Friday, March 6, 2026

Best Car History Report Services in 2026 (Zilocar, Carfax, AutoCheck, etc.)

This seems like a legitimate comparison of Carfax and it's alternatives.  They picked Zilocar as #1 ...

"Zilocar was the only report that felt clear, complete, and actually useful without all the marketing fluff."
"Zilocar was the only report provider I tested that nailed every category I care about. It pulls from over 70 trusted sources, including the big names: NICB, NHTSA, insurance carriers, auction houses, and lien databases with a detailed timeline of ownership, mileage verification, and title issues."
"If you're serious about doing your homework before buying, Zilocar is the report worth paying for."

"Carfax has the brand recognition for a reason — their reports are comprehensive and well-formatted. However, pricing can get expensive quickly if you need multiple reports. The service record section is particularly strong, showing detailed maintenance history when available. The mobile app is also well-designed for checking VINs on the go."

"AutoCheck (owned by Experian) offers solid value for money with their unlimited report packages. The scoring system is helpful for quickly assessing vehicle condition. While not as detailed as premium services, it covers the essentials well and is particularly strong on auction data..."

"GoodCar focuses on simplicity and user experience, providing clean, easy-to-read reports. Their mobile-first approach makes checking vehicles on the go seamless. While the data coverage is decent, it lacks some of the deeper insights found in premium services. The pricing is competitive, making it a good option for casual buyers."

"ClearVIN provides comprehensive reports with a focus on transparency and data accuracy. Their reports include detailed sections on title history, accident records, and market analysis. The interface is professional, though sometimes feels cluttered with information. They offer good customer support and stand behind their data accuracy."

"carVertical brings blockchain technology to vehicle history reports, promising more secure and tamper-proof data. While the concept is innovative, the execution still feels early-stage. The reports cover international vehicles well, which is a major advantage for imported cars. However, the interface can be confusing and the blockchain features don't always add clear value for typical buyers."

"How do I interpret each section of a VIN?
Each part of the VIN encodes specific information such as manufacturer, model details, year, plant, and serial number.

  • 1–3 (WMI): Manufacturer & region
  • 4–8 (VDS): Vehicle descriptor (engine, body, trim)
  • 9: Check digit (validates VIN authenticity)
  • 10: Model year
  • 11: Assembly plant
  • 12–17 (VIS): Serial/production number

Which official or free VIN decoding sources are reliable?
The NHTSA offers a free VIN decoder using manufacturer-reported data, but coverage may be incomplete for some models.   https://www.nhtsa.gov/vin-decoder


Download and run Hornady Reloading Guide on PC & Mac (Emulator)

Use Bluestacks emulator to run the smartphone app:
https://www.bluestacks.com/apps/tools/hornady-reloading-guide-on-pc.html

Wednesday, March 4, 2026

Microsoft Planner Alternatives

Most home projects don't need more than a ToDo list, but if things get more complicated, one of these might help:

Best Microsoft Planner Alternatives of 2026:
    https://www.projectmanager.com/blog/best-microsoft-planner-alternatives
"Microsoft Planner ... organizes teamwork and tasks for project management. It's a hub for teams to work together, make plans, assign tasks and check progress with dashboards.
The tool acts as a hub for project documentation, file sharing, and team visibility.
...
However, it isn't fully compatible with Microsoft Project—Microsoft's most advanced project management software—because it can't open or edit Microsoft Project files (MPP files). "

11 Best Microsoft Office 365 Planner Alternatives in 2026:
    https://clickup.com/blog/microsoft-planner-alternatives/
Tool nameUse caseBest for
ClickUpAll-in-one project and task management appTeams needing deep customization, AI-powered features, and seamless collaboration
TodoistMinimalist task managementIndividuals and small teams looking for simple yet effective task organization
AsanaWorkflow automation for teamsMid-sized teams requiring structured workflows, automation, and goal tracking
TrelloSimple Kanban organizationVisual organization enthusiasts who prefer a drag-and-drop Kanban system
WrikeEnterprise-grade project portfolio managementEnterprises managing multiple complex projects with detailed resource planning
Monday.comVisual workflow customizationTeams wanting a highly customizable, visually-driven project management system
SmartsheetSpreadsheet-style project trackingTeams comfortable with spreadsheets but needing advanced project-tracking tools
MeisterTaskIntuitive task transitionsUsers seeking a clean, modern interface with automation for task movement
JiraAgile development cycle managementSoftware development teams tracking sprints, bugs, and technical workflows
NotionFlexible all-in-one workspaceTeams requiring a hybrid solution combining notes, databases, and task management
BasecampStraightforward team communicationSmall teams and freelancers looking for an easy-to-use, communication-focused tool

Best Free and Open Source Alternatives to Microsoft Planner (2022):
    https://www.linuxlinks.com/best-free-open-source-alternatives-microsoft-planner/
"Taiga is an open source project management platform for startups and agile developers and designers who want a simple, beautiful tool that makes work truly enjoyable.
Taiga can handle both simple and complex projects."
    https://taiga.io/    -    https://github.com/taigaio    -    https://github.com/taigaio/taiga-docker
    https://docs.taiga.io/    -     https://community.taiga.io/

"Focalboard is a self-hosted project management tool that helps define, organize, track and manage work across individuals and teams. The software is available in two editions: Personal Desktop, a desktop app for todos and personal projects. The other edition is Mattermost Boards which is a self-hosted or cloud server for team planning and collaboration."
    https://www.focalboard.com/    -    https://www.focalboard.com/download/

