From f8cf115dd462fd2b2fd6ff06c6bab34a3438597c Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Ahyan Zaman Date: Sun, 24 May 2026 22:53:57 +0100 Subject: [PATCH] New blog posy and edited more minor details --- .../Big Tech and Privacy Alternatives.md | 52 +++++++++ content/posts/Flirb Is Back.md | 34 ++++++ ...rb got revived... and its not the same..md | 32 ++++++ .../posts/Flirb.net The Unfortunate News.md | 42 +++++++ .../posts/IRC - My thoughts and findings.md | 49 ++++++++ content/posts/Intro to this future blog.md | 30 +++++ .../My Opinion on the Vivaldi Browser.md | 108 ++++++++++++++++++ content/posts/New Domain.md | 28 +++++ content/posts/New Link Page and Some Stuff.md | 36 ++++++ content/posts/RIP Flirb.md | 54 +++++++++ .../Some of my Opinions on Each IM Revival.md | 36 ++++++ content/posts/Sorry for the delay - Update.md | 32 ++++++ content/posts/Thank you!.md | 30 +++++ content/posts/The Fediverse - What It Is.md | 60 ++++++++++ ...ma, How it happened and Its conclusions.md | 104 +++++++++++++++++ content/posts/Trialing Something New.md | 42 +++++++ content/posts/Virtual Machines.md | 82 +++++++++++++ ...ch Community is Falling Apart (and not).md | 38 ++++++ src/components/Footer.astro | 3 +- src/components/Layout.astro | 1 + ...rb got revived... and its not the same..md | 32 ++++++ src/pages/posts/[...slug].astro | 10 +- 22 files changed, 929 insertions(+), 6 deletions(-) create mode 100644 content/posts/Big Tech and Privacy Alternatives.md create mode 100644 content/posts/Flirb Is Back.md create mode 100644 content/posts/Flirb got revived... and its not the same..md create mode 100644 content/posts/Flirb.net The Unfortunate News.md create mode 100644 content/posts/IRC - My thoughts and findings.md create mode 100644 content/posts/Intro to this future blog.md create mode 100644 content/posts/My Opinion on the Vivaldi Browser.md create mode 100644 content/posts/New Domain.md create mode 100644 content/posts/New Link Page and Some Stuff.md create mode 100644 content/posts/RIP Flirb.md create mode 100644 content/posts/Some of my Opinions on Each IM Revival.md create mode 100644 content/posts/Sorry for the delay - Update.md create mode 100644 content/posts/Thank you!.md create mode 100644 content/posts/The Fediverse - What It Is.md create mode 100644 content/posts/The Nina & Escargot Drama, How it happened and Its conclusions.md create mode 100644 content/posts/Trialing Something New.md create mode 100644 content/posts/Virtual Machines.md create mode 100644 content/posts/Why I Personally think the Retro Tech Community is Falling Apart (and not).md create mode 100644 src/content/posts/Flirb got revived... and its not the same..md diff --git a/content/posts/Big Tech and Privacy Alternatives.md b/content/posts/Big Tech and Privacy Alternatives.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..3a03dec --- /dev/null +++ b/content/posts/Big Tech and Privacy Alternatives.md @@ -0,0 +1,52 @@ +--- +title: "Big Tech and Privacy Alternatives" +description: "Boo Big Tech!" +date: 2025-12-07 +tags: ["Big-Tech", "Privacy-Alternatives", "Technology"] +--- + +Hello Everyone, In this blog post, we are going to talk about the problems with big tech companies like Google, Facebook (Meta) and more, and as well talk about privacy alternatives like Tuta. + +I have also changed my domain (again) to a subdomain (blog.azzyaz.net), like before, you can access the blog via either domain. + +Moving On, Google, Meta and more, have been tracking you, maybe stealing your data, selling them too. + +This wake up call began in June 2013, when whistleblower Edward Snowden revealed extensive surveillance programs in the US operated by intelligence agencies like NSA and the FBI (without judicial authorization). + +This had inspired many privacy focused alternatives like Tutanota (now Tuta) and Threema, and i am almost completing my privacy switchover from Google Apps to alternatives like Tuta. I have also created a privacy pack (below) + +![](https://res.cloudinary.com/dnkm8pijh/image/upload/v1775998686/privacypack-1024x1024_mhhurv.png) + +There have been cases with Google scanning and going through your emails, like in 2022, [a Father got his Gmail account blocked by Google for sending naked pictures of his child to a doctor](https://tuta.com/blog/gmail-naked-picture-blocked), but even though investigations were closed, Google was still not letting the father get back access to the account, this is a example that Google scans through messages for "safety" + +Google can also influence you by ad-based systems (eg, Recommendations on Youtube and what-not). And something else i had discovered today, in Copilot, there is a Lab feature called Copilot Vision, which allows you to share your screen with Copilot if you need help with your screen, to me, this is very privacy invasive since it has access to your screen, and can see private documents too, when i tried it, it already described the wallpaper i had on my desktop. + +But Fortunately, there is a way to escape Big Techs constant tracking and stealing data from you to data brokers, you could either: + +- Self-Host - If you know what you are doing , you can self-host popular software like Immich (self-hosted Google Photos alternative) or Nextcloud (self-hosted Google Drive alternative), downside is, its unreliable, so it's recommended you use the [3-2-1 backup method](https://www.veeam.com/blog/321-backup-rule.html) for any important data. + +- Cloud Hosting - This is like self-hosting at home, but you do it at a cloud hosting service, which they manage the server for you, there are popular options