Paying for things is out, using the library is in. Also, have you heard about tool libraries? Depending on where you live, you might be able to borrow tools instead of buying them.

The former prime minister said the News Corporation chief executive made it clear at a dinner in February 1997 that his newspapers would not come out for him at the forthcoming general election without this change.

Sir John said he was advised before the election that he “ought to try to make some effort to get closer to the Murdoch press and I agreed that I would write Mr Murdoch to dinner”.

He added: “In the dinner it became apparent in discussion that Mr Murdoch said that he really didn’t like our European policies… and he wished me to change our European policies".

“If we couldn’t change our European policies, his papers could not and would not support the Conservative government. There was no question of me changing our policies.”

He said: “My feeling was that what he was edging towards was a referendum on leaving the European Union. I made it pretty clear we were not going to change our European policies.

“It is not very often someone sits in front of a prime minister and says, ‘I would like you to change your policy and if you do not change your policy our organisation cannot support you’.”

https://www.channel4.com/news/major-denies-sun-editor-abused-him-after-black-wednesday

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/former-uk-prime-minister-john-major-says-rupert-murdoch-tried-to-change-government-policy/

https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2012/06/12/154851445/former-british-pm-john-major-says-murdoch-tried-to-influence-policy

Why YSK: If you use a VPN, (which you likely have at some point) you have probably encountered this:

really annoying! Today I had enough and googled a way around it.

Here's the instance that i used today as an example:
https://redlib.ducks.party/

github repo for more information & other instances:
https://github.com/redlib-org/redlib

It's not possible to interact with any of the information like replying or upvoting, but for simply getting a niche question answered it's pretty helpful.

Not fully related, but I would only recommend it for information that isn't on lemmy, it's best to try to move content over to here if possible.
I kinda want to make some communities for stuff I have to use reddit for, but I mainly use Voyager (mobile) which doesn't have all the options to operate a server and I wouldn't want to get in trouble if I fail to moderate it properly or something. Also I have no experience.

Many people might already be knowing this, for example people who use custom keyboard layouts, or people using different keyboard layouts, other than US, which most manufacturers and operating system and desktop environmnets use as default.

Most of my applications use vi like bindings, so pressing shift + ; to get : was a bit annoying, and so i was trying to find a way to swap them, and while doing so, I added most of greek alphabet, makes my technical writing a bit more easier (instead of doing $alpha$, I can do alt + a to get $α$), If you use TeX, then you can use #XeTeX to enter unicode, I use Typst, so I can directly use them, and they are used appropriately in text and equation mode. This also is helpful if your notes system does not have some math mode rendering (like plain markdown, without any katex).

If you are multilingual, but don't write much in the other language, this approach works well, if you write comparable amount in both languages, then you should consider setting a keyboard shortcut in you DE/WM config to switch the keyboard layouts

The following procedure is linux specific (or maybe other posix systems too, if they use xkb to manage keyboard stuff (this also works on wayland)), but I am sure windows and macos will have something similar (though i have not bothered to check for it, sorry for that). This does not work as a daemon sitting in between, this is using the standard way to modiify keyboard layout.

You can start by making a file like the following, and you can start with /usr/share/X11/xkb/symbols/us (or the base language of your choice, for most european language layouts, base is /usr/share/X11/xkb/symbols/latin). You have to save it in the /usr/share/X11/xkb/symbols/ directory (in my case, my original file is in config dir, and I have symlinked it to /usr/share/X11/xkb/symbols/us-custom). For list of valid symbols (most of unicode, the thing we want is the correct names) please refer /usr/include/X11/keysymdef.h. You can choose what modifier you want to use with include "level3(ralt_switch)" - I am using right alt as the third modifier, so to get the third layer, I go alt + <key>, for 4th layer, mod3 + shift + <key>. Then you can set to use this custom symbol map in your DE/WM config, in my case I have added xkb_layout "us-custom" in my sway config (for input keyboard).

