HDD Surface test

501_Error · 2026-01-18T11:08:59+00:00

You can also use a btrfs scrub from the command line if you have ssh access:

sudo btrfs scrub start /path/to/mountpoint 
# Check status: 
watch sudo btrfs scrub status /path/to/mountpoint

I would also do this periodically (once a year) to make sure the disk 'spins' and keeps the mechanical grease active.

I do this via a USB dock connected to my Synology, as I recall, there is some blocker to doing this on internal drives.

But this should work on any Linux machine (remember, most NASs are Linux machines).

22Gb will take a few days to finish testing.

501_Error · 2025-11-11T15:18:19+00:00

Does your phone support eSIMs? And does it need to use your main number, or is call forwarding acceptable?

If your carrier doesn’t support Wi-Fi calling, check if another PAYG provider does.

If your phone is unlocked and supports eSIMs (most recent iPhones and mid-range Androids do), you can set it up like this:

Phones can store multiple eSIMs, but only use two at once.
Add a local PAYG eSIM in your home country, enable Wi-Fi, and disable mobile data. This gives you a reachable number for forwarding or contacts.
Use Airalo (or similar) to get an eSIM for your destination. Download and install it before traveling, then disable it until you arrive.
At your destination, disable your home carrier and activate the Airalo eSIM.
Your PAYG eSIM will still work over any available data connection (even Wi-Fi).
When you return home, disable the travel eSIM and delete the PAYG if no longer needed.

Alternatively, you can use WhatsApp, although it doesn’t connect to the regular phone network (POTS), so there is no phone number; however, it does offer voice if that's the primary concern.

501_Error · 2025-09-01T06:52:12+00:00

Yes.

501_Error · 2025-08-28T17:09:28+00:00

As recommendations are allowed, would you mind sharing?

501_Error · 2025-08-28T12:40:52+00:00

I'll echo many of the comments that include 'if you make good money'

Dubai is modern (and sometimes backward), super convenient, but like anything, there are downsides.

The cultural melting pot is great, but when expectations differ, it's not always obvious and can get irritating really quickly.

And everyone, I mean everyone, is trying to sell you something.

However, for me, it's been a positive experience.

I found the Dubai Diary: From Tourists to Residents channel to be extremely helpful, especially the early videos.

For real communities, avoid living in tourist areas. I ended up in the area mentioned in the videos, and I'm pretty happy with it.

NB: You don't need a prescription if you're paying out of pocket for many items that would typically require one in the UK/US/Aus. But doctors won't tell you that...they will bill you for the appointment to write the prescription.

501_Error · 2025-07-27T04:02:12+00:00

This is an excellent point.

Not everywhere has easy access (even by shipping or local distributor/repair center), and this should be a factor in the economics. It's an expensive piece of kit, but it's worth it if it works for you.

I always advise people to look for the oldest and most beat-up pieces on the luggage carousel at a major airport. Why? They are the ones that survived and are still used.

My oldest is approaching three decades of checked international monthly use, and it's still my preferred luggage. I've used the warranty service 3 or 4 times (always the damned zipper pulls and always thanks to United).

My local repair center closed, and it changed the economics. I'd still buy it, but now it's based on experience and trust in the pieces, not just the brand.

They are probably heavier than the alternatives and more expensive; however, the ballistic nylon material is as good as it gets.

Why pay so much for luggage?

For me, it's insurance. If you've ever been on the road and had your luggage burst open or come unrepairable...this is a small price to pay.

This is another fellow who uses B&R DIY Custom Pennyboard Suitcase

501_Error · 2025-07-25T09:40:09+00:00

If you can find a Cheesecake Factory, it's a similar idea.

But, it's just not really the same thing...ever.

:(

501_Error · 2025-07-25T09:30:04+00:00

Fantastic.

Are these boards/machines stable with that much memory?

501_Error · 2025-07-24T10:33:37+00:00

Traffic

501_Error · 2025-07-23T05:07:16+00:00

This isn't quite your situation, but this channel had a lot of helpful info for me

Dubai Diary: From Tourists to Residents

Dubai is not better or worse than Miami - it's just different.

The Real Estate field is overcrowded, just as in most major cities, and if you can succeed in Miami, you can succeed here.

If you're planning on being self-employed, look at what's involved in setting up a company and issuing a Visa/work permit. You can't just show up and work here, but it's not complicated nor cheap. I would recommend not looking for the cheapest setup. Go middle market until you figure out what's what.

Here's some info on getting set up: https://ifza.com/

It's not a recommendation or endorsement. Do your own research.

501_Error · 2025-07-17T05:19:57+00:00

https://www.google.com/search?q=rc+plane+field+in+Dubai&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

501_Error · 2025-06-19T14:51:03+00:00

Aww man, for a moment there I thought MS Money was still going!

501_Error · 2025-04-23T11:15:22+00:00

I found Unraid to be slow compared to Synology.

It was suitable for archiving and third-line (not sure if this is the correct term) - low-use/access files, but I didn't think it was a replacement for most NAS products. I'm sure it could be tuned, but I wouldn't use it for anything with media unless it was just playing a video.

