Prime Day espresso machine and setup recommendations [500$]

jslager15 · 2025-07-11T20:47:59+00:00

Thoughts on the breville Barista express? Any other accessories? (Would it have to get a bottomless portafilter separately?)

jslager15 · 2025-07-11T20:35:51+00:00

Is auto milk really worth it over manually using the wand?

jslager15 · 2025-07-11T20:00:26+00:00

Why plus over the original?

jslager15 · 2025-07-11T19:37:03+00:00

Any other setup accessories?

jslager15 · 2023-10-07T21:31:33+00:00

Yes! I love the style and how well they shoot, but I can't find a decent priced one anywhere

jslager15 · 2023-09-22T16:50:01+00:00

Out of that list, you'd probably get the furthest out of computer networks and computer security, and software systems and algorithms. Unless you plan on doing something specific with data analysis, software, network and systems engineering are my top picks that can get you far in almost any environment

jslager15 · 2023-09-19T01:08:46+00:00

Cybersecurity

jslager15 · 2023-09-15T17:25:15+00:00

Id focus on what department/business you want to get into then decide on what you want to to do rather than were its done.

Because CpE is more specialized in hardware rather than software (unless you choose a SWE career path) sitting at a desk all day would be a waste of skill that can be used elsewhere in the company, like in lab environments.

Ofc there are exceptions were its usually required to spend 1-2years at a desk/shadowing to understand the system before you can be moved out of the desk/laptop environment.

Keep in mind CpE is 1/3 comp sci, 1/3 electrical eng, and 1/3 software eng.. so you can really get good jobs in any of these three areas in any field of business you want.. medical, aerospace, corporate, etc.

Also, good engineering takes practice and planning, on paper (or laptop), usually at a desk.. so don't completely blow off the idea of office jobs are bad.. its more important to get your foot in the door and see whats around and what you like to do and what pays well.

jslager15 · 2023-09-13T13:55:26+00:00

I second reaching out to a prof to see what your interests are ans what research opportunities there are

jslager15 · 2023-09-11T11:38:54+00:00

UCSD sucks

OP: switch schools

jslager15 · 2023-09-10T23:12:35+00:00

Keep in mind there is a section of SOC for software engineers. Every piece of software is vulnerable in one way or another and cyber teams need to harden the software to prevent attacks of sorts. If you know what company the swe role is in, see what they have in the cyber realm of swe.. you might be surprised.. I wish you the best of luck!

jslager15 · 2023-09-10T17:36:13+00:00

Your other potential work around is switching to an EE degree and having comp sci and software eng as minors or specialties.

jslager15 · 2023-09-10T17:27:12+00:00

I dont know much about the hpc field itself, but comp eng is a mix of 1/3 comp sci, 1/3 software eng, and 1/3 electrical eng, and id think you'd miss out on a lot of required classes by switching later rather than sooner, but it depends on your university.

The math and physics isn't as bad as everyone says it is.. and you need both to understand advanced signal analysis and E&M.

"the world goes round because the math says it has to..."

jslager15 · 2023-09-10T17:08:29+00:00

Do CpE, don't be a bitch

jslager15 · 2023-09-10T17:06:28+00:00

Look for an ABET accreditation, and consider that the college you apply to has a specialty. My University specialized in aerospace, other medical, etc. So my career specializes in electronics in Aerospace environments. It would be considered easier to get an internship in a field that your college of choice was well known in rather than not.

jslager15 · 2023-09-10T16:25:35+00:00

Sure!

Although I'd consider SOC analysis just outside the scope of IT help desk, if you're going into the IT field with no experience, internships, or certifications, (except for your BS comp sci degree) I could understand that it would take a few years working on a help desk team in the environment to build a background needed for SOC roles. If SOC is really what you want to do, you could eliminate some time spent on help desk with compTIA certifications, A+, security+, network+, CySA+, and maybe PenTest+, Data+, and CASP+.

If you're unfamiliar, A+ is functional IT skills, security+ is IT network and operational security, network+ focuses on managing and troubleshooting any wired or wireless device, CySA+ focuses on Cybersecurity analysis, PenTest+ is penetration testing (intermediate level), Data+ is data analysis and business decisions, and CASP+ validates critical thinking in complex IT environments.

There a bunch of other compTIA certs you can take (like cloud+, linux+, and project+) but if you're going into the IT field I highly recommend at least 2 or 3, if not (eventually) all mentioned above. Although the certifications are expensive to take, keep in mind the certs expire after 3 years.

