Brock at Cliff Cottage

I ain’t perfec, and neither is software. One of the challenges people face is how they frame software, and its imperfections. In some conversations, it seems that users ascribe religious attributes to it. They worship the technology, are willing to forgive some of it sins and sinners, but condemn other sins, and crucify these sinners. This is true of operating systems (OS), programming languages, web browsers, almost every form of software. I attempt to be a software agnostic.

Ideally, what I want to do in this post, is explain how competent computer scientists/ software engineers approach problems. To begin with, it would be useful/ appropriate to look at how they learn to be professionals. After an initial programming course, the next step is often a course in algorithms and data structures. Students learn how to frame problems in terms of these key elements. After one gains a basic understanding of these, the student is expected to learn, in depth, about how data is organized, and how programs are written. One of the answers to both is, in a database. There are many different types of database systems. There are also courses about computer hardware, operating systems, and system design.

Within a software engineering education, there are certain people and texts that have come to prominence. These are examined critically. In this post several of them will be mentioned.

Ted Codd (1923 – 2003) expressed database theory in thirteen rules, numbered from 0 to 12. These defined database management system requirements, for a database to be considered relational. Yes, computing professionals have abandoned non-relational databases. In 2024, they only work with relational data bases! These rules were presented in 1970, and updated in 1974. In 2024-12, the most popular database engines are: Oracle Database, MySQL, Microsoft SQL Server, PostgreSQL, Snowflake, IBM Db2, SQLite, Microsoft Access, Databricks and MariaDB.

Relational databases store data in tables. A database can consist of several/ many tables. A table has columns, with the same type of data stored in each column. Each record forms a row. A primary key is a field in a table used to identify that record. The point here, is that the primary key has to be unique.

One of the most important rules is to avoid redundancy. Duplicate information in a database schema = the structure of a database described in a formal language, can lead to inconsistencies. If the same data is stored in multiple tables, there is a risk that it will be updated in one table but not in others, resulting in discrepancies, which is a polite term for errors.

Open Source

Generally, I use the term open-source to describe software that is designed for anyone to examine, use, modify and distribute as they see fit. It is often developed collaboratively, by corporate partners or groups of people, who may be professionals, or talented amateurs. There are also examples of a single person developing all of the code for a project/ app. Other people want to emphasize that it is software that can be obtained without cost, so they refer to it as free and open source software (FOSS).

It is inappropriate to abbreviate open-source as OS, because that is the common, accepted abbreviation for operating system. So today, FOSS is most often used.

At one time FOSS was only advocated by long-haired, un-showered, left-leaning hippies. That was a long time ago. Now mega-corporations have discovered that using FOSS programs can reduce their costs significantly, and increase profits they can give to shareholders. The main idea is to make something appropriate once, then let everyone use it.

Yet the world of FOSS is changing in other ways. Simple programs are evolving into multi-task commodities (yes, that is the term often used) not to solve problems in a better way, but to make overarching products. Before, it was more common for a program to solve a limited task, appropriately. Unfortunately, this increased scope frequently results in badly designed programs that function poorly in practice. In addition, security and related issues arise, since solutions suitable for a product with limited capabilities, may be unsuitable and with multiple issues, that are increasingly overlooked, with an expanded product.

The FOSS ecosystem has contended with problems of scale and complexity at the same time FOSS has become increasingly important. In server environments, especially, there is no need for multiple vendors to produce competing products. Thus, they often work together to make a product that suits all of their needs.

Software is difficult, and it can make life more difficult because some decision makers do not understand how to evaluate it. Instead, they think that purchasing something can be a quick way of solving their challenges.

Software complexity and growth rate have exasperated traditional open-source governance models. New approaches are needed, but they also need to be evaluated to determine which offer improvements over existing systems.

FOSS participation is declining, in terms of funding, headcount and other metrics. Some for-profit organizations are invading FOSS domains. They offer free software that solves some challenges, but then sell paid solutions, for anything beyond that minimum. This is often referred to as freemium.

Meanwhile, cyber threats keep evolving, with many open-source projects becoming targets for malicious activity. Users are more vulnerable, exposed to more vectors = ways of attacking, than ever before. Attackers are big, smart, nimble yet patient. This leads to more intricate strategies, resembling games. When attacks occur, they give greater rewards to the perpetrators. Attacks provide not just economic, but political, profits. It is often claimed that the North Korean and Russian state are involved in some of these.

The increasing storage of data in clouds = someone else’s server, and the increased use of Software as a Service (SaaS) creates new challenges. This effectively means that what amounted to cultural diversity is being replaced by layers of technical and organizational monocultures that may enable attacks.

Users can assist with FOSS. Those with programming and other technical skills can contribute code. Those with user experience, can review products. Everyone can use FOSS.

Meanwhile, organizations have reduced their computer-system expertise. They shift capital expenditures to operating expenses, and depend on cloud vendors for security. This is delusional, as these cloud vendors do not guarantee any security, apart from some best-effort propaganda. Similarly, when organizations use off-the-shelf hardware and software solutions, these are often a mix of FOSS and commercial software, that create elaborate attack surfaces, yet whose components and interactions are accessible and well understood. This allows attackers to hide in the open.

Operating systems

The most fundamental type of software is the operating system (OS). A device has to have one in order to run other software. Different operating systems are required for different purposes, so people are expected to know how to use these different operating systems on their phone/ tablet, laptop/ desktop, media player and server. There are also specialty operating systems for real-time systems, including robotics.

It is often stated that people are influenced by the history of devices that they use. The first computer I used was an International Business Machines System /360. I am unsure which model, or even the type of operating system. There were several available: Basic Operating System/360 (BOS/360), Tape Operating System (TOS/360), and Disk Operating System/360 (DOS/360). I was using it to learn SPSS = Statistical Package for the Social Sciences. Then I took a course in programming, based on PL/1 = Programming Language One, from IBM.

After that I used a number of different mini-machines. First there was a Hewlett-Packard in the 2100 series, probably a 2100S, with the “Real Time Executive” operating system, (RTE). In Molde, in Norway, I began using a Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC) VAX-11/ 780, with a VAX/VMS operating system. I became very familiar with this machine, and used it extensively for many different purposes, including the construction of data base systems as well as simulation models. When we moved to Bodø in 1985, Norsk Data NORD-500 machines were used, running the Sintran III operating system.

When I took a position in Steinkjer in 1988, they were in the process of migrating from Norsk Data to Digital Equipment. I saw first hand how inappropriate purchasing decisions could be made. First, the college was told about the PRISM project to produce updated VAX machines, accompanied by the MICA project, which intended to consolidate VMS and ULTRIX into a single operating system. The school believed this was actually happening. They ordered workstations of type DECstation 3100, specifically designed and built to run a UNIX system, ULTRIX. They then discovered that no version of the VMS operating system would be released for the DECstations. They would not integrate with the other VAX utstyr, they had also ordered. The key takeaway is never to believe computer sales people. There is just too much vaporware that never emerges!

Fortunately, the Norwegian government had another mission, to bail out the faltering Norsk Data. They provided colleges with free money to buy lots of Nord computers to save the company from bankruptcy. So more expensive computers were bought. The Sintran operating system was modified so that it could mimic UNIX.

None of the above computers have any relevance today. This is the way of technology. For almost sixty years I used ICE = internal combustion engine vehicles. Then I switched to an electric vehicle. I have no intention of going back. All of those years of gearing with a manual transmission are history. Similarly, my keypunch experience has no relevance in terms of computing today. Surprisingly, my touch-typing skills learned starting in ca. 1963, are fully relevant today.

UNIX

Modern computing begins with Unix developed at Bell Labs research centre in New Jersey in 1969. A consensus was emerging in the computer world that having a handful of companies each producing a computer with its own OS, was counter productive. It just took time for an appropriate OS to emerge. There have come out some important books about computing that point towards open standards.

