Author: Dave Farquhar

Commodore 64 vs 128

Dave Farquhar Retro Computing , , , , , , , , , , ,
Commodore 64 vs 128

Commodore introduced the Commodore 128 in 1985 as an upgrade path from the Commodore 64, the most popular model of computer of all time. The 128 addressed the 64’s biggest shortcomings while remaining mostly compatible with its hardware and software. That makes the Commodore 64 vs 128 a natural comparison, even more natural than comparing the 64 with the VIC-20.

The Commodore 128 was an extension of the Commodore 64, with more memory, a faster disk drive, a faster CPU, and 80-column video. It also featured a very high degree of compatibility, which helped both machines sell better.

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Marx train set 452

Dave Farquhar Toy trains
Marx train set 452

A fellow Marx collector asked recently for information about sets containing the elusive Marx windup 490 (also sometimes called the mechanical 490), so I thought I would share what I know about set number 452.

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When Linux won’t boot off DVD or USB

Dave Farquhar Linux , , ,

I went to install Linux (Debian) on an old Asus socket 775 motherboard (a P5LD2) and had a litany of problems getting my installation media to boot. Here’s how I finally got it installed.

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Microsoft Security Essentials alerts – don’t call “Microsoft”

Dave Farquhar scams, security ,

Last Tuesday night my oldest son came into the room and told me he thought one of our computers was being hacked. So I kicked into incident response mode and walked into the other room to be greeted with a computer loudly telling me that Microsoft Security Essentials was unable to clean a virus and to immediately call Microsoft.

Instead I immediately shut down the computer. Here’s why.

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Replace missing Lionel brakewheels with sew-on snaps

Dave Farquhar Toy trains , , ,
Replace missing Lionel brakewheels with sew-on snaps

I saw an old tip recently regarding using sew-on snaps to replace missing Lionel brakewheels. Reproduction brakewheels generally are available, but sew-on snaps work well, are readily available at any store that sells sewing supplies, and they’re cheap.

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Moving SSH off port 22 doesn’t do much for security

Dave Farquhar security
Moving SSH off port 22 doesn’t do much for security

A week or two ago, a stranger approached me with some advice about securing routers: move SSH off port 22.

Since arguing with strangers is what the Internet was apparently invented for, I’ll argue against the benefits of moving SSH off port 22.

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My first blog post for Qualys

Dave Farquhar security

A chance conversation with a Qualys customer a few weeks ago veered off topic really fast, but it led to another conversation, which caught a manager’s attention and led to my first  blog post for them.

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Rental property: a good investment

Dave Farquhar Landlording , ,

Is rental property a good investment? It certainly is if you do it right.

Here’s what you need to know.

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Cleaning Lionel track in a dishwasher

Dave Farquhar Toy trains ,
Cleaning Lionel track in a dishwasher

When faced with a big box of dirty old Lionel track, a common question is whether you can just clean it up by putting it in a dishwasher.

With a few caveats, the answer is yes, but I wouldn’t say I recommend it.

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Commodore 64 vs 64c

Dave Farquhar Retro Computing , , , , , , , , , ,
Commodore 64 vs 64c

The Commodore 64 went through a number of revisions throughout its long life. The most outwardly visible of those revisions was the transition from the tan, boxy C-64 to the thinner, lighter-colored 64c. If you’e wondering about the Commodore 64 vs 64c, here’s what you need to know.

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