Author: Dave Farquhar

Computers in the 1990s

Dave Farquhar Retro Computing
Computers in the 1990s

Computers in the 1990s, especially at the dawn of the 1990s, were very different from today. Looking back now, it’s easy to see how the 1990s were a pivotal decade for computing. And since GenXers like me live under the delusion that the 1990s just happened, I still remember it well.

Perhaps the most important thing to remember about computers in the 1990s is the number of things that didn’t exist prior to 1990. In other cases, they existed, but were terrible, so nobody used them.

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In defense of Intel, a little

Dave Farquhar security
In defense of Intel, a little

So, if you haven’t heard about Spectre and Meltdown, you can read my analysis over at my employer’s blog. I won’t compete with them. Let’s talk about the heat Intel is taking over this, and why I think it’s at least slightly unfair.

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Windows 10 sound not working? Here’s the quick fix.

Dave Farquhar Windows
Windows 10 sound not working? Here’s the quick fix.

My Windows 10 sound stopped working suddenly. One day it worked, the next day, it quit. Nothing else changed–I hadn’t even rebooted. If, like me, you experience Windows 10 sound not working, here’s a quick fix to try that should take you less than a minute.

My symptoms were simple. My web browser quit playing audio. Muting and unmuting didn’t help. Changing the volume didn’t help. I tried a different browser and it wouldn’t play audio either. Then I fired up Windows Media Player and tried to play a song. I got silence. Then I got a red X next to the song that didn’t play. If this sounds familiar, keep reading. I can probably help you.

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Commodore 64 vs Nintendo 64

Dave Farquhar Retro Computing
Commodore 64 vs Nintendo 64

The Commodore 64 and Nintendo 64 have similar names, but they aren’t related. The number “64” was significant enough that both companies wanted to brag about it. But in the case of the Commodore 64 vs Nintendo 64, the number meant two completely different things. Here’s why that number keeps coming up.

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Toy stores that went out of business

Dave Farquhar Retail
Toy stores that went out of business

Toys R Us filed for bankruptcy in late 2017, stoking concerns about its future going forward before closing in the summer of 2018. The venerable retailer outlasted a large number of defunct toy store chains, but toy stores have been in sharp decline for decades. Here are some names of old toy stores that went out of business, and what happened to those old toy store chains.

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G gauge vs O gauge

Dave Farquhar model railroading
G gauge vs O gauge

G gauge vs O gauge is a natural comparison, as they are two of the oldest surviving standards in model trains. Due to their size, they share many of the same advantages and disadvantages. As such, they tended to rival one another in the 1990s and early 2000s.

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Light switch without ground

Dave Farquhar DIY
Light switch without ground

Will a light switch work with no ground wire? Usually. Does a light switch need to be grounded? Not necessarily. Here’s why you normally want a ground, and what your options are for a light switch without ground.

For a normal light switch, the ground is a safety feature, not necessary for operation. You can leave that screw unconnected if you don’t have a ground wire, or if you have the wire but no screw on the switch, you can ground the switch another way.

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How much mortgage can I afford on 100K?

Dave Farquhar Saving money
How much mortgage can I afford on 100K?

I frequently get questions like, “How much mortgage can I afford on 100K?” Or any other amount. The amount doesn’t really matter; you can do the math on any annual salary or combination of salaries. The important thing is to do the math yourself. So here’s how to figure out how much mortgage you can afford.

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reboot vs init 6 in Unix and Linux

Dave Farquhar Linux
reboot vs init 6 in Unix and Linux

Unix and Unix-like operating systems like Linux have a command called reboot. Like the name says, it reboots the system. Veteran Unix administrators insist the correct way to reboot a Unix system is to use a cryptic command called init 6. Are they just showing off, or is there a good reason for this? It turns out there is indeed a reason why one should worry about reboot vs init 6, and using the init 6 command can protect your system.

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Lionel ZW transformer circuit breaker

Dave Farquhar Toy trains
Lionel ZW transformer circuit breaker

A transformer’s circuit breaker should trip within a few seconds for safety, if not faster. If your Lionel ZW transformer circuit breaker doesn’t trip reliably anymore, it’s time to source a replacement. Here’s how to find a modern breaker suitable for use as a Lionel ZW circuit breaker and install it.

Don’t be intimidated. This is a relatively easy project and costs less than $20. The hardest part is soldering two connections. But first, always run a safety check, and, on ZWs in particular, check for and replace any bad binding posts.

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