There were books that attempted to expand systems thinking beyond computers, two of which were written by Donella Meadows (1941 – 2001). These were Limits to Growth (1972) and Thinking in Systems: A Primer (1993/ restructured by others 2008). The major problems of the world = war/ hunger/ poverty/ environmental degradation are due to system failure. They cannot be solved piecemeal by fixing any one piece in isolation. This lesson has not been learned.

In terms of computing the most influential book of my list is Tracy Kidder’s (1945 – ) The Soul of a New Machine (1981). It explains the drama/ comedy/ excitement/ boredom/ exploitation of workers by a company bringing a new microcomputer to the mass market. This book explains a common attitude of start-ups, a total unconcern about the physical and mental health of employees, who are regarded as replaceable cogs in a machine.

Andrew S. Tanenbaum (1944 – ) wrote Operating Systems: Design and Implementation (1987) with Albert S. Woodhull. This book introduced me to operating system principles. While the source code for MINIX was included as part of the book, my own computer science education required me to construct my own operating system as a semester project. In addition, I also had to implement a compiler for a language resembling Pascal (1970), developed by Niklaus Wirth (1934 – 2024).

At this point, one should probably mention Wirth’s law, which is an adage = a saying that sets forth a general truth. This one states that software is getting slower more rapidly than hardware is becoming faster. Wirth discussed it in A Plea for Lean Software (1995). Pascal was based on Algol 60 = Algorithmic Language (1960). In Norway, this formed the starting point for Simula = Simulation Language, developed in Oslo, and often called the first object oriented language.

Back at Bell Labs, Brian Ritchie (1941 – 2011) created the C programming language, and with Ken Thompson (1943 – ) developed the Unix operating system. Sometimes inventors are not the best people to explain their inventions, so it was fortunate for these two that Canadian computer scientist Brian Kernighan (1942 – ), was better able to write about Unix and the C programming language.

I have learned several additional languages including: Objective C (1980) developed by Brad Cox (1944 – 2021) and Tom Love (? – ?), Smalltalk (1972) designed by Alan Kay (1940 – ), Dan Ingalls (1945 – ), Adele Goldberg (1944 – ) and others, at Xerox PARC = Palo Alto Research Center; and Prolog (1972) by Alain Colmerauer (1941 – 2017).

PCs

By 1985, almost everyone of a certain age with technical interests had discovered personal computers. One of the schools where I was working had ordered a computer lab worth of Apple II clones. Yet no one knew how to use them! I paid for our first family computer by teaching an introductory computing course to the teachers. The local Amiga distributor invoiced the school for the course, and in time we received an Amiga 2000.

At about the same time IBM compatible personal computers were becoming more popular, and encroaching on the Apple II market. By 1984 Apple had seen the writing on the wall, and had produced a more advanced Macintosh computer. At the time, both Macs and PCs were too expensive for secondary schools. The operating systems in IBM and other personal computers were referred to as PC- and MS-DOS, respectively. They were both renamed variants of 86-DOS, owned by Seattle Computer Products, written by Tim Paterson (1956 – ). Its development took six weeks. It was a clone of Digital Research’s CP/M used on Apple II machines and clones, ported to run on 8086 processors. In addition there was improved disk buffering and a new file system.

Windows

Microsoft released Windows 1.0 on 1985-11-20, as a graphical operating system shell for MS-DOS in response to the growing interest in graphical user interfaces (GUIs). To begin with, this was just for people with special interests. Windows took off in 1990, with the release of version 3.0.

With the exception of an iMac, used to teach students studying media and communications, the work computers I have used ran various version of Windows. XP is the version I liked best, followed by 7. I was assigned 8 when I retired.

The latest variant, Windows 11 was released 2021-10-05. For the past several months, Microsoft has been encouraging a transition from Windows 10 to 11. At the same time, they have said that hardware will have to meet specific capabilities in order to allowed to upgrade. End of support for Windows 10 is scheduled for 2025-10-14. Except, one can pay for a one year delay, perhaps longer.

Shortly after Windows 11 came out, Microsoft and Intel found compatibility issues with Intel Smart Sound Technology (Intel SST) on 11th Gen Core processors running Windows 11. Microsoft applied a compatibility hold on affected systems, preventing those PCs from upgrading to Windows 11. Now, over two years later, Microsoft has resolved the issue and cleared a path for those computers to run Windows 11.

Windows 11 has minimum system requirements. An attempt to install it on other PCs will result in the installer refusing. There are unofficial ways to bypass this, but they are not for the faint at heart!

Users of Windows 7, 8, 10 or 11 may want to use Winaero Tweaker, a freeware app created by Sergey Tkachenko. It is an all-in-one application that comes with dozens of options for fine-grained tuning of various Windows settings and features. To encourage Windows users to consider Tweaker, I have listed several categories of its features here: Shortcut tools; To launch an app as Administrator without a UAC confirmation; To directly open any Control Panel applet or system folder; To directly open any Settings page; To create shortcuts to the classic Shut Down Windows dialog (Alt+F4), and Safe Mode; To remove or customize the shortcut arrow overlay icon; To remove the ” – shortcut” suffix; To remove blue arrows from compressed files. Manage Windows apps and features: Restore classic Windows Photos Viewer to use it instead of Photos; Restore the classic sound volume pop-up slider. Permanently disable Windows Telemetry and Data Collection; Permanently disable Windows Defender; Permanently disable Windows Update; Disable ads and unwanted app installation (Candy Crush Soda Saga, etc); Enable the built-in Administrator account. Enable automatic Registry backup; Change drag-n-drop sensitivity; Disable Action Center and notifications; Reset icon cache; Reset all Group Policy options at once. Networking options: Change the remote desktop port. Make mapped drives accessible for elevated apps; Tune up Windows appearance; Customize folders in This PC; Customize entries in Navigation Pane in File Explorer (in the left pane); Rename and change the icon for the Quick Access entry; Increase the taskbar transparency level; Show time seconds in the taskbar clock; Disable blur for the sign-in screen; Customize fonts, and the Alt+Tab dialog appearance; Change the title bar color for inactive windows; Add handy context menus using a huge set of presets, e.g. to switch a Power Plan with one click, open a Command Prompt, add a Settings cascading menu – plenty of them; Hide default entries from the context menu, e.g. Edit with Photos, Edit with Paint 3D, etc.; Add ‘Run as Administrator’ to VBS, MSI, CMD and BAT files; Change the default app for the Edit context menu entry for images.

Mac OS

System Software = Mac OS = Classic Mac OS ( retronym) was a series of operating systems developed for the Macintosh family of personal computers by Apple Computer, from 1984 = System 1 to 2001 = Mac OS 9. It is credited with popularizing graphical user interfaces.

It was based on concepts from the Xerox PARC Alto computer. The Alto was conceived in 1972, in a memo written by Butler Lampson (1943 – ). It was inspired by the Stanford NLS = oN-Line System, developed by Douglas Engelbart (1925 – 2013), released in 1968-12-09. The Alto OS was made by Chuck Thacker (1943 – 2017). This was the first computer that used a mouse-driven graphical user interface (GUI), Mac OS consisted of a Macintosh Toolbox ROM and a System Folder = a set of files loaded from a disk.

The Berkeley Software Distribution (BSD) was a Unix operating system developed and distributed by the Computer Systems Research Group (CSRG) at the University of California, Berkeley beginning in 1978. It began as an improved derivative of AT&T’s original Unix that was developed at Bell Labs, based on the source code that, over time, was replaced by its own code.

After Steve Jobs (1955 – 2011) was fired as CEO of Apple in 1985, he started NeXT, and developed the NextStep, an object-oriented, multitasking operating system based on the Mach project at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, that ran from 1985 to 1994, The end results was the Mach 3.0 microkernel. It was developed as a replacement for the kernel in BSD.

