While I pondered what living within my ecological and financial means would look like, my email provider cut me off: my 2011 computer is no longer compatible with updated infrastructure.
Thanks. Microsoft Outlook repeatedly would not allow me to access my email...without signing in by a smartphone. I don't have a smartphone. My tech wizard said I needed a newer computer; he did not suggest that upgrading my 2011 would help. So, I bought a refurbished computer. Now, Outlook has denied me email access on my 2013 laptop. If I could "upgrade" it, that would be dandy! Thanks again.
yep! my laptop is about 2008 or 2009 vintage using windows7 and I'm starting to have problems. To get real information or not is the question. otherwise I'd gladly dump the thing....
Great post! We all need to be thinking more about these subjects!
One suggestion for keeping older machines going longer is to use Linux. As an OS it's much lighter weight than Windows bloatware. I've been using Linux on used machines since 2002 and have been really happy with it. Btw I've never gotten a virus that entire time; there really aren't viruses for Linux. Only one new laptop that whole time, which was a gift.
I have no trouble cooperating with people who aren't using Linux. The "Libre Office" suite can read and save as Word, Excel, etc.
You can also set up a laptop for "dual boot" to go into Windows or Linux. I did that for my most recent laptop because every once in a while it's useful to have Windows for something (like a piece of audio hardware I have, for which there aren't Linux drivers). But I had done without that for 20 years up til then.
I was introduced to Linux by FreeGeek, a non-profit in Portland, Oregon, which accepts used computer equipment as donations, then sets them up as Linux machines and resells them or gives them away.
Thanks. I've heard a few other people advocate for Linux. Do you know if I can keep my email address (currently running on Outlook) if I switch to Linux? Also, what do you think of proton? I wonder about compatibility issues, security issues and cost.
You should be able to just find a different email program that is not Outlook to route your email through. I don't think you need to upgrade unl ss there are NO email programs compatible with your computer anymore... Have you tried looking up Outlook alternatives?
If it's at all possible, find out if you can upgrade some of the components. I have the desktop equivalent of a Model A Ford, that I bought used, and I've been keeping it going with duct tape and baling wire for longer than I can remember. I put in a solid state something or the other, and I'm going to get a new processor this week. I have an objection to throwing things away or buying new ones if I can keep the old things working. Possibly investigate used or refurbished machines as an alternative to new.
However. We live in a polluted world, all is polluted, but we have to survive, and be able to reach those who can join us to change this world into a better one.
We have to deal with filters and accept that the filters of today are not perfect yet.
The day will come that we live in a clean world, and then we can decide how to continue.
But first battles have to be won, and we need "soldiers" who are now still not aware that we are in a battle. We can reach them. Via the rubbish where you write about.
Hi Katie, this is a great list of raw materials! it would make an excellent crwod-sourced research project - where anyone could take just one material...and feed back their findings...
and this reminds me, you left a really thoughfful note some time ago on one if my posts - i was too overwhelmed at the time, but i really ought to respond...
Hi Alistair. I've wondered if a high school could take on the project, with each student researching one substance's supply chain. The school could provide a forum for students to share their research with the community. Could the project go to engineering schools...and then invite students to design computers that biodegrade? Or, design computers that use raw materials that are only within a 500-mile radius of the school. How to launch/coordinate such efforts? Do you have ideas?
i think it could go to all these places and more - i can think of a lot of networks and communties where people would be interested - for example: climateaction.tech and all tech is human - and numerous other places....i think some kind of web page with a list of all the minerals - there's a network in part of called art tech nature culture - and anyone can just pick one - and then fill out a simple set of questions.... it would take some time - but i think people would love it... I'll think about how it could work...
I love these ideas. I am not good at setting up usable platforms, so I appreciate your input very much. ALSO, do you know these substacks, where I focus on mapping our watershed, our bioregion? For me, they partner with mapping a smartphone's substances... and your idea to include nature more directly.
I'll take a look at these - i 'm thinking about how it would work - as it would be great to do...I'm not a developer so i'm a bit limited, but it should be possible to find an easy to do this ...
I used to argue with Arthur Firstenberg about whether or not humans will destroy the planet. He said yes, I say no, and I say no precisely because of the supply chain issues you bring up.
To keep it simple, our advanced civilization will collapse completely if we lose one of the following three industrial items: Sulfuric acid, modern bearings, and access to credit markets.
Sulfuric acid is the precursor chemical for almost every other industrial chemical process. her Without sulfuric acid, almost none of the other chemicals you mention can be produced. No steel, no other advanced metallurgy, can take place without sulfuric acid.
Roller bearings keep everything rolling. Almost all machinery, not to mention every transportation machine, will not function without bearings. No bearings, no industrial civilization.
Credit. None of the factories to produce these two items can be built without access to credit. And of the members of this triad, credit is the most liable to fail, suddenly and catastrophically.
So all of this is good news for the planet. Our civilization is incredibly fragile, and it can, and will (inevitably) collapse, leaving only ruins for future people, who have their own historical amnesia, to puzzle over many centuries hence.
Thanks. Microsoft Outlook repeatedly would not allow me to access my email...without signing in by a smartphone. I don't have a smartphone. My tech wizard said I needed a newer computer; he did not suggest that upgrading my 2011 would help. So, I bought a refurbished computer. Now, Outlook has denied me email access on my 2013 laptop. If I could "upgrade" it, that would be dandy! Thanks again.