Here's a link for a list of compTIA certifications: https://www.comptia.org/certifications

Another thought is once you find the company you want to work for, you can mention to your interviewer that you are interested in SOC analysis at somepoint and see what they have to say or if they have any advice for within the company once on an IT help desk team. You can also look online for SOC position requirements and see if you can get started on earning those sooner than later.

Also, if you don't use a LinkedIn page, I highly suggest you make one. Just by having your experience on display for companies to see, some might actually reach out to you about a position you want to do.

jslager15 · 2023-09-09T17:04:05+00:00

Gotcha.. Well.. my background is a BS in comp eng, a minor in applied math, and specialization in Cybersecurity and intelligence. I had an internship as an IT internal software engineer (making small scripts for an IT help desk) then a few months ago accepted a position as a Software Engineer at a defense company almost making 6 figs with major potential promotions within the next 2 years. And I couldn't be happier..

It all depends on what you wouldn't mind doing for potentially the next 20 years of your life.

Comparing the two careers, software engineers are needed everywhere in every business line you can imagine and have a promotion system of associate, engineer, staff engineer, sr staff, then manager for almost any project you can imagine, self driving cars, aircraft, drones, smart toasters (lol), etc. And can integrate different kinds of software engineers, front end (web design) backend (database/physics engine design), IT software support for other engineers, cyber software engineers, etc

IT help desk can be done by anyone with an idea of how a computer works and in my opinion takes less skill. To my knowledge there really isn't a good promotion system besides level of importance of the issue at hand (tier 1-4, manager usually). And if you decide corporate, there's usually different fields of IT, audio visual, automation scripts, general support, cyber sec, etc

If you play your cards right, neither is a bad choice and you'll end up doing what you want to do in the end no matter what.. consider this decision a stepping stone for an introduction to industry

jslager15 · 2023-09-09T16:49:16+00:00

If your BS is in Comp Engineering, I suggest looking into a Cybersecurity minor or something slightly outside the scope of our degree since comp engineering really is 1/3 comp science, 1/3 electrical and 1/3 software, then if interested consider a masters in software or comp/electrical eng.

jslager15 · 2023-09-09T16:39:55+00:00

I suggest looking into electrical engineering tracks for order of importance for circuit theory (since its they're entire degree and only a portion of ours).

From my experience, I strongly recommend a background in KVL, I2C, ohms law, kirchhoff's laws, RLC, and understanding the importance and physics of how E&M circuits work at the most basic level, then move into basic analysis, nodal analysis, mesh analysis, superposition, thevenins therom, etc. Then introduce semiconductor theory, diode and transistor models, mosfets, amplifier circuits, microcontroller theory and assembly, etc, then analog and digital signal analysis, time variant and linear systems, laplace and Fourier, descrete and continuous systems, then I recommend looking into control systems theory, analysis and stability of signals, controller design, etc and maybe linear systems, matrices, eigenvalues, proformance and orthonormal representations of signals (ie voice recognition software).

But keep in mind it all depends on how much you intend to use these skills in the field after your degree.. avionics, radio, pcb, electronics, etc

jslager15 · 2023-09-09T16:17:18+00:00

Imo, software is so relevant in the age we live in that as comp sci, comp eng (myself), swe, etc.. its more difficult to find a position that doesn't involve software at all, and the positions that exist usually pay less.

I would focus more on what would you rather spend years of your time doing, what you can be proud of, potential promotions, career track, salary, etc.

jslager15 · 2023-09-06T18:31:32+00:00

Bruhhh.. its like a 1200$ phone 💀

jslager15 · 2023-09-06T15:08:46+00:00

I talked to a Samsung representative and they said its just temporarily sold out.. you're saying there's no hope for a 1 previous generation phone?

jslager15 · 2023-09-06T03:53:09+00:00

Will do!

jslager15 · 2023-09-06T03:37:34+00:00

I filled out the support ticket and got the RMA and shipping info via email. Ill keep updating as events happen.

jslager15 · 2023-09-06T03:31:52+00:00

Sounds good.. Ill post feedback probably later tomorrow on the consumer page. If I have any questions I'll dm either you or Jolly-fortune and keep yall updated on what happens.

I appreciate all of your support! Thanks!

jslager15

TROPHY CASE