OpenStep was an object-oriented application programming interface (API) specification developed by NeXT. It was written in Objective C, and released 1994-10-19, providing a framework for building graphical user interfaces (GUIs) and for developing software applications. OpenStep was designed to be platform-independent, allowing developers to write code that could run on multiple operating systems.

By 1997 Steve Jobs was back in Apple’s good graces, and had become Apple’s CEO once again. In 1996, Apple Computer had acquired NeXT. Apple merged the user interface/ environment from classic Mac OS, with NeXTSTEP and OpenStep to create Mac OS X. All of Apple’s subsequent platforms since iPhone OS 1 were then based on Mac OS X. This was later renamed macOS.

Linux

Wikipedia tells us that Linux is a family of open-source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on 1991-09-17, by Linus Torvalds (1969 – ). Linux is typically packaged as a Linux distribution (distro), which includes the kernel and supporting system software and libraries—most of which are provided by third parties—to create a complete operating system, designed as a clone of Unix and released under the copyleft GPL license.

There is a lot of hype from computer manufacturers to use Microsoft Windows operating systems. Having consumers buy it, undoubtedly adds to their profits, especially when it is almost impossible to buy a low-priced computer without Windows.

Microsoft is currently requiring people with older hardware, that runs on Windows 10, to buy new, computer hardware that is compatible with the Windows 11 requirements. This can be expensive. Another approach is for Windows 10 users in this situation, is for them to try a user friendly version of Linux to see if they feel comfortable with it. One such OS is the latest version of Linux Mint with the Cinnamon desktop.

A trial version can be explored by making a live version, which means copying a bootable version of Linux Mint onto a USB flash drive/ memory stick/ thumb drive. By booting up from this drive, Linux will be available. Those who, after this trial, feel uncomfortable using Linux do not have to do anything, except to avoid booting up from the USB drive again. Those that find they prefer Linux can, at some point, install it on their machine, either alone or as part of a dual-boot system with their original OS. The memory stick can then be used to boot Linux on other computers. Linux is particularly well suited for older hardware.

One of the main characteristics of an operating system is its file system or, in the case of Android, the lack of such a system, as it is up to each app to decide how its data is to be organized. At Cliff Cottage, we use a variety of file systems. On most machines, we use ZFS, previously known as Zettabyte File System. It was originally released in 2006. There are some challenges with it, or more correctly with TimeShift, a program that allows users to reset their hardware, after updates, to a prior point in time. TimeShift does not work with ZFS.

On some other machines there is btrfs = better/ butter file system,

Spyware

The content here began after Jeffrey Paul, hacker and security researcher living in Berlin, wrote, “… that in the current version of the macOS, the OS sends to Apple a hash = unique identifier, of each and every program you run, when you run it. Lots of people didn’t realize this, because it’s silent and invisible and it fails instantly and gracefully when you’re offline…. Because it does this using the internet, the server sees your IP [address], of course, and knows what time the request came in. An IP address allows for coarse, city-level and ISP-level geolocation, and allows for a table that has the following headings: Date, Time, Computer, ISP, City, State, Application Hash…. This means that Apple knows when you’re at home. When you’re at work. What apps you open there, and how often.”

This is not a unique problem for mac users. There are similar challenges with trackers on other operating systems. Paul continues, “Who cares?” I hear you asking. Well, it’s not just Apple. This information doesn’t stay with them…. requests are transmitted unencrypted. Everyone who can see the network can see these … This data amounts to a tremendous trove of data about your life and habits, and allows someone possessing all of it to identify your movement and activity patterns. For some people, this can even pose a physical danger to them. Now, it’s been possible up until today to block this sort of stuff on your Mac [with Little Snitch]…. The version of macOS that was released today [well, over four years ago: 2020-11-12], 11.0, also known as Big Sur, … prevent[s] Little Snitch from working the same way.”

Fortunately, this issue was resolved when Little Snitch 5 was launched. That said, people should be concerned about what their operating system is doing. Personally, living in Norway, I am less concerned about big government watching my activities, than I am of big business. This is the main reason why I encourage people to use open-source software, when possible. People living in anything approaching an authoritarian regime have to be vigilant. The content presented here is suitable for politically active people living in full democracies, where such activism is not a life threatening activity.

In each their own way, corporations, such as Alphabet (owners of Google), Amazon, Apple and Meta (owners of Facebook) dominate vast zones of the world wide web, with multiple trackers following (or at least attempting to follow) everyone’s movements through cyberspace. YouTube, an Alphabet subsidiary, can suggest new videos based on each individual’s entire cyber footprint, and not just visits to YouTube. Facebook is even worse, by asking rhetorical question about whether one knows Josephine Doe. Of course the user does, otherwise they wouldn’t ask! This situation arises despite every web browser in use being equipped with the latest in ad-blocking and anti-tracking software. Why? Well, the Corporatedom doesn’t respect privacy rights, necessitating this web-log post.

Personal comments

Our laptops continue to use Linux Mint, but upgraded to version 22. While we attempted to use a dual boot system with Windows 11, this proved impossible. So we upgraded our file system to ZFS – which is what we use on our server.

We intend to install Windows either on a dedicated machine, or as a virtual machine, at some unspecified point in the future. There are certain products that refuse to work under any other system than Windows. We have two: a library catelogue system, and a slide scanner. The system requirements for these are flexible. They will work with almost any version of windows, including outgoing 10, current 11, outdated 7 or ancient XP.

For sentimental reasons, and its connection with Mandrake Linux I would like to have one machine running the latest version of Mageia. Mandrake can be considered its forerunner, but with other intermediate steps. Mandrake was released in 1998, by Gaël Duval, mentioned above, to provide an easy-to-use Linux. In 2005-04, Mandrakesoft (as the company was then called) acquired Conectiva, a Brazilian-based company that produced a Linux distribution for Portuguese- and Spanish-speaking Latin America. As a result of this acquisition and a legal dispute with Hearst Corporation about the name Mandrake, the company changed its name to Mandriva. Mageia was formed as a fork of Mandriva in 2010. This occurred as the Mandriva subsidiary responsible for it, was declared bankrupt, and its assets liquidated. Mageia Version 1 was launched in 2011. Version 9 was launched in 2023-08. It still has not been installed on any of my machines.

Android & iOS

Android started in 2003 by Android, Inc., in Palo Alto, California. It was purchased by Google in 2005. Android 1.0 was released 2008-10. Unfortunately, a smartphone is nothing without its apps. Android software development is the process by which applications are created for devices running the Android operating system. Android apps can be written using Kotlin, Java, and C++ languages using the Android software development kit (SDK), while using other languages is also possible. However, all non-Java virtual machine (JVM) languages, such as Go, JavaScript, C, C++ or assembly, need the help of JVM language code, that may be supplied by tools, likely with restricted API support. Some programming languages and tools allow cross-platform app support for both Android and iOS.

iOS (formerly iPhone OS until version 4) is a mobile operating system developed by Apple exclusively for its mobile devices. The first-generation iPhone, was launched 2007-06-29. Major versions of iOS are released annually; the current stable version, iOS 18, released 2024-09-16.

It is the operating system that powers many of the company’s mobile devices, including the iPhone, and is the basis for three other operating systems made by Apple: iPadOS, tvOS, and watchOS. iOS formerly also powered iPads until iPadOS was introduced in 2019, and the iPod Touch line of devices until its discontinuation. iOS is the world’s second most widely installed mobile operating system, after Android.

Our hand-held devices continue to use Android as their primary OS. Android V13 is the operating system used on our Asus Zenfone 9 smartphones. Our son Alasdair uses this on his Samsung Galaxy, and our daughter Shelagh uses this on her Google Pixel. I never expect to be as comfortable using a hand-held device, as a computer. However, I do manage to use it, and the installed apps.

