Turning my head and almost ducking before I realized it was outside the car window, I couldn’t help but think the wasp was so avidly trying to fly through my window that it may as well have been saying, “Sir, do you have a moment to talk about our lord and savior, Stingula?” Or whatever wasps would name their deity of choice.
A long overdue overhaul
For quite a while my technology has been migrating to USB-C, partly by the decision to favor this when replacing tech and partly by attrition. Didn’t really plan on my Kindle 10 dying but hey, replacing it meant one less odd ball.
Presently my Bluetooth headphones (MicroUSB-B) and my phone (Lightning) are the only things that remain in common use that lack USB-C/PD. Except for my security keys which are still type-A connectors there are dreadfully few important things still using the older port type. In recent years the last hold outs have either gained (Centauri->Rimuru) or gone pure (Stark->Shion) USB-C, and one of the reasons I keep USB-A connectivity around is my security keys.
Well, technically there is also a plant shaped lamp on my desk that charges its internal battery via MicroUSB. But honestly I bought that because I like the look of it, not because I use it as a desk lamp 🤪
At long last, I’ve decided on replacing my USB-A based security keys with new USB-C models. Again, one for keeping on my keychain and one for keeping in a safe location. For a while, I will likely retain the ‘A’ model on key ring along side its replacement. I expect that it will join its companion in a safe location soon enough.
Actually, as a side thought, perhaps I should retire them to a safe deposit box or a drill press once ‘fully’ retired from service.
if Chrome wasn’t becoming an emacs joke by the time it became an operating system, I think this tempts me even more. Ya know?
Leaking meters and flying shower curtain rods
Today was not as expected of the typical Monday, time change or no. It began with, well aside from getting up with the sunrise, lots of water. Turns out that the old unused water meter over the hot water heater decided to spew water everywhere. Today was mostly not fun in that regard.
For bonus points reaching that point where I tell the dogs, either I go take a shower and make some lunch or I’ll pass out and hit the floor, of course I end up hitting the floor ^_^. The tub was so wet from the cleaning up, and neutralizing a spider, that I ended up taking a nice slip.
Ejected from the shower screaming, “Aiieeeeeeee” and hit the floor on top of the shower curtain. On the upside putting the shower curtain rod back up was less of a pain in the arse than I remember, and my rear end is still harder than the bathroom floor.
On the positive side the dogs napped really well after everything was done.
Debian and non-free firmware? Oh, my!
www.theregister.com/2023/03/08/debian_12_apt_2_6/
While I’ve mostly found Debian systems needing a separate repo enabled to pull in device firmware annoying, I’ve also always given them a little respect for sticking to their guns. Crazy as they might be.
Part of me wonders if Sid’s back yard just froze over 😅
Tags and categories
An upside to moving platforms, is now I have a system with independent ideas of tags and categories.
I’m thinking that this could be a useful means of separating more specific searchables from broader topics. Something that as time and variety have gone on, I’ve tended to avoid with everything crammed under Blogger’s idea of labels.
Alternatively it could just be a pain in the arse.
arstechnica.com/gadgets/2023/03/why-the-floppy-disk-just-wont-die/
for some reason this reminds me I should buy more floppy diskettes while they’re still readily available. Back when I got my PDQ PowerBook G3, one of the sweet bonuses for the price was a pack of 3.5″ diskettes that re-enforced my stockpile.
Theme updates
While still considered provisional, I’ve updated a few things.
- Color scheme
- For starters, something inspired by the green phosphor style of monochrome monitors.
- Debating between this retro direction and more contemporary tighty-whitey typography.
- Side bar
- Archives added to side bar.
- Categories added to side bar.
- Pages
- Privacy Policy sorted over.
- Think I’ll stuff these in a menu at some point.
Yes, the 2018 iPad Pro has aged well
https://9to5mac.com/2023/03/02/2018-ipad-pro-2/
I’m inclined to agree with much of this. The 2018 model came into my group of hardware and started running circles around my other devices, particularly my third generation Core i5s.
Right now the only good reason I see to upgrade are support for secondary displays and perhaps thunderbolt. Features I desire in my tablet but that aren’t worth the price of a new iPad when everything else is dandy.
Well, if you discount that the base 64GB of storage is getting less roomer, the battery is aging, and I’m sometimes tempted by the idea of an cellular capable iPad. Those are all interesting points, but still sufficient for the time being 😛
Signs of getting old
Random things that make me feel like I’m getting old: having seen entire generations of hardware make the transition between hot, sexy, powerful computers and being the oldest equipment this side of a dumpster.
Also, it’s probably a good thing that I don’t have room for a server rack in my closet.