I'm switching to a dumbphone this summer
Yes. Really. A dumbphone. All summer.
Latest
Writerdeck: FAQ
Folks have been asking me questions about my writerdeck setup. Here, I attempt to answer them.
It's time to talk about my writerdeck
tldr: * I installed console-only Debian on an old laptop (no desktop OS at all) * I added some packages to make it work better for writing: * network-manager for connecting to hotspots while I'm away * kmscon for custom fonts and more than 16 colors in the tty * tmux
Living with GrapheneOS: FAQ
Over the last three years I've had a lot of folks ask me questions about using GrapheneOS. Let's answer them!
Upcoming performance + quick housekeeping note
I will be at VCF SoCal this Saturday, February 14, 2026, in Orange, CA, US!
Wait, veronicaexplains.net?
My website is now using Ghost instead of WordPress, and that means you can get me in your inbox. Everyone loves emails, right?
Responding to comments on "I stream nothing..."
Responding to comments from my latest video, which is about streaming platforms and how I (don't) use them.
How I use Handbrake in 2025
Here's how I'm currently setting up Handbrake to shrink down movies and TV shows in my collection.
Everyday rsync
A blog post about using (and appreciating) rsync.
Fixing my own mistakes: renaming a volume group
Using vgrename to rename a volume group is a piece of cake. Here's an unnecessarily long blog post about it.
Installing helpful Cockpit modules from 45Drives
45Drives makes neat modules to help manage Linux servers. Including those you don't buy from 45Drives.
How I set up VimWiki for notetaking
I'm a monster who writes her notes in the terminal. Here's how.
tutorials
Clonezilla 101: creating disk images
Clonezilla is a great way to create disk images and clone disks from one device to the next. Here's how I use it.
the comments
Removed ActivityPub from vkc.sh
Disconnecting vkc.sh from ActivityPub. tldr; comment moderation is just too much hassle.
the comments
RIP guestbook
I took my 90s-era guestbook down today. Here's why. (It's the comments, that's why.)
social media
Predictably, I've returned to Mastodon
Because of course I did. There's no room for nuance in my life! Silly me. :P
What I'm Watching
Jeff Geerling: eclipse experience
Jeff Geerling made a great video about the recent solar eclipse!
music
Reacting to comments: iPods are good, actually
Responding to some comments about my recent iPod repair video.
personal updates
I've turned on ActivityPub on this blog.
(This is an ancient post about WordPress' ActivityPub integration, it's only left up here in case the information proves useful)
accessibility
Speech recognition and automatic captioning on the Kdenlive Flatpak
Kdenlive has a great subtitle and speech recognition feature, but it can be a pain to set it up when using Flatpak.
tech and culture
I quit search engines for three months.
Yup. Here's what I learned about myself.
tech and culture
YouTube's bad "AI disclosure" policy
YouTube implemented a new AI disclosure policy. I think it's bad.
personal updates
It's not you. It's me. (Taking a break from Mastodon)
I'm walking away from Mastodon for a bit. Here's why.
tech and culture
Linux on a Chromebook, but interesting-er
Search engines are bad at showing you neat ways to install Linux on a Chromebook. Chrultrabook is my favorite way to do it!