Hand-held devices (HHD): While some people refers to these as phones, telephony is only one use. For some, a smartphone or tablet is the only computing device used. Android may be open-source, but it also has a lot of proprietary input from Google and phone manufacturers. Personally, I kept threatening to go over to /e/, an e.foundation variant of open source Lineage OS. This would have been easy with a Fairphone. However, quality issues with that device are keeping me in the Android camp, for some additional years.

While I wrote about using a de-googlized Android OS from the e foundation, developed by Gaël Duvait, it has not been installed. I intend to try it out on one of the retired Xiaomi Pocophone F1s some time in 2025.

Apple also makes smart phones, tablets and other devices that need an OS. For larger computers, Apple offers MacOS. For other products, their solution is iOS for iPhones, iPadOS for iPads, watchOS for Apple Watches, and tvOS for Apple TVs. Each system is designed to optimize the user experience on its respective device.

Sometimes there are other factors than age that prompt a hardware change. The fact that we have an electric vehicle (EV), where much of its control is based on the use of hand-held devices, prompted us to buy new ones some months in advance of the EV’s arrival. We opted for two identical Asus Zenfone 9 devices. Our children have opted for Apple, Pixel and Samsung devices,

Laptop/ Desktop: The lifetime of a laptop computer varies with the individual using it. Take one resident user at Cliff Cottage, Trish. She used one laptop for over 7 years without any major issues. At one point her hard-disk was replaced because it was full, and she was encouraged to install one with a larger capacity. In contrast, another resident user, Brock, has managed to go through four different computers in the same time-period. He has multiple lame excuses to explain why none of these worked out.

Many users find that the main problem with Windows is not the lack of software, but excessive quantities of bloatware = Software with large, often unnecessary features, including some that spy on users. These features can make a machine slow/ unwieldy/ inefficiently, using excessive amounts of memory or disk space.

Because people differ in their needs, it is difficult to list all of the user programs/ software/ applications/ apps people need on their personal computers. Many of the most important programs come installed with the operating system. Additional programs can be installed using the Software Manager. To find additional/ useful/ important open-source programs, Alternative to, allows people to compare programs that may be useful.

Tails

The most basic way to achieve more privacy is to select an appropriate operating system, such as Tails. Tails is a security-focused Debian-based Linux distribution aimed at preserving privacy and anonymity against surveillance. It can run on almost any computer from a USB stick.

A live system contains a complete, bootable operating system, usually with writable storage that allows for customization, including the installation of software packages. They can save settings, and can be used for system administration, data recovery, or test purposes.

Tails lets users be anonymous on the Internet,  and helps circumvent censorship. It does so by forcing all connections to the Internet to go through the Tor network. It leaves no trace on the computer unless explicitly ordered to do so by the user. It uses state-of-the-art cryptographic tools to encrypt your files, emails and instant messaging.

Despite being the best, and simplest solution, most users are reluctant to use Tails. They deliberately select a second best solution, because they are unwilling to set themselves into a new operating system, slightly different from the one they are currently using. Yes, the writer of this post is also in precisely the same situation.

Operating System Conclusion

A lot of ink has been used here to comment on operating systems. An OS is important because they are at the heart of computing. Yet, they also bring forward a lot of emotion. In some respects they are like brands of cars. People may argue that a particular brand is better than another, but many people would set aside these prejudices if they were confronted with a choice between no car, and a car of their least favourite brand. Most people would prefer to have a computer/ smartphone with the worst possible OS, than not to have one at all.

Similarly, I don’t think anyone really wants an old OS version. They are just not appropriate to meet user needs. This means that Windows XP is the earliest OS that should ever be considered. Windows 7 is probably a better choice. The latest version of Linux Mint, is probably more appropriate than either of these two, but there can be cases where one needs a Windows operating system. In our household there are two: for a library system, and to digitize slides.

Web Browsers

Most well-known browsers are controlled by these large corporations: Apple offers Safari; Google has Chrome; Microsoft has Edge, and previously provided Explorer. Mozilla Firefox is an exception. It is not owned by big tech. However, Google has provided financing. For most people, Firefox is gudenuf to use.

Here at Cliff Cottage we use Firefox on all of our machines, but also have Brave, as an alternative. Brave provides shields that automatically block ads and trackers. This means that Brave loads sites faster than most other browsers. Shields also offer additional protection by blocking malicious webscripts. When possible, HTTP connections are automatically forced to become HTTPS connections. This is because HTTPS sites use a secure encryption protocol to protect user traffic, whereas HTTP is unsecured.

Browsers needs to be able to protect users from: Phishing sites, deceptive websites that mimic legitimate websites in an attempt to get users to provide personal information; web trackers/ cookies, internet scripts that follow users browsing habits from site to site, sharing browsing data with hackers, advertisers and others; spyware/ adware, embedded malware, usually in a browser, that captures data and/ or redirects searches to unwanted sites; keyloggers are malware used to take screenshots of computer content or to harvest keystrokes; malicious ads that direct users to unsafe sites. There are other behaviours, but those are the main ones in 2024.

Android & iPhone Browsers

Firefox Focus is an open source browser from Mozilla, available for Android and iOS smartphones and tablets. It improves browsing speed and protects users’ privacy by blocking online trackers, including third-party advertising. It checks all URLs against Google’s Safe Browsing service to help people avoid fraudulent sites. Firefox Klar is a modified flavour of Firefox Focus, with telemetry disabled. It was initially released for German-speaking countries. For those with serious privacy concerns this is the only flavor to use.

One of the challenges with Brave is that the features differ, depending on the type of device used. For example, in 2021 iOS users – but not Android users – got access to Brave Playlist, which allows them to save media such as music and videos to playlists. So, instead of bookmarking a song or video in Brave, users can view/ hear content offline (for an unknown to me, but limited period). Brave saves content in a format that’s only compatible with the Brave Media Player and can only appear on the device you saved it on. It cannot be downloaded to other devices.

Chromebook Browsers

Many Chromebook users will also want to consider Firefox Focus, running Android apps. While Crostini Chromebooks allow the use of Linux apps, these features are still being developed, and there are challenges. For most systems, the Linux sound system doesn’t work, either on media players or the Linux version of Firefox ESR. Some programs, like LibreOffice, work well, others don’t work at all. In general, Linux programs can’t recognize USB devices, which can be a problem is content has to be stored. In general, there are workarounds for this problem.

When personal computers first emerged they came with all the peripheral equipment that allowed it to run. This was absolutely necessary, because the computing unit and the periphery had to work together. To begin with, home computers had only a monitor/ screen, a keyboard, and possibly a cassette player for data storage. In many cases, rodents were not used. However, our original Amiga computers came with one. In the computer there was a 20 MB hard drive.

To connect a periphery to a computer, one has to be aware of two types of standards, signal and connector. Both standards have to be the same. Amiga video was the signal standard. It was similar to SCART, but different. It includes a digital RGBI signal, Genlock clock, composite sync and +12/+5VDC power. The connector standard was DB23. This was a unique D-Sub connector variant with only 23 pins for the video cables. Early Apple McIntosh computers used a similar connector, but with 25 pins. Amiga enthusiasts have been able to have this connector remanufactured, but such happy endings are rare.

There are two words that describe the situation with early home computers, but different. In time, ports became standardized. There were a lot of different legacy ports, but these have gradually been replaced, especially with USB-A and USB-C ports, along with ports for monitors (most often HDMI), and ethernet (RJ-45).

Computer manufacturers had to ensure that their products met both the signal and the connector specifications of the ports, allowing peripherals to become generic products that could be purchased separately. The company that made these products became a brand. If consumers were satisfied with one product from a brand, they would often chose other products made by it. If they were dissatisfied, they would find some other brand. Sometimes, people were satisfied with a brand, but that brand just disappeared, requiring people to find new brands and products. I cannot remember the process in detail, but over the years, I became satisfied with Logitech peripherals, and less satisfied with those of other brands, in part because they disappeared. Now, most peripherals (apart from monitors and printers) we use, and are mentioned here, are made by Logitech. Monitors offer the greatest variation, they were made by a variety of brands. We have one monitor each of: Acer, Asus, AOC, Benq and Samsung. The most common year of manufacture for them is 2012. The oldest is from 2007, and still works. Most of our printers, with two exceptions over a period of forty years, were made by Canon.