Best open source Microsoft Planner alternative:
    https://www.openproject.org/project-management-software-alternatives/best-ms-planner-alternative/
"OpenProject provides greater flexibility as an open source project management tool with both cloud and self-hosted options. It offers a wide range of features, including Gantt charts, work package planning, task boards, and time tracking. ... it supports both Agile and Waterfall methodologies, making it ideal for tracking dependencies, timelines, and resources. Whether cloud-based or self-hosted, OpenProject users enjoy the same high level of customization, including the ability to create custom workflows, fields, and roles to meet specific project needs."
    https://www.openproject.org/download-and-installation/
    https://www.openproject.org/docs/installation-and-operations/installation/packaged/
OpenProject on Docker all-in-one container:
    https://www.openproject.org/docs/installation-and-operations/installation/docker/
"Kubernetes is a container orchestration tool. As such it can use the OpenProject docker container in the same manner as shown in the docker section.
If you'd like to run OpenProject on Kubernetes, please take a look at the OpenProject helm chart."
Helm chart for OpenProject:
    https://www.openproject.org/docs/installation-and-operations/installation/helm-chart/
"This is the chart for OpenProject itself. It bootstraps an OpenProject instance, optionally with a PostgreSQL database and Memcached.
    Prerequisites -
      Kubernetes 1.16+
      Helm 3.0.0+
      PV provisioner support in the underlying infrastructure"

Open Source Microsoft Planner Alternatives:
    https://alternativeto.net/software/microsoft-planner/?license=opensource

"AFFiNE - Open-source, privacy-focused workspace combining note-taking, project and task management, Kanban board, interactive whiteboard, Pomodoro timer, Markdown support, offline access, real-time team collaboration with @mentions, goal tracking, subtasks, and customizable features."
https://affine.pro/  -  https://affine.pro/download

"ToDoList - Organize projects with deeply nested tasks, multi-language support, and flexible XML storage. Streamline scheduling, customize printing with stylesheets, and collaborate efficiently on multiple projects ..."
https://www.abstractspoon.com/

"Org Mode - Your life in plain text -
A GNU Emacs major mode for keeping notes, authoring documents, computational notebooks, literate programming, maintaining to-do lists, planning projects, and more — in a fast and effective plain text system. (Mac. Windows, Linux)"
https://orgmode.org/  -  https://orgmode.org/org.html#Installation
"Org mode is an authoring tool and a TODO list manager for GNU Emacs. It relies on a lightweight plain-text markup language used in files with the '.org' extension."
"Org mode is implemented on top of Outline mode, which makes it possible to keep the content of large files well-structured. Visibility cycling and structure editing help you work with the tree. Tables are easily created with a built-in table editor. Plain text URL-like links connect to websites, emails, Usenet messages, BBDB entries, and any files related to the projects."




Tuesday, March 3, 2026

Notee Reviews (2026) | Check if app is safe or legit

Mixed reviews, but some me are very positive …
https://justuseapp.com/en/app/6745517667/notee-ai-note-taker/reviews

Notee AI - From handwritten notes to organized Notion pages - beta

https://www.notee.ai/

Notee App Reviews – Features, Pricing & User Ratings

This can be used to record meetings from an Apple Watch or an iPhone)and presumably a tablet):
https://appshunter.io/ios/app/6745517667

The Best Note-Taking Apps We've Tested for 2026 | PCMag

https://www.pcmag.com/picks/the-best-note-taking-apps

Tisas USA - Gun Brands

https://www.guns.com/tisas

New: SDS Tisas Aviator Lightweight Commander in 9mm, 45

https://www.guns.com/news/2023/09/25/new-sds-tisas-aviator-lightweight-commander-in-9mm-45

Review: Tisas Stingray Carry | An Official Journal Of The NRA

An inexpensive 9mm 1911 with lots of features:
https://www.americanrifleman.org/content/review-tisas-stingray-carry/

Twist Rate Stability Calculator | Berger Bullets

https://bergerbullets.com/twist-rate-calculator/

Benefits of using a VPN to protect your digital privacy | The Verge

https://www.theverge.com/ad/23844652/benefits-of-using-a-vpn

KeePass Password Safe

https://keepass.info/

Grease Fitting Upgrade | RL550 | Dillon Precision

https://www.dillonprecision.com/18275

Your Gmail Account Has Unlimited Addresses | Lifehacker

https://lifehacker.com/your-gmail-account-has-unlimited-addresses-1849809691

I’ve never traded in any of my old smartphones — here’s why | Tom's Guide

https://www.tomsguide.com/opinion/ive-never-traded-in-any-of-my-old-smartphones-heres-why

Simple Add-On Makes Cheap Plasma Cutter Suitable For CNC Use | Hackaday

https://hackaday.com/2023/09/30/simple-add-on-makes-cheap-plasma-cutter-suitable-for-cnc-use/

Orange Pi 3B: How Does It Compare to the Raspberry Pi?

https://www.makeuseof.com/orange-pi-3b-how-does-it-compare-to-the-raspberry-pi/

6 Common Eye Diseases that Develop with Age — Barnet Dulaney Perkins Eye Center

https://www.goodeyes.com/eye-health/6-common-eye-diseases-that-develop-with-age/

Retirement plan and IRA required minimum distributions FAQs | Internal Revenue Service

https://www.irs.gov/retirement-plans/retirement-plan-and-ira-required-minimum-distributions-faqs

tiny11 23H2 is here: lightweight Windows 11 with gaming improvements, and enhancements - Neowin

https://www.neowin.net/news/tiny11-23h2-is-here-lightweight-windows-11-with-gaming-improvements-and-enhancements/

Thanks,
Adrian

Digital tools for writers

https://attachments.convertkitcdnn2.com/1333786/e9a657dc-85ee-45df-8795-bc8246291a13/Digital%20Tools%20Recommended%20by%20Jane%20Friedman.pdf

Edge wants to take screenshots of every webpage you visit, here is why and how to disable it - Neowin

https://www.neowin.net/news/edge-wants-to-take-screenshots-of-every-webpage-you-visit-here-is-why-and-how-to-disable-it/

Inkscape 1.3 Released As Latest Open-Source Software To Compete With Adobe Illustrator - Phoronix

https://www.phoronix.com/news/Inkscape-1.3-Released

How to Bypass Windows 11 Minimum Installation Requirements

https://www.makeuseof.com/bypass-windows-11-minimum-installation-requirements/

Broken housing market forces ADUs built in backyards | Fortune

https://fortune.com/2023/06/06/housing-market-broken-zoning-affordability-millennials-building-tiny-homes-backyard/

