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The Lighter Side of Steampunk
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#1
The Engine Room / Re: Database Failure December ...
Last post by J. Wilhelm - Yesterday at 04:57:39 PMQuote from: von Corax on Yesterday at 04:31:24 PMDue to a database failure sometime on December 14-15, 2025, we have lost all posts newer than December 13.Oh thank the Lord! I was thinking I was losing my mind to Alzheimer's
#2
The Engine Room / Database Failure December 15 2...
Last post by von Corax - Yesterday at 04:31:24 PMDue to a database failure sometime on December 14-15, 2025, we have lost all posts newer than December 13.
#3
Tactile / Re: Victorian Boombox Mark IV
Last post by J. Wilhelm - December 12, 2025, 09:57:47 PMSome thoughts and progress report
I've been horsing around with Linux for a while, and I'm starting to feel comfortable with it. All in all, save for the wide availability of proprietary software, it's performing all the basic functions - it's just not as polished as Windows.
The issue on magically disappearing audio settings hasn't been solved yet, but one of the things I've been ruminating is to develop an ISO image disk of the hard drive partition, and also offer an "immutable operating system" (ie fixed ), such that a buyer can at least reset the device to "factory settings" should anything go wrong.
One advantage of Linux is that it'll run on an old machine for a much longer time, so if you're able to update browser security protocols, in theory you can continue using the PC indefinitely, whereas Windows is subject to a lifespan determined by Microsoft, not your computer's age.
So in that sense I think it might even lead me to offer my own Linux OS distribution, call it "Boombox Linux" with regular releases every year or so... Nice thought, but the maintenance of it gives me the heeby jeebies. Time will tell.
I also explored expanding capabilities around the new PC stick. Namely, using a second monitor, such as a flat screen television to watch movies. The Azulle Access 4 has a USB-C to HDMI "DP capable port", and I'm glad to say that it runs well on Linux Mint (whew!). It's much easier than finding an external video card.
I bought an ONN brand USB-C to HDMI dongle adapter (about$15). But I stumbled upon 3 major issues to overcome:
1. The USB C dongle I bought seems to overload the power components in the Azulle PC and it will cause a reboot after 15 minutes.
Is the dongle consuming too much power? The batteries weren't depleted and didn't even start charging, so it's not the power supply at fault. Could it be overheating? I've had thermal issues with HDMI adapters in the past stemming from making video processors work too hard.
I was able to touch the components and they didn't feel hot. So I don't know if it could be a thermal issue. It could be an internal incompatibility with the Azulle' USB driver, or a short circuit on the dongle itself. This may be solved with another HDMI adapter. I'd hate to use an external video card, and worse, Linux is notorious for not having support for external video cards (which is an odd problem to have in Linux).
2. The Linux video driver seems to be theoretically capable of mirroring the main touchscreen, but refuses to do so. It'll use the second screen as an extension of the main screen without problems, though. I have no clue if the driver is broken.
3. The touchscreen doesn't work properly, because it recalibrates the coordinates of the screen by using the second screen as an extension. So for now you're subject to using a mouse and keyboard when running the second screen.
So this is where I am today. I'm unsure how to proceed, but I know I don't want to harm the PC module, if I insist on using the USB-C to HDMI DP capable port. I'm so close, yet far away from solving this issue.
I had previously tried to connect a USB 2.0 to VGA adapter (Triton brand video card from the mid 2000s) because my TV has a VGA input, but Linux doesn't have the correct drivers for it, so it won't run at all (and it's obsolete tech anyway). In Linux apparently there's support for only one brand of USB to VGA video processors and I can't use that driver.
So if I figure out how to proceed, I'll be posting shortly. There's also the idea of using a video projector, but that's a corollary..
Have a good weekend and cheers mates!
JW
I've been horsing around with Linux for a while, and I'm starting to feel comfortable with it. All in all, save for the wide availability of proprietary software, it's performing all the basic functions - it's just not as polished as Windows.
The issue on magically disappearing audio settings hasn't been solved yet, but one of the things I've been ruminating is to develop an ISO image disk of the hard drive partition, and also offer an "immutable operating system" (ie fixed ), such that a buyer can at least reset the device to "factory settings" should anything go wrong.
One advantage of Linux is that it'll run on an old machine for a much longer time, so if you're able to update browser security protocols, in theory you can continue using the PC indefinitely, whereas Windows is subject to a lifespan determined by Microsoft, not your computer's age.
So in that sense I think it might even lead me to offer my own Linux OS distribution, call it "Boombox Linux" with regular releases every year or so... Nice thought, but the maintenance of it gives me the heeby jeebies. Time will tell.
