Flickering after ALT-TABing out of game

You’re playing a game fullscreen and ALT-TAB to a web browser to look up something.  Suddenly the screen is a flickering mess.  What’s going on, and how can you stop it from happening? The particular flickering I am talking about is the type that looks like the graphical frames of the game and the graphical […]

How to Zoom the Steam Client

Are you trying to use the Steam Client but find that the text and controls are too small to read and use easily?  Are you dumbfounded why there are no settings or keyboard shortcuts to make everything bigger?  If so, then today is your lucky day… The above screenshot is what the default skin looks […]

TP-Link USB Wi-Fi connection issue

TP-Link make a cool little USB Wi-Fi adapter called the TL-WN725N.  I’ve just discovered something that may explain some of the connectivity issues folks are having with it.  The same issue is probably affecting a variety of other wireless devices as well. A while ago, I needed a USB Wi-Fi adapter that would work with […]

Recovering from a freeze in Linux

Ever had your Linux system freeze on you?  The mouse either doesn’t move, doesn’t register clicks, or both?  The keyboard seems completely unresponsive?  Can’t think of any way to regain control of your system except to press the power button?  Worried you might corrupt the filesystem if you do?  Fear not. The Linux kernel is […]

Tweaking Python programs

If you’re not a Python programmer but you’re trying to customise some Python code anyway, and your changes do not seem to make a difference, then there might be a simple explanation and fix. I recently installed mailnag to regularly check my IMAP mail account and notify me when new mail arrives.  Mailnag is really […]

Logging CRON messages to a different file

Noticed that a lot of the messages in /var/log/syslog are from CRON and anacron?  Would you prefer that they be directed to a different file?  Easy Peasy. I use cron to schedule the execution of a number of programs that perform a variety of tasks (e.g. backups).  By default, Ubuntu 18.04 is configured to log […]

Hmm. We’re having trouble finding that site.

Having problems connecting to sites with browsers like Firefox and Chrome?  Do pages seem to hang with a “Performing TLS Handshake” message at the bottom?  Is it particularly bad if you try to open multiple tabs all at once?  Here’s one reason why that happens, and how to fix it. I do most of my […]

Syntax Highlighting in nano

Trying to edit certain files using nano?  Looking for better syntax highlighting?  Been advised that you can clone a github repo and ‘just’ install it?  Not sure how to proceed?  Read on. The GNU nano text editor is installed on a staggering number of Unix-based systems.  It’s light and friendly.  It’s also smart enough to […]

CentOS on an Asus motherboard? Yes, you can!

The other day I decided to drastically reconfigure my home network.  I want to conduct some experiments with Kernel-based Virtual Machines and needed a stable host platform.  That naturally meant that Windows wasn’t an option.  I ultimately settled on CentOS 6.2 and redeployed my old gaming rig into service.  Some specs: Asus Maximus IV Extreme […]