Super Cheap Security Camera With ESP32-cam : 7 Steps (with Pictures) - Instructables

https://www.instructables.com/Super-Cheap-Security-Camera-With-ESP32-cam/

Trigger Finger Discipline | An Official Journal Of The NRA

https://www.shootingillustrated.com/content/trigger-finger-discipline/

‘Our weapons are computers’: Ukrainian coders aim to gain battlefield edge | Ukraine | The Guardian

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/dec/18/our-weapons-are-computers-ukrainian-coders-aim-to-gain-battlefield-edge

Factors That Can Raise Your Blood Sugar – Page 6 – ActiveBeat – Your Daily Dose of Health Headlines

https://activebeat.com/diet-nutrition/13-surprising-factors-that-can-raise-your-blood-sugar/

Beat-Sonic CS10B Front Camera Interface for Select 2018-2024 Toyota Mo | Beat-Sonic USA

Requires a camera at additional cost.
https://www.beatsonicusa.com/products/cs10b

Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: A Common & Treatable Condition | University Hospitals

https://www.uhhospitals.org/blog/articles/2021/09/non-alcoholic-fatty-liver-disease-common-condition-you-can-do-something-about

Scan FreeStyle Libre CGM Sensor with Your iPhone! FreeStyle LibreLink and LibreLinkUp Apps Available in US | DiaTribe

https://diatribe.org/diabetes-technology/scan-freestyle-libre-cgm-sensor-your-iphone-freestyle-librelink-and-librelinkup

Tech: How To Go From Carburetor To Fuel Injection - Holley Motor Life

https://www.holley.com/blog/post/tech_how_to_go_from_carburetor_to_fuel_injection/

Coke-Machine Gun Safe | Northeastshooters.com Forums

https://www.northeastshooters.com/xen/threads/coke-machine-gun-safe.290616/

A Sinister Way to Beat Multifactor Authentication Is on the Rise | WIRED

https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2022/03/lapsus-and-solar-winds-hackers-both-use-the-same-old-trick-to-bypass-mfa/

CatClamp® | Installation & Reviews | Photos & Video

https://catclamp.com/media/

VPNs do more than you think - Why you need one now

https://www.komando.com/tips/cybersecurity/vpn-setup-and-use/

Grand Canyon Writers

https://grandcanyonwriters.com/

Best Catalytic-Converter Anti-Theft Devices for 2025, Tested

https://www.caranddriver.com/car-accessories/g44546366/best-catalytic-converter-theft-prevention-devices-tested/

8 myths about vitamins and supplements

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/medical-myths-vitamins-and-supplements

How – and Why – to Build a Passive Solar Greenhouse

https://www.ruralsprout.com/passive-solar-greenhouse/

FDA Greenlights ‘Mixing and Matching’ COVID-19 Vaccine Boosters

https://www.verywellhealth.com/fda-greenlights-mixing-and-matching-covid-19-vaccine-boosters-5206639

Draw Your Own Games! - Pixicade!

Share with grandkids?
https://www.abacusbrands.com/products/pixicade

Looking into Space Pays Off at Home | NASA Spinoff

https://spinoff.nasa.gov/looking-into-space-pays-off-at-home

Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum - EcoModder.com

https://ecomodder.com/forum/

Everything You Want to Know About GMRS Radio – Radioddity

https://www.radioddity.com/blogs/all/everything-you-want-to-know-about-gmrs-radio

Actifed Cold & Allergy: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects - Drugs.com

https://www.drugs.com/actifed.html

What is the Best Kalashnikov AK-47 Style Rifle? - Firearms News

https://www.firearmsnews.com/editorial/best-ak47-rifle/394743

The Hercules System/370, ESA/390, and z/Architecture Emulator

http://www.hercules-390.org/

Ruger Single Action Revolver Schematic - Gun Diagrams, Gun Parts | MidwayUSA

https://www.midwayusa.com/schematics/ruger-single-action-revolver

Tips for Building a Concealed Carry Rig | An Official Journal Of The NRA

https://www.shootingillustrated.com/content/tips-for-building-a-concealed-carry-rig/

5.56 NATO vs .223 Remington: What's the Difference? | An Official Journal Of The NRA

https://www.shootingillustrated.com/content/5-56-nato-vs-223-rem-what-s-the-difference/

Turn Your Android Into a Google Home and More. Here's How - CNET

Applicable to tablets also?
https://www.cnet.com/tech/mobile/turn-your-android-into-a-google-home-and-more-heres-how/

Calling for Help During a Power Outage : Farmers Insurance®

https://www.farmers.com/learn/plan-and-prep/calls-and-communication-during-power-outage/

How to Build a Mini Supercomputer for Under $100

https://www.vice.com/en/article/diy-computing-cluster-esp32-raspberry-pi/

Glycemic Index and Glycemic Load | Linus Pauling Institute | Oregon State University

https://lpi.oregonstate.edu/mic/food-beverages/glycemic-index-glycemic-load

Statins Trigger Brain Changes With Devastating Effects

https://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2020/01/29/statin-devastating-effects-on-brain.aspx

Optimize Your DIY Home Security System

https://www.cnet.com/paid-content/news/5-smart-ways-to-optimize-your-diy-home-security-system/

Choosing the Best Pocket Pistol for Concealed Carry | An Official Journal Of The NRA

https://www.shootingillustrated.com/content/choosing-the-best-pocket-pistol-for-concealed-carry/

When to Test Blood Sugar: Optimal Timing for Monitoring

https://www.healthcentral.com/article/best-times-to-test-your-blood-sugar

1979 MGB with a Zetec Inline-Four – Engine Swap Depot

https://engineswapdepot.com/?p=24636

Old CorningWare Dishes From The 1970s Could Be Worth Thousands

https://doyouremember.com/110701/corningware-dishes-1970s-worth-thousands

How to Boost Your Router Security - Consumer Reports

https://www.consumerreports.org/electronics-computers/wireless-routers/ways-to-boost-router-security-a3824459325/

