iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Linker3000 @linker3000.com · 26/09/2026

Dear AliExpress, please make it stop.

A run of 5 status report emails about the same delivery.

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Linker3000 @linker3000.com · 19/09/2026

Postie must have read my lament.

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Linker3000 @linker3000.com · 18/09/2026

Right, that's all the components gathered to make some DRAM testers...ready...steady...oh, wait... PCBs aren't here yet 🫤

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Linker3000 @linker3000.com · 14/09/2026

Happy CCTV camera is happy.

Circular CCTV camera with two lenses and a curved gap between the body and mounting plate that looks like a smule

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Linker3000 @linker3000.com · 08/09/2026

I did a bit of research & found a post about /CASRAM timing with PLA replacements and, lo - a 33pF cap fitted on the line. This is C204 on some boards, but not implemented on this rev. Original logic back & we're soak testing. So: Dead PLA (and probably SID) + a timing cap needed. Timey wimey stuff.

33pF ceramic capacitor soldered between R42 left leg and C41 GND pin just below - this puts it on the /CASRAM line and slows down the signal ever so slightly.

Screen showing DesTestMAX with 38 successful test passes.

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Linker3000 @linker3000.com · 08/09/2026

This Commodore 64 board boots into DesTest with RAM bit errors but they clear after a warm up and all tests will run. Without the cart, I get a display with no text. The PLA was dead and the two already-replaced mux chips were iffy. Seems thermal-ish at this point, and maybe ROM/s later. Any tips?

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Linker3000 @linker3000.com · 06/09/2026

It's said that dogs "fill up your life". Didn't they mean to say their hairs "fill up your vacuum cleaner"?

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Linker3000 @linker3000.com · 26/07/2026

I'm good, thanks. Still works. I used it to listen to the closedown of R4 LW.

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Linker3000 @linker3000.com · 18/07/2026

Cool idea. Reminds me of Red Dwarf.

The Red Dwarf scene where Rimmer wants to change to Red Alert status and Kryten advises that will mean changing the bulb.

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Linker3000 @linker3000.com · 13/07/2026

Behold, Walkers have produced a crisp flavour "Inspired by Spanish Queso"...using Cheddar and Mozzarella* 🙃 Ciao, duck. *And all the other...stuff listed.

Front of crisp packet with wording "Inspired by Spanish Queso"

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Linker3000 @linker3000.com · 05/07/2026

Tesco has the match night covered: * Get pissed on wine and lager * Hydration breaks! * Over indulge and puke everywhere. * Spend the next day clamped to the toilet, and washing your clothes. Enjoy!

A line up of products on display by the entrance at Tesco: Toilet rolls, washing machine liquid, cans of lager, wine and bottled water

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Linker3000 @linker3000.com · 28/06/2026

I have acquired an AVO 8 Mk.4 meter - very generously gifted via Freecycle. Apparently it's not working. I'll check it over shortly and see what's what. The +ve probe tip is missing, as is one clip. The right case strap is inside so I'll have to brush up on my leather sewing. Lovely bit of kit.

Avo 8 meter, carry case, leads, manual and paperwork.

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Linker3000 @linker3000.com · 27/06/2026

The screws may be good too. Trouble is it's all do it yourself 🤔

A Google Maps summary of B&Q, Bognor Regis, with the review tag "You'll be lucky to find tighter nuts or better wood"

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Linker3000 @linker3000.com · 24/06/2026

outside right now 28.2C

Node-RED ashboard temperature chart showing 28.2C

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Linker3000 @linker3000.com · 19/06/2026

I love seeing and reading here about the stuff people get up to with vintage computing, electronics and STEM-related things. Other matters I'll keep in my news RSS feeds. To that effect, this filter list is very helpful.

A filter list of politicians and regexes for trump and musk.

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Linker3000 @linker3000.com · 18/06/2026

Edible crystal balls? (Actually lentils)

Cooking instructions from a pack of lentils. The instructions are in multiple languages. The English states "Cook before consumption" and nothing else.

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Linker3000 @linker3000.com · 17/05/2026

I seem to have bought a boxed 'For parts or not working' Commodore 64. How did that happen!? Looking forward to seeing what state it's in. #Commodore

Commodore 64 with top removed showing PCB

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Linker3000 @linker3000.com · 08/05/2026

That time I got a PocketBeagle to run an RC2014 compatible CP/M OS and fired up WordStar

Photo of a PocketBeagle hanging over a monitor showing CP/M running

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Linker3000 @linker3000.com · 17/03/2026

Ooh. I used to work for WeEsteon Digital! See also:

An "Amzwn Basics" Micro SD card seen in AliExpress

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Linker3000 @linker3000.com · 14/03/2026

I got a square of dense art felt from The Range for 50p to refurbish some ZX Microdrives.

ZX Microdrive cartridge with tape extended out, tweezers, scissors, Isopropyl alcohol spray bottle and cotton bud to hand, ready to replace the degraded felt pad.

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Linker3000 @linker3000.com · 26/02/2026

Getting edumacated in London today. Interesting stuff, but, oh, that presentation full of AI generated 'cartoon' pics. 🤮 #DeathByPowerpoint

A lecture theatre projection welcoming all to the LSE (London School of Economics).

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Linker3000 @linker3000.com · 21/02/2026

It's spreading. What can we do!?

