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How I live into a world (almost) without ads ?

Ads sucks.
That’s why there are none on this website, and also why I try to avoid them.
In my opinion, it’s an evil marketing stratagem to use human biases to write message in their mind without their consent.
I don’t feel attacked by ads, but I’m sure they have an impact on me.
They also push people to consume, in a world where we should reduce our consumption and focus on protecting our planet.
Finally, most of them are ugly.

Ok, here how I try to stay away from ads:

    1. Adblocker on all of my web browser : I use uMatrix on Chrome, it’s a bit neerdy, but I can control every script on every page
    2. DNS66 on my Android mobile phone to remove ads from applications and web browsing : it creates a local VPN that filters known ads URL
    3. Block ads on my Samsung smart TV
    4. Sponsorblock for Youtube
    5. ReVanced for Youtube on my mobile : A tool that create modified version of Youtube, Reddit, Twitter to remove annoying ads.
    6. Don’t watch TV, use others medias (Netflix, Disney,..)
    7. I pay my subscription to Spotify for my family, so no ads. (expect for the one in some podcasts..)
    8. In the car, if I’m listening to radio, I switch to another station if they broadcast ads, or just listen music from Spotify.
    9. I create a specific email system with my domain to manage potentials ads, that I don’t want to explain (security reason). It allows me to easily block emails (SPAM)
    10. I use my phone during ads period in the theater

In the end, it don’t remain so much ads, much harder to fight : billboards in the street, ads in newspaper,..

In the future, I’d like someone to find a solution for the annoying ads screen in the subway or in the street. (hack ? 🙂 )

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Clean your data #2

6 months after the first iMac, I came back to my local recycling center and found another 27″ iMac ! It was in a poorer condition (glass was broken), but I wanted to give it a try again..

And guess what ? It worked. Without fixing anything. I just plugged it, and it worked.
This time, it was own by a Chinese restaurant, in Paris, 15th arrondissement. I found professional emails, restaurants menus for many years, Netflix account, and even bank account still logged 🙁

Same conclusion as before, clean your data.

I transformed the first iMac into a 27″ screen, bu removing all the CPU parts and just installing a driver board. Easy !
The second one was intended to be a smart mirror, but I think I broke it :-/

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Lunii Hack : Micro-USB to USB-C

The micro-usb port didn’t resist my kids, so they ask me to fix the Lunii (again)

As I had some USB-C port in stock (bought here), it was the perfect occasion to replace the old micro-usb with a brand new USB-C.
Others have done it, so I should be able to 😉

The goal was to be able to charge the Lunii but also to keep the computer connection available, so I had to do some test first.

Original micro-usb

Image 1 of 5

Removing the micro-usb port was not so easy, and I mess a little bit with the tracks, so I found a connection not so far away.

As my proof-of-concept worked well, I cut a small part of the board to glue the USB-C board and connect it.

The last step was to enlarge the hole for the USB-C port. As I glued it too much on the inside, I had to do a very large hole to accept the hole charger cable.

And the data connection is working ! Mission accomplished 😉

 

Ps: In the repair, I mess with the screen cable.. I have to find a new screen now :-/