R.L. Dane    šŸµ Mar 4
Oh man, the #MacbookNeo is giving me pre-unibody 2008 #Macbook vibes. RESIIIIISST!!! ā€” #microblogging #MicroToot: 84 characters
Show threadBad Opinion GuyMar 5

@rl_dane

Let me help you:
_$700 for 8GB of non upgradeable RAM_

That said, love the idea of fun and friendly machines coming back. Really looking forward to the death of depressing grey monoliths.

Show threadMoses IzumiMar 5
@OpenComputeDesign @rl_dane
Yeah, at that point you might as well be using a phone/tablet in a docking station as your primary computer.

Every time I look at the CrowView et. al. I think about building a more opinionated version of the same thing.
- battery bank (ATX PSU, USB-PD)
- a VESA mount behind the screen, to hold some little office PC
- drive bays
- swappable keyboards
- expresscard over thunderbolt(!)

Speaking of fun and friendly computers: how are your homemade ITX cases going?
Show threadBad Opinion GuyMar 5

@moses_izumi @rl_dane

Currently a bit stalled while I try to find a good source of small form factor power supplies that aren't absolutely terrible but also don't cost three times what I would consider reasonable

Show threadMoses IzumiMar 5
@OpenComputeDesign @rl_dane
I had the same problem looking for a 100-245 watt USB powerbank: both of the ones I'd settled on reportedly overheat at max output.
Show threadMoses IzumiMar 5
@OpenComputeDesign @rl_dane
ExpressCard seems to be dead, but the MXM format for GPUs is still kicking.
Actually considered getting an Elitebook 8560w just for that, power efficiency be damned.
Show threadBad Opinion GuyMar 5

@moses_izumi @rl_dane

Expresscard was so underutilized šŸ˜­

Everyone raving about how incredible thunderbolt is, when expresscard was that, plus it let expansions fit inside the machine! Who needs external expansion when you have internal expansion you don't have to unplug every time you move your laptop???

Show threadR.L. Dane    šŸµ Mar 5

@OpenComputeDesign @moses_izumi

Press "F" to pay respects to laptop card slots.

Show threadBad Opinion GuyMar 5

@rl_dane @moses_izumi

I will never forgive humanity for this.

Show threadR.L. Dane    šŸµ Mar 5

@OpenComputeDesign @moses_izumi

* laughs, then weeps uncontrollably in "all you need is one or two USB-C ports, RIGHT?"

Show threadkabel42Mar 5
@rl_dane @OpenComputeDesign @moses_izumi those can have a pcie lane now :)
Show threadR.L. Dane    šŸµ Mar 5

@kabel42 @OpenComputeDesign @moses_izumi

I know, I know it's crazy fast and capable. It's just kinda... meh. ;)

Gimme full USB-A. Gimme SD (not micro). Gimme card slots. XD

...heck, GIMME A TRACKBALL, FtLoG! (For the Love of God)

Show threadBad Opinion GuyMar 5

@rl_dane @kabel42 @moses_izumi

USB-C is in the top three worst designed connector of all time tbh. And it's a _very_ fierce competition, so that's saying a lot.

Show threadR.L. Dane    šŸµ Mar 5

@OpenComputeDesign @kabel42 @moses_izumi

What're the other two?

At least it's easy to insert, and reversible.

Would you rather CENTRONIX?!? XD

Show threadBad Opinion GuyMar 5

@rl_dane @kabel42 @moses_izumi

Yo even miniUSB is better.

Micro USB is of course one of the other two. I forget what the third one is at the moment

Show threadkabel42Mar 5
@OpenComputeDesign @rl_dane @moses_izumi 3.5mm and 2.5mm audio jack, making all the connection during pluging and unpluging and i've killed so many headphone cables...
Show threadBad Opinion GuyMar 5

@kabel42 @rl_dane @moses_izumi

I don't understand what you're saying?

Show threadkabel42
@OpenComputeDesign @rl_dane @moses_izumi this is evil garbage and the worst connector
Phone connector (audio) - Wikipedia

Mar 5 at 6:36pmWeb
Show threadBad Opinion GuyMar 5

@kabel42 @rl_dane @moses_izumi

Oh, well, too be fair, TRRS jacks sucking is all apple's fault.

Show threadR.L. Dane    šŸµ Mar 5

@OpenComputeDesign @kabel42 @moses_izumi

Ever saw TRRRS video cables? Those were a trip. XD

My PSOne used it, and I got an adapter so I could plug in a "broken" VCR to use as a cable TV tuner circa 2001.

So, I spent a couple years watching TV on a 5" LCD.

I miss the eyes of my youth. XD

Show threadBad Opinion GuyMar 5

@rl_dane @kabel42 @moses_izumi

I have many. The trouble with TRRS jacks is really that (again, largely thanks to Apple) no one can agree if the ground should be the last ring (duhhhhhhhh) or the second to last ring (genuinely what the _fuck_ Apple??)

Show threadkabel42Mar 5
@OpenComputeDesign @rl_dane @moses_izumi I've seen devices use those as serial interface and the handbook tells you to never plug/unplug the thing while the device is powered or you short the powersupply šŸ„³
Show threadBad Opinion GuyMar 5

@kabel42 @rl_dane @moses_izumi

Well, I'll admit, using a shorting connector for a short sensitive application is stupid. It's all about the right connector for the job. USB-C just claims to be suitable for all jobs when it's actually suitable for none.

