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  3. The best advice I have for new nerds: Refuse to pay rent.

The best advice I have for new nerds: Refuse to pay rent.

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  • trevorflowers@hachyderm.ioT trevorflowers@hachyderm.io

    The best advice I have for new nerds: Refuse to pay rent.

    Don't subscribe. Don't lease. Don't use their cloud. Don't slip down the freemium slope. Don't create accounts on their services.

    Buy it once. Run it local. Avoid commercial software.

    It'll be a huge pain and you'll be an outsider but it'll be endless, interesting, and hard fun that'll pay you back with a curious mind and an understanding of the fabric of our intellectual infrastructure that will make you light-years more capable, useful, and healthy than the "AI" zombies.

    gcvsa@mstdn.plusG This user is from outside of this forum
    gcvsa@mstdn.plusG This user is from outside of this forum
    gcvsa@mstdn.plus
    wrote last edited by
    #5

    @trevorflowers It sort of reminds of the rush in the late 1990s for so many people to hitch their wagon to an MCSE certification, when they had no previous interest in computers. Every decent Systems Engineer I've ever known loathed Microslop with the fiery passion of a thousand suns.

    1 Reply Last reply
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    • trevorflowers@hachyderm.ioT trevorflowers@hachyderm.io

      The best advice I have for new nerds: Refuse to pay rent.

      Don't subscribe. Don't lease. Don't use their cloud. Don't slip down the freemium slope. Don't create accounts on their services.

      Buy it once. Run it local. Avoid commercial software.

      It'll be a huge pain and you'll be an outsider but it'll be endless, interesting, and hard fun that'll pay you back with a curious mind and an understanding of the fabric of our intellectual infrastructure that will make you light-years more capable, useful, and healthy than the "AI" zombies.

      miss_rodent@girlcock.clubM This user is from outside of this forum
      miss_rodent@girlcock.clubM This user is from outside of this forum
      miss_rodent@girlcock.club
      wrote last edited by
      #6

      @trevorflowers This might be harder to do now, but, considering I've stuck to this approach since the mid-2000's and continue to - it is still -possible-, at least. In spite of the best efforts of the tech industry & their pet governments.
      Creates extra headaches (I spent multiple days to get lineageOS running on a phone they do not support, but I got for free and needed to degoogle, for example), but, those et easier to navigate the more of them you have to navigate.

      kel@mastodon.onlineK 1 Reply Last reply
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      • trevorflowers@hachyderm.ioT trevorflowers@hachyderm.io

        The best advice I have for new nerds: Refuse to pay rent.

        Don't subscribe. Don't lease. Don't use their cloud. Don't slip down the freemium slope. Don't create accounts on their services.

        Buy it once. Run it local. Avoid commercial software.

        It'll be a huge pain and you'll be an outsider but it'll be endless, interesting, and hard fun that'll pay you back with a curious mind and an understanding of the fabric of our intellectual infrastructure that will make you light-years more capable, useful, and healthy than the "AI" zombies.

        dfx4509b@mas.toD This user is from outside of this forum
        dfx4509b@mas.toD This user is from outside of this forum
        dfx4509b@mas.to
        wrote last edited by
        #7

        @trevorflowers If you refuse to pay rent as far as your home goes, you're eventually going to be evicted, though, or worse, you could get taken to court by the landlord over it.

        jadedtwin@corteximplant.comJ leeloo@chaosfem.twL 2 Replies Last reply
        0
        • trevorflowers@hachyderm.ioT trevorflowers@hachyderm.io

          The best advice I have for new nerds: Refuse to pay rent.

          Don't subscribe. Don't lease. Don't use their cloud. Don't slip down the freemium slope. Don't create accounts on their services.

          Buy it once. Run it local. Avoid commercial software.

