matthew - retroedge.tech

https://social.retroedge.tech/users/matthew

Work: computer repair, refurbished computer sales, sysadmin

#linux #artix #debian #devuan #linuxMint (debian edition)

#bsd #netbsd #OPNsense

#programming #c #lua #neovim #go #v

#voluntaryism #liberty #cypherpunk

Website: https://retroedge.tech/
Email Newsletter: https://retroedgetech.substack.com/
Peertube Video : https://video.retroedge.tech/c/retroedgetech/videos

Public Key

npub1mt7rh4alr6qghdvr5wdxuwpsnsz7xf9jfk6r4ahs8xdersa9575q2w07dq

NIP-05 Address

matthew_at_social.retroedge.tech@momostr.pink

Profile Code

nprofile1qqsd4lpm67l3aqytkkp68xnw8qcfcp0ryjeymdp67mcrnxu3cwj602qpz3mhxue69uhhyetvv9ujuerpd46hxtnfduqs6amnwvaz7tmwdaejumr0ds4lwed2

Publishing to

relay.damus.io

nos.lol

Author Public Key

npub1mt7rh4alr6qghdvr5wdxuwpsnsz7xf9jfk6r4ahs8xdersa9575q2w07dq

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Last Notes

2026-07-18 00:12:18 UTC

I am really liking LXQt - lex-cute - desktop. The defaults are just below desirable, but with just a bit of customizing LXQt is really good.
So it is not as polished visually and features "out of the box" as Cinnamon desktop is, but it is much lighter on resources and is customizable in the ways that I'd like.
Wish I'd tried it sooner... but maybe it really hadn't found its current form until recently.
#Linux #LXQt

2026-07-12 17:17:56 UTC

A few more tweaks to the LXQt desktop.
Put the menu bar at the top of the screen. Removed the start menu (mainmenu) and Quick Launch. Put the Desktop Switcher on the right side of the bar.
I am launching applications with lxqt-runner bound to a shortcut key, 'Super + Space' (so similar to default rofi or drun functionality, but the default built in tool for LXQt).
The default keyboard shortcuts for positioning windows are pretty good but assume having the numpad, which I do since I am using this on a desktop with full size keyboard.
I modified the keyboard shortcut for 'maximize window' to be 'Super + Begin(keypad)' s that the center of keypad does what I intuitively expect it to for window positioning.
Right now I feel very comfy in LXQt. There's just enough for widgets and customization to feel that it is easy to use. Just enough ability to customize, without being overwhelmed with options. It is light and quick.
#LXQt #Linux
https://social.retroedge.tech/media/2928d7d3-88e5-4eea-a5cb-015906b55b1c/2026-07-12-120555_1920x1200_scrot.png

2026-06-11 13:52:52 UTC

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Have you compared with Delta Chat on the same phones?
I'm wondering if it is a mobile network delay (phone system) or a problem with Signal.

2026-06-04 16:44:44 UTC

Situation Update:
A hard line "I don't use anything with LLM generated code" stance will be difficult to maintain if you are a Linux user.
#Linux #LLM #AI

2026-05-30 23:22:29 UTC

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I am not particularly happy with either gtk or qt, but I'll be taking a closer look at LXQt.
Do you also try to avoid, or completely avoid, applications that use GTK ?
I'm a big fan of SDL as a graphical interface for applications, but that's rare to see apps that use that. A few examples are La Grange and lite-xl
https://gmi.skyjake.fi/lagrange/
https://codeberg.org/lite-xl-agg/lite-xl
#GTK #Qt #SDL

2026-05-21 01:42:38 UTC

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Thank you. Do you have any of your rofi scripts published (github, codeberg, et cetera) ?