Installing Windows 11 on Raspberry Pi (An Illustrated Guide) – RaspberryTips

https://raspberrytips.com/windows-11-on-raspberry-pi/

Stochastic terrorism - Wikipedia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stochastic_terrorism

HackSpace Magazine Issue #25 [Maker Christmas - December 2019] : Adafruit Industries, Unique & fun DIY electronics and kits

https://www.adafruit.com/product/4501

How to prepare for the next recession BEFORE it arrives ~ Get Rich Slowly

https://www.getrichslowly.org/prepare-for-recession/

Diabetes Sleep Problems: Sleep Apnea, RLS, Neuropathy, and More

https://www.webmd.com/diabetes/type-2-diabetes-sleep

How to Run Linux on Any iPad?

https://www.getdroidtips.com/run-linux-any-ipad/

GlucoWatch

See Freestyle Libre measurements on your Apple Watch:
https://glucowatch.labaste.fr/index_en.html

Nextcloud - Open source content collaboration platform

https://nextcloud.com/

What happens to blood sugar levels during sleep? | Stelo by Dexcom

https://www.stelo.com/en-us/blog/sleep/blood-sugar-levels-during-sleep

The Ford Maverick Is the MotorTrend Truck of the Year

https://www.motortrend.com/news/ford-maverick-2026-truck-of-the-year

Tuesday, February 24, 2026

Foods to Avoid If You Have Anxiety or Depression

Sugar and high-sugar drinks like soda & fruit juice and artificial sweeteners can harm your mood.  Eat actual fruit instead ...
" If you do eat fat, make it the "good" kind you get from foods like fish, olive oil, nuts, and avocado. Those can lift your mood."

Saturday, February 21, 2026

New Affordable Weapon Lights


"The Primal series (https://hilighttactical.com/product/primal-series/) is the less expensive at $55 and $62 depending on which body color and laser combination you select. Controls for the light and laser are independent."

"Hilight's Peak Performance model (https://hilighttactical.com/product/peak-performance/) is priced from $72 to $82 and offers some upgrades—most notably 500 or 700 lumens (again, depending on color/laser combo selection)—and twin lasers."

Tuesday, February 17, 2026

Action1 - Free Patch Management with Remote Access & endpoint management.

Probably overkill for a home LAN environment ...
" Manage and update your Windows, macOS, and Linux (Debian & Ubuntu) endpoints directly in your browser from anywhere around the world with no VPN required. Action1's Autonomous Endpoint Management platform delivers real-time visibility into vulnerabilities, missing patches, and compliance status, enabling your IT team to remediate security gaps with patch management software that just works."

"^ Third-party application deployment and patching
^ Software Repository with an ever-growing list of common applications
^ Custom application deployment via a private Software Repository
^ No VPN is required for remote, off-site software deployment"

Action1 review - Action1 is a vulnerability and patch management solution free for up to 100 (now 200) endpoints:  https://www.techradar.com/reviews/action1
" Action1 is primarily a patch management and vulnerability assessment tool that helps you keep all your endpoints up to date and free from vulnerabilities."

"Action1 focuses a lot on remote patch management and allows you to automate the entire process – from scanning networks for missing patches to installing them. Its robust and quick vulnerability management suite identifies missing patches across all your networks and reduces the time between detection and patching.

A real standout is that it offers free one-time vulnerability assessment for all your endpoints. Once the agent is installed, it runs a full analysis and reports all detected vulnerabilities."

Monday, February 16, 2026

Apps to help with Procrastination

Are Procrastination Apps Worth It? A Complete Guide:
https://scienceofmind.org/are-procrastination-apps-worth-it/

10 Most Effective Apps to Help You Beat Procrastination:
https://www.lifehack.org/879171/stop-procrastinating-app

Focus@Will - Android & iOS & as a web app ($52.49+ annually):
https://www.focusatwill.com/
"Based on neuroscience research, Focus@Will uses music to boost concentration and get you into a productivity flow."

Focus To-Do combines the Pomodoro technique with to-do list features (Free, $2.99+ per month, or lifetime $8.99):
https://www.focustodo.cn/
"Pomodoro is one of the most effective productivity techniques. It's built around 25-minute work sessions interspersed with 5-minute breaks.
Focus To-Do allows you to define tasks, including subtasks and recurring tasks, and assign deadlines. You can then work through the items on your list one-by-one using the Pomodoro technique.
The app is available on all major platforms, including smartwatches. Your tasks will be synchronized across devices."

RescueTime ($6.50/month):
https://www.rescuetime.com/
"It automatically tracks the time you spend on various websites and applications, and classifies them into categories. Using this information, you can analyze where and when you are productive and what the major threats to your productivity are.

More importantly, RescueTime allows you to summarily block out distractions, which is excellent for Pomodoro sessions."

Time Flow System App:  https://p.lifehack.org/solutions  
https://www.lifehack.org/start-here   https://www.lifehack.org/how-time-flow-system-works
"The app is part of the LifeHack All-Access Bundle developed based on the very principles of the unique Time Flow System."

Forest ($1.99):
https://www.forestapp.cc/
"As a gamified stop procrastinating app, Forest is a great way to motivate yourself to stay focused. Each time you start a focus session, you plant a tree in the app. While you work, it will grow on your screen. However, if you leave the app during the session, your tree dies off.

The goal is to motivate you to not use your phone, removing a significant source of distraction."


Best Apps for Dealing with Procrastination -
https://declutterthemind.com/blog/best-apps-for-procrastination
"The best apps for procrastination work even better when used together strategically."


