A Recent Digital Odyssey Unveiled

 Today's musings stray far from the realm of role-playing games, yet they hold a peculiar influence on my gaming pleasures.

Dark Paladin watching me work on my computer
Image created by Microsoft Image Creator 2023

My trusty companions on this digital journey are my assortment of laptops: the newish HP Envy x360, the aged but steadfast Lenovo 230T, and the nimble Lenovo Duet Chromebook 10.1. They serve as my scribes, aiding in the creation of online personas, the printing of PDF character sheets, and the chronicling of in-game adventures. In the quiet glow of the screen, I weave the threads of my characters' tales in the form of online logs or journals.

The intricate dance of keys and pixels affects not only my gaming experience but also the myriad other tasks these electronic devices undertake. I confess, I am rooted in the tradition of physical keyboards, resisting the allure of the phone for such endeavors.

Over the years, a bitter truth has settled upon me like dust on ancient tomes: once your device connects to the vast expanse of the Internet, unseen entities will endeavor to gather your digital essence. Privacy, in this virtual realm, seems a fleeting illusion, and attempts to shield oneself often feel as delicate as a wisp of smoke.

My dalliance with Apple's creations, though sprinkled with moments of delight, has not been without its share of tribulations. The iPad Pro, while elegant, proved confining, leading me to the embrace of the MacBook Air M1. Alas, its abrupt demise after a mere 18 months, coupled with the untimely failure of my iPhone 12 mini shortly thereafter, left me disillusioned. The Apple Tax, a toll on their hardware, coupled with recent unreliability, dissuaded me from investing anew in their material wonders.

ChromeOS, a creation of the enigmatic Google, has witnessed my usage since its nascent days. Despite Google's descent from the lofty mantra of "Do no evil" to a more pragmatic pursuit of profit and a decline in trustworthiness, I find solace in the streamlined interface and integration with their suite of products. It falls short of Apple's elegance but surpasses the offerings of Microsoft.

Microsoft Windows, my ancient and perennial companion in this digital odyssey, has evolved into a behemoth, bloated and intrusive, like a demon in fleeting nightmares. The incessant clamor for attention and data intrusion has chipped away at my patience. The HP, acquired in April, marked my attempt to reacquaint myself with the marriage of Windows and Android. Alas, the constant feeling of scrutiny eclipsed even that experienced on ChromeOS and with less subtlety. The familiar Microsoft apps, though robust, felt excessive for the direction my digital pursuits were taking.

October heralded my surrender to the allure of Linux on the venerable HP. The experimentation commenced with various distros, each demanding its share of workarounds to replicate the familiar tasks executed on Windows, MacOS, or even ChromeOS. Among the sea of choices, the early flirtation with FydeOS lingered in my memory.

After navigating the labyrinth of Linux distros, both major and obscure, along with an ill-fated attempt to travel back to the world of Windows. One that was blocked by missing drivers and no mundane way to connect back to the world-wide web of magic that surrounds us. Therefore, I find myself revisiting FydeOS. It mimics the familiar terrain of ChromeOS, though reminiscent of a fallen paladin. Imperfect, yes, but the resonance with my computing habits is undeniable.

As the journey unfolds, decisions must be woven into the tapestry of fate, whether laden with woe or not. In this specific odyssey, it becomes evident that embracing FydeOS, despite its imperfections and potential concealed perils, is the path destiny lays before me. Its enigmatic origins raise unvoiced inquiries, yet even creations birthed in the shadows of malevolence may harbor hearts and minds inclined towards the welfare of those they encounter. Though the overlords may wield access deemed unacceptable in other realms, the intricate dance of intentions and motivations reveals a complexity that transcends mere judgment.

As the days unfold, I foresee a shift towards a more cohesive experience. Perhaps in 2024, a more refined Chromebook will find its place alongside an upgraded Google Pixel phone, for they align more harmoniously with my digital inclinations, devoid of the overpowering echoes of bloating. I do so despite the knowledge that in today's online world, the elusive specter of privacy seems but a distant memory. Embracing the realm the Internet has woven around us, I acknowledge that true privacy is a relic of the past. Hence, in navigating this interconnected tapestry, I must make choices that resonate with the person I have become. And unfortunately at times the constraints that our society provides us or that we have allowed the corporate entities to foist upon us.

Reflecting on this journey, I find solace in the fact that the questionable endeavors of my past were undertaken mostly in an era before the Internet's watchful gaze, shielded from the scrutinizing eyes of the entire world.