          It'll be a huge pain and you'll be an outsider but it'll be endless, interesting, and hard fun that'll pay you back with a curious mind and an understanding of the fabric of our intellectual infrastructure that will make you light-years more capable, useful, and healthy than the "AI" zombies.

          fluffydotorg@sfba.socialF This user is from outside of this forum
          fluffydotorg@sfba.socialF This user is from outside of this forum
          fluffydotorg@sfba.social
          wrote last edited by
          #8

          @trevorflowers I'm freaking really annoyed with myself for buying into the "streaming services for music" thing but also it exposes me to so much stuff and I still buy physical media with mp3 downloads or bandcamp so there's also stuff I own. I'm ok with "cloud storage" for files but do have a local physical backup for safety.

          jzb@hachyderm.ioJ 1 Reply Last reply
          0
          • trevorflowers@hachyderm.ioT trevorflowers@hachyderm.io

            The best advice I have for new nerds: Refuse to pay rent.

            Don't subscribe. Don't lease. Don't use their cloud. Don't slip down the freemium slope. Don't create accounts on their services.

            Buy it once. Run it local. Avoid commercial software.

            It'll be a huge pain and you'll be an outsider but it'll be endless, interesting, and hard fun that'll pay you back with a curious mind and an understanding of the fabric of our intellectual infrastructure that will make you light-years more capable, useful, and healthy than the "AI" zombies.

            inlovewithpda@chaos.socialI This user is from outside of this forum
            inlovewithpda@chaos.socialI This user is from outside of this forum
            inlovewithpda@chaos.social
            wrote last edited by
            #9

            @trevorflowers good words. It is a huge pain, when you finally quit. I always knew, but never realized, that I don't own a single movie I "bought" in iTunes. I have to keep my apple account to watch them.

            ambulocetus@mefi.socialA 1 Reply Last reply
            0
            • trevorflowers@hachyderm.ioT trevorflowers@hachyderm.io

              The best advice I have for new nerds: Refuse to pay rent.

              Don't subscribe. Don't lease. Don't use their cloud. Don't slip down the freemium slope. Don't create accounts on their services.

              Buy it once. Run it local. Avoid commercial software.

              It'll be a huge pain and you'll be an outsider but it'll be endless, interesting, and hard fun that'll pay you back with a curious mind and an understanding of the fabric of our intellectual infrastructure that will make you light-years more capable, useful, and healthy than the "AI" zombies.

              the_moep@mastodon.deT This user is from outside of this forum
              the_moep@mastodon.deT This user is from outside of this forum
              the_moep@mastodon.de
              wrote last edited by
              #10

              @trevorflowers I'm not sure my land lord is going to like that advice 😅

              ktneely@infosec.exchangeK 1 Reply Last reply
              0
              • trevorflowers@hachyderm.ioT trevorflowers@hachyderm.io

                The best advice I have for new nerds: Refuse to pay rent.

                Don't subscribe. Don't lease. Don't use their cloud. Don't slip down the freemium slope. Don't create accounts on their services.

                Buy it once. Run it local. Avoid commercial software.

                It'll be a huge pain and you'll be an outsider but it'll be endless, interesting, and hard fun that'll pay you back with a curious mind and an understanding of the fabric of our intellectual infrastructure that will make you light-years more capable, useful, and healthy than the "AI" zombies.

                nu@ko.she-a.euN This user is from outside of this forum
                nu@ko.she-a.euN This user is from outside of this forum
                nu@ko.she-a.eu
                wrote last edited by
                #11

                @trevorflowers@hachyderm.io 100% except if you dont have a good internet connection, then a vps is warranted, I've spent too many hours fighting my isp

                pmdj@mstdn.socialP 1 Reply Last reply
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                • trevorflowers@hachyderm.ioT trevorflowers@hachyderm.io

                  The best advice I have for new nerds: Refuse to pay rent.

                  Don't subscribe. Don't lease. Don't use their cloud. Don't slip down the freemium slope. Don't create accounts on their services.

                  Buy it once. Run it local. Avoid commercial software.

                  It'll be a huge pain and you'll be an outsider but it'll be endless, interesting, and hard fun that'll pay you back with a curious mind and an understanding of the fabric of our intellectual infrastructure that will make you light-years more capable, useful, and healthy than the "AI" zombies.

                  trevorflowers@hachyderm.ioT This user is from outside of this forum
                  trevorflowers@hachyderm.ioT This user is from outside of this forum
                  trevorflowers@hachyderm.io
                  wrote last edited by
                  #12

                  I understand, many reasons exist that make paying rent seem better and you're not wrong, exactly. You are, however, missing my point.

