Other Websites and Resources

I have to admit search-engines are cool and all, but what’s even more fun is to discover websites via other websites and bookmark them (or put them on your own website). People are different and will come to discover different websites when wasting our time on the interwebs. Hence I will share some of the most useful/interesting websites I have come across (will probably update this page).

Music

Even though they are convenient, I don’t have high thoughts about streaming-platforms like Spotify and such. When I grew up, our family used iTunes with which you (at the time) could actually buy and own digital music. Now the norm is however to buy a subscription to a service where you don’t own the music you listen to, that also pays the actual musicians a tiny amount for their hard work (see here for a good video on the subject). Therefore I will recommend better places to get your music that connects you closer to actual musicians. I don’t endorse everything that’s sold or done on these platforms (but that sort of goes without saying):

Computer Hardware and Elecronics

I remember being baffled when I talked to a relative of mine some time ago (one with a similar interest in electronics). If you wanted to fix your radio or something in the past, you could just ask the manufacturer to mail you the schematics and what parts they used. This was mind-bending for my damaged brain. Today, someone (likely you) would’ve been sued for industrial espionage or something if schematics were mailed around (please forgive my slightly hyperbolic language). However, there are some sensible hardware companies that might actually mail you schematics even today. At least the following providers are on a different planet when it comes to focus on flexibility, longeivety and repairability:

Operating Systems, BIOS and Firmware

A operating system is in simple terms what makes your computer usable (and not just a bunch of organized metal and stuff). The most common operating systems at the time of writing are Microsoft Windows and MacOS. The latter are examples of operating systems that don’t give you full ownership of your computer and software. Hence I will recommend some other solid operating systems that do:

Mobile Hardware and Software

If you’re in a similar situation as me, you practically need to own a mobile phone. The world of mobile hardware and especially software is (compared to computers) an absolute nightmare. Population surveilance and vendor lock-in is the default and it seems most people have gotten used to it. Thankfully there are a lot of talented people out there making it possible to stay clear of most of it:

Computer Programs

This is just a completely asorted category of all the programs I would personally recommend over the alternatives for many reasons that would take too much time to write here: (at least for now)

Orthodox Christianity (Norway)

I am an orthodox christian convert living in Norway who had to spend a lot of time and energy searching for both a parish and information in general. I hope my findings can be useful for others:

Scripture, Church Fathers and Other Writings

Note: only some of these sites are run by orthodox christians and are only useful if you already know what you are looking for. At the same time feel free to explore. Church history is very interesting and directly relevant to your personal faith. In-depth study will however require guidance from something like a priest or an experienced orthodox christian.

Byzantine Chant (Norway)

Feel free to check out this project