Linuxlandit & The Conqueror Penguin

Kali Linux Guide; Virtualization, Import Pre-Made Kali VMware VM

2026-10-16T11:13:00.000-07:00

Importing the Kali VMware imageis very straightforward.

We first need to extract the VMware image:

kali@kali:~$ 7z x kali-linux-2025.4-vmware-amd64.7z
[...]
kali@kali:~$

If we are using Windows we can instead use the official 7z app. Note if we are on Windows 11 the option will be hidden behind the context menu “Show more options”.

We then launch VMware:

From here we will be wanting to select ‘Open a Virtual Machine’. We then navigate to the location our VM is downloaded and find the .vmx file:

We select this then we are able to continue forward:

We can verify the settings that will be set here, and if we need to change any we can. Once we are happy we can select boot the VM and use it as normal. Remember the default login is kali for the user and kali for the password!

Phanpy a minimalistic opinionated Mastodon web client.

2026-10-12T08:28:00.000-07:00

A minimalistic opinionated Mastodon web client.

Phanpyis a minimalist, open-source web client for Mastodon, designed to provide a cleaner and more focused interface for using the Fediverse. It is developed by Chee Aun and is itself a static web application, so it can be used directly in a browser or self-hosted. GGitHub

The official production version is available atphanpy.social.

Main features

Multiple accounts — manage multiple Mastodon accounts from one interface.
Light, dark, and automatic themes.
Grouped notifications — similar notifications can be consolidated to reduce clutter.
Nested conversation threads — makes following replies easier.
Multi-hashtag timelines — follow several hashtags together.
Unsent draft recovery — helps recover posts that weren't sent.
Boosts Carousel — gives boosted posts a distinct presentation.
Multi-column and tab-bar modes for users who want a more information-dense interface.
Pop-out compose window for writing posts separately.
PWA support, allowing Phanpy to behave more like an installed application on supported devices. GGitHub+1

How to use/download Phanpy

You don't need to install anything to use the official service.

OpenPhanpy in your browser.
Choose your Mastodon instance, such as mastodon.social or another server.
Authorize Phanpy to access your Mastodon account.
You can then use Phanpy directly from your browser.

Because Phanpy is a web application, this is the simplest way to use it. GGitHub

Installing it like an app

On browsers that support Progressive Web Apps (PWA), you can generally use the browser's Install app / Add to Home Screen option while visiting Phanpy. This gives you an app-like launcher without needing the full source-code installation.

Self-hosting Phanpy

If by "download and install" you mean installing your own copy of Phanpy on a server, there are two approaches.

Option 1 — Download the pre-built version

The project provides pre-built phanpy-dist.zip and phanpy-dist.tar.gz releases. You can download one, extract it, and serve the resulting files using a static web server/hosting service. GGitHub

Option 2 — Build it yourself

For development or customization:

git clone https://github.com/cheeaun/phanpy.git
cd phanpy
npm install
npm run build

The current project documentation specifies Node.js 22+. After the build completes, the generated dist directory contains the production site that you can deploy to a static hosting service. GGitHub

You can also use the project'sGitHub repository to obtain the source code and releases.

Mobile alternatives

There are also third-party wrappers around Phanpy, such as iPhanpy for Mastodon on iPhone/iPad. It packages the Phanpy web experience as an installable iOS application; it is not the original Phanpy project. AApp Store

In short: Phanpy isn't a Mastodon server or a separate social network. It's an alternative interface/client for Mastodon, and the easiest "installation" is simply opening Phanpy in your browser and optionally installing it as a PWA.

Kali Linux Guide; Virtualization, Kali inside VMware (Guest VM)

2026-10-09T15:31:00.000-07:00

This guide is about virtualizing Kali Linux inside of VMware, allowing you to have a Kali VM. This is a great way to use Kali, as it is completely separate from the host, allows you to interact with other VMs (as well as the host, and other machines on the network), and allows you to revert to snapshots.

If you are trying to install VMware on Kali Linux (as a host), please see our guide.

The guide below is what we use to generate our pre-made Kali Linux VMware images. You may alter this to your needs. We always generate the images using the latest version of VMware Workstation, as Player and Fusion don’t have the same level of functionally and controls over settings.

You will need to enable virtualization in your BIOS/UEFI for (e.g. Intel VT-x/AMD-V)

Wizard

Upon starting up VMware Workstation, select “Create a New Virtual Machine”.

When you have the option, select “Custom (advanced)” for the Virtual Machine Configuration, as this will allow us to have more control over the creation of the VM.

The next screen is “Virtual Machine Hardware Compatibility”, which we use “Workstation 8.x”.