like [DigitalOcean](https://www.digitalocean.com) or [Hostinger](https://www.hostinger.com/uk), but again, its not reliable, and you don't have physical access to the machine, which makes it harder to troubleshoot, again, use the 3-2-1 backup method i have mentioned earlier. + +- Existing Alternatives - FOSS Projects like Tuta or Ente you can use if you don't wanna go through the pain of self-hosting, the ones i have used are reliable and trustworthy, so great option, but use the 3-2-1 backup method if you don't wanna lose access to your precious memories. + +So there are options for getting away from Big Tech, but the important thing is, take your time, you can explore privacy options, but you cant do it in a poof, for me, i took months and breaks from getting over to the other side because there was a obstacle between from Google Photos to Ente, i used Googles Takeout, which separated the EXIF metadata from the photo, it was frustrating, but now, i am half done with the switchover thanks to this life saving tool you can find [here](https://github.com/TheLastGimbus/GooglePhotosTakeoutHelper/releases/tag/v3.4.3) (which sorts your photos in years and unifies the EXIF files with the correct photo. + +In the End, you can escape Big Tech by either the 3 options i have mentioned earlier, it takes time, but soon, i will conduct a list of more privacy-focused alternatives to Google Products, but it isn't just Google to be pinned, its also Microsoft and Meta, their actions combined are disgusting too, it will be available on the site soon. + +Anyways, i will see you in the next post! + + diff --git a/content/posts/Flirb Is Back.md b/content/posts/Flirb Is Back.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..7db30a6 --- /dev/null +++ b/content/posts/Flirb Is Back.md @@ -0,0 +1,34 @@ +--- +title: "Flirb is back?" +description: "Flirb is Back!" +date: 2025-11-28 +tags: ["Old-Social-Revivals", "Technology"] +--- + +Hello Everyone, Last time in my blog, i talked about flirb shutting down, well now its not. + +I will explain, flirb is not shutting down, but now it has a new owner, [@rubyjane](https://flirb.net/profile.php?username=rubyjane). + +However, I am getting off flirb permanently, I need to clear my head out and focus on my blog and other things. My account is still on flirb, but i am not posting on there anymore. + +This was a little update on the flirb situation, so that's all for today, + +Bye and see you in my next post + +Ahyan Z/Kazuno + + diff --git a/content/posts/Flirb got revived... and its not the same..md b/content/posts/Flirb got revived... and its not the same..md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..84b9441 --- /dev/null +++ b/content/posts/Flirb got revived... and its not the same..md @@ -0,0 +1,32 @@ +--- +title: "Flirb got revived... and its not the same." +description: "Flirb 2.0" +date: 2026-05-24 +tags: ["Technology", "Old-Social-Revivals"] +--- +Hello again, first of all, sorry for not posting that much, I had exams and was busy a lot of the time too. I am currently in the process of moving into a Astro powered blog (well, im writing in it cant you see?). + +Anyways, So you all know that flirb died permanently in late February, and then this month I stumbled across a twitter-like revival called "Blueblips", It was made after the flirb shutdown, I was really obsessed with it, heck I even moderate the discord server now. + +Its kinda new, It came out to the public last month and the main website is still in construction. + +The API is the main part, you can patch official twitter clients (except for android, but you can patch third parties) and they work, similar to what flirb did. + +Of course, the big difference is that flirb was not "old twitter revival" themed, it was more like "alternative social media", while Blueblips is heavily old twitter themed, they are also in the works of 2016/2017 themed twitter from what I heard. + +Anyways, this was all for today, I am really sorry for not posting that much, but I will see you in my next post. + \ No newline at end of file diff --git a/content/posts/Flirb.net The Unfortunate News.md b/content/posts/Flirb.net The Unfortunate News.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..710ad1f --- /dev/null +++ b/content/posts/Flirb.net The Unfortunate News.md @@ -0,0 +1,42 @@ +--- +title: "Flirb.net: The Unfortunate News" +description: "The unfortunate news for flirb." +date: 2026-01-31 +tags: ["Old-Social-Revivals", "Retro-Tech"] +--- + +Hello Everyone, So as i am writing at 22:08 GMT (31 January 2026), something really bad happened to flirb.net. + +As the Founder (fru) explained, during an update, the database got corrupted and there wasn't an single backup to restore to, meaning that the whole project was lost, and probably not returning soon. + +
+ +![](https://res.cloudinary.com/dnkm8pijh/image/upload/v1776000526/Discord-Annoucement-1024x439_ntlloe.png) + +
+ +Discord Announcement + +
+ +
