Author: Dave Farquhar

How to read a Qualys scan report

Dave Farquhar security
How to read a Qualys scan report

Reading and analyzing a Qualys scan is an underrated skill. Frankly, I see a lot of misuse and abuse surrounding Qualys scans. So let’s talk about how to read and analyze a Qualys scan for the purpose of understanding and solving problems.

You can read it in the user interface but I recommend exporting a CSV so you can sort and filter. The exact CSV format has changed a bit over the years so they may not be in this exact order. But this will get you started. The most important columns are all here.

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Marx 6-inch observation car

Dave Farquhar Toy trains
Marx 6-inch observation car

The Marx observation passenger car was a 6-inch passenger car based on the design Marx used for its 6-inch freights. The basic design underwent some changes and updates over the years, but Marx used the name from 1935 to 1942, then resumed production in 1946 and continued until 1961. Observation cars ran on the end of passenger trains and had a platform that passengers could use to admire the landscape as the train moved.

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How to merge data in Excel

Dave Farquhar Office
How to merge data in Excel

I understand business analysts ask each other how to merge data in Excel in job interviews. The rest of us struggle and swear a lot. If you don’t count a business analyst among your best friends, here’s the secret you need to merge data with the best of them. Including the detail everyone seems to forget.

I’ll talk about Excel here, but you may be able to adapt this to other spreadsheets too.

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Coleco Expansion Module 1

Dave Farquhar Retro Computing
Coleco Expansion Module 1

The Coleco Expansion Module 1 was a product that added Atari 2600 compatibility to the ColecoVision game console. The product immediately allowed Coleco to claim the ColecoVision had the largest software library of any game console. It is a famous but widely misunderstood product.

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Marx Montclair passenger car

Dave Farquhar Toy trains
Marx Montclair passenger car

The Marx Montclair passenger car was a 6-inch passenger car based on the design Marx used for its 6-inch freights. The basic design underwent some changes and updates over the years, but Marx used the name from 1935 to 1942, then resumed production in 1946 and continued until 1961.

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IBM PC/AT 5170 hard drive types

Dave Farquhar Retro Computing
IBM PC/AT 5170 hard drive types

The IBM PC/AT had a troubled history with hard drives. And if you’re using one today, even if it had one of the better hard drives in it, after 35-40 years it may not work. Here’s what you need to know about IBM 5170 hard drive types to substitute newer drives for it.

The IBM 5170 defined either 14 or 22 different hard drive types, depending on the BIOS revision. You’ll get best results if you choose something that can emulate one of the existing types.

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Why Dave Stieb isn’t in the Hall of Fame

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

When you think of dominance pitchers of the 1980s, Dave Stieb is right up there with Jack Morris. Arguably, the better of the two is not in the Hall of Fame. Why isn’t Dave Stieb in the Hall of Fame?

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VTI 73192 E4002: The Atari knockoff

Dave Farquhar Retro Gaming
VTI 73192 E4002: The Atari knockoff

An unassuming chip, labeled VTI 73192 E4002, lurks within the Atari compatibility products of the 1980s that made Coleco and other video game consoles compatible with the Atari 2600. Here’s what that chip does and why it was important.

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Marx Bogota passenger car

Dave Farquhar Toy trains
Marx Bogota passenger car

The Marx Bogota passenger car was a 6-inch passenger car based on the design Marx used for its 6-inch freights. The basic design underwent some changes and updates over the years, but Marx used the name from 1935 to 1942, then resumed production in 1946 and continued until 1961.

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Soak Weed Eater string in water to make it last longer

Dave Farquhar DIY
Soak Weed Eater string in water to make it last longer

I’m not sure anyone likes refilling their Weed Eater or other string trimmer. Once you’ve done it a few times, it’s not the worst chore in the world, but if I told you how to make your string trimmer line last longer, I don’t think anyone would object to it. Especially since you can make it last longer almost for free. Soak your Weed Eater string in water to make it last longer.

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