Have you tried to install VirtualBox on a Debian-based system and had all kinds of problems? Typically it all starts with “sudo apt install virtualbox” and then you realize that you can’t install the Oracle VM VirtualBox Extension Pack. You can’t see any of your USB devices. You can’t update the software…UGH Here’s a fix.… Continue reading Virtualbox, Ubuntu and USB
4 Raspberry Pis on a mini ITX board; The Turing Pi 2
This is a fun (but expensive) project: A cheap M1 mac would smoke it but you know…And the M1 mac can’t run linux. Looks like a fun project but a total waste of space and money. It’s one of those “let’s put a v8 in a dodge omni” kind of “what if” things. Incidentally, my… Continue reading 4 Raspberry Pis on a mini ITX board; The Turing Pi 2
Volumio – the DIY Media Streamer
You can have an inexpensive media streaming device connected to your TV or HiFi by using an inexpensive Raspberry Pi and an SD card. If you visit Volumio.org, you can download an image for a Raspberry Pi, PC or ASUS Tinkerboard. Once you have the image downloaded, attach a micro SD card to your computer… Continue reading Volumio – the DIY Media Streamer
Steam – Gaming on your Debian-based Linux PC
There are so many Debian-based Linux distros to choose from that look and work great, with Ubuntu and Linux Mint being the most popular. The best feature is the easy install method and the vast amount of available software. One of the things people often don’t discuss is the higher gaming capabilities because of Linux’… Continue reading Steam – Gaming on your Debian-based Linux PC
Costco Concierge Service – The Ugly Truth
Open letter to Costco (I actually sent this as a real email): Good afternoon Costco Administration, I’m writing to you in the hopes that you could inform your organization about how the Costco Concierge service may be frustrating your customers and potentially cause harm to your brand. Feel free to forward this email to any… Continue reading Costco Concierge Service – The Ugly Truth
Raspberry Pi VPN: Try Private Internet Access (PIA)
This is not an ad. I use PIA and find it both useful and affordable. If you have been frustrated as I have with the implementation of VPN using Debian-based Raspberry PI Linux distros, you will be happy to know that PIA has created an ARM version of their VPN client software. Head to their… Continue reading Raspberry Pi VPN: Try Private Internet Access (PIA)
OBS Studio on Raspberry Pi 4
Here is an extremely well documented guide on installing OBS Studio on your Raspberry Pi 4. I tried it and was successful in stalling. I even had the video driver error and was able to overcome it with “MESA_GL_VERSION_OVERRIDE=3.3 obs” as the guide suggested. The only issue I found was that the icon under “Sound… Continue reading OBS Studio on Raspberry Pi 4
The MiSTer FPGA
If you are into various “retro” computer systems and video games, there’s a Hardware emulation platform using FPGA created by Terasic Technologies. An open source hardware add-on called MiSTer gives the FPGA hardware additional functionality, including an integrated USB hub, SDRAM, VGA video, analog out via headphone jack, and many other functions.The board naively has… Continue reading The MiSTer FPGA
DIY Atari 7800 Arcade Joystick
This is an unglamorous project with great results. You will need: an old Atari 7800 Pro Controller, a Happ Controls Joystick and 2 Arcade buttons and some kind of project box. This is the exact project box I used (I get nothing for linking this).Most of the Happ Style joysticks and buttons are counterfeit but… Continue reading DIY Atari 7800 Arcade Joystick
Pi-hole DNS Server
I have had a Pi-hole set up near my cable modem for at least 1-2 years now? Time moves differently for me for the last 18 months. Regardless, my Pi-hole device just sits there, filtering out ads from the network. I highly recommend setting up a Pi-hole for your home. It’s cheap, easy, effective and… Continue reading Pi-hole DNS Server