romeoblade's recent activity
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Comment on Plasma 6 and me in ~comp
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Comment on What email client do you use? in ~tech
romeoblade LinkMicrosoft 365: Hosting my domain e-mail under a business account. I have 3 x licenses for the family, so we all have access to Office/Teams/Sharepoint and other tools. Kids are in college, so they...Microsoft 365: Hosting my domain e-mail under a business account. I have 3 x licenses for the family, so we all have access to Office/Teams/Sharepoint and other tools. Kids are in college, so they are using most aspects of it.
Client: Linux - Thunderbird, Windows - Outlook, OSX - Outlook.
Work: Linux Laptop
Personal: Linux Laptop, new M1 Macbook Air, I'm playing around with.
Occasional: Windows via VM as needed or when troubleshooting my kid's gaming laptop.Up until two weeks ago, we were a Linux house on everything, with the only Windows machines being my kid's gaming laptop and a VM I keep around on my proxmox server for the rare Windows-only software. However, I recently acquired a MacBook Air 13 M1 due to the reasonable price at Walmart. I want to play around with iOS development, so I'm using Outlook.
I know I could use Thunderbird everywhere and probably simplify my life. However, I started my career in IT 22 ago on the helpdesk, and even though I have been a DevOps/Developer for the last decade, there is something nostalgic about using Office/Outlook and keeping up with the latest Microsoft OS releases just for awareness. I usually set it up just enough for me to be able at least do administrative tasks on it (email, finances, browses, etc) but dont do any an anything from them and then only in dire remote emergency situations via wireguard. Automation handles powering it up and applying updates on a schedule.
I've run Linux only on all my boxes for over a decade at this point, and I started using Linux exclusively since Ubuntu
Lucid/Precise, with brief tours to Fedora, Arch, and beyond, I finally settled on Debian Sid a few years ago. Before that, I usually dual-booted Windows XP with FreeBSD and stayed in FreeBSD more and more until I barely booted into Windows. IIRC, the only reason I switched to Linux is the company I worked for hardened some security measures for remote access. The port on FreeBSD didn't support the measures, and compiling the latest version didn't work then. I needed to be able to do my job, so I switched. Overall I've been dual booting since the FreeBSD 4, Redhat 3/4 (pre-RHEL/Fedora). -
Comment on On the XZ Utils Backdoor (CVE-2024-3094): FOSS Delivered on its Pitfalls and Strengths in ~comp
romeoblade LinkFOSS did deliver on its strengths, but we were fortunate with this find. It boiled down to a 500ms regression in performance that someone decided to dig deeper into. That kind of regression would...FOSS did deliver on its strengths, but we were fortunate with this find. It boiled down to a 500ms regression in performance that someone decided to dig deeper into. That kind of regression would not even create a task on my task list to look at, and I'm more security-conscious than most. I believe that it wouldn't register for most software developers/engineers, security-conscious or not.
As to what needs to happen to prevent this in the future? I'm torn between privacy and a kyc/kyd (know your developer) process for open source. On one hand I value anonymity for the internet but for critical infrastructure I believe there does either need to be a a way to vet software developers who contribute to a FOSS project that is already in use on 100's of system or an innovation in code reviews:/testing that make spotting issues like this easier.
Code reviews, while essential, are boring and I know every software developer has approved a PR at least once without reading every single line/charactoer displayed. I completely missed the period for the landlock issue three times before I read a hint because I tend to speed read even during leisure reading. I know I have skimmed over dependabot dependency updated at least once on a Thursday at 4:45 before walking out the door, and honestly there's no telling what's in the code I approved.
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Comment on When vision and hearing decline with age in ~health
romeoblade LinkFun fact: I was diagnosed partially deaf in 3rd grade; when I was 16, I started wearing glasses as I was nearsighted. Around this time, my hearing started getting worse due to the teenage loud...Fun fact: I was diagnosed partially deaf in 3rd grade; when I was 16, I started wearing glasses as I was nearsighted. Around this time, my hearing started getting worse due to the teenage loud rock-n-roll phase and beginning to work construction out of high school. As my hearing got worse, my vision improved; in my 20's, I was told I no longer needed glasses. It wasn't until I hit 37 that my vision started getting worse again, and now I wear glasses again. I turned 40 last year, and between that and a triple disc fusion I had at 39, my body is starting to show its miles, and I believe I'm in for a rough ride.