+ +You can now find me at [hjonk](https://hjonk.me/@kazuno) and other socials on my gravatar. + +This was a quick (and sad) update to flirb, anyways, good night and i will see you in my next post. + + diff --git a/content/posts/IRC - My thoughts and findings.md b/content/posts/IRC - My thoughts and findings.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..221d5b3 --- /dev/null +++ b/content/posts/IRC - My thoughts and findings.md @@ -0,0 +1,49 @@ +--- +title: "IRC: My thoughts/findings" +description: "Exploring IRC!" +date: 2025-11-30 +tags: ["Other", "Retro-Tech", "Technology"] +--- + +Hello Everyone, In my last post, i talked about flirb, well today, we are heading at IRC, which yes, is still alive even to this day, I have been experimenting with it over the last weeks, and i have to say, it's a great discord alternative from 1988 (since there's a lot of crap inside discord). + +Basically, to be able to use IRC, you of course need a IRC client, I used [Halloy](https://halloy.chat) for desktop, and Revolution IRC on my 2 phones: + +![](https://res.cloudinary.com/dnkm8pijh/image/upload/v1775997007/screenshot-2025-11-30-102445-2_w6a1xv.jpg) + +![](https://res.cloudinary.com/dnkm8pijh/image/upload/v1775996949/revolution-irc_lkmhdh.jpg) + +You also need a "nickname" to be able to chat on IRC, for example, my nicknames are stellarcapricorn on freenode and libera (i will explain IRC Servers later) + +There is also channels, which are basically public group chats you can discuss stuff in, for example, linux on freenode and debian on libera. + +IRC Servers are basically where anybody can (if on that server) can talk to you by your nickname, its your channels, nicknames, SASL Auth (more on that) that are stored, and you can connect there to chat, it's in short, a community. + +On the Technical side, SASL is an Authentication Mechanism that is used in most servers, that allow you to login in one server you registered your nick again, this is useful since if you already registered a nick with that server, and then login with that nick on the same server, but a different device/client, it will either ask you to change your nickname, or it changes it for you after 1 minute or less, SASL allows you to authenticate yourself with the same nick on the same server, without it changing it after 1 minute or so. Its making sure that you are "that" person trying to use that nick in short. + +SASL is sometimes confused with IRC Bouncers, basically, bouncers help you to stay signed in on your client so you can still receive messages even if the app is closed (stays in background), this is because, even if you are registered with "NickServ" (the nickname service that manages the registration of nicknames on a server,this is also SASL), the client will log you out after inactivity, but with bouncers, they stay logged in, there are IRC Mobile clients (Goguma and IRCloud) that have bouncers like [IRC Today](https://irctoday.com) or [IRCCloud](https://www.irccloud.com) baked in the client, all they have to do is sign up for the bouncer service and connect their nick to it, and voila, but with other clients (like Halloy), they don't have bouncers directly baked in. + +Halloy actually depends on a config.toml file that fetches nicks, preconfigured channels, SASL info and the IRC Server/s, they have bouncer support, but you need to host one yourself (Soju), you cannot just use something like IRC Today as your bouncer in Halloy, it wont work. + +From my own findings, you cannot connect two different devices, with a different client, with the same server and nicks on each device (even with SASL), at the same time, I personally find it annoying that to be able to connect to IRC on my Desktop, I have to go and disconnect from my other device that's connected to the server. + +Another thing i found, IRC Servers are not federated, they use the same protocol of course, but it's not like i can join a channel from freenode on libera unlike ActivityPub where its federated and I can like/comment on a Mastodon post from Bluesky (its weird, but i am not sure that's happening right now). + +In the End, IRC is a great alternative to Discord, but it has its downsides, like unreliable servers or DDos attacks, but remember, you can host your own, it's just hard work to do it. But i will see you in my next post! + + + diff --git a/content/posts/Intro to this future blog.md b/content/posts/Intro to this future blog.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..b5ae230 --- /dev/null +++ b/content/posts/Intro to this future blog.md @@ -0,0 +1,30 @@ +--- +title: "Intro to this future blog" +description: "Introducing: The Future Blog" +date: 2025-11-21 +tags: ["Personal", "Site-Updates"] +--- + +\-IMPORTED FROM VIVALDI BLOGS, SOME OF IT IS NO LONGER RELEVANT- + +Hi Everyone! I have been in the Vivaldi Community since April 2025 and I wanted to make a blog, I am also known as Ahyan Z, Kazuno (from flirb) and yeah, anyway, expect to see more from here. Byeee + +Kazuno/Ahyan Z + +Find me at gravatar.com/stellarcapricorn ! + + diff --git a/content/posts/My Opinion on the Vivaldi Browser.md b/content/posts/My Opinion on the Vivaldi Browser.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..c79716b --- /dev/null +++ b/content/posts/My Opinion on the Vivaldi Browser.md @@ -0,0 +1,108 @@ +--- +title: "Opinion On The Vivaldi browser" +description: "My experiences and opinions on the Vivaldi Browser" +date: 2025-12-04 +tags: ["Technology"] +--- + +Hello Everyone! Today i am expressing my opinions about the Vivaldi Browser, (which, also, i am not sponsored by Vivaldi, i am a Vivaldi Browser/Vivaldi.net user for half a year, these are my own opinions) + +Before i get on, some of you may notice that the azzyaz.wordpress.com domain stopped working/forwards to azzzyaz.net, well that is because, I have bought the Personal Plan for a month, I also have more features now, i might go up to the Premium plan for the Ads (but it won't be intrusive i promise, i might be able to put it on the very bottom only) + +Anyway, Moving on, i have been using the Vivaldi Browser in April 2025, so today, i am going to conclude my experience. + +When you install the browser, it gives you a welcome message, which from there, you can set it to dark mode, change the theme etc, after you do your setting up, you can get new themes, they are free too, and by the community. + +
