'No Stupid Questions' (NSQ) Internet & Technology Edition

[The Fool]

redpill me on the BSDs and why I should use them over Linux.

In terms of desktop use? Linux is better. BSD desktops pretty much just have to feed off of the scraps of whatever gets ported to it from Linux. Pretty sure it's languishing in the Great Wayland Adoption saga right now. Not even mentioning drivers. There are plenty of people who use BSDs for a desktop OS, and you should absolutely give it a try, but, there is a reason Linux users far outnumber them.
BSDs are sometimes preferable for a server operating system because they're consistent. You don't have to worry about what crazy Linux distro you're using on a given server because BSDs are pretty much all the same across all installations, because whereas Linux is just a kernel and relies on lots of third party software to be a whole OS, BSDs are a whole OS already. It's a much more pleasant experience, so much less to learn, so fewer nuances.
BSDs are also great for creating a custom OS because of the previously mentioned license. Linux is GPL, any forks you make, you must share the source of all your changes. With BSD, you can do whatever you want, make any changes, keep it closed, sell it or package it, whatever you want. The PS4 operating system is a fork of FreeBSD, even macOS/Darwin is a very old fork of FreeBSD. BSDs are much friendlier to you as a manufacturer.

Also I just want to give a shoutout to all the BSD forks. It's nothing in respect to usability, but it's just really admirable. You know how there's just the One True Linux and you have a million distros just using that? Yeah, BSD is different. There are a lot of BSD forks, like true forks. OpenBSD and DragonflyBSD hard forked off FreeBSD and totally changed the OS. BSDs actually have innovation behind them, instead of Linux where it's just literally a GUI application to generate your own Ubuntu or Fedora-based distro.

 

[Least Concern]

In terms of desktop use? Linux is better. BSD desktops pretty much just have to feed off of the scraps of whatever gets ported to it from Linux. Pretty sure it's languishing in the Great Wayland Adoption saga right now. Not even mentioning drivers. There are plenty of people who use BSDs for a desktop OS, and you should absolutely give it a try, but, there is a reason Linux users far outnumber them.

Not entirely untrue but I don't think it's that bad. The KDE project has a FreeBSD-focused SIG to help ensure KDE is a first-class product on BSD, and if you don't need all of the bells and whistles of KDE, Lumina is a decent enough DE that goes out of its way to not assume a lot of Linux-specific stuff like systemd, dbus, etc. will be installed, so ports or shims for these things aren't necessary. (Sadly it hasn't seen much activity recently - not sure if it's still alive.)

As for Wayland and the death of X, I'm not sure what FreeBSD is doing about it, but OpenBSD has long since forked X.org and are maintaining their own version of it called Xenocara (as is their custom), so they'll probably just be sticking with that for another half century or so - it will never be as flashy as what Wayland can/will be able to do but it's certain to be well-tuned for OpenBSD.

 

[Boris Blank's glass eye]

Hello Internet Today I have been playing with windows firewall and it really drains on me how everytime I want to block something with it I have to open up windows firewall and go through the whole process of adding a rule and navigating to the file location. Is there any third party firewall program or shortcut I can use to speed this up? Ideally I just want to right click a program and choose an option like "block with windows firewall". Also I already tried comodo Firewall and it was even worse.

I used ESET Internet Security on my now dead Dell laptop. The firewall always tossed pop-ups on the screen whenever any, previously unknown and unapproved application received inbound or attempted outbound communication, with options like "allow all/deny all/custom rule".
I can't remember if it had a "block in firewall" option in the context menu, I didn't really need it.

Pretty good antivirus and firewall with virtually no performance issues, however, it isn't free. $79.99 for a two year subscription at a 25% discount.

Edit: they do have a one month free trial. Try that first to see if you like it.

 

[gangweedfan]

kiwis the green light on my PSU keeps flashing and my desktop wont turn on. Is my motherboard broken or is it the PSU?

 

[5t3n0g0ph3r]

When is a question stupid?

 

[Boris Blank's glass eye]

I have received the parts, assembled them mostly alright, installed Windows 10 Pro, had some help cleaning up the build (I suck at cable management), and finally, acquired a key semi-legally. So I take my fresh new key, go to activation, and see this:

Windows is activated with a digital license linked to your Microsoft account

However, my Microsoft account is completely new, and I can't think of any reason for this message to appear.
Wat hepen & wat do? More importantly, can I trust this message?

 

[Smaug's Smokey Hole]

I have received the parts, assembled them mostly alright, installed Windows 10 Pro, had some help cleaning up the build (I suck at cable management), and finally, acquired a key semi-legally. So I take my fresh new key, go to activation, and see this:

However, my Microsoft account is completely new, and I can't think of any reason for this message to appear.
Wat hepen & wat do? More importantly, can I trust this message?

Did it resolve itself? You bought a volume license key, right?

 

[DNA_JACKED]

kiwis the green light on my PSU keeps flashing and my desktop wont turn on. Is my motherboard broken or is it the PSU?

What PSU is it? Custom built/prebuilt/OEM desktop?

Have you tried draining power from the system (unplugging from wall, hold power button down for 30 seconds) yet?

 

[Boris Blank's glass eye]

Did it resolve itself? You bought a volume license key, right?

It's still activated. Windows Update works fine, I can change the background, no nagscreens, so I'd say it did.
I have no idea how or why, though.

 

[Hotel in Minsk]

I have a laptop that I have kept entirely disorganized and have been telling myself that sooner or later I am going to back up all the data on an external drive and do a factory reset. Once I have done the reset, I will selectively choose which files on the external HDD I want to transfer to my laptop now that it's clean.

What is the most effective way to do this? Should I just transfer all the data to and from the HDD in File Explorer? Should I use the backup freeware I got with my Western Digital HDD? Am I overthinking all of this and it doesn't matter how I go about doing so?

