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Title: Blog Questions Challenge: Technology Edition
Date: April 21, 2025

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 Alright fab. I see your tagging of everyone[0] for this
question challenge, and I need a break from both planning
things, and writing a bit of a reply to Anna about the
previous phlog post I made.

~*~* When did you first get interested in technology? *~*~

 My parents bought an IBM clone PC when I was 5yo. Not
only did I bypass the child lockout menu while the man
setting up the computer was still there, I also repaired
that thing after figuring out how it worked with the user
manual. It was enough to get my parents to buy me my own
IBM compatible, a Packard Bell Legend VIII running MS-DOS
and Windows 3.1, as well as for my uncle to surprise me
with a massive custom-built desk that he and a friend made
for my birthday one year.

 Even though I poked around at that PC my parents had,
it was when I got my own PC that I truly got interested in
tech.


~* Whats your favorite piece of technology of all time? *~

 Oddly enough, that'd have to be laptops. I just love the
idea that I can take a computer with me wherever I go, do
a little bit of work when I need to, and these days, I can
do things like listen to music, watch videos, and play
games, all from one device. As nice as having several
purpose-built items like music players, my AlphaSmart, and
gaming devices might be, I'd rather have one item (that
isn't spyware in a box) that I can put in my messenger
bag and take with me to the library or something. Leave
the purpose-built stuff for when I'm at home, or just
need that one thing.


~* What's your favorite piece of technology right now? *~

 Pis and single-board computing devices. I know they come
off as wasteful because they're difficult or impossible to
repair for most people, but the tiny size and low power
footprint make it perfect for my needs. You can do so many
things with them as well, including turning them into a
dedicated writing/cyberdeck, or a general purpose laptop,
or a wifi DNS proxy for things like a PiHole.

 I've got a Raspberry Pi Zero W sitting next to me unused
right now, but I'd love to turn it into a nice little home
server for files and ad blocking. I eventually want to get
an RPi 500 (or just a Pi 5) to use as my daily driver PC,
set up on solar-and-battery power in a nice DIY wooden
pseudo-laptop case, along with an RPi 4 or 5 set up as a
NAS for storing videos and music for my family.


*Name one cool piece of technology we'll have in 25 years*

 Out of everything, I'd love to see alternative homes like
Earthships[1], transportable homes (converted vehicles or
trailer-mounted), and even things like caravans, receive
both enhancements, and general acceptance around the world
as viable legal living options. Better ecotech like solar
heating and power, wind turbines, building underground,
water power and purification, and more greenery with less
pavement. There's so many great options that aren't "a box
made of wood or concrete to barely live in", and it feels
like we've only scratched the surface. Plus, many of those
ideas are /far/ safer in general than trying to shoehorn
"safety features" like tornado-proofing into traditional
western home designs.

 We've got great bases to work off of with both ancient
and modern designs, along with modern technology, but there
is still far more that can be done. I'm excited to see how
far it goes. And yes, alternative housing is a technology
in my eyes, just as much as it's an art and lifestyle.


~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Tagging The World With This One ~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 Like fab, I'm tagging anyone who wants to answer the
questions. I've been enjoying what I've seen during my time
catching up on things, and I'm looking forward to seeing
new entries pop up as well.


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[0]: gopher://redterminal.org/0/phlog/2025-04-20-Blog_Questions_Challenge_Technology_Edition.txt
[1]: https://earthship.com/