I already mentioned desktop version of [UFO: X-COM Defence]
.
Also there is open-source [Android port]
of the game. In today’s post i would like to recommend you an extended modification called [OpenXcom Extended]
. Mod offers plenty of improvements over the original version including neat touchscreen controls [!].
Download [OpenXcom Extended]
||| [direct link to v7.8] Download original DOS [game cache]
||| [mega.nz] Extract downloaded archive into SDcard/OpenXcom folder Run game launcher and point it to newly created folder Check the plethora of settings provided by the game Now you can shot alien scum wherever you want!
Not long ago i’ve already mentioned about privacy-hardened [Mull browser]
. Very nice Android browser, but have one serious downside: limited amount of supported addons. Yes, i like desktop convenience on the go!
To enable additional addons in mobile Firefox browser you’ll need to sideload custom addon collection tied to mozilla account. It’s astonishing fact how they like to implement overcomplicated stuff!
To create your own collection you’ll need Firefox account, but i’ll not bother to spent time on such dumb efforts.
It looks like that i found replacement for [Fenec F-Droid]
browser, for real. I’m not completely satisfied with not fully removed telemetry, shady stubs and other fishy things presented by Fennec. That is why i begin to investigate the problem and discovered [Mull browser]
. Main features of it:
DOESN’T DIAL BACK NEITHER TO GOOGLE NOR TO MOZILLA [and that’s a complete steal] based around hardened version of user.js [main FireFox configuration file] frequently updated [keeps up with original Firefox releases] mascot of Mull is rather awful [but who cares?
Without further ado, straight to the facts:
last version with sane amount of system services, which can’t be turned off absence of [neural networks API]
, which is used for telemetry, collection/profiling user data with subsequent uploading collected information to third-parties [for the first time technology was introduced in Android 8.1] full support of any modern browser [even Android 6.0 can handle this] ability to load legacy Android 2.x applications without any issues [Android 14 is already blocking such apps] I care about older stuff simply because of code quality.
UPDATED ON: 2023-02-21 [Fennec]
replaced by [Mull]
: no telemetry at all.
No chitter here, just plain breakdown of the most important stuff.
► WINDOWS 7 FIREWALL▼
[Outpost Firewall Pro]
◄ very advanced and lightweight firewall with host-based intrusion-prevention and anti-leak systems. Review is [here]
. BROWSERS▼
[IceWeasel]
◄ my personal choice to surf web [mozilla crap ripped off] [LibreWolf]
◄ debloated in terms of privacy Firefox with pre-installed uBlock Origin [PaleMoon]
◄ the most mozilla-independent fork of Firefox [but slowly degrading] [Tor Browser]
◄ handy to overcome geo restrictions and other artificial limitations of obsolescent governments Warning: some telemetry is present!
UPDATED ON: 2023-02-20
Quick note of imaginary small-sized phone for a computer geek. Chance of real life appearance is pretty close to zero, especially considering current drumb trends and marketers domination over common sense.
PART HARDWARE CPU Octa-core 1nm or better RAM 8Gb RAM or better STORAGE 256Gb UFS 3.1 + SD card up to 2Tb DISPLAY 4.4" 1920x1200 OLED CAMERA 1" sensor 40Mp or better, no h/w denoiser/enhancer AUDIO 24bit/384kHz, 3.
UPDATED ON: 2023-01-14
To keep battery of newly acquired devices safe do the following:
3-4 100% charges to warm up new battery after that do not charge battery above 78-80% do not discharge below 14-15% lower minimimum 15-20% upper maximum 78-80% at least twice a month do a 100% charge keep spare batteries in the fridge at 30% charge state. Storage temperature around +5 Celcius. One of the best battery tools for Android is [AccuBattery Pro]
.
Just for your information: new versions of KeepassXC can be installed on Windows 7 via legacy installer.
You can download it [HERE]
. Look for Legacy section (64-bit, Windows 7/8/8.1) and you are good to go.
PS On Android i’m using [KeepassDX]
.
Imagery by spacedrone808
To speed up application a bit turn on [OpenGL]
acceleration in developer settings.
≡ ► Plugins ► OsmAnd Development ► On
≡ ► Plugins ► OsmAnd Development ► Settings ► Use OpenGL rendering ► Enabled Note that on Android 6 devices feature can work incorrectly or not work at all. On Android 7 devices it can take longer initialization, but faster rendering afterwards. Tested on Android 8.0 and [Sony Xperia XZ1 Compact]
and setting really gives a boost.