                  The situations that make us want to pay rent *are* what make us zombies. 🧟 Working the hard fun in order to own our stack *is* what makes us capable and curious.

                  Notice the reasons why paying rent makes sense and then ask yourself, "Who made that situation? Why is that the convenient path? Does a different choice, no matter how inconvenient, even exist?"

                  Look around for people living a different way and then modify it for yourself, day after day.

                  You'll get there. I believe in you.

                  1 Reply Last reply
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                  • trevorflowers@hachyderm.ioT trevorflowers@hachyderm.io

                    The best advice I have for new nerds: Refuse to pay rent.

                    Don't subscribe. Don't lease. Don't use their cloud. Don't slip down the freemium slope. Don't create accounts on their services.

                    Buy it once. Run it local. Avoid commercial software.

                    It'll be a huge pain and you'll be an outsider but it'll be endless, interesting, and hard fun that'll pay you back with a curious mind and an understanding of the fabric of our intellectual infrastructure that will make you light-years more capable, useful, and healthy than the "AI" zombies.

                    javascript@app.wafrn.netJ This user is from outside of this forum
                    javascript@app.wafrn.netJ This user is from outside of this forum
                    javascript@app.wafrn.net
                    wrote last edited by
                    #13

                    When AI zombies are your bosses and colleagues at work it paints a really grim and dark picture. Lately people want to make you believe that if you do not hop in you will be lost and forgotten forever. Out of job. Moved, even more, to the margins of society. The fearmongering keeps increasing. I always prided myself in my capacity for curiosity and understanding but I'm starting to be a little bit afraid and a lot more angry and I find myself wondering how much can I keep going

                    1 Reply Last reply
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                    • fluffydotorg@sfba.socialF fluffydotorg@sfba.social

                      @trevorflowers I'm freaking really annoyed with myself for buying into the "streaming services for music" thing but also it exposes me to so much stuff and I still buy physical media with mp3 downloads or bandcamp so there's also stuff I own. I'm ok with "cloud storage" for files but do have a local physical backup for safety.

                      jzb@hachyderm.ioJ This user is from outside of this forum
                      jzb@hachyderm.ioJ This user is from outside of this forum
                      jzb@hachyderm.io
                      wrote last edited by
                      #14

                      @fluffydotorg @trevorflowers streaming for discovery purposes is fine - beats the old model of “I liked this song, I’ll buy the CD” and then find out the one song was the only good one after you’re out $15.

                      But if you like an artist, buy the album. Get a physical copy that will be yours permanently.

                      1 Reply Last reply
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                      • trevorflowers@hachyderm.ioT trevorflowers@hachyderm.io

                        The best advice I have for new nerds: Refuse to pay rent.

                        Don't subscribe. Don't lease. Don't use their cloud. Don't slip down the freemium slope. Don't create accounts on their services.

                        Buy it once. Run it local. Avoid commercial software.

                        It'll be a huge pain and you'll be an outsider but it'll be endless, interesting, and hard fun that'll pay you back with a curious mind and an understanding of the fabric of our intellectual infrastructure that will make you light-years more capable, useful, and healthy than the "AI" zombies.

                        ben@mastodon.lubar.meB This user is from outside of this forum
                        ben@mastodon.lubar.meB This user is from outside of this forum
                        ben@mastodon.lubar.me
                        wrote last edited by
                        #15

                        @trevorflowers the only "rent" I pay is to my ISP (monthly) and IANA (yearly)

                        good advice

                        calcifer@masto.hackers.townC 1 Reply Last reply
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                        • inlovewithpda@chaos.socialI inlovewithpda@chaos.social

                          @trevorflowers good words. It is a huge pain, when you finally quit. I always knew, but never realized, that I don't own a single movie I "bought" in iTunes. I have to keep my apple account to watch them.