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Any RC enthusiast here?
I recently decided to get a new hobby and have been interested in RC's for a while. I wouldn't mind getting into racing buggies/truggies, however in order to see if I even like the hobby I decided...
I recently decided to get a new hobby and have been interested in RC's for a while. I wouldn't mind getting into racing buggies/truggies, however in order to see if I even like the hobby I decided to get and a decent used basher I can tinker with. I picked up a Arrma Kraton 6s V4 complete with batteries, chargers, and a few other extra's for a good price on FBMP.
I ran it for a few hours and loved it, right now it's tore down into the three major sections and I'm waiting on parts. Previous owner was a 14 year old and it appears it was a pandemic buy, so maintenance is lacking/non-existant.
Before I realized it between running it this morning, tearing it down, research on parts it was 10:00pm at night, lol. My pittbull is currently sulking because I'm late to bed.
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Comment on Pens and writing! in ~hobbies
romeoblade Link ParentSouthpaw's represent! I use the same pen, and discovered it the same way you did. I ended up finding them on sale a few months ago when I ran out/misplaced them, and picked up enough to probably...Southpaw's represent! I use the same pen, and discovered it the same way you did. I ended up finding them on sale a few months ago when I ran out/misplaced them, and picked up enough to probably last me 5 years.
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Comment on Introducing Vivaldi on iOS in ~tech
romeoblade LinkAwesome, Vivaldi has been my desktop browser of choice since it was in beta.Awesome, Vivaldi has been my desktop browser of choice since it was in beta.
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Comment on Where ya from? in ~talk
romeoblade LinkI'm born and raised in Louisiana about a stone throw away from New Orleans. Left for 10 years in Texas for my career and am now residing in North Carolina for the last 4 or so years.I'm born and raised in Louisiana about a stone throw away from New Orleans. Left for 10 years in Texas for my career and am now residing in North Carolina for the last 4 or so years.
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Comment on Where ya from? in ~talk
romeoblade Link ParentNorth Carolina as well! Currently residing about 45 minutes from Wilmington.North Carolina as well! Currently residing about 45 minutes from Wilmington.
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Comment on What password management solution do you use and why? in ~tech
romeoblade LinkI'm still using 1password, and I've been meaning to give (bit|vault)warden a spin to see if it can serve as a replacement. The reason I haven't put much effort into switching is because with...I'm still using 1password, and I've been meaning to give (bit|vault)warden a spin to see if it can serve as a replacement. The reason I haven't put much effort into switching is because with 1password connect and 1password cli integrations, I have a lot of homegrown automation for my home lab, and other aspects of my digital life, both home and work. So it's not as simple as exporting from 1password to a replacement. I'll need time to investigate the integration options and see how much work it would be to swap it all out.
For instance, my configuration (environment variables) for my services on my docker swarm are unique entries in 1password. Deployment for those and even reimaging my devices (laptops/desktops) is 99% automated with 1password service as secrets and configuration storage. I can go from total failure (providing availability of parts) back to 98% productivity in 20 minutes for just about every device in my house.
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Comment on Any ThinkPad enthusiasts here? in ~tech
romeoblade Link ParentFor anything less then workstation/gaming level it's pretty much the industry standard now especially if your trying to compete on thinness/weight. Every mm saved internally equals to a...For anything less then workstation/gaming level it's pretty much the industry standard now especially if your trying to compete on thinness/weight. Every mm saved internally equals to a smaller/slimmer machine with a lighter profile.
That's why my next laptop will be a frame.work. I'm already waiting on the 16 to be released to purchase one for my son for college. I'd rather spend the money to having something I know I can (or he can) fix without sending it off to the manufacture.