2026-05-20 04:17:36 UTC

Showing some keyboard shortcuts in XFCE and a bit of customization with the rofi launcher.
Video length is about six and a half minutes.
#XFCE #Linux #rofi
https://social.retroedge.tech/media/2cd24dcb-ed25-4a20-ad8c-e6eedbe5ab1c/2026-05-19%2022-40-19.mp4

2026-05-14 14:33:24 UTC

Besides tiling window managers (bspwm and i3wm), I have mostly used the Cinnamon desktop environment for the past five years.
I am exploring MATE and XFCE more now. I used to use Ubuntu MATE, but haven't really "daily driven" XFCE.
If you had to choose between the two, what would you prefer for a Linux or BSD desktop environment:
#Linux #BSD #MATE #XFCE

2026-05-14 04:28:11 UTC

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Do you prefer one desktop over the others for the main .iso options for PClinuxOS? (KDE, mate, xfce)

2026-05-14 04:27:04 UTC

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Got it. Thank you for the clarification on this. I appreciate it (and your opinions).
I'll be trying regular PClinuxOS soon, too.
Do you know if Cinnamon desktop is in the PClinuxOS repositories?

2026-05-14 04:16:23 UTC

This distro is a bit of a surprise.
I am not sure what exactly makes it PClinuxOS, if the base is Debian. It does have the extra software tools that usually come with PClinuxOS.
It has a recent 7.0.* Linux kernel. Has xLibre installed by default.
PClinuxOS is a rolling release, but the repositories for this appear to be Debian Trixie... so is this not a rolling release Linux?
SysV init version: 3.14 - so no SystemD
Would be great to chat with someone who knows more about this Distribution.
#Linux #PClinuxOS #xLibre #Debian
https://social.retroedge.tech/media/11f62c30-8013-42cc-b032-740e4f243bf0/2026-05-13-230406_1920x1200_scrot.png

2026-05-08 15:28:54 UTC

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Yes, I am that old... but wasn't that just a few years ago?
Some new(ish) motherboards still have one PS/2 connector for a keyboard, as some gamers preferred them.

2026-05-08 03:55:20 UTC

After a couple weeks, I found some customization to the KDE desktop environment that make me like it quite a bit better than the default configuration.
The key to this customization is a program called 'cortile' while brings features of a tiling window manager to X11 desktop environments.
The second is binding a keyboard shortcut to the "Overview" feature in KDE. By default, the Overview is activated by the top left 'hot corner', which I found by accident.
I want to focus on one window at a time and not have to worry about its position. Setting 'cortile' to the Maximized setting and the Panel Configuration Visibility to 'Dodge Windows' gives me what I was looking for.
The Overview is now tied to a keyboard shortcut and acts like rofi would, as a window and virtual desktop switcher, as well as an application launcher.
In KDE System Settings, keyboard shortcuts can be configured for switching virtual desktops and moving windows between virtual desktops. It is a bit fiddly and takes quite a bit of time to figure it out, but KDE does not disappoint with with how much it can be customized.
I think this concept and integration of cortile would also work well in the Cinnamon desktop environment (haven't yet tried it), though Cinnamon may not quite the same feature as KDE Overview.
#Linux #customization #KDE #artix #cortile
https://social.retroedge.tech/media/932fc743-77fd-4cb7-9ec0-b3ac59678a37/Screenshot_20260507_221412.png
https://social.retroedge.tech/media/eea733f4-dc74-4149-b56f-e5419b225dbe/2026-05-07-221235_1920x1080_scrot.png

2026-05-07 01:25:46 UTC

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A while ago, I used sxhkd with the bspwm window manager.
Question that you may know: can you use sxhkd with i3wm even though i3wm has keybinds in its own config ?

2026-05-07 01:09:20 UTC

Here's the MATE desktop on top of Artix Linux. It is installed on a ThinkCentre Tiny M700.
This is the computer for this week's RetroEdge.Tech Computer Giveaway.
One thing that I do not like about MATE (and therefore the old Gnome2) is that there is very little keyboard control of the desktop environment. The 'super' key does not launch the Start Menu. Ctrl+Alt+t does not launch a terminal, et cetera.
Perhaps adding rofi on top of MATE would be a good blend of old and better keyboard control.
https://substack.com/home/post/p-196717939
#Linux #artix #Lenovo #MATE
https://social.retroedge.tech/media/fc6e6896-8bb1-4bfa-8ba2-9776c5b4d3e5/2023-12-05-053433_1600x900_scrot.png

2026-05-06 22:27:04 UTC

Stop Putting Everything in Discord & Reddit: Use Forums Instead
Video by Lawrence Systems
Invidious link: https://inv.thepixora.com/watch?v=F2uywL_uezM
Youtube ID: F2uywL_uezM
----
A good reminder. It is worth taking the time to use forums.