// parent system is US, with a lot of greek sybols appended, and some more
// ; -> :, : -> ; - mostly for vim modes (easier to do : now)
default partial alphanumeric_keys modifier_keys
xkb_symbols "basic" {
    name[Group1]= "English US - Custom"; 
    include "level3(ralt_switch)"

    key <TLDE> {[ grave, asciitilde ]};
    key <AE01> {[ 1, exclam, exclamdown ]};
    key <AE02> {[ 2, at ]};
    key <AE03> {[ 3, numbersign, Greek_pi ]};
    key <AE04> {[ 4, dollar, trademark ]};
    key <AE05> {[ 5, percent ]};
    key <AE06> {[ 6, asciicircum ]};
    key <AE07> {[ 7, ampersand ]};
    key <AE08> {[ 8, asterisk, Greek_PI ]};
    key <AE09> {[ 9, parenleft ]};
    key <AE10> {[ 0, parenright, degree, schwa ]};
    key <AE11> {[ minus, underscore ]};
    key <AE12> {[ equal, plus, plusminus ]};

    key <AD01> {[ q, Q ]};
    key <AD02> {[ w, W ]};
    key <AD03> {[ e, E, Greek_epsilon, eacute ]};
    key <AD04> {[ r, R, Greek_rho ]};
    key <AD05> {[ t, T, Greek_theta, Greek_tau ]};
    key <AD06> {[ y, Y ]};
    key <AD07> {[ u, U ]};
    key <AD08> {[ i, I, integral ]};
    key <AD09> {[ o, O, Greek_omega, Greek_OMEGA ]};
    key <AD10> {[ p, P, Greek_phi, Greek_psi ]};
    key <AD11> {[ bracketleft, braceleft ]};
    key <AD12> {[ bracketright, braceright ]};

    key <AC01> {[ a, A, Greek_alpha, ae ]};
    key <AC02> {[ s, S, Greek_sigma, Greek_SIGMA ]};
    key <AC03> {[ d, D, Greek_delta, Greek_DELTA ]};
    key <AC04> {[ f, F ]};
    key <AC05> {[ g, G, Greek_gamma, Greek_GAMMA ]};
    key <AC06> {[ h, H, Greek_eta ]};
    key <AC07> {[ j, J ]};
    key <AC08> {[ k, K, Greek_kappa ]};
    key <AC09> {[ l, L, Greek_lambda, Greek_LAMBDA ]};
    key <AC10> {[ colon, semicolon ]};
    key <AC11> {[ apostrophe, quotedbl ]};
    key <BKSL> {[ backslash, bar ]};

    key <AB01> {[ z, Z, Greek_zeta ]};
    key <AB02> {[ x, X, Greek_xi, Greek_XI ]};
    key <AB03> {[ c, C, Greek_chi ]};
    key <AB04> {[ v, V ]};
    key <AB05> {[ b, B, Greek_beta ]};
    key <AB06> {[ n, N, Greek_nu, ntilde ]};
    key <AB07> {[ m, M, mu ]};
    key <AB08> {[ comma, less ]};
    key <AB09> {[ period, greater ]};
    key <AB10> {[ slash, question, questiondown ]};
};

Very simple, from the source:

Lemmy Universal Link Switcher, or LULs for short, scans all links on all websites, and if any link points to a Lemmy instance that is not your main/home instance, it rewrites the link so that it instead points to your main instance.

In essence, any Lemmy link you come across is automatically redirected to your home instance. It's also easy to customise, you can add/remove instances and prevent it from working on particular sites (or force it to only work on sites you wish).

Can be installed with Tampermonkey or ViolentMonkey (or similar tools).

note: this may also work just fine on mobile browsers that support extensions (and would likely help direct your browser to opening your lemmy app - if you have one - more often), but I haven't tested this.

Lemmy's default sort is "Active", which means that the most active threads will stay at the top of the frontpage, which can make the same few threads stay for ages. It does give the impression that lemmy is more active though.

On ublock origin (full version, not lite), click on the settings icon:

Then go to "Filter Lists" and enable both of the "Cookie Notices" options:

##Introduction

Lithium batteries are widely used in electric vehicles (EVs), renewable energy storage, and consumer electronics due to their high energy density, long lifespan, and efficiency. Their production involves a complex and highly controlled process to ensure safety and performance. From raw material extraction to the final battery pack assembly, each stage plays a crucial role in determining the quality and sustainability of lithium battery. This article provides a streamlined analysis of the entire manufacturing process, highlighting key materials, steps, and emerging innovations.

