Hello again, dear reader.
In case you're new here, I'm Alastair Johnston and you're receiving this newsletter because you subscribed over at my blog or via a link from Substack. I'm grateful for you giving me some of your time and attention and hope I always inform or entertain you here. If not, please feel free to unsubscribe, I won't be offended.
Here are the latest interesting things I’d love to share with you.
New on the blog
Is it possible to save a ton of money, have a more secure, privacy respecting, less controlled operating system for your day to day laptop and have fun? Is Linux only for geeks and people way smarter than the average, middle aged, bloke? Well, if you’re curious, I am too.
Bookstack
As the nights draw in, I tend to read more. So added to my bookstack are a couple of interesting reads I’ve started.
Rest is Resistance attracted me because I’m really thinking hard about how life is at present. Busyness, anxiety and tiredness have been sapping my creative energy and pulling me down. And I’ve felt guilty for feeling tired. But maybe I’m not the problem here. And maybe resting is not idleness, but an empowering action.
And as a huge fan of David Suchet, the only Hercule Poirot in my opinion, when I spotted a copy of his semi-autobiography Behind the Lens in a little local bookshop, and it was signed… well it was an instant purchase. He’s an avid photographer, a genuinely good man, so I wanted to find out more. This one is going to be relished.
Other interesting things
I’m a Luddite and You should be one too. And I really am, or becoming one. I’m not against technology, but I am against unrestrained tech that is not good for people.
One of the reasons I contemplated looking at Linux was information privacy. I get slightly annoyed when people ask me why this is important, as if I have a large tin foil hat. So Larry Sanger’s blog entry helps to explain the reasons.
And finally, If you’re a fan of classic movies (or films as we say in Blighty) and you’ve never watched Hobson’s Choice, then find a couple of hours of uninterruptable time, get comfortable, click this link and enjoy something very, very, special. I still cannot believe I’d never seen this beautiful gem before.
That’s it for now.
Be kind!
Thoughts? Insights? Feel free to comment via Substack to join the discussion or email me.
I'm looking forward to the sequel to this one