I’ve been “collecting” content for many years now. I learned most of what I needed to know about ripping and transcoding over the years, such that each time I need to deal with a new video format, or a new application, it’s not too hard, because I’m building on everything I’ve already learned.

And each time I was learning new things, it’s not like there was a risk that all my previous content might suddenly become unusable or inaccessible.

Meanwhile, a couple years ago I was finally able to build myself a proper NAS. While I know my way around Linux somewhat, I never kept a Linux-based daily driver because most of the apps I use regularly are on Windows, and I’m not confident about running them stably in Linux, nor am I confident about equivalent native Linux apps. And I’m not confident about setting up and administering my own server. My past experiences have shown me that whenever you need to do anything complex and specific, it involves a lot of work.

So at a coworker’s suggestion, I got a Synology NAS that turned out to be a breeze to setup. And then I figured out how to get Plex server on there (not available in the Synology package manager, but the “manual” process turned out to be simple enough)

And it just WORKS! it’s not perfect, but it’s mostly painless to use. I was happy paying for the lifetime Plex pass at the beginning, because it handles all the routing and discovery that needs to happen to allow me to stream to my phone, or to my parents’ TV when I’m visiting them.

My next NAS might not be by Synology due to their recent announcement about supported hard drives, but I’ll probably be looking for something that “just works” because I can’t be bothered to learn how to be a sysadmin, and risk losing my stuff because I’m making the kinds of mistakes one makes as they’re learning.

Just like, if I owned a car, I wouldn’t be digging under the hood to “tweak the timing” or replacing brake discs. I’d be happy paying someone I trust to do that work, leaving me with a car that “just works”.

Rules of Acquisition: 34- War is good for business 35- Peace is good for business

Does it taste like you put the lime in the coconut?

I heard countertop banana stand owners tend to also own banana hammocks.

Much of the province of Québec is already boycotting them since January, after they closed all their warehouses here to prevent them from unionizing.

Only if you bring your own house with you.

Just rent a nice French bomb, and blow up Mar-a-Lago

I refer to it as Singles Awareness Day. For the obvious reason.

I guess even they can’t run Crysis on full.

Outside of the White House and Capitol (and maybe adjoining buildings) I would not want to do too much damage to the rest of Washington DC, as I think we could find lots of allies there.

Florida, on the other hand…

Are One Direction even still together?

Just an example: in its final years, Radio Shack fired most of its more experienced (higher paid) employees and kept/hired younger employees for less pay.

Usually, g is used to represent acceleration due to gravity, whereas G is used to represent the gravitational constant in the calculation of the gravitational attraction between any two bodies.

Than what?

DS9 is the Star Trek series with the most (and best) character development. Rom is only a recurring secondary character, yet look at the discussion here! And wait until you get to Nog’s character development…

Programmed obsolescence?

The real question to ask is, does it contain any chemicals?

I only eat ham that is 100% composed of virtual particles.

When the shopkeeper thinks he has the concept of a deal.

From other articles I’ve read, some parts are sourced outside the US, some from within. I think the implication was that they’re assembled in the US, but I haven’t seen anything to completely confirm it.

Where do I put in my request for that bluesky money I’m owed, then?