Your latest acquisition

**pepperberry farm** · 08-07-2021, 04:04 PM - **1 Like**

SMU time....

first up: Meyer-Optik Gorlitz Primoplan 58mm f1.9

my Biotar 58/2 is on the right

this will be going off for a CLA next week, as the focus ring is so tight it will spin off the M42 mount if I'm not attentive....

**pepperberry farm** · 08-07-2021, 04:06 PM - **2 Likes**

next up, my new Takumar 55mm f2.2 (preset)

my Auto-Takumar 55mm f1.8 is on the right, which I thought was tiny for a 55mm lens

**pepperberry farm** · 08-07-2021, 04:07 PM - **1 Like**

and lastly, a Viltrox 56mm f1.4 STM ED IF, for X-mount:

bobD · 08-07-2021, 05:50 PM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by BigMackCam

I just picked up a very cheap, new / old stock, factory sealed "Lenovo ThinkCentre M72e Tiny (4004)" mini desktop business PC,

I've ordered an additional 4GB RAM Kingston RAM 8GB total RAM will be more than ample for anything I'll ever throw at this little puppy, especially under linux...

Now for another (free!) boost in performance (especially once you have the extra ram installed) install the zram package.. it really does work well for these older pc's.
No.5 from the list here..
https://www.maketecheasier.com/four-ways-to-speed-up-ubuntu/
How to Configure ZRAM on Your Ubuntu Computer - Make Tech Easier

**ThorSanchez** · 08-08-2021, 04:35 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by BigMackCam

I just picked up a very cheap, new / old stock, factory sealed "Lenovo ThinkCentre M72e Tiny (4004)" mini desktop business PC, circa 2012 / 2013, complete with detachable optical drive / VESA mount enclosure, full size wired USB keyboard and wired USB mouse. As the model name implies, it really is small - just 7.1" wide by 7.2" deep by 1.4" in height (179 x 182 x 34.5mm) for the PC itself, without the optical drive enclosure.

...

I'm wavering over one final potential upgrade: a used-but-tested dual-core, four-thread i5-3470T CPU to replace the humble G645T, for GBP £20 shipped. This would boost performance significantly, with single thread improvement of around 50%, plus the benefit of hyper-threading. I'm not sure I really need it... but it's a very inexpensive upgrade. I'm sorely tempted

I love Linux on old hardware. For years I used an old Acer netbook as a traveling laptop to backup photos, basic edits, etc. It was painfully slow on WinXP or Win 7, but I dropped in a copy of lightweight Xubuntu Linux and it was quite usable.

What's screaming fast is my 12-core system with 32Gb of RAM and a 1TB SSD with that same Xubuntu Linux.

Benz3ne · 08-08-2021, 04:37 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by pepperberry farm

next up, my new Takumar 55mm f2.2 (preset)

my Auto-Takumar 55mm f1.8 is on the right, which I thought was tiny for a 55mm lens

A beauty, as is the Primoplan! Looking forward to your shots here, D.

**pepperberry farm** · 08-08-2021, 06:44 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Benz3ne

A beauty, as is the Primoplan! Looking forward to your shots here, D.

thank you....

Takumar 55mm f2.2 (preset version) - PentaxForums.com

**ChrisPlatt** · 08-08-2021, 06:46 AM - **1 Like**

I'd be all in for Linux were it not for TurboTax software, which this year forced me "upgrade" to Windows 10.
My old 4 GB I3 system worked great with Windows 7 but now it's hardly usable even for Web browsing with Firefox.

I just ordered 4 GB additional memory in hopes of better performance, but this is merely a stopgap solution.
As documented in another thread my system now refuses to print to my HP Laserjet since Windows 10 was installed.

Chris

**ThorSanchez** · 08-08-2021, 07:43 AM

Originally posted by ChrisPlatt

I'd be all in for Linux were it not for TurboTax software, which this year forced me "upgrade" to Windows 10.
My old 4 GB I3 system worked great with Windows 7 but now it's hardly usable even for Web browsing with Firefox.

I just ordered 4 GB additional memory in hopes of better performance, but this is merely a stopgap solution.
As documented in another thread my system now refuses to print to my HP Laserjet since Windows 10 was installed.