2026-05-04 18:27:56 UTC

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Yeah, I played it a lot, too.
I remember going through the practice courses over and over until I got good enough at it to play the missions.

2026-05-04 18:16:35 UTC

I didn't realize that Star Wars X-Wing for PC (DOS) from LucasArts came out in 1993.
That would have been the same year our family got our first computer.
I remember installing it from stack of 20 3.5 inch floppy disks.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ea_e0qiZz7c
#StarWars #PC #gaming

2026-04-27 13:43:09 UTC

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It does have promise. I am planning on doing more with MOS.
Very simplified interface compared to ProxMox, but that can also be a good thing.
I am not very familiar with Docker, and needed to ask for some help from someone more knowledgeable, but it seems that Frigate NVR deployed with docker on MOS is working well, complete with video storage on an internal HDD.
I have not been a big fan of Docker, but I can see how it can be useful. MOS can do Docker, LXC containers and VMs.

2026-04-27 13:32:59 UTC

Used the Modular Operating System
https://mos-official.net/
#Linux #SysAdmin
#note19mm…uj34

2026-04-22 01:16:29 UTC

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I may let @npub1rgl…0aak answer.

2026-04-21 21:31:06 UTC

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As an former Ubuntu fan boy, for well over a decade, I second the recommendation of MXlinux over Ubuntu.
Lighter weight and Debian base is great. It is also friendly to Linux newbies with helpful tools, community and documentation.
I use Devuan on many of my computers, which is also based on Debian.
#Linux #Debian #Devuan

2026-04-15 22:04:45 UTC

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https://retroedgetech.substack.com/

2026-04-15 22:01:40 UTC

Little PCs like these are versatile and valuable.
I self host websites and services on a couple. I use one for a front desk business computer.
They can be set up to do all sorts of things. Most of the business class tiny computers have processors in sockets, so they can be upgraded. Most of the models can be upgraded to 32GB memory, as they have two memory slots.
Starting in May, I’ll be giving away one of these types of computers every week to a randomly drawn substack email newsletter subscriber.
https://social.retroedge.tech/media/3bdaf494-3160-4145-a9d5-5fed3ec18525/elitedesk-800-g3-mini-450px.jpg

2026-04-15 21:39:47 UTC

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Yeah, I'm trying out KDE.
My 'go to' desktop environment recommendation for years has been Cinnamon (usually in Linux Mint Debian Edition). Looking at some other options now.
Sounds like you have some opinions. Please share more details!

2026-04-15 17:43:22 UTC

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My guess is that NetBSD will ignore it until it has to be officially dealt with.
That's my hope at least, and the track record of Slow and Steady from the NetBSD organization.
Age verification requirement is such an affront to technical literacy, that it is doubtful to pass and be upheld without significant push back.
What is the US going to do? Outlaw use of older "retro" operating systems that do not have Age Verification feature?
It is ridiculous and unenforceable at so many levels.
#AgeVerification

2026-04-15 17:18:11 UTC

Or older desktop PC
#netBSD
#note1zga…h393

2026-04-15 17:03:07 UTC

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Let us know how it goes. I have not used Bhyve yet, but I'd like to.
If there were any resources or guides that were helpful to you, that would also be good to know.

2026-04-15 14:52:49 UTC

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I have a few Zip drive readers.
The blue external one I have is missing a power adapter, which I may have in a box of "wall-warts" somewhere. I believe I also have an internal Zip drive in an old computer that I should test and see if that works.
You can probably buy a Zip drive reader on ebay that connects with USB (or find an adapter).

