Who are you? 👀

Salutations, web user! My name is Taz and I’m just some zoomer from the United Kingdom.

What do you do? 🤨

I make videos about technology, with a particular focus on topics like GNU/Linux, Free (Libre) Software, and Computer Hardware. I’d describe myself as a YouTuber, but I also post to Odysee and PeerTube.

I don’t post as often as I’d like to since I’m fairly busy and don’t do content creation as a full-time job… maybe that’ll change in the future!

I don’t do short-form content in the YT Shorts/TikTok format, I just make regular videos, though I would like to do live streams since I think it would be fun.

Thoughts on technology? 🖥️

I would describe myself as a tech nerd, but it’s a bit more nuanced than that. I’m highly interested in technology and think it can be fun to tinker with, but I also dislike how technology is actually implemented in the real world, such as society being increasingly dependent on smartphones, which makes life harder for those who cannot or do not want to own one… remember, it’s not “convenience” if it’s mandatory.

Unfortunately, a lot of modern technology is designed to spy on people, limit ownership, or restrict how users can use their computers. It’s why I endorse technology that is decentralised/self-custodial and that respects a user’s freedom and privacy.

I use Linux, but I wouldn’t consider myself a “Linux fanboy”. I do think Linux is better than Windows and macOS, but my primary concern is using free software, not just being a Linux user for the sake of it.

What do you use? 🔨

FYI: This is simply what I use. If you’d like a personal recommendation, feel free to contact me.

Desktop - for work (and occasional gaming)

  • CPU: Intel Core i7-8700K
  • RAM: 32GB DDR4
  • Storage: 1TB NVMe SSD
  • GPU: AMD Radeon RX 5700XT
  • Operating System: NixOS (with KDE Plasma)
  • Case: Montech AIR 100 (I think?)

Laptop - for portable computing

  • Lenovo ThinkPad X230
    • Stock Specs
      • CPU: Intel Core i5-3220M
      • RAM: 16GB DDR3
      • Storage: 240GB SSD
      • Operating System: Triskel (Trisquel GNU/Linux-libre) + Guix package manager
    • Upgrades
      • Wi-Fi: Atheros AR9280 (from proprietary Intel Wi-Fi Card)
      • IPS Screen (from stock TN panel)
      • 9 Cell Battery

Smartphone

Google Pixel 7a running GrapheneOS… I honestly don’t care about phones that much. Ideally, I’d prefer to use Ubuntu Touch or no smartphone at all, but it’s not really practical for me.

Software Stack

Just gonna list the main stuff as this list would be very long (depending on how pedantic we are in defining what a program is).

  • For making videos
    • Kdenlive / Blender (for editing)
    • Krita (for thumbnails and other raster graphics)
    • Audacity (for recording audio)
  • Other programs
    • LibreWolf / ungoogled-chromium (for web browsing)
    • Neovim (for plain text)
    • LibreOffice (for formatted text)
    • FreeCAD (for CAD / parametric modelling)
    • QEMU / Virt-Manager (for virtualisation)

Beyond Tech 🚘⛪✈️🎹

I’m interested in cars, history, theology, and travelling. I’m also learning to play the piano :)