Facebook really wants your data! The long term solution is decentalized/federated, like Matrix.

WhatsApp gives users an ultimatum: Share data with Facebook or stop using the app
https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2021/01/whatsapp-users-must-share-their-data-with-facebook-or-stop-using-the-app/

Contact tracing is so dangerous, it gives governments an irresistible tool for tracking, surveillance and control. The abuse of the tech has already begun.

Govt confirms that police can use TraceTogether data for criminal investigations
https://theindependent.sg/govt-confirms-that-police-can-use-tracetogether-data-for-criminal-investigations/

My fav gadget of 2020: the LCD writing tablet. Costs under R200. 2 year battery life. Doesn't sync with anything. Can only erase whole screen. Helps me focus distraction-free on today's tasks and jot down notes.

Using some simple scripts, I have automated the process of publishing microblogs to my static-generated website (which uses #Pelican). It makes use of the #IndieWeb standard #micropub format, so I can even share links and upload photos to my blog via the Indigenous app. Now you can too!

IndieWeb scripts for publishing using micropub to a static-site generator like Pelican.
https://github.com/tobykurien/micropub-to-markdown

Now watching 0xcon talks from last month. #infosec #southafrica

0xcon 2020 - YouTube
https://youtube.com/watch?v=UsXYRp-4uWk

Interesting new protocol: "Gemini is a new internet protocol which: Is heavier than gopher; Is lighter than the web; Will not replace either; Strives for maximum power to weight ratio; Takes user privacy very seriously"

Project Gemini FAQ
https://proxy.vulpes.one/gemini/gemini.circumlunar.space/docs/faq.gmi

Another epic Joburg sunset, taken yesterday afternoon. 😍

Tiny World is an amazing documentary with incredibly beautiful photography. Well worth watching. #tv #documentary

Tiny World — Official Trailer l Apple TV+ - YouTube
https://youtube.com/watch?v=oGNb4d6UdeU

Pavel Durov, the creator of Telegram blogged this:

Consume Less. Create More. It’s More Fun.
https://telegra.ph/Consume-Less-Create-More-Its-More-Fun-12-04

Flowers in the yard

Raspberry Pi portable PC #diy

To be or not to be :-)

Beautiful Joburg sunset

The #gpcoronavirus #covid19 dashboard has been updated with a powerful hotspot analysis provided by @WitsUniversity which will hopefully assist @GautengProvince with the second surge.

Re: tweet https://twitter.com/Wits_News/status/1340979463824273410

Details: https://www.wits.ac.za/covid19/covid19-news/latest/ai-helps-to-identify-new-covid-19-hotspots-in-gauteng.html

Dashboard: https://gpcoronavirus.co.za

Holiday reading for the geeky: NODE zine contains articles about interesting open source, decentralized, censorship-resistant and cutting-edge technologies.

NODE zine https://n-o-d-e.net/zine/

My #aquaponics runneth over! That's cherry tomatoes hanging off the side, bearing plenty of fruit. #diy

Right, clearly that first post revealed some kinks that needed working out. Here are some kittens. #IndieWeb

First micro-blog post on my own site, which will hopefully be syndicated to social media via #IndieWeb tech!