Author | Lightnews

Contrarywise

Contrarywise

@iamcontrarywise.bsky.social

420 followers 270 following 1.7K posts

Retired teacher, father, husband, traveller, photographer, cook, gardener, camper, hiker, paddler, techie. Travel photos are my own, unless credited.

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Contrarywise @iamcontrarywise.bsky.social · 10h

5 pitfalls of dual-booting Windows and Linux that I wasn’t prepared for share.google/I4RVQreAd2Df...
#tech #Windows #Linux #tips

5 pitfalls of dual-booting Windows and Linux that I wasn’t prepared for

Running both has clear pros, but I wasn't ready for these cons

Contrarywise @iamcontrarywise.bsky.social · 10h

I switched from Photoshop to GIMP, but this free tool is better than both of them share.google/UGkxVbkbVRpz...
#Photoshop #GIMP #Krita
#photo-editing

I switched from Photoshop to GIMP, but this free tool is better than both of them

GIMP was promising, until I started using this tool

Contrarywise @iamcontrarywise.bsky.social · 10h

French Onion Beef Stew Recipe (So Tender) | The Kitchn share.google/TFYYO39cjFGs...
#food #recipes #stews

My Family Says This Beef Stew Is the “Most Delicious” Dinner I’ve Made All Year

The gooey cheese topping is incredible.

Contrarywise @iamcontrarywise.bsky.social · 13h

I tried Arch Linux as an ex-Windows fanboy share.google/1AAFs2TOruyr...
#tech #Linux #distros

I tried Arch Linux as an ex-Windows fanboy

Exploring the wild unknown, one pacman command at a time.

Contrarywise @iamcontrarywise.bsky.social · 1d

The end of Windows 10 has been a boon for one particular Linux distro - and I'm not surprised | ZDNET share.google/2MpUKeLWaqiv...
#tech #Linux #distros

The end of Windows 10 has been a boon for one particular Linux distro - and I'm not surprised

Windows 10 users are trying the open-source operating system, thanks to the end of support, but one distribution is really enjoying a rise in downloads.

Contrarywise @iamcontrarywise.bsky.social · 1d

I found the new Asmi Linux fast and fun to use - if you're not afraid of a little setup work | ZDNET share.google/LO5DAofiiACI...
#tech #Linux #distros

I found the new Asmi Linux fast and fun to use - if you're not afraid of a little setup work

Xfce is a unique desktop environment that offers serious flexibility and speed. Asmi Linux takes advantage of that to create a Linux distribution that, in theory, should work for anyone.

Contrarywise @iamcontrarywise.bsky.social · 2d

5 free Linux distros built for speed and power - and your new PC | ZDNET share.google/52ngnuEQI0Vr...
#tech #Linux #distros

5 free Linux distros built for speed and power - and your new PC

Linux isn't just for older, sluggish hardware. These distros shine on new PCs too.

Contrarywise @iamcontrarywise.bsky.social · 2d

I discovered this one Linux feature and it makes Windows look embarrassing share.google/AhDQ3x6OqX2J...
#tech #Windows #Linux

I discovered this one Linux feature and it makes Windows look embarrassing

The open-source community won my heart this time.

Contrarywise @iamcontrarywise.bsky.social · 3d

fstoppers.com/macro-photog...
#photography #tips #education

The Secret to Photographing Fungi: It’s All About Focus

Every year when autumn arrives and the woodlands start to transform, I find myself turning my attention away from the sweeping landscapes and down to the forest floor. The change feels fitting — liter...

Contrarywise @iamcontrarywise.bsky.social · 3d

fstoppers.com/landscapes/o...
#photography #tips #education #landscape

This One Simple Habit Improved My Photography More Than Any New Gear

Some people might totally disagree with me on this one. Many photographers will say that upgrading your equipment, traveling farther, or chasing the perfect light is what pushes your work forward. I d...

Contrarywise @iamcontrarywise.bsky.social · 3d

This browser-based open-source tool covers every image editing need I have share.google/csmTEJ94PZK9...
#image-editing
#photography

This browser-based open-source tool covers every image editing need I have

Browser-based editing done right

Contrarywise @iamcontrarywise.bsky.social · 3d

You can benefit from Linux, even if you keep using Windows share.google/N3QK26HLBwMT...
#tech #Linux #Windows

You can benefit from Linux, even if you keep using Windows

Linux is bigger than you think

Contrarywise @iamcontrarywise.bsky.social · 3d

Europe's plan to ditch US tech giants is built on open source - and it's gaining steam | ZDNET share.google/H0j9XWmjnmY3...
#tech #Europe

Europe's plan to ditch US tech giants is built on open source - and it's gaining steam

One topic dominated the recent 2025 OpenInfra Summit Europe, and it wasn't AI.