I am a procrastinator, but these 5 productivity apps help me keep up:
https://medium.com/@olha.novitska/i-am-a-procrastinator-but-these-5-productivity-apps-help-me-keep-up-8908e74021ad


18 best procrastination apps to boost productivity (2026):
https://flown.com/blog/procrastination/the-best-anti-procrastination-apps
insert image

How Zepbound Works for Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Includes the same active ingredient as Mounjaro:
https://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/sleep-apnea/zepbound-obstructive-sleep-apnea

Potential Deals on eBay Right Now

https://www.saleturbo.com/techdeals

Friday, February 13, 2026

The Best Raspberry Pi Gear


"If you are unsure of which gear to purchase, pick from this list and you won't be disappointed."
" While there are many Raspberry Pi models to choose from, I can simplify your decision by narrowing it down to just two: the most powerful and the best value:

Tuesday, February 10, 2026

Sleeper PC Builds

"A sleeper PC build is a custom computer designed to look like a regular, non-gaming device while housing powerful gaming components. This approach often involves using older or less conspicuous cases to create a stealthy appearance while still delivering high performance."

The Ultimate Guide To Building Your Own High Performance Sleeper PC:
https://retrowave.com/the-ultimate-guide-to-building-your-own-high-performance-sleeper-pc/
"Successful builds require retro mid-tower or full-tower chassis from brands like Gateway or Packard Bell to provide the physical space necessary for modern, oversized GPUs."
"Custom cooling modifications, such as using a dremel to cut hidden intake vents and mounting high-static pressure fans in the base, are essential to prevent modern components from overheating in airtight vintage cases."
"A case with a solid metal frame is ideal because it provides a sturdy foundation for all your heavy modern components."
"Cutting hidden intake holes in the bottom or rear of the chassis allows your Ryzen 9 9950X3D to breathe without ruining the retro vibe. You can even hide high-performance fans behind the original plastic grilles to keep that stealthy look intact."
"Since most people never look at the floor of a PC, your stealthy 140mm fans stay completely invisible to the naked eye. High-static pressure fans are your best friends here because they can shove air through those tiny, cramped spaces. Just make sure to add some dust filters so your 1998 office warrior does not become a vacuum cleaner for your carpet."
"Some builders are now tucking slim liquid cooling radiators behind the front plastic panel or even inside the drive bays."

Custom Sleeper Gaming PC (with Case Mods, Etc):
https://www.instructables.com/Custom-Sleeper-Gaming-PC-with-Case-Mods-Etc-and-My/
This one is pretty rough, but it shows what can be done with an old PC case.

What's a Sleeper Gaming PC:  https://moderngamer.com/what-s-sleeper-gaming-pc/
"A sleeper gaming PC is a powerful computer that is disguised in an ordinary-looking case to hide its true capabilities.
These PCs offer surprise factor and cost-effectiveness, as they blend in with their surroundings and use affordable components."
" It's an undercover gaming computer with high-powered parts hidden in a typical, less flashy case."

Build Ultimate Water Cooled Beige Sleeper PC With Stainless Tubing Loop:
https://www.mnpctech.com/pages/build-ultimate-water-cooled-beige-sleeper-pc
"... shows how to use water-cooling components with stainless steel hard-lines and a 480mm vertical radiator to ensure that your PC runs as quickly and quietly as possible."  It also demonstrates cutting & finishing the case (with  u-channel trim) for larger fans and fans in new places.  They use silencing grommets at the fan mounting points.
The build includes a 10" touchscreen HDMI display screen that displays the system stats with Aida64 software.
"Advantages of Stainless Steel Hard Line Tubing:
Bright metallic finish is aesthetically pleasing. It doesn't absorb dirt, smudges, fingerprints or scuffs, making maintenance very easy. The biggest advantage to using stainless for PC water cooling is it's corrosion resistant properties, so you can use distilled water in your water cooling loop. It also resists bacteria and germs ..."
"Disadvantages of Stainless Steel Hard Line:
Costs more than traditional flexible tubing for PC water cooling which covers Acrylic, PETG, and flexible tubing. Stainless steel requires specialized tools that include a hacksaw with bi-metal cutting blade, hand files and deburr tool. You must deburr the edges of the tubing to avoid slicing into rubber o-rings for your compression fittings. It also requires a specialty bending tool, like a hand pipe or mandrel bender. The tightest radius bend you can get with 1/2" OD in 0.035" wall thickness is 1-1/2" which isn't small enough for PC liquid cooling, so you have to get inventive with your bends or type of fittings."

The Sleeper PC Build:  https://www.howtogeek.com/780208/what-is-a-sleeper-pc/
"A sleeper PC usually refers to a powerful computer that's presented in an unassuming case or enclosure. The term originates in the automotive world, where sleeper cars are high-performance vehicles that look normal from the outside. Under the hood is where the real story lies, and the same is true of the PC world."
"There are many different types of sleeper PC build, from the old beige boxes of the Windows 98 days to powerful machines built inside of old console cases. Many of these enclosures require significant modification for use with modern PC components like all-in-one coolers and graphics cards that are much larger than they were a decade or two ago."
"Some builds require the use of atypical parts, like smaller Mini-ITX or Mini-ATX motherboards."
"Once you've built your machine you can exhibit it on YouTube or communities like:

Best Sleeper PC Cases, Modern Yet Retrofits:  
11 PC cases available now that look like old technology.

Monday, February 9, 2026

Raspberry Pi Clock Projects

The 8 Best Raspberry Pi Clock Projects You Can Make:

"This instructable shows how to make a Raspberry Pi Pico-powered 128x32 OLED digital clock ..."

ClockUI - Raspberry Pi Smart Clock built with PySide6:
The circular display for this is about $100!

