It sucks because that’s also Google and their products/services. So it’s like jumping from one shitty platform into another in the context, except the other one is more niche.

So about that Wifi app in the third screenshot…

I’ve done this. I have a Google TV Stick. If Netflix starts preventing people from opening their app when it detects a VPN (in Android), then you can do what I did and run the VPN on the routers themselves. In my case it’s ASUS routers on both ends, and they support Wireguard natively (GliNet are also really good for this as they support and run OpenWrt)

The benefit to doing it this way is that neither Netflix nor the Google TV itself are aware they’re on a VPN. The ASUS routers I use have a feature called VPN Fusion, where you can put different clients on or off of different VPN connections.

Edit: To clarify, I share with family. I’m not the account owner, but I’m one of the profiles in the account.

Yes! For Spotify I’ve been using stats.fm (app/site). Iirc it’s paid (one time in app, but cheap). And they walk you through emailing Spotify support to get ALL of your listening history from day 1 to import into the app. After that it will just continue via connection to your Spotify.

You can also go on eBay and look for older mini PCs. I got an HP Elite desk Mini G5 for like $70. Didn’t come with storage (usually the case), but an NVME/2.5 SATA drive is cheap.

It has an Intel 9500T and 16GB DDR4 RAM. The N series chips are more efficient (I have one of those N100 mini PCs, too), but the full chips offer more power (if you need it). Of course both of them will be significantly lower in power usage to an old desktop/server, by far.

Whatever you end up using, you can install Proxmox and call it a day. From there, install whatever you want, running side by side.

It’s a coordinated play, that’s why. Their hope and plan is that VPNs become worthless because you’re gonna be VPNing into censored countries anyway. They won’t want anonymity/pseudo-anonymity like we’ve had.

Which is what they’re doing, but the bigger point is that you can’t say you’re going to move while all of this (subpoenas, etc) are happening. Before, sure. After, sure. During? Nope.

I’m not inherently trying to defend Proton here, but the question to ask here is – did they have a choice? I’m asking seriously, and not rhetorically. Did they willingly hand over the data, or were they legally required to, by Swiss law?

So is he insinuating that communities should have IT people who keep things running for everyone (like a digital librarian of sorts)?

Because that takes time, effort, and money. Like a lot more than one would spend or need for just themselves/family/maybe a couple of friends.

Also, community-run self-hosting just seems like a bad idea from a privacy and legality standpoint. One pirate getting caught isn’t usually so bad (usually a warning or small fine). But once you start distributing, then you’re going from a kiddie pool of consequences into an ocean of consequences. We’re talking massive fines and/or jail time.

Edit: I should clarify that I’m not talking about services here, but content itself.

So a system-wide wiretap?

Graphene?

ASUS [routers] are fine. I’ve been using them for years (several models, lately their ExpertWifi EBM68). What’s the issue?

Thanks for the info. I’m sure it’ll also be useful to others reading the comments.

This sucks because, functionally-wise I have zero issues with Emby. But morally, this bothers me a lot. I thought it was going to just be because of the license (I think I paid $99 around Christmas a few years ago for a Lifetime license).

Guess I’ll be switching to Jellyfin then and donating to the project. If I paid for Emby, there’s no reason I can’t donate to a free, open-source project being developed and maintained by volunteers.

Do you mind elaborating on that? It sounds like I got in on Emby after the rugpull. It works fine for me and I use it without the Connect (online account) feature.

Can I ask why nobody recommends Emby? I’ve been using it for years with zero issues. The only thing I can think of is that Jellyfin exists and is free. Emby is sort of a middleground between Plex and Jellyfin; it has a paid license (lifetime option exists), but it’s closer to Jellyfin than Plex on the whole.

Or remove the battery if you can, to spare it from pillowing. I know it has the benefits of being a “psuedo-UPS”, but unless you also have your modem/router on a UPS, it’s pointless (internet goes out; you can’t access the laptop anyway).

The feature is called DDNS (Dynamic DNS).

It’s not exactly difficult if you use Tailscale or really any VPN. So I really don’t see the value for the cost; if you’re even considering self hosting a Plex server/instance, there’s a list of basic knowledge you should have or learn (like what you mentioned).

If you can run tailscale or similar, your IP becomes a non-issue (CGNAT vs static IP)

Yeah but it’s like 100 devices, I think. And I believe 3 users (meaning under one account; sharing a device with someone who makes their own account doesn’t count as a “user”). You’re right, but they’re pretty generous.

I don’t think it takes many resources to provide the service to consumers; it’s not like you’re using any of their bandwidth (minus the tiny amount used for coordination between clients). Oh, or if you use their DERP servers (encrypted, but still).

In general, people should know there are self hosted, truly private options, though. So thanks for mentioning Headscale.