Phoronix Test Suite

Sometime there is the need to determine if a computer is "fast" and thus capable to run specific operations.

Is not easy to set up, run and interpret results of tests.
There are many way to do tests on machines, this one is open source, covers Linux, MacOs and Windows, is based on PHP so is highly portable and is quite complex to master just because is HUGE !

Install Joomla on Docker - APKH

I used Joomla for many websites, this is a procedure to install Joomla on a Docker container rather than the traditional set up on a server.

The advantage is the capability to install different versions of Joomla for tests/development or data retrieval from older backups.

AirThings - gather data remotely

 During one of my excursions on flea markets, I did find a AirThings Wave Plus.

For 10$ I decided to buy it and try it out (the normal cost is around 230$).

Repair - UV insect trap (UPDATED)

Funny story of a trivial repair attempt over an electronic ballast used to drive a fluorescent UV bulb for an insect trap.

DISCLAIMER !!!
This stuff is connected DIRECTLY to the power grid and the fluorescent bulb emits dangerous UV !!
Working on these type of circuit REQUIRES knowledge and precautions !
DON'T ATTEMPT ANY REPAIR UNLESS YOU KNOW WHAT YOU ARE DOING !

Ubuntu Core - run it on Virtualbox

Ubuntu Core is an OS designed for embedded machines, operates in different way than a standard Linux distribution.
This article explains how to install Ubuntu Core over a Virtual Machine (VM) using VirtualBox over a MacBook Pro Intel based, for development/experimentation purpose.

Ubuntu Core is not a standard distribution and cannot be installed directly over Virtualbox.
It is necessary to use a standard/normal Ubuntu distribution to be used as installer.

Restoration - Talking doll mechanism

This is not a usual "repair".
At an antique mall we found a Italian doll made around the seventies, a "talking" doll !

Flipper Zero - setting up a development environment

Flipper Zero is defined as "hacking" tool, i.e. is a collection of HW and SW that allows to explore and interact with technology around us.

How can we work on it ?

Flipper Zero - introduction

Flipper Zero is defined as "hacking" tool, i.e. is a collection of devices and SW that allows to explore and interact with technology around us.

Pimoroni Badger 2040 - quick intro

To have some fun I did buy a couple of gadgets from Pimoroni, electronic badges with a 2.9 inch eInk display.
There are two flavor of the board, one basic (Badger 2400)  and one with connectivity (WiFi - Badger 2400W).
A nice way to start to play with the Pico series from Raspberry.

Repairs - Moen Chateau valve repair (UPDATE)

In a home there is ALWAYS something to do and fix.

This time is an old bathtub/shower valve that start to be difficult to operate.

Is an old Moen Chateau fixture, with very very very probably a totally worn out cartridge.

This article should be titled "plan for the worse, hope for the best" :)