2025-07-06 18:06:11
Vivaldi is a wonderful addition to my workflow. This isn't my first rodeo with Vivaldi, but this seems like the first time Vivaldi and I have clicked. There is chemistry, there is joy and there is delight. The customization options are plentiful. Previously, this deterred me. This time, I used them to create a minimal browser that suits my preferences.
The image above (feature image of this blog) is Vivaldi after tweaking it. This is probably the first time I have set down and considered how I want my browser to look and function.
Before I got into the details of my setup, the following reasons why Vivaldi appeals to me:
Allow me to break it down. The following is an image of my Vivaldi setup with my blog post page loaded:
You notice Vivaldi is minimal, but this is not Vivaldi's default look. After careful consideration, this is what I have settled on. Noting, I have only had this setup for a couple of weeks.
Vivaldi, like most browsers, has an address bar, mostly on the top and a status bar, which is mostly at the bottom. I turned off the address bar and added components of the address bar to the status bar.
The cool yet nerdy thing to know about Vivaldi is the concept of command chain, which allows you to set up a group of commands executed in sequence. You can then assign it to a keyboard shortcut 🆒. My use case is fairly straightforward. Through command chains, I have added shortcuts/features that I prefer in a browser.
Copy link: I missed not having an easy way to copy the link of the current webpage. This allows me to have an icon on the status bar to copy the link of the current webpage. I also assigned the same keyboard shortcut as on the Arc Browser.
Open Split view: this is one of those features that I also missed coming from Arc browser. Clicking this on the status bar, opens a blank page on the right with my favourite websites a link away. Another cool feature of the command chain is that you can add any command chain to your right-click menu. This allows me to open a link in the split view. To assign a command chain to the right link menu, go to Settings > Appearance > Menu Customization > under the drop-down menu. Select Link. Then, drag the specific command chain from the right to the left. As shown below:
I am pretty happy with this setup and having Vivaldi sync between Android and Windows makes life a little easier. I've never been satisfied with Android's browser options. Always end up using Chrome. But I've been happily using Vivaldi for weeks. I think I'll stick with it 🤞.
2025-07-01 19:48:31
Every product you buy comes with some king of warranty which gives you, the consumer confidence that if there is a manufacturer fault, you will be looked after. Warranties are useful PERIOD. However, reading the fine-print is arguably even more important.
18 months into my Logitech MX Master 3S purchase, my beloved mouse refuse to charge beyond 35%. Weird, huh?
I reached out to Logitech Australia, and they confirmed it is a manufacturer's fault but it is outside the warranty period. Interestingly, in Australia, Logitech only provides 12 months of hardware warranty, compared to 24 months in the UK. As an Aussie, feeling like a second-class citizen.
Obviously, I was disappointed with Logitech. This mouse was expensive and rightly expected it to last a few years. I wasn't provided many avenues so I basically said, I will lodge a complaint with Australian Consumer Protection. It was a threat but I knew I would do nothing of that sort. I was told the matter will be escalated and I will hear in 48 hours. Well, that did not happen.
Part of me was convinced that when I bought the mouse it came with 2 year warranty. That is why I reached out to Logitech in the first place, knowing the issue will be covered under warranty.
How lucky am I? Even to this day, the Amazon listing states it comes with 2 year warranty.
This is the benefit of purchasing from Amazon. I reached out to them and explained my situation. The Amazon representative said, they cannot provide a replacement but offered to refund the entire amount (AUD99) upon returning the mouse. So that is exactly what I did. I went back to using the Logitech MX Master 2 that I had kept at my office. Because: The current retail price of the mouse is AUD135, and I've heard rumors of a new Logitech MX Master 4, so I didn't buy a new one right away.
I am still disappointed with Logitech and therefore was not motivated to spend money on Logitech products
Few days later, Logitech reached out to me, offering a replacement under warranty 😀. A week later, a brand new mouse was at my doorsteps. Thankfully, Logitech did not ask me to return the mouse because I had already sent it to Amazon Australia.
This is one of those few circumstances in life where things work out for this Mere Civilian.
There is the matter of the AUD99 refund. This money does not belong to me because I have already received a replacement mouse. To that end, I made a donation to one of my favourite charities, TLC for Kids.
2025-06-29 20:02:59
I am one of those people who rarely buy clothes. Yes, those people exist. I have been one of those people for over a decade. Most, if not all, my clothes are purchased by my dear wife. She is exceptional and she tells me, she buys new clothes for me because she wants me to look good. I often wonder, how terrible do I look for her to spend her hard on money on clothes to make me look good? In over 10 years of marriage, I have not had the courage to ask her. Obviously, there isn't an answer to that question that will make me happy. Plus, if she stops buying clothes for me than who will. No, seriously, who will?
Anyway, long story short, my only requirement is that I do not wear expensive clothes. To put it into perspective, about 7 years, I bought pyjamas from Kmart for AUD19.99. Until recently, I wore those few times a week. Some buttons have fallen off, sleeves are a little torn but for night clothes, it does the job.
