Tutorials - The Thrifty Dev

Google Drive Is Not Your Private Hard Drive: Manga Artist Ban Shows the Creator Backup Problem

A manga artist says Google banned his account after Drive uploads. Here is what creators should do: encrypted cloud, local backups, and safer account design.

Google AI Search Privacy: Better Alternatives to Protect Your Searches

Person comparing Google AI search with private metasearch alternatives on a laptop

Google AI Overviews changed search forever. Private alternatives, SearXNG self-hosting guide, and what it means for publishers in 2026.

Mandatory ID Is Coming for Phones and Social Media. Here’s How to Move to Nostr Before the Gate Closes

Mandatory ID for phones and social media is coming. Why it matters, how Nostr is different, and how to move your online life before the gate closes.

n8n AI Agents: Self-Hosted Automation Guide (2026)

Self-host n8n AI agents for $5/month vs $599 Zapier. Complete 2026 setup guide with Docker, local LLMs, and workflow examples.

Meshtastic: Build Your Own Off-Grid Mesh Network

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Build a Meshtastic off-grid mesh network for $30. Complete 2026 guide: hardware, range, setup, and private communication when cell towers fail.

MCP Explained: The USB-C of AI Connections

MCP explained: The USB-C for AI connections. What is Model Context Protocol, how to use it, and why OpenAI, Google, and Anthropic all adopted it in 2026.