Considering the fact that world is going completly mad the most important features for smartphone will be reability, long running time and neat network reception. In such scenario [Sonim XP8]
is a perfect phone because it has interchangable battery, strong millitary protection and it is almost indestructible. Device is based around [Android 8.1]
, so telemetry is minimal, but nerual networks is already there [in their rudimentary state]. So rooting phone and installing [neat ip-tables firewall]
and [root-based hosts adblocker]
will solve problem like there was no any.
Just plain numbers if somebody care about.
WINDOWS MARKETSHARE [STATCOUNTER]
Windows 7 dropped below 10% barrier.
ANDROID MARKETSHARE [APPBRAIN]
Android 8 holds up around 8% of the market. Btw, Android 6 is fully usable till today [2022/11/23].
FIREFOX DISTRIBUTION [FIREFOX]
Imagery by spacedrone808
Stop using mainstream operating systems like Windows 11/10/8.1, modern Linux, like Ubuntu or modern MacOS versions. On mobile Android 14/13/12/11/10/9/8.1 are prohibited because they use neural networks to profile your device and dial back to “home” to dump your personal data and preferences. iOS from very beginning was very phony platform.
My personal choices are Windows 7 for desktop and Android 8.0 for mobile. These two cover my digital needs fully, no restrictions whatsoever.
Super quick breakdown of the most essential security applications for Android OS.
[ADAWAY]
► Effective hosts adblocker [AFWALL+]
► Root-based firewall based on Linux ip-tables [EXODUS]
► Check your applications for telemetry trackers and secure your privacy [YET ANOTHER CALL BLOCKER]
► quality open-source call blocker Forked mod for Russia region
. Fork is manadatory thing for people living in a Russia because access to application online database was blocked by Czech owner, due to war initiated by bunker rat.
I already wrote about [Neutron player]
.
Provided information will be useful if you are using Neutron with high resolution digital audio player [DAP] and would to like
squeeze a bit more of that quality.
Here is a list of the most important settings to maximaze your audio output to the boundaries of existence.
Just a quick note to share high-quality Android audio player with all of you. Software is developed for hi-res hardware digital audio players like FiiO, Shanling, iBasso. The most important feature is bit-perfect OS independent decoding and audio processing.
Speaking about bright sides of application: precise audio reproduction, loads of professional tools.
However, there is one notable downside: user interface and ergonomics are very confusing to say the least.
UPDATED ON: 2023-01-24 After long consideration my interest is lost, due to understanding the fact that 4G module is 100% closed blackbox, which cancels all privacy benefits of the phone in one stroke. It’s a true thing for official version of the phone. On the bright side there is an [unofficial open-source project]
of modem firmware in early alpha. Will report back if something good happens.
I bet some of you are already tired of ugly g monopoly with their telemetric data mining platform os-called operating system.
UPDATED ON: 2023-02-06 v1.0b: please [contact me]
if you find errors or inaccuracies.
In this guide i will quickly show my system configuration tweaked for privacy. I’m using essential stuff like 3G/4G/WiFi & BT. Additional pleasantries are blocked.
█ ANDROID 8: OS WITH MINIMAL TELEMETRY Operating System: Android 8.0 [Android 8.1 ain’t good, coz it brought support of neural networks to do effective data mining] Security patch: 1st September 2018 FW Version: 47.
UPDATED ON: 2023-02-20 I recommend to replace Fennec F-Droid with [Mull Browser]
due to the fact that is COMPLETELY free from telemetry. In contrast to Fennec Mull browser do not trigger any mozilla or google connections, so take a note. And for God’s sake do not use plain Firefox, it is almost like chrome now!
As my main web surfer IceCat begin to showing it’s age and don’t have any new versions apart from “super-new” 68.
UPDATE 2021-10-11: Added Excellent [APKGrabber]
▓ ALTERNATIVE FIRMWARE As for firmware, I recommend to use [LineAgeOS]
if your device is supported. Neat FW with minimal tracking and no bloat from big corps. If there is no native LineAgeOS support check [XDA forum threads]
for unofficial ports by community enthusiasts. If your device is not supported in both cases I do not recommend to update stock firmware to prevent bloat’n’telemetry installation.