I remember using MS Office on Windows 3.1 with 4mb of RAM. It feels ridiculous that 4gb is now considered insufficient to run a modern desktop and apps.
I feel quite lonely trying to mod my computer to make it less powerful
I find it amusing that I ended up using a desktop stack that is more often associated with ricing and überhackers running arch on led-lit desktop rigs
Currently installing Windows Vista on a spare drive in order to update the BIOS to a hacked version ("Middleton BIOS"). It's required to support the IPS, LED-backlit, higher-res screen I received yesterday.
It's been a PAIN just to get the installer to boot and Vista is as much of a mess as everyone remembers.
Yes, I could have installed Void Linux with a minimal desktop on my Mac. A car *can* go 10km/h, but how often does it do that? How do you feel when you get stuck behind one of those pesky cyclists?
Tools shape practice too.
Why do I need a computer?
- Writing & layout
- Image processing
- Creating slides & websites
- Research
What do I use my computer for?
Done! Printed zines will be available at ICT4S in Bern in June, I will publish the PDF and companion website around that time too.
https://conf.researchr.org/track/ict4s-2026/ict4s-2026-ict4s-zine
And for French speakers, I will talk about the software aspects at JdLL in Lyon next week.
This is my watch.
- It is nigh indestructible (and should something break somehow, every part can be swapped/replaced)
- It syncs every night with an atomic clock over radio if it can get a signal
- It is powered by a solar panel embedded in the bezel. Yes, even in winter.
- It lights up when it senses that you moved your wrist to check the time and the environment is dark
- It shows the tide (I used to live by the ocean)
It is self-contained, useful, fun, durable. It can use intermittent connectivity but does not require it. It does not need software updates or companion apps or whatever either. It will probably outlive me.
I want a computer designed using the same principles and goals.
The talk I gave at #JdLL2026 (in French) :
And my slides (in French too, eww I know):
Get my zine (and others!) from the ICT4S Zine Library!
The companion web page is coming later this week, I still have some integration work to do.
Edit: it's ready at last! ⬇️
> I wanted to make the point that just about any "obsolete" or "underpowered" laptop can be enough once freed from the burden of always-on connectivity. It's cheap. It's available. You probably already have one. Just get it out of its drawer and embrace its limitations.
Martin
