elmussol

Paul Taylor

elmussol@elsmussols.net

Location:: in the mountains near
Xerta, Catalunya Spain

Gender:: Mostly Male

Status:: Happy

cue Alanis Morrisette

elmussol

Xerta, Fri, 03 Apr 2020 10:45:56 +0200

Just has a lovely email from AirBNB congratulating us on being a "SuperHost" for the fourth quarter running. We have won a $100 (US) voucher to use at an AirBNB elsewhere. Erm...lockdown? Nobody's allowed to take guests! Thank you for a useless present.

life

Klaus

Fri, 03 Apr 2020 11:03:54 +0200

Isn't it ironic, don't you think?

Andrew

Fri, 03 Apr 2020 14:04:37 +0200

Yeah, man, that's like ten thousand spoons when all you need is a knife. Isn't it ... unfortunate?

Sophie

Sat, 04 Apr 2020 11:36:42 +0200

Could you offer vouchers to your guests directly? My sister runs a restaurant in Berlin, they have been offering vouchers. A lot of their regulars (who still make money) wanted to support them.

The Free Tech Manifesto for Off-Gridders in a Crisis

elmussol

Xerta, Thu, 02 Apr 2020 19:10:05 +0200

So I wrote the following for a Facebirk group I'm in (off-grid lunatics like me and Ben who live locally). It will be posted there tomorrow. Comments appreciated.

Me in another place wrote:

The Free Tech Manifesto for Off-Gridders in a Crisis
======================================

Introductory note
--------------
This manifesto was written in and for a very specific context -- the Covid-19 lockdown in Catalunya (starting in March 2020) and its implications for the online community around the Facebook group "Off Grid Friends Tarragona" (OGFT). However, the issues it brings up and the solutions it proposes are applicable more generally to any individuals or groups of people wishing to communicate online in a safe, secure and private way. It is written from my own perspective -- I believe in Free and Open Source (FOSS) software, I believe that being able to host your own services is a good thing and I believe that my data is my data and your data is your data.

Preamble
---------------
The current crisis (and previous ones like last May's fire near Flix) have set all our minds in a number of directions. Questions like "How can I be more self-reliant?", " How can I be a good neighbour?", "What and who do I rely on?", " How do I communicate quickly and reliably with my neighbours?" and so on.

One of the aspects that has struck me is how reliant us off-gridders are on the internet. Groups like the aforementioned OGFT or "Ebro Chat" on Facebook, Twitter feeds of important services and instant messaging (like WhatsApp or Telegram) have become part of our networks and real mechanisms of support, reassurance and help. This is a Good Thing™ in my book, but I have some problems with it.

The major one is depending on corporations that don't have our privacy, security and priorities as their priorities. I have written elsewhere at other times of the dangerous (and illegal in many jurisdictions) behaviour of the WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram triumvirate with respect to data harvesting and other such issues, to name just one example. Google and Apple are not in anyway better in this regard.

I have tried in the past to steer folks in the direction of alternatives, but I started thinking a little bigger. What is it that people need? So I donned my anarcho-techy hat of freedom to work out what would be needed, what would be useful and whether this utopian vision is possible. This manifesto is a modest first step in that direction.

What is needed?
-------------------------
I am happy to talk about the technical aspects of any of the following, but the primary focus is non-technical and I am trying to write for a non- or marginally-geeky audience.

1: email
If you don't own a mobile phone network (and I don't), email is your base -- where do you getting password resets sent, for example?

I already run an email server at elsmussols.net. It is not as fully functioned as I'd like -- I don't provide webmail for example -- but it works, people use it and I have a plan for making it more capable of fulfilling others' needs and wants rather than just my own.

2: social networking
Facebook and Twitter alternatives are required. The ability to have conversations with each other, to organize in groups, run events, share information, insights and kitten/puppy/baby goat pictures.

Such a thing exists: it's called Hubzilla and I have been a user and "hub" administrator for it and its antecedents since 2011(ish). It is premised on security and privacy -- your data is your data. Who you share it with is not only your business and no-one else's, but also within your control.

You can look at my page here:

https://elsmussols.net/channel/elmussol

Hubzilla is fully-featured and mature, it has many other aspects that are not strictly relevant to this text, but include communication with other social media platforms, building webpages and wikis, file sharing, calendars and the like.

3: instant communication
There are no perfect solutions to this problem as the two obvious solutions are both flawed but in different ways (please note that I consider WhatsApp to be fundamentally flawed).