Wow, thank you so much for all the info. We are going down the drain, but still it is best to do the best we can.
We are beaming you all the best wishes, Rico and Claire
yep! my laptop is about 2008 or 2009 vintage using windows7 and I'm starting to have problems. To get real information or not is the question. otherwise I'd gladly dump the thing....
THANKS, Allistair. I appreciate your attention to this very much!
Great post! We all need to be thinking more about these subjects!
One suggestion for keeping older machines going longer is to use Linux. As an OS it's much lighter weight than Windows bloatware. I've been using Linux on used machines since 2002 and have been really happy with it. Btw I've never gotten a virus that entire time; there really aren't viruses for Linux. Only one new laptop that whole time, which was a gift.
I have no trouble cooperating with people who aren't using Linux. The "Libre Office" suite can read and save as Word, Excel, etc.
You can also set up a laptop for "dual boot" to go into Windows or Linux. I did that for my most recent laptop because every once in a while it's useful to have Windows for something (like a piece of audio hardware I have, for which there aren't Linux drivers). But I had done without that for 20 years up til then.
I was introduced to Linux by FreeGeek, a non-profit in Portland, Oregon, which accepts used computer equipment as donations, then sets them up as Linux machines and resells them or gives them away.
Thanks. I've heard a few other people advocate for Linux. Do you know if I can keep my email address (currently running on Outlook) if I switch to Linux? Also, what do you think of proton? I wonder about compatibility issues, security issues and cost.
You should be able to just find a different email program that is not Outlook to route your email through. I don't think you need to upgrade unl ss there are NO email programs compatible with your computer anymore... Have you tried looking up Outlook alternatives?
Thanks.
If it's at all possible, find out if you can upgrade some of the components. I have the desktop equivalent of a Model A Ford, that I bought used, and I've been keeping it going with duct tape and baling wire for longer than I can remember. I put in a solid state something or the other, and I'm going to get a new processor this week. I have an objection to throwing things away or buying new ones if I can keep the old things working. Possibly investigate used or refurbished machines as an alternative to new.
I have struggled myself with this as well.
However. We live in a polluted world, all is polluted, but we have to survive, and be able to reach those who can join us to change this world into a better one.
We have to deal with filters and accept that the filters of today are not perfect yet.
The day will come that we live in a clean world, and then we can decide how to continue.
But first battles have to be won, and we need "soldiers" who are now still not aware that we are in a battle. We can reach them. Via the rubbish where you write about.
Hi Katie, this is a great list of raw materials! it would make an excellent crwod-sourced research project - where anyone could take just one material...and feed back their findings...
and this reminds me, you left a really thoughfful note some time ago on one if my posts - i was too overwhelmed at the time, but i really ought to respond...
Hi Alistair. I've wondered if a high school could take on the project, with each student researching one substance's supply chain. The school could provide a forum for students to share their research with the community. Could the project go to engineering schools...and then invite students to design computers that biodegrade? Or, design computers that use raw materials that are only within a 500-mile radius of the school. How to launch/coordinate such efforts? Do you have ideas?
i think it could go to all these places and more - i can think of a lot of networks and communties where people would be interested - for example: climateaction.tech and all tech is human - and numerous other places....i think some kind of web page with a list of all the minerals - there's a network in part of called art tech nature culture - and anyone can just pick one - and then fill out a simple set of questions.... it would take some time - but i think people would love it... I'll think about how it could work...
I love these ideas. I am not good at setting up usable platforms, so I appreciate your input very much. ALSO, do you know these substacks, where I focus on mapping our watershed, our bioregion? For me, they partner with mapping a smartphone's substances... and your idea to include nature more directly.
https://katiesinger.substack.com/p/bioregional-quiz
https://katiesinger.substack.com/p/watershed
https://katiesinger.substack.com/p/longer-lasting-Internet
https://katiesinger.substack.com/p/mapping-a-favorite-meals-supply-chain
I'll take a look at these - i 'm thinking about how it would work - as it would be great to do...I'm not a developer so i'm a bit limited, but it should be possible to find an easy to do this ...
I used to argue with Arthur Firstenberg about whether or not humans will destroy the planet. He said yes, I say no, and I say no precisely because of the supply chain issues you bring up.
To keep it simple, our advanced civilization will collapse completely if we lose one of the following three industrial items: Sulfuric acid, modern bearings, and access to credit markets.
Sulfuric acid is the precursor chemical for almost every other industrial chemical process. her Without sulfuric acid, almost none of the other chemicals you mention can be produced. No steel, no other advanced metallurgy, can take place without sulfuric acid.
Roller bearings keep everything rolling. Almost all machinery, not to mention every transportation machine, will not function without bearings. No bearings, no industrial civilization.
Credit. None of the factories to produce these two items can be built without access to credit. And of the members of this triad, credit is the most liable to fail, suddenly and catastrophically.
So all of this is good news for the planet. Our civilization is incredibly fragile, and it can, and will (inevitably) collapse, leaving only ruins for future people, who have their own historical amnesia, to puzzle over many centuries hence.