2026-04-15 14:34:48 UTC

Notes on #KDE
On my ThinkPad T470s laptop with KDE on Artix Linux, 'tap to click' feature was not working on the touchpad. I had to 'press to click', which was fine for a while, but I missed just being able to use a light tap on the touchpad to 'click'.
Looked in KDE settings for touchpad and 'tap to click' was already selected, but not actually working.
To get it to work, I had to edit this file:
```/usr/share/X11/xorg.conf.d/40-libinput.conf```
and add the line:
```Option "Tapping" "True"```
in the input class section for my touchpad.
Logged out and then back in again. Now 'tap to click' works.
#thinkPad #T470s #Linux #Artix

2026-04-14 19:15:05 UTC

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I agree that these are not mutually exclusive, as you posit.
However, I also think it likely that most people will succumb to the temptation to let "AI" think for them... but this is nothing new, as it is what happens with when people trust Media Establishment and go along with Group Think.
So it may be possible that a smaller number of people can retain their own intellect and creativity while leveraging the "AI" tool.
I am finding answers to Linux tech how-to knowledge faster with Brave search summaries (marketed as AI) than with general search previously available.
I intend to be careful and cautious, though, and I am not fond of the Chat-bot concept that attempts to make summaries in the likeness of a person (Dune reference).

2026-04-14 17:37:51 UTC

Maybe.
There's a possibility that a lot of these companies relying on AI generated code will just completely fail when customers leave due to their products or services not working.
I have very little idea what the future holds for this topic... but I am not optimistic about "tons of jobs".
I have a friend who is all on-board with "how awesome AI is becoming" with helping him do his work (employed at an engineering start-up company).
What do you think? What are you seeing?
#note1auu…pefu

2026-04-14 16:47:24 UTC

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I just installed #KDE on my ThinkPad laptop.
Have been a Linux user for decades, but just warming up to KDE.
It is tempting to throw a KDE party. I may just do that!

2026-04-13 00:21:08 UTC

Does this mean when other people are talking about tech stuff, I will feel compelled to interject with "I use Artix, by the way." ?
I believe that is an established part of the tech culture. Just trying to do the correct thing, socially.
#note1wzf…nryn

2026-04-12 23:55:14 UTC

Going to be doing a fresh installation of Artix Linux with KDE (and i3wm) on my ThinkPad daily driver T470s laptop.
The batteries are a pain in the T470s, so I do not recommend it unless you are willing to live with that issue. The regular T470 is a much better laptop as far as the batteries and memory upgrades go.
But I have a T470s and I am (mostly) willing to live with the battery issues.
Use what you have!
#Artix #Linux #KDE #i3wm #ThinkPad #T470s

2026-04-12 20:12:12 UTC

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I don't have one, but I do appreciate the look of the brown colored Zune music player.
Microsoft made a few good products over the years.

2026-04-12 12:15:00 UTC

On Becoming A Day Person
https://herman.bearblog.dev/becoming-a-day-person/
-- blog post by Herman

2026-04-12 12:00:00 UTC

I love the colors on this Sony device!
#note1ywd…zazw

2026-04-12 00:30:00 UTC

Anybody use Frigate NVR (network video recorder) ?
https://frigate.video/
#frigate #nvr #selfhost #video

2026-04-10 22:15:07 UTC

Getting ready to have a customer pick up a refurbished Lenovo ThinkStation P330.
Good experience working with it so far. I plan on selling more of these.
#Lenovo #ThinkStation
https://social.retroedge.tech/media/5e1e28a2-b2c9-441d-b550-e2311c826223/thinkStation-P330.png

2026-04-10 22:01:21 UTC

This guy named Tim - you may have seen him around - followed me and is liking a whole bunch of my old posts, but stretched out over some time, probably randomly, and not all at once.
I am sure it is an automation and could be kind of annoying... but it is kind of refreshing to be reminded about stuff I posted about years ago with a notification from Tim.
Thanks Tim!
I certainly wasn't thinking about #HTMX today until he liked this old post of mine from 2023.
#note1nly…zkjn

2026-04-10 19:09:26 UTC

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This inversion is so weird.

2026-04-10 18:48:50 UTC

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The dark one.

