[D-Dan]

I don’t do football – it holds no interest, although I did hear that Nigeria were so pleased with their performance yesterday that they have offered to pay for the return tickets for all of their fans.

All they need to do is send their name, sort code, account number and mother’s maiden name.

Arch Linux, on a Ryzen 7 1800X, 32 GB, 5 (yes -5) HDs inc 5 SSDs, 4 RPi 3Bs + 1 RPi 4B - one as an NFS server with two more drives, PiHole (shut yours), Plex server, cloud server, and other random Pi stuff. Nice CoolerMaster case, 2 x NV GTX 1070 8GB, and a whopping 32" AOC 1440P monitor.

[D-Dan]

Given the replies whilst I was typing, maybe I’ll look for a Ryzen/Nvidia combo.#

EDIT: I was hoping to stay below £1,000 – but maybe https://www.amazon.co.uk/Cyberpower-Conqueror-1060-Gaming-PCI/dp/B0753RLKW6/ref=sr_1_6?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1529755151&sr=1-6&keywords=ryzen%2Bnvidia%2Bpc

But the question remains, given that the Phenom is still a damn good CPU, and the 670 is still a damn good gfx card, will I see enough of an improvement to justify the cost?

 

Arch Linux, on a Ryzen 7 1800X, 32 GB, 5 (yes -5) HDs inc 5 SSDs, 4 RPi 3Bs + 1 RPi 4B - one as an NFS server with two more drives, PiHole (shut yours), Plex server, cloud server, and other random Pi stuff. Nice CoolerMaster case, 2 x NV GTX 1070 8GB, and a whopping 32" AOC 1440P monitor.

[D-Dan]

@ Everyone surpised – I think it’s more a case of the previous tenant who may, or may not have paid his bills, and so my monthly payment was set according to that. I just never bother checking the meter since I saw it as a saving scheme that I couldn’t escape from.

@Ed I know Ryzen are the latest dog’s bollocks, but there are still some issues with the Linux kernel, and for rendering, I try to use GPU only wherever possible. NV is much much better supported with CUDA, and CPU wise, I don’t think there’s much between Ryzen and a good I5.

Having said that, just found https://www.amazon.co.uk/Fierce-High-End-PC-Desktop-Computer/dp/B06XPKWMN2/ref=sr_1_17?ie=UTF8&qid=1529754130&sr=8-17&keywords=i7%2Bnvidia%2Bpc&th=1

Which looks like a good deal to me, given my limited knowledge of more recent hardware. I’ve messaged to see if I can get it without Windows (at a discount, obviously). For drives, I have 2 SSDs, 4 internal HDs and 2 USB HDs in service at the moment, so HD space is not my biggest concern (something in the region of 5TB available).

Arch Linux, on a Ryzen 7 1800X, 32 GB, 5 (yes -5) HDs inc 5 SSDs, 4 RPi 3Bs + 1 RPi 4B - one as an NFS server with two more drives, PiHole (shut yours), Plex server, cloud server, and other random Pi stuff. Nice CoolerMaster case, 2 x NV GTX 1070 8GB, and a whopping 32" AOC 1440P monitor.

[D-Dan]

You marked this solved, without saying how. Give us a clue 🙂

Arch Linux, on a Ryzen 7 1800X, 32 GB, 5 (yes -5) HDs inc 5 SSDs, 4 RPi 3Bs + 1 RPi 4B - one as an NFS server with two more drives, PiHole (shut yours), Plex server, cloud server, and other random Pi stuff. Nice CoolerMaster case, 2 x NV GTX 1070 8GB, and a whopping 32" AOC 1440P monitor.

[D-Dan]

Ed P wrote:

It will be interesting to hear Dan’s thoughts, but when I had some capital gains which were well below the allowance I was going to include them as a notation, but my accountant said, absolutely not. If you volunteer unnecessary info to HMRC you never know when it will come and bite you in the bum, were his exact words!

I would be highly cautious about using the services of an accountant who offers such advice. That’s exactly the advice that can bite down the road, especially since the current government are so keen on introducing retrospective legislation to defeat tax avoidance.

