IT... Computing....

[PluMGMK]

Everywhere really… Little bits of flaked-off skin, muck from outside that sticks to your clothes and shoes and gets thrown into the air as you walk around, microscopic soot particles if you have candles or are cooking / burning, etc… And then it all accumulates inside computers since they're constantly circulating the external air through themselves!

[Steo]

That’s actually a very good question, where does all this dust come from? Maybe one of you nice people can give me the information?

As far as I know, a lot of house dust is even just stuff like skin flakes, which doesn't sound very appealing. There are a lot of other things though and I believe those dryers for drying your clothes actually create a lot of it too, though that mostly is fabric from clothing. Though if it were skin cells, it wouldn't make sense for them to get behind the PC and at the skirting boards and stuff.

EDIT: Oh I didn't notice Plum replied on a new page, but basically their description. I think I tried to even read about it before too.

[Reese Riverson]

That’s actually a very good question, where does all this dust come from? Maybe one of you nice people can give me the information?

As far as I know, a lot of house dust is even just stuff like skin flakes, which doesn't sound very appealing. There are a lot of other things though and I believe those dryers for drying your clothes actually create a lot of it too, though that mostly is fabric from clothing. Though if it were skin cells, it wouldn't make sense for them to get behind the PC and at the skirting boards and stuff.

EDIT: Oh I didn't notice Plum replied on a new page, but basically their description. I think I tried to even read about it before too.

Clothes dryers should be vented outside, which is where the lint traps usually are there for to help minimize all of that from collecting in the ductwork for that. So technically there shouldn't be much of that going in the house itself at all, I wouldn't think.

But yeah, like at our office space where there's more traffic between the workshop and outdoors here, the dust collection in computers is usually more filthy looking than what builds up at home.

[PluMGMK]

Here's something: Intel Calls For More Modular PC Designs, Easier Component Replacement/Upgrades
If it gets traction, I'll be very happy, because I've been concerned, nearly since I first got into PC repair, about how the proliferation of more and more compact laptops and other computing devices is making self-build / repair a more and more tortured pursuit

[Master]

Having more modularity for portable computers would be a major boon, Framework have done a great job in popularising the concept. But to see Intel bring it forth as a potential initiative to mainstream it definitely is a positive development.

One thing I'd wonder about however, would they standardise the modules? Or would we see manufacturers each use their own systems? The former is preferred, but I'd be concerned that the latter is the likelier option.

On a separate tangent, this might be of interest to those who follow Linux, a prominent creator just endorsed Linux and Adobe alternatives:

[PluMGMK]

"Thanks Gabe"

Anyway, I appreciate the sentiment, but it's probably worth pointing out that all the Big Tech firms (yes, even Microsoft) are now contributing to the Linux kernel and other prominent open-source projects, so you don't really escape them by switching. But at least you have more control over what runs on your device, which is always good!

[Steo]

After I built my new computer I was just running Windows on it for a while mostly, then when I booted Linux again, it just felt about 200 times faster. It's mostly because lots of random crap doesn't start opening on boot, but it just always happens to be much lighter on resources too. I still use KDE Plasma, which isn't even the lightest of all that are out there, but it's still much much faster. It feels like when you click on something, it just happens, instead of waiting for a minute, especially if you just booted.

[PluMGMK]

This is insane…

[Master]

Ahh newlines, I had an issue a while ago where I was editing a bash script in Windows...because I'm stupid. Took a lot more time than I'd like to admit to figure out why the bash script wasn't working after the fact

Also interesting is the fact that this was a function leftover from Left 4 Dead, could this functionality still exist in newer Source games then? And potentially even Source 2? I also was intrigued about the presence of the rockets, since I know those existed in Portal 1, but I don't remember them being there in Portal 2. Are those leftovers, or was that modded in?

[EdgyRabbid]

I would like to switch to Linux but I know most of my programs don’t work with it… oh well…

Plus I really wanted to make my desktop look like windows 7! But since I don’t got Linux I’m practically out of luck, because I adore customization!

[Master]

I'm fairly certain there's ways of customising Windows 10 that can make it look more like prior OSes. It's not something I feel the inclination to do since it's usually using tools and software from third parties, and something that messes about with the internals of the OS isn't something I want to be trusting on the onset...but I haven't look into the process proper so I could very well be mistaken.

I've been hearing that SteamOS has started to filter out to other handheld computers, and it looks like it's competitive if not actually surpassing Windows 11 on the same hardware. I do wonder if this could potentially shake Windows' dominance in PC gaming.

[EdgyRabbid]

Maybe. Most people are still on 10 and with many older pcs being unable to keep up with the stupid limits then for gamers SteamOS is the best outcome.


Also i made the choice of getting a macbook for school, better then a chromebook but not good for gaming and stuff. I need it for university anyways, and when i do get it im gonna switch to linux on my main laptop. Not dealing with windows 11.. not like it can upgrade..

