The Digest 13/05/25

Writing

When the world is going to pot, I hunker down and play with tech.

Still Teching
This German company makes machines in Germany specifically for Linux, and even has an in-house flavour of the operating system, designed to be accessible to people who think that the command line is some sort of military term.
Writer, interrupted.Stuart Lennon

Inevitably, the tech defeats me, so I get a notebook out.

On not being a Stationer
I wondered whether I would still be as motivated to use analogue tools, particularly as I’m exploring different digital rabbit holes. The answer to that has come quickly - I’m using pens, pencils and paper more than I ever did.
Writer, interrupted.Stuart Lennon

Shopping

Obviously, the major purchase was the new laptop. I did also order myself a Padel racket. This is part of my drive to lose weight, which begins on Saturday, Saturday the 12th of April. I've been gaining and losing weight since about 1986, inexorably losing the battle. I'm bigger now than I've ever been. A bit like last time, I'm determined to lose a lot, and make it stick. To help create the required calorie deficit, I'm going to up my exercise, as well as cut my intake, hence the Padel bat, sorry, racket.

Spoilt now by a UK keyboard on my laptop, I decided to replace my US format external keyboard with a UK one. Unfortunately, Logitech have decided that they will no longer deliver to Cyprus. International commerce.

Surfing

Most of my internet searches have been along the lines of "How to do XXX on Ubuntu". Tuxedo have spoiled me. Every time I need something, I open "Discover" their software centre in my task bar, and whatever I need is installed or ready to be. Then, sensible chap that I am, I looked into setting up backups. One, for my home folder was simple enough. Then, I wanted to set up a Linux equivalent of Time Machine - a back up of all the system files. Obviously, best to do that on an external drive, of which I have many. However, for this back up (TimeShift), one needs a disk with a Linux file structure. Off I went to find a utility that would format a disk for me.

Yikes.

I've installed cloud drives, migrated my photos and applications with barely a hiccup. Format a disk though? Somebody find me a Computer Science PHD student. It's mad.

Have a splendid week. Tally Ho!