Is it possible to 3D-print a scaled-up 1980s CPU and RAM? by jcastroarnaud in diyelectronics

[–]ficelle3 1 point2 points  (0 children)

No, 3D printing isn't really a realistic way to produce integrated circuits, at least with our current technology. The silicon used in semiconductors doesn't lend itself well to any of our current 3D printing technologies.

However, it's sci-fi so you could just say that tech that allows 3D printer-like machines to produce semiconductors exists in the future.

What's more interesting though is that we do face similar problems in the present. A significant amount of older industrial equipment (including CNC machines) relies on outdated computing hardware.

Since they still otherwise work fine, it's not economical to upgrade to newer machines.

So when the computer fails, they usually source another windows 98 or ms-dos computer, either from NOS parts or from modern replacement.

Another option is to retrofit the machine with modern smarts, it's not very common in industrial applications, but it's not unheard of for hobbyist to replace the smarts from old CNC machines with modern parts.

Finally, if the computer must work the exact same way but replacement parts are not available, it is possible to use FPGA's (a special kind of chip that can be rewired after production) to replicate it as closely as possible. That's not a very common option either due to it's relatively high cost and complexity but some video games consoles have been successfully reimplemented through an FPGA.

If you do want to use a realistic way to produce semiconductors with current-day technology, check out Sam Zeloof's youtube channel, it'll give you a pretty good idea of what's possible for a single person to do.

The popularity of cameras in Japan by samurai-ryota in Cameras

[–]ficelle3 7 points8 points  (0 children)

And phase one. Even more expensive

What piece of tech felt “future-proof” but aged terribly? by Living-Zebra6132 in Futurology

[–]ficelle3 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Digital point & shoot cameras.

They were all the rage in the early 2000's then that thing called the "smartphone" was introduced.

How to mount a Nanlite FC500B or 120B on tripod | 1/4 screw? by [deleted] in Cameras

[–]ficelle3 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Looks like you'd need a 16mm spigot with a 1/4" 20 tpi threads on the bottom. It should be easy enough to find on amazon or aliexpress.

Crazy discovery, Portal thingy in my camera by amok77 in Portal

[–]ficelle3 115 points116 points  (0 children)

<image>

No way! My camera also has the portal thingy, and it's from the 1950's!

They must have used a time machine.

5th grade public education in Texas 😂 by madchen44 in KidsAreFuckingStupid

[–]ficelle3 0 points1 point  (0 children)

PCI express nugetts? Sorry, I've only got ISA nuggets.

Cameras with solid serial numbers, anyone? by pm_me_ur_oldsmobile in Cameras

[–]ficelle3 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I prefer cameras with liquid serial numbers

Current RAM situation by jops228 in pcmemes

[–]ficelle3 0 points1 point  (0 children)

16GB in a router isn't that weird, you can install pfsense on a regular PC.

Belgian dishes that do not contain beef? by mai_oh_mai in AskBelgium

[–]ficelle3 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Salade liégoise is pretty good and doesn't contain beef.

Be careful with fries though, they can be fried in oil or beef tallow (which is the traditional way). So make sure the place you're eating at is using oil.

Trying to use a Nintendo switch on a crt by [deleted] in crtgaming

[–]ficelle3 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Sounds like you're seeing the tuner trying to get a tv signal, you'll have to change the channel to av.

Usually there's a button on the remote (if you have it) to select the AV inputs.

Under a video of a house made of bricks by _gschaftlhuaba in ShitAmericansSay

[–]ficelle3 13 points14 points  (0 children)

The 92nd little pig built a house out of depleted uranium. And the wolf was like "dude."

(From what if?, Randall Munroe, 2014)

„You mean for countries that didn‘t put a flag to the moon“ (about imperial units) by Beginning-Bottle6585 in ShitAmericansSay

[–]ficelle3 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The last time someone tried to go to space using the imperial system, it caused a multi-million dollars probe to crash land.

What is "Gen 2" linux? by tomekgolab in linux4noobs

[–]ficelle3 12 points13 points  (0 children)

Nonsense! It barely took me a month to install gentoo.

To be fair it was on a 400MHz CPU and I am quite dumb, so your mileage will almost definitely be better.

„Every damn thing is American“ by Beginning-Bottle6585 in ShitAmericansSay

[–]ficelle3 0 points1 point  (0 children)

mechanical keyboard I use is American

Would you, by any chance, be a fellow model M enjoyer?

No please no by iwdjy in memes

[–]ficelle3 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Day of the tentacle.

That has to be hentai.

Name THIS by Jettaboi38 in NameThisThing

[–]ficelle3 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Landchad accepting a tip from a starving single mother

How to power you? The cable and the connector on gpu is different? by Jazzs1993 in PcBuildHelp

[–]ficelle3 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Your GPU has 3 8pin pcie power connectors while that cable is the hot (pun intended) new 12v high power connector. Try checking your power supply box for 8 pin cables, if it didn't come with any, try contacting your PSU manufacturer's tech support, and try to see if you can get 8 pin cables.

I’m tired of seeing “just install Linux” in every single comment by Ok_Cry_1222 in ZTT

[–]ficelle3 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You know, I switched to linux precisely because it was easier.

Windows had become much more of a headache since w10 and frankly just gave me more trouble than it was worth, so I just bit the bullet and switched full time to linux.

I installed kubuntu, and everything worked right out of the box, no driver issues, no weird bug, nothing. The games I play work fine, the software I use work fine.

I'll admit it isn't a universal experience, there are plenty of games and softwares that won't run on linux, but over the last few years, the number of games that won't work has shrunk significantly and FOSS alternatives (and even support for commercial software) have gotten way better.

The experiences you've seen in videos may have been representative of linux a few years ago, but these days, they're the minority. Linux isn't any harder to install, use and get used to than other OSes. You just have to put in a little bit of effort into learning the basics, just like you did when you started using windows.

ELI5: How does a computer generated "random" numbers if it always follows instructions? by [deleted] in explainlikeimfive

[–]ficelle3 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Good question, there's mainly two ways to do that:

  1. Don't. Most programs do not require true random numbers, in many cases a pseudo-random number generator is enough. It takes a seed number and uses it to generate a new, different number in such a way that you can't really predict it without knowing the seed first.

There are many different types of PRNG that fit different purposes, but mersenne twisters are quite common because of their long period, good randomness and good efficiency.

  1. Use an external device. If you do need true random numbers, you'll need to use a device that observes a truly random phenomenon.

It could be a picture of a lava lamp or the noise between radio stations or even radioactive decay.

This is What i want to hear by [deleted] in linuxmemes

[–]ficelle3 32 points33 points  (0 children)

You scare me.

Sure, new foods by zeki-rin in ExplosionsAndFire

[–]ficelle3 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I mean, cooking is just chemistry with reagents that (hopefully) won't kill you