I guess what I'm saying is I'd like to get it done this afternoon and I have about a TB of data that I don't want to take up my whole day moving back and forth. Any software you would recommend? I'd appreciate it, total fag question, I know.

 

[Least Concern]

I have a laptop that I have kept entirely disorganized and have been telling myself that sooner or later I am going to back up all the data on an external drive and do a factory reset. Once I have done the reset, I will selectively choose which files on the external HDD I want to transfer to my laptop now that it's clean.

What is the most effective way to do this? Should I just transfer all the data to and from the HDD in File Explorer? Should I use the backup freeware I got with my Western Digital HDD? Am I overthinking all of this and it doesn't matter how I go about doing so?

I guess what I'm saying is I'd like to get it done this afternoon and I have about a TB of data that I don't want to take up my whole day moving back and forth. Any software you would recommend? I'd appreciate it, total fag question, I know.

Generally speaking, yes, just using Explorer to copy files is fine. The improvements that dedicated backup tools usually include things like the ability to specify which directories to back up (or to exclude), smartly excluding directories of data that doesn't need to be backed up like cache files, "blessing" a full-disk back-up so that it's bootable, and scheduling of regular backups and/or automatic backups when you connect an external backup disk, but if you don't need any of that stuff, then yeah, you can just drag and drop your data. That being said, if I were you, I'd go ahead and use their backup tool to do a full-disk, bootable backup. Even if you don't need it, it won't hurt - and if something goes wrong with your internal disk somehow and you do need a bootable backup in the near future, you've got one.

 

[Kosher Dill]

What is the most effective way to do this? Should I just transfer all the data to and from the HDD in File Explorer? Should I use the backup freeware I got with my Western Digital HDD? Am I overthinking all of this and it doesn't matter how I go about doing so?

As Least Concern said, copying with Explorer is fine given your plans to just selectively restore files off of the backup.

However, I just want to add that if you do ever want to do something fancier, don't use whatever Chinaware came with your hard drive, use an open-source solution instead.

Clonezilla - About

 

[JektheDumbass]

What do I look for in buying an inexpensive laptop? I don't need a lot of performance (internet browsing, word processing, maybe watch some youtube), but I don't want to buy a piece of garbage or something choked with spyware like cheaper laptops tend to be.

 

[Kosher Dill]

What do I look for in buying an inexpensive laptop?

I'd say the one non-negotiable thing is 8GB or more of RAM. There are still some brands that will try to give you less on their cheapest models. Even 8 is maybe on the low side given the insane memory consumption of modern applications, but it'll be usable. Below 8, no way unless you're planning to install Linux.

Besides that, just make sure it has a screen you'll like well enough, and enough HD space.

I'm a fan of refurbished old Thinkpads, but that may or may not be your cup of tea.

 

[Boris Blank's glass eye]

What do I look for in buying an inexpensive laptop? I don't need a lot of performance (internet browsing, word processing, maybe watch some youtube), but I don't want to buy a piece of garbage or something choked with spyware like cheaper laptops tend to be.

A case you can actually open in case you want to add more RAM or just clean the insides, enough USB ports for whatever you need (keyboard/mouse) plus at least one more.
If second-hand is an option, I'd suggest getting a refurb Latitude or Thinkpad. They're well built and durable, so perfect for this kind of use.

 

[JektheDumbass]

The refurbished thinkpads seem pretty cheap, is there a downside?

 

[Stilgar of Troon]

The refurbished thinkpads seem pretty cheap, is there a downside?

Only the ones inherent to buying any second hand product. Thinkpads, particularly, are very good machines, relative to their pricing point.

 

[Stasi]

The refurbished thinkpads seem pretty cheap, is there a downside?

Agree with the others, used thinkpad is a great option. Main downside is you are buying used so always a risk of getting a lemon.

Use an old x230 as my daily driver and it meets all my needs and then some. I have linux mint on it and 8gb of ram has been plenty for browsing, multimedia and some light gaming.

I'd say a used business grade laptop is almost always better value for money than an equivalent consumer laptop. They tend to be much sturdier and usually offer good upgradeability (for a laptop). I only have experience with thinkpads so not sure about Dell, HP and others so maybe look up some reviews before making a purchase.

 

[Stilgar of Troon]

Agree with the others, used thinkpad is a great option. Main downside is you are buying used so always a risk of getting a lemon.

Use an old x230 as my daily driver and it meets all my needs and then some. I have linux mint on it and 8gb of ram has been plenty for browsing, multimedia and some light gaming.

I'd say a used business grade laptop is almost always better value for money than an equivalent consumer laptop. They tend to be much sturdier and usually offer good upgradeability (for a laptop). I only have experience with thinkpads so not sure about Dell, HP and others so maybe look up some reviews before making a purchase.

Business laptops are a solid bet 90% of the time, because (in my experience - I work in second hand electronics retail), they've rarely been used for more than the most basic of tasks.
As for brands, I repair more HP laptops (screens/keyboard faults, mostly) than I even see of any other brand, so take from that what you will. The only ones I'd actively avoid, brand-wise, are Acer (the flagship ones are okay but otherwise they're trash) and Toshiba.

 

[Smaug's Smokey Hole]

As Least Concern said, copying with Explorer is fine given your plans to just selectively restore files off of the backup.

However, I just want to add that if you do ever want to do something fancier, don't use whatever Chinaware came with your hard drive, use an open-source solution instead.

Clonezilla - About

Copying with explorer and walking away will probably mean that at some point it will all stop because there's a desktop.ini file or something else that windows wants to ask you about. Doing it with cmd or powershell is a better option. Cloning the whole drive is the best because there will always be something, somewhere, that you didn't think of copying and now it's gone.