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Do I need gigabit Ethernet?

Dave Farquhar Hardware November 3, 2017March 13, 2021

Ever since I first saw gigabit Ethernet, sometime around 1999 or 2000, I wanted it for my home network. Of course it was crazy expensive then. But today it’s not very expensive, and I want it. But do I need gigabit Ethernet? Do I need a gigabit router? Do you?

It depends on the speed of your Internet connection. If your Internet connection is 100 megabits or lower, a gigabit router or gigabit Ethernet won’t make your Internet faster. On the other hand, if you have a 200 megabit Internet connection and only a 100 megabit router, you’re wasting half your Internet speed. So even though gigabit sounds like overkill for a 200-megabit connection, you need it.

Most popular computer brands

Dave Farquhar Hardware November 2, 2017November 30, 2018

There aren’t a lot of big computer brands left today, unlike the 1990s. Here’s a look at the most popular computer brands of today and what you might need to know about each.

Personally, I don’t worry a lot about brand anymore. Most popular computer brands actually use the same suppliers these days, so there isn’t a lot that differentiates them besides styling. All of them have outsourced their tech support. And all of them run the same computer software, at least if you buy a PC. But let’s run through the most popular computer brands and then I’ll tell you what I look for in a computer beyond brand name.

Why my house didn’t pass inspection

Dave Farquhar Landlording November 1, 2017March 13, 2021

While getting a rental house ready for a new tenant, we had to get it reinspected. It failed, on several minor issues. Most failures are due to minor issues. Here’s why our house didn’t pass inspection, and what we did to fix it.

None of these issues ought to be showstoppers. If you’re not comfortable fixing it yourself, a competent handyman can fix these types of issues, and it probably won’t take more than a couple of hours.

GFCI without ground wire

Dave Farquhar DIY October 31, 2017May 17, 2023

A GFCI outlet without ground wire isn’t ideal, but it’s better than a 2-prong outlet. A GFCI outlet will work without a ground wire and it’s legal. Here’s how to properly wire a GFCI outlet without the ground wire, and label it to meet code. If the outlet shorts out for any reason, it will still trip for safety, even without ground.

A GFCI without ground wire won’t protect electronic equipment from static electricity, so you have to label it as such, but it will protect human life in the event of a short circuit. And, if your goal is to pass an inspection, an electrical tester will cause it to trip. Installing a GFCI is an acceptable alternative to the dangerous and illegal practice of a bootleg ground.

American Flyer bulb cross reference

Dave Farquhar Toy trains October 30, 2017February 23, 2019

A.C. Gilbert didn’t use standard bulb numbers for its products, so locating the correct bulb can be difficult today. Here is a cross reference chart between Gilbert’s American Flyer bulb part numbers and standard manufacturer part numbers.

Difference between antivirus and antimalware

Dave Farquhar security October 27, 2017October 23, 2017

The difference between antivirus and antimalware is largely academic, but understanding it can help you understand what protection you’re getting when you buy off-the-shelf security software.

I have to explain it myself pretty frequently, because people will see the words “antimalware” in my employer’s product brochures and they immediately say, “Tell me about your antivirus.”

Intel NIC vs Realtek networking

Dave Farquhar Hardware October 26, 2017May 4, 2020

I’ve always heard, going back to the 1990s, that you should go with an Intel NIC vs Realtek or another low-tier brand. But why? “Because the most expensive one is obviously the best,” and “because I like Intel CPUs” aren’t good answers.

I often noted the Intel advocates weren’t ever spending their own money. It’s easy to say the more expensive solution is better when someone else pays the bill. So let’s try to take a look at this objectively and quantify the differences between the two. And I’ll also share my secrets for finding high-performance cards for $10-$15, shipped.

Change a wall light fixture

Dave Farquhar DIY October 25, 2017March 13, 2021

It’s easier to change a wall light fixture than it looks. If your wall light fixture is old, broken, or you’re just tired of it, you can swap in a new one in 30 minutes.

Hi rail in model railroading

Dave Farquhar model railroading October 24, 2017November 21, 2018

Hi rail in model railroading refers to the use of traditional Lionel or American Flyer trains in a scale-like setting with realistic scenery. Hi-rail is a railroading term, but in real railroading it refers to a vehicle that can operate either on tracks or a regular road.

Sometimes hi rail is spelled high rail, with or without a dash, and sometimes combined into a single word, highrail or, more frequently, hirail.

The baseball card bubble

Dave Farquhar Baseball October 23, 2017September 6, 2022

In the 1980s and early 1990s, baseball cards became a popular investment. Prices increased to unsustainable levels, creating what we now call the baseball card bubble. And then, in 1993-1994, the bubble burst. The baseball card market crash affected some cards more than others but the overall effect was severe.

Here’s what happened and why.