I hope that he had PI insurance.

 

EDIT: I should add, for a gain below the threshold, there is absolutely no danger in properly declaring it. The Gvt and HMRC are currently consulting on close to real time reporting of capital gains (and the proposals have their own whole host of problems), but this advice would definitely fall foul of the proposed new rules.

Arch Linux, on a Ryzen 7 1800X, 32 GB, 5 (yes -5) HDs inc 5 SSDs, 4 RPi 3Bs + 1 RPi 4B - one as an NFS server with two more drives, PiHole (shut yours), Plex server, cloud server, and other random Pi stuff. Nice CoolerMaster case, 2 x NV GTX 1070 8GB, and a whopping 32" AOC 1440P monitor.

[D-Dan]

ISA accounts come with restrictions, such as when you can access your profits etc. If you don’t meet the restrictions, then the ISA loses its’ status.

 

I recommend having a read of https://www.gov.uk/individual-savings-accounts. If you are serious about considering this, you should really consult an IFA (bear in mind that they are regulated, so safer than many accountants/advisors for this sort of thing) to make sure that you don’t fall foul of the rules.

Arch Linux, on a Ryzen 7 1800X, 32 GB, 5 (yes -5) HDs inc 5 SSDs, 4 RPi 3Bs + 1 RPi 4B - one as an NFS server with two more drives, PiHole (shut yours), Plex server, cloud server, and other random Pi stuff. Nice CoolerMaster case, 2 x NV GTX 1070 8GB, and a whopping 32" AOC 1440P monitor.

[D-Dan]

Ed P wrote:

The only real solution to this part of the problem is to use a cheap SSD (64GB is more than enough for most purposes). This addition also avoids the early failure of the SD card caused by Chromium’s high volume of cache writes.

If you have a NAS drive, depending on how it’s formatted, you can use that with either a native filesystem (ext4) to store the Pi OS, or a loopback device if it’s, e.g. NTFS formatted. The difference between the two is that the native filesystem rootfs size is only limited by the drive size, whilst the loopback device is a fixed size image.

However, you don’t need a dedicated drive in either case.

I have three PIs. One boots from a directly connected 1Gb USB HD, with all the FS storage on it (It’s currently an experiment for work to provide secure filesharing for clients to get around GDPR. It will be re-purposed at some point.

PI 2 and 3 boot from a shared NAS connected to Pi 2. The connected 500Gb HD is a NAS share, with a partition to boot Pi 2, and a folder that Pi 3 gets rootfs from.

/boot is still on the respective sdcards, but since /boot is rarely written to, it’s hardly a problem at all.

Arch Linux, on a Ryzen 7 1800X, 32 GB, 5 (yes -5) HDs inc 5 SSDs, 4 RPi 3Bs + 1 RPi 4B - one as an NFS server with two more drives, PiHole (shut yours), Plex server, cloud server, and other random Pi stuff. Nice CoolerMaster case, 2 x NV GTX 1070 8GB, and a whopping 32" AOC 1440P monitor.

[D-Dan]

I use LO exclusively both at home and work (despite having an Office 360 license at work), and can’t say I’ve ever noticed this behaviour at all.

he hasn’t been hitting a hotkey to change paragraph style, has he? (Ctrl num)

Arch Linux, on a Ryzen 7 1800X, 32 GB, 5 (yes -5) HDs inc 5 SSDs, 4 RPi 3Bs + 1 RPi 4B - one as an NFS server with two more drives, PiHole (shut yours), Plex server, cloud server, and other random Pi stuff. Nice CoolerMaster case, 2 x NV GTX 1070 8GB, and a whopping 32" AOC 1440P monitor.

[D-Dan]

It’s one aspect I never really got to grips with. I can model, but sculpting defies me. Much easier for me to create normal and displacement maps for detail.

Having said that, I have played with sculpting to fix topology, but then I remesh and create a map for the detail again.

I should really play more – it can be extremely powerful in the right hands.

