Author: Dave Farquhar

Inspector fails outlets not wrapped in tape

Dave Farquhar DIY
Inspector fails outlets not wrapped in tape

Why would an inspector fail an outlet not wrapped in tape? It sounds overly picky, but there are some reasons why taping your outlets is a good idea, at least. And I can think of one case where it’s required.

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My rebuilt IBM 5170 PC/AT

Dave Farquhar Retro Computing
My rebuilt IBM 5170 PC/AT

I have what appears to be an IBM 5170 in my collection. I’ve owned it since the mid 1990s. There’s not much original about it. Part of that is due to the ravages of time. But it’s mine. And since I did some fairly major repairs to it myself, I’m pretty attached to my Frankenstein PC/AT.

It’s a Frankenstein because it has parts from at least six different computers in it.

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Why we have a cybersecurity talent shortage

Dave Farquhar security
Why we have a cybersecurity talent shortage

We have a cybersecurity talent shortage. You know it, and I know it. But part of the problem is self-inflicted. We don’t know how to interview.

A common complaint about security professionals is that we’re all smug know-it-alls. We have that reputation because that’s precisely the kind of person our interview process is designed to find. We won’t solve the cybersecurity talent shortage and our people skills problem until we get beyond looking for people who can pass CISSP in a suit.

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Repair the fiberboard insulator in a train motor

Dave Farquhar Toy trains
Repair the fiberboard insulator in a train motor

The fiberboard insulators in prewar electric train motors can break or warp over time. If that happens, you have options besides plundering one from another motor. Here’s how to replace or repair the fiberboard insulator in a train motor.

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What is fuzzing?

Dave Farquhar security
What is fuzzing?

What is fuzzing? Fuzz testing, or fuzzing, is a concept in computer security. Like the name suggests, it’s the practice of sending messed-up data to a system to see how it behaves. A good computer system should handle fuzzing gracefully. As you might guess, not all do.

When a computer receives data it doesn’t expect, it may malfunction in unpredictable ways. Fuzzing attempts to find those malfunctions.

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Using a Sound Blaster 16 on a 286

Dave Farquhar Retro Computing
Using a Sound Blaster 16 on a 286

I wanted to play 1990-era games on my 286 that don’t run right on my 486, but that meant I needed a sound card. Early PC sound cards are very expensive, so I wanted a cheaper alternative. Here’s how I got a Sound Blaster 16 to work on a 286.

Creative’s DOS drivers for the Sound Blaster 16 require a 386. But the hardware functions properly on earlier PCs, so you can use them on a 286 or even an XT-class PC with a third-party driver.

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Underappreciated at work? Here’s what to do.

Dave Farquhar Careers
Underappreciated at work? Here’s what to do.

If you feel unappreciated or underappreciated at work, you’re certainly not alone. It’s happened to me, and it happens to a lot of other people. Here are some examples, what you can do about it, and why you should do something about it before it’s too late.

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Where to buy CRT monitors

Dave Farquhar Retro Computing
Where to buy CRT monitors

I generally prefer LCD monitors with vintage PCs, but if you want a true retro experience, you need a CRT. The problem is finding one. Here’s where to buy CRT monitors.

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Investing in model trains: Good idea or bad?

Dave Farquhar model railroading, Toy trains
Investing in model trains: Good idea or bad?

From time to time, I see the topic of investing in model trains, whether Lionel, Marklin, scale brass models, or any other niche come up. There was a time when people make a lot of money doing that. Sad to say, for the most part that window of opportunity is closed.

It’s certainly possible to make money at your hobby. But investing in collectibles tends to be fleeting, so it’s something you should approach with extreme caution.

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Tube radio buzz: The non-obvious fix

Dave Farquhar Troubleshooting
Tube radio buzz: The non-obvious fix

I picked up a cool-looking old tube radio the other day. Unfortunately it doesn’t work. When you turn it on, instead of a signal, you hear loud buzzing. Here’s what causes tube radio buzz and how to get it fixed.

Of course we assume any problem with a tube radio is the vacuum tubes. But loud buzzing is usually caused by bad capacitors, not tubes.

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