NUC LED to Display Internet Connection Quality

Hey, just a heads-up that this content is based on an automatically imported version from our old CMS. If the formatting isn’t perfect, I’m sorry about that. Intel NUCs from two generations ago have a nice feature: a multicolor LED Ring and Power LED that you can control by software. I use an i5 9th gen NUC at home as my “Homeserver, IoT, whatever” device. I created a tiny script running as cron every minute to set the LED Color depending on the internet connection “quality”. I’m not really pulling data from the modem; for my purposes, it’s not necessary. I just want to have a quick solution to let others in my family at home see if there are any issues or not. You know the situation: Wife cannot open a certain internet page or something is loading very slowly. “What’s wrong with our internet?” Most of the time the answer is “Nothing - it’s not on our end,” but now I have a quick way to visualize if anything may be wrong. ...

March 27, 2021 · solariz

Finally new home router based on pfSense

Hey, just a heads-up that this content is based on an automatically imported version from our old CMS. If the formatting isn’t perfect, I’m sorry about that. Thanks to the Unitymedia Expansion in Bochum I have a Gigabit connection for quite some time now. Unfortunately the previous router had some problems with it. Also the function of the router was not according to what I would like to see for myself. ...

December 30, 2018 · solariz

Freifunk Bochum FF-BO-WAT-Bismarckplatz

Hey, just a heads-up that this content is based on an automatically imported version from our old CMS. If the formatting isn’t perfect, I’m sorry about that. Translation This original post is written in german 🇩🇪, a rough Translation: I set up my own Freifunk hotspot: a TP-Link CPE210 v1.1, great value and unexpectedly wide range, covering half a three-story house even behind it. It runs as FF-BO-WAT-Bismarckplatz, offering free WiFi at Bismarckplatz. Coverage in Bochum is sparse; no nearby mesh partner yet. ...

April 28, 2016 · solariz

Improve Surface 4 SSD Performance

Hey, just a heads-up that this content is based on an automatically imported version from our old CMS. If the formatting isn’t perfect, I’m sorry about that. After some days with the new Microsoft Surface 4 Pro I’m quite happy with it. One thing bugged me was the poorly SSD Performance. Microsoft use a Samsung M2 SSD with NVMe Protocol, actually a quite fast little thing. But a SSD Benchmark showed me unbelieveable bad performance at the Random Write and Threaded read: ...

November 23, 2015 · solariz

Nvidia's GTX 950 - Die MOBA Karte. oh Rly?

Hey, just a heads-up that this content is based on an automatically imported version from our old CMS. If the formatting isn’t perfect, I’m sorry about that. Translation This original post is written in german 🇩🇪, a rough Translation: Nvidia markets the GTX 950 as a “MOBA card” with latency optimizations. In reality, there’s no special MOBA chip; the driver sets pre-rendered frames to 0 or 1 for popular MOBAs, reducing delay. You don’t need a new card—adjust this in the Nvidia Control Panel under Manage 3D Settings. ...

August 21, 2015 · solariz

FireTV und chinesisches Fernsehen

Hey, just a heads-up that this content is based on an automatically imported version from our old CMS. If the formatting isn’t perfect, I’m sorry about that. Translation This original post is written in german 🇩🇪, a rough Translation: Fire TV is basically an Android phone without a display, with HDMI and a good remote for €49. You can control it with adb. In many cities worldwide, TV is fully digital IPTV via Ethernet; in Germany it’s still cable/satellite. FTTH is needed; DSL 16/0.5 isn’t broadband. ...

September 28, 2014 · solariz

Technik aufräumen am Wochenende

Hey, just a heads-up that this content is based on an automatically imported version from our old CMS. If the formatting isn’t perfect, I’m sorry about that. Translation This original post is written in german 🇩🇪, a rough Translation: Finally a weekend at home; I cleaned out my tech cabinet. For sale were: PS3 80GB with games/accessories, my gaming PC (Core i7, 12GB RAM, GTX770), Fritz!Box 7390, Google Nexus 10. Update: all gone. I still have other PCs; console barely used. Found cables, old HDDs, junk for disposal. ...

September 13, 2014 · solariz

LG Ultrawide Monitor 29EA93

Hey, just a heads-up that this content is based on an automatically imported version from our old CMS. If the formatting isn’t perfect, I’m sorry about that. Translation This original post is written in german 🇩🇪, a rough Translation: Hardware review of the LG Ultrawide Monitor 29EA93 focused on gaming. 29-inch IPS panel, 2560x1080 (21:9), 67.5cm x 28.5cm, good contrast, black levels, and wide viewing angles. Many games supported 21:9 without settings; e.g., League of Legends shows more view, giving a slight tactical advantage. ...

April 14, 2013 · solariz

Genius mit Gaming Mouse

Hey, just a heads-up that this content is based on an automatically imported version from our old CMS. If the formatting isn’t perfect, I’m sorry about that. Translation This original post is written in german 🇩🇪, a rough Translation: Genius used to be known; my first beige two-button mouse was from them. Since 1986 brands like Roccat, Razer, Logitech, SteelSeries dominated. With the Genius Maurus targeting North America, they chase MadCatz. Mouse shape is subjective, software often buggy. Marketing claims: over-clocking SG Core, 21 macros, precision, 20G. ...

April 22, 2012 · solariz

Monitor LG DM2350D-PZ im Test

Hey, just a heads-up that this content is based on an automatically imported version from our old CMS. If the formatting isn’t perfect, I’m sorry about that. Translation This original post is written in german 🇩🇪, a rough Translation: I’m testing the LG DM2350D-PZ. Included: monitor, power supply, VGA cable, remote, two polarized glasses (one clip-on), two driver CDs, five manuals. TV setup is simple; menus are clear. Speakers are weak, bass-poor. Picture quality is good. As a living room TV it feels too small. Supports 2D-to-3D conversion. ...

April 18, 2012 · solariz