This allows for more users to benefit from Kali Linux out of the box (without having to edit the .vmx file to downgrade). If you are using a later version of VMware than v8, upon start up, VMware will prompt about upgrading the VM. This will remove any limitations caused by older VMware profiles. However, most users do not have their Kali Linux VM using all these extra resources (see screenshot below), so they wouldn’t benefit from having the latest profile, which is why we ship with a older profile.

On this screen, we select the Kali Linux image to use to install from. We select “Browse”, and navigate to the location of the ISO that we downloaded. For more information on what image to download, we have written up a guide.

When you see the “Guest Operating System” screen, select “Linux”, and then the latest version of Debian for the version (as Kali is based on Debian). In this example, its Debian 10. We are going to be use the x64 image to install Kali, so we have selected 64-bit.

The next screen is “Virtual Machine Name”, which is where you name the VM. This name is also used as the filename (such as the configuration, hard disk and snapshot - which is not changed from this point).

We are keeping it generic in this guide, by using “Kali Linux” (as Kali Linux is a rolling distribution, and we update Kali Linux). However for our releases, we use the version number in the name as it is a fixed release (kali-linux-YYYY.N-vmware-ARCH. Example: kali-linux-2025.4-vmware-amd64).

The next screen is “Processors”. Here we can start to define how many resources we give the VM. Kali will be able to perform more tasks simultaneously and quicker if it is allocated more resources. We select “2 processors” and “2 cores per processors”, giving a total of 4 cores. You may wish to use more or less depending on your system requirements.

“Memory” is the next section, where we can define how much RAM to use. Again, the higher amount of RAM, the more applications can be open and at increased performance. Various tools inside of Kali can be demanding of resources. When we make the general VMs, we select 2GB (2048 MB) for RAM, but we often increase this for our personal machines as we have high-performing devices with spare RAM which Kali can utilize.

We are then presented with “Network Connection”. We default to using a NAT connection. However, this can easy be altered (even when the VM is powered on). This allows for Kali VM to talk to the Internet, as well as the rest of the LAN connection, without it taking up an additional IP address. The downside to this is it will not be able to receive reverse shells (without port forwarding inside of VMware).

Next is “I/O Controller Types”. We accept the default value of “LSI Logic”.

Next is “Virtual Disk Type”. We accept the default value of “SCSI”

The following screen is “Disk”, which allows us to “create a new virtual disk”

This screen below, “Disk Size”, allows us to define how large the virtual hard disk will be. We use “80 GB” for our VMs.

We also don’t have it in a single file, but instead “Split virtual disk into multiple files”. The VM hard disk will grow over time, to the maximum size, as we do not enable the “Allocate all disk space”.

It is possible to increase/decrease the hard disk after the VM has been created, however, if you have installed Kali, you’ll need to then also grow or shrink the partition for the space to reflect that.

When it comes to the “Disk File” screen, we accept the default value, which has been defined from our VM name earlier in the setup process.

We are then presented the final screen for the VM setup wizard, which gives us an overview of the settings we picked.

We are happy with what’s shown to us, so we then press “Finish”. If you try and “Customize Hardware” at this stage, before the VM is fully created, not every setting is visible.

If this is the first time using the wizard, you may have the following prompt explaining how installing “VMware tools” will give you a better experience when using the VM.

After reading and understanding the page, you may wish to tick the “Don’t show this page again”, before pressing close.

Edit Settings

Before we start up the VM, we now edit its settings, by pressing “Edit virtual machine settings”.

We do not have a use for a printer, so we remove it. Navigate to the “Printer” section, and then press “Remove”.

You may wish to edit the “USB” settings to alter how USB devices behave. Here we have disabled “Automatically connect new USB devices” (may not have the option depending on your VMware version) and enabled “Show all USB input devices”.

Another item to point out is in the “Display” section. Make sure that “Accelerated 3D graphics” is disabled, as people have reported that causes issues.

We then move over to the “Options” tab, and move down to “Power”. We choose to enable “Report battery information to guests”, as it is a handy thing for users who use Kali on a laptop/notebook.

In “Shared folders”, we select “Always enable”. At this stage, do not share any paths, as some users may not wish for it.

The final option we alter is “VMware Tool”, where we enable “Synchronize guest time with host”.

After all this is done, we save, start up the VM, and then continue installing Kali Linux as we normally would for a bare metal install.

During Kali Linux setup process, the install wizardshould detect if its inside a VM. If it is, should then automatically install any additional tools (such as open-vm-tools) to give a better user experience. If you want to manually re-install it, you can see our VMware Guest Tools Guide.

Expand Storage

VMware Workstation/Fusion:

Power off the Kali Linux VM.

Navigate to VM Settings -> Hard Disk.

Increase the desired disk size and click “Expand.”