Raspberry Pi Pico smart clock with lots of cool features:
"Key features include:
  • Dual LCD Displays: Time and temperature on the top LCD, menu and status on the bottom LCD.
  • DS3231 RTC: Accurate timekeeping with battery backup.
  • DHT11 Sensor: Temperature monitoring in Fahrenheit.
  • 4x4 Keypad: Intuitive menu navigation and settings input.
  • Wi-Fi & NTP Sync: Internet connectivity for automatic time updates.
  • Buzzer: Audible alerts for timers and alarms.
  • Modes: Timer, stopwatch, alarm, stats display, and timezone adjustment."
Building a Smart Clock with Raspberry Pi -  an always-on digital clock with real-time weather information:  

Saturday, January 24, 2026

Best Automotive Oscilloscopes

5 Best Automotive Oscilloscopes 2024:
" [Best Cheap] Hantek 1008C"  - Needs a Windows laptop or PC to operate.
"... it stands out from other automotive oscilloscopes because it comes packed with cool features. Besides the waveform generator, it also boasts a built-in FFT function and basic math functions. Plus, you get 20 automatic measurements and auto cursor tracking functions – pretty handy, right?
We've tested the Hantek 1008C for various tasks like checking coils, fuel injectors, and alternator ripples. It's proven to be a valuable tool for automotive diagnostics."
"... using more than 4 channels at once slows it down. If you max it out with all 8 channels, it becomes really sluggish ..."

Top 10 Best Automotive Oscilloscopes in 2023:
"An automotive oscilloscope ... is a kind of electronic test instrument designed to graphically display different types of signal voltages as a two-dimensional plot of one or more signals as a function of time frequently.
Tracing atypical electrical waves on breaking down equipment will be impossible without an automotive oscilloscope."
"HANTEK 1008C 8CH - 
Among the different digital oscilloscopes, HANTEK 1008C Automotive Digital Oscilloscope is  designed with vast new features and capabilities. It is one of the most cost-effective 8 channels of automotive oscilloscopes ...
Key Features:
    Channel and Extraordinary Specs: It is an 8-channel oscilloscope that comes with a real-time sampling rate of 2.4MSa/sec with a 12-bit vertical resolution for spectrum analysis. It provides automatic testing functions of more than 20 types which are like interfaces in benchtop oscilloscopes.
    Multiple Sensor Types: It features a lot of sensors such as the lambda sensor, crankshaft sensor, airflow meter sensor, throttle position sensor, distributor sensor, and camshaft sensor that will make the oscilloscope simple to use.
    DAQ Card Function: This is the feature used for effective wave determination:
    Other Features: Includes a Programmable Generator to give better test outcomes and performance. The camshaft analog signals, crankshaft, and so on can easily be observed with this device. It features a play interface and USB 2.0 plug to make sure no additional power supply is required for it.
HANTEK 1008C is perfect for vehicle testing. You can also use it for the first diagnosis like the idle exhaust ignition, intake multiple vacuums.starting exhaust ignition, as well as petrol fumes adjusting valve vacuum."

HOW TO CHOOSE AN AUTOMOTIVE OSCILLOSCOPE?
Available as a PDF file.

8 Best Automotive Oscilloscopes for Car Diagnostics (Jun, 2024):


Raspberry Pi TV HAT

How to Set Up the Raspberry Pi TV HAT: A Step-by-Step Guide:


"...  the Raspberry Pi TV HAT is an expansion card for all Raspberry Pi models that allows access to live TV streams ..."


Wednesday, January 21, 2026

PowerToys Workspaces lets you automate desktop & app arrangement

PowerToys Workspaces is a feature in Microsoft PowerToys that allows users to automate the arrangement and launching of applications on their desktop with a single click -

NOTE:  Instead of putting lots of stuff in Startup, try setting up desktops for Reading, Programming (Powershell, BASIC, Python, etc.), Car Stuff, Medical, Bills, Taxes, Watching TV, etc.

Microsoft PowerToys 'Workspaces' Makes Setting up Your Windows PC Easy:
  https://www.howtogeek.com/microsoft-powertoys-workspaces-update/
"To get to a workspace in no time, save it as a desktop shortcut and pin it to the taskbar."
"Before you can use the utility, you must turn on Workspaces in your PowerToys settings. With that done, hit "Launch editor" in the Workspaces settings or press Win+Ctrl+` on the keyboard to bring up the editor. Clicking "+ Create workspace" will capture your current desktop layout."
"You can also launch an app in a workspace as an admin."
"The tool intelligently handles open apps. Instead of launching duplicates, it repositions existing windows to match your saved layout. And if you're using multiple monitors, Workspaces remembers which screen each app belongs on."

Workspaces utility for Windows desktop management (official documentation):
  "https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/powertoys/workspaces"

How to launch and auto arrange apps with PowerToys on Windows (Nov 2025):
  https://pureinfotech.com/launch-auto-arrange-apps-powertoys-windows/

Workspaces is the best PowerToys feature you're not using on your Windows PC:
  https://www.makeuseof.com/powertoys-workspaces-best-feature-windows/
"To create a workspace, start by arranging your apps exactly how you want them. Open all the apps you need for a specific workflow and position them using Windows snap layouts or FancyZones. Once everything looks good, press Win + Ctrl + Backtick (or your custom shortcut) to open the Workspaces editor.
Click Create Workspace, give it a name, then hit Capture. Workspaces grabs every open app and its position. Once done, you'll see a list of all captured apps in the editor. To remove any app from the list, select it and click Remove. For each app, click the dropdown arrow to access advanced options."

How to use PowerToys Workspaces to finesse your Windows desktop - Just rebooted your PC? Start your day right with the click of a button:
  https://www.pcworld.com/article/2490582/how-to-use-powertoys-workspaces-to-finesse-your-windows-desktop.html
"First, a brief recap: PowerToys is a collection of free Windows utilities, directly from Microsoft. You'll need to download the app directly from Microsoft, then enable any or all of the PowerToys apps that you wish to use."

"Basically, PowerToys Workspaces allows you to instantly launch and configure a collection of windows and/or apps across multiple screens, arranged how you want.
...
You might think of Workspaces as a bookmark of sorts: Get everything arranged just so, and then save your work."

"On my PC, Workspaces had an odd shortcut: Win + CTRL + ' which I changed just by clicking the Workspaces box. Otherwise, you simply need to click the "Launch Editor" from either the Workspaces main menu or within the Workspaces Settings menu."