The obvious WhatsApp replacement is called Telegram. As a drop-in replacement it's arguably better than (and at least as good as) WhatsApp in feature set but has two great advantages: security and privacy. Security: 0 critical security flaws in the last 6 years, WhatsApp had 7 in the last 12 months, for example. Privacy: strong policy statements (backed with action) on backdoors into the software and explicit and clear data protection policies.

The disadvantage: still a centralized service. Self hosting is not an option.

Matrix (the network) and Riot (the software) is actually the solution. It does it all. You can run it on laptop or a mobile. It's a great messenger system, it's self-hostable and most important in this context can talk to other services (like Telegram amongst others). The downside: it's a bit geeky at the moment. The development strategy was to built the system to work properly first and then file off the rough edges and make it more user friendly. The developers are in the polishing and refining stage.

I do not host a Matrix server at the moment, but would really like to.

4: data security
If your data is important to you, it is important to make sure it's safe. Automatic and seamless back up of important photos, contacts, calendars, documents (and kitten pics) is easy. Of course there is iCloud and there is Google Drive, but in the drive for self-reliance we look to Nextcloud.

I have run a Nextcloud instance since 2013.

https://nextcloud.elsmussols.net/

Addons a plenty that I haven't investigated.

What is to be done?
------------------------------
It is worth pointing out at this point that this manifesto is not slamming anyone (except perhaps Facebook, Google and Apple) -- it is specifically not having a go at the admins who put time and effort into running OGFT successfully. It is also not denigrating users of the software and services I have problems with -- the network effect ("I'm only there because everyone else is") is very strong. Most people are not aware of the options available, nor the extent of the bad behaviour the corporations and the software and services they push.

So, I want to run an experiment. I want to investigate how self-reliant we can be. I am looking for testers, for people who are willing to take a flier on learning something and expanding their horizons.

The folks I would need would need to be low-end-of-medium technically proficient (for example, can you install an app on your phone or a program on your computer unassisted?).

I would need folks to contribute and engage with content in the same way they do now, but in different places.

From the "What is needed?" section above, it will be noted that most of the bits are somewhat in place, apart from a Matrix server. I would need to take out another server to do this (Matrix's needs are particular and wouldn't play well with what is already in place).

If enough people show interest, I will do this. I will also set up a donation system to pay server costs it comes to that.

Questions, discussions and comments are welcomed. Thank you for reading.

tech offgrid

Haakon Meland Eriksen (Parlementum)

Thu, 02 Apr 2020 21:02:17 +0200

Okay, I like the end goal here - as I understand it, allowing local off-griders to communicate at a distance with something other than smoke signals or Clacks (see going Postal by Terry Pratchett as needed).

I think I would turn this around, and start with local off-griders actual communication needs, then select a solution that fits.

For instance, while digital privacy might be a need for some local off-griders, others probably do not care that much. Then your safer solutions will fall on deaf ears, because they already feel safe enough. In a crisis, there really is no need to make people feel less safe. There is quite a distance from heaving for breath due Covid-19, because some smuck did not wash their hands before they went to the local store, or forgot or neglected to wash them right after they get back home, and GAFAM's bad privacy record, which is mentally 'too far away' to do actual harm for most people.

In others words, focus on solving say Covid-19 communication for local off-griders without Internet, starting what needs to be said, ending with two electronic / digital options - local radio services or mesh network. Now if you only had someone like @Bob Mottram or @David Sugar to ask about these things, because the rest you already know.

the things you do for money

elmussol

Xerta, Sun, 29 Mar 2020 16:25:34 +0200 last edited: Sun, 29 Mar 2020 16:57:11 +0200

All income has disappeared due to lockdown and a couple of friends have given me a fair pile of computers for repair. I have a Windows 10 laptop with Windows Update problems, An update consistently fails with a 0x80070017 error which led me to windows 10 update error code 0x80070017 ??. Essentially the answer is:

Open administrative Command Prompt and type following commands one-by-one followed by Enter key.

net stop wuauserv
net stop cryptSvc
net stop bits
net stop msiserver
ren C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old
ren C:\Windows\System32\catroot2 Catroot2.old
net start wuauserv
net start cryptSvc
net start bits
net start msiserver

But I get access denied when I try to run the two ren commands. Why's that? I am running an admin shell (which is the same as root right).

life windows tech tech

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elmussol

Sun, 29 Mar 2020 18:03:11 +0200

Ah! The wrinkle! Take the box offline before doing this.