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Comment on Any ThinkPad enthusiasts here? in ~tech
romeoblade LinkI have a Thinkpad T580, with 64GB of ram and second SSD in the wwan slot. I bought it used off of eBay in 2020, and upgraded it. The 480/580 are the last models that were sold before Lenvo started...I have a Thinkpad T580, with 64GB of ram and second SSD in the wwan slot. I bought it used off of eBay in 2020, and upgraded it. The 480/580 are the last models that were sold before Lenvo started soldiering at least one stick of ram to the motherboard. I'm hoping I get another 4 years out of it before I need to upgrade. It definitely is my favorite laptop so far and does everything I need including running entire development environments as VM's. I've been running Debian Sid on it since the day it arrived, only reimagining it once to switch to zfs on root.
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Comment on Prevalence of AI generated text in Tildes in ~tildes
romeoblade (edited )LinkI think some of It boils down to having an older user base with much experience or education. Some people have much more life experience than others, even people their age. I'm not the smartest or...I think some of It boils down to having an older user base with much experience or education. Some people have much more life experience than others, even people their age.
I'm not the smartest or most educated, but I have a broad and deep history of life experiences and stories to pull from when replying to comments.
From being a nerd at 13 learning C and having my Cisco certifications at 16 before firewalls were even extensive in the industry, to working in construction for years due to it being the family legacy. From growing up working on engines and diesel equipment to operating equipment. From burying a son at 20 to having a triple disc fusion before I'm 40. From having my Windows certifications and being an Exchange and Citrix Administrator to getting my RHCE and being a DevOps Administrator. I have gay siblings and a trans son, but I am from the conservative Deep South.
Throw in being a recovering addict, owning a farm (chickens/ducks and, with the tech layoff, mayhap goats finally), currently restoring a 88 580k Case Backhoe, and rebuilding my front and back porches.
What do you want to talk about? I can reply to topics about any of those and more, I can relate to many issues on a deep level, and I'm very long-winded in my replies. If I don't relate, but it interests me, I'll research it because of my curiosity.
I'm 40 this year, but I feel like I've lived three lives worth of experiences, and I left out a good bit.
That's probably 15 different subjects or tildes I can write a long winded reply on without having to do much research, not counting other obscure interests I have that I may reply to after doing some research. Should I confine myself to one or two, lest I be labeled a bot?
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Comment on Prevalence of AI generated text in Tildes in ~tildes
romeoblade Link ParentGrammarly is great! I've been a premium subscriber for two years now, and it's immensely improved my writing. I've never been a strong writer, and due to growing up with mid to severe hearing...Grammarly is great! I've been a premium subscriber for two years now, and it's immensely improved my writing. I've never been a strong writer, and due to growing up with mid to severe hearing loss, my reading comprehension, spelling, etc, suffered. Since using Grammarly, I have become a better communicator regarding written words, and I no longer need as many revisions when editing.
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Comment on Super Mario RPG - Nintendo Direct 6.21.2023 in ~games
romeoblade LinkCan't wait, it was one of my favorite games for the SNES. I finally bought my first switch, the Zelda OLED special edition, that arrived today. I've been reliving my childhood all day. I can't...Can't wait, it was one of my favorite games for the SNES. I finally bought my first switch, the Zelda OLED special edition, that arrived today. I've been reliving my childhood all day. I can't believe I waited this long to pull the trigger, I decided to treat myself for once since my son graduated last week.
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Comment on Should retail businesses be required to accept cash? in ~finance
romeoblade Link ParentWhile I try to live cash only for a lot of things. I understand why they wouldn't want to. The first is theft by employees, very hard to track unless you have camera's at a few different angles...- Exemplary
But I'm curious as to why they wouldn't want to?
While I try to live cash only for a lot of things. I understand why they wouldn't want to.
The first is theft by employees, very hard to track unless you have camera's at a few different angles and the drama of he said/she said blame games when it comes up missing.
Then you must have a someone on staff to do cash drops at the bank wether that's after banking hours or first thing in the morning. This usually means paying overtime for said employee.
