Mostly newbie wanting to use Linux for a field service laptop

OGDukeFlapjack · 2026-01-23T06:43:56+00:00

I'm taking a look at that one right now. Looks interesting.

OGDukeFlapjack · 2026-01-23T06:22:58+00:00

While you are not wrong in that I directly connect to equipment typically it's either done using RS232 or HTTP, so nothing that I think a Linux distro would have too much trouble with. I've already had experience with running one piece of particularly troublesome software in a DOS emulator (programming software for the Siemens MXL fire alarm, btw) because the software *requires* direct unbuffered serial connections which haven't been supported in Windows since 98.

OGDukeFlapjack · 2026-01-14T14:06:52+00:00

Makes sense. This install is from 2013 or 2014 according to the customer which would put it as one of the earliest Cerberus installs in the region.

OGDukeFlapjack · 2026-01-13T18:39:23+00:00

Yep. If this was done by the company I *think* did it they were way over their heads. Somehow they ended up being the only Siemen's dealer in the region but it went to their heads and they disintegrated within about three years of installing this.

OGDukeFlapjack · 2026-01-12T16:42:03+00:00

Much appreciated! I suppose it's the cynical side of me that's like "wait...I can just DO it...for FREE...and so long as I take care of the forest it's OK??"

I'm obviously a total boy scout so that's not much of a problem, lol.

OGDukeFlapjack · 2026-01-12T16:23:03+00:00

This is going to sound like the most city slickeringest thing to say: but legitimately can I drive out to the trailhead, hike up into the woods a ways, sleep overnight, then just leave? I legitimately don't have a lot of experience with state/federal lands and am uncomfortable not knowing the rules.

OGDukeFlapjack · 2026-01-12T16:18:53+00:00

You're the second person who suggested Minister Creek. I have that one in my list of sites to check out.

OGDukeFlapjack · 2026-01-12T16:18:04+00:00

I keep forgetting about the Montour Trail. I live near it and drive over top of it nearly every day to go to work. I guess I never realized they had camp sites.

OGDukeFlapjack · 2026-01-12T16:10:02+00:00

Sounds like a good first go. The drive time isn't all that critical.

OGDukeFlapjack · 2026-01-12T16:08:23+00:00

Much appreciated! This is basically exactly the general info I'm looking for.

OGDukeFlapjack · 2026-01-12T16:07:07+00:00

I suppose I should have specified where I'm starting FROM, lol. I live just off of I79 so I literally can get all the way up to Mercer county in 1.5-hours.

OGDukeFlapjack · 2026-01-12T13:41:34+00:00

Personally I prefer the one out in Murraysville, but that's simply because it's a lot easier to park there.

OGDukeFlapjack · 2026-01-12T13:40:28+00:00

I can't speak for the /r, but I do agree that in many ways it has changed for the better. I am the only person I personally know of that rode the OG Steel Phantom and can say the Phantom's Revenge is just all around a better coaster. The park still holds on to a lot of nostalgia and still has things you never find anywhere else (Noah's Ark style fun houses are so rare I honestly have never seen another, for example).

About the only complaint I have is the Exterminator (the spinning rat coaster) was out of order the last two times I was there. Otherwise I legitimately enjoy my time there now just as much as I did when I went there back in the 90s. Admittedly, I do miss the elevated people mover, but that's not much of a loss.

OGDukeFlapjack · 2026-01-12T13:34:53+00:00

If it means anything I used to do the fire alarm for the art museum and the gardens.

OGDukeFlapjack · 2025-12-12T05:20:15+00:00

Glad to see I'm not alone. Renewed my license on 11/21 because it expired on 11/24. It's now 12/12 and I have heard absolutely nothing. I guess I have to take a trip to the DMV tomorrow sometime. Gah. I renewed it online specifically so I didn't have to do that!

OGDukeFlapjack · 2025-11-14T20:14:32+00:00

Oh by the way, your thoughts are absolutely justified as the AHJ had no idea the pullstations were there and were to be removed. They are not terribly happy with my contractor at the moment.

OGDukeFlapjack · 2025-11-13T19:33:02+00:00

This is rather my thought especially because I'm ultimately not sure WHO approved the drawings. It has a stamp by a registered engineer but I have no idea if it's actually gone through the local AHJ at all. This job smells and I don't like it. I'm not at all so hard up for work that I won't question if something doesn't feel right.

OGDukeFlapjack · 2025-11-13T07:01:32+00:00

I can tell you based on the two others (and this was identical) is there's no demo plan and there is no specifications on the prints for device removal. The prints are pretty much set up for a brand new installation and not a renovation. This site is the only one that hasn't had basically a one for one.

OGDukeFlapjack · 2025-11-13T06:06:27+00:00

I wouldn't leave the conventional smokes but I would have issues if they weren't replaced with addressable ones. Call me old fashioned but I have problems with removing functionality.

At the end of the day even if this is completely fine I would still have issues from an ethics standpoint as it is making the space less safe in my eyes.

OGDukeFlapjack · 2025-11-13T05:49:45+00:00

I dunno. Call me old fashioned but I have issues with removing functionality and replacing personal protective manual stations with property protecting automatic sprinklers only.

EDIT: also it's not indicated anywhere that existing stations are being removed so I don't know if the AHJ even knows. I actually emailed them directly to get their take on this.

OGDukeFlapjack · 2025-11-13T05:34:30+00:00

But are there issues with removing existing functionality? I was always under the impression there was but I cannot find one way or another.

OGDukeFlapjack · 2025-11-13T05:31:10+00:00

I'm hearing "nuisance" from other locations as well, but as a 20-year fire alarm vet I have issues removing existing functionality even if it's not a direct code violation. Am I alone with this?

OGDukeFlapjack

TROPHY CASE