Adam Robertson

Sun, 29 Mar 2020 19:21:42 +0200

A couple of years ago I ran into a weird issue with Windows 7 not updating correctly (failed with errors) and the solution was to not have any USB wifi or storage devices plugged in while trying to run the updates..
I am not sure why it worked, but I was not the only person who had the problem. it took me hours to find the solution.

Adam Robertson

Sun, 29 Mar 2020 19:26:56 +0200

...on another note: would it be helpful if we sent you payments each month until our visit is paid off? (our visit next April)

start.hubzilla.org

elmussol

Xerta, Thu, 26 Mar 2020 17:15:22 +0100 last edited: Thu, 26 Mar 2020 23:32:52 +0100

!Hubzilla Support Forum My queue for start.hubzilla.org has ballooned to about 3,500 in the last few hours. I'm not sure who's looking after it these days, but I will try: @h.ear.t and @Andrew, is there a hub poke required?

hubzilla

elmussol

Thu, 26 Mar 2020 23:32:16 +0100

elmussol

Fri, 20 Mar 2020 20:57:08 +0100

elmussol is now connected with Adrian

boom-tish

elmussol

Xerta, Thu, 19 Mar 2020 10:58:22 +0100

So if the whole of Germany goes into sausage and cheese panic buying mode, does it count as a Wurst Käse scenario?

Andrew

Thu, 19 Mar 2020 13:56:46 +0100

Oy vey

Oliver

Sun, 29 Mar 2020 10:55:01 +0200

@elmussol Finely observed and to the point

dark humour

elmussol

Xerta, Tue, 17 Mar 2020 11:28:51 +0100

Always the best medicine.

DerMische wrote the following post Tue, 17 Mar 2020 11:22:07 +0100

Pressekonferenz gucken und malen..

h/t @Jason Robinson 🐍🍻

elmussol

Sun, 15 Mar 2020 10:34:06 +0100

elmussol is now connected with Andrew

scorecard

elmussol

Xerta, Wed, 11 Mar 2020 14:18:03 +0100

@els Mussols Difficult to know all the reasons why, but the hysteria mongering is working on some level at least.

Cancellation of bookings for March: 11 days
Cancelled, rebooked by others: 2 days

We are net nine days down -- or to put it another way, we just had a 65% pay cut.

els Mussols life

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elmussol

Thu, 12 Mar 2020 09:47:14 +0100

Ouch indeed. As @Marshall Sutherland pointed it out, we are actually a great place to be right now, we have got avoiding people completely and utterly covered.

ghostdancer

Thu, 12 Mar 2020 10:27:10 +0100 from ActivityPub

@Luke @elmussol
I hope you can survive the blow. Yesterday I was on 15-23 shift we had like 20 reservations and more than 30 cancellations. Most of the reservations for May and later. Most of the cancellations for now till June. . My bosses are even more hysteric than usual.

Luke

Thu, 12 Mar 2020 12:09:20 +0100 from ActivityPub

@ghostdancer @elmussol fingers crossed for you too Ghosty! Is your employer part of a chain or an independant place?

last chance

elmussol

Xerta, Wed, 04 Mar 2020 22:14:13 +0100 last edited: Wed, 04 Mar 2020 22:15:34 +0100

We have one 25 litre bottle of 2019 vintage olive oil left. Anyone in Europe interested?

#oil #olive

els Mussols

elmussol

Wed, 04 Mar 2020 22:15:07 +0100

No, I haven't forgotten you @ivan zlax.

apt-get update soil

elmussol

Wed, 04 Mar 2020 15:48:25 +0100

And this is what it looks like when you've been piling compost and rotted donkey manure into it for a decade. It is about to planted with potatoes.

elmussol posted a new photo to elsMussols

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Alimentazione e quello che sta intorno

Wed, 04 Mar 2020 20:43:11 +0100

This is where all good things begin, with living soil

Adam Robertson

Thu, 05 Mar 2020 00:42:12 +0100

Do you have a fenced pile for compost or do you just dump it one spot on the ground?

elmussol

Sat, 07 Mar 2020 23:36:05 +0100

We generally make three-sided boxes out of palettes and baleing twine.

default soil

elmussol

Wed, 04 Mar 2020 15:45:56 +0100

This is the powdered rock that we have to grow stuff in. All right for olives and carobs.

elmussol posted a new photo to elsMussols

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elmussol

Wed, 04 Mar 2020 17:49:47 +0100

@Einer von Vielen Noted.