+ +![](https://res.cloudinary.com/dnkm8pijh/image/upload/v1775997365/Vivaldi-Themes-1024x575_ehbtei.jpg) + +
+ +themes.vivaldi.net homepage + +
+ +
+ +They have a lot of themes to choose from, for me, my theme is "Gruvbox Space" + +
+ +![](https://res.cloudinary.com/dnkm8pijh/image/upload/v1775997487/Gruvbox-Space-Homepage-1024x576_fxzifi.jpg) + +
+ +My Homepage with the Gruvbox Space theme + +
+ +
+ +It is also very customizable, you can move the icons, add widgets and even move the address bar down, you can suit it to your liking and needs. + +
+ +![](https://res.cloudinary.com/dnkm8pijh/image/upload/v1775997552/Toolbar-Editor-1024x576_irkxq9.jpg) + +
+ +Toolbar Editor + +
+ +
+ +On the technical side, the browser is based on Chromium, which is also the same thing Google Chrome uses, which yes, you can install Extensions from the Chrome Webstore, so it is easy to move your extensions as well. + +Aswell, they have a community at vivaldi.net, which offers a Webmail, blog, forums and Vivaldi Social (which is based on Mastodon), vivaldi.net is also older than the browser, since it was quickly put up in order to fill in the void left by the [MyOpera](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/My_Opera) shutdown. + +
+ +![](https://res.cloudinary.com/dnkm8pijh/image/upload/v1775998382/Vivaldi.net_-1024x576_ri6ebv.jpg) + +
+ +Vivaldi.net Homepage + +
+ +
+ +The community and the browser is also focused on anti-Big Tech, by not tieing the Vivaldi Mail client to the Webmail Services and etc, what i like about Vivaldi too. + +They have also a Mail, Calendar and RSS Feed baked into the client, which is handy if you dont wanna install another mail client or use Outlook as your client. + +![](https://res.cloudinary.com/dnkm8pijh/image/upload/v1775998459/RSS-Feed-List_b8d2rx.jpg) + +So overall, the features of Vivaldi as we have talked about are: + +- Anti-Big Tech Mission + +- Vivaldi.net - Community + +- Mail, Calendar and RSS clients - Baked into the client + +- Themes + +- Movable Icons + +I would say about Vivaldi in general, it is a very customizable, productive and Privacy Based browser (though of course, it is based on Chromium) + +That is all for this post, i will see you soon in my next post. + + diff --git a/content/posts/New Domain.md b/content/posts/New Domain.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..213e8bc --- /dev/null +++ b/content/posts/New Domain.md @@ -0,0 +1,28 @@ +--- +title: "New Domain" +description: "New Domain for the blog!" +date: 2025-11-29 +tags: ["Personal", "Site-Updates"] +--- + +Hello Everyone, I have officially bought a domain for my website (azzyaz.net), but, with my current wordpress plan (free), i cant make it the main domain, it just redirects to azzyazz.wordpress.com, I might upgrade my plan, but its expensive, or i might unlock it and transfer it to hostinger after 96 hours, i don't know really, but overall, it works, and it goes to my site, so theres no problem, but it looks visually unappealing. + +These are my 2 options above, but i bought a domain, and i can transfer it (after 96 hours, as of writing this post, i just bought it). + +So yeah, nothing amazing here, but see you in my next post! + + diff --git a/content/posts/New Link Page and Some Stuff.md b/content/posts/New Link Page and Some Stuff.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..b5eb0c9 --- /dev/null +++ b/content/posts/New Link Page and Some Stuff.md @@ -0,0 +1,36 @@ +--- +title: "New Link Page and Some Stuff" +description: "Some Updates" +date: 2026-03-23 +tags: ["Personal", "Site-Updates"] +--- + +Hi everyone, first of all, I am really sorry for not posting that much, I am usually very busy and only have a bit of time to do something. + +On January of this year, I decided to transfer my main domain (azzyaz.net) to Hostinger, leaving the subdomain (blog) here on wordpress, I ran into issues trying to seperate the main domain from the subdomain, it was really painful having to troubleshoot, but now its fixed (yay). + +I don't know if some of you noticed, but if you went to azzyaz.net late January - Mid March. you might have noticed a links page, that's right, I am replacing gravatar, but I had never had issues with gravatar really. So why the switch?, to be honest, I don't know, but who knows. + +My first links page was on hostinger as part of a free trial, but I found out it was really limiting, so on Friday (20/03/26), I went to Astro, you might have seen posts of it on my mastodon. I first wanted to move this blog to Astro, but I found it extremely difficult based on my coding skills. So I decided to stick with Basic HTML and CSS, and even though it took me days to troubleshoot deployment and why Astro wasn't starting the dev host, I had finally fixed both of these, and now you can visit the new link page [here](https://azzyaz.net) too, but if you want to host your own version of my link page, the code is on [here on GitHub](https://github.com/meaz-html/SimpleLinks). + +You might notice that the About page on here is the same as on the other site, that's because I am moving pages to the link page, but I think I need to learn more markdown possibly. + +Anyways, again, I am really sorry for not posting much as I am tight on some stuff happening right now, but I will write as much as I can (and probably update the repo sometimes too), but now, see you in my next post (if there is). + +Update (28/03/26): Added the SimpleLinks Repo on there + + diff --git a/content/posts/RIP Flirb.md b/content/posts/RIP Flirb.