Windows 11 How To:  https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft/windows/windows-11/how-to

Tuesday, January 20, 2026

FN Five-Seven MRD Review

A 20-round pistol for the 5.7mm cartridge:

https://www.pewpewtactical.com/fn-five-seven-mrd-review/

Friday, January 16, 2026

Replace ZFS with Btrfs on a home NAS

I ditched ZFS for Btrfs on my home NAS and I'm never going back:
"Things like mixing drives, adding a new disk, or enabling compression didn't require as much thought anymore, and I didn't lose out on things like snapshots — in fact, the good thing was that I didn't need to plan around them just for it to work. It was honestly quite surprising that Btrfs worked so well and without drawing attention to itself."

"The new system felt much more approachable, and I found myself checking it more often. That system was much more forgiving toward my experiments, and I didn't need to put much thought into preparation."

" I won't give you false hope — Btrfs hasn't made my NAS meaningfully faster, nor has it changed how I use it every single day. What it has actually changed is the amount of planning required to keep the system running the way I want. All the routine tasks now feel much more straightforward, and adding or replacing disks doesn't require a lot of conscious thought and planning. I don't find myself configuring the system as much as I used to."

"ZFS is much stricter about data integrity, which is a solid point in its favor. It guarantees a more reliable system when everything works in tandem, creating one you can actually rely on. If I were managing larger pools, storing critical data, or even hosting multiple users, ZFS would still be my first choice."

"It simply comes down to which file system works better where. ZFS excels when structure and long-term planning are central to the setup. Meanwhile, Btrfs works better when you need incremental growth and flexibility"

Btrfs subvolumes are a taste of flexible filesystems:

ZFS (previously Zettabyte File System) is a file system with volume management capabilities:   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ZFS

Btrfs is a computer storage format that combines a file system based on the copy-on-write (COW) principle with a logical volume manager:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Btrfs

Ubuntu and BTRFS:  https://linuxvox.com/blog/ubuntu-btrfs/

"During the Ubuntu installation process, you can choose BTRFS as the filesystem for your partitions. Here are the general steps:

  1. Boot the Ubuntu installation media.
  2. Select your language, keyboard layout, and other preferences.
  3. When you reach the "Installation type" screen, choose "Something else".
  4. Select the partition where you want to install Ubuntu and click "Change".
  5. In the "Use as" dropdown menu, select "BTRFS".
  6. Set the mount point (usually /) and click "OK".
  7. Proceed with the installation as usual."
Ubuntu + Btrfs + Automatic Snapshots (Snapper and Btrfs Assistant):
"This script creates Btrfs subvolumes (while still in Live CD/USB mode) for Ubuntu 24.04 (or newer) and compatible derivatives."
Includes detailed instructions to install Ubuntu with Brtfs ...

How to install and format a partition with the Btrfs on Ubuntu:

Brtfs Overview (older documentation):  https://help.ubuntu.com/community/btrfs

Tuesday, January 13, 2026

Home - Safe Needle Disposal

Enter Zip Code to find locations nearby.
https://safeneedledisposal.org/

[OpenWrt Wiki] Documentation

https://openwrt.org/docs/start

[OpenWrt Wiki] OpenWrt on x86 hardware (PC / VM / server)

Follow the instructions and give it a try …
https://openwrt.org/docs/guide-user/installation/openwrt_x86

[OpenWrt Wiki] Welcome to the OpenWrt Project

Some folks advocate running this on an old PC. Otherwise, a lot of routers can be upgraded with it.
https://openwrt.org/

6mm GT - a newer cartridge Taking competition shooting by Storm


"While it's only been commercially available for a little over two years, the accuracy and improved feeding capabilities of the 6mm GT have made it so two years is all it took to firmly stake its claim in the world of competitive shooting."

" Size-wise, the 6mm GT is a happy medium between the longer 6mm Creedmoor and the shorter 6BR (Bench Rest)."

"The result is a more predictable and barrel-friendly cartridge than the 6mm Creedmoor. It can utilize the accurate and forgiving powders of the 6BR, has fantastic accuracy, and due to its shoulder angle and case length, it doesn't suffer from feeding issues."

Monday, January 12, 2026

Edit text files from Command Prompt & PowerShell on Win-10 & 11 — using MS Edit


"This editor is not brand-new to the operating system. In older versions, Microsoft included the MS-DOS Editor for text editing. However, Microsoft Edit is an open-source, more modern alternative with 64-bit architecture support. In addition, it's not only available for Windows 11 (and 10), but it's also available for Linux."

"To install Microsoft Edit on Windows 11, use these steps:
  1. Open Start.
  2. Search for Command Prompt, right-click the top result, and choose the Run as administrator option.
  3. Type the following winget command to install Microsoft Edit and press Enter:
winget install --id Microsoft.Edit    "


Sunday, January 11, 2026

BookStack app for documentation

This is recommended for documenting PC & IT builds:
https://www.bookstackapp.com/

Docker Projects for Raspberry Pi (or Linux)

"Docker is used on Raspberry Pi to run isolated applications and services, avoiding conflicts with the system or other software. It simplifies installation and management across multiple environments."

"What You'll Need for These Projects:
    Raspberry Pi 4 or Pi 5.
    Micro SD card: 32 GB or more.
    Raspberry Pi OS installed.
    Docker & Docker Compose installed.
    Knowledge of Docker and Docker Compose."

"Pi Hole (https://pi-hole.net) acts as a local DNS server that blocks unwanted content before it even loads. Once set up, everything connected to your Wi-Fi gets ad-free browsing." Documentation: https://docs.pi-hole.net/
"Using a Pi-Hole in a container makes it isolated and easy to upgrade, without affecting other services on your Pi."
Requires: "Setting your router's DNS to point to the Pi."

"Home Assistant helps you control smart lights, thermostats, sensors, and more — all from one dashboard. It supports hundreds of devices and is incredibly customizable."

"Jellyfin and Plex let you stream videos, music, and photos from your Pi."
Plex has been around longer, but Jellyfin is apparently easier to setup & use.

