Post #1170153

2026-04-12 07:39 UTC

Trying to figure out how to love computing (and tech) again, at least in the way I used to be passionate about it. I&#39;m finding #permacomputing was the thing that used to always hit so close to my heart, part of it just felt right somehow. But I never was able to find the kind of community I&#39;m looking for, I&#39;ve been to build clubs and hackerspaces and such, but they never felt like permacomputing spaces, instead they focused on the easiest way to get any project done, rather than trying to be the most effective in materials and power usage. Wondering if anymany else has had this experience, and if they found knowledgable communities they could learn from. I know that there is a group on the fediverse connected to permacomputing, but it&#39;s more a format to occasionally see interesting things, rather than be able to effectively ask for tips with projects.

Replies (1)

@a2b2c2@todon.eu 2026-04-12 07:46

Like, currently I don't even know where to start. I have a project idea of a DIY weather station which would be repairable and designed to last, but even on the basics of compute, and especially communications I am stuck. My mind just goes to using an ESP32 at first, but I know they have closed source firmware, and I don't own one, and they are relatively expensive because they make the development experience smooth. I do have an old graphing calulator I imagine I could have fun rooting or sideloading code to, but it has no networking, maybe I could integrate LoRa stuff with it somehow... but given I don't have anything LoRa on hand or any idea how to integrate it with said calculator yet, maybe an ESP32 would be better, as I'd have to buy LoRa components anyhow. Let alone I am sure the ESP32 would be more efficent than powering the calculator ^^". It's just so many options, and idk what the pitfalls and things to be careful of are.

Open ##2360530