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..750329d --- /dev/null +++ b/content/posts/RIP Flirb.md @@ -0,0 +1,54 @@ +--- +title: "RIP Flirb" +description: "Flirbs going away" +date: 2025-11-27 +tags: ["Old-Social-Revivals", "Retro-Tech", "Technology"] +--- + +Hello Everyone! and you guessed it, flirb, the twitter 1.1 api revival, is shutting down on December 1st 2025. + +![](https://res.cloudinary.com/dnkm8pijh/image/upload/v1775995310/d12d7-flirb-shutdown-banner_xizb71.jpg) + +If you didn't know, Flirb is a revival that aims to get the now defunctioned, twitter 1.1 api functioning again, which means it can sign in to older twitter versions with the 1.1 api. + +To be Clear, Flirb is not a twitter revival, so the web version does not look like the 2010 twitter for example, it just focuses on the 1.1 api that Twitter shut down. + +Anyway, Back to the news, the owner (fru), posted this on the discord server: + +> > # Flirb will stop operating on December 1st, 2025. +> > +> > After a lot of thinking, I've decided to fully shut down the service, again, but for good this time. I won't accept any offers to buy Flirb & I will not pass down the project to anyone else either, as I do not know a person I can pass it down to and fully trust that would actually be interested in it. +> > +> > I know that this is disappointing, and I know after what happened last week you might think this decision will eventually be reversed, but I'm just here to say it won't and this is truly the final goodbye. +> > +> > I have lost interest in maintaining and developing this project & as I've explained in my previous message in last week's short "shutdown", I have invested way too much time into this project and lost interest in it. +> > +> > If you haven't yet, please export your data at https://account.flirb.net/export\_data, you will not be able to export your data past December 1st. +> > +> > Thank you for reading this announcement and sorry that I do not have better news for this project. + +As you can see from the quote, the owner did a "short" shutdown last week, but this time, its permanent, the owner stated also stated: + +> I have lost interest in maintaining and developing this project & as I've explained in my previous message in last week's short "shutdown", I have invested way too much time into this project and lost interest in it. + +Its really sad, for me (i am on flirb) and for the flirb community, I joined in July of this year, its nice to be part of a community I have been with since the summer days of 2025. + +Anyways, That's all for today, I will be trialing something that i will be moving this blog to (even though I started this blog with 3-4 posts), i will be updating about it here, + +Thanks for Reading and See ya in the next one! + + diff --git a/content/posts/Some of my Opinions on Each IM Revival.md b/content/posts/Some of my Opinions on Each IM Revival.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..0fabd09 --- /dev/null +++ b/content/posts/Some of my Opinions on Each IM Revival.md @@ -0,0 +1,36 @@ +--- +title: "Some of my opinions on each IM Revival" +description: "My Opinions on Each IM Revival." +date: 2025-11-22 +tags: ["IM-Revivals", "Retro-Tech", "Technology"] +--- + +Hello Everyone! This is my second post on my blog, today, I will be giving some opinions on IM Revivals! + +For some of you (if you didn't know), There are Projects in the Retro Community which aim to manage to connect to old instant messaging clients like MSN/WLM, AIM, ICQ even Napster (which wasn't a im, but along with music, it had a chat feature), Their Parent Companies (Microsoft for WLM, AOL for AIM, Mirabilis, the first parent of ICQ etc..) have shut them down, the recent one was 2023 (ICQ), IM Revivals host a server somewhere and then use those servers to connect to, for example, AIM, but of course, it requires reverse engineering them and it takes time for them to implement features/clients fully (As of November 2025, Nina (Defunct) and Escargot (Joint with Nina) support all versions of AIM), but overall, it allows people to login and reexperience nostalgia again. + +Moving on, here are my opinions on each IM Revivals: + +- CrossTalk - Was created by someone who didn't like the direction of Nina (Defunct) and Escargot (joint with Nina) it was heading - 8/10 Because of WLM 2011/12 support, but Oscar (AIM and ICQ) is still under works + +- Nina (Defunct) and Escargot (joint with nina) Created by tonyshowoff (aka tonyshoveaway) - 0/10 I was a proud member, but after it was revealed tonyshoveaway was looking to take peoples money for business (context soon for some who don't know) and use it for themselves (also more context soon) + +That's all the revivals I use, Two isn't much, but soon, I might give insight into the Nina/Escargot Drama on my blog. + +Bye for now! + + diff --git a/content/posts/Sorry for the delay - Update.md b/content/posts/Sorry for the delay - Update.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..63f7937 --- /dev/null +++ b/content/posts/Sorry for the delay - Update.md @@ -0,0 +1,32 @@ +--- +title: "Sorry for the delay/Update" +description: "Updates" +date: 2025-12-25 +tags: ["Personal", "Site-Updates"] +--- + +Hello Everyone, + +First of all, I would like to say sorry for not posting that much, i have been quite busy over the days since my last post, 3 Days ago, I had go surgery due to religion, I am in my bed at the time of writing this on my tablet, after recovery, i might be able to post normal stuff again. + +This was a short update on my health, like i said, i might be able to post normal content after i recover fully. + +Thanks for your understanding + +Ahyan Z/Kazuno + + diff --git a/content/posts/Thank you!.md b/content/posts/Thank you!.