Well, maybe I have yet to give up on everything. Or, maybe writing this will free my mind, and I will finally let go of these pursuits. Quick notes for now...sort of a to-do list...in no prioritized order.
As mentioned in the doc "My participation" [participation.htm], I have no place to stay and store things, hence no personal laboratory.
As such, I am "making and doing with what is available": the computers at the public library (a couple hours allowed per day), and JavaScript as the computer programming environment (but no console or other features).
Perhaps obviously, the primary direction involves a scaling back of all the layers from the decades of computer programming, or even starting over from scratch with the computer medium as it is currently known thought of as our guideline of "not like that (again)".
[ Jenny Odell ][page 198] It's tempting to conclude this book with a single recommendation about how to live. But I refuse to do that.
[...two points elaborated for consideration...]
[page 199] In their own ways, both of these things suggest to me the frightening potential of something like gated communities of attention: privileged spaces where some (but not others) can enjoy the fruits of contemplation and the diversification of attention. One of the main points I've tried to make in this book—about how thought and dialogue rely on physical time and space—means that the politics of technology are stubbornly entangled with the politics of public space and of the environment. This knot will only come loose if we start thinking not only about the effects of the attention economy, but also about the ways in which these effects play out across other fields of inequality.
—"Conclusion: Manifest dismantling", pages 198 and 199. How to do nothing: resisting the attention economy (2019) by Jenny Odell. 232 pages. [Library call number: 303.4833]
It seems like to me all of my pursuits (even the unlikely pursuits) are different beginnings for the same direction (not to be confused with a goal or endpoint): personalized computing. Ultimately, that means developing a text editor that can also interpret computer instructions from the person using it, including being able to write instructions to completely replace that text editor itself, t.i. full and complete customization of the computer experience.
Perhaps incredibly, the intent is to enable every person without the need for anyone to be a computer programmer. Of course, computer programmers would benefit, too, from the ease and the personal opportunities.
I would like a personalized buttonboard layout for use with the computers at the public library. Gathering info and testing input with "Remap the buttonboard" [remap-docviewer.htm].
Considering an HTM doc with JavaScript remapping the buttons pressed to the desired characters. Then I could just copy paste whatever I typed, from there to wherever.
Consequences of this pursuit might be the emergence of a personalized text editor, very possibly inspired by the "ed" text editor [gnu.org]. Maybe even view management, such as the split-view approach, such as is available with either Emacs [gnu.org] (Lisp interpreter with text editor) or StumpWM [stumpwm.github.io] (view management for X11). But I do like the view management that naturally emerges from the "ed" text editor.
Custom modifications and views for docs from the Internet.
I would like a means of personalizing my viewing of the docs from the WTN (Worldwide Telegramming Network, a.k.a. Internet). Currently, there seems to be no way of applying a personal stylesheet with the HTM docviewers on the "accessibiliy enabled" computers at the public library. That makes sense, because the typical 21st century HTM docviewer is obscure about using that feature (if available at all) anyway.
Considering an HTM doc with JavaScript that will display a requested document as plain text. Then there would be several options for the interpreted HTM view of the doc.
Providing links for the linked docs marked with link, such as for the next doc with "next", the previous doc with "prev", and so on, as described in HTML 4.01: 6.12 Link types [w3.org]. These links are usually marked within the head region of the document, before the marked body region.
The link mark was described in many documents long ago, such as Hypertext Markup Language, draft version 1.2 (1993 June) [w3.org]. Search for "LINK element", f.e. with the "Find" command in the "Edit" menu.
Applying or unapplying CSS stylesheets referenced in the doc, including the "alternate" stylesheets, as described in HTML 4.01: 6.12 Link types [w3.org]. These links are usually marked within the head region of the document, before the marked body region.
Applying custom styles, either pasted into a marked textarea or a referenced doc.
Removal of scripts (t.i JavaScript programs) either within or referenced by the requested doc.
Suppression or removal of images referenced by the requested doc.
Such opportunities are already available from a plethora of software, often referred to as "web browser extensions". However, such software is unavailable on the computers at the public library.
If I can work out something along those lines, then I might consider using some or all of it as an option for viewing the docs from this docserver. Maybe. I rather avoid depending on JavaScript support within an HTM docviewer for presenting documents, and any such requirement for the docserver. Nonetheless, I would likely share the results anyway, then anyone could use it or modifiy it, even independent of this docserver, t.i for the whole WTN.
I also have my doubts how useful this will be for anyone else, as it would interfere with the intended presentation of the docs. For whatever reason, many docs from the WTN have been more decoration than info. Personally, I tend to avoid the network by saving the addresses and maybe the docs when I find them, then there is no need for searching the network again (as such re-"searches" tend to fail).
