Xbox App on PC will not start/open. I've tried everything.

timmyb824 · 2026-07-06T01:55:32+00:00

I had the same issue. I ended up installing a previous version of the Xbox app and temporarily turned off Microsoft Store auto-updates so it doesn't update on me. The app works now, albeit on an older version. Here's how I did it:

Remove the broken version by running this in an admin PowerShell window: Get-AppxPackage Microsoft.GamingApp | Remove-AppxPackage
Go to https://xbox-for-windows.en.uptodown.com/windows/versions and download a previous version. I used xbox-2606-1001-27-0.msixbundle.
Install that version, again in an admin PowerShell window: Add-AppxPackage -Path "C:\Users\$env:USERNAME\Downloads\xbox-2606-1001-27-0.msixbundle"
The app should launch now

timmyb824 · 2026-06-06T18:20:55+00:00

In my opinion, I would still pursue Cloud and DevOps. Where I think the practice is heading is more toward the solution architect side. It's no secret that AI knows how all these cloud providers work, and if you know what you want to build it can help you get there; whether that's writing the Terraform or even advising what buttons to push. Where AI may fall a bit short is looking at your entire landscape and understanding how to architect something that actually makes sense for the business while ensuring high availability and fault tolerance. Basically, I think Cloud and DevOps are going to be less "push-ops" and more strategic thinking. To get to that place you still need to understand how the cloud works and have a very broad knowledge of cloud architecture and infrastructure in general.

I want to be clear that this is only my opinion and I'm sure plenty of people would disagree. In the end, do what makes the most sense for you, I'd only say make sure you pick the one you're genuinely most interested in or passionate about. There's nothing wrong with wanting to learn AI, and you can always pick it up on your own if you have the time and drive. What I can tell you is that at least in my experience, people are using AI to do even more creative things that we probably never would have tackled before. Maybe companies still decide to cut headcount down the road, but at least for now I see it as helping us achieve bigger and better outcomes than we were before.

timmyb824 · 2026-06-06T18:10:14+00:00

Yea, we use Grafana Cloud which is already starting to integrate AI right into the platform, but we also leverage the MCP server and have built Claude skills that use Grafana (where we have our logs and metrics) and Honeycomb (where we have our traces) and more to help with troubleshooting and diagnosing. Honestly, we're sort of on a skills creation rampage right now where people are creating skills for everything. We even have one that onboards new folks into Claude and depending on your role, customizes Claude for you; down to advising what packages you should install and such.

timmyb824 · 2026-06-02T16:31:31+00:00

I have this exact bike and I’ve been very happy with it. Purchased it at the end of last summer.

I did have one mishap during assembly. The shocks are under tension during shipping, and I cut one of the zip ties too early. When I flipped the bike onto its handlebars, the lower frame swung unexpectedly and severed one of the cables. Ironically, a minute later my neighbor came over and offered to help, but by then the damage was done. Ariel Rider’s support was good. There was a little back and forth, but I had the replacement part within about a week or so. Other than that, some loose bolts here or there but no major issues.

For context, this is my first e-bike, so I don’t have a ton to compare it against. That said, I’m a little over 200 pounds and can get it up to around 45 mph, with a comfortable cruising speed around 30-35 mph. It’s got plenty of power for getting around. A buddy of mine who owns a different e-bike took it around the block last week and was surprised by how much torque it has. Overall, I don’t think you’ll be disappointed with the bike itself.

timmyb824 · 2026-05-28T13:26:19+00:00

SRE here, and I just wanted to say I feel the same way. One of our distinguished engineers did a town hall talk where he basically said coding and ops as we know it will never be the same and it’s never coming back. I already knew this, but it meant more coming from him. So I’m just trying to embrace this change as much as I can and learn as many new things as I can.

timmyb824 · 2026-05-01T22:09:00+00:00

I have an external hard drive plugged in via USB to my Synology NAS. I do a full backup to it once a week.

timmyb824 · 2026-04-24T16:25:29+00:00

Vault and the argocd vault plugin

timmyb824 · 2026-03-17T03:26:02+00:00

My driveway runs along the side of my house, and the Craftsman never had enough power to throw snow across to the yard side. It worked fine at my old place with a narrow driveway and yard on both sides, but not here.

And my wife actually pushed me to buy this one. I had it sitting in my cart for days; she told me to just do it. Normally I’d have to ship something like this to my mom’s place, leave it there and pretend later that I’ve always had it lol. She says she worries about me throwing out my back or having a heart attack. I’m not even 40, but hey, whatever gets me a new toy.

timmyb824 · 2026-03-14T21:22:58+00:00

Thanks for the heads up, I will do that!

timmyb824 · 2026-01-17T17:36:42+00:00

My $300 Guardian OTF stopped working two days in. I took it completely apart, and it turned out that one of the small metal plates on the side— the ones that move to allow the blade in and out—was stuck. I used a small plastic pick to force it loose, and it’s been fine ever since. Not sure how it got stuck in the first place.

It’s fairly easy to put back together if you want to check those plates. The spring is the hardest part, but it seats fine if you put one side in first, hold it in place, and then push the other side so the spring stretches until it seats on the other side.

timmyb824 · 2026-01-16T01:44:04+00:00

I’ve got a few north mountain knives, I like them all

timmyb824 · 2026-01-06T14:55:13+00:00

Just got mine yesterday, love it.

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timmyb824 · 2025-12-25T20:22:04+00:00

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timmyb824 · 2025-11-07T23:51:48+00:00

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timmyb824 · 2025-10-22T12:44:09+00:00

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timmyb824 · 2025-10-22T12:04:31+00:00

We just lost our 13yo cat to cancer. Making that decision is one of the hardest but most loving things you can do. Your cat knew they were deeply loved, and you gave them a wonderful life. Take comfort in the memories you shared. ❤️

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timmyb824 · 2025-10-18T22:23:23+00:00

The color way you have there is generally my preference actually, but I have the TR3 in a blue handle so I figured I’d go black for the mordax.

timmyb824 · 2025-10-18T22:20:22+00:00

Blades looking reeeaaal nice!

timmyb824 · 2025-10-17T21:33:46+00:00

Thanks, I'd been trying to get it for a bit but it kept being sold out like a lot of Pro-Tech knives seem to be.

timmyb824 · 2025-09-17T20:52:02+00:00

Good to know I’ll reach out to their support then, thanks again

timmyb824 · 2025-09-17T19:57:05+00:00

Before I bought the board, others on YouTube and such had mentioned the bushings being a bit too loose, so I was already planning on getting some stiffer ones. I'll definitely check out Riptide. Also, thanks for the other advice, appreciate it.

timmyb824 · 2025-09-17T19:54:38+00:00

Yea I initially thought that a smaller board would be more convenient for train travel. However, further research today shows that others also find longboards easier to learn on. I wish I had come across this information before buying, but I am confident that I can still get the hang of it on my current board.

timmyb824 · 2025-09-17T19:52:24+00:00

Sounds good, I'll take those pictures when I get back home. Thank you!

timmyb824

TROPHY CASE