Truing/auditing each night/week and trying to figure out where a descrepancy is when your accounting/pos system reports is not matching up with what you counted. Especially frustrating when you accept multiple forms of payment and most POS systems leave a lot to be desired in the reporting department.
Cost of storage, you'll most likely need a safe and need to trust someone other then yourself with the combination. To not only keep the money you have on hand safe, but as a fall back if you can't make it to the bank. Good safes are not cheap, especially when you get to the auto dispensing and time locked safes.
Some people are nasty. How much cash are you willing to handle when someone pulls it out of their sock or bra after sweating all day.
Multiple registers and employee shift changes require to count the money between shifts and/or have another till with the correct amount ready to go for the next shift. Which requires someone to get all of it counted, sorted and ready to go in the morning.
Large bills, some people get angry when you can't or won't break a large bill. If you do break large bills, how many can you break that day before you run out of enough smaller change for normal customers.
Hardware, a lot of pos systems the cash drawers and printers still in service still talk via serial/parallel cables. They are getting harder to find but its either replace them or spend a lot more money replacing the entire systems to keep accepting cash or cheaper to go to a system that only accepts CC and does away with the drawer and printer most times as well.
One of my first jobs was working the office/cash register and produce at a super market. It gets old quick having to sort through all that cash, and then stressing when something does come up missing.
Later in life for a short time I installed POS systems, and using a checkbook register by hand is almost a better experience then some of the ones I seen especially on the restaurant side.
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Reforming the free software message
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Comment on How do you feel about eBooks and eBook readers? in ~books
romeoblade LinkI do all my reading on my iPad and iPhone, 90% of my books are in Apple Books, but I have a few on the Kindle app and others. A tip that helped me read longer with less eye strain is to turn on a...I do all my reading on my iPad and iPhone, 90% of my books are in Apple Books, but I have a few on the Kindle app and others.
A tip that helped me read longer with less eye strain is to turn on a grey scale color filter and reduce the white point under accessibility options. You can set up accessibility shortcuts tied to triple pressing the side/to button in accessibility under settings. I find this setup exceeds e-ink for eye comfort for me.
To replicate my setup:
First, set up color filters and the reduce white point settings under Settings -> Accessibility -> Display & Text Size -> Color Filters or Reduce White Point. For color filters, you can do a greyscale or filter other colors similar to the night shift adjustment to reduce the blue. Under reduce white point, you can adjust the slider to your likings.
Now set up the accessibility shortcut. Under Settings -> Accessibility -> Accessibly Shortcut, select both color filters and reduce white point.
When you want to read, triple-press the side/top button, and a list menu will open, and you can enable them one at a time.
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Comment on Which theme are you defaulting to? I'm loving Atom One Dark. in ~tildes
romeoblade Link ParentBruv is Gruv's laid back stoner uncle. :DBruv is Gruv's laid back stoner uncle. :D
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Comment on Which theme are you defaulting to? I'm loving Atom One Dark. in ~tildes
romeoblade LinkI use Black on my iPhone as it looks great on that screen. I'll switch to Love Dark on my laptop or ipad though usually at night when I'm doing a long catch up session.I use Black on my iPhone as it looks great on that screen. I'll switch to Love Dark on my laptop or ipad though usually at night when I'm doing a long catch up session.
Great writeup; I wish I had the time and energy to contribute to FOSS like I used to years ago. I've been a Linux user since the original RedHat 3/4 and FreeBSD 3/4 days. I switched back to KDE early last year after a few years on cinnamon/mate, alternating between tiling window managers (AwesomeWM), depending on my mood for the week. KDE has come a long way since the KDE4 fiasco, and I'm enjoying it for the first time since KDE3. I may try Cosmic DE once it gets out of alpha, but for the most part, I'm past the tinkering phase in my life and am very happy with my setup.
I currently run Debian Sid on all my machines in the house, and except for my Macbook Air M1 and my kid's gaming laptop, my house has been Linux only for over a decade.