Show threadkabel42Mar 5
@OpenComputeDesign @rl_dane @moses_izumi it's pretty nice as a docking station connector
Show threadBad Opinion GuyMar 5

@kabel42 @rl_dane @moses_izumi

HAAAARRRRDDDDD disagree :)

Show threadkabel42Mar 5
@OpenComputeDesign @rl_dane @moses_izumi altough i would prefer something the size of usb-a, but reversible. Or something like usb-b that has a clear insertion direction
Show threadBad Opinion GuyMar 5

@kabel42 @rl_dane @moses_izumi

I'd like a connector that didn't result in shorted type A ports and "plugged in (discharging)" :P

Show threadR.L. Dane    šŸµ Mar 5

@kabel42 @OpenComputeDesign @moses_izumi

USB-B was underappreciated.

Devices (specifically, USB-guest devices) with USB-A ports are especially evil.

My very first (2000) digital camera/webcam had a USB-A port.

I've seen something else with it a little more recently, but can't remember what it was.

Show threadkabel42Mar 5
@rl_dane @OpenComputeDesign @moses_izumi I have a TV-Box that has a OTG on a A port so you need an illegal A-A cable to update the firmware
Show threadkabel42Mar 5
@rl_dane @OpenComputeDesign @moses_izumi do you remember micro-USB-AB?
Show threadBad Opinion GuyMar 5
@kabel42 @rl_dane @moses_izumi I do, yeah XD
Show threadR.L. Dane    šŸµ Mar 5

@kabel42 @OpenComputeDesign @moses_izumi

I think I've seen micro USB-A exactly once.

Oh, my tablet has it.

Show threadkabel42Mar 5
@rl_dane @OpenComputeDesign @moses_izumi I think my google Nexus S has micro-AB, I've never seen micro-A
Show threadR.L. Dane    šŸµ Mar 5

@kabel42 @OpenComputeDesign @moses_izumi

Is A-A actually illegal according to the USB spec?

Show threadkabel42Mar 5
@rl_dane @OpenComputeDesign @moses_izumi yes, only A-B (and C to everything i guess)
Show threadBad Opinion GuyMar 5

@kabel42 @rl_dane @moses_izumi

The USB protocol was just so absolutely _not_ ready for C-C in my experience XD

Show threadBad Opinion GuyMar 5

@rl_dane @kabel42 @moses_izumi

I'm 99% sure it's 100% illegal

Show threadBad Opinion GuyMar 5

@rl_dane @kabel42 @moses_izumi

Having A and B connectors is absolutely essential to the way USB works. It's such a shame how fast everyone forgot that.

Although, tbh, woulda been absolutely _fantastic_ if USB was peer to peer, like all the protocols it replaced.

Daily reminder that Universal Serial Bus is
_NOT A BUS_ btw

Show threadkabel42Mar 5
@OpenComputeDesign @rl_dane @moses_izumi yeah, firewire 400 vs 100 mbit/s ethernet felt so fast :)
Show threadR.L. Dane    šŸµ Mar 5

@OpenComputeDesign @kabel42 @moses_izumi

How is it not a bus?

Yeah, firewire was peer-to-peer. Superior in a lot of ways.

Show threadBad Opinion GuyMar 5

@rl_dane @kabel42 @moses_izumi

PCI-E is also not a bus, btw

A bus lets you connect multiple things to the same set of data lines. USB (And PCI-E) need hubs and stuff, which are not something true buses need

Show threadkabel42Mar 5
@OpenComputeDesign @rl_dane @moses_izumi now i want my next notebook to have these connectors for 10Base-T1S Ethernet :)
PCB terminal block (2606-1102) | WAGO

PCB terminal block; lever; 6 mmĀ²; Pin spacing 7.5 mm; 2-pole; Push-in CAGE CLAMPĀ®; gray (4066966395013) | WAGO

Show threadR.L. Dane    šŸµ Mar 5

@OpenComputeDesign @kabel42 @moses_izumi

I mean, it's a pretty broad term, though. Primary residential power connections are called buses.

Show threadBad Opinion GuyMar 5

@rl_dane @kabel42 @moses_izumi

Well, as I understand it, early ethernet, for example, _is_ a bus, and modern ethernet, _isn't_

Show threadkabel42Mar 5
@OpenComputeDesign @rl_dane @moses_izumi the coax variants are a bus, most tp isn't, 10BASE-T1S/L are an exception
Show threadBad Opinion GuyMar 5

@kabel42 @rl_dane @moses_izumi

Exactly, yeah

Show threadkabel42Mar 5
@rl_dane @OpenComputeDesign @moses_izumi because all the P1/P2/P3/N/PE are connected together and not switched
Show threadR.L. Dane    šŸµ Mar 5

@kabel42 @OpenComputeDesign @moses_izumi

The 2nd and later gen iPod Shuffle used TRRS as a USB port. XD

Show threadBad Opinion GuyMar 5

@rl_dane @kabel42 @moses_izumi

Friggin apple :P

Show threadkabel42Mar 5
@rl_dane @OpenComputeDesign @moses_izumi someone at apple is allergic to actually implementing standards and good electrical engineering?
Show threadBad Opinion GuyMar 5
@kabel42 @rl_dane @moses_izumi Everyone at apple, I think :P
Show threadkabel42Mar 5
@rl_dane @OpenComputeDesign @moses_izumi the usb (A) connector was an example at university for good desing because it mechanically ensures power and ground make good connection before the datalines make contact
Show threadBad Opinion GuyMar 5

@kabel42 @rl_dane @moses_izumi

Fun fact: the type C connector mechanically ensures the power and ground pins are shorted together on the type A connector when you try to do a reach-around plug and forget that the Type A and Type C connectors are right next together

Show threadR.L. Dane    šŸµ Mar 5

@kabel42 @OpenComputeDesign @moses_izumi

I only wish USB A had beveled edges on both ends.

That would've made life so much easier.

Show threadR.L. Dane    šŸµ Mar 5

@kabel42 @OpenComputeDesign @moses_izumi

I mean, it was either that, or come up with a proprietary connector for both data and audio.

Oh wait, that's lightning. XD