##Raw Materials in Lithium Battery Manufacturing

The core components of lithium batteries include the cathode, anode, electrolyte, separator, and current collectors. Cathode materials such as lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide (NMC), lithium iron phosphate (LFP), and lithium cobalt oxide (LCO) influence battery performance, energy density, and cost. Graphite remains the dominant anode material, though silicon and lithium-metal alternatives are gaining attention for their superior capacity. Electrolytes, typically lithium hexafluorophosphate (LiPF6) dissolved in organic solvents, enable ion movement, while polymer separators prevent short circuits. The entire system is supported by copper and aluminum current collectors, which facilitate efficient electrical conductivity.

##Lithium Ion Battery Manufacturing Process

Electrode Preparation, Cell Assembly, and Formation

Manufacturing begins with electrode preparation, where active materials are mixed with binders and conductive additives to form a slurry. This mixture is coated onto metal foils and dried before undergoing calendering, which compresses the material to optimize density and electrical properties. Next, the cell assembly stage involves cutting electrodes to precise sizes, stacking them with separators, and injecting the electrolyte. Once sealed, the cell moves to the formation process, where it is charged for the first time to develop a stable solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) layer, a critical factor in battery longevity.

##Battery Pack Assembly and Quality Testing

Once individual cells are ready, they are combined into modules and packs. A battery management system (BMS) is integrated to monitor temperature, voltage, and charging cycles, ensuring safe operation. The final battery pack undergoes rigorous quality testing, including cycle life evaluations, leakage detection, and thermal stability assessments.

Challenges and Innovations in Lithium Battery Manufacturing

Advancements in lithium ion battery technology are addressing key challenges such as environmental impact, cost, and efficiency. Sustainable production focuses on reducing reliance on rare and expensive materials like cobalt while improving recycling methods. Automation and AI-driven optimization are also enhancing production efficiency, reducing waste, and increasing overall battery lifespan. Solid-state batteries, which replace liquid electrolytes with solid conductors, are emerging as a promising alternative, offering improved safety and energy density.

##Strategies for Enhancing Sustainability in Lithium Battery Manufacturing

Recycling and Material Recovery: Recovering valuable materials such as lithium, cobalt, and nickel from used batteries reduces dependence on mining and lowers environmental impact. Advanced hydrometallurgical and direct recycling processes are improving efficiency. Eco-Friendly Battery Chemistries: Research is progressing toward low-cobalt and cobalt-free cathode materials, as well as solid-state alternatives that promise greater stability and sustainability. Energy-Efficient Manufacturing: Implementing renewable energy in battery production facilities and optimizing material utilization reduces carbon emissions and production costs.

Conclusion

Lithium ion battery manufacturing is a sophisticated process requiring precise material selection, controlled processing, and continuous innovation. The industry is evolving toward more sustainable and efficient production methods, ensuring that lithium batteries continue to power the future of electric mobility, renewable energy storage, and portable electronics.

Why YSK: Youtube's enshittification creates an abysmal experience. There's a list of Chrome extensions I've collected over the years that each fix an aspect of Youtube to bring back a genuine experience. I've seen in comments people mention one or two of these at a time, so this is a pack that contains everything you could need, and more.

Sample:

• My Feed
• Video View

Essential Plugins:

• Ghostery: Blocks trackers and ads
• uBlock Origin: Blocks In-video ads
• SponsorBlock: Skips in-video sponsor segments
• Return Youtube Dislike: Returns the dislike button
• DeArrow: Better titles and thumbnails, removes clickbait
• Youtube Redux: Returns youtube to the older style
• Style Bot: This tool allows you to edit CSS. With a bit of setup, you can use it to block sponsored videos from appearing in our video suggestions:

1. Open Stylebot options
2. Styles > New Style

URL: Youtube.com

CSS (copy and paste):

ytd-ad-slot-renderer,
ytd-rich-item-renderer:has(
  > #content
    > ytd-ad-slot-renderer
){
  display: none;
}

3. Save Style and Refresh Youtube

Optional:

• Dark Reader: Dark mode on any web page (and you can toggle it per page as well)
• Video Speed Controller: More control over video speed

In many countries, websites, social media and blogs are controlled by oppressive leaders. Young people, in particular, are forced to grow up in systems where their opinion is heavily manipulated by governmental disinformation campaigns.