                          ambulocetus@mefi.socialA This user is from outside of this forum
                          ambulocetus@mefi.socialA This user is from outside of this forum
                          ambulocetus@mefi.social
                          wrote last edited by
                          #16

                          @inlovewithpda @trevorflowers A wise man said, "if buying isn't owning, then piracy isn't theft."

                          1 Reply Last reply
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                          • trevorflowers@hachyderm.ioT trevorflowers@hachyderm.io

                            The best advice I have for new nerds: Refuse to pay rent.

                            Don't subscribe. Don't lease. Don't use their cloud. Don't slip down the freemium slope. Don't create accounts on their services.

                            Buy it once. Run it local. Avoid commercial software.

                            It'll be a huge pain and you'll be an outsider but it'll be endless, interesting, and hard fun that'll pay you back with a curious mind and an understanding of the fabric of our intellectual infrastructure that will make you light-years more capable, useful, and healthy than the "AI" zombies.

                            venya@musicians.todayV This user is from outside of this forum
                            venya@musicians.todayV This user is from outside of this forum
                            venya@musicians.today
                            wrote last edited by
                            #17

                            @trevorflowers

                            Cosign in musician

                            1 Reply Last reply
                            0
                            • trevorflowers@hachyderm.ioT trevorflowers@hachyderm.io

                              The best advice I have for new nerds: Refuse to pay rent.

                              Don't subscribe. Don't lease. Don't use their cloud. Don't slip down the freemium slope. Don't create accounts on their services.

                              Buy it once. Run it local. Avoid commercial software.

                              It'll be a huge pain and you'll be an outsider but it'll be endless, interesting, and hard fun that'll pay you back with a curious mind and an understanding of the fabric of our intellectual infrastructure that will make you light-years more capable, useful, and healthy than the "AI" zombies.

                              shapr@recurse.socialS This user is from outside of this forum
                              shapr@recurse.socialS This user is from outside of this forum
                              shapr@recurse.social
                              wrote last edited by
                              #18

                              @trevorflowers landlord free! Cage free!

                              1 Reply Last reply
                              0
                              • trevorflowers@hachyderm.ioT trevorflowers@hachyderm.io

                                The best advice I have for new nerds: Refuse to pay rent.

                                Don't subscribe. Don't lease. Don't use their cloud. Don't slip down the freemium slope. Don't create accounts on their services.

                                Buy it once. Run it local. Avoid commercial software.

                                It'll be a huge pain and you'll be an outsider but it'll be endless, interesting, and hard fun that'll pay you back with a curious mind and an understanding of the fabric of our intellectual infrastructure that will make you light-years more capable, useful, and healthy than the "AI" zombies.

                                quincy@chaos.socialQ This user is from outside of this forum
                                quincy@chaos.socialQ This user is from outside of this forum
                                quincy@chaos.social
                                wrote last edited by
                                #19

                                @trevorflowers

                                I genuinely don't understand those who'll happily sell their soul despite being under no real, direct pressure to do so.

                                I have co-workers who do all the things you describe. Happily.

                                I ask them why. Half of the things they subscribe to are actively trying to harm them (and those close to them). Or have free replacements of better quality.

                                And - the root cause seems to be mere conformism. Not doing the "normal" thing is simply unthinkable.

                                Conformism sells 😞

                                1 Reply Last reply
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                                • trevorflowers@hachyderm.ioT trevorflowers@hachyderm.io

                                  The best advice I have for new nerds: Refuse to pay rent.

                                  Don't subscribe. Don't lease. Don't use their cloud. Don't slip down the freemium slope. Don't create accounts on their services.

                                  Buy it once. Run it local. Avoid commercial software.

                                  It'll be a huge pain and you'll be an outsider but it'll be endless, interesting, and hard fun that'll pay you back with a curious mind and an understanding of the fabric of our intellectual infrastructure that will make you light-years more capable, useful, and healthy than the "AI" zombies.

                                  happyborg@fosstodon.orgH This user is from outside of this forum
                                  happyborg@fosstodon.orgH This user is from outside of this forum
                                  happyborg@fosstodon.org
                                  wrote last edited by
                                  #20

                                  @trevorflowers I second this. It will also be a good filter, selecting for those with a good mix of curiosity and love of problem solving, attention to detail and ability to focus, that is being selected against. Qualities which need nurturing and exercise, and which will only grow in value, and in usefulness against life's challenges.

