octobob
@octobob@lemmy.ml
- Comment on Data Centers Turn to Aviation Engines for Power Solutions 2 days ago:
Some of the biggest data centers are pushing 100 megawatts. When I worked on the solar farms out west, an entire industrial site would be around 200-400 megawatts.
For context, those sites would be powering entire towns. The Blythe mesa solar project is over 2,000 acres of solar panels. It’s bigger than the town. Quite a bit of Las Vegas is ran on solar.
It’s not quite as simple as just sticking panels on the roof of the data center. It also needs to be reliable enough to store the energy so it’s available at night when the sun is down. This is still one of solar’s biggest hurdles.
- Comment on Data Centers Turn to Aviation Engines for Power Solutions 2 days ago:
They fired up an old decommissioned nuke plant in Eastern Pennsylvania to power a Microsoft data center
- Comment on Microsoft wants you to talk to your PC and let AI control it 1 week ago:
Or you can just as easily install a Linux distro, because that’s all steamOS is but slightly game-ified. If anything you’d probably have a better desktop experience with a distro built with that in mind.
- Comment on How do you secure your home lab? Like, physically? From thieves? 3 weeks ago:
There never used to be tornadoes in my area. Now there are. With climate change, anything’s possible!
- Comment on FFS Plex, the server is on my local network 3 weeks ago:
My friends don’t have it set up. Some of them are friends of friends, and people I don’t talk to regularly. I’m not going to try and convert them. It’s also a bit more complicated via tailscale or VPN reverse proxies and Plex “just werks”. If there’s anything beyond just installing an app and clicking an invite, a bunch of people who use my library are going to have a hard time. Like my dad, he’s pushing 70.
I’m also not even sure if people I share with have means of installing. My one friend who uses my library a lot does it through a Samsung TV. That involves sideloading the app to install jellyfin.
Lastly, like I said, music. Plexamp is one of my #1 used apps. There’s a lot that goes into that beyond just being able to play media. It curates playlists depending on what you just listened to or gives you similar artists, similar to how Spotify makes a “radio” after playing something.
- Comment on FFS Plex, the server is on my local network 4 weeks ago:
Something that’s getting glossed over in these comments is the ability to easily watch or listen to friends’ media.
I have my own library with about 1k movies, a bunch of anime and TV, and 10k albums. But I have like 6 or 7 friends with libraries even larger. My one friend has 37k albums, they all have thousands of movies I never even heard of, etc. It really makes it like my own mini streaming service, and I love throwing on a huge music library on shuffle via plexamp while driving to/from work.
I paid like $70 for a lifetime pass years ago, so I’m along for the ride I guess. I really rely on the music aspect of it, I haven’t had a spotify subscription in like 7 gears.
I know they changed a lot lately, and particularly what pisses me off is how vague and intentionally obfuscate how their model works now. I have friends that for years used my library, and recently have been like “I saw Plex started charging now so I stopped using it” and I have to be like “no it’s still free because I have a lifetime pass”. It’s definitely just to trick people into getting monthly subscriptions.
- Comment on Microsoft announces it will automatically install the Copilot AI app alongside desktop versions of 365 products like Word, Excel and PowerPoint this October 4 weeks ago:
The worst is the stranglehold windows has in the professional world. Shit I’m not even an office worker and I have to deal with ads and now AI just working in the shop and using a PC for Outlook, Excel, Word, etc.
Adobe has been getting really bad too. I shouldn’t have to close like 4 different banners, popups, involuntary AI “summary” suggestions every time I open a PDF. The literal only thing I open on adobe is electrical schematics. It doubt it could summarize drawings exported from AutoCAD and even if it could, why would I even want that? I need to test panels, not have something tell me “this is a schematic”
- Comment on What is the difference between pansexual, bisexual, and omnisexual? How do I know which one I am? 5 weeks ago:
Does it matter?
When I was a teenager, I used to think I was straight. Now in my 30s, I know I only like men. I’ve been with the same partner for 10 years. At some point I guess I stopped being attracted to women or wanting to pursue a romantic relationship with them. It didn’t happen overnight.
Meeting the right person changed something for me. I wouldn’t get too hung up on labels. Date whoever you want.
- Comment on Hollow Knight: Silksong is out now on Steam - and it broke Steam servers for 15 minutes and counting now 1 month ago:
I bought it on humble because steam was broken. They ran out of keys shortly after I purchased it, had to wait a few hours until they restocked them. They temporarily took silksong off their store during this time.
