Anyone use an "offline" computer?

Anybody use a computer that is never connected to the internet? Whether for work, focus, or sensitive information? Do you find it useful? I’m thinking about finding an old Mac, loading it up with some basic productivity apps and emulated games, and just never being online. (The 12 inch 2015 Macbook feels like a worthy candidate for this) Was wondering if anyone else thought about doing the same.

The most recent episode of Connected discussed the ascendancy of the Web vs. Proprietary apps and something about not having offline apps just rubs me the wrong way. Especially as someone who tries to be somewhat privacy conscious.

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For sensitive information, some people use Linux distro called Tails.

Regarding stay focused, I tried this approach and it didn’t work for me. Computer has too much things to distract you even if disconnected.

Having a mechanical typewriter and staying for two or more weeks in a cabin somewhere in Norway is my dream. Not sure it will be realized sometime.

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I’m trading my iPad in for a Remarkable for a “digital typewriter.” I have family in the foothills of Eastern Kentucky might do a budget version of that in a cabin up there.
I’ll have to look into Tails. I was wondering how useful Linux would be offline because they are more reliant on the web to fill in the app gap.

Yes, it’s quite freeing. You can always walk into another room to look up documentation, etc. No downsides to trying it. You do have to get used to doing subsets of tasks on the unconnected computer, e.g., if designing, you have to gather your artifacts/inspiration, move it, work, then move it back to upload. Obvious stuff, just don’t feel like it’s not working because you’re taking the extra steps.

One semester of college, I handed my network card to someone so I could only get Internet at the computer lab. Gaming addiction requires strong measures…

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The thought ironically enough came from time spent on Delta Emulator. There was just something really nice about having a slate of games on my iPad that isn’t constantly trying to notification spam you. These were full games that could operate offline.

“One semester of college, I handed my network card to someone so I could only get Internet at the computer lab. Gaming addiction requires strong measures…”

And that’s a solid way to go about it probably harder in the phone era unless you go minimalist phone.

Sometimes I think about picking up a Pi 500 to set up as an offline system for writing with emacs.

https://www.raspberrypi.com/products/raspberry-pi-500/

The Pi 500 is definitely on my buy list for tinkering.

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I’ve also thought about using a pi as an offline repository. Kiwix I believe it’s called is meant to be an educational tool, it’s offline Wikipedia. (Kind of defeats the purpose of trying to go offline when you bring the internet with you, I know.)

My late father, who was in a signals intelligence-related field in the US Military, had two laptops and an iPad. One laptop was never connected to a network of any kind, nor did he store any sensitive data on its hard drive: anything that he considered even remotely sensitive was stored on a thumb drive he stored in a locked file drawer.

He loved surfing the internet, but eschewed things like online banking, credit cards, and E-Zpass: “They can track where you’re going!” He was well into his eighties when he said that, and I used to wonder just what he was getting up to at that age. :wink:

Just about everything I do touches the internet in one way or another, so I don’t think I’d go that route for privacy per se, but I am toying with the idea of repurposing an old Macbook as an offline only device in case of a ransomware attack or the like.

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Yes, we have several air gapped machines for various projects. Most are Linux, there is one old Windows machine air gapped so the darned thing doesn’t get bricked by MS wanting to do an update. And yes, some former clients required no internet connections and some have required no Microsoft products on any machine used to do their work.

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Sounds a lot like my 90 yo Dad who spent the bulk of his career at the NSA.

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I loved this 100 second long video. It simultaneously made me extremely nervous while also provoking hysterical laughter. linux tails - Google Search

Sign-off: “Don’t tell anyone I told you about this.” :rofl:

Agreed, funny video. I never tried Tails, though I know how to use VeraCrypt, just in case.

Right now we have a choice of local apps vs AI but, depending on how things develop, it may not always be that way. Apple has mapped out a system of on-device, on-line AI, and on-line private compute. They say this is for privacy but, IMO, it may also be because on-device requires more memory and power. From what I’ve read Google Nano, their smallest model, can barely run in 12 GB of ram. And some android makers are already offering 16 - 24GB models.

Which one? The No Such Agency in the US or the National Sheep Association in the UK? :grin:
I have a wonderful picture of our trip to the Royal Welsh show standing under the HUGE NSA banner.

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LOL. The organization headquartered at Ft. Meade, Maryland.

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I keep meaning to draw a cartoon about the UK PM and the UK NSA including flocks of sheep descending on London (similar to the tractors that went in protesting farm policies) with a number of sheep, later corrected by the other NSA with a completely accurate number of sheep :wink: I haven’t yet been able to draw it very well though.

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I did try with one for writing. I never used it actually. I bricked it eventually, I am not sure how or even why now.

One of the issues you find straight away, is the you will need to hook up to take updates. You think you don’t need to but you will. I don’t quite remember the exact reasons but you always need some tweaks. I found I was always needing a connection though. For example I write a lot using DEVONthink 3 where I keep papers. Well I need new papers in there sometimes and there was friction between the two modes on two computers. It was never feeling comfortable. I was suprised, it isn’t like using a typewriter like some folk do. I just had two computers on most of the time which defeated the object.

I miss the Royal Welsh. Whatever can you load Linux onto an old Mac then and get it to work off line? I did go offline with one old machine, as I say elsewhere but it didn’t work really.

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