Arch Linux, on a Ryzen 7 1800X, 32 GB, 5 (yes -5) HDs inc 5 SSDs, 4 RPi 3Bs + 1 RPi 4B - one as an NFS server with two more drives, PiHole (shut yours), Plex server, cloud server, and other random Pi stuff. Nice CoolerMaster case, 2 x NV GTX 1070 8GB, and a whopping 32" AOC 1440P monitor.

[D-Dan]

I’ve only tried BT Audio on the Pi once (yesterday, funily enough), and whilst I was able to successfully connect to my BT earbuds, there was no audio at all. Unfortunately, it’s not a clash with WiFi since the particular Pi I tested is wired. I only have one on WiFi, which doesn’t really need audio at all.

Having said that, it’s not really a problem for me. All my PIs have pulseaudio connecting to the server on my main rig for full 5:1 surround sound, anyway. An arrangement that works just peachy and very easy to set up.

Arch Linux, on a Ryzen 7 1800X, 32 GB, 5 (yes -5) HDs inc 5 SSDs, 4 RPi 3Bs + 1 RPi 4B - one as an NFS server with two more drives, PiHole (shut yours), Plex server, cloud server, and other random Pi stuff. Nice CoolerMaster case, 2 x NV GTX 1070 8GB, and a whopping 32" AOC 1440P monitor.

[D-Dan]

It doesn’t happen to me, but then I control my own email server. As to why, ebay – where you may have payment information saved. Facebook, where you may have shared sufficient info to pass any security check.

Don’t call me paranoid. I’m anonymous online for a reason, and that reason is online, paranoia should be the norm.

 

Arch Linux, on a Ryzen 7 1800X, 32 GB, 5 (yes -5) HDs inc 5 SSDs, 4 RPi 3Bs + 1 RPi 4B - one as an NFS server with two more drives, PiHole (shut yours), Plex server, cloud server, and other random Pi stuff. Nice CoolerMaster case, 2 x NV GTX 1070 8GB, and a whopping 32" AOC 1440P monitor.

[D-Dan]

Bob Williams wrote:

If some political figure with no axe to grind (HA!) would look into the cost of translation services throughout public and private bodies in this country, it would probably amount to a sum that might provide a reasonable funding relief for the NHS.

Or simply expect someone hoping to work in public service in a country where English is the main language to speak English. Just saying.

Arch Linux, on a Ryzen 7 1800X, 32 GB, 5 (yes -5) HDs inc 5 SSDs, 4 RPi 3Bs + 1 RPi 4B - one as an NFS server with two more drives, PiHole (shut yours), Plex server, cloud server, and other random Pi stuff. Nice CoolerMaster case, 2 x NV GTX 1070 8GB, and a whopping 32" AOC 1440P monitor.

[D-Dan]

What do you have against pulse? I use it on my desktop, laptop and both PIs. The only speakers are connected to the desktop (5:1), and the laptop and PIs connect to that pulse server, meaning I get audio from all on the same device. Couldn’t be easier.

I must get around to testing the BT from the Pi.

Arch Linux, on a Ryzen 7 1800X, 32 GB, 5 (yes -5) HDs inc 5 SSDs, 4 RPi 3Bs + 1 RPi 4B - one as an NFS server with two more drives, PiHole (shut yours), Plex server, cloud server, and other random Pi stuff. Nice CoolerMaster case, 2 x NV GTX 1070 8GB, and a whopping 32" AOC 1440P monitor.

[D-Dan]

Let’s not forget that a non-business email address is considered personal data, which means no business can send emails to private individuals without consent, since it’s impossible to not expose that address when sending.

Arch Linux, on a Ryzen 7 1800X, 32 GB, 5 (yes -5) HDs inc 5 SSDs, 4 RPi 3Bs + 1 RPi 4B - one as an NFS server with two more drives, PiHole (shut yours), Plex server, cloud server, and other random Pi stuff. Nice CoolerMaster case, 2 x NV GTX 1070 8GB, and a whopping 32" AOC 1440P monitor.

[D-Dan]

I forget where I saw it, but you can also buy a USB GPIO header.