2026-04-10 18:44:03 UTC

This is still in use and working great.
#note1r3u…87dq

2026-04-10 02:25:24 UTC

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I'll keep playing with the Discover app. I was able to get flatpak KDE app store working through one of the other tech support suggestions in this thread.
But... I may end up removing the Discover app, eventually.
I'd rather use apt on Devuan or pacman on Artix. However, this research I am doing is to figure out what to recommend and pre-install for my customers.
#KDE

2026-04-10 02:07:23 UTC

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Yeah, I didn't realize that Flatpak was what was being used by the KDE app store on the backend.
I will try that suggestion. I just need to reboot and test.

2026-04-10 02:04:34 UTC

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I don't believe so, but good to check as I am using Devuan without SystemD.
I was able to use the Discover app to search for "macOS" and it showed some of the macOS styled themes and I installed one without problems.
So the Discover app does work and gets some info on what can be installed. Just not the default distro repo or appstream links from the KDE app showcase.

2026-04-10 01:54:38 UTC

I am exporing KDE, via Devuan on a Mac Mini. Mostly quite quick to navigate. Here's problem I ran into but haven't solved yet. I did try to find answers on my own, but still stuck.
The Discover app looks quite promising. However, when I click to install an app from the apps.kde.org website, it opens the Discover app but I get this error:
"could not open appstream://org.kde.discover.desktop because it was not found in any available software repositories"
I am not sure how to add the KDE apps website to the Discover repositories.
Is this a common error? Or do you think it is Debian or Devuan specific error? I haven't yet tried on my Artix Linux installation, as that is currently in a different location.
#KDE #Devuan #Debian #Linux
https://social.retroedge.tech/media/9a63bef3-d08b-496a-82a2-ede3a4750707/Screenshot_20260409_204859.png

2026-04-10 00:36:21 UTC

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I'll do a few tweaks with software installation and configuration, then make a CloneZilla image.

2026-04-10 00:32:40 UTC

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I see you have the #artix logo next to your username. I am using that now, too.

2026-04-10 00:22:21 UTC

Success!
#Devuan #Linux #Apple #MacMini
https://social.retroedge.tech/media/f437855c-0bdc-48be-bcc3-d21caf6c8574/Screenshot_20260409_191940.png
#note1u5l…f3ga

2026-04-09 21:46:22 UTC

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Thanks. I was wondering when I was going to hear some from the KDE crowd. I want to immerse myself in KDE for a bit and see how it goes.
I will check it out:
https://kontact.kde.org/

2026-04-09 19:50:02 UTC

Anyone have recommendations for Thunderbird alternatives?
Maybe just a case of: This thing is bad, but all the alternatives are not any better
#email
I've been using Thunderbird almost as long as it has been available. Still using it. Every once in a while I attempt to look at alternatives. For the most part, Thunderbird works for me and I have strongly recommended it in the past.
#note1y9y…j0eh

2026-04-09 18:58:52 UTC

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Agreed.
I had a ThinkPad T15 Gen 1 that I was going to get ready for a customer. It was behaving a bit weird. Odd crash. So I tested the memory. The soldered memory was going bad.
So far total loss on that hardware. I may end up parting it out or waiting to buy a replacement motherboard... but that replacement motherboard will also have soldered memory.
I have largely switched to the ThinkPad L series, as they have two memory slots and no memory soldered to the board.
#ThinkPad #memory

2026-04-09 18:52:44 UTC

I am thinking about installing Devuan with KDE on the Mac Mini I am working on.
Yeah, I'll do that.
#note1tgg…e6dg

2026-04-09 18:43:58 UTC

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Some self reflection on my character is that I put off working on Macs for way longer than is rationally explainable.
It may have to do with some underlying trauma from long ago.
Perhaps you and I have some shared lived experience when it comes to these "fruit machines".
#Apple #hardware

2026-04-09 18:36:02 UTC

Okay, that Mac Mini was a bit more time consuming to disassemble than I expected.
The whole thing has to come apart to get at the SATA storage drive.
Going to be replacing the HDD with an SSD and installing Linux.
#MacMini #Linux
https://social.retroedge.tech/media/d87bed7d-bf5a-4ad1-85a3-d3cc7eca471b/DSCF0283.JPG

2026-04-09 15:48:00 UTC

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Thank you! That was helpful.