Boot up Kali Linux and utilize gparted or a comparable tool to extend the partition and filesystem, ensuring the new space is allocated correctly.

The PixelFed guide: Other software compatible with Pixelfed

2026-10-05T08:25:00.000-07:00

Pixelfed is compatible with the Mastodon API standard. This is a set of rules on how software applications communicate with a Mastodon server. Being compatible with the standard allows Pixelfed to be access using other applications.

Not all applications will work, as they may have not be entirely compatible. Below is a list of those which have been tested and are function.

You can use these apps to login to your Pixelfed account.

Web Apps

These apps have been tested and appear to work well with Pixelfed.

Phanpy
Elk

Native Apps

Tubafor Linux or Windows. (Can be slow on Windows)
Fedistar a mulii-column interface for Windows, Mac, or Linux
Whalebirdfor Windows, Mac, or Linux

PixelFed servers

The main, or mother-ship, server is pixelfed.social, however there are many others run by groups and individuals across the globe.

The largest servers are not always the best as they can be slow and overwhelming. Some servers specialise in topics, or regions.

The complete list is maintained at

pixelfed.org/servers

Importing from Instagram

Pixelfed has a facility to import images from your Instagram account.

Your admin may have disabled this feature, as it is very resource intense. If available, it will be under Settings, Import

How to

Download your information in Instagram's Accounts Centre at https://www.instagram.com/download/request. Make sure you select the JSON format
Wait for the email from Instagram with your download link
Download your .zip export from Instagram and extract the Zip on your computer.
Navigate to the Import, Settings page
Follow the instructions and import your posts

Issues

It does not usually happen instantly so be patient once you have completed the import process.

Pixelfed's Import expects all your images to have related captions for the images. If not, the captionless images will not import. There is a great article on how to fix this here: https://anders.thoresson.se/post/2025/01/preparing-your-instagram-export-for-pixelfed-import/

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Browsers Internet security and functional settings

2026-10-02T03:27:00.000-07:00

It looks like you’re ready to dive into the details! Since I can’t "see" your screen directly, let's identify what you're using so I can give you the right tips.

Step 1: Identify Your Browser

If you aren't sure which one you're using right now, you can quickly check:

On Desktop: Look at the very top left (Mac) or top right (Windows) of your screen. You’ll usually see the name (e.g., "Chrome", "Firefox", "Edge").
On Mobile: The icon you tapped to open this page is the giveaway.
The "Pro" Way: Type whatsmybrowser.org into your address bar, and it will tell you your exact version.

️ Step 2: Essential 2026 Security Check

Regardless of your browser, here is the "Safety 101" list you should check today:

Browser
How to find Security Settings
2026 Must-Check Feature

Chrome
⋮ > Settings > Privacy and security
Safety Check: Runs a scan for compromised passwords and bad extensions.

Safari
Safari > Settings > Privacy
Hide IP Address: Ensure this is on to prevent trackers from profiling you.

Edge
... > Settings > Privacy, search, and services
Tracking Prevention: Set this to "Balanced" or "Strict" to block most ads.

Firefox
≡ > Settings > Privacy & Security
Enhanced Tracking Protection: Set to "Strict" for maximum privacy.

⚡ Quick "Power User" Tips

Once you know your browser, try these modern shortcuts:

Vertical Tabs: If you use Edge or Arc, turn on vertical tabs to save screen real estate.
Tab Groups: In Chrome or Safari, right-click a tab to "Add to New Group." It's a lifesaver for organizing projects.
AI Sidebars: If you see a small logo on the right (like the Copilot 'C' in Edge or the 'Leo' icon in Brave), that's your built-in AI assistant for summarizing long articles.

The PixelFed Guide: Share or Like a post and Pixelfed Mobile Apps.

2026-09-28T08:22:00.000-07:00

Unlike commercial Social Media apps, there is NO algorithm in the Fediverseto artificially build your Timeline. If a post has 623 likes it has no greater prominence on your timeline. You always see posts from who you follow, in date order.

Post Interactions

What to use, and when:

Boost: Share a post to your followers. The author of the original post will be notified and all your followers will see the post.
Like: An acknowledgement to the post creator that you appreciate the content.
Comment: Have a conversation; interact directly and leave a comment under the photo.

Pixelfed Mobile Apps

There are a number of mobile apps. It is beyond the scope of this section to document each of these in detail. They are listed below for reference.

Mobile apps allow you to upload photos, create posts, and interact with Pixelfed from your mobile device. (Phone or tablet).

info Pixelfed will work with some of the Mastodon apps, but your experience may be limited in some aspects.

