Computer stuff

[Smith1776]

I just bought this kit to practice/learn some hands-on machine learning stuff.

arduino.jpg (431.24 KiB) Viewed 7640 times

[dualstow]

^

…machine learning stuff.
{arduino tiny machine learning kit.jpg}

Cool! I often think about learning to program microcontrollers but unfortunately my is also a very tiny machine.

…
64 in my daily driver.

I can’t remember: what is the operating system of your daily driver?

[yankees60]

I think the biggest issue (which is another way of saying what you're saying, dualstow), is that if you wait a year before using your new machine, you could have gotten a year newer machine for the same money. And that's not counting the 5% you would have earned on your cash during that year.

All quite true.

However, the most important thing to me is that it is here, about three inches from my right leg.

Don’t tell me it’s a jar by the left leg!

I understand your reasons for wanting an extra computer nearby, but as for the comparison to a Macbook Air, you’re putting too much stock into numbers like hard drive size (I’m going by what you listed previously). A new Macbook Air will compute circles around an old PC.

Not if it does not meet my basic needs like having a hard drive large enough to hold what I need to have on it and not being able to support at least three monitors and with plenty of USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 to support many external hard drives and other USB devices.

[yankees60]

Well I’m not really sure it’s a meaningful comparison. Pretty much different classes of devices: a 2017 desktop vs an ultra portable laptop released in 2020.

I agree. There is no value in all the money spent for it being an ultra portable if you don't need your computer to be anywhere but one fixed location.

[Smith1776]

Well I’m not really sure it’s a meaningful comparison. Pretty much different classes of devices: a 2017 desktop vs an ultra portable laptop released in 2020.

I agree. There is no value in all the money spent for it being an ultra portable if you don't need your computer to be anywhere but one fixed location.

Yes, that's true.

I like working in coffee shops.

[Smith1776]

Cool! I often think about learning to program microcontrollers but unfortunately my is also a very tiny machine.

Mine as well lol!!

[dualstow]

… A new Macbook Air will compute circles around an old PC

Not if it does not meet my basic needs like having a hard drive large enough to hold what I need to have on it and not being able to support at least three monitors and with plenty of USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 to support many external hard drives and other USB devices.

I think we’re talking past each other — another way of saying what Smith said about it not being a meaningful comparison.
He bought it for his needs, but you asked about the context of my saying that computers get dated.

The key point is the processor. One does not have to buy the best processor out there. A middle-of-the-road processor combined with a lot of RAM is probably the best bang for your buck. An M1 is still a modern processor, especially compared to the one in an antiquated desktop.

You’re probably right, to an extent, to compare that machine to the computer that you bought in ‘22 that is just sitting around, but “having plenty of USB ports” or “hard drive space” is out of bounds, not least because external versions can always be added. Again, though, if it feels comfortable to have the 2nd computer at hand, then why not. I get it.

[yankees60]

Perhaps more importantly.. is that MacBook Pro's keyboard still working?

Yes, the 2018 keyboard is still working. FWIW, I do prefer the keyboard on my "really old" 2009 MacBook Pro; key strokes just feel better.

What did the 2018 cost? I don't remember exactly, but somewhere in the $2k range. It's been totally trouble free. Zero maintenance or repair costs. For the 2009 MacBook Pro, I replaced the 320GB hard drive with a 1 TB SSD from OWC years ago. Made a terrific difference. Otherwise, no repairs or maintenance on it either.

For the record in 2017 I "splurged" by buying this used desktop for $500. Since then I can say the same as your above: "It's been totally trouble free. Zero maintenance or repair costs."

On the one I recently had custom built its parts cost $1,900. The person who built it charged me nothing to do that.

I have never compared it to a commercial computer but I'm guessing it would be equivalent to, maybe, a $3,000 computer. One which would not be completed composed of all the high end components in mine, each chosen by me (guided by the person who built it).

I'm also assuming that I may have had to have paid a lot more than $3,000 to buy a commercial computer that would be able to provide all the component performances that each of mine will.

The $1,900 was a true "splurge" for my dream computer. I did not leave out anything I'd ever want in a computer. I was not looking to save any money on it by cutting back on any component performance.

