Marx train sizes
Over the years, Marx made electric and clockwork trains in no fewer than seven sizes. Depending on how you count, you can say it was more than that. Here’s an overview of what they made. Joy Line....
View ArticleRepair a Marx reverse unit
When it comes to Marx repairs, the reverse unit is the end of the innocence. Motor repairs are rather easy; reverse unit repair can be as hard as you want it to be. I’ll share some things I do that...
View ArticlePodcasts I listen to
Yesterday, after reading a post in which I cautioned about a popular security podcast, someone asked me what podcasts I do listen to. I wrote this up a long time ago and never posted it for some...
View ArticleSolve the Java problem
I met with a client earlier this week who asked me to go over their vulnerability scans for a bit of a sanity check. He asked some important questions, but one in particular seems worth sharing. What...
View ArticleC64 vs. Apple II
The C64 vs. Apple II was perhaps the most epic battle of the 8-bit era. Both companies sold millions of machines, yet both nearly went out of business in the process. Comparing the two machines with...
View ArticleMy first blog post for Qualys
A chance conversation with a Qualys customer a few weeks ago veered off topic really fast, but it led to another conversation, which caught a manager’s attention and led to my first blog post for...
View ArticleCommodore C64 vs C128
The Commodore 128 was introduced in 1985 as an upgrade path from the Commodore 64, the most popular model of computer of all time. The 128 was intended to address the biggest shortcomings of the 64...
View ArticleGary Kildall’s death investigation
I was selling computers at retail when I heard of Gary Kildall’s death. We had a few copies of Wordstar for Windows and someone asked about it. I said it was easier to remember the keyboard shortcuts...
View ArticleDigiland DL718M tablet: a review
The Digiland DL718M tablet is an inexpensive (sub-$40) tablet sold at consumer electronics stores like Best Buy. Make no mistake, it’s a basic tablet for basic needs. But given reasonable expectations...
View ArticlePros and cons of RightTrack or SnapShot devices
Insurance companies are starting to offer discounts if you plug one of their devices, often called a RightTrack or SnapShot, into your car’s ODB2 port. One of my college buddies asked me about them...
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