Author: Dave Farquhar

Build an IBM 5170

Dave Farquhar Retro Computing
Build an IBM 5170

The February 1990 cover of Compute magazine screamed, “build an AT for $1,000!” It was a clone, of course. And a soon-to-be outmoded clone at that. At that time the idea of building a true blue IBM was laughable. Today, it may be the easiest way to get your hands on a 5170 if you want one. Here’s how to build an IBM 5170.

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CVE-2023-23378 Print 3D RCE remediation

Dave Farquhar security
CVE-2023-23378 Print 3D RCE remediation

The official fix for CVE-2023-23378 is to install 3D Builder from the Microsoft App Store, as Microsoft deprecated Print3D. A better, more scalable fix is to uninstall the vulnerable component with a Powershell command.

I get a fair number of questions about vulnerabilities in Microsoft Store apps in my day job, so I share my notes and observations in case they’ll help other people as well.

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A simple restoration of a Marx 591 windup

Dave Farquhar Toy trains
A simple restoration of a Marx 591 windup

I recently gave a Marx 591 clockwork locomotive a low key restoration. I thought I would document the process I followed in case it might be helpful to anyone.

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What a netbook is

Dave Farquhar Retro Computing
What a netbook is

What is a netbook? Maybe it would be a more appropriate to ask what was a netbook, because the product category is pretty much extinct at this point. But for a few years, it was a fast-growing product category.

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CVE-2023-36739 Microsoft 3D Viewer Remote Code Execution remediation

Dave Farquhar security
CVE-2023-36739 Microsoft 3D Viewer Remote Code Execution remediation

If you’re dealing with CVE-2023-36739, CVE-2023-36740, and CVE-2023-36760 Microsoft 3D Viewer Code Execution remediation, the best way to do it, assuming you’re not using the app, is to uninstall it. Here’s why this is OK to do, and how to do it. Fixing Windows Store vulnerabilities is hard. And Microsoft 3D Viewer has a history of high severity vulnerabilities dating back to October 2020, so uninstalling it can save you future remediation work.

I get a fair number of questions about vulnerabilities in Microsoft Store apps in my day job, so I share my notes and observations in case they’ll help other people as well.

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Why Steve Garvey isn’t in the Hall of Fame

Dave Farquhar Baseball
Why Steve Garvey isn’t in the Hall of Fame

Steve Garvey was one of the highest profile baseball stars of the 1970s and early 1980s. He was a smooth fielding first baseman with moderate power who hit for good batting average, and had a likable personality. But even though he was one of the biggest stars of his time, he didn’t make the Hall of Fame. Here’s why.

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A life hack to keep cables organized

Dave Farquhar Hardware
A life hack to keep cables organized

We all have a supply of cables that we aren’t using at the moment, but don’t want to discard because we might have a use for them again at some point. And some people will tell you you shouldn’t do that, because the cables will just turn into a tangled mess and you won’t be able to find what you need anyway. Here is a life hack to help you keep those cables organized and keep them from becoming a tangled mess–using something that you would otherwise throw in the trash.

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What size screwdriver for electrical work

Dave Farquhar DIY
What size screwdriver for electrical work

Electrical outlets and light switches are designed to take no fewer than three different types of screws, and a pinch, any screwdriver that fits can work. But there are specific sizes you can use that minimize your chances problems. In this blog post, I will cover what size screwdriver for electrical work, as well as the three types.

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Marx Happi-Time 9635 train set

Dave Farquhar Toy trains
Marx Happi-Time 9635 train set

Marx train set 9635 was an electric train set Marx that Sears sold in 1952. You may also hear collectors refer to it as Happi-Time train set 9635, because that’s what Marx printed on the box. It featured Marx’s best locomotive pulling 3/16 scale metal cars.

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Is it time to stop buying used Dell Optiplexes?

Dave Farquhar Hardware
Is it time to stop buying used Dell Optiplexes?

I saw a YouTube video the other day saying it was time to stop buying used Dell Optiplexes, and he advocated building a new PC based on an AMD Ryzen 5 instead. But is it really as cut and dry as that? In this blog post, I will look at both options.

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