In addition to peripheral from Logitech, we also have some inexpensive peripherals often from Trust. Trust is a computer peripheral electronics company founded in 1981 in the Netherlands by Michel Perridon (1963 – ), under the name Aashima Technology B.V. to import computer accessories, game consoles and video games. From 1985, it started producing its own Trust branded products. It has been owned since 2018 by Egeria, a Dutch investment company. I appreciate Trust‘s low prices.

Note: If a model designation appears in this text without a brand name, that name is Logitech.

While younger workers, with better sight and hearing, can afford to be more fashion conscious in their choice of peripherals, older users should probably concentrate on functionality. They should chose peripherals on their ability to aid the user to do the needed work: especially, hearing what people are saying, and seeing what people have written. Their keyboards must allow them to reply quickly and accurately, and their rodents must help them navigate. If living spaces are shared with others, it is particularly important that sounds are not spread. What is incoming information for one person, can be regarded as distracting noise by another. Looking back at peripherals, one of the main differences over the past years, is that legacy ports and connectors are increasingly being replaced by legacy-free variants. Thus, when a person is considering the purchase of a new computing device, purchasers must be aware of how these devices will connect. There are physical adapters, that allow a peripheral to use a port it was not designed to connect to. As more computers add USB-C ports (and remove USB-A ports) USB-A female to USB-C male connectors will become increasingly important. In addition, some peripherals communicate through Blutooth. These protocols are back-over compatible. Many Logitech devices connect through a Bolt receiver. These (or at least mine) assume that a USB-A port is being used. Some people (but not me) are adapting them, so that they will fit a USB-C port. I still have enough USB-A ports on my computers, but not on my hand-held device. It is only equipped with a USB-C port, and a 3.5 mm audio jack.

Keyboards

There is one main reason to buy an ergonomic keyboard: health issues with one’s hands. Despite a diagnosis for osteoarthritis in several joints in both hands, I didn’t buy ergonomic equipment immediately. There were two reasons for this: 1) I was very happy with my K380 keyboard; 2) I wanted to ignore the health issues. Most days these issues were not serious, until they were.

Most ergonomic keyboards are expensive. Despite this, in 2021, I transitioned from a conventional M535 mouse and a stylish K380 keyboard to a more ergonomic MX Vertical mouse at NOK 1200, and an ERGO K860 keyboard at NOK 1 370. These are connected to the computer using a Logi Bolt receiver.

I am happier with the mouse than the keyboard. After more than three years of using the ERGO keyboard, I still regard the K380 as my favourite. Even after using an ergonomic keyboard, I purchased a second K380 keyboard, so that if I should transition back, I would have a lifetime supply. In addition, I purchased a similar MX Keys Mini keyboard in pink, with a matching MX Master Anywhere 3 mouse. The keyboard was bought used, at half price, from someone moving from Norway to Belgium, who needed an American keyboard for programming.

Trish does not have the same issues with her hands. She also has a MX Keys Mini keyboard, but in graphite/ gray, with a blue M177 mouse. This is her daily drive with her desktop machine. I have purchased her a Lift mouse, which is smaller than my MX Vertical mouse, that she can use when her current mouse wears out.

We also have two other keyboards for use with our equipment. There is a K400+ keyboard that is specifically designed for use with televisions (which is where it is used), and a K480 keyboard, which is similar to the K380 keyboards in its design, and in allowing Bluetooth connectivity. This is a dedicated keyboard for use with our Zenfone hand-held devices, or other hand-held devices, including tablets. This is useful because smartphone keyboards are excessively small and awkward to use.

All of these are ISO keyboards with Nordic features, allowing us to write in English or Norwegian without difficulty. ISO keyboard are often used in Europe to support various languages, and for many Europeans it works much better than an ANSI keyboard, that is preferred by English language users.

When I attempted to find out what assorted keyboards were preferred in Asia, the general advise was to use a US qwerty keyboard. Following this up, for Chinese I discovered that Chu Bong-Foo (1937 – ) invented a Cangjie input method in 1976, which assigns different “roots” to each key on a standard computer keyboard.

For other languages, including Hindi, Japanese and Korean, there are other input method editors that can produce appropriate content. Again, many of these rely on a standard US Qwerty keyboard.

An ISO keyboard has been part of my life since the acquisition of our first personal computer, an Amiga 2000 in 1986. That keyboard was Norwegian specific. The Amiga 1000 that we borrowed before our own computer arrived, was probably not ISO. At some point, Norwegian language keyboards ceased to be easily available, and were replaced by Nordic keyboards.

Danish, Finnish, Norwegian and Swedish have 3 additional letters, 29 in total: Å is in the same place in all four languages, located to the right of P on the keyboard. Swedish and Finnish use the same layout, with Ö and Ä following consecutively to the right of L, as do the Danish Æ and Ø, and the Norwegian Ø and Æ. Yes, Danish and Norwegian have two of these extra letters in the reverse order. Icelandic uses the same keyboard, but has 32 letters, and a much more complex arrangement.

During the operating system installation process, users are typically polled about the keyboard layout to be used. The language to be used is a separate question. If necessary, this information can be changed later.

There are five differences between the keyboards, as shown in the table below.

Trait	ANSI	ISO
Enter/ Return key	Short and wide	Tall and narrow
Left Shift key	Half the width of right shift key	Same width as right shift key
Backslash key	Above Enter key	Left of Enter key
Right of Space bar	Right Alt key	Alt Graph key
Number of keys	104 (Full)/ 87 (Compact)	105 (Full)/ 88 (Compact)

People experience varying degrees of difficulty transitioning between ANSI and ISO keyboards. One of the laptops I disposed of (prematurely?) had an ANSI keyboard because I found it problematic to use.

Logitech offers ANSI keyboards for British/ American users, but ISO keyboards for other European language users. While I find the Ergo K860 comfortable to type with, there are many other manufacturers of ergonomic keyboards. Note: the photo on keyboard packaging may be deceptive in terms of ISO/ ANSI, check the keyboard itself, before purchasing.

By accident and to my surprise, I discovered that many people wash their keyboards in sinks, or even dishwashers. Precautionary suggestions vary from none to ensuring that cords/ cables are covered in plastic, that cool water be used, that no or a mild detergent/ soap be used, that a dishwasher’s top rack be used, that the keyboard be given a week to dry thoroughly. None of the above advice is mine, and it comes with no guarantees! Yes, I have on occasion used a damp cloth to remove dust (and other contaminants) from the surface of my keyboards.

Membrane Keyboards

I use the adjective, sedate, to describe keyboards that use membrane switches. Membrane keyboards have a life expectancy of about 5 million key presses. If a person types minimally, say 1 000 words a day = 5 000 characters, such a keyboard will last almost three years. In contrast, a mechanical switch can last 50 (Gateron) – 100 (Cherry) million key presses, which at the same production rate means they should last over 27 or 54 years, respectively.

So here we are at the end of 2024, and my K860 membrane keyboard still works flawlessly, despite it having logged at least those 5 million key presses. While I know that many products work until they don’t, I have difficulty believing that I have reached anywhere near its end of life. Half way, at most! So, I expect it to keep on working until 2028, when I celebrate my 80th birthday. Then, well I might treat myself to something else. I might just revert back to using my favourite keyboard, a K380.

