Today’s learning focused on hardware control, system administration, and
engineering management.
USB Switch to KVM Conversion
Display Switch demonstrates how to
turn a $30 USB switch into a full-featured multi-monitor KVM switch. This
project uses DDC/CI (Display Data Channel Command Interface) to control monitor
inputs programmatically, enabling seamless switching between multiple computers
without expensive KVM hardware.
The solution works by:
- Detecting which computer is active based on USB device presence
- Automatically switching monitor inputs via DDC commands
- Supporting multiple monitors with independent control
- Providing hotkey support for manual switching
USB Hub Per-Port Power Control
uhubctl provides per-port power control for
USB hubs, allowing you to turn individual USB ports on and off programmatically.
This is particularly useful for:
- Resetting problematic USB devices
- Power management in embedded systems
- Automated testing of USB devices
- Reducing power consumption
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| # List controllable USB hubs
uhubctl
# Turn off port 2 on hub 1-1
uhubctl -a off -p 2 -l 1-1
# Turn on all ports
uhubctl -a on
|
WinSW (Windows Service Wrapper) allows you to
run any executable as a Windows service with a permissive license. This is
invaluable for:
- Running non-service applications as services
- Managing application lifecycle automatically
- Ensuring applications start on boot
- Providing service-level logging and error handling
Configuration is done through XML files, making it easy to wrap existing
applications without code changes.
Smart Hiring Strategies
Erik Bernhardsson’s article on
hiring smarter than the market
presents a mathematical model for competitive hiring. Key insights:
- Focus on qualities that correlate with performance but are undervalued by the
market
- Develop interview processes that identify these hidden signals
- Consider non-traditional backgrounds and experiences
- Optimize for long-term value rather than short-term credentials
Additional Discoveries
- Linux 5.10 Features: Major kernel update with improved hardware support
and performance enhancements
- USB Drive Phantom Load: Investigation into USB drives that consume power
even when inactive, important for battery-powered systems
These tools and concepts address practical system administration challenges
while providing insights into building more efficient development and hardware
environments.