It was time to buy that dream computer.

[Smith1776]

I just want Apple to finally release that PowerBook G5.

[Xan]

^

…machine learning stuff.
{arduino tiny machine learning kit.jpg}

Cool! I often think about learning to program microcontrollers but unfortunately my is also a very tiny machine.

…
64 in my daily driver.

I can’t remember: what is the operating system of your daily driver?

Debian. I use it for everything.

[dualstow]

Ah, right.

I see that Zorin OS can run on pre-Apple-silicon Macs. I like Zorin and am definitely tempted to put that on my old Mac when I add a new one this fall.

[Smith1776]

I am officially running 4 external monitors off my MacBook Air, a machine designed to only run 1 external display. (5 displays total now when the built-in is included.)

monitors.jpg (45.57 KiB) Viewed 7575 times

- First display is built-in
- Second is using the USB C output the machine comes with
- Third and Fourth are using a dock I bought off Amazon (https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B08B6CZ29Q?psc ... ct_details)
- Fifth is using Airplay

[yankees60]

I am officially running 4 external monitors off my MacBook Air, a machine designed to only run 1 external display. (5 displays total now when the built-in is included.)


monitors.jpg


- First display is built-in
- Second is using the USB C output the machine comes with
- Third and Fourth are using a dock I bought off Amazon (https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B08B6CZ29Q?psc ... ct_details)
- Fifth is using Airplay

Those are all independent views? No duplicates?

I prefer the simplicity and ease of having a video card with four outputs. Fairly common and not that expensive. This $500 used computer came with one. Works superbly for all I do with the computer (not a gamer).

I think, though, that my new computer would be suitable for a gamer.

[Smith1776]

I am officially running 4 external monitors off my MacBook Air, a machine designed to only run 1 external display. (5 displays total now when the built-in is included.)


monitors.jpg


- First display is built-in
- Second is using the USB C output the machine comes with
- Third and Fourth are using a dock I bought off Amazon (https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B08B6CZ29Q?psc ... ct_details)
- Fifth is using Airplay

Those are all independent views? No duplicates?

I prefer the simplicity and ease of having a video card with four outputs. Fairly common and not that expensive. This $500 used computer came with one. Works superbly for all I do with the computer (not a gamer).

I think, though, that my new computer would be suitable for a gamer.

No duplicates!

I do really miss having a desktop. I can't seem to pull the trigger on one though... too many options and analysis paralysis.

[yankees60]

I think the biggest issue (which is another way of saying what you're saying, dualstow), is that if you wait a year before using your new machine, you could have gotten a year newer machine for the same money. And that's not counting the 5% you would have earned on your cash during that year.

A PUBLIC big THANK YOU to Xan for which I'd describe as engaging in his typical SUPER LOGICAL nagging!

Until we got into this discussion regarding my new computer and my non-use of it I had no plans / thoughts of when I'd finally make the next steps so that it would finally become my main computer.

Last night I had on Lex Fridman podcasts for the first time in possibly three months?

The first one was relatively short for him -- only about two hours.

The next one was with Sam Harris. A 4 1/2 hour one.

It was extremely interesting and I did want to continue to listen to it.

However almost all my activities generally entail reading of some form -- a book, what I'm seeing on this computer monitor.

I could not listen to a podcast while doing any of that. So what else that was not occupying my mind could I be doing while listening to the podcast?

All of a sudden it hit me. Get all the necessary software into that new computer.

First I was pleased to see that I'd still had the computer plugged in, it was connected to the internet, and a monitor was connected to it and powered. All I had to do was add a keyboard and mouse and the computer was fully functional.

I really cannot remember the last time I'd had the computer on. Many, many, many months ago.

But what was so entirely impressive about it was that it seemingly did all the accumulated Windows 10 updates in an incredibly short amount of time, especially compared to the amount of time each one takes on this computer.

It is screaming fast on everything, including updating the 1,000's and 1,000's of files that it needed to update in Dropbox.

