Pi-Hole and LibreNMS Virtual Fun on the Quieter2Q Mini PC – Part 7: Proxmox or VirtualBox?

📅 August 18, 2022
“Which runs better on the Quieter2Q Mini PC: Proxmox or VirtualBox?”

This little project of running Pi-Hole and LibreNMS inside their own virtual machines on the Quieter2Q mini PC has been fun and interesting. Often, what looks good on paper does not always perform in the real world as expected despite best efforts, and this is one example.

After completely installing VirtualBox and Proxmox separately and using each VMM (Virtual Machine Monitor) individually for some time with the Quieter2Q, I have witnessed quirks and odd operation.

What is the best option: VirtualBox, Proxmox, or use the real hardware directly without any VMs?

Here are my conclusions after extended real-world usage of this dandy little project.

DROP Alt Custom Keyboard and Linux

📅 August 9, 2022
“I want to customize my keyboard even more!”

So, young keyboard apprentice, you have graduated from the flimsy membrane keyboard bundled with your system to a colorful Ducky with mechanical switches? You say you have added O-rings and lubed a few switches here and there? You might have even added some sound dampening foam and greased a few stabilizers, right?

Are you left with more curiosity and wondering, “What else is possible in the world of keyboard modding?”

If so, then you have barely peered into the horizon of the New Keyboard World because there is plenty more that can be achieved in search of keyboard perfection and customization. Having a great-sounding and great-feeling keyboard improves the Linux typing experience profoundly, so this is a worthwhile endeavor.

The next step is to construct your own keyboard from parts in order to fine-tune every aspect of your new keyboard wonder. In other words, you get to do what Chinese factory workers normally do, only you get to pay a premium for the privilege of doing their work for them.

Custom keyboard building can become very expensive, very fast, but you get to choose exactly what you want and how you want it. One entry-level approach into keyboard building is made possible with the DROP Alt barebones keyboard kit. This is a 65% partially-assembled keyboard that allows you to install your own switches and keycaps.

I had the opportunity to try this out for myself, and I am pleased. Is the DROP Alt compatible with Linux? Oh, yes it is! Here are my thoughts about this keyboard kit.

Vansuny 128G USB and Linux

📅 August 8, 2022

“Van…sun…what?”

USB sticks are handy devices to have on hand, but too many of them are constructed of flimsy plastic, have movable plastic pieces or mechanisms that can break, or awkward shapes or designs.

Needing a simple USB stick without any of that — something that just works in the simplest way possible, which is actually rare to find — I encountered the Vansuny 128G USB stick and decided to give it a try!

Yes, this is a brand that looks like it screams “I am a generic, no-name, underperforming underachiever swimming with toddlers in the kiddie pool,” but does it work with Linux? Is it bad, good, or passable? How fast are the read/write speeds? Feeling adventurous, I bought one for myself to find out if this is trash or treasure.

Here are my results.