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Techrights Turns 16.5 Years Old and for the First Time I Can Devote 100% of My Time to It

I left my job in December, one month after Techrights had turned 16 (it was known as "BoycottNovell" at first). Yesterday the site turned 16.5 -- a fact that I only realised about an hour ago. Here's "whois":

BoycottNovell domain in 2023

Summary: Another small (or semi) milestone for us; it's an opportunity for reflection

The site started when I was 24. I was a student at the time. I had begun writing my thesis months earlier and I didn't feel eager to find a job in some centralised office. In 2007 I started working from home exclusively and that hasn't changed since. The working environment evolved and improved over the years. When working in front of a computer it's important to make things pleasant and last year I moved everything to a dedicated room, formerly the dining room. Here's what it looks like this morning (minutes ago; I've since then added a plant to the beige table on the left, as there's available space there).

Working 2023

The photo shows the 9 screens, 5 webcams, 4 mice, 3 large speakers (from 1994; they still work), 7 keyboards (two are external), and as of this morning (2 hours ago) there's a cactus-like pair of plants on the table that I took out yesterday (because it's getting warmer), the 16.5-year anniversary of Techrights.org. All these computers run GNU/Linux and they're not expensive at all (refurbished, old, low-budget). Each serves its set of purposes. The electric bill is 1.5 pounds per person per day (inclusive of everything, cooking as well) as these machines dim down while AFK and there's no GPU.

If 16.5 years from now the Web site does not exist it's likely it'll have already evolved for whatever comes after the Web, maybe something like Gemini or IPFS. We're flexible enough to handle change and budget isn't a problem because we are not a company.

Last year I started experimenting with a standing desk. With two soft carpets on the floor and ample space for weights it's possible to also exercise a bit while reading. It's like a form of therapy that is healthy not just for the body but also the mind. I'm stationed near the desk about 15 hours a day, on average.

Recent Techrights' Posts

Corporate Media: Blame the People Who Enter the Abandoned IBM Buildings, Not IBM for Abandoning Workers in Pursuit of IT Sweatshops
When the media spreads falsehoods stocks can go up (a lot higher), but at whose expense and how long for?
SUEPO Munich Report on the Recent EPO Demonstration and Rolling Strikes That Continue to Grow
"increasing registrations for the 'rolling strikes' running until autumn"
Gemini Links 11/07/2026: Old Computer challenge, Poems, Antenna, and More
Links for the day
 
Blogs May be Making a Comeback (They're Not Fediverse, They Are Joined by RSS Feeds)
Don't fake expansion where none existed
ChromeOS and GNU/Linux in the United Kingdom Reach 11%
the UK shows signs of digital maturity
Canonical is Selling Microsoft, It Pays The Register MS to Sell Microsoft
It's all about money to them. And they call this journalism.
When Red Hat's HR Becomes the Same as IBM's HR (Bluewashing)
Red Hat keeps sacking very experienced engineers and adding temporary interns
GNU/Linux Growing in East Asia
Assuming this is more or less accurate, we could use a plausible explanation
Over a Week After Microsoft Discontinued Some XBox Models It Apparently Exits Some Markets Altogether
We seem to be witnessing the end of XBox
Links 11/07/2026: "Trademark wars of Influencer Culture", Xinuos Uses Copyrights Versus UNIX
Links for the day
North America: GNU/Linux Measured at 10%
To better understand what contributes to the gains
Following Corrections and Adjustments statCounter Sees GNU/Linux at 7.1%, an All-Time High
There is a lot of layoffs at Microsoft this month
Over at Tux Machines...
GNU/Linux news for the past day
IRC Proceedings: Friday, July 10, 2026
IRC logs for Friday, July 10, 2026
Links 11/07/2026: Wednesday-Saturday News Catch-up
Links for the day
Prioritising High-Importance News
In order to fully catch up with news we'll not publish many new articles until next week
The Register MS: "AI" More Than 80 Times in One Article. But It's Not an Article, It's Sponsored Keyword-stuffed Page.
The Register MS is being paid to actively promoted this scheme
Over at Tux Machines...
GNU/Linux news for the past day
IRC Proceedings: Thursday, July 09, 2026
IRC logs for Thursday, July 09, 2026
Over at Tux Machines...
GNU/Linux news for the past day
IRC Proceedings: Wednesday, July 08, 2026
IRC logs for Wednesday, July 08, 2026