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You can do all these things on a modern phone, no need to dig out the Sansa, iPod or Nokia. Assuming you have a media collection at home and a working internet

You can do all these things on a modern phone, no need to dig out the Sansa, iPod or Nokia. Assuming you have a media collection at home and a working internet connection you just get any SBC - Raspberry Pi etc - and hang it off that internet connection. Install Airsonic or a similar media streamer, point it at your media collection. Install DSub or a similar Subsonic/Airsonic client on your devices and point these at your media streamer. There you go, self-curated music in your ears. Tell all those interruption-producing programs to shut up by either (the best solution) turning off sync, turning down notification volume to 0 or denying them access to notifications -> poof, no interruptions. People can still call you of course, you could turn that off as well if you want. There is no need to go back in time to get more control, all it takes it for you to take over the reins of current technology. The added advantage of doing so is a reduced stress load since you get to realise that you actually can take control.

Mirioron 6y ago
You just gave a laundry list of things to do, including buying a device that's worth as much as a used iPod. And to make matters worse, this is something you have to constantly keep on top of any time you install new apps. Otherwise those will throw notifications at you and you cab accidentally end up blocking notifications you do want.
- Yetanfou 6y ago
  That "device that's worth as much as a used iPod" costs ~$40 including a power supply and has the potential to do far more than just allow you to play music without notifications (which was already possible on your phone). It can help you gain freedom on the 'net in general, not just play some music. If you turn down notification sounds or just switch the things off altogether you will not get notifications from any apps, new or old. In short, why complicate things by carrying around another device when you can put that effort into creating a single device which can help achieve digital freedom? In both cases you'll have to do some work, either by scouring the 'net (or thrift stores) for older equipment which can be refurbished or by building a 'personal server' (which could also be achieved using an old laptop which will give you higher performance but will use more power).

Mirioron 6y ago

You just gave a laundry list of things to do, including buying a device that's worth as much as a used iPod. And to make matters worse, this is something you have to constantly keep on top of any time you install new apps. Otherwise those will throw notifications at you and you cab accidentally end up blocking notifications you do want.

Yetanfou 6y ago
That "device that's worth as much as a used iPod" costs ~$40 including a power supply and has the potential to do far more than just allow you to play music without notifications (which was already possible on your phone). It can help you gain freedom on the 'net in general, not just play some music. If you turn down notification sounds or just switch the things off altogether you will not get notifications from any apps, new or old. In short, why complicate things by carrying around another device when you can put that effort into creating a single device which can help achieve digital freedom? In both cases you'll have to do some work, either by scouring the 'net (or thrift stores) for older equipment which can be refurbished or by building a 'personal server' (which could also be achieved using an old laptop which will give you higher performance but will use more power).