But even where almost all media is blocked or controlled, the world’s most successful computer game is still accessible. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) uses this loophole to bypass internet censorship to bring back the truth – within Minecraft.

This might be relevant to those who wish / have to use Windows 11:

This week, Microsoft made it very clear that it wants to block the popular BYPASSNRO workaround, used to skip the internet and Microsoft Account requirement checks during the Windows 11 installation OOBE (initial setup), although thankfully, the script can still be created using Registry edits.

A 7 step guide.

YSK because webpages are increasingly bloated from excessive trackers, popups, sidebars, and more. This diminishes the experience of reading, eats up your precious internet data, and threatens your privacy.

Newswaffle is a public service created by Acidus that intelligently strips webpages of their cruft and leaves only the valuable text content. Its based in gemtext and was originally intended to be accessed using the gemini protocol, however it can very easily be reformated to HTML and proxied through HTTP for normal web browser usage. The proxy I am using is SmolNet Portal by Mozz.

Newswaffle Homepage (proxied)

If you have a kobo e-ink ereader or similar device with extremely simple web browser its invaluable for getting a modern webpage to render correctly.

Source Code

YSK because the people who made these tools and host them on their own time and dime, may not be around forever. Only a few other people on this planet know these tools exist or actively use them. There are only one public instance of these services running thanks to the makers themselves. Ideally we need some self hosters to deploy and fork these tools to ensure they exist in the future. That can't happen if nobody knows about them.

Newswaffle github

SmolNet Portal Proxy github

Put simply, being in the right place at the right time, and having connections, can be as important as having the skills and experience.

You can delete images you accidentally uploaded or don't need anymore. This can be good if you want to try and wipe them from the internet, or you want to lighten storage costs for your instance.

Note that there still have been no studies on its efficacy. At worst, it is a great font to avoid ambiguity between characters.

Why YSK: Some car manufacturers, such as Tesla, will lie about the capabilities of their autonomous vehicles. Misplaced trust in self-driving technology leads drivers into making unsafe decisions while on the road, endangering the lives of themselves and drivers around them. Understanding what your car is capable of, in comparison to what the salesman told you it was capable of, is important to keep in mind when purchasing or operating such a product.

Currently, no Tesla product - including the inappropriately-named "Full Self Driving" mode - has surpassed Level 2 autonomy, falling behind competitors such as Waymo, NAVYA, and Volvo, who all have Level 4 cars in production.

For the newbies. 💓

See also: https://lemmyapps.netlify.app/

Reposting from https://lemmy.world/post/24545370

Some other people had suggestions for other apps (such as Voyager) having built-in keyword filters, feel free to have a look at the original post

Why YSK: Certain topics are stressful and tend to spread all over the site, including to unrelated communities. Blocking communities can be overkill and ineffective, and likewise for blocking individual users.

To do so, open up the uBlock Origin dashboard, go to the 'My filters' tab, and add this filter:

lemmy.world##article.row:has-text(/word1|word2|word3|word4/i)

For example:

lemmy.world##article.row:has-text(/Trump|Elon|Musk|nazi/i)

Then apply the changes and reload any open tabs, and all posts which contain any of your filtered words will simply not show up.

You'll have to change "lemmy.world" at the start to whatever your actual instance is. You can filter as many or as few words as you want, just keep the / at the start, the /i at the end, and separate words with | pipes. What's actually being filtered is a case-insensitive regex, if you want to get fancy with it.

Here are equivalent filters for reddit and Ars Technica:

reddit.com##div.thing[data-context="listing"]:has-text(/word1|word2|word3|word4/i)
arstechnica.com##:not(:not(head>title:has-text(/^Ars Technica/))) article:has-text(/word1|word2|word3|word4/i)

As a disclaimer, I made these myself, and I'm not particularly familiar with creating uBlock Origin filters. There may be better ways to do this. Also the reddit one is specific to old.reddit.com, and the lemmy filter is made to work with the default lemmy.world web UI and may not work on other UIs without tinkering.

Yes, I know I'm just hiding my head in the sand

Hours spent trying to get someone to buy a car they have no intention of buying are hours NOT spent making sales commissions.