Why you need a HTPC
A home theater/media center (HTPC) can enhance your experience. You get more reliable playback and better loudness normalization than a smart TV or Chromecast.
Hardware
The blogis mostly software-focused, but here’s a collection of hardware and gear.
Review: Samsung Galaxy Fit2 – a passive health and activity tracker
The Galaxy Fit2 is frustrating to use, but is luckily meant to be worn passively to track your health metrics (continuous heart rate, step counter, and sleep).
Review of the MikroTik hEX (3rd rev.) as a home router
The RB750Gr3 is an inexpensive Gigabit router with advanced network management capabilities for just €50/$60. It’s highly configurable with a steep learning curve.
Nothing but bad experiences with Realtek Ethernet NICs
The tale of my bad experiences with consumer-grade Realtek networking equipment over the last decade. Intel has always had to come in to save the day.
Review of Logitech K835 tenkeyless mechanical keyboard
The Logitech K835 TKL is a low-latency and well-built budget keyboard. Mechanical keyboards aren’t just for gamers with too much disposable income!
Raspberry Pi heatsink and case fan continued
The heatsink I ordered for my Raspberry Pi arrived with double-sided tape instead of a thermal pad; so I installed to the official case fan accessory instead.
The official Raspberry Pi accessory distributor conundrum
Why isn’t the Norwegian keyboard layout variant of the official Raspberry Pi keyboard accessory available for sale in Norway? Norway must be its only market.
Rollerblade wheels are a great upgrade for your office chair
Rollerblade-style wheels don’t resist movement and help you stay slightly less inactive while spending hours in your office chair.
The projector lamp trap
Projector bulbs have a limited life-time, and getting hold of them can be difficult. Here are my experience from owning three projectors over the last decade.
My MacBook Pro needed a battery replacement
The battery on my seven-year-old MacBook Pro 15″ had begun to swell and replacing it myself was way cheaper than via an authorized dealer.
Don’t super glue heatsinks to your Raspberry Pi
Super glue is heat-insulating and shouldn’t be used to attach an aluminum heatsink to thermal hotspots on your Raspberry Pi. Use thermal glue/pads instead.
Intel: replace thermal compound “every few years”
Your computer’s thermal compound (paste/grease) is slowly displaced by the “push-out” effect. It must be replaced periodically to maintain high performance.
Review: Beurer TL20 daylight therapy lamp
A daylight therapy lamp is used to treat seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Here’s my review of the new Beurer TL20 that fits perfectly under a computer screen.
Linux on Lenovo ThinkPad T14: great except the webcam/mic
Lenovo continues its tradition of excellent Linux hardware support on the ThinkPad T14. Except minor issues with the built-in webcams and microphone.