Personalize the operating system of a computer, especially the initial interface. Personalize the hardware of the computer, f.e. a custom buttonboard (and layout). Enable repeatable workflows.
Some documents for reference.
console.htm (old): Ideas about a console rather than an OS as the initially booted program.
computer-hardware.htm (old): Mostly for the Raspberry Pi, and a variety of OS options for it, f.e. TinyCore.
StumpWM additions [stumpwm.htm#additions]: Pointer movement from the buttonboard, and automation of that.
Another variation is for the personalized computer to represent itself as a input peripheral, f.e. as a computer buttonboard (a.k.a. keyboard) or motion remote control (a.k.a. mouse). Most likely by means of USB, f.e. as a USB hub with emulated peripherals.
Preferably corded rather than cordless, because that is most accessible for initiating and troubleshooting. Bluetooth radio signals usually need permission for access to the computer, hence less accessible. Radio signals are also broadcasted everywhere, which seems less secure than a cord and less trustworthy that it actually has been disconnected.
Remote control of another computer on the same desktop with the USB protocol [usb.org], along the lines of a personalizable computer [dual-system.htm]. It would be just like attaching a USB hub, but it is a computer pretending to be a USB hub. Just advertise from the personalized computer (used as the remote control) as a USB hub, then advertise as a buttonboard (keyboard), pointer remote control (mouse), external memory, or anything else. No special permission and no additional software (f.e. VNC or RDP) needed at all on the other computer.
This has likely already been done before, and there might already be software available. Just as likely any such software has been abandoned (t.i. no support), and incompatible with my preferred operating systems and programs. Therefore, intending to (figure out and) write my own so I can customize it for my additional interests, f.e. repeatability of workflow (as available in Emacs [gnu.org]).
Any computer should work out, but I am favoring complete access to source code of the operating system and any other programs, so likely a GNU/Linux operating system or similar. Likely something along the lines of "Simple portable Raspberyy Pi" [rpi-portable.htm].
Possible new hardware (t.i. I have yet to try): Raspberry Pi 400, perhaps the kit (4 GB, but less would be fine); and maybe a small display (or two; prefer 4:3). A powerbank for the RPi 400 and another for the display would make it portable, likely only 10k each (the prior 26k was heavy).
Eventually write down my notes for what I want from notation for writing computer instructions.
So far, it would be the consistency of Lisp applied to a subset of HTM. From what I have heard, Lisp interpreters are quite often used for creting new notations for writing computer instructions. (IMHO, "computer programming language" is a misnomer with "language" meaning "notation", because it is for writing instructions rather than communication.)
No Lisp interpreter available for me to try to write a parser, which would be my first ever.
However, computer instructions are written as statements, which are then encapsulated by punctuation. That is similar enough to how HTM is written that an HTM viewer (a.k.a. "web browser") could parse HTM-like notation. That is, HTM viewers automatically parse HTM notation into a document object model (DOM), then the DOM can be referenced by JavaScript for completing the parsing.
I have a different idea in mind for the actual notation, less like HTM and more like Lisp. However, all that really matters is the approach to using the new notation, so any HTM viewer could parse the approximate notation. The JavaScript would be kept basic, t.i. no bleeding-edge support.
First and foremost, the point of the notation is for writing anything into the computer, particularly notes. Being able to also write computer instructions is important, too, but is essentially secondary. Overall, it should be possible to write instructions for replacing the text editor itself, which is also the notation interpreter.
Anyway, would like to finally write down the details someday [words-general.htm#] and share the doc.
Of course, a text editor would also be part of the new interpreter for the new notation. So far, I have something in mind similar to Ed [gnu.org] with additional features for optionally managing writing enclosures, especially the named enclosures of the notation.
Considered, but follow through is unlikely, for various reasons.
Document with an old idea I had about introducing computers to the everyday person. I am unlikely to ever follow through on this pursuit, but I did like dreaming about it.
This would be an attempt at a cultural influence by empowering the individual with the computer medium, rather than a product that makes the individual dependent on "alien technology" (t.i. foreign to the abilities of that individual and its peers) supplied by companies forever strangers to their "customers".
The core purpose of the computer program would have been providing text editing capabilities, requiring no more than the commonly acquired reading and writing skills most everyone has already learned. That is, reading and typing text, especially for any task, f.e. documents, email, instant text messaging, and so on.
The computer program would be customizable, and become unique for that person. Other capabilities could be learned about and added whenever desired, in no particular order. For example, enabling the computer to repeat workflows, changing the layout of the buttonboard, or controlling another computer remotely, and so on.