I suspect that most readers of this weblog post do not have such excessive production rates, as I do. Yet, they still face two contradictory impulses with respect to their keyboards, even if they works satisfactorily. The first is tedium/ boredom. How many years does a person want to interact the same keyboard? The second is the reverse, novelty. How many keyboards does a person want to experience? For me, I want the keyboard to respond to my touch in a specific way. I touch the keys lightly, and know precisely how far I have to press down to activate each key. I want the keys to respond silently. I have been touch-typing for over sixty years.

Mechanical Keyboards

In describing the world of mechanical keyboards, I never know which adjective to use: frenzied, obsessive or hyper. This section is possibly longer than necessary for many older users who are content with membrane keyboards. However, some younger people, who are still out in the working world may prefer to gain some insights about them.

In offices, production rates allegedly vary from 8 – 22 000 keystrokes per hour, for data entry tasks, to about 2 000 keystrokes for other more general office workers. With an effective production of 20 000 keystrokes per hour over a six hour day, this results in 120 000 keystrokes per day, or perhaps about 25 million keystrokes per year, which would give a life expectancy of between two years and four years for a mechanical keyboard. A membrane keyboard would not be acceptable in such an environment!

The active ingredient on a mechanical keyboard are its switches, one for each character. There are three standard types: linear, tactile and clicky. Linear switches are simple, they lack tactile/ audio feedback when they reach the actuation point, where the key press is registered. Tactile switches provide tactile feedback, commonly referred to as a bump, when hitting the actuation point. Clicky switches provide tactile and audio feedback when they hit the actuation point. The feedback provided by both tactile and clicky switches reduces typing effort. One is continuously aware of how much effort is needed to register a key press, so a user can type faster. People who do not want to disturb others with audio effects will choose linear or silent tactile switches, typically referred to as brown switches.

There are experiences that lead me towards or away from many manufacturer and particular products.

Switches are available from Logitech, Kailh, Cherry, Gateron and Epomaker. There are a lot of potential mechanical keyboard contenders. Some of the ones I have considered acquiring are: Logitech POP Keys with cloned Cherry MX Brown switches from Trantek Electronics Co. Ltd of China; Drop ENTR with switches from Kailh; Keychron Q8 (Alice) ergonomic keyboard with Gateron Pro G Brown switches; and Epomaker TH80 a slightly less ergonomic keyboard with their own Flamingo linear switches.

With so many Logitech keyboards in my collection, I was initially attracted by the appearance (blast yellow & emoji keys) of the POP equipment, but not the keyboard or mouse functions. Unfortunately, there are numerous issues with the keyboard. One review indicate that the keyboard is tricky and unforgiving to type on, and replacing useful key functions with five emoji shortcuts is just a novelty. The keycaps don’t seem particularly well made, with legends pad printed, a method criticized for its poor wear. Dye sublimation or double-shot molding is preferred. There are no height adjustable feet. It does not come with back lighting. It is not an ISO keyboard. The keyboard costs about US$ 100, plus shipping. Gimmick describes the keyboard in one word!

Drop was founded in 2012 in San Francisco as Massdrop by Steve El-Hage and Nelson Wu, who met in Toronto. It changed its name to Drop in 2019. For me, the problem with Drop was the initial propaganda I encountered. It showed a tube-based amplifier beside a keyboard. This was a danger signal, as I am not a member of any tribe using old-fashioned tubes. Yes, I belong to the transistor generation!

If one can overcome that initial prejudice, the ENTR keyboard is a Ten Key Less (TKL) = 80% board, which lacks some keys, some say 17 rather than 10, in relation to a full-sized keyboard. The missing keys are not used much, and there are workarounds for them. Ergonomically, a TKL is considered much better for productive typing, than a full-sized keyboard. The challenge for me, is that it is an ANSI keyboard, which makes it, by definition, unsuitable. It also costs US$ 100, plus shipping.

The Keychron Q8 Alice ISO-Nordic keyboard is a good mechanical ergonomic keyboard. Many claim that this is a 65% keyboard, because its keys that are based on a 65% keyboard that is split into right and left halves, with a gap between them. The two sides are angled and tilted upwards. Other ergonomic keyboards tilt downwards. At a price over US$ 200, plus shipping, it is an expensive keyboard. Yet, given its durability, it is probably a suitable investment for anyone who writes a lot and expects to live longer than six years more, the life expectancy of two Logitech K860 keyboards, at the rate of 5 000 keystrokes a day. One advantage of this keyboard is its mass. The keyboard is constructed of CNC machined 6063 aluminum with a mass of 1 820 g. This keyboard stays firmly in place when typing, while lighter keyboards have a tendency to move. Quantum Mechanical Keyboard firmware (QMK) can be customized/ programmed/ mapped with a VIA configurator/ programmer/ app. Both the firmware and the programmer are open-source. 

The Epomaker TH80 offers a keyboard that is slightly less ergonomic, but more affordable at US$ 100 plus shipping. It offers more keys than the Q8. Some regard it as a 75%, others an 80% keyboard. The keys are hot swapable, which is probably uninteresting to anyone over the age of 30, not engaged in gaming. There are three ways to connect this keyboard to a computer including 2.4Ghz WiFi/ Bluetooth 5.0/ USB Type-C wired connector. Keycaps are made from polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) that tolerate high temperatures (150 C), resist solvants, are mechanically strong and long wearing with a matte finish. On the negative side, they are usually more brittle, and resonate more/ sound louder when typing. A MDA profile indicates a keycap design that emphasizes a uniform concaveness. The individual keycaps have a wide and flat surface. They are more suitable for typing than gaming. These keycaps have dye-sublimated legends. Another feature of the keyboard is it RGB effects using south-facing (towards the typist) software-programmable LEDs.

Rodents

An Ergo Vertical mouse is my companion rodent. Propaganda from Logitech told me it works at the ideal angle for a hand = 57°. I find it comfortable to use. However, not everyone may be in agreement, particularly people who prefer to use their left hand with a mouse, or people with smaller hands.

The Logitech Lift, and a minimally different Lift for Business, are suitable for people with small to medium sized hands. Some of the differences between Lift and Vertical, include: Lift is made out of plastic, while Vertical is made from rubber and aluminum. Lift can only be used wirelessly, while Vertical can also be used with a USB-C cable. Lift has a replaceable battery, Vertical is rechargeable. Lift is good for 3 million clicks, Vertical for 10 million.

Variants of both the Vertical and Lift are made for people who favor their left hand, although colours may be limited. Further information about mice for people with large hands can be found here, which includes a reference to a Levkey left hand mouse. Similar information for people with small hands can be found here.

My experience with rodents, is that they seldom fail, but when they do they have reached the end of their life. Appropriate replacements take time to acquire. While we do have local stores that sell them, most of the mice available locally do not meet my specific requirements. For this reason, I always have an extra mouse on hand that I can use when required. My current reserve rodent is a MX Anywhere 3. It is often classified as a travel/ compact mouse. The two main attributes that are often highlighted are its speed and accuracy. Mine is pink to match a MX keys mini keyboard, which was also acquired if my primary keyboard should ever fail.

For computer aided design, and well as other drawing inputs, I use a Wacom One pen tablet. It comes with a pressure sensitive and lightweight pen, without batteries, or a need to charge. It connects with a USB cable to any Windows, macOS, Chromebook or Linux PC. I have only used it with a Linux machine, but there are built-in drivers that just work. Propaganda from Wacom says that it is bundled with apps specifically tailored for education. I have no idea what they are talking about. However, it did work with Krita, the Swedish graphic program I was using. Size (W x D x H): 277 x 189 x 8.7 mm, without tag and rubber foot, with an active area (W * D): 216 x 135 mm.

There are more expensive products, that may be suitable for graphics and some other professionals. For non-professionals, the Wacom One is gudenuf!