I also explored expanding capabilities around the new PC stick. Namely, using a second monitor, such as a flat screen television to watch movies. The Azulle Access 4 has a USB-C to HDMI "DP capable port", and I'm glad to say that it runs well on Linux Mint (whew!). It's much easier than finding an external video card.
I bought an ONN brand USB-C to HDMI dongle adapter (about$15). But I stumbled upon 3 major issues to overcome:
1. The USB C dongle I bought seems to overload the power components in the Azulle PC and it will cause a reboot after 15 minutes.
Is the dongle consuming too much power? The batteries weren't depleted and didn't even start charging, so it's not the power supply at fault. Could it be overheating? I've had thermal issues with HDMI adapters in the past stemming from making video processors work too hard.
I was able to touch the components and they didn't feel hot. So I don't know if it could be a thermal issue. It could be an internal incompatibility with the Azulle' USB driver, or a short circuit on the dongle itself. This may be solved with another HDMI adapter. I'd hate to use an external video card, and worse, Linux is notorious for not having support for external video cards (which is an odd problem to have in Linux).
2. The Linux video driver seems to be theoretically capable of mirroring the main touchscreen, but refuses to do so. It'll use the second screen as an extension of the main screen without problems, though. I have no clue if the driver is broken.
3. The touchscreen doesn't work properly, because it recalibrates the coordinates of the screen by using the second screen as an extension. So for now you're subject to using a mouse and keyboard when running the second screen.
So this is where I am today. I'm unsure how to proceed, but I know I don't want to harm the PC module, if I insist on using the USB-C to HDMI DP capable port. I'm so close, yet far away from solving this issue.
I had previously tried to connect a USB 2.0 to VGA adapter (Triton brand video card from the mid 2000s) because my TV has a VGA input, but Linux doesn't have the correct drivers for it, so it won't run at all (and it's obsolete tech anyway). In Linux apparently there's support for only one brand of USB to VGA video processors and I can't use that driver.
So if I figure out how to proceed, I'll be posting shortly. There's also the idea of using a video projector, but that's a corollary..
Have a good weekend and cheers mates!
JW
#4
Art by Artificial Entities / Re: Playing around with AI art...
Last post by WillRockwell - December 11, 2025, 11:28:54 PMThis looks fantastic. I've been playing around with AI as well. I'll post something soon.
#5
Architecture / Re: That 'big project' I've be...
Last post by James Harrison - December 10, 2025, 05:53:04 PMWhen I said 'I have ideas for the corner'...
It's almost like it was built to go there.
It's almost like it was built to go there.
#6
Off Topic / Re: The Brassgoggles Model Mak...
Last post by The Bullet - December 10, 2025, 02:47:45 PMOh yes.
I love the moment when the loco first moves.
Yesterday evening I fired her up for the first time.
Put the regulator to full forward, opened the throttle and waited.
The loco was sitting on blocks with the driving wheels just above the rails.
Took a while to get pressure.
Then the rods started moving slowly.
She shot a few drops of hot oil from the chimney.
Then she gained speed.
...until the seal from the water sight glass gave way.
I replaced that today.
I love the moment when the loco first moves.
Yesterday evening I fired her up for the first time.
Put the regulator to full forward, opened the throttle and waited.
The loco was sitting on blocks with the driving wheels just above the rails.
Took a while to get pressure.
Then the rods started moving slowly.
She shot a few drops of hot oil from the chimney.
Then she gained speed.
...until the seal from the water sight glass gave way.
I replaced that today.
#7
Off Topic / Re: The Brassgoggles Model Mak...
Last post by von Corax - December 10, 2025, 01:32:52 PMQuote from: The Bullet on December 10, 2025, 07:52:11 AMI love the sound of steam and the smell of hot oil.
Does it smell like... Victory?
#8
Off Topic / Re: The Brassgoggles Model Mak...
Last post by The Bullet - December 10, 2025, 07:52:11 AMFirst signs of life.
I ran her on the blocks yesterday.
After some time the orange rubber-like stuff the water gauge was sealed with gave way (as expected).
I have to remove and clean that anyway.
I love the sound of steam and the smell of hot oil.
I ran her on the blocks yesterday.
After some time the orange rubber-like stuff the water gauge was sealed with gave way (as expected).
I have to remove and clean that anyway.
I love the sound of steam and the smell of hot oil.
#9
Off Topic / Re: The Brassgoggles Model Mak...
Last post by James Harrison - December 09, 2025, 07:10:52 PMNearly there with my carriage. The first of four planned...
Just a few final licks of paint and then some transfers needed, really.
Just a few final licks of paint and then some transfers needed, really.
#10
Off Topic / Re: The Brassgoggles Model Mak...
Last post by Sorontar - December 09, 2025, 12:34:32 PMCertainly looks very solid. Is it very heavy compared to what you might expect?