Incredible how software companies can be actively hostile to customers.

IRC is great. The challenge is picking a client for the family, and getting them set up. It’s not friction free.

Jitsi is good as an ad hoc communication tool, but it won’t replace a “chat / sms” tool. I took a small peek at SimpleX, and it looks quite complex. Not sure if it really is.

Define “link”. Microsoft has lots of good enterprise connectivity tooling. You lose most of that if you don’t use Windows.

It doesn’t mean it’s a complete loss. There are benefits to moving away.

OVMS + a model that was built for it is far more responsive than llamacpp.

You can run an LLM, but it will be limited. Look into Open Vino Model Server.

I’d recommend a minimal install distro (Ubuntu server, Arch, Gentoo, etc…), then add the things you need from there.

Document every step. <— important

“That sounds…dramatic! I may have to check it out, just for the train wreck!”

“Pre-configured Arch with agentic AI baked in.”

The problem with visual similarities is that eventually the user will have to interface with, at least; the file system, download and install protocol, and deeper hardware tools (drivers, etc).

It’s one thing to do it for nostalgia, or “because it’s there”, quite another because you’re looking for a familiar interface.

If it’s the latter; I recommend buckling down, allowing yourself to become a noob again, and get familiar with the new thing. It’s not harder, it’s just different.

If it’s the former; KDE seems to provide the greatest flexibility in changing how the environment looks.

Unless a Linux UA allows for plausible deniability.

It could happen!

Is it mostly Mali in arm devices? I’ve been away for a while.

I’m from a social work background. Psych major.

Computer stuff was always a hobby.

They should be providing patches then. If so, you can patch a vanilla kernel.

Fascinating.

I’d like to recommend rEFInd once you figure this out.

Windows has never been able to squash it.

The specific grub command wasn’t listed in the OP, I don’t think?

grub-mkconfig -o /boot/grub/grub.cfg

That’s Gentoo syntax anyway, and your grub config may live elsewhere, but you should get the idea. It’s supposed to find the new kernel.

I’ve never used an initrd, so I can’t comment on that.

If the previous kernel is still available, can you boot that? That should help determine if the kernel is at fault.

Btw, do you know a dumb phone that can tether?

This is what my future probably looks like.

It’s Linux-ish under the hood really. No Android device I’m aware of is running the vanilla kernel.

I think it just locks the input.

Stop services you don’t need. Doesn’t matter the distro.

You can also turn off devices right at the bus.

Powertop is a great tool.