[PluMGMK]

Ahh newlines, I had an issue a while ago where I was editing a bash script in Windows...because I'm stupid. Took a lot more time than I'd like to admit to figure out why the bash script wasn't working after the fact

I'm sure everyone who's dealt with such things has at least one story like that, nothing to call yourself stupid over!

Also interesting is the fact that this was a function leftover from Left 4 Dead, could this functionality still exist in newer Source games then? And potentially even Source 2?

I imagine it's there in every subsequent Source rev, since it seems like a fairly basic feature, nothing L4D-specific. I'm not familiar with Source 2 so I can't comment on that, but I imagine there's something similar available…

I also was intrigued about the presence of the rockets, since I know those existed in Portal 1, but I don't remember them being there in Portal 2. Are those leftovers, or was that modded in?

The cheat to fire a rocket out of your face from Portal 1 still exists in Portal 2. The rocket turret entity also exists, but it has… problems… (The video I linked there is really about a sound issue in Portal 1, but the footage happens to show how effed-up the turret is in Portal 2 as well!)

[EdgyRabbid]

Anyone got any good Linux versions that are biginner friendly? im now only starting to get into more complex computering and i would like to make the switch during the summer!

[Master]

Ahh newlines, I had an issue a while ago where I was editing a bash script in Windows...because I'm stupid. Took a lot more time than I'd like to admit to figure out why the bash script wasn't working after the fact

I'm sure everyone who's dealt with such things has at least one story like that, nothing to call yourself stupid over!

Haha oh without a doubt, it's just one of those mistakes you can't help but yourself for it.

Also interesting is the fact that this was a function leftover from Left 4 Dead, could this functionality still exist in newer Source games then? And potentially even Source 2?

I imagine it's there in every subsequent Source rev, since it seems like a fairly basic feature, nothing L4D-specific. I'm not familiar with Source 2 so I can't comment on that, but I imagine there's something similar available…

I did have a quick look at the Valve Dev Wiki, it doesn't look like Source 2 has the launch option to enable the functionality, so perhaps not? At least in the same way?

I also was intrigued about the presence of the rockets, since I know those existed in Portal 1, but I don't remember them being there in Portal 2. Are those leftovers, or was that modded in?

The cheat to fire a rocket out of your face from Portal 1 still exists in Portal 2. The rocket turret entity also exists, but it has… problems… (The video I linked there is really about a sound issue in Portal 1, but the footage happens to show how effed-up the turret is in Portal 2 as well!)

Huh, I haven't touched Portal 2 in a while, might have to redownload and see what mischief I can cause then

Anyone got any good Linux versions that are biginner friendly? im now only starting to get into more complex computering and i would like to make the switch during the summer!

Ubuntu is the traditional recommendation, at least it was back when I first dabbled in Linux (though I remember going for Mint instead xD). I don't main Linux outside of when I mess with my Steam Deck which is SteamOS, so I don't know whether my recommendation is still valid at this point.

[PluMGMK]

OK, this probably isn't the best mood to be going into Record Day with, which is why I've made a conscious decision to get this off my chest before it starts… I'm p***ed off.

You may recall my power supply that blew up a few weeks ago. Well, I replaced it with a shiny new one, but then afterwards found my serial port no longer worked (more precisely: it could receive, but not transmit). I convinced myself that the SuperIO had been damaged (by getting an oscilloscope and seeing how dead the Tx pin on the serial header was), so a couple of weeks ago I finally went and ordered a PCI-serial adapter.

The card arrived today (thanks UPS for the delays ) and when I plugged it in I got exactly the same result: receive, no transmit. It turns out (and I had suspected this, but convinced myself otherwise with the oscilloscope :facepalm) that the REAL problem was the lack of a –12 V supply on the new power supply. It seems that PSU manufacturers now no longer bother to include a –12-V pin, even though there's nothing stopping users from hooking them up to hardware that requires it (just like I did, in fact).

At this point, my best bet is probably to stack four coin cells, connect the positive end to one of the GND lines, and the negative end to the –12-V pin on the motherboard power connector (maybe using a wire salvaged from the old PSU). I'm just really annoyed that I allowed myself to waste my time and money on a serial card when in the back of my mind I suspected the –12-V rail. I'm also quite annoyed in general that the –12-V supply has been done away with so quietly, and in a way that can cause such weird problems. I mean, yes, not many people use a serial port anymore, but surely that's all the more reason to warn people who do that there might be problems like this.

OK, my annoyance is probably disproportionate, and people are probably wondering why the hell I care so much, and I'll probably have calmed down in a few hours – but again, I just wanted to get this off my chest so it wouldn't be gnawing at me going into Record Day!

[Curionone]

Linux forever, Windows sometimes

[The Jonster]

Yeah a lot of people like Linux huh? I do too

[DaveRattlehead]

Another Linux user? I'm very sure there will be more than a single person in this forum happy to read that!

Not me, unfortunately. No hecking idea about Linux

[PluMGMK]

Not me, unfortunately. No hecking idea about Linux

I mean, you can always try it out someday

I wonder if anyone here has any tips to make a –12-V supply from the existing +12-V rail so I can splice it in and get everything working properly again…