Simple Living

Evaluating New Linux Distros for My Revived Rig Out with the Old: Lubuntu 17.10 I’m evaluating new Linux distros for my revived Linux rig. The old Lubuntu 17.10 was fantastic but has become obsolete. I was unimpressed with Lubuntu 20.04 LTS, as it seems the mindset of Linux has evolved to accommodate increasingly more powerful computers. Now, a minimum of a dual-core CPU and 2 GB of RAM is required. The HP i3-4010u with 8 GB of RAM is just slightly above those minimum standards. 1. Lubuntu 20.04 LTS I’ve been a longtime Lubuntu user and fan. My absolute favorite has been Lubuntu 17, followed by 18.04 LTS, so I was expecting the same experience with 20.04. However, I was disappointed. The system felt laggy and unresponsive, coming off as bloated. It took 15 seconds for Firefox to open, and the loading of pages took even longer. I found this unacceptable, especially considering that Lubuntu 17 was lightning fast on the same machine with less RAM. Ultimately, I threw in the towel and inst

Overview of My HP 15f-10dx Why a Cheap Laptop? I've owned several laptops in my lifetime, and the HP 15f-010dx was a budget choice at around $399 back in 2014. I never really spent much on laptops, as I wasn't into gaming or anything computationally intensive. However, I found Windows 8 to be horrible on this slow machine. The i3-4010u CPU was sufficient for my needs, but the operating system felt sluggish. The main feature going for it was the 'touchscreen,' which surprisingly turned out to be very useful. Specs CPU: i3-4010u RAM: 8 GB (original factory was 4 GB) Storage: 500 GB HDD (upgraded to 256 GB SSD) OS: Windows 8.1 (swapped to Linux Mint) How to Enter BIOS To access the BIOS, start the laptop and immediately click the ESC key. This will show the Boot Up Menu, and you can press F10 to enter BIOS. Battery Drain When Powered Off The battery drain I experienced is not due to the Linux OS but likely a setting in the BIOS. I've been testing by disabling boo

Overview of Adidas Stan Smiths I recently picked up a pair of Adidas Stan Smiths for under $40, and after a full week of wear, I'm quite pleased with them. They have a thick leather upper and tongue, paired with a rubber sole, giving them a classic look that feels reminiscent of oxford dress shoes. Although I'm still breaking them in, I can already tell these shoes have a lot of potential. Sizing I opted for a size 9.5, and while they are snug, I anticipate that they will stretch out a bit, making them perfect for me. If you plan to wear them infrequently, consider sizing up, as breaking them in can take some time. Most people recommend going up a size for Stan Smiths, which I usually do, especially since my right foot is slightly wider. Style These shoes are a timeless classic with a sleek profile that fits almost any outfit. They have a narrower profile similar to Converse All-Stars but are easier to slip on than chunkier options like Adidas Superstars. They also serve as a g

Comparing Adidas Stan Smith and Superstar When it comes to classic Adidas shoes, the Stan Smith and Superstar are two popular contenders. While both have roots in sports—tennis for the Stan Smith and basketball for the Superstar—they've largely transitioned to fashion staples. Below, I’ll compare and rate these shoes across several categories. Style Stan Smith: Both shoes are casual and versatile, complementing most outfits. The Stan Smith pairs well with slimmer or regular-cut clothing, making it a great match for shorts. In contrast, the Superstar feels chunkier and tends to suit baggier styles, particularly jeans. Comfort Superstar: The plush inner lining of the Superstars makes them incredibly comfortable. They broke in quickly, requiring only a day of wear. The Stan Smiths, however, have been a different story; they’re still causing some discomfort after a week, particularly on my right foot. For longer outings or standing for extended periods, I’d definitely choose the Supers