I’ve been thinking about leaving Facebook for a while. Not only because the AfD chatter here is getting louder, but also because Meta is censoring a lot of content that apparently doesn’t fit into their concept.
Education regarding data protection and privacy is not welcome here, or pointing out any data leaks.
So I wanted to share today a video from the 38c3 of the Chaos Computer Club
about a data leak at Volkswagen, but I was shown an error message and they promise to fix the problem as soon as possible.
A message I’ve been receiving lately for many things I want to post on Facebook. Images can’t be uploaded or only partially, and posts on certain topics are deleted with the reason that one would want to generate likes and followers in a misleading way.
Well, regardless. Here is the video linked, and I also have no problem with it in the Fediverse .
For the year 2025, I have long-term plans to run my own platform in the Fediverse. I don’t know yet how it will look exactly, but the trends are moving towards a participatory platform.
Looking Back
The year 2024 wasn’t very eventful for the content of this blog. Yes, the IAA was this year, and I, who was usually there, wasn’t there this year. I seem to have missed nothing.
Since the beginning of the year, a photovoltaic installation is also operating on the roof of our house, so our electricity needs are met by self-generated and consumed energy to 85%. I’m not opposed to an electric car, but as long as our two diesel cars can still pass the TÜV, no new car will be bought.
Unfortunately, I also lost a very good and long-term friend this year through a truck accident. The loss still hurts, but I have the hope of seeing him again when my time comes.
Otherwise, it was about dealing with misinformation spread by some self-proclaimed driver representatives. That not everyone is reached, of course, but that’s how it was.
And also this year, the constant complaining about how bad this job is paid and how we are treated etc. didn’t miss. But as the saying goes: Everyone is the master of their own fate!
In that sense: If you’re not willing to work with others to bring about change, then you shouldn’t complain either if everyone sees themselves as the best negotiator regarding labor contracts and the end result is not what was desired.
But as often as in this year, the trade unions were to blame, as well as the politics, which can’t get anything done. So everything stays the same. Always the others are to blame, never oneself. Or to put it in a farmer’s proverb: If the farmer can’t swim, it’s the bathing suit’s fault.
Unfortunately, there was also the shooting at the Magdeburger Christmas market at the end of the year, where 5 people died, including a 9-year-old child, over 200 people were seriously injured, and it was all because a madman didn’t recognize his mental problems and seek help. That’s also my stance on this topic. I don’t need to politicize it like certain people or parties.
New Topic Area in the Blog
Yes, there is also one since this year. Tutorials in the area of Linux. Some may not like this at first, but I’m continuing this blog not to please others, but because I want to share my thoughts on various topics with the public, more or less unintentionally.
The new topic area comes mainly from the fact that I have now realized my dream of a Google-fied Android smartphone this year and have gotten closer to protecting my data and, especially, my digital privacy. Because even in 2024 and in the coming years, my data belongs to me, and I decide where to share it. Therefore, I will also continue to look for ways to keep my data for myself in 2025. And yes, I know that it doesn’t always work perfectly. But that doesn’t mean we should stop trying.
Also, I’ve reduced the collection of data, such as IP addresses, cookie setting, etc., to zero on this site. Therefore, many people have not seen a cookie banner for a while now.
Similarly, every request regarding linking, guest contributions, etc., gets a rejection. But even here, some people don’t really understand it.
Oh, and the comment section is missing from all my posts now. So if someone wants to share their thoughts on an article, they can do so via email. We can also do this via encrypted S/MIME emails.
What’s Coming Next Year?
First, one should not forget that from December 31, 2024, a new regulation regarding the driver’s card will take effect. Because from Tuesday, it’s no longer just the last 28 days that need to be proven, but 56 days. That means the control officers can check the last 56 days plus one day.
So if you’re still on a tachograph, you should check the tachograph from November again. Also any made prints, other relevant documents.
Oh, and the minimum wage is increasing to 12.82 €/hour. So if someone starts complaining again: You’re so good at self-negotiation.
That’s about the changes in the transport sector. There are more, but I don’t want to list them all.
Here in the blog, nothing will change. As I already wrote, I will continue to run this blog only for fun in 2025.
Leaving Facebook will happen. Eventually. I really don’t have the energy anymore to constantly search for formulations just so my posts can be published, only because the wording doesn’t fit Zuckerbergs reality. So eventually, my pages on FB will be gone.
Otherwise, I wish everyone, whether you can stand me or not, a good start into the year 2025. Stay healthy, keep your wheels on the road.
