A Geek Goes Flying

Redid my original KVM setup with a different KVM unit Swapped out the Dell U2412M for a Dell U2717D IPS 27" QHD Wide 1440p UltraSharp InfinityEdge Slim Widescreen monitor  ($300 used, I wanted the older display for the USB A ports etc., it’s just easier...). Had to pick up a USB 3.0 cable to connect to the KVM, to take full advantage of the new hub. Swapped out the SIIG Aluminum Mechanical Single Monitor Arm Mount for a dual arm version of the same thing ( SIIG Aluminum Mechanical Dual Monitor Arm Mount ) ($127), with a VIVO Notebook Adapter for VESA Monitor Mounts ($25) To use the now surplus 24" monitor, I picked up a VESA stand ($22), a Plugable USB 3.0 to DVI/VGA/HDMI Video Graphics Adapter ($39 used, $48 normally) and a Dell DVI cable . The Plugable adapter theoretically works with the Mac using a DisplayLink driver. As soon as my desk is clear enough to try it, I’ll report back. (Edit: Had to install the DisplayLink software ‡ (from the Downloads section of this ...

Yesterday was a lazy day. I just couldn’t motivate to do much. I think I was recovering from a multi-week sleep deficit. But I made forward progress on a couple of things: Finally figured out how to use duplicity, snap, and get automated backups of my most critical files to a UNIX-friendly cloud service. Swapped my “ home workstation clicky” board from Box Jade switches to Box Pale Blue switches I had installed in a fullsized GK705 I never use. I’m not sure why I thought the Jades (50g operating force, 60g bottom out) were the second-stiffest clicky switches in the Kailh Box line-up after the Navy switches (60g/90g), but that honor actually goes to the Pale Blues (70g/80g). And I knew that ! (The Pale Blue switches have the heavier springs and the thinner click bar, while the Jades have the thicker click bar but the lighter spring. The Jades are more tactile, while the Pale Blues are stiffer.) Really liking the Pale Blues now. (Still using a Navy for the space bar.) Ordered a “Gr...

My “mid-2010” iMac is getting flaky, and with its HD 4760 GPU, wasn’t a great contender for a Big Sur update, even with OpenCore Patcher. The 2012 Mac Mini occupies a sweet spot on eBay, selling for around $100-150 (depending on configuration), and can run Big Sur quite well, patched. The GPU in the iMac can be upgraded, but it’s still an old, underpowered machine witth splotches on the screen, etc. Newer iMacs aren’t that expensive by themselves, but once you factor in shipping, they’re spendy. Still, for dragging out onto the balcony to enjoy our reliably nice SoCal weather, you can’t beat the form factor. I decided to hack together a machine that met my specifications (including relatively low cost). I started with the highest spec inexpensive Mac Mini I could find, a late-2012 Core i7 2.3 GHz with 16GB RAM and a 500GB hard drive ($150). I swapped the hard drive for a Crucial MX500 1TB SSD ($90). I got a VESA mount ($15) so I could bolt it to the back of a monitor; for that I we...