IBM Model M vs Cherry MX Blue

IBM Model M vs Cherry MX Blue

To say the IBM Model M keyboard has a cult following is an understatement. Although it fell out of favor for a time, it’s made a comeback in recent years. Mechanical keyboards as a whole have also made a comeback in recent years. Cherry MX Blue switches are popular because some say they have a clicky IBM like feel. So let’s take a look at the IBM Model M vs Cherry MX Blue.

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Should you update your BIOS? The pros and cons

Should you update your BIOS? The pros and cons

Back when the Spectre and Meltdown vulnerabilities came to light, we had a spirited discussion after work about the mitigations. On some systems, The mitigations required a BIOS update. My boss asked, who updates their BIOS? Fair question. So should you update your BIOS?

I said I wanted to start using that as a job interview question. I could be convinced either way, but I want someone to be able to defend their answer. So let’s go over the pros and cons of updating your BIOS.

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Rebuild machines without making duplicates in Qualys or Tenable

Rebuild machines without making duplicates in Qualys or Tenable

My friend does vulnerability management for a company that likes to rebuild machines instead of patching them. I don’t judge; that’s how I wanted to patch machines when I was a sysadmin but I didn’t have fast enough storage. But if you do this, you’re liable to end up with duplicate machines in your reports. One unpatched, and the other one (hopefully) patched. Here’s how to rebuild machines without making duplicates in Qualys or Tenable.

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Refurbish a vintage ball mouse

I wanted a mouse for my IBM 5170 and my 386DX-33 systems, but both of them need a serial mouse. I mean old school RS-232 serial, not USB. Finding a serial optical mouse isn’t easy. Plus I wanted something that would look the part. I got an early 90s Microsoft mouse that matches the end of the 286/386 era, and a Logitech C7, but both worked badly. So I had to learn again how to refurbish a vintage ball mouse.

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