Flatscreens

In 1969 I worked as a stockbroker trainee in Vancouver, where I had regular contact with a Mitsubishi lumber buyer. He described a flat-panel display he had seen in Japan, that was being developed by his company. He expected it to be on the market by the mid-1970s, at the latest. He was a bit optimistic, as it took about thirty years. In the US, Westinghouse had already developed a electroluminescent display (ELD) was made using thin-film transistors (TFT), but it was not ready for prime-time.

The brightness of a monitor is measured in candela per square meter. Since this is long and complex, the unofficial term, nits, is often used. Since candela measure light intensity. The value in nits shows how bright a screen appears. Nit comes from the Latin verb nitere = to shine. This monitor provides 300 nits, which is within the normal range of between 200 and 600 nits for laptop screens and monitors. 300 nits is considered to be most appropriate. It offers good visibility, shows colours well and prevents eye strain.

Almost all new monitors have LED backlighting. WLED just means white light emiting diode, that I consider a marketing gimmick. While gamers and video editors like to have the fastest possible refresh rate, this is not so important in office situations. A refresh rate of 100 (and sometimes even 60 Hz) is fully acceptable. This monitor has a refresh rate of 144 Hz.

There are two different pixel response benchmarks for monitors: Grey-to-Grey (GtG) and Moving Picture Response Time (MPRT). GtG represents how long it takes for a pixel to change between two colors, while MPRT represents how long a pixel is continuously visible. While GtG pixel response time has improved, MPRT has not gotten faster because MPRT is limited by the refresh cycle and by the frametime. Here, the response times are: GtG = 4 ms, while MPRT = 1 ms.

Contrast ratio refers to the difference between the minimum brightness and maximum brightness of a monitor. For example, looking at a monitor with a 1 000:1 contrast ratio, a white image would appear 1 000 times brighter than a black image on that one specification.

There are no official test procedures to find a contrast ratio. Static contrast ratio, attempts to measure the difference in luminosity, comparing the brightest and darkest shades the system is capable of producing simultaneously. Dynamic contrast is the luminosity ratio comparing the brightest and darkest shade the system is capable of producing over time while a picture is moving. Here, the contrast ratios are: 3 000:1 static; 80M:1 dynamic.

Almost all monitors specify a viewing angle of 178 degrees.

Manufacturers are always enthusiastic about how many colours their monitors can reproduce. 16.7 million is a typical answer. This means that 24-bits are used to define the colour of each and every pixel, eight bits each for red (R), green (G) and blue (B). If there are slightly over one billion colors, this means that 30-bits per pixel are being used; 10 bits each for R, G and B. In the real world, this is only used in equipment for video and photo editing.

In the beginning (2010) Ken Birman developed vertical synchronization (V-Sync), display technology software designed to help monitors prevent screen tearing, a situation that arises when two different image components interact/ because the monitor’s refresh rate can’t keep pace with the data being sent from the graphics card. It causes a cut or misalignment to appear in the image.

By 2013 Nvidia developed G-Sync, which is a proprietary hardware solution to the same problem. G-Sync works only with Nvidia graphic cards. In 2014 AMD developed FreeSync, which was a royalty free alternative to G-Sync. It works with AMD as well as Nvidia graphic cards, and on some consoles. Thus, it is a more flexible solution. The one concession to gaming in this monitor is its use of FreeSync, which works between 30 and 144 Hz.

Overexposure to blue light is claimed to cause problems that range from dry eyes to eye strain, sleep cycle disruption as well as macular degeneration, which can cause partial blindness. Some people blame these problems on the overuse of computers, rather than blue light. Regardless of its merits, many manufacturers are reducing the amount of blue light being send out.

If the display cannot be positioned satisfactorily, then one must consider repositioning the desk. Ideally, a display should be placed at right angles to, or away from, windows and other light sources so it does not create/ reflect glare. Glare may cause eye strain. Once this is done, the display should be centered directly in front of the user.

When this wait for flatscreens was finally rewarded, Cliff Cottage was eventually populated with them, but it took time, because they were so expensive to start with. The life of a flat-screen monitor probably exceeds fifteen years. Thus, people may want to ensure that what they purchase is suitable for their future needs.

One notable product was an LG 24″/ 60 cm flatscreen monitor for a media centre purchased in the early 2000s. It lasted until it was replaced with a Samsung 40″/ 100 cm model from 2010, purchased used in 2012. This machine was in use until a 50″/ 125 cm model from NetOnNet, Anderson QLED5031UHDA was purchased 2023-11-17. It has 4K = 3840 x 2160 pixel resolution. In terms of sound, it is equipped with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X surround sound standards.

There are three common types of LCD panels: twisted (TN), in-plane switching (IPS) and vertical alignment (VA). This monitor uses a VA panel. Compared to a TN panel, it has a deeper-black background, a higher contrast ratio, a wider viewing angle, and better image quality at extreme temperatures. Compared to an IPS panel, it has deeper black levels that allow for a higher contrast ratio, which are 3 000:1. However, the viewing angle is narrower, and color and especially contrast shifts are more apparent.

Office monitors have changed considerably over the past years. With a conventional office desk, an ideal screen size used to be 24″ / 61 cm, then 27″/ 70 cm or less. If more screen area was required up to three such screens could be parked on a desk, so that multiple data windows could be opened simultaneously.

Numerous laptops, and assorted flatscreen monitors have also been purchased. For example:

Trish uses a Benq GL2450 T, which was made 2015-04. My records do not indicate when it was purchased, but probably sometime in 2015. It has a 24″/ 61 cm screen, with high definition 1920 x 1080 pixel resolution, using TN technology. It offers 250 cd/m² brightness, which is now regarded as a low value. Dynamic range = 1k:1 – 1M:1. Energy use = 50 W, 0.3 W in standby. The response time is 5 ms. which is adequate for office use, but too low for other uses. It also comes with a DVI-D connector, rather than an HDMI connector. This is manageable because there are adapters between DVI-D and HDMI. It functioned adequately, but is not height adjustable and does not have many of the features found on modern monitors.

For many years I used a Samsung SyncMaster S27B350 monitor that was purchased 2012-11-09. It has a 27″/ 686 mm HDMI screen. Other differences between it and the Benq discussed above are: Brightness = 300 cd/m². Energy consumption = 40 W. Its response time is 2 ms.

Because I have some vision issues related to blue-light exposure, it was replaced 2020-10-07 with a AOC Q27P2Q, a 27″ monitor with 150 mm height adjustment, using ISP panel technology displaying 2560 x 1440 pixels, with low blue light technology. Dimensions: 528.2(H) x 808.4(W) x 237.4(D);Tilt: -5/ 23; Height adjustment 130 mm; swivel -32/ 32. Power: 67/ 0.5/ 0.3 on/ standby/ off, respectively. Mass: 8 100 g. The ACO screen has also wavered in price. It was purchased for NOK 2 300. Soon after my purchase it increased to about NOK 3 200, then it fell once again to NOK 2 400. As this post is published it costs NOK 2 700.

When I purchased this new monitor, I was aware that it wouldn’t work with my KVM = keyboard & video & mouse, a device/ switch that allows up to several computers to share the same peripheral equipment. My KVM, an Aten CS692, has 2-ports allowing it to work with two computers, but the screen size is restricted to HD = 1920 x 1080 pixels. Fortunately, if I am desperate to use two computers simultaneously, I have up to several old HD monitors available, that work with this HD KVM.

Depending on one’s activities, only extraordinary circumstances dictate that a person should have more than one keyboard, monitor and mouse at their workstation. KVMs can be purchased (or in some circumstances made) that will meet the individual needs of any user. Many KVMs can be used to access computers remotely. While my desktop machine is adequate for most purposes, it would not be suitable for either gaming or video editing.

Today = 2024, people are going over to ultra-wides. This allows for a 35″/ 90 cm screen, that fits on a conventional office desk. At some point Trish’s monitor will either wear out, or she will realize that it has passed its use-by date. Thus, I could offer her my AOC monitor, and purchase an AOC CU34P2A 34″ ultrawide buet WQHD gaming monitor. This monitor was selected for discussion, because of its price: It was under a magic NOK 4 000 = US$ 360 (at publication).