2026-04-09 15:07:17 UTC

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I also then want to compare Devuan with KDE to Artix with KDE.

2026-04-09 15:02:24 UTC

Okay, I've got a bunch of work to do...
... but I'd also like to install Devuan Linux with KDE Plasma on a ThinkCentre Tiny.
Which is also productive work, as I want to test it out as an option to pre-install for customers who want Linux, but not urgent at all.
In related news, I am gearing up to start a weekly computer giveaway.
#Devuan #KDE #Linux

2026-04-09 03:18:04 UTC

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Sometimes the alignment is just off a bit. Taking it apart is a good first step. Also something could be sticking up and physically blocking the bottom cover from fully closing.
Also, I usually click in the front of the laptop, after putting the bottom cover at a slight angle, front first. Then click in the rest of the bottom cover, back last.
#ThinkPad #T480

2026-04-09 03:11:22 UTC

Network SysAdmin Question:
I have a need to host an authoritative DNS server. The organization has been using BIND for probably over 20 years. Moving out of a physical location to "cloud", Digital Ocean.
I could use Digital Ocean as a DNS server, but I think that may not cover all the bases with a migration, as I would have to change the name servers to Digital Ocean for each domain name at the registrar... and there's a lot of domain names.
Could just use the same software, BIND, but I am interested in alternatives.
NSD looks like a strong contender and likely will go with that.
But wanted to ask if anyone has had great (or terrible) experience with authoritative DNS servers.
#networking #DNS #sysAdmin

2026-04-09 02:28:28 UTC

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"PPAs are officially designed for Ubuntu and are not intended for Debian, but they can sometimes be used on Debian with significant risks and manual configuration."
So when I switch away from Ubuntu to Debian based distros, PPAs were not really an option.
Almost all of the software I use is in the main repositories. I do use some AppImages and manually downloaded .deb packages.

2026-04-09 01:30:08 UTC

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I do not have any recent experience with that, as I usually just avoid using PPAs.
Haven't looked it up, but I don't think PPAs will play nice with the Debian (Devuan) base.
Are there a lot of PPAs that you are using? Or just a few?

2026-04-08 23:32:29 UTC

I stopped at a two big box retailers to get a 1TB nvme SSD. One was completely out of stock.
The other one only had one left. Price was $260.
I bought it.
Would have ordered online, but have a customer who wants a newer refurbished computer with a fast storage drive and wants the migration from his old computer to the replacement done with as little downtime as possible.
#SSD #storage

2026-04-08 22:10:08 UTC

I just sold that Intel NUC to a local customer.

2026-04-08 20:38:21 UTC

Getting work done

2026-04-07 19:44:39 UTC

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I am working up to switching to KDE and qt apps for both myself and customers. I need a bit more time with it.
#KDE

2026-04-07 19:30:03 UTC

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There's some really easy tweaks that make Cinnamon look very similar to older versions of macOS.
Pretty much just put the task bar at the top, change the window control buttons to the left instead of right and install a dock on the bottom.
Doesn't take long and I have had good results with that.
#LinuxMint #Cinnamon #macOS #linux

2026-04-07 19:24:01 UTC

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A customer's Mac Mini.
I will be putting #LinuxMint #Debian Edition, as that is what I have been doing for the last couple years.
Have been doing research on other distros and Desktop Environments. May switch to distro without SystemD and switch to KDE for customers... but haven't gotten something in place that I feel as confident in "just working" and me being able to support.

2026-04-07 16:00:19 UTC

Today, one of my planned tasks is to install Linux on an older Mac Mini.
macOS is no longer supported on it. Linux is a great fit to keep this hardware useful.
#macOS #macMini #Linux

2026-04-07 15:25:39 UTC

@npub1jvk…6kdx Thanks for following.
You've reminded me to check out the Vivaldi fediverse server.