"Monitor Everything with Grafana & Prometheus:
Track your Pi's performance, network stats, or even multiple devices in your home. Grafana gives you charts and dashboards, while Prometheus handles data collection and time-series storage."

"Vaultwarden is a lightweight clone of Bitwander that you can host yourself. It's perfect for keeping all your login credentials secure and syncing across devices."
"Enable HTTPS for better security."

"WireGuard VPN lets you access your home network securely from anywhere. You can browse safely on public Wi-Fi or access your NAS and Pi tools while on the go, and on the other hand, it gives you privacy and encryption for your navigation."
"While using a container, you can avoid editing the system file directly, and you can spin it up on any device as many times you want and at any time. No need to mess with iptables or system networking by hand."
Requires:  "Port forwarding on your router." & "Static IP or DDNS."
Full Guide: https://raspberrytips.com/install-wireguard-raspberry-pi/

"Run small AI models on a Raspberry Pi! With tools like Whisper (speech-to-text) and LLMs like x, you can experiment with local voice transcription or chatbots without needing cloud access."
"Docker is perfect for this because it isolates Python environments, dependencies like PyTorch, and makes setup much easier."

"Host your own Minecraft server hosted entirely on a Raspberry Pi."
"With Docker, you can isolate the game server from your OS, and make it easy to restart or tweak settings without breaking your Pi."
 
"Host a Simple Web Server or API Backend - If you're learning web development or building your own tools, using tools like Node.js, Flask, or PHP servers on your Pi is the best way to deploy them.
It can be used for hobby apps, dashboards or even self-hosted APIs."

"Create a Private Document Server - Paperless-ngx lets you scan, store, search, and organize documents in a sleek web interface. It's perfect for managing receipts or home paperwork."










Do I really need a VPN? Kim Komando debunks 3 major myths

Think you have nothing to hide? Think again. Kim Komando explains why ISPs are legally allowed to sell your private data, even the medical symptoms you type into AI. Learn how to close your digital blinds and save money on travel.

https://www.komando.com/news/security/do-i-really-need-a-vpn-kim-komando-debunks-3-major-myths/

11 Docker Projects Every Raspberry Pi Owner Could Try – RaspberryTips

These require a Pi-4 or 5, but would also be applicable to other Linux systems.
https://raspberrytips.com/docker-projects-for-raspberry-pi/

Friday, January 9, 2026

Hyper-V and Linux (use a virtual environment in Windows to run Linux)

Hyper-V and Linux: A Comprehensive Guide (Nov 2025):
https://linuxvox.com/blog/hyperv-linux/
"Hyper-V is a native hypervisor developed by Microsoft, which allows users to create and run multiple virtual machines on a single physical server."
"Combining Hyper-V and Linux enables users to leverage the power of virtualization for Linux workloads, such as running Linux-based web servers, database servers, and development environments within a Windows-based infrastructure."
"Each VM has its own virtual hardware, including CPU, memory, storage, and network interfaces. The hypervisor manages the allocation of physical resources to these virtual machines, ensuring efficient utilization."

"   CPU: Hyper-V allows you to allocate a specific number of virtual CPUs to a Linux VM based on its workload requirements.
    Memory: You can assign a fixed amount of memory to the Linux VM. Hyper-V also supports dynamic memory allocation, which can adjust the memory usage of the VM based on its needs.
    Storage: You can use virtual hard disks (VHD or VHDX) to provide storage for the Linux VM. Hyper-V supports different storage types, such as basic and dynamic disks.
    Network: Hyper-V provides virtual network adapters for Linux VMs. You can configure these adapters to connect to different network types, such as external, internal, or private networks."

"You can choose between Generation 1 and Generation 2 VMs. Generation 2 VMs have some advanced features like UEFI firmware, but some older Linux distributions may not support them."

"    For Ubuntu, you can install the Hyper-V integration services using the following commands:
sudo apt update
sudo apt install linux - image - extra - $(uname - r) linux - headers - $(uname - r)"

"    Snapshots capture the state of the VM at a specific point in time, including its disk and memory state.
# Create a snapshot of a Linux VM named "LinuxVM"
Checkpoint - Vm - Name "LinuxVM" - CheckpointName "Pre - Update Snapshot""

"    Configure the network settings of the Linux VMs to ensure proper connectivity. You can set up static IP addresses or use DHCP.
# Edit the network configuration file in Ubuntu
sudo nano /etc/netplan/00 - install - default - ethernets.yaml"

...

Best Practices for running Linux on Hyper-V:
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/virtualization/hyper-v/best-practices-for-running-linux-on-hyper-v
"Use Hyper-V-specific network adapters, not the legacy network adapter
Configure and use the virtual Ethernet adapter, which is a Hyper-V-specific network card with enhanced performance. If both legacy and Hyper-V-specific network adapters are attached to a virtual machine, the network names in the output of ifconfig -a might show random values such as _tmp12000801310. To avoid this issue, remove all legacy network adapters when using Hyper-V-specific network adapters in a Linux virtual machine."

...

How to set up Ubuntu on Hyper-V:
https://documentation.ubuntu.com/server/how-to/virtualisation/ubuntu-on-hyper-v/
"The recommended method is to use the curated Ubuntu image from the Hyper-V Quick Create Gallery. This is ideal for desktop development on Ubuntu and for users interested in running a complete Ubuntu desktop environment. The Ubuntu image from the Quick Create Gallery includes pre-configured features, such as clipboard sharing, dynamic resolution display, and shared folders."

How to Run Linux on Hyper-V?  https://www.nakivo.com/blog/run-linux-hyper-v/
"Linux has excellent container support which may be a reason to install Linux on Hyper-V as a virtual machine."

How to Install Ubuntu on Windows with Hyper-V:  https://phoenixnap.com/kb/hyper-v-ubuntu
"After enabling Hyper-V, create a virtual network switch for the virtual machine to use ..."

How to Run Linux on Hyper-V:  https://www.diskinternals.com/raid-recovery/hyper-v-linux/
...