Image my shock when my wife bought me a pyjamas set from Peter Alexander. This place only sells clothes one wears in their bedroom and they are expensive, like super expensive. The price tag was still on. It was AUD129.99. WOW 🤯
I was super pissed but at the same time, the pyjamas were so soft and comforting. I put it on and it fit me like a glove. Well, not actually like glove, it was lose fit but just right. Within minutes I was feeling less angry about the cost of the pyjamas.
I look at my wife and said, please please tell me you didn't pay full price. She lovingly smiled back at me and said: What do you think?
I said, that is exactly why I married you, amongst many other reasons.
OK, tell me how much you paid. She said AUD50, not including shipping. It still is significantly more than what I would have paid. That is not actually true because after wearing it for the entire night, the very next morning, I was on the Peter Alexander website attempting to order another pyjama set. To my disappointment, it was sold out.
Bottom line, sometimes, treating oneself to something a bit more expensive can be great (obviously, it needs to be worth it. Don't buy it because its branded, buy it because its good). However, it is even more great if the wife pays. I am a lucky man.
2025-06-24 19:21:26
I have been experimenting with Vivaldi on Android lately. It has a lot going on for itself, and I like the vibe and ethos of the people behind Vivaldi. Being Europe centric is icing on the cake.
The default browser on Android is Chrome and unfortunately, it does not have extension support and certainly no ad blocking capability.
Thankfully, Vivaldi has built in ad blocking support and it's pretty decent too. Many moons ago, I switched to Kagi as my default search engine. As it seems to be the case more and more with Vivaldi, things that seem simple to me require a lot of messing around to get it right on Vivaldi.
To add Kagi as your default search engine on Vivaldi Android, you need the following:
Once you have the above setup, go to settings on Vivaldi desktop and click on Search, and click on the plus button as shown below:
Add Kagi Search with the followings fields (as shown above):
Name: Kagi
Nickname: k (of your own choosing)
URL: https://kagi.com/search?q=%s
Suggust URL: https://kagi.com/api/autosuggest?q=%s
Ensure you select the option to Set as Default Search.
From this point onwards, the default search engine on Vivaldi on Desktop should be Kagi. If you have enabled Sync, Kagi will also be available as a Search Engine on Vivaldi on Android.
On Vivaldi Android, go to Settings and click on Search Engine, tap on Standard Tab and select Kagi as your search engine. There you go. Smooth sailing from this on onward. Hello, to the Kagi experience.
Screenshots of the Vivaldi Android app on Pixel 9 Pro Fold
2025-06-22 02:34:18
When I started Mere Civilian in 2020 (five years ago), I always treated it as my humble home on the internet and that has not changed thus far.
Personally, I think it is intriguing to a read a stranger's blog whom I know nothing about. Most of the time, we read blog posts or are following people on the socials because they are famous, rich or created products and services that we use and enjoy. However, there are some blogs that I follow because they are interesting. I hope my blog is interesting to you, because I am neither rich nor famous and not a creative either ☹️. Lives of mere civilians are interesting as well.
Mere Civilian
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I am officially launching a membership program because I am curious if people will give money to a stranger, a nobody on the internet. I do not need the money and that's not because I am rich. Mostly certainly not. I don't own a home; I pay rent monthly, and my only asset valued over $10,000 is my Mazda 3, which I bought over ten years ago.
More MereCivilian is a straight forward membership. You pay USD15 a year and get access into a life of a mere civilian. Every dollar you pay gets donated to my favourite charities. The only benefit I get is I will claim a tax deduction for these donations.
My favourite charities are:
If you are not in a position to pay, I humbly request you to reach out to me and I will provide a complimentary membership.
In simple terms, because I want my writing to make a difference. I hope that aligning my blog to do good (charity donations) will motivate me to write more and make be feel that my blog matters; it is helping people.
This blog was never about views. I have always written first and foremost for myself.
That is my pitch. I got nothing else. Hopefully, you can be the force behind Mere Civilian.
2025-06-18 19:37:38
Elephant is a 3D documentary which releases this Friday. Luckily, my wife is a IMAX Melbourne Big Leaque member and as such we were provided with an opportunity to watch it today for free 😊.
Check out the trailer:
This is a short 45 minute documentary but it such a beautiful story, wonderfully executed. The 3D elements were organic and my son was amazed by the elephants coming towards him. The smile and glow on his face was priceless.
The music was also on point and the director kept me engaged throughout, making me part of the elephant's journey.
Elephants are my favourite animal. There is something so majestic about them, so I am probably biassed here. A significant part of this documentary is about the wonderful bond between a baby elephant and her mother. That bond is super strong and I was emotional just thinking about it.
Naomi Watts solely narrated the entire documentary. She has done a magnificent job. Her voice was authentic.
I recommend watching it.
IMAX is probably the best place to see it. I cannot believe how life like a documentary can become on the largest screen on this planet.
Last, did I mention IMAX Melbourne provided free wine and ice cream?
All in all, a fantastic Wednesday evening