Android

Pixelfed (the official app) from the Google Play store
Pixelix from Daniel Hiebeler. Google Play Store and IzzyOnDroid
PixelDroid from the F-Droid store

Apple

Pixelfed (the official app) from the App store
Impressiaby Marcin Czachurski from the App store.

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All web browsers from yesterday to today

2026-09-25T03:21:00.000-07:00

From the first experimental text interfaces of 1990 to the AI-integrated powerhouses of today in 2026, web browsers have evolved from simple document viewers into full-fledged operating systems for the web.

Below is a breakdown of the browser landscape, spanning its history and its current state.

️ The Pioneers (1990 – 1994)

Before the "Browser Wars," these tools laid the foundation for the graphical internet we use today.

WorldWideWeb (1990): The very first browser, created by Tim Berners-Lee. It was also an editor but only worked on NeXT computers.
Line Mode Browser (1991): The first cross-platform browser, though it was text-only.
Mosaic (1993): The "killer app" of the early internet. It was the first to display images inline with text, making the web visual and accessible to non-scientists.
Netscape Navigator (1994): Born from the creators of Mosaic, it quickly became the first commercial giant, dominating the mid-90s.

⚔️ The Browser Wars & The Big Five (1995 – 2020)

This era was defined by fierce competition, the rise of Google, and the fall of Microsoft's early dominance.

Internet Explorer (1995–2022): Bundled with Windows, it crushed Netscape to reach 95% market share by 2003, before its long, slow decline.
Opera (1995): The "innovator" that introduced features we now consider standard, like tabs and speed dial.
Mozilla Firefox (2004): The spiritual successor to Netscape, it was the first serious threat to Internet Explorer’s monopoly.
Safari (2003): Apple’s native browser that became the cornerstone of the mobile web via the iPhone.
Google Chrome (2008): Focused on speed and minimalism, it grew to become the undisputed king of the web by the early 2010s.

The Landscape Today

In 2026, the market is characterized by Chromium dominance and the integration of Generative AI.

The Market Leaders

Browser
Global Market Share
Key Strength (2026)

Google Chrome
~71%
Ultimate ecosystem integration & speed.

Apple Safari
~15%
Best-in-class privacy and efficiency for Mac/iOS.

Microsoft Edge
~4.6%
Deep AI integration via Copilot and Windows 365.

Mozilla Firefox
~2.2%
The go-to for privacy purists and open-source fans.

Samsung Internet
~1.8%
Leading mobile alternative on Android devices.

Emerging & Niche Favorites

Arc Browser: A productivity-focused reimagining of the browser, popular for its "Boosts" and sidebar-centric UI.
Brave: Built on privacy, it blocks ads/trackers by default and features integrated Web3/Crypto tools.
Vivaldi: The "power user" choice, offering extreme levels of UI customization and tab management.
ChatGPT Atlas / Dia: Newer AI-native browsers that prioritize LLM-driven search and automated task handling.
Tor Browser: Still the gold standard for high-level anonymity and accessing the deep web.

The PixelFed Guide: Following an account and Searching posts.

2026-09-21T08:17:00.000-07:00

When you follow someone, you will see any future posts from them in your Home feed. You can follow people across the fediverse. That is, Pixelfed users on your own server, on other PF servers, but also accounts on any server (e.g. Mastodon) on the fediverse.

Note: If you follow a non-pixelfed user you will ONLY see their posts which contain images. If it is a text only post you will not see it in your Home feed.

Follow from a post

If you see a post in one of your timelines, hover your mouse on the users account name at the top of the post. Click the blue follow button to add them to your followers. They will be notified that you have started following them.

If you hover over the account, and you are already following them, you will see a button saying “Following”. If you click this you will then unfollow the account. The user will NOT be told you have stopped following them.

Searching

If you know a user's account name on the fediverse, type it in the Search bar at the top of any page. Press the enter key to validate the name and then click the account for a summary. You can then click the blue follow button. The user will be informed that you have started following them.

You can search using the account ID, or web address on their server.

Example:

@bumble@pixelfed.scot
https://pixelfed.scot/@bumble

Searching in Pixelfed is very poorly implemented at the moment. When using the web interface, the search bar at the top of the screen is used to search for accounts to follow

Search using a hashtags

If you click on a hashtag on an existing image, Pixelfed will show you all the posts on the server with the same hashtag.

However, if you want to type a hashtagto search for, you must manipulate the web address in your browser!

As an example, if you are using pixelfed.social as your Pixelfed server, change the address bar to:
```
https://pixelfed.social/i/web/hashtag/trees
```
where 'trees' is the hashtag you are looking for.

You can then use the Follow button to have posts with this tag appear in your own timeline in the future.

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Kali Linux Guide; Virtualization, Kali inside Vagrant (Guest VM)

2026-09-18T08:08:00.000-07:00