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godelski 2 days ago

  > iOS:

  - uBlock Origin now exists
    - Settings > Apps > Safari > (General) Extensions > uBlock Origin Lite
  https://apps.apple.com/us/app/ublock-origin-lite/id6745342698

  - Alternatively, use Orion Browser (Kagi)
    - Pros: a bit better ad blocking
    - Cons: more buggy
  https://apps.apple.com/us/app/orion-browser-by-kagi/id1484498200
I'd also recommend installing Firefox, logging in, but use Safari. That way you can export a tab to Firefox where you can still get the send tabs feature.

  >  Firefox as a whole:

  Also check out BetterFox
  - https://github.com/yokoffing/BetterFox
Side Note:

Phones are also general computer systems. Fuck this bullshit of pretending they're anything less. If you don't have control over your computer, your computer is broken. You don't have to be forced to adhere to Big Tech's short comings.

  > Andriod:

  - Install Termux (from F-droid, not Playstore)
    - It is trivial to write scripts to handle a lot of things that work through third parties. Less than 100 lines. I find these scripts *better* than many app alternatives and infinitely more trustworthy. We're on HN, everyone here should be able to write basic scripts. Hell, the AI could probably do these things easily (make it use functions! Bash needs functions!)
      Some ideas to show scope of what you can do:
      - Automated backups: just a fucking rsync to your folders (god fuck Apple, why can't I rsync my pictures on an iPhone!!!!)
        - I have my script check for WiFi. If on my SSID I rsync locally. If not, I go through Tailscale. If not on WiFi I don't backup, minimizing my data usage. I'm lazy and just set the cron job to run once a day, making each backup usually pretty small but can cause larger backups when traveling 
        - rsync can also remove files from your phone if you're concerned about storage.
        - You can backup to multiple locations! Even if you use google drive or whatever you should still rsync to your local machine. Remember, Google photos doesn't save full resolution. 

      - Loss Prevention: Your phone hasn't accessed a set of predetermined WIFI SSIDs in a set time period? Send a file to a known computer (Tailscale), email yourself, or something else with the device's coordinates. Add an easing function, check battery health, and whatever info you want. Hell, even take pictures. You can also make it play music or whatever to help find it. 

      - Replicate Apple's Check In:
        - You can read GPS coordinates, SSIDs, and send SMS messages. This is a lot easier than you think

      - Enforce the actual WIFI SSID you want!
        - Phone sometimes jumping on the wrong SSID? Have no fear a few lines of code can tell it to fuck off! 
          - I had this issue living in graduate housing where a university AP was near my unit. My phone would randomly decide to join the uni's connection despite sitting a few feet from my router and having better signal strength... 
  
  - Install Tailscale and get access to your local machines remotely
    - Setup a raspberry pi at home and make an exit node that uses pihole (suggestion: check out systemd-nspawn)
esperent 2 days ago | parent [-]

How reliable are cronjobs in termux?

Does they get killed if you're low on memory?

Perhaps you could share these scripts somewhere? I'm sure other people would find inspiration from them.

Personally I use Nextcloud for all my phone and computer backups, it's working well for me.

godelski 2 days ago | parent [-]

  > How reliable are cronjobs in termux?
I mean it is no systemd... cron is cron. As long as termux is running they run. Just make sure google doesn't kill it and that it starts on boot. I haven't really had issues tbh.

  > Does they get killed if you're low on memory?
Honestly, no idea. I've never pushed my device that hard. 8GB is quite a lot for a phone.

  > Perhaps you could share these scripts somewhere?
I should have posted with my realname account. I did put them in my dotfiles but I can't share that repo without doxing myself. Is there something you're specifically interested in?

  > Personally I use Nextcloud
That seems like a good route too. Would you recommend this over my setup? I find my current setup pretty easy tbh but hey, nothings perfect and it can always be better, right?
esperent 2 days ago | parent [-]

> Just make sure google doesn't kill it

That's what I mean. How can you make sure of that?

> Is there something you're specifically interested in?

No, I already have a setup that's working for me.

> Would you recommend this over my setup?

Well, it depends. Nextcloud is a full Google Workspace replacement basically, including files sharing, office, notes, kanban, calendar, emails, chat, video calls, photo management. I use it for my business (and it's great) so I just use some spare storage for my own backups.

Probably overkill unless you want the other features.

godelski 2 days ago | parent [-]

  > How can you make sure of that?
https://netzro.github.io/posts/2025/Jun/08/setting-up-cronie...
esperent 2 days ago | parent [-]

Ok nice, noted in case I need it in the future. Thanks.