Simple Living

The Quintessential Swiss Army Knife: A Tribute to the Victorinox Spartan A few years back, I found myself deeply engrossed in the world of Swiss Army multi-tools, culminating in a modest collection of about a dozen pieces. Among them, my favorite has been the Victorinox Spartan in the 91mm format, a true classic that embodies the spirit of Swiss craftsmanship. I have multiple copies, including the smaller Classic , but the Spartan remains my go-to for its blend of functionality and heritage. Heritage and Design The Spartan is based on the 1890s Officer's Knife , a design that harkens back to the origins of the Swiss Army knife. This lineage gives the Spartan a historical significance, being an offshoot of the Model 1890 soldiers' knife, the very tool used by the Swiss Army. Its timeless design captures the essence of what a Swiss Army knife should be: practical, reliable, and straightforward. Spartan Specs Length : 91mm Weight : 2.1 ounces Functions : 12 Large Knife Small Knif

Victorinox INOX Watch Review Almost like clockwork, I purchase a new watch every year around this time. With last year's acquisition of the Armani AR585, I developed a liking for watches in the 43 mm range. This year, I decided to get the Victorinox INOX Watch in OD olive green. Background I've wanted the INOX for several years but hesitated, thinking that 43 mm was too big. At the time, I sold my Armani AR585, but as time passes, my perspective has changed. I now see a place for larger watches to complement my existing collection of 38 and 41 mm sizes. The INOX also offers a 200-meter water resistance with a screw-down crown, which I have always wanted in a watch besides my G-Shock for swimming. The hexagonal bezel design appeals to me as well. It resembles an AP Royal Oak or a PP Nautilus but is different enough that it doesn’t come across as a cheap knockoff or homage design. It's bold and blunt in size and design, but less so than my Seiko Orange Monster, which feels to

Windows Update Troubles I have been spoiled by Linux and didn't pay much attention to the update system for Windows. I am currently on my fourth day trying to update Windows 10 to Build 1909. Initial Update Attempts The HP i7 restore software was on an older 1511 Build. I was able to update it to 1809 after several hours, but then I encountered total havoc while trying to get it updated to 1909. Restarting, running various command prompt options, and utilizing different utilities led to nothing but frustration. Decision to Reset After much struggle, I decided to reset back to a previous build. This process took me all the way back to 1511. I started over and managed to get it to 1809. Now, I am waiting for it to update to 1909, crossing my fingers for success. Update Success Update 4/23/2020 : It is done. The updates have finally completed, and I am 100% up-to-date. This ordeal felt unnecessary and ridiculous.

My Laptop Fleet Over the years, I have owned numerous laptops and have settled on a small fleet of three machines: Windows Box : Windows 10 - HP i7-6700HQ (2016) Linux Box : Lubuntu - HP i3-4010u (2014) Spare : Lubuntu - Compaq C700 C2Duo-T5250 (circa 2007) HP i3-4010u: An Awesome Processor Intel did well with the release of this 4th generation processor. While the i3 is designed as an entry-level and basic CPU, it works perfectly for Linux and most of my computing needs, excluding gaming. One of the best features is its low power consumption, which was a significant reason I decided to replace most of my older laptops that ran Core 2 Duos and older processors. I am still impressed at how many people continue to use their 4th gen i3 processors, which sell for a decent price on eBay (my HP i3 model goes for about $200). HP i7-6700HQ: Great, but Needs a GPU and SSD The i7 is an excellent processor, but if you plan to buy one, ensure it is paired with an SSD and a GPU. In hindsight, I had

Caravan Stories: Basic Walkthrough/Guide Overview Welcome back to the world of Caravan Stories ! Whether you're playing on PS4 or the Japanese PC version, here’s a comprehensive guide to help you navigate through the game. The two versions are fundamentally the same, but the PC version offers better bonuses, like the availability of 5-star gear for characters like Sophia. Five Basic Goals Complete the Four Starter Races: Start with Human, Elf, Dwarf, and Orc. Completing the stories and reincarnating opens new options and locations. Start with the Human Story: The Human story grants you the powerful S-Class character, Sophia, who can carry you through much of the game. Build a Good Team: Assemble a balanced team with diverse character types and classes. Upgrade Your Caravan: Prioritize internal upgrades first, then focus on external enhancements. Learn to Kite: While many battles can be auto-played, some require manual dodging and movement. Mastering the kiting technique will help y

Upgrading My HP i7-6700HQ Laptop with an SSD I am upgrading my HP i7-6700HQ model 15-AB292NR (purchased in 2016) with a new SSD (solid-state drive), a 1TB Crucial BX500 3D NAND SATA 2.5 drive purchased for $100 from Amazon. Specs of the HP 15t Model 15-AB292NR Processor: Intel i7-6700HQ RAM: 8 GB HDD: 1 TB GPU: Intel Graphics 530 Screen: 15.6" IPS DVD Writer: Yes Wireless: 802.11AC Operating System: Windows 10 Home Battery Model: ki04 (KI04) The “HQ” in the processor name stands for High Quality and Quad-Core. It is a step below the unlocked K version but is otherwise fairly decent. Why Upgrade the i7? The HP i7 has been my main Windows OS machine as I still need it for certain functions, and recently I've been using it daily while stuck at home. Normally, I spend most of my time on my Linux laptop (HP i3-4010u), which has always been faster than even an i7 running Windows 10. Since I need to spend more time on Windows 10, upgrading to an SSD will help improve perform