The IT Blog

How to reduce AdTracking with Fritz!Box filter lists for mobile devices

Problem: I am using Pi-Hole on my network to block quite a few ADs and trackers. However, the blocking does not work reliably on Android devices on our WiFi (This thread suggests that this also concerns Apple devices – but we don’t have any at home, though).

I noticed this when I was researching some cycling products and my wife suddenly started getting cycling ADs in her Facebook stream on her tablet. We don’t share devices or accounts or anything – but we do share the same network and therefore the IP of our router.
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9. January 2025
Avoid commercial (WordPress) Plugins that require annual licences

One reason to stay away from commercial Plugins is that you might be f**ed when they raise prices:

Years ago, I chose the Before-After-Slider from Themefic (like here: https://www.franzgraf.de/blog/2024/discovering-the-bosensteiner-almpfad/ ).

Back then for 19$ / year.
Now we are at 39$ / year.

Yes, the plugin now can do more – more stuff that I simply do not need. Well … Don’t get me wrong: I’m totally fine to pay for some service – but doubling the price for stuff that I just don’t need.

30. December 2024
How to remove “AMD Software Adrenalin Edition” from Context Menu in Windows 11

Problem: After installing the AMD Adrenalin Software, a new entry appeared in the Explorer Context Menu. What I find super annoying is that it dows nothing else than opening the Adrenalin Software. There is no Context at all. So: get rid of it.
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29. December 2024
How to fix: Logitech Pebble Keys 2 K380s does not pair with Bluetooth

Problem: I bought a new wireless Logitech Pebble Keys 2 K380s Keyboard but it refused to connect to the PC. Unfortunately, I do not (yet) own a Logitech Bolt, so I wanted / needed to connect via Bluetooth. With the Phone it was able to connect.
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22. December 2024
How to fix slow network speed with Windows 11 to local NAS via Samba / SMB Share

Problem: I replaced my Windows 10 computer with a new Windows 11 one. On W10 I usually see a throughput to my Synology NAS of close to 1 Gbit/sec. On W11 the throughput was ways slower: I only got ~300 Mbit/sec when copying to/from the Samba Share.
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21. December 2024
Commander, Leader, Manager – What’s your Style?

To be honest, I have never really given much thought to defining leadership styles. Over the years, I’ve seen a number of styles that I liked, disliked, admired, and some that I loathed.

Recently, I worked on a project with a person whose approach felt very different from what I was used to. It really stood out and got me thinking about the different leadership styles I’ve seen over the years.
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9. December 2024
Decentralization of BlueSky

Bkuesky has gained quite some traction in the last couple of months. One of the key features that is often named pro BlueSky is the idea of decentralization.

In the recent episode of the “Haken dran” Podcast, a study was mentioned that does a deep dive into the technical details. The article is this one: How decentralized is Bluesky really? — Dustycloud Brainstorms, a german “version” was named as well: Deep Dive zu Bluesky – Teil 1: Die technische Sicht.

The essence is: Bluesky is not (yet?) decentralized. Well – I’m still sceptical. Money is coming from Venture Capital – and those companies usually want some Return-on-Invest. Well, let’s stay curious. – I’ll stay focused on Mastodon.

8. December 2024
How to Opt Out of Google’s Page Annotation on iOS

Google’s new Page Annotation feature for its iOS browser automatically changes your website and adds to Google Search results. These auto-added links are not marked as “added by Google” and thus make the links look like I added them myself.
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27. November 2024
Is it worth joining Mastodon?

These days I just hit the mark of 1500 followers on my photography account @hikingdude@mastodon.social on Mastodon.

That’s really – great, satisfying, surprising. Choose whatever you want. For an influencer on other platforms (the Entertainment media) this might not be a lot. But.. Wait…
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17. November 2024
Not Surprised TikTok Is Addictive? You Might Be Surprised By How Fast!

I don’t think anybody will be surprised to hear that social media can be addictive. Well, “fine” so far. But what did indeed surprise me was what I heard recently when I heard the c’t “Haken dran”-Podcast (german only).
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29. October 2024

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