I've been running qwen3.6:35b-a3b-q4_K_M (22.3GB) via Ollama.

Is the 20.9GB GGUF version better or negligible in comparison?

> Which open weights model?

Yes, I'm also wondering!

Currently I'm testing out gemma4:26b and qwen3.6:35b-a3b-q4_K_M locally on my M2 Max Macbook Pro.

Not the fastest, but reasonable.

However, I am also interested in getting as close as possible in performance to Opus 4.6 while minimizing my costs.

Remember, Open Weight doesn't necc. mean local. They are probably running on a larger version online, closer to Claude specs. (lol and probably distilled from Claude)

> I am also interested in getting as close as possible in performance to Opus 4.6 while minimizing my costs.

Aren’t we all? ;)

Gemma4 on an m2? That sounds promising. I have an m3 max, going to try that today

Who remembers BlackICE Defender tho?

https://archive.org/details/BlackICE_Defender

I was there for SoftICE and BlackICE.

Simpler times.

I remember switching from Win95 to NT4.0 just to be able to use SoftICE properly under Windows without all the stability problems, it was an incredible time! SoftICE felt like absolute wizardry at the time.

I'm on regular Android but thinking about switching to GrapheneOS for my next phone.

This is what I do... I use Mullvad VPN with NextDNS.io for DNS.

> https://coveryourtracks.eff.org/

I get "Our tests indicate that you have some protection against Web tracking, but it has some gaps." but nothing of too much importance I think.

I use a VPN and NextDNS.io.

The real test is whether the site believes you to be unique, which is listed separately. It reports me as "Our tests indicate that you have strong protection against Web tracking.", but I'm still uniquely identifiable.

> I know it's a cliché, but the road to hell is paved with good intentions.

"Kindly let me help you, or you will drown, said the monkey as it put the fish safely up a tree"

—Alan Watts

Wrong parent?

> Beginning to wonder if convenience is the root of all evil, and not money.

Self-deception is actually the root of all evil, not money nor convenience.

> Try to beat this: https://fingerprint.com

I beat it, I think... nothing much there. I use a VPN and NextDNS.io.

you can't beat it with a VPN, or any sort of networking only solution, only your browser can prevent fingerprinting. The hash is generated on a combination of heuristics but usually based on canvas fingerprinting. Network fingerprinting is not reliable.

https://browserleaks.com/

> Many non technical people have ethical concerns.

100% correct.

I have many non-technical friends who want to De-Google but lack the knowledge and/or find the switch intimidating.