Einer von Vielen

Wed, 04 Mar 2020 21:04:52 +0100

@elmussol loading time in mobile phone...you know

A rich harvest!

Adam Robertson

Wed, 04 Mar 2020 22:33:55 +0100

..almost identical to what we have here in our part of California (and olive trees seem to do really well...and grapes if you have the water for them)

it ain't braggin' if it's true

elmussol

Xerta, Mon, 02 Mar 2020 00:06:43 +0100

This:

Mike Macgirvin wrote the following post Sun, 01 Mar 2020 23:12:01 +0100

A fediverse compatible Facebook replacement - when?

2010 - Friendica
2012 - RedMatrix
2015 - Hubzilla
2018 - Zap

I meant a Facebook replacement with groups, events, circles/aspects, and photo albums.

2010 - Friendica
2012 - RedMatrix
2015 - Hubzilla
2018 - Zap

plum tree budding

elmussol

Fri, 28 Feb 2020 14:22:46 +0100

Signs of life.

elmussol posted a new photo to elsMussols

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elmussol

Sat, 29 Feb 2020 00:22:59 +0100

We have good friends who are organic fruit farmers (peach, plum and cherry). We've done a barter thing and these plum trees are part of the exchange. So I don't intend to experiment with these much because:

a: we'll get some more as part of the on-going deal, that have been got through the difficult first part by someone who knows what they are doing, and

b: we have other gardening projects that are higher on the water priority list.

You are completely correct about buds and sprouts being exciting -- the broad beans started poking through today.

Adam Robertson

Sat, 29 Feb 2020 17:57:35 +0100

Next question: Are you familiar with Elderberries? I have been trying to grow some. They seem to have a sort of cult-following.
There is a native-californian type I have been cultivating, but when I have ordered bulk elderberries online they seem to all come from Europe.

elmussol

Sat, 29 Feb 2020 20:04:03 +0100 last edited: Sat, 29 Feb 2020 20:04:34 +0100

Prolific where I'm from (north of England). My Grandma used to make elderflower cordial and elderberry wine. Never saw them cultivated because they were just "in the woods". I have never seen them in Catalunya.

plum tree

elmussol

Fri, 28 Feb 2020 14:21:56 +0100

One of the five I planted yesterday.

elmussol posted a new photo to elsMussols

Manuel

Fri, 28 Feb 2020 15:17:51 +0100

Wonderful life!

pleasant (medium onerous) tasks

elmussol

Xerta, Thu, 27 Feb 2020 21:31:52 +0100

@els Mussols Yesterday I dug five holes, today I planted five plum trees, tomorrow I will post some pics.

life elsmussols

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Manuel

Fri, 28 Feb 2020 11:31:34 +0100

@elmussol Soon, I thought you were going to say you'd pick them up tomorrow. The subconscious always playing with us

Post data: I have never asked you about the water in Els Mussols, much? little?

elmussol

Fri, 28 Feb 2020 12:23:48 +0100

We are not on the water grid, so we never have enough. Our house is on a platform and we have two 1000 litre tanks underneath to collect rainwater. The casita also collects water into a cisterna from that roof.

If all that is not enough I have a trailer with a 1000 litre cube on it -- I take it higher into the mountains and collect from a spring.

Manuel

Fri, 28 Feb 2020 12:57:38 +0100

Laborious, but ingenious and effective

ghostdancer

Fri, 28 Feb 2020 13:40:50 +0100 from ActivityPub

@elmussol Have you had problems the hottest years?

elmussol

Fri, 28 Feb 2020 14:17:05 +0100

@ghostdancer Yes. But it is essentially a matter of labour as @Manuel said. We could collect a bit more off the roof if we had more cubes, but we don't.

If we have less water, we do less vegetable gardening.

ghostdancer

Fri, 28 Feb 2020 14:47:13 +0100 from ActivityPub

@elmussol I asked because I recall a few years ago there was a big draught . This year I guess you'll have enough water (right now) , let's hope the same for the months to come. @manuel-jf

language question

elmussol

Xerta, Tue, 25 Feb 2020 21:48:41 +0100

I have heard on three podcasts this week, all by USofAmerican podcasters, the use of the word calvary. To a UK-English speaker (like me) this means the place where Jesus was crucified.

However in each case the podcaster was referring to horse-mounted soldiers, which in my book is cavalry.

I have looked at Merriam-Webster and can find nothing to support this usage. Is this just collective crapness?