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..4f642ed --- /dev/null +++ b/content/posts/Thank you!.md @@ -0,0 +1,30 @@ +--- +title: "Thank you!" +description: "Thank you so much!" +date: 2025-11-29 +tags: ["Personal", "Site-Updates"] +--- + +![](https://res.cloudinary.com/dnkm8pijh/image/upload/v1775996635/screenshot-2025-11-29-154011_gxoqon.jpg) + +Hello Everyone! I would like to say thank you for the 25 views and the 22 visitors, it means much to me!, i would also say thank you for the visitors of UK, US, Ireland and France! + +I am sorry that i have not been posting retro tech/general tech related stuff here, i have been busy, but i will try my best to write here. + +See you in my next blog post! + + diff --git a/content/posts/The Fediverse - What It Is.md b/content/posts/The Fediverse - What It Is.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..c363f51 --- /dev/null +++ b/content/posts/The Fediverse - What It Is.md @@ -0,0 +1,60 @@ +--- +title: "The Fediverse: What It Is" +description: "What Is the Fediverse?" +date: 2026-01-16 +tags: ["Privacy-Alternatives", "Technology"] +--- + +Hello Everyone, and happy new year! + +Sorry for not posting for a long time (since my last), I am recovering so I felt like doing a post today. + +I have been exploring some stuff over the holidays and I looked at the fediverse, now tell me, what is the fediverse?, well like I always do, I will explain. + +The easiest way to explain it a bit is thinking about it as email, yes, email, because it doesn't matter if you use Outlook or Gmail, you can still send and receive email from each other, no matter what (well, the reason for that is email is an open-standard, but it's not what we are talking about today). + +However, this is not the same with social media (Instagram, X/Twitter etc...), for example, if you really wanted to follow a person on X, but you only use facebook, you will be forced to sign up for that platform and then following that person, which leads to juggling multiple identities on each platform, remembering many logins and more. + +The problem was solved thanks to ActivityPub, a W3C-standardized protocol, that allowed interoperability between platforms that supported it (Mastodon, diaspora, Frendica), it also allowed you to keep one identity across the ActivityPub platforms, no more remembering many logins now. + +![](https://res.cloudinary.com/dnkm8pijh/image/upload/v1775999873/image_iqv0qj.png) + +But due to the problems of Account Porting, Bluesky PBC (which used to be an internal research group at Twitter Inc) formed a new protocol called [ATProto](https://atproto.com), which if implemented, gives an Immutable DID and a linked domain (this also allows for verifying people, by supplying a DNS Query of a resource record, or requesting a text file from the web service), It works the same as ActivityPub but one difference is that you can use one identity (one login) for many ATProto services, this also contributes to "Not having too much logins". + +![](https://res.cloudinary.com/dnkm8pijh/image/upload/v1776000054/image-1-1024x538_lyedda.png) + +I am already using fedi socials like Mastodon and Bluesky but i have been trying some other ones like frendica, diaspora and lemmy, and so far, it's good, i can follow myself on different ActivityPub Platform (eg, i can follow myself from Mastodon, on frendica). + +
+ +![](https://res.cloudinary.com/dnkm8pijh/image/upload/v1776000113/Mastodon-Profile-from-Friendica-1024x574_ps5j6d.jpg) + +
+ +Me viewing my Mastodon Profile on Friendica + +
+ +
+ +Now, if you decided that you would like to try, you would notice that you would need to pick a server. Servers are like councils (or states) that you host your account on (either public ones, or you can self-host your own!), just pick the server, create an account there and done!, of course, they are fediverse, which means that people can see your posts and you can see posts from other servers, and if you don't like the way your server works, just switch! + +It wasn't much to explain about the fediverse, i am only making a comeback after such long, but if you are interested in the fediverse, you can visit [this site](https://jointhefediverse.net/join?lang=en-us) to check out the alternatives they have on there, you can use both non-fedi and fedi, or you can choose to switch to the fediverse altogether, you can also check out [this site](https://fedidb.com/servers) to look for servers for fediverse services like Mastodon or Misskey. + +Anyways, I will see you in the next post! + + diff --git a/content/posts/The Nina & Escargot Drama, How it happened and Its conclusions.md b/content/posts/The Nina & Escargot Drama, How it happened and Its conclusions.