Contrarywise @iamcontrarywise.bsky.social · 4d

I used Linux exclusively for five months instead of Windows, and I was surprised by what I didn't miss share.google/XEkzijJ7XeYM...
#tech #Linux #Windows

I used Linux exclusively for five months instead of Windows, and I was surprised by what I didn't miss

It turns out I wasn't as married to Windows as I thought.

Contrarywise @iamcontrarywise.bsky.social · 4d

I Wish I'd Discovered This Ultra-Simple File Server a Long Time Ago share.google/u8pfQclPxFTL...
#tech #file-server #FOSS

I Wish I'd Discovered This Ultra-Simple File Server a Long Time Ago

Who knew file servers could be this easy?

Contrarywise @iamcontrarywise.bsky.social · 7d

I found an off-grid open source VPN, and it's amazing share.google/QcLIr3nyHFvX...
#tech #VPN #Linux #networking

I found an off-grid open source VPN, and it's amazing

What if setting up your software was the hardest part of networking?

Contrarywise @iamcontrarywise.bsky.social · 7d

5 reasons why Linux beginners should be using Flatpak share.google/iu8YIeRdPilg...
#tech #Linux #Flatpak

5 reasons why Linux beginners should be using Flatpak

App management on Linux can be confusing for new users, and Flatpak simplifies it.

Contrarywise @iamcontrarywise.bsky.social · 8d

This open-source Photoshop rival is better than it has any right to be share.google/cDEMAAruHOtT...
#photo-editing #FOSS #Krita

This open-source Photoshop rival is better than it has any right to be

I didn’t expect much from a free Photoshop alternative—but Krita seriously overdelivers.

Contrarywise @iamcontrarywise.bsky.social · 8d

This new Flatpak app store should be installed by default on every Linux distro | ZDNET share.google/TSgarlKZg74E...
#tech #Linux #Flatpak

This new Flatpak app store should be installed by default on every Linux distro

If you use Flatpak apps on Linux, do yourself a favor and install Bazaar to make your app management life a bit easier.

Contrarywise @iamcontrarywise.bsky.social · 8d

4 things that make your transition from Windows to Linux easier share.google/JdyBizn0ScIl...
#tech #Linux #Windows #tips

4 things that make your transition from Windows to Linux easier

It's not easy, but it is fun.

Contrarywise @iamcontrarywise.bsky.social · 8d

I finally started using Pairdrop and I should have sooner share.google/LsFyY656S9TF...
#tech #cross-platform #sharing

I finally started using Pairdrop and I should have sooner

Free, fast file sharing I should have used yesterday

Contrarywise @iamcontrarywise.bsky.social · 8d

Immutable Linux delivers serious security - here are your 5 best options | ZDNET share.google/ziP4J7WcYu7L...
#tech #Linux #immutability

Immutable Linux delivers serious security - here are your 5 best options

With an immutable distribution, you never have to worry about an upgrade breaking things. These are my favorite immutable Linux distros.

Contrarywise @iamcontrarywise.bsky.social · 9d

fstoppers.com/landscapes/s...
#photography #landscapes #lens #tips

The Secret to Choosing the Right Lens for Landscape Photography

Landscape photography often brings a big questions: what focal length to use. This choice shapes how a scene feels: its depth, focus, and emotion. Picking the right lens isn’t about numbers on a barre...

Contrarywise @iamcontrarywise.bsky.social · 9d

www.thekitchn.com/gochujang-ca...
#food #recipes #pasta #fusion

This 4-Ingredient Flavorful Pasta Recipe Is My New Favorite Easy Dinner (the Secret Ingredient Is Probably in Your Fridge)

I can't stop making it.

www.thekitchn.com

Contrarywise @iamcontrarywise.bsky.social · 10d

German state replaces Microsoft Exchange and Outlook with open-source email | ZDNET share.google/nm2yORLNP7cV...
#tech #Microsoft #FOSS

German state replaces Microsoft Exchange and Outlook with open-source email

Digital sovereignty isn't a phrase you often hear in the US, but it's a big deal in Europe. Here's why.