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       Stardate: 20190409.2042
       Location: Home office
       Input Device: Gemini PDA
       Software: Userland + LXTerminal + nano
       Audio: Household sounds, wind
       Visual: Mostly cleaned up desk area.
       Energy: 40%
       Mental: 40%
       Emotional: Tired, content.  
       
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       I had written previously about using UserLAnd (Use 
       Linux Anywhere)[1]...probably on Mastodon...I can't seem to 
       find it on my phlog.  Anyhow, I had installed Userland from 
       F-Droid instead of multibooting the Gemini PDA since I use my 
       device everyday and don't have time to explore.  So UserLAnd 
       seemed like a good alternative.  You can basically run linux 
       distributions from Android without rooting your device.  I 
       think it puts the distro in a jail of some sort.  I first 
       learned about this from Linux Journal and various articles on 
       the Intarwebz.  
       
       So far, my experience with it seems pretty good, although I 
       haven't done too much with it.  I did install Debian, lxde, 
       and Firefox ESR.  I can also access it via ssh, vnc, or 
       remote X session, but it is usually via USB over ethernet to 
       my laptop or workstation.  Full desktop is too small on the 
       Gemini's built in display, but could be usable if connected 
       to a larger monitor.  I should try connecting it to my 
       wireless monitor some time.  It's kinda neat having a 
       portable debian desktop environment again.  I had previously 
       done that with the N900, but it was a bit slow so I mostly 
       connected to it via ssh over USB over ethernet.  Nice thing 
       about USB over ethernet is that I charge my battery while 
       it is tethered to my workstation.
       
       Awhile ago, I got this 5th gen Fire tablet for cheap.  I 
       mostly used it for media consumption and thought that was all 
       it was good for.  Over the weekend, I was reading a comic on 
       the device and wondered if I could put UserLAnd on 
       it...success!  I was able to install F-Droid, UserLAnd, and 
       then Debian + lxde.  Now I can do something with more 
       better fun on Fire, w00t!  Maybe I'll try Kali next since 
       they have that distro available, as well as Ubuntu, 
       Archlinux, and Alpine.  If I go the Kali route, maybe I 
       should put it in one of those kid-proof bumper cases.  Hax0r 
       dar pl4n3+z, w0rd! 
       
       It's really nice to have an option like UserLAnd, along with 
       the ease of installation without having to wipe out my 
       device.  I have spent much time in the past doing stuff like 
       flashing custom firmware or trying to root various devices 
       (not just android.)  I learned quite a bit in doing those 
       things.  It just amazes me how far things have come along and 
       how developers have made doing things like this so accessible 
       to end users like me.  I don't have as much time to do deep 
       dives with devices like I did before, especially with my job, 
       my family, my commitments.  Tools like this just make it so 
       much easier to get going.  So far very promising!
       
 (HTM) [1] UserLAnd home page
       
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