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..24aa8bf --- /dev/null +++ b/content/posts/The Nina & Escargot Drama, How it happened and Its conclusions.md @@ -0,0 +1,104 @@ +--- +title: "The Nina and Esacrgot Drama - How it happened and Its conclusions" +description: "The Drama on Nina and Escargot" +date: 2025-11-22 +tags: ["IM-Revivals", "Retro-Revivals", "Technology"] +--- + +Hello Everyone! In my last blog post, I talked about my opinion on IM Revivals, I also mentioned about the "drama" on Nina and Escargot. + +If you didn't know, Nina and Escargot is a well-known IM Revival that does MSN/WLM (Escargot), AIM, ICQ, Q-LINK and Napster (Nina), It has been going very well unlike Phoenix (which is another revival but worser in security because of their ddos attacks in the previous years) + +Continuing on, It happened on September 16 25 at 12:26:50 (retrieved from archive.org), when the nina.chat displayed a message when trying to access the site (the discord was also shutdown at the same time because something happened, you can find more info [here](https://escargot.chat/news/120500000101290/why-we-shut-down-the-discord/)): + +![](https://res.cloudinary.com/dnkm8pijh/image/upload/16-September-2025-122650-1024x148_ijpa2v.jpg) + +Earlier then, On September 13, a topic was created on MessengerGeek by auora\_b0real1s, MessengerGeek is a well known forum active since 2015-present (you can find the full topic [here](https://wink.messengergeek.com/t/nina-escargot-from-the-inside/26336)): + +![](https://res.cloudinary.com/dnkm8pijh/image/upload/cf10f-13-september-2025-mg_vsqxvr.jpg) + +Since then, the discussions have been endless, some from tonyshowoff (the leader of Nina and Escargot) and some from Aminadoria (a mod for Nina and Escargot discord and sites) + +There was some drama that came forward in the topic, including a response from HIDEN (lead dev of CrossTalk) to Animadoria after she said: "We were monetizing the access to our servers, not to the clients": + +![](https://res.cloudinary.com/dnkm8pijh/image/upload/d6050-17-october-2025-hiden-resp_leszex.jpg) + +![](https://res.cloudinary.com/dnkm8pijh/image/upload/53106-13-october-2025-lushpineapple-1_cfhgth.jpg) + +I, myself was also involved in the topic a little bit, one of my replies: + +![](https://res.cloudinary.com/dnkm8pijh/image/upload/62cc1-october-8-2025-myself_fcvtzm.jpg) + +And then, On November 3rd, this showed up on the now defunct nina.chat site: + +![](https://res.cloudinary.com/dnkm8pijh/image/upload/527c9-november-3-2025-second-message_c1iwuv.jpg) + +The image above showed that everything (social, web etc) was moved to escargot.chat, indicating that nina and escargot is now one name for the project, but I (including others) think this is not going to work since Escargots (including tonyshowoff) lost their reputation. + +As of 22 November, nina.chat has put this up on their site: + +![](https://res.cloudinary.com/dnkm8pijh/image/upload/8ae4c-november-22-2025-msg-3_fhvadx.jpg) + +As seen in the pic above, it is mentioning that they had never shutdown (or are shutting down) due to the claim that it did, and is stating the website is closed for now but the servers are still up so you can still access the clients as of 22 November 2025. + +Earlier then, One of the contributors (walkingphasers) and possibly another one got removed from the credit page on escargot.chat circa september: + +Before: + +![](https://res.cloudinary.com/dnkm8pijh/image/upload/19f61-image_tgbutw.png) + +After: + +![](https://res.cloudinary.com/dnkm8pijh/image/upload/e1647-image-1_q3nvgi.png) + +This made some people a bit mad, but back to the main drama - then, some messages got leaked about the "shutdown" + +![](https://res.cloudinary.com/dnkm8pijh/image/upload/v1775993031/eeadb-image-2_zf12yz.png) + +![](https://res.cloudinary.com/dnkm8pijh/image/upload/v1775993187/4be92-image-3_rzecov.png) + +And then, epicness, one of the team members from escargot, posted this: + +![](https://res.cloudinary.com/dnkm8pijh/image/upload/v1775993238/4a5e6-image-4_dony9y.png) + +with the caption: "He only cares about the money and the media coverage" (tonyshowoff), when it was a skype-related discussion between epicness and tonyshowoff. + +So In conclusion, After everything we covered: + +- Tony is a Money-Eating Ass + +- Escargot may never recover after its loss of reputation + +- Some members of the team (including anima, when we talked about the removal of some contributors) aren't involved with escargot anymore (forgot to talk about that one) + +So yeah, that covers all about the drama, and wow, that was the longest blog post i have ever sat through. + +anyways, the credits goes to: + +- Internet Archive (archive.org) + +- MessengerGeek (wink.messengergeek.com) + +- Escargot News (escargot.chat/news) + +- and all of the people whose images I have taken from the MessengerGeek [Topic](https://wink.messengergeek.com/t/nina-escargot-from-the-inside/26336)! + +Anyways, I will see you soon in another post sooner or later. See you soon! + +PS: Im continually updating this post, if you think something is wrong or if you want to add on, email me at plagg@chivanet.org + + \ No newline at end of file diff --git a/content/posts/Trialing Something New.md b/content/posts/Trialing Something New.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..c04c611 --- /dev/null +++ b/content/posts/Trialing Something New.md @@ -0,0 +1,42 @@ +--- +title: "Trialing Something New" +description: "Something New is coming" +date: 2025-11-27 +tags: ["Personal", "Site-Updates"] +--- + +Hello Everyone, + +You might know me as Kazuno (who runs [The Blogs](http://zamahn.vivaldi.net) on Vivaldi). + +There are downsides on Publishing with Vivaldi Blogs as I do with The Blogs: + +- No Jetpack Intergration + +- Limited + +- You can't use a custom domain with the site + +So I am trying this Wordpress site I have created on the mainstream wordpress host. + +I will be making some changes to the site as I try it more and more. If I prefer this over Vivaldi Blogs, I might as well import my stuff on here. + +Anyway, I have a unfinished post on the other side, once I finish that, I will trial this site more. + +Ahyan Z/Kazuno + + diff --git a/content/posts/Virtual Machines.md b/content/posts/Virtual Machines.