Would be good if computers had physical boot configuration switches, so you could just flick it to setting A or B when turning on, and remove the need to have any startup delay.

Whatever you set the delay to it will invariably be either far too long, or 1 second too short. Sometimes even at the same time.

Whilst we're in the mood for talking tech, I need some recommendations.

I need a new iron. What's good? What's not?

How far do you need to hit?

Got my other 18.04 issue (netatalk) solved by following compile/make/install instructions for 16.10 (apparently 16.04 is too old, go figure). Yay me.  :-O~~~

http://netatalk.sourceforge.net/wiki/index.php/Install_Netatalk_3.1.11_on_Ubuntu_16.10_Yakkety

From the tumble dryer to the wardrobe.

Ooh, that's tough. I would use a 9.

Just did a drive-by the usual discount suspects, and I can't touch that here. May still end up doing an own build from new parts.

https://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA9V25TC3366

What's good: wearing stuff that doesn't need ironing
What's bad: ironing.

New clothes don't need ironing!

We are in the middle of watching "Once Upon A Time In America", a 4-hour Sergio Leone gangsta extravaganza.  :-|

 

I've got that film and only made it all the way through once. James Wood's performance is good though.

We're watching the "directors cut extended version", which has discarded scenes restored from assorted damaged/unfinished takes. A bit jarring but the story has continuity.

Pricing out a component build since the refurb thang ain't working for me. Here's what I'm looking at:

Nominal budget: $500. Already got: 1TB HDD, 750W PSU, Case [-ish]

$69 MSI 760GMA-P34FX mutherboard https://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813144119
- refurb!
- apparently can run XP!
$75 Athlon X4-950 (3.5G) CPU https://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819113456
- allegedly this model is only a year on the market
- 65w (!)
- believe it or not, out-benchmarks an FX-4300 (3.8G X4 w/ double the cache)
$156 16G (2x8) DDR3
$90 R7-250 2G GPU https://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127763
- seriously clobbers similar-priced GT-730 models in benchmarks

What's bad: this stuff's already obsolete
What's good: this stuff's already obsolete
(I /always/ buy obsolete)

Potential future expansion(s): SSD, GPU, CPU (but memory's maxed out)

I reckon it would do me for ~5-10 years

SSD prices have been crashing over the last few weeks, you should absolutely get one as your main system drive. There is no other upgrade comparable to the speed increase you'll get with an SSD.

Are they free? 'cause already got = free.

I believe you, but it snot in the budget ATM.

As you're someone who uses Linux, do you game on Linux?
Always used to hear nvidia is better on Linux (using the official driver and not nouveau)

Also why I used nvidia because I knew it would "just work", or as close as Linux gets to just working.

Even the one I bought last week has already come down in price.

No, I don't game on Linux... haven't really had any problems with free radeon drivers in the past though I understand some of the latest gpus aren't well supported, pretty sure the R7 is ok.

Not seen anything with that spec on sale here for any price.