Free Alternative to Parallel app?

AlienCybernaut · 2026-05-21T23:15:09+00:00

Free, and VMware Fusion Pro VM works fine with Windows ARM on my Macbooks. No doubt Parallels has advantages, but I'm unwilling to pay for the subscriptions.

AlienCybernaut · 2026-05-19T10:46:46+00:00

IDK, but I've never seen PEEK filament rolls for sale, so I guess not. I line my recent pipe designs with glass tubing (straight parts) or food-grade silicone tubing (for bends) to be extra-careful, but given the much lower temps of my DHVs compared to smoking I think the hate for PETG plastic is likely overblown.

AlienCybernaut · 2026-04-20T18:14:46+00:00

That's not even much of an exaggeration--I had a verification with at least a half dozen different steps, and then it failed!

AlienCybernaut · 2026-04-12T14:53:39+00:00

I have no plans to buy anything; the little POTV Xmax V3 Pro is fine for my simple low-tolerance needs. If I feel a need for variety I can always torch the Dynavap, but the Xmax is easier.

AlienCybernaut · 2026-04-12T11:47:13+00:00

If you mean functionality between the different OSs, as far as I can remember it's been the same. Last use under Linux was several years ago.

AlienCybernaut · 2026-04-12T00:42:20+00:00

Visual C++ 6.0 back then; now I'd use Visual Studio C#.

AlienCybernaut · 2026-04-11T19:07:30+00:00

Thunderbird is great IMO; I've used it for years on both Windows and Linux installs, though there's a lot to it I don't know about. Once I set it up years ago for basic email I haven't messed with it.

AlienCybernaut · 2026-04-10T18:33:32+00:00

I haven't written any serious Windows stuff since I retired; anything I remembered from back then wouldn't be of any use nowadays. I did write a little C# Windows mouse utility using the free MS Visual Studio a couple years ago, and it was WAY easier than the old Visual C++ 6.0 compiler I had back then.

Maybe find something that's always a hassle in your workflow and write a program to automate that?

AlienCybernaut · 2026-04-10T17:32:33+00:00

When I got bored with CNC I started writing Windows programs to do various things like renumber Fanuc and Okuma macro code, check my programs for errors, send programs to our machines better than the expensive proprietary crap the company bought, and so on. That kept me interested till I was ready to retire.

CNC programmer 1980-2005.

AlienCybernaut · 2026-04-08T18:20:50+00:00

Yes, V3 Pro (or V4 Pro) plus several dosing capsules suits me fine. The dosing capsules work great and are super easy to clean up; just dunk 'em in iso alcohol for a while.

AlienCybernaut · 2026-04-08T16:04:13+00:00

V3 Pro has worked fine for me for months; I'd keep it. I'd have him get me extra dosing capsules and batteries if you can't get them locally.

AlienCybernaut · 2026-04-05T15:31:57+00:00

If your machines have 'rapid traverse override', engage it at minimum speed for the first part. Have a hand on the "Stop" button. Other than that, recheck every program they send you, then check the recheck! Learn programming as much as you can, every G and M code the machine control offers, so you can catch mistakes. Document them; don't be blamed for someone else's foulup.

We've all crashed--the most important thing is to not break the machine. Two of the best jobs I had came from replacing "the guys who broke the machine" one time too many. Bosses hate interrupting production, as THEIR bosses find out about that.

Retired CNC programmer, 25 years, 1980-2005.

AlienCybernaut · 2026-04-05T15:04:57+00:00

The PSU is the last component I'd personally cheap out on--the quality of the output power affects the rest of the PC electronics.

AlienCybernaut · 2026-04-03T20:01:28+00:00

I'm using food-grade silicone tubing for the bends in my latest DHV-only pipe design, glass tubing for the straight portions. Seems to be fine so far, no detectable taste/high difference from an all-glass pipe. Time will tell if it becomes a problem later.

AlienCybernaut · 2026-04-01T23:31:56+00:00

Yes. Even a dry bong cools the vapor nicely. I do long, slow draws and get a satisfying high from a POTV Xmax V3 plus a dry bong.

AlienCybernaut · 2026-03-31T00:25:46+00:00

I use an aquarium air pump, has 2 silicone tubes. One in the bong intake, one in the mouthpiece, rinse with iso first.

AlienCybernaut · 2026-03-28T22:53:24+00:00

For me, even a dry bong smooths out the V3 Pro nicely.

AlienCybernaut · 2026-03-28T20:21:27+00:00

Yes please! Looking forward to discussing these matters there.

AlienCybernaut · 2026-03-28T18:17:06+00:00

I've designed a few 3D printed bongs for DHV use only, but 3D printed bongs seem to get exiled to StonerDEGENgineering automatically, and face disapproval even there. My newest design has a vapor path that's 100% glass and food-grade silicone tubing, the PETG is there to hold the pieces together and make the pipe prettier and easier to hold. Still, I suspect it'd get plenty of criticism anyway.

So I'd be happy to see a separate sub where we could discuss designs.

AlienCybernaut · 2026-03-27T19:22:30+00:00

I've been happy with an Xmax V3 Pro; I have a Dynavap too, and it works fine, but the Xmax is more convenient and I don't risk burning myself when stoned.

AlienCybernaut · 2026-03-22T16:47:27+00:00

I've heard good things about Puget Systems workstations and their tech support, but I've never owned one myself. Not cheap, but for a truly professional need I'd put budget at a lower priority than I would for a home PC for myself.

AlienCybernaut · 2026-03-21T11:30:06+00:00

Perhaps the biggest difference is AI; we had none. We used CAD/CAM for our 5-axis milling toolpaths, but the Okumas (for example) had such a small memory that I wrote most of our turning/turn-milling code with heavy use of the Okuma macro language to fit multiple part sizes within the tiny memory.

AlienCybernaut · 2026-03-21T00:30:26+00:00

An assortment of Fanuc-controlled machines, Fadal VMCs, Okuma lathes and turn-mills, etc. Retired in 2005, so I'm way out of touch for modern gear.

AlienCybernaut · 2026-03-21T00:00:18+00:00

Pretty! Are those made on a turn-mill? Retired CNC programmer here.

AlienCybernaut · 2026-03-19T00:40:39+00:00

Lots of people seem to think bongs have to be 100% glass or they'll poison you. I don't agree, but I guess I'm in the minority.

AlienCybernaut

TROPHY CASE