2026-04-07 15:20:15 UTC

I have to smirk a little about this.
People figuring out how to be social. Realizing that cliques and group behaviors are very real. Also that group-think and censorship to enforce it also happen... because we are people and social power is a real form of power.
The best way to combat this is to encourage individuals and small groups to host their own social media.
Most of the "big" Mastodon servers won't see my posts because they block most of the independent #fediverse servers... but there are still ways I can build an audience and express what I want to.
I think that a lot of the social interaction has retreated to private groups that are not visible from the outside. Hard to gauge this though... because I can't see it if I am not part of those groups.
#social #SocialMedia #mastodon

2026-04-07 11:30:00 UTC

After a bit of downtime, our #peertube server is back online:
https://video.retroedge.tech/c/retroedgetech/videos

2026-04-07 01:25:39 UTC

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Are they leaving the #fediverse completely? Or just using other #ActivityPub servers?
I was on a #mastodon instance for a while, hosted by a tech Youtuber. When that instance shut down, I moved to another independently hosted mastodon instance, then decided to self-host a Pleroma (alternative to mastodon) server and have been on that ever since (a couple years).
#selfhost

2026-04-07 00:54:25 UTC

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I am not one hundred percent anti-crypto currency (but I am not on fosstodon, so may not be who you are asking).
Crypto-currency has a few practical applications, but people rarely use them.
If you care about privacy, a crypto-currency like #Monero is something to at least know about and have some experience with.

2026-04-07 00:41:54 UTC

I took apart an Intel NUC8 (eighth gen Intel processor), cleaned, re-applied thermal paste and replaced a failed CMOS battery.
#Intel #NUC #repair
https://social.retroedge.tech/media/2a2d1216-e3d5-44e6-99d9-690343adf670/intel-NUC8-bare-motherboard.png

2026-04-06 19:14:34 UTC

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Yep. Pros and Cons and you called them.

2026-04-06 18:22:39 UTC

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Found one video with a test comparison:
https://youtu.be/SSet5kP83VA
If you watch, feel free to skip to the results summary around the seven minute mark.
Too Long Didn't Watch: the open air case performs about as well as an expensive case designed for great airflow.
You should at least pay attention to onboard components that benefit from cooling and maybe have fans mounted to point at those area... but even if you don't, the thermal performance is good.
The end of the video cover the drawbacks of not have a case enclosure. No physical protection and no dust filtering, so you would have to manually blow the dust and other collected material off the components regularly (once a month or so).
#computer #atx #customPC #PC

2026-04-06 17:37:33 UTC

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The custom case idea I am working on is not open frame and would have internal airflow.
But I want to try both.

2026-04-06 17:36:27 UTC

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I am definitely curious about that. I am sure that quite a few tech youtubers have done videos on that topic.
That said, I have seen quite a few CPU miners use they kinds of open mounting frames. Maybe there's a big fan off camera.
I may do some tests on my own.
Do you have experience with comparisons?

2026-04-06 17:09:20 UTC

I really like the general look and concept of these open frame ATX motherboard test bench computers (not really a "computer case").
I haven't printed or bought one yet, but plan to.
Here's the listing on ebay: https://www.ebay.com/itm/196012754394
I also have some design ideas that I am working on for an mATX case.
#Computer #ATX #mATX #3Dprint #3Dprinting
https://social.retroedge.tech/media/d536950e-3bc4-4342-8a55-72ac1fd3a867/3d-print-motherboard-test-bench-3DprintMaster-ze.png

2026-04-06 16:05:49 UTC

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Very likely.
I have been interested in Linux distros without SystemD for quite a while. Been using Devuan on a few systems for quite a few years, so has my oldest son.
Trying Artix Linux again and really liking it. Truth is that I haven't yet spent significant time with it, though.
#Linux

2026-04-06 14:26:56 UTC

I am slowly using more applications associated with KDE and qt.
I was an Ubuntu fanboy for nearly 15 years, so most of my Linux experience has been with GTK based programs and desktop environments (typing this from a Cinnamon desktop now, as it is the DE on my laptop along with the i3 window manager).
Possible big step: Yesterday I installed Artix Linux with the latest KDE Plasma desktop environment on a computer for family room use (mostly videos and music).
My children have been using Krita for art and Kdenlive for video editing for years.
#KDE #qt #Linux #change