So gog might be the only one that wasn’t broke
- Comment on Spotify fans threaten to return to piracy as music streamer introduces new face-scanning age checks in the UK 2 months ago:
Soulseek
- Comment on Spotify fans threaten to return to piracy as music streamer introduces new face-scanning age checks in the UK 2 months ago:
Already did this ages ago. Been building a collection for decades now. I’m pushing about 10k albums on the NAS. Haven’t had spotify since like 2018
- Comment on Japan sets new internet speed world record — 4 million times faster than average US speeds 2 months ago:
Where the hell are you getting 10Gbps for $50/mo? I’m paying $95/mo for 1Gbps
- Comment on Japan sets new internet speed world record — 4 million times faster than average US speeds 2 months ago:
I got some news for you about Australia then.
- Comment on Reddit users in the UK must now upload selfies to access NSFW subreddits 2 months ago:
I’m nowhere near as worried about this for kink stuff as I am about us LGBTQ living in the US.
- Comment on What would you do in this scenario? 3 months ago:
Call the utility company
- Comment on What would you do in this scenario? 3 months ago:
Fuck no. I’m an electrician and wouldn’t do that. A nick could be under that birds nest and you’d never see it. Call the utility company. They’ll take care of this.
- Comment on Battlefront II is currently at 3,99€, offers ends on the 10th of July 3 months ago:
Some folks on here said they have problems with the EA launcher on Linux. Is the steam deck different or did you just work around it?
- Comment on 'Xbox Hardware Is Dead,' Says Founding Team Member, 'It Looks Like Xbox Has No Desire — Or Literally Can't — Ship Hardware Anymore' - IGN 3 months ago:
Yeah, just like PS2 and the DVD player built in. Being able to play movies up in my bedroom as an 11 year old was amazing. It was also the most cost effective way to buy something that could play DVDs and the cutting edge games at the time. There’s a reason why the PS2 remains the best selling console of all time
- Comment on 'Technofascist military fantasy': Spotify faces boycott calls over CEO’s investment in AI military startup 3 months ago:
It requires a bit more effort but Soulseek has been around for years. I build my own music library from P2P or buying on Bandcamp. It all goes on my NAS and I stream it via Plexamp. I have my own library, my fiance’s, a few friend’s on there. I’m pushing 10k albums at this point.
I know I used to have an adblocked version of Spotify on my phone for convenience sake but I think they finally caught on and killed that. The AUR version still works for me however. I haven’t had a Spotify subscription since probably like 2018.
- Comment on [deleted] 3 months ago:
When I went to Australia, it was cheaper to stay a few days in Tahiti. I got a cheap room, kind of like an air bnb, it hosted like 4 guest rooms with a very nice garden and the guy made a very good breakfast each day. I got a rental car and drove all around the island, went for a couple hikes, went to the public beaches, ate fresh seafood and very good french coffee and food. My roaming wasn’t working so I kinda just went at the whole thing blind. I couldn’t read anything because I don’t speak French, and directions were easy since there’s just one main road that goes around in a circle on the island. Driving a manual Suzuki Swift was fun as hell, way uhh “looser” of a car than I’m used to in the states.
Overall though, I had a great time in Tahiti. It’s beautiful and everyone there is very laid back and friendly. I saw a couple resorts there with private beaches and cruise ships and I could not imagine a worse way to experience French polynesia. I cannot understand the mindset of people on their honeymoons that are terrified to leave their perfectly curated hotel experience or whatever. When I travel I want to travel and see as much as I can of how things really are and how people live, eat, etc
- Comment on What are ways to independently make a few bucks on the side? 3 months ago:
Just started wiring houses on the side with an old friend. He works for himself with one apprentice. My electrical career is basically 100% industrial, other than random stuff like this
30/hr cash, I can work nights and weekends, make some extra cash and it helps him out. This is on top of my full time job, which usually requires overtime and traveling around the country to different industrial sites and steel mills.
I enjoy the work. I like being physically active and learning and using my brain.
- Comment on [deleted] 3 months ago:
My house got broken into while we were homes. My roommate chased him down the street with a big hunting knife. No way he’s coming back after that. I didn’t see the need to report it to the police. For whatever that’s worth.
- Comment on Why are American cops allowed to be morbidly obese? 4 months ago:
I live in Pittsburgh and there are literally no cops on duty from like 3-5 AM or something. We haven’t had a police chief in years, and I never see cops unless there’s a violent crime or a car accident or overdose. You can kinda do whatever you want in terms of traffic laws. I’ve never even heard of someone getting a traffic ticket in the city, and most times if you’re actually goin the speed limit you’re a hazard that isn’t following the flow of traffic. Completely different story in the suburbs outside the city.