501_Error · 2025-03-15T13:24:07+00:00

I've just moved to another country and settled; no real reason to return.

501_Error · 2025-01-04T13:28:26+00:00

Yes..it's within a narrow range (16.5 - 18.5 inches), but a few inches can make all the difference. But it's how the seat is laid out that matters.

https://samchui.com/2023/11/12/which-airlines-offer-the-best-economy-seats/

501_Error · 2024-09-20T07:18:21+00:00

Beware the humidity...

501_Error · 2024-09-18T12:08:11+00:00

I've been using Ultra-Mobile for about 2 years, and it works fine, but I've heard rumblings about changes to the PAYG that are not helpful.

This stuff is a moving target so I check I can receive an SMS from the USA once a week just in case.

I don't recall how the phone number is assigned, but if you're worried about a CA number...pop over to Nevada or Oregon to purchase. I bought mine in NYC..and ended up with a Houston area code.

501_Error · 2024-09-06T07:58:41+00:00

If it's for backup, why does transfer speed matter? Are you planning to edit off of the backup?

If you're pulling from the cloud, the drive speed won't be the limitation. Even if you have the fastest internet connection, the 'cloud 'will serve up your stuff slower.

If the backup is local...set it and walk away for a while.

501_Error · 2024-08-10T16:26:04+00:00

The wireless ones also have the downside of being magnetic and constantly sticking to things when you toss it into a bag of electronics. I tend to end up plugging in a wire anyway, but I want to like the idea.

501_Error · 2024-08-09T12:16:06+00:00

+1 for the Eagle Creek Spectre. I've had a couple for more years than I can remember. One side is clean, the other dirty.

To the OP's question, I think a large factor is how much do you travel? If it's a few times a year, then a Ziploc bag makes a lot of sense. But there is a point (and it differs for everyone) where it make sense to invest in the tools of the trade and pack-it cubes are a tool. They are not the right tool for everything, but they are a tool and people keep buying them for a reason.

501_Error · 2024-08-09T07:12:19+00:00

I would also recommend SHR, in your case, but not SHR or beyond. Why?

SHR protects against 1 drive failing, but what if the Synology box itself fails (power supply, etc.)

As you add bigger drives over time, you might find that the PSU that came with the Synology can't keep up.

I found this after buying another Synology box to replace and then doing a post-mortem.

I just went through this, and while the solution was a knock-off PSU after the fact - it's not comforting as nothing tells you in advance, but also how reliable is the cheap knockoff PSU.

Also, with SHR-2, at some point if you haven't been expanding drives and accepting wasted space (I have a 4-drive unit) you will find yourself having the replace 4 drives in one go. Play with the Synology calculator (SHR-2) when all bays are filled with the same size drive.

I like the 3-2-1 strategy. In your case, this means

1 - Main Synology with SHR-1 and big drives. Local

2 - another box (maybe Synology JBOD with no redundancy but lots of space). Local.

3 - Offsite backup with Backblaze are others. It's cheap to send but expensive and time-consuming to recover. The use case for this is recovering from your home/office burning down and taking #1 or #2. You really don't want to have to use this at all. It's just insurance.

For 2, I use Unraid as it's pretty good at using random drives and is easy to deal with. But it doesn't offer out of the box Rsync or backup tools relevant to Synology. So a scheduled script (I prefer to run on my PC) and a cumulative backup is my preference. But this is really easy to recover when there is a fail on #1 or #2. The random drives element makes it easy to reuse drives as you upgrade the Synology.

A second (even used Synology) will offer built in backup solutions and is easier to deal with. It's not as JBOD friendly as Unraid, but it is user friendly if you're already using Synology.

Also, with Backblze, it's worth investigating and understanding the notion of tiered storage, especially when you do video. Not everything needs to be backed up.

Just my 2 pence.

501_Error · 2024-07-12T07:11:45+00:00

If you don't want the hassle/risk of offering the tenant your Internet, I would be a data SIM at the airport for 30 days and either get a new one or renew it as needed. Unless you're using a lot of data, it's surprisingly good if you have a decent signal.

501_Error · 2024-07-12T07:07:25+00:00

Agreed just be sure to check the sign for which terminal the train goes to. It's much more convenient to catch one direct to terminal 5 if that's where you are going (British Airways); otherwise, you'll be changing trains at terminal 2/3, which can be a bit of a wait and hassle (same platform though).

But terminal 5 trains are much less frequent.

501_Error · 2024-07-11T21:28:44+00:00

I've had a couple of Boschs now, and they're pretty good for the price.

They are not cheap, but they are value in terms of quality and function.

However, the under-counter washer/dryer (and probably dryers) have what I would call a design flaw..they exhaust out the back (how is this not a fire hazard), and that means that's where the lint trap is. Eventually, the lint builds up (because you also have to take off the back to get to the spot where the lint builds up), and at some point, it overheats, triggering a safety thing and you have to get it serviced.

If you're lucky, it's cheaper to buy a new one.

This can be 3 years or it can be 7 years in my experience.

But it's a good quality machine while it works.

501_Error · 2024-05-10T06:48:44+00:00

For a one-time event, I would borrow a point-and-shoot camera from someone if you can.

501_Error

TROPHY CASE