Custom Operating Systems and Computer Restoration

If you have difficulties using Windows or MacOS on your computer, or if you're looking for something new, I can help build a custom alternative for you. I help make your technology in the world, but not of the world.

What?

Any given operating system is simply a collection of moving parts layered on top of a core program called the 'kernel'. While most modern operating systems are distributed as complete packages (with the ability to install 'apps'), this is what they really are deep down. It is possible to build your own 'operating system' using a kernel and programs of your choice, although this is normally done only by IT folks and nerds like me.

Why?

There are a variety of benefits to doing this.

  1. Performance

Any given custom operating system is usually more performant. Most contemporary operating systems are designed to cover every possible use case. This usually leads to them including many features or programs that most users never even touch. In contrast, custom operating systems only run programs explicity selected for specific purposes. Logically, this means that the machine running the operating system will have more resources available for new programs. Having less programs running also means less problems or bugs in your operating system. Less programs running means less opportunity for things to break. The fewer cars on a road, the less likely an accident is going to happen. It's the same logic. My personal custom operating system (with many features added) uses less than 1G of RAM at idle and generally never goes past 1% CPU usage unless I'm doing something that requires a lot of resources (like compiling software or training an AI model).

  1. Customization

This is simple. If the operating system is constructed from the kernel up, you have total control over every aspect of the system. You make anything do or look like whatever you want. This is huge for productivity and accessibility. You can make an operating system controlled entirely by your keyboard, or you can make the interface so simple a second-century grandmother could use it. The sky is really this limit here. If you want to see some of my personal setups, you can check them out on the examples page.

  1. Support

If your operating system is build from the ground up, almost any device can be supported. Because it's made of different parts, you can graft in any custom drivers that you need to get a device to run. If you want an idea of how far you can go with this, I managed to boot a custom operating system on my Nokia 2780 Flip (a new-ish flip phone). There are some proprietary devices where this can be difficult, but the older the device is, the more likely it has been reverse engineered and had the parts built by someone. Your device will never go 'out of support' (looking at you, Windows) because you only need the one part to get the rest of the parts to work, regardless of how new they are. To give another example, my wifi adapter on my old machine did was not supported. I compiled a custom driver for it, and every other software part was able to be updated to the latest version. It's really great.

Why not?

These are all pretty great, but there are a couple cons:

  1. YOU have to set it up

There's no magic clicky-click installer. You have to actually put the parts together yourself. It's like building a car (albeit much easier).

  1. YOU have to change

Some apps just won't work on other operating systems. If a game or program you need is Windows-only, although there are workarounds, your use of it will be limited. There are alternative software solutions for everything, but you have to be open to trying them.

Where I come in

This stuff is great, but most people don't have the free time to spend years learning how to put all this stuff together. If you do, that's great - I encourage you to learn how to do this for yourself. But years of experience are really a requirement to do anything like this. That's where I come in. I want to help you break free of the restrictions and problems that your current system has. I'll work with you to design and put together a totally custom operating system for your needs. I do charge some money. That's the only downside to having me do it for you. I'm not trying to control you or impose anything on you, though. I will help you understand how your new system works, and you won't need to rely on me to keep it in service. The software model that I use is totally independent from me - I could die or go out of business and your computer can still update. It's based off of open-source software, so as long as nerds like me are still on the planet, your software will stay in service for no extra cost.

I'm sold!

Contact me and we can talk. I'm looking forward to working with you.

I'm not sold (yet)

I don't charge anything for extended communication. If you want help or have questions, you can contact me and I'll do my best to help.

Ethos

Christians are called to be in the world, but not of the world. We live in a where we don't make the rules, but that doesn't mean we have to live like everyone everyone else. We still have to interface with the world, but we can do it in our own way. We shouldn't give control of that up to people who don't care about our values. I think the same thing should apply to technology. The name of this business, 'MonasTech', was inspired by the great monastics of the early Church. They went to great lengths to forsake the world and follow the commandments of Christ. I'd like to forsake the world's rules as well, and I don't want my devices to be an exception to that. I choose to conform my devices to my own rules, and not accept what companies or corporations want me to do or see. I think a lot of people have this same sentiment but don't know what to do about it. I know a lot about technology and that's helped me to achieve this goal. I want to help others do that same.