It kinda rules not gonna lie.
- Comment on If we replace most plastic with a non plastic alternative and would that really be better? 4 months ago:
I’m at a hotel right now and every single coffee cup is wrapped in plastic. It’s just like… why? There isn’t even a logical reason for it. If anything it costs more to individually wrap paper cups. Is it to appease germaphobes? You don’t even put your mouth on that part, and the lids are unwrapped.
- Comment on Brazing Copper Plumbing Pipe? 4 months ago:
PEX has a lifespan of 50+ years. Copper pipes have a lifespan of about 70. Both are permanent solutions.
They have the pros and cons. Both can freeze, but only copper pipes will actually burst. PEX never will. PEX offers way better flexibility and less joints, and easier connections (you literally just crimp it).
It’s your house but I wouldn’t be so quick to knock PEX. I did a whole new bathroom with it. Only thing I’d say to stay far far away from us CPVC. Avoid that shit like the plague as it’s basically a ticking time bomb
- Comment on Day 316 of posting a Daily Screenshot from the games l've been playing 4 months ago:
I could not get fable 2 to launch at all on xenia on Arch. I didn’tolk further into it yet though, honestly I’m not sure if I can get any game to launch
- Comment on Why do people care so much that their friend or family member’s partner is attractive and not just loving? 4 months ago:
Two gay men can’t make a da baby, and the gays can be very into their looks and physical attraction.
Speaking from experience as a gay man
- Comment on [deleted] 5 months ago:
Do people actually put all these meaningless buzz words? I wouldn’t put any of this crap because they are all just the base standard of having a professional career except adding way too much fluff.
When I touched up my resume in 2023 (last time I looked for a job) I honestly was struggling to compact as much technical skills and experience as I could and even had to leave some stuff out. The only point that was this type of stuff I put on there was like “maintained own schedule and communication via email” even though my current job requires a lot of emails and “office level” work now.
This might be anecdotal and specific to my field to be honest. I’m an industrial electrician with 10 years experience. But to be fair, I applied to 12 places in 2023 (I was picky about applying), got 3 interviews, one was no offer, the other pay was too low, third I accepted
- Comment on With the recent happenings with Synology/Plex, I’ve decided it’s time to make the move and up my self-hosting game, just need some input from the veterans to solidify my plan and put it into action. 5 months ago:
A few suggestions:
Going from a 4 bay to a 6 bay is not that big of a jump. Especially if you are already at 95% full, you’re gonna fill up those other two drives quick. I used to have a 4 bay little off-brand NAS I found on eBay. I sold it and upgraded to a 14 bay rosewill 4U rack-mounted chassis. For parts I just repurposed some old PC parts and bought a few open box ones. The chassis is like $139 but I suggest getting better rails as the rosewill ones can be kinda crappy. You’d be amazed how quickly storage can fill up and accumulate, so plan for the future.
I also glanced at the NAS you listed, and it’s $1000. You can build something way more customizable with way more storage capabilities for like 1/3 of the cost of that. Was there a reason you wanted to go with this one? Generally it seems to be selling the software that comes with it, and “AI” which… I’m not sure what the idea of that is with it being a data storage device.
Which brings me to my next point, I would highly suggest unRAID for an operating system. Reason being is you said that the idea of constantly adding to your pool and being flexible with sizes and different types of drives appeals to you. This is unRAID’s bread and butter. Throw one large drive in there as your parity, and whatever other random drives you want (different sizes, brands, whatever) are your pool and they are all protected in case of a failure.
It may be controversial in a FOSS sense, but unRAID does have a one-time license fee. I paid like $80 four years ago. Worth it for how easy and configurable the software is, but it’s still Linux at its core so if you want to get your hands dirty all it takes is one click and you’re in the shell or spinning up VM’s and of course docker for your “core” software. Just don’t overspend on a crazy M.2 SSD for your cache disk or a high capacity one. I promise you don’t need the best one to load Plex thumbnails .001 seconds faster. Whether this is better than the prepackaged Zima OS is up to you.
- Comment on 30% of South Korean schools have adopted AI-powered digital textbooks since the country's education ministry began a full-scale rollout in March 2025 5 months ago:
Yeah. I work for a company that builds the electrical systems for cooling Amazon’s AWS servers in data centers and we are trying to keep up with orders as best we can. They just want more more more, so much that we’re storing them in another warehouse because we don’t have the room here.
They’re projecting orders all the way into 2035 currently.