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..b7f3027 --- /dev/null +++ b/content/posts/Virtual Machines.md @@ -0,0 +1,82 @@ +--- +title: "Virtual Machines" +description: "Computers in Computers" +date: 2025-12-11 +tags: ["Technology"] +--- + +Hello Everyone, in this post, we will be talking about "Virtual Machines", which is basically a computer inside a computer. + +But firstly, if you hadn't noticed, the theme on the website is a different because i wanted to make changes to it, this is, personally, retro/coding styled, which i like, so i chose this one. But back to the main topic here. + +As i was saying, Virtual Machines are emulations (you could say) of a OS like Windows or Ubuntu, they depend on the host (the computer that's running the computer/emulator) specifications. + +In my case, I have 2 VMs set up on Virtualbox, but i try not to add too much because i have 128GB of Storage, which it is not practical with the ISOs (explain that later) and the VHDs (also explaining that later). + +One is a Windows XP VM, which i use for Escargot (formerly Nina and Escargot), but i barely use it. Another is a Windows 7 VM, which i am now locked out of it, i use it for CrossTalk (yeah). + +
+ +
+ +![](https://res.cloudinary.com/dnkm8pijh/image/upload/v1775999075/WinXP-Booting-Up-1024x576_rrjnoo.jpg) + +
+ +Windows XP Booting Up in a VM + +
+ +
+ +
+ +![](https://res.cloudinary.com/dnkm8pijh/image/upload/v1775999130/Win7-Booting-Up-1024x576_rajnxi.jpg) + +
+ +Windows 7 Booting Up in a VM + +
+ +
+ +
+ +To be able to get a VM, some mobile emulators (QEMU for Jailbroken Apple Devices with AltStore) need you to download an "VHD" to the device so the app can process and hopefully, boot, but desktop VM Managers (Oracle VirtualBox, Hyper-V..) need you to insert an "ISO", the VHD, you can create and adjust its size (like GB), then you install it onto the VHD. + +Now, what's all this "ISO" and "VHD" talk, well, ISOs are large files (up to GB) that have inside, more files, the computer then recognises it as a USB Device (maybe, but it stand outs as "it isn't"), the files inside the ISO are files that the OS setup uses when installing that desired OS (eg language packs or basic features, but they can download off the network if connected, but language packs are still needed in the ISO, otherwise things are broken), it also has the Boot files, necessary to even boot the usb device you flash that on (you can "flash" the ISO onto a USB flash drive to then install it on another computer, VMs follow the same process but it uses the ISO directly). + +VHDs are Virtual Hard disks (which you can create via Disk manager on windows, but that's not the way VMs do it), VHDs are even bigger files (depending on what size you choose) that you install the ISO on, and that what makes an OS, but the VM depends on the Hard disk too, like emulators on mobile devices, otherwise, where will it boot from?, that's like taking off the hard drive of a laptop and then booting it. + +You can manage the VMs and everything by "VM Managers", they are programs that give you a GUI interface to boot, shut down, delete hard disks, delete VMs and files and more, the one i can recommend for personal use is [Oracle VirtualBox](http://virtualbox.org), which is free forever, but for business use, VMware is recommended (but you can use VMware as a personal user with a license key, which you have to buy) + +
+ +![](https://res.cloudinary.com/dnkm8pijh/image/upload/v1775999188/Oracle-VirtualBox-Manager-1024x576_noaqsh.jpg) + +
+ +Oracle VirtualBox Manager on Windows + +
+ +
+ +That hopefully sums up about Virtual Machines, but i will see you in the next post! + + diff --git a/content/posts/Why I Personally think the Retro Tech Community is Falling Apart (and not).md b/content/posts/Why I Personally think the Retro Tech Community is Falling Apart (and not).md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..bba1e9c --- /dev/null +++ b/content/posts/Why I Personally think the Retro Tech Community is Falling Apart (and not).md @@ -0,0 +1,38 @@ +--- +title: Why I Personally think the Retro Tech Community is Falling Apart (and not) +description: "Yep, its getting worse (maybe)" +date: 2026-02-12 +tags: ["Retro-Tech", "Technology"] +--- + +Hello Everyone, Today we will be talking about why i think the retro tech community is falling apart. + +First of all, my main reason for the community being unstable is because of less and less revival projects that are still working to this day, which really affects the persons choices, however, i understand if devs of these projects need a break, i am not saying project devs should spend all their time delivering the persons needs. + +There are many projects that don't work anymore (Owler), that got corrupted (Flirb) and some that are really greedy (**Escargot**), it is indeed losing projects. + +My other reasons is that: + +- No enough passionate people (however, if you are more experienced, self-host it) + +- Too much drama (MessengerGeek 2020, even though its over thankfully) + +However, even though it is losing well-known projects, there are 2-3 projects popping up (most coming soon) and its a little great progress, so this might be irrelevant, some i have on my revival lists, but soon i might add some more to it. + +Anyway, this was just a little rant on why I think the retro community is dying, i will see you in my next post. + + diff --git a/src/components/Footer.astro b/src/components/Footer.astro index 583687b..aa011a4 100644 --- a/src/components/Footer.astro +++ b/src/components/Footer.astro @@ -3,7 +3,8 @@ const year = new Date().getFullYear(); ---