2026-04-06 03:48:50 UTC

What a difference a docking station makes.
I like ThinkPad laptops, but I added a monitor, keyboard and mouse to a my ThinkPad's docking station today. Made a huge difference. I was able to get some work done that I probably wouldn't have completed if not for the large monitor and ease of working with full keyboard and mouse.
#desk #dockingStation

2026-04-03 17:19:14 UTC

I am attempting to recover data from a 3.5 inch SATA hard drive that was in a Windows Vista era HP Pavilion a6750y computer.
Running Check Disk on the hard drive now.
Amazing thing about this computer is that it sold in 2009 with 8GB memory (upgrade-able to 16GB), 750GB storage and a quad core AMD processor.
Granted, the all of those are much slower than what is selling new today, but the capacities are similar. We have brand new computers selling now in 2026 at Best Buy and Walmart with 8GB memory.
There are 17 years in between when this HP computer was produced and now.
#progress #hardware #memory
https://social.retroedge.tech/media/78986bae-2bf1-46f1-a3da-2a54751fa0d0/33529089-2-1333-OVR-1.jpg

2026-04-02 17:29:51 UTC

For many of the tasks that people used SBCs for, such as the Raspberry Pi, a used tiny business class computer is a better fit.
I particularly like the ThinkCentre Tiny M700 and M710q computers.
#TinyMiniMicro #SBC
https://social.retroedge.tech/media/056ac541-4b7a-4ce5-97c4-53ab720d3ec7/SBC-dying-hobby.png

2026-04-02 16:58:50 UTC

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This is just one of the reasons why I try to make it work with my own business and never really tried to get a corporate tech job.

2026-04-02 16:55:07 UTC

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Just basic router tasks for now at my small business storefront.

2026-04-01 19:51:01 UTC

Doing some upgrades to a Dell Optiplex 7060 MT to get ready for a local customer.

2026-04-01 15:33:23 UTC

Imagine trying to make some kind of serious announcement today...

2026-03-31 22:29:25 UTC

Anyone have recommendations for monitor arms?
I am looking to bring my front desk monitor up to eye level when I am standing.

2026-03-31 22:25:00 UTC

This always annoyed me.
For my own business, I price in $5 increments. No .99 mind games.
#note1vdj…86eu

2026-03-31 22:08:08 UTC

Currently testing an MSI b460m pro-vdh motherboard.

2026-03-31 18:03:57 UTC

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I hope Oracle looses its bet on AI.

2026-03-30 18:24:00 UTC

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That's an idea to explore. The extra low powered computer to control a monitor dedicated to widgets.
Thanks for mentioning it.
I won't be getting to it anytime soon, but I'd like to experiment with stuff like this and see how well it actually works.

2026-03-30 18:17:28 UTC

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Good points.
Not AI generated. It is a still picture from a video promoting a 3D printed monitor stand design that uses wooden dowels.
The thing under the monitor is a smaller monitor. Probably used as some kind of status, heads up. I have never used one like that.
I go back and forth between liking one monitor and two. Right now, I have one monitor, but my home desktop has two.

2026-03-30 17:52:39 UTC

Picture is not of my desk... but something I am aspiring to.
I need to make some improvements to my computer desk setup.
Some practical, such as the chair that I am using is giving me some back pain (I prefer a standing desk, but do not have that in my front reception area of my shop yet).
Some is just for looks. The custom desk setups that look really good or are customized with 3D printed parts are really appealing to me.
#desktop #motivation #inspiration
https://social.retroedge.tech/media/e796bb22-d1ca-411d-81f8-2185c17dc377/not-my-desk.png

2026-03-27 23:02:54 UTC

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I haven't used one... but would not recommend. It only has 8GB of memory, both memory and storage are soldered to the board and not upgrade-able.
#MacBook #MacBookNeo

2026-03-27 22:30:42 UTC

#tetris #retro
https://social.retroedge.tech/media/c0164f4b-f5a7-48ed-a41b-4af76b99f065/tetris-308443_640.png