think it’s our duty to find alternatives and try them out and see if we can move away from big tech, either by choosing self-hosted alternatives, more ethical companies, or ways to subvert the existing system.

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I made some Bagels!

Bagels

Bagels

Hey, look! I made some bagels! I was a bit intimidated by this one, but I’ve made those pretzel buns a few times now so these were not too different from those.

Bagels

I got 8 bagels, just around 100 grams each, which seems a little smaller than the ones we’d get from a bagel shop.

Bagels

The boiling water had barley malt syrup in it, instead of baking soda which I use for the pretzel buns.

Bagels

The topping I used were “everything bagel seasoning” and kosher salt. I did a poor job here. I learned that when you buy bagel seasoning to sprinkle on top of things, well that’s the wrong thing to use for this…

The seasoning has garlic and onion pieces that are too small, and tend to burn. So you need to make your own. Also, “bagel boards” are a thing, which are cedar board with “food grade” burlap attached and then soaked to prevent seasonings from burning.

Bagels

The ones on the right side were weird ones where I just sprinkled on things like Old Bay, and other random seasonings from the cabinet. They didn’t add much, but hey… it was an experiment! Toppings are the most difficult part of this process. (I would love to do asiago parmesan bagels!)

Bagels

So… yeah. Here’s what happened when I tried to hold one in my hand to slice it. I did not use an egg wash and press the bagels into a seasoning bowl. So more things to try next time.

There are a few of the recipes I looked at. I tend to read a bunch of recipes and use bits and pieces from each.

I just made another batch today, but I think with practice it’ll become easier and I’ll get the hang of it. I’d also like to try a long(er) fermentation time with less yeast like I do for pizza dough.

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This is the Pain (Part V)

MRI Scan

MRI Scan

See the previous post… Done? Okay!

I waited three weeks. Well, technically I waited 20 days, but on that 20th day I had the exact same excruciating and debilitating pain I had before the injections. And since the injections I’ve not had a day without pain.

Some days were definitely better! Almost… normal. Minor pain, mild discomfort, but I could mostly go about my daily routine, which starts with an hour (to a few hours) of pain, then mostly pain-free the rest of the day.

I say “mostly pain-free” because certain things still caused pain, like putting on socks and shoes, or driving, so there’s something lurking still, waiting to hurt me.

Some days were worse, and I noticed that again, the pain was shifting. Upper leg, hip, buttock area… not just ankle and lower leg. AND! I started getting pain in my left leg, which was never affected. A few nights I could not walk or go upstairs without a heap of pain. As if my legs just… didn’t work.

So on that 20th day, I emailed my doctor’s office, told them all this, and said I will not make it to July for the “13 weeks later” follow-up appointment. So I’ll be seeing them next week. Fingers crossed!

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Just 5 More MPH, Bro…

speed-limit-25

speed-limit-25

I got called a “weenie” and a “nerd” for admitting I drive the speed limit. I don’t care. My number one concern is that everyone arrives at their destination safely. If it takes a bit more time, I am fine with that.

I get passed all the time. I was on the parkway going approximately 25 (meaning, I may have been going 24, or 25, or maybe 26 or 27!) and a car got in the oncoming lane, sped up to pass me, and kept going fast. I’d guess they were going between 30 and 35. I saw them turn right, I turned right, they were way ahead of me, until… yeah, guess who I pulled up right next to at the stoplight?

I cannot tell you how often cars pass me only to speed up to a stoplight, hit the brakes, and have me right behind them. They never fucking learn. Meanwhile, they speed, they hit the brakes, and I go the limit and coast to a stop. I save wear on my vehicle, and I get better mileage.

I was told that “everyone goes 5 or 10 over the limit, and we don’t need to worry about those people, we need to worry about unsafe drivers” but what makes an “unsafe driver”? Could it be excessive speed? I’m sure in some (many?) cases it is.

I guess we should raise the 25 to 30 so the people going 30 in the 25 can go… 35? And then the people going 35 in 30 can go 40… and on and on.

Honestly I am just really sick of driving and wish I was back on my bike riding to work. It’s so much more calming and enjoyable than being on the road with car-brained people.