Diagonal size: 34”/ 864 mm with the curvature equivalent to a radius of 1 500 mm, normally described at 1500R. There is a 797 x 334 mm viewing area, populated with 3440 x 1440 pixels. This has an aspect ratio of 2.37:1, but is marketed as 21:9. It consumes 55 W when in use, and 0.3 W on standby.

When discussing a monitor for office purposes, it is important to remember that the standard paper document size in Europe is A4 = 210 x 297 mm = 8.3 x 11.7 inches. It is a substitute for 8 1/2″ x 11″ paper found in North America. An ultra-wide monitor allows for up to several rows of tool, memory and other bars, at the top and bottom, as well as the display of four documents with their width only slightly compacted, but with their length in full size.

In-Plane Switching (IPS) technology should be used to provide accurate colour and a wide (up to 180°) viewing angle. It should be easy to height-adjust, tilt, pivot and swivel the display. In addition, the display should be flicker free and have reduced blue light, especially after dark. Some find it advantageous for a display to have built-in stereo speakers. However, headsets should be provided and used whenever two or more people share/ occupy a room.

Headsets

Clarification: I am not, and have never regarded myself an audiophile. In fact, I am opposed to using the term, because those self-appointed lovers of sound far too often promote nonsense,

There are many different types of headphones, that distinguish themselves in terms of their ear cups. The are: closed-back, open-back, on-ear, in-ear (ear buds). Headphones are used for different purposes. A performing musician may want something entirely different from someone watching YouTube videos on a computer.

Closed-back headphones are designed with sealed ear cups that offer excellent noise isolation. They also prohibit the user from hearing people and other things within their environment.

Open-back headphones, have perforated ear cups that allow air and sound to pass through.

Open-ear headphones are designed to direct sound waves directly to the middle ear, avoiding your eardrum. Some users state that these make it possible for a user to immerse him/ herself in content while remaining aware of your surroundings. These are useful for people who are active outdoors.

On-ear headphones rest on the ears rather than enclosing them. It is claimed that they strike a balance between portability and comfort, offering good sound quality without fully sealing off the ears from the environment. These may be suitable for younger users, but for people with a hearing disability, they can be detrimental.

Over ear headphones envelop the ears completely, providing noise isolation and immersive sound. This is my preferred choice of headphone.

In-Ear Earbuds are small, lightweight headphones that fit directly into the ear canal. They are highly portable and easily transportable and very compact, but due to the small size of the speaker, they can’t create true sound isolation.

In-ear headphones, also known as in-ear monitors (IEMs), fit snugly into the ear canal, providing excellent noise isolation and sound quality. These go deeper into the ear canal than earbuds.

When I was in the market for a headset, many sites with reviews about headsets for the hearing impaired suggested versions of Audio Technica products, commonly the ATH-M50X at NOK 1 100. However, these are headphones for listening, without a microphone for speaking. These could be complemented with an Audio Technica ATR3350iS omnidirectional condenser lavalier microphone, that comes with an adapter, allowing it to be used with handheld devices. These cost almost NOK 550, for a total price of almost NOK 1 650.

This seemed expensive, and I started to investigate office and gaming headsets. Even the Logitech G433 and the Logitech G Pro X also seemed too expensive, at NOK 1 250 and NOK 1 350 respectively. I decided that I could stretch myself to buy a Logitech G Pro at NOK 1 000, as a compromise. However, on the day I decided to buy one, the G Pro X came on sale at NOK 900, which was lower than either the G Pro or G433. It was purchased on 2020-10-07. Then I purchased a second, but wireless, for NOK 1 300 on 2023-12-31. Todays prices: The G Pro X wireless headset is NOK 1 700, while the wired variant costs NOK 1 100.

Printers

There are two types of printers that are suitable for individuals, families and most small businesses. These are colour laser and ink-jet.

I have never had a relationship with Hewlett-Packard (HP), in part because my employers, Møre and Romsdal county and North Trøndelag county bought and used many of their products. Unfortunately, these often had reliability issues. Thus, when it came time for us to buy printers we chose Canon.

Ink-jet printers are usually inexpensive, because manufacturers make their money from selling cassettes. The advantage of a laser printer, in contrast to an ink-jet printer, is that while the ink cartridges are more expensive, they do not dry out.

We have a Canon i-Sensys MF633CDW colour laser printer with a scanner. We print out very few pages a year, yet there is never a problem when we do so. Most of the time, the machine is used as a scanner.

I imagine this will be the last printer we purchase, as long as we can buy cartridges that fit the machine. We buy remanufactured cartridges from Yaha, a company located in Arendal in Agder, in southern Norway. They even offer cartridges that even fit ancient printers.

Our relationship with Yaha dates to 2008-02-16, when we bought our first laptop computer, an Acer Travel Mate 5520. It provided a 15.4″ screen, with 2 GB RAM and 160 GB hard disk drive storage. The invoice states that it came with a Windows XP operating system. It cost NOK 6 500. When I look at the details, it appears that this machine was destined for our daughter, Shelagh. A month later, we bought a second machine, with a 17″ screen. It appears to be for our son, Alasdair.

Needs/ Wants

Because I have the opportunity to do so, I prioritize the purchase of computer equipment beyond minimal household needs. While these could be considered (and budgeted) as part of the computing infrastructure, a more honest appropriation is to consider them as hobby electronics expenditures.

Soon, I hope to relocate a Behringer MS-1 synthesizer (purchased 2022-03-25) beside my desktop machine, so that they both can take advantage of the same audio equipment, including a Native Instrument Komplett Audio 6 interface (purchased 2020-11-12). If I should want to share sounds locally, there is Red, an Angry Birds speaker (An audiophile would add that it is a Hybrid mesh PRO-G 50 mm speaker. it comes with a neodymium magnet, providing a frequency response between 20 Hz and 20 kHz, with an impedance of 35 ohms.

Personas

Devices have personalities. I refer to them as third level personas. Persona, was first documented as a word in 1905–10. It is derived from the Latin, persōna, meaning mask or character. The first two levels are people and pets. When we first started using computers we named them after Agatha Christie characters, such as Jane (Marple). Once that list had become exhausted, we named them after departed relatives. This can create some challenges. When it came time to name a computer after my maternal grandmother, Jane Andison nee Briggs, that name had already been used. Now, I have begun naming devices after qualities. The weblog post is being written on/ with Enigmata, which refers to a puzzling or inexplicable occurrence or situation. Lingists will appreciate learning that enigma came into the English language in 1530–40. It is from the Latin aenigma, from the Greek aínigma, equivalent to ainik- (stem of ainíssesthai = to speak in riddles, derivative of aînos = fable) + -ma noun suffix of result.

Yes, there are gamers who do have their distinct requirements, usually specified in terms of graphics and latency (time delay), and other explicit requests. There are some/ many Macintosh users, who answer Apple, even before any question is asked. Then there is a category called most people, who simply accept whatever machine and operating system combination some salesperson/ website is promoting that day – Chrome OS on inexpensive, Windows on mid-range and Surface on more exclusive machines. Linux? Well, that takes effort.

In addition to backup files on the Mothership server, copies are stored on assorted external drives. Recently, and for the first time, an external harddisk drive (EHDD) has failed. It was a Seagate Backup Plus 4 TB unit purchased, 2016-11-22. It had been used minimally. Since then, no other EHDD has failed.

Part of the challenge of thriving with a computer is a function of one’s age. The first time I heard that voice control would replace keyboards was probably around 1978. It would take five years, an expert had suggested, 1983. Since then, thirty-six years have passed, and still I buy keyboards regularly. I now expect to use a keyboard as my primary input device for the duration of my life.