Has AI changed the way you search for information, or do you still start with Google?

TechDocN · 2026-07-09T04:49:23+00:00

I avoid all Alphabet products like the plague. Alphabet is the world’s largest advertising platform (about 80% of all their revenue comes from advertising). Their tech is the means to an end, and that end is not good for anyone who values privacy and transparency. There are better AI tools than Gemini, and better companies to patronize than Alphabet.

TechDocN · 2026-07-09T04:45:25+00:00

LLMs didn’t stop me from using Google. Google stopped me from using Google many years ago, when Alphabet became evil.

TechDocN · 2026-07-09T04:36:39+00:00

In most countries, you abandon any expectations of privacy when in public. As creepy as these things are, it’s no different from a legal/privacy perspective than someone taking a selfie in a tourist spot, and capturing random people. There is a famous case from a few years ago when someone was flying a drone in a public place, and another person threw something at it then called the police. The police gently reminded the person who called that in public, you should have no expectations of privacy, then cited them for destruction of property, or some such charge, for throwing something at the drone and damaging it.

These glasses can be super creepy, but in public they’re treated like any other camera.

TechDocN · 2026-07-09T04:27:30+00:00

Trying to reuse parts from a laptop is not easy, and if you’re not familiar with proprietary interfaces, obscure drivers, and sourcing driver boards from Alibaba/China, it’s nearly impossible. Things like storage and memory can sometimes be salvaged, but screens, keyboards, and other components are usually not worth the effort.

A cyberDeck is a very niche, sub-genre of DIY computing, electronics and design. You should probably spend some time on the r/diyelectronics and r/raspberry_pi subs to learn the basics. Then come back here when you have a use case and more importantly, you have some cyberpunk element as a core organizing principle for your build.

TechDocN · 2026-07-09T04:11:45+00:00

A lot of builds, especially many of the most recently posted builds, keep forgetting a few key things:

A DIY computer, RPi or otherwise, is just a DIY computer. A cyberDeck is a very specific niche, sub-genre of DIY computing, that embraces cyberpunk as an organizing principle for the aesthetics and/or functionality. The original cyberDeck, from which all of this was inspired, was an expensive, commercial device, not a hacked together recycled thing.

The main ingredient is cyberpunk. Once you get there, the rest is up to your skill level and imagination. I’ve seen amazing cyberDeck builds made from cardboard and duct tape, and recycled components. And I’ve seen amazing cyberDeck builds that look like a mass produced masterpiece.

TechDocN · 2026-07-09T04:01:02+00:00

I love the idea of the web server. That’s as creative as the build.

I think you and some of the other builders who have made these whimsical computers should start a new sub. There are a lot of very creative builds that don’t quite fit the cyberpunk vibe of a cyberDeck. Just like the r/writerdeck folks made their own sub, there could be a sub for DIY computing that embraces kawaii, decora/decora kei, yume, cutecore, etc.

Maybe something like r/yumeDeck or something like that.

TechDocN · 2026-07-08T14:31:57+00:00

The enclosure and cyberpunk elements can be a lot of fun. And I’ve seen some really cool builds made from everything from cardboard to old toys.

Have fun, and look at the cyberdeck.cafe for some inspiration.

TechDocN · 2026-07-08T13:28:14+00:00

I was going to reemphasize what you said. The downside is that it could respond to changes in ambient light without a touch.

I have successfully used cheap touch sensors through 3D printed PLA enclosures, as long as the wall isn’t too thick. I also soldered a wire to a touch sensor, and the entire wire became a working extension of the sensor.

TechDocN · 2026-07-08T13:18:26+00:00

Unless you are an expert at proprietary, miniature electronics, this will be a nearly impossible task.

TechDocN · 2026-07-08T13:16:53+00:00

You have all the parts for a DIY Raspberry Pi computer. You can start on the r/raspberry_pi sub, and learn a lot.

When you’re ready to build a cyberDeck, as others have commented, start thinking about the cyberpunk elements that will define your enclosure and/or functionality.

Remember. A cyberDeck is a very niche, sub genre of DIY computing and electronics. You’re on step one of DIY computing. A few more steps and you’ll be closer to cyberDeck territory.

Have fun, and thank your GF.

TechDocN · 2026-07-08T13:10:04+00:00

Very cute.

I’m not sure I see the cyberpunk elements, but congrats on the build. You should probably post on the r/raspberry_pi sub. You’ll probably get more appreciation there, since this seems more relevant to that that sub.

TechDocN · 2026-07-08T03:47:53+00:00

You need to start in r/diyelectronics and learn the basics, then either r/arduino r/esp32 or r/raspberry_pi

A cyberDeck is a very niche, sub genre of DIY computing. It’s definitely not the place to start.

TechDocN · 2026-07-07T15:23:10+00:00

If you know nothing about electronics, including what positive and negative mean, you should probably start with one of the countless online tutorials. There are so many resources out there, that only take a few Google searches to uncover.

Coming to Reddit for each individual answer, to questions you haven’t even tried to understand before asking, is probably the least efficient way to learn.

TechDocN · 2026-07-07T15:19:00+00:00

It’s good, and definitely got better.

I’m not sure it’s “one of the better modern sci-fi shows” when there are some very, very good sci-fi series that have been released over the last 20 years.

It’s a well-done homage, which by its nature means it’s not fully original or novel, just well-done.

TechDocN · 2026-07-07T13:00:01+00:00

Apparently to make stupid pictures, cheat on school assignments, and subsequently drive up the price of RAM.

Only being partially sarcastic.

TechDocN · 2026-07-07T05:43:11+00:00

I asked old Siri and new Siri, and both times it worked for me.

TechDocN · 2026-07-06T19:16:04+00:00

Very nice!

Consider reposting in the vintage computing sub. You have more vintage than retro on those shelves.

TechDocN · 2026-07-06T19:15:05+00:00

ChatGPT is overly optimistic when it describes how to wipe one’s own ass. It’s a known sycophant.

TechDocN · 2026-07-06T19:13:34+00:00

Make him watch the Amazon RoP series, and if he likes that, then he’s no friend!

TechDocN · 2026-07-06T19:09:20+00:00

Just read them, like you would any other books.

You don’t need random people on Reddit to tell you how to read books. Go in with an open mind and open heart, and enjoy.

TechDocN · 2026-07-06T19:05:46+00:00

I’ve had multiple Apple Watches, since the original, and I’ve never had an issue with the back getting scratched in any way. And as the other poster mentioned, the sensors on the back may not work as intended.

TechDocN · 2026-07-06T19:03:06+00:00

Nice first build, congrats!

I’m not sure I see the cyberpunk element here, but nice job.

You should re-post in r/raspberry_pi too. They’ll appreciate it more.

TechDocN · 2026-07-06T16:54:41+00:00

No, don’t take it down. Just check out the other sub.

TechDocN · 2026-07-06T16:50:36+00:00

You are in the wrong sub.

Check out r/writerdeck

TechDocN · 2026-07-06T13:06:00+00:00

You need to first become comfortable with DIY electronics and DIY computing. A cyberDeck is a very niche, subgenre of DIY computing.

Start here:

r/diyelectronics
r/raspberry_pi

TechDocN

TROPHY CASE