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Linker3000 @linker3000.com · 16/02/2026

Protip: When designing an electric or electronic circuit, make sure the fuse is big enough.

Picture of a substation transformer fuse next to a 1.5l bottle of mineral water.

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Linker3000 @linker3000.com · 10/02/2026

On a train on a VPN controling my house lights via my smart watch, through Node-RED. Two devices are MQTT smart plugs and the other is a ZigBee lamp. Why? Um .. I'll get back to you on that. Next step .. request room temps and turn on heating boost. I wonder if I can do geofencing.

Smart watch showing control buttons in an app.

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Linker3000 @linker3000.com · 08/02/2026

I managed to side load Christian Mader's httpclient app onto my Samsung smart watch and serve the config file, then take in http requests, using Node-RED to control MQTT and ZigBee devices. This deserves a write up and I'll share flows and notes in my repo on Codeberg. github.com/cmader/HttpC...

Smart watch with the http app running, showing device control buttons.

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Linker3000 @linker3000.com · 08/02/2026

How's everyone's tech and gadget Sunday going!? Here's my hack of the day ..the pipe fractured on the bend and sent out a jet of water. A quick trip to Screwfix and some amateur plumbing ensued. Not what I had planned for today!

A copper water pipe with the bend cut out and replaced with a flexible link and compression joints

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Linker3000 @linker3000.com · 07/02/2026

I tried entering a URL on my smartphone using voice to text. Nah!

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Linker3000 @linker3000.com · 26/12/2025

So the question is, why do Marks and Spencers sell their sesame prawn toasts in the compartmentalized trays used for screws, connectors etc. when dismantling something on the workbench!?

A grey plastic tray comprising 3x3 deep sections.

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Linker3000 @linker3000.com · 20/12/2025

I've a containerised Apache Guacamole running. Setup's a bit fiddly & the systemd service file must be 'just so' so it starts on reboot. I now have secure desktop sessions via browser to PCs on the LAN & thru h/w VPNs from 2 offices. Pic shows last conn. from a phone. WireGuard roaming test next...

Apache Guacamole screenshot listing the configured remote PCs.

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Linker3000 @linker3000.com · 13/12/2025

Holly endorses this comment

Holly the dog chilling with one of her stuffed toys.

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Linker3000 @linker3000.com · 12/12/2025

Yeah, my cat gets in on the act too.

Holly the dog on the sofa, with her nose in my tub of cottage cheese.

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Linker3000 @linker3000.com · 03/12/2025

How did your day in tech go? Here's a pic of the rig I had to use to re-secure a dangling lamp fitting on a high ceiling above the office stairs. ...so I could fit a ZigBee smart lamp, which is controlled by an occupancy sensor via a flow on Node-RED.

A ladder lying horizontally between a stair and ledge over some stairs, with a vertical central brace comprising a plank of wood and some clamps.

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Linker3000 @linker3000.com · 27/11/2025

My new fridge-freezer allows me to set the desired compartment temperatures, and it can detect when warm items are placed inside so it needs to work to drop the temperature. Is this done with simple temperature sensors? Nope, it's frikkin' AI...FFS! #InternetOfShit

Pic of fridge / freezer control panel with an illuminated indicator marked 'AI'

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Linker3000 @linker3000.com · 25/11/2025

Apparently I've snuck out to India without telling myself!?

A screenshot of an email from an electronics vendor thanking me for visiting their booth at a trade show in India. Trouble is I have never been to India.

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Linker3000 @linker3000.com · 24/11/2025

Dug out my old Samsung NC10 (Atom N270) netbook. Installing MX Linux 23.6 (i386) to give it a new lease of life.

Picture of Netbook, showing MX Linux install screen.

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Linker3000 @linker3000.com · 24/11/2025

eBay either needs to put more water, or less AI, in it.

Screenshot of a listing for TIL311 LED displays

eBay suggests comparing the TIL311 listing with similar items and shows some graphics cards.

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Linker3000 @linker3000.com · 20/11/2025

I was going to use one in a #meshtastic build and blog openly about it, but then I decided it was not polite to PIC ones nodes in public.

An anti-static box full of ancient PIC microcontrollers

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Linker3000 @linker3000.com · 14/11/2025

This is not my cat. We don't have a cat, we have a Holly.

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Linker3000 @linker3000.com · 11/11/2025

I just got an email from Stack Overflow. Seems I've not logged in since April 2023. Boy I must be a REALLY l33t coder!

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Linker3000 @linker3000.com · 03/11/2025

Our office broadband comes into the building through here. Don't breathe too hard.

A telecoms patch box overflowing with a nest of cables. Very scary.

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Linker3000 @linker3000.com · 27/10/2025

How it started. How it's going. #Meshtastic MeshBop github.com/linker3000/M...

MeshBop node components in a plastic tray just jumpered together.

MeshBop components fitted properly in a case with transparent lid

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Linker3000 @linker3000.com · 26/10/2025

Just checking that the MeshBop #Meshtastic messaging app coped with the UK time change. Yes, I must put the prototype node into the case I have for it.

A screenshot of the MeshBop app on a phone showing the current local and UTC time and the weather.

A Heltec V3 Meshtastic node hooked up to an Orange Pi Zero 3, sitting in a clear plastic tray, next to a proper hobby case.

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