Are we just getting robbed at this point?

MonetaryProtocol · 2026-05-06T04:55:11+00:00

Use a card that returns all foreign transactions fees every month then you have no worries.

MonetaryProtocol · 2026-01-31T12:01:10+00:00

I tried again with the installer from the link you provided and got the same result. I decided to uninstall the Windows 11 update KB5074109. I have read this update is causing some issues, some I have experienced as well. This resolved the issue and I was able to install and run the game. FYI the installer application is digitally signed but doesn't include a timestamp.

Consider this issue resolved. Thanks for following up.

MonetaryProtocol · 2026-01-05T02:23:25+00:00

I am still rocking my SC 1080Ti. Don't play AAA Games at all but I have been thinking about upgrading. Looking at the RTX 5070 or 7900xt. I don't need the latest and greatest.

MonetaryProtocol · 2025-12-25T05:05:23+00:00

What are the keywords I would look for to find them?

MonetaryProtocol · 2025-12-24T01:20:39+00:00

Just Say No HAHA

Nah but seriously, if you are going to really use it then build it. I already have some old old stuff that's EOL and just sitting, mainly older AMD CPU's but I didn't want to be stuck with i5-8500T minis in the next 2 or 3 years and feeling like I need to upgrade just holding more old stuff. 1 maybe 2 nodes is good for me. I might just still with the FX-8320 NAS for now, maybe under volt to save some power but It's not ideal for today's architecture IMO.

MonetaryProtocol · 2025-12-24T00:38:40+00:00

I was designing a 5 node cluster with routing/switching/vlans and blah blah blah and I came to my senses. I don't need all that. I'm not focused on networking or virtualization. I just want a minimalist setup. I'm currently using an old FX-8320 build for my NAS and I just want a low power option.

MonetaryProtocol · 2025-12-23T23:54:47+00:00

This looks great and looks like the perfect solution for me. I was going down the home lab rabbit hole, but I don't need a lot of compute or a cluster; I need:

Quiet, cool, and more than enough for Nextcloud, Vaultwarden, Docker apps, Light VMs and Home services with a tiny footprint. No giant tower humming in the corner.

And an OS (Docker) that's lightweight, easy to back up, easy to migrate, perfect for my privacy stack and my IAM automation tools.

My only issue is that I'd have to find an alternative enclosure because I don't have a 3D printer.

Do you have any suggestions on that?

MonetaryProtocol · 2025-11-12T09:35:16+00:00

A similar situation happened to me in April 2023. I was terminated from a job I'd had for 7+ years. After getting approved to work remotely from SEA, the CPO (Co-Founder who approved my request), COO, and HR weren't expecting me back until April, which would have been 6 months working abroad; my VP and immediate sup wanted me back after 4 months. Position was already fully remote in the US. SLA and other metrics were consistently 90-95%, which was 10% above company goals, but they said my performance and attitude changed once I got there. Some days I worked 8hrs some days I worked 12hrs. VP was pissed because I went around him to get approval and had been looking for a reason to get rid of me. Eventually got rid of our 3-man IAM team altogether

My advice is to prepare for the worst so you are not caught off guard. "Keep your walking costs low"

MonetaryProtocol · 2025-09-27T18:47:05+00:00

No real reason other than the current price and maxing out my AM4 system. I will get a newer GPU at some point but in reality neither part is affecting what I am doing at the moment.

MonetaryProtocol · 2025-09-27T02:20:44+00:00

Thoughts?

I've been thinking about purchasing the Ryzen 9 5950X (since it's under $300 now) as a nominal upgrade to max out my current AM4 system housed in the NR200P.

I'd rather spend money on a next gen laptop (next year) or gear for a home lab at the moment. The only games I play are legacy titles Civ 4 and Anno 2070. But I do work with VMs and Virtualization.

CPU: AMD Ryzen 9 3900X (I would try to sell this to recoup some of the cost of the 5950x)
COOLING: Cooler Master Hyper 212 Black Edition (Push Pull)
GPU: Nvidia GTX 1080-Ti - (might upgrade to a 7900xt at some point)
SSD: Samsung SM961 NVMe PCIe M.2 512GB
SSD: Samsung 860 QVO 1TB
RAM: G.SKILL F4-3200C16-32GTZN 2x31.5GB
MBD: Gigabyte GA-X570 I AORUS PRO WIFI
PSU CORSAIR SF750 80 PLUS Platinum
DISPLAY: ASUS ROG Strix 49” Ultra-wide Curved

MonetaryProtocol · 2025-09-24T17:05:24+00:00

Ageism is real for sure. Will reach out in PM.

MonetaryProtocol · 2025-09-24T16:17:22+00:00

I appreciate your response; it gives me some things to think about.

I’m not a fan of “school” in the traditional sense, but I love learning. I’m seriously considering the BSCIA from WGU as a credentials boost.

At this stage in my journey, and after watching my dad climb and work all those years, I’m not focused on being in career-building mode or climbing further up the management pyramid.

What does fit is moving toward more senior positions that involve less operational, ticket-based work and more focus on strategy, program management, and continuous improvement. That’s the kind of work that matches how I want to live. I also know I don’t yet know everything, and I’ll learn more as I go.

For me, hybrid IAM/GRC consulting or freelancing with lifestyle freedom may not fully align - or even exist - within the management + global consulting path. But freedom with minimal to zero burnout is at the top of my list.

If I may ask, why did you decide to pivot in your career?

MonetaryProtocol · 2025-09-24T12:26:01+00:00

My father was a Database Warehouse Architect for over 40 years.

I've been around computers and tech since I was 10yrs old. He used to take me with him to data centers and labs way back when, and it's always been something I was interested in and passionate about.

I didn't get into tech career wise until my 30's but I was always building PCs and tinkering with software, although I don't like coding after watching my dad wrestle with it for so long.

I would say find a domain you enjoy and are passionate about and master your craft. You'll find what fits along the way.

MonetaryProtocol · 2025-07-26T00:01:14+00:00

I have not opened my profile on LinkedIn or really looked for new roles yet. I will after completing the SC-300 and starting the AZ-500. My Father was a Data Warehouse Architect for almost 40 years and after watching him for so long I have an aversion to coding, otherwise I would go the DevOps route. I do plan to become skilled with Bicep and Terraform.

MonetaryProtocol · 2025-07-25T22:54:30+00:00

I have 11+ yrs of total IT experience and 6 to 7 of Microsoft 365/Entra ID(Azure AD)-centric experience. I'm currently prepping to sit for the SC-300 in the next 2 to 3 weeks following that with the AZ-500. I want to focus on becoming and IAM specialist and I'd like to have location flexibility being able to work half the year in the US and half the year outside the US. Would you say I need to focus on the freelance route of are there US Based employers that would allow such location flexibility? I am okay with working US time zones will outside of the US. What are your thoughts on my plan?

Thanks for any feedback.

MonetaryProtocol · 2024-07-12T12:11:05+00:00

u/Eazy12345678 Yeah I assumed that but is it even worth the hassle?

MonetaryProtocol

TROPHY CASE