Blog

  • MacOS “Big Sur”

    MacOS “Big Sur”

    A couple weeks ago, the latest “major” MacOS upgrade was released. This is a pretty major update, and actually ticked it from the 10.x train, to 11.0.

    Of course, I waited until there was the first point release, and there were a couple of programs that I use heavily that needed to be updated. Once 11.0.1 was released, and the software that warned me was rev’d, I felt I was ready.

    Boy, was I wrong…

    (more…)
  • Cloud File Sync

    Cloud File Sync

    One of the best products of the last decade has been the advent of cloud based file syncing between computers/devices. When I first heard of Dropbox, it was intriguing, and they gave you (I think) 2GB free (this was circa 2011), and you could upgrade to 100GB for a nominal fee.

    (more…)
  • Want to Get Into RC Cars?

    Want to Get Into RC Cars?

    This will be the first of a series on how to navigate the initial learning curve, and to choose what is a good entry point. Whether you are shopping for yourself, or are looking for a gift for the Holidays for someone else, there will be plenty of advice to be had.

    Last holiday season, I embarked on this journey, and had to figure most of this out myself. Now, I will share with my readers what I learned.

    (more…)
  • Next RC: Losi Super Baja Rey 2.0

    Next RC: Losi Super Baja Rey 2.0

    Over the summer, I was looking at adding to the stable, and I had an Arrma Mojave 1/7th scale that was going to scratch my short course/desert truck itch.

    Alas, it was on backorder from my Birthday, and the last update I got on shipment was that it would have shipped on September 6th (and then it was delayed again) so I cancelled it. It was on backorder soooooooo long that the batteries I ordered to go with it from Banggood all arrived before I cancelled the order.

    (more…)
  • Favorite Movies: Grosse Pointe Blank

    Favorite Movies: Grosse Pointe Blank

    As I was checking out my Apple account, I discovered that I had purchased Grosse Pointe Blank way back in 2007, when I was traveling a lot. It still sits in my account, so I had to watch it again.

    (more…)
  • The Balkanization of TV

    The Balkanization of TV

    I recall a lot of talk about how the power of the cable companies and their “bundles” of channels was anti-consumer. If you liked sports, you paid a bunch for a package that had the ESPN, and other sports channels, and you were pretty screwed if you didn’t care for all extra crap.

    (more…)
  • Streaming, some yay, some argh

    Streaming, some yay, some argh

    If you have been following the thread, about 3 years ago, I bit the bullet and built a Plex server. A simple Intel NUC with a Core i5 CPU, 8 gigs of ram, and a 300gig SSD inside, and a big spinning rust external drive hanging on it.

    (more…)
  • Movie: Breakfast at Tiffany’s

    Movie: Breakfast at Tiffany’s

    Since I re-created my Plex server, I have been spending time watching some of my favorite films.

    Today is Breakfast at Tiffiany’s.

    (more…)
  • Alien movie observations

    Alien movie observations

    I first saw Alien in a theater in 1979. It was a field trip, organized by my high school biology teacher, Fred Granger. He wanted to contrast what a real ET “contact” might be like, to counter the too cute by half “E.T. The Extra Terrestrial” that came out the year before.

    (more…)
  • Plex Fun

    Plex Fun

    (not so much)

    I had noticed that the frequency of updates to the Intel NUC that powers my Plex Media Server had tailed off (it ran Ubuntu 18.04 LTS) an indication that there was a new version of the long term support OS coming.

    (more…)