This is along the lines of my pursuit of developing a text editor that can also interpret computer instructions from the person using it, including being able to write instructions to completely replace that text editor itself, t.i. full and complete customization of the computer.
As mentioned elsewhere, and perhaps incredibly, the intent is to enable every person without the need for anyone to be a computer programmer. Of course, computer programmers would benefit, too, from the ease and the personal opportunities.
Around mid-Feb 2024, I developed a desire for a gray Nintendo Switch Lite, about $200 for the new-in-box experience; because it is the experience that matters, not merely having possessions. Of course, need a case to protect it from the rough and tumble of my furoshiki bag around the living room [words--culture.htm] (as I am mostly outdoors), likely the official one from Nintendo for about $40. Oh, and some cheap earphones.
I had planned to play only the classic games, which are available for "free" from Nintendo, by means of a yearly subscription (about $20/year). Yes, wonderful nostalgia, and at a flat fee. If I ever finished with those, then there is an upgrade that includes the N64 games (about $50/year). I really was interested in only the very, very few games I had played long ago, and maybe a few prequels/sequels I had missed just for curiosity.
That would have been a low cost way to keep up my spirits, as the equipment is cheap and a one time cost, and I have no interest in the new games. It would have also kept my mind active, as I lack the resources for my other pursuits in computers. I would have probably also made notes about my gameplay as I always do in order to figure out the games, in new documents.
Or, I might get caught up in writing my own computer programs for it, and hardly play the games at all. That is correct, I was also hoping to get approval for developing for the Nintendo Switch, because supposedly even individuals can gain access to the software development resources. I had submitted the request 2024 Feb 21, and was eventually denied 2024 Mar 18.
That is okay. I would have needed to obtain a computer system after that in order to follow up on my ideas for developing for the hardware, f.e. installing a LISP interpreter, typing with both analog sticks (alternately for each character), and so on. I have been thinking I have gone far enough with the Raspberry Pi for now, as crafting hardware and coordinating the needed software any further for the Raspberry Pi is beyond my current means while outdoors.
What can I say: a video game console is merely another computer to me, especially if I can get the resources for compiling my own programs. Too bad the request for developer access to the hardware (t.i. for writing my own computer programs for myself) was denied, and without reason nor opportunity to ask why.
But, there is nothing saying I cannot submit another request. Probably will just forget about it, though, as I have no interest in insisting on permission. Besides, support for the overall system would likely cease sometime soon, and then what would I do with the hardware? *sigh* That is the bane of the products of the computer industry, too.
But, if I were to save up for anything in particular, it might be for the gray Nintendo Switch Lite (and supplemental resources). However, at the rate I receive money (as I never ask for it), I likely will be spending money on only fresh clothing or bandages with nothing much left over. Maybe the occasional pizza.
On the other hand, I entered a sweepstakes for winning an OLED Nintendo Switch, one of 300 being giving away. No purchase necessary (but too fun to pass up), nor even a postage stamp; just needed to enter at the "Lunchables" website . A little bigger than the Lite, but the controllers can be removed and so could be more compact.
So, yes, I realize that might never happen, even if only because of no permission to customize the device for myself (t.i. write my own programs), but it is of no matter. It is mostly just an idea for furthering my exploration with customizing computer hardware, especially portable computers. The various ideas I had for typing with the built-in analog sticks seemed so interesting, too. But typing with analog sticks probably would have been just a novel (but maybe fun!) approach.
Though I hardly ever talk with anyone, let alone anyone who speaks Spanish, I have been writing a lot lately. I have been thinking maybe I could try writing some of my thoughts in Spanish if I were to try learning it again.
Of all the ways I have studied various languages, the most effective was over a decade ago when I tried the courses from the company Bilingual America with its four-level program. I felt I had really learned it, but I had yet to address my own shyness and had no one with whom to converse. I generally never talked about myself nor had many interests to discuss, but at least now I am writing more.
This time around, I would increase the amount of over-the-phone tutoring sessions the company offers, as that definitely reinforced my learning at the time (what little I invested in the tutoring sessions).
The course looks different nowadays, seems like it might be only digital. But I believe in it from my prior experience with it, and so I would try that again. I would go with the fast pace version with 16 tutoring sessions, hence about $3400 in six months. I did it pretty quick back then, and I believe that helped me in acquistion of the language.
No way I can afford that right now, and I have no phone right now, and so on, but this is something I fantasize about sometimes. Perhaps I am just pondering about "things to do" with my spare time, but I keep remembering how much I appreciated that course for learning Spanish.