                                  1 Reply Last reply
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                                  • dfx4509b@mas.toD dfx4509b@mas.to

                                    @trevorflowers If you refuse to pay rent as far as your home goes, you're eventually going to be evicted, though, or worse, you could get taken to court by the landlord over it.

                                    jadedtwin@corteximplant.comJ This user is from outside of this forum
                                    jadedtwin@corteximplant.comJ This user is from outside of this forum
                                    jadedtwin@corteximplant.com
                                    wrote last edited by
                                    #21

                                    @dfx4509b @trevorflowers I don't think OP was talking about housing

                                    1 Reply Last reply
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                                    • trevorflowers@hachyderm.ioT trevorflowers@hachyderm.io

                                      The best advice I have for new nerds: Refuse to pay rent.

                                      Don't subscribe. Don't lease. Don't use their cloud. Don't slip down the freemium slope. Don't create accounts on their services.

                                      Buy it once. Run it local. Avoid commercial software.

                                      It'll be a huge pain and you'll be an outsider but it'll be endless, interesting, and hard fun that'll pay you back with a curious mind and an understanding of the fabric of our intellectual infrastructure that will make you light-years more capable, useful, and healthy than the "AI" zombies.

                                      albertcardona@mathstodon.xyzA This user is from outside of this forum
                                      albertcardona@mathstodon.xyzA This user is from outside of this forum
                                      albertcardona@mathstodon.xyz
                                      wrote last edited by
                                      #22

                                      @trevorflowers

                                      Forever confused why such an approach isn’t the default. Why would anyone pay rent for short-term convenience at the expense of long-term critical dependencies?

                                      1 Reply Last reply
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                                      • trevorflowers@hachyderm.ioT trevorflowers@hachyderm.io

                                        The best advice I have for new nerds: Refuse to pay rent.

                                        Don't subscribe. Don't lease. Don't use their cloud. Don't slip down the freemium slope. Don't create accounts on their services.

                                        Buy it once. Run it local. Avoid commercial software.

                                        It'll be a huge pain and you'll be an outsider but it'll be endless, interesting, and hard fun that'll pay you back with a curious mind and an understanding of the fabric of our intellectual infrastructure that will make you light-years more capable, useful, and healthy than the "AI" zombies.

                                        flashmobofone@mastodon.artF This user is from outside of this forum
                                        flashmobofone@mastodon.artF This user is from outside of this forum
                                        flashmobofone@mastodon.art
                                        wrote last edited by
                                        #23

                                        @trevorflowers Also, don't rent your tech.

                                        Buy one that's a few generations old. Learn how to build, fix, or rent it yourself.

                                        1 Reply Last reply
                                        0
                                        • trevorflowers@hachyderm.ioT trevorflowers@hachyderm.io

                                          The best advice I have for new nerds: Refuse to pay rent.

                                          Don't subscribe. Don't lease. Don't use their cloud. Don't slip down the freemium slope. Don't create accounts on their services.

                                          Buy it once. Run it local. Avoid commercial software.

                                          It'll be a huge pain and you'll be an outsider but it'll be endless, interesting, and hard fun that'll pay you back with a curious mind and an understanding of the fabric of our intellectual infrastructure that will make you light-years more capable, useful, and healthy than the "AI" zombies.

                                          braxa26@mindly.socialB This user is from outside of this forum
                                          braxa26@mindly.socialB This user is from outside of this forum
                                          braxa26@mindly.social
                                          wrote last edited by
                                          #24

                                          @trevorflowers Thanks for the supportive message. As someone on the margins of nerd culture, the challenge is huge and daunting. Thankfully there are those like you who call us in with resources and encouragement. So far, I'm in the process of switching to LibreOffice on my desktop and have an idea of a tiny Linux distro that will fit on my old Asus notebook (my stars, I love that little machine). Once I figure that out, I hope to be able to convert my desktop machine too. Take heart, nerds everywhere, we're trying.

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