What are network drivers? What is a network driver? It’s a valid question, no one’s born knowing this stuff. In this blog post, I’ll explain network drivers, why they’re important, and where to find them.
What network drivers are
The best type-in I ever typed in: Crossroads, by Steve Harter
A question has been going around on social media about the best type-in you ever typed in. I remember it like it was yesterday. Crossroads, from the December 1987 issue of Compute!’s Gazette. Second place wasn’t close. Crossroads was an arcade-style game for the Commodore 64 that I think of as a sort of top-down 2-dimensional Doom-like game.
Yes, I am aware there was a sequel, Crossroads II, published a year later. I didn’t type that one in. I bought the disk. So while Crossroads II was better, I can’t call it the best type-in I ever typed in myself.
Marx freight set 4205
Circa 1958, Marx introduced a steam freight train set, catalog number 4205, that went on to become one of its best sellers. The set remained in production into the 1960s, but with some changes. It provided an introduction to electric trains at an unbeatable price.
Commodore 8250 disk drive
The Commodore 8250 disk drive was the highest capacity floppy drive Commodore made for its 8-bit computers. It was a dual drive unit the connected to the IEEE-488 bus used on the PET and CBM line of computers. Each drive stored one megabyte of data on 5.25 inch double sided quad density disks. When you listed the directory on a Commodore equipped with an 8250, the disk read 4133 blocks free.
We’ll leave the TV and the radio behind ’80s song lyric
We’ll leave the TV and the radio behind is one of the more distinct and memorable lines in Joe Jackson’s 1982 hit single Steppin’ Out.
Refurbishing a Lionel 6014 boxcar
One morning in December, I got a text message from my wife. She’d found some trains in a secondhand store, cheap. They were damaged, but I like fixing up old trains. The highlight of the find was a Lionel 6014 boxcar. It had a busted truck, but was otherwise in reasonable condition. I didn’t have to feel bad about modifying it, and I had just the thing in mind. Restoration is a strong word for what I ended up doing, but some might call it a restoration or a customization.
Panasonic Business Partner 1650: Tandy in disguise
The Panasonic Business Partner 1650, also known as the FX 1650, is a PC clone from 1989. Everyone was making 286 based PC clones in 1989, but this Panasonic is a little bit different. Whether that is a good thing or a bad thing depends on when you bought it. The label on the back provides a clue.
Plug falls out of outlet? Here’s how to fix it
If a plug falls out of an outlet after you plug it in, that’s not how it’s supposed to work. A plug is supposed to fit firmly in an outlet so that it doesn’t fall out on its own. You shouldn’t have to exert very much force to remove it, but you are supposed to need to exert a small amount. If your plug falls out of an outlet, here’s how to fix it.
SCCM vs WSUS
Since I work for a vulnerability management company, I get tons and tons of questions about patch management. I don’t speak for my employer, and they probably don’t have an opinion since neither product comes close to meeting their needs. But I’m glad to share what I know. Recently, someone asked me which is better, SCCM or WSUS. My answer probably was not what they were expecting me to say.
Marx train set 4318 for W.T. Grant
The Marx 4318 was a low end train set that was the result of a long time collaboration between two large companies while times were still good for both of them. It was an inexpensive electric train set exclusive to W.T. Grant, which was one of the fastest growing retailers in the United States at the time.