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buying a computer

from ms-demeanor. Done August 2023. Advice includes:

• ensure processor is intel i% (no older than 10th Gen) OR Ryzen 7. Rule of thumb: stay within 3 generations of the line (DONT get a higher performance line with an older generation, e.g. 13th gen i5 i better than 8th gen i7)
• 8GB RAM minimum - 16GB ideal, but ee if you can get a computer that let you add or swap ram down the line (more common on desktop than laptop)
• 256GB ssd better - laptops with 128GB getting more common and is okay if you're storing everything in the cloud, but not so much if you've got no internet connection
• avoid touchscreens if you can - easier to fuck up, harder to replace, tend to drin battery. Try for a 14 o 15.6 inch screen (13 inches ten to be glued shut i.e. impossible to get into to work on, and 17 inch is a pain to carry round)
• expect to upgrade ram in 5 years for desktops, 3 years for laptops (also posibly needing to replace the ssd with a new model). generally the lifespan for these devices is 5-7 yrs (desktop), 3-5 years (laptop).
• decent, upgradeable laptops likely to last include the 14" Lenovo (11th gen i5, 16gb ram, 512gb ssd); the 15.6" HP (11th gen i5, 16gb ram, 256gb ssd); the 14" dell (12th gen i5, 16gb ram, 256gb ssd).

extensions for security/anti-tracking/anti-ad stuff

from Arkenfox, reminder to try to keep extensions to a minimum. for more info on extension security basics, try Wladimir Palant's basics for a run-down.

• Ublock origin (recommended). Ensure you: set up blocking mode; enable Adguard URL tracking protection; import actually legitimate URL shortener tool
• skip redirect (recommended)
• Total Cookie Protection (Firefox). Confines cookies to the site they were created, preventing tracking brosing from site to site. Can make limited exceptions for cross-site cookies when needed for non-tracking purposes (e.g. third party login providers).
• RFP (Firefox).If you're not using a Tor Browser (best option for anonymity and advanced fingerprinting protection), RFP is the next best option. If you can't get RFP, CanvasBlocker is the next best option (okay protection against naive scripts, detectable and leaks with advanced scripts; randomise canvas but no need for the rest)

more privacy stuff

this time from hunter-rodriguez. Recommends:

• firefox with built-in tracker protection
• ublock origin
• adguard (for everything that gets past ublock)
• mullvad VPN, "one of the most reliable, cheapest, and safest VPNs at the moment. Also recommended in replies: Trust.Zone VPN ("bc it's not based in any of the 14 eyes countries"
• duckduckgo search engine
• adaway for android (works better with root access but not required)

making physical copies of media so you don't lose the shit you bought

suggestion: get USB-connectable cd, dvd, blu-ray player; external hard drive; ripping software e.g. handbrake (cd, dvd), makeMKV (blurays).

alternatives to wikia/fandom

alternatives for hosting

If you (or your community) are brave and dedicated enough you can go with self-hosted MediaWiki instance (aka independent hosting), like JoJo Wiki (who started on Wikia and succeed at overtaking the SEO) or NIWA wikis. This option, of course, requires funding and technical knowledge, but it's still very much possible.

otherwise, the following offer free wiki farms/wiki hostings:
• Miraheze. Ftarted in 2015, non-commercial. no ads and runs on donations, wide array of MediaWiki features, wide array of allowed types of wikis and content, much autonomy for projects, custom domain and private wiki options
• wiki.gg. started in 2022 by former Gamepedia staff, limited to video games, accent on involvement of game devs and thus hosting official wikis, has ads for anons (but only of games having wikis here).
• Telepedia.started in 2022, limited to entertainment (although might allow other themes upon review), has ads for anons, replicates Miraheze structure.
• WikiTide.started in 2023, no ads and runs on donations (but also tied w/ premium version called WikiForge), largely replicates Miraheze but has stricter content policies, custom domain option

alternatives for searching

try to use "-fandom" filter for search query in Google, or use other search engines like Bing or DuckDuckGo.

otherwise, you might try the following options:
• Indie Wiki Buddy browser extension - it modifies search engine results and performs redirects based on its centralized list of independent wikis; a new indie wiki has to be requested/submitted to get added [ Firefox / Chrome ]
• Redirect to wiki.gg browser extension - same as IWB but for wikis moved to wiki.gg (as I understand, works automatically without dedicated listing) [ Firefox / Chrome ]
• (simple) Redirector browser extension - in case the wiki is neither on IWB or wiki.gg, and it doesn't filter out search results - only performs redirect on whatever you get; a redirect has to be set manually - see this tutorial [ Firefox / Chrome ]

stuff to check the colours on your device

try passmark (no browser option) or eizo tests; otherwise,try the lagom LCD monitor test.