I went through the alphabet for each computer, looking to see what software was installed in this computer for each letter and deciding which I wanted to install on the new computer. All of that went quite quickly except when I hit a major snag. I have not yet been able to install QuickBooks Desktop Accountant 2021. Intuit (owner of that and Turbo Tax) does not make it easy to do certain things. So that still needs to be resolved as that is a key software I need to be able to use, which means this computer still needs to be used for that.

I think that all the above took about 3 hours?

But that computer is now just about fully loaded with all its necessary software.

Next step will be to determine what connectors each of my four monitors have and getting proper cables to connect from the new computer's video card to all those monitors.

It was YOU - Xan - who caused this happen. That persistent nagging LOGIC, which is nearly impossible for one to refute!

Thanks again! It was something I did need to get done at some point but it wasn't happening until you acted like you.

[Xan]

Happy to help, Vinny!

[dualstow]

Good on you, Vinny. Well done.
So how come there was no cost for the assembly of the computer parts? it was a buddy of yours?

[yankees60]

Good on you, Vinny. Well done.
So how come there was no cost for the assembly of the computer parts? it was a buddy of yours?

He's someone I've bought several used computers from including this one I am using to do this.

He's a professor at a local college but loves computers. Buying old ones and selling them refurbished on Craigslist.

I asked him if he would build one for me. I think he was going to charge $50.

After he built it and I told him I needed to pay him, he said, "No cost. It was a fun build."

For fun he creates Youtube videos of him working on ancient, vintage computers. A true computer addict.

I gave him an old Thinkpad portable.

[yankees60]

So Microsoft at every turn is trying to get me to upgrade my new computer from Windows 10 to Windows 11.

I've loved Windows 10 from the moment I started using it (also had the same love for both XP and Windows 7).

Who is using Windows 11 and likes it as much or more than Windows 11?

My only hesitancy is that any of my existing software (mainly the problematic QuickBooks 2021) may not run successfully on Windows 11.

[Xan]

Say what you will about Microsoft, and I've said plenty, but their backwards compatibility is really good. There shouldn't be any software that runs on 10 that won't run on 11.

[dualstow]

I have 2 family members who moved from 10 ⇢ 11 just to stop the harassment. (I’m several iterations behind on MacOS but they don’t bother me).
They don’t love 11, but have no 3rd party software issues. My Dad uses Quicken.

MUCH LATER EDIT: (I should have mentioned that yes, I know, Quicken is not Quickbooks. I was just listing the one bit of 3rd party software that my brain could summon, and unfortunately it shares a first syllable with Quickbooks).

[Xan]

Do be aware that Windows 10 spies on you a lot, but Windows 11 apparently does so even more.

[yankees60]

Say what you will about Microsoft, and I've said plenty, but their backwards compatibility is really good. There shouldn't be any software that runs on 10 that won't run on 11.

Just got my answer: "Microsoft released the Windows 11 operating system on October 5, 2021. Currently, only QuickBooks Desktop 2022 (Pro Plus, Premier Plus, Pro and Enterprise) R3 or later is certified as fully compatible with Windows 11 64-bit."

[Xan]

Say what you will about Microsoft, and I've said plenty, but their backwards compatibility is really good. There shouldn't be any software that runs on 10 that won't run on 11.

Just got my answer: "Microsoft released the Windows 11 operating system on October 5, 2021. Currently, only QuickBooks Desktop 2022 (Pro Plus, Premier Plus, Pro and Enterprise) R3 or later is certified as fully compatible with Windows 11 64-bit."

They wouldn't bother to certify software that they don't want to sell anymore.

[yankees60]

I have 2 family members who moved from 10 ⇢ 11 just to stop the harassment. (I’m several iterations behind on MacOS but they don’t bother me).
They don’t love 11, but have no 3rd party software issues. My Dad uses Quicken.

Quicken used to be also owned by Intuit but it's a totally different product than QuickBooks.

I believe that Quicken is now on its second owner since Intuit. With Intuit it became a somewhat stagnant product. With the two new owners it's become a constantly evolving, improved product. It's capable of a lot. I don't use all it is capable of doing but I do push it in certain areas to give me what I need to do further analysis on.

It has all my income and expense items since January 1, 1993. All investment transactions since around 1982. I'm slowly, slowly, slowly putting into it all the missing expenses from 1969. I think I am somewhere in 1972.