Arch Linux, on a Ryzen 7 1800X, 32 GB, 5 (yes -5) HDs inc 5 SSDs, 4 RPi 3Bs + 1 RPi 4B - one as an NFS server with two more drives, PiHole (shut yours), Plex server, cloud server, and other random Pi stuff. Nice CoolerMaster case, 2 x NV GTX 1070 8GB, and a whopping 32" AOC 1440P monitor.

[D-Dan]

Hopefully it will take a while before I need to clean up. Unfortunately, the glide pads on the bottom of the mouse cover the screw holes, and I only have one more spare set.

Nevertheless, some booze based solvent will probably have to be purchased. Maybe a couple of dodgy vodka miniatures?

Arch Linux, on a Ryzen 7 1800X, 32 GB, 5 (yes -5) HDs inc 5 SSDs, 4 RPi 3Bs + 1 RPi 4B - one as an NFS server with two more drives, PiHole (shut yours), Plex server, cloud server, and other random Pi stuff. Nice CoolerMaster case, 2 x NV GTX 1070 8GB, and a whopping 32" AOC 1440P monitor.

[D-Dan]

India Pale Ale?

Arch Linux, on a Ryzen 7 1800X, 32 GB, 5 (yes -5) HDs inc 5 SSDs, 4 RPi 3Bs + 1 RPi 4B - one as an NFS server with two more drives, PiHole (shut yours), Plex server, cloud server, and other random Pi stuff. Nice CoolerMaster case, 2 x NV GTX 1070 8GB, and a whopping 32" AOC 1440P monitor.

[D-Dan]

Get a Pi for £32 (or less if you go for an older model) – plug a USB drive for sharing in and set the Pi up as an NFS.

Job done for minimal cost.

Arch Linux, on a Ryzen 7 1800X, 32 GB, 5 (yes -5) HDs inc 5 SSDs, 4 RPi 3Bs + 1 RPi 4B - one as an NFS server with two more drives, PiHole (shut yours), Plex server, cloud server, and other random Pi stuff. Nice CoolerMaster case, 2 x NV GTX 1070 8GB, and a whopping 32" AOC 1440P monitor.

[D-Dan]

There are many touch screens that can be made to work, and for basically peanuts.

My own next step is to set up the server to also boot rootfs from the ssd, though this will be directly rather than over NFS (that had it’s own nightmares – I expect direct to be easier).

I’ve been toying with adding a screen to the server, but they seem so small. How are you finding it?

I should add, audio is no issue. I have both PIs connected via pulseaudio to the pulse server on my main rig, with 5:1 surround 🙂

Arch Linux, on a Ryzen 7 1800X, 32 GB, 5 (yes -5) HDs inc 5 SSDs, 4 RPi 3Bs + 1 RPi 4B - one as an NFS server with two more drives, PiHole (shut yours), Plex server, cloud server, and other random Pi stuff. Nice CoolerMaster case, 2 x NV GTX 1070 8GB, and a whopping 32" AOC 1440P monitor.

[D-Dan]

I went a step further. After my failures with the BT SmartHub as a NAS server, I plugged the drive into one of my Pis, set up NFS, formatted ext4 and copied everything back. Re-set my NFS mounts on other devices and it’s good.

Then I imaged rootfs from my other Pi (with retropie installed), reconfigured /boot/cmdline.txt on the retropie, did some witchcraft with /etc/exports on the NFS server pi, and now I have retro booting from the drive plugged into the NAS. The only thing that the sdcard is used for is to boot the kernel, and then it hands off to the NAS.

I’ve had to do some other witchcraft re disk mounting on the retro, which is exhibiting some permissions issue without intervention until I figure out the underlying problem, but a quick bash script called from rc.local has it fixing everything up automagically 🙂

I can even pull the sdcard after booting.

The advantage, of course, is that I no longer have to worry about re-write life on the sdcard.

Arch Linux, on a Ryzen 7 1800X, 32 GB, 5 (yes -5) HDs inc 5 SSDs, 4 RPi 3Bs + 1 RPi 4B - one as an NFS server with two more drives, PiHole (shut yours), Plex server, cloud server, and other random Pi stuff. Nice CoolerMaster case, 2 x NV GTX 1070 8GB, and a whopping 32" AOC 1440P monitor.

[Author]

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