Same with any other job. First, find a contacting company that will take a chance and hire you. Second, get plenty of experience. And third, stay up-to-date with your network. They don’t even look at you until you get experience on your resume. I got a job with Northrop Grumman and just bounced around from contractor to contractor when I had to. Once you have that, and are in your niche, it’s a lot easier being able to find work. Networking sites like LinkedIn and Clearance Jobs are a big help.

If you wouldn’t call it the “ultimate” keyboard, would you say it is at least the ultimate in ergonomics? If ergonomics don’t make a keyboard ultimate, what would?

Would you say the ergonomics make it worth switching from my HHKB, Realforce, or (I forgot to mention) my New Model M? At least to the Dometyl?

Well is it? I have heard its got the best layout in terms of ergonomics and can be customized a bit with layout and hotswap. I also own several HHKBs and Realforces. So I’m interested in how they compare.

I have a raspberry pi that I use for my retro gaming system and I’ve seen some of the build-it-yourself laptops people have created from them. They’re neat, but not as powerful as what I am looking for. I wanted something comparable in performance to Lenovo or Mac.

Somewhat. I have accepted that eliminating the threat 100% is not possible, but my perfectionist self still wants to get as close as possible. Maybe I will save up for one of those kick-ass X-ray machines!

Only if it is refurbished. I am trying to cut back on the support for them.

So far Snapdragon is one A LOT of people are recommending. I wanted something highly up-gradable which is why I considered Framework. Since I’ve heard about battery life issues and…questionable associates, I will pass on Framework. The RISC V was at the top of my list for boards but after hearing how much extra work it is going to be, I think I will pass on it too.

Right now my top contenders are:

1. Snapdragon laptop
2. MNT Reform
3. Starlabs

Which ones are the most up-gradable/customizeable? I want something that just might be the last full laptop I will have to buy (best case scenario).

I was hoping to get something this fall. If I could get something this summer, that would be great but I know it would be rushing. If I decide on risc-v, it doesn’t matter. Because I would have to wait however long they make me. 😭

“Protect my privacy” is really my overall philosophy with ANYTHING tech-related. It’s more being extra cautious/paranoid than anything else. The hardware itself supposedly doesn’t track you, but I still don’t 100% trust either side of the duopoly. Better safe than sorry. 😅

Do you recommend side-loading it or use Obtainium?

I was thinking of getting a Framework and setting up Debian (with KDE Plasma), but I’ve always heard Framework is better designed for Fedora/Ubuntu. This gives me confidence! Do you have an Intel or AMD mainboard. I am waiting for the RISC V to come out.

😂

I don’t think so. I followed the instructions at GraphenOS using the web installer. I bought the phone refurbished with OEM unlocked.

Thanks, I’ll remember that. I am not going to worry about other OS’s besides GrapheneOS…for now. I just got my first de-googled phone setup. The next milestone (and possible endgame) would be a phone that has open source hardware and that I can fully control, including any software installed.

Don’t forget to open source it, pleeeaaase! 🙏 😆 It would be so awesome if the hardware * and* software were open sourced. Just buy the boards or 3D print everything when you need it. Sighs A man can hope and dream…😔

Where did you hear that? I definitely want to research it more now. I may just go ahead and get the 5 just to see the differences.

So far, no. The ROMs I currently have are SNES and PS1. I am planning on adding more for SEGA and N64.