Chris

The online version of TurboTax works happily with Linux, or I presume any other operating system.

**BigMackCam** · 08-08-2021, 07:58 AM

Originally posted by ThorSanchez

What's screaming fast is my 12-core system with 32Gb of RAM and a 1TB SSD with that same Xubuntu Linux.

LOL

Yeah, I imagine that would zip along reasonably well

Not much swap activity either, and you wouldn't notice even if there was

**ChrisPlatt** · 08-08-2021, 12:13 PM

Originally posted by ThorSanchez

The online version of TurboTax works happily with Linux, or I presume any other operating system.

My daughter uses the online version. Cost is several times that of the physical software package on CD.

Chris

**ThorSanchez** · 08-08-2021, 01:04 PM

Originally posted by ChrisPlatt

My daughter uses the online version. Cost is several times that of the physical software package on CD.

Chris

Is it? Several times? I don't know, but even if it's $50 (or really almost any amount) more that's more than worth it to not have to maintain a separate Windows machine.

bobD · 08-08-2021, 02:11 PM

Might be a bit of a learning curve but seems to provide an acceptable alternative..
Use OpenTaxSolver as an open source alternative to TurboTax | Opensource.com

**ChrisPlatt** · 08-08-2021, 02:28 PM

Before Windows in its various iterations I used most good versions of DOS.
They had their charms but now frankly you can keep your command line.

I will grudgingly buy a newer PC or laptop and be ready for Windows 11 or whatever.
The old one had a good run; about ten years. It's time for a hardware upgrade.

Chris

tim60 · 08-08-2021, 11:43 PM - **2 Likes**

I got a new headset for the laptop. I hate shouting at the computer and also the bad acoustics I often hear from others doing that. It was called a gaming headset. Physically much better than regular, that was really flimsy, and the sound quality is much better too.

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08-07-2021, 04:04 PM - 1 Like	#23236
pepperberry farm amateur dirt farmer Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: probably out in a field somewhere... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 41,636	SMU time.... first up: Meyer-Optik Gorlitz Primoplan 58mm f1.9 my Biotar 58/2 is on the right this will be going off for a CLA next week, as the focus ring is so tight it will spin off the M42 mount if I'm not attentive....

08-07-2021, 04:06 PM - 2 Likes	#23237
pepperberry farm amateur dirt farmer Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: probably out in a field somewhere... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 41,636	next up, my new Takumar 55mm f2.2 (preset) my Auto-Takumar 55mm f1.8 is on the right, which I thought was tiny for a 55mm lens

08-07-2021, 04:07 PM - 1 Like	#23238
pepperberry farm amateur dirt farmer Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: probably out in a field somewhere... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 41,636	and lastly, a Viltrox 56mm f1.4 STM ED IF, for X-mount:

08-07-2021, 05:50 PM - 2 Likes	#23239
bobD Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Waikikamukau Photos: Albums Posts: 1,248	Originally posted by BigMackCam I just picked up a very cheap, new / old stock, factory sealed "Lenovo ThinkCentre M72e Tiny (4004)" mini desktop business PC, I've ordered an additional 4GB RAM Kingston RAM 8GB total RAM will be more than ample for anything I'll ever throw at this little puppy, especially under linux... Now for another (free!) boost in performance (especially once you have the extra ram installed) install the zram package.. it really does work well for these older pc's. No.5 from the list here.. https://www.maketecheasier.com/four-ways-to-speed-up-ubuntu/ How to Configure ZRAM on Your Ubuntu Computer - Make Tech Easier

08-08-2021, 04:35 AM - 1 Like	#23240
ThorSanchez Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2012 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,804	Originally posted by BigMackCam I just picked up a very cheap, new / old stock, factory sealed "Lenovo ThinkCentre M72e Tiny (4004)" mini desktop business PC, circa 2012 / 2013, complete with detachable optical drive / VESA mount enclosure, full size wired USB keyboard and wired USB mouse. As the model name implies, it really is small - just 7.1" wide by 7.2" deep by 1.4" in height (179 x 182 x 34.5mm) for the PC itself, without the optical drive enclosure. ... I'm wavering over one final potential upgrade: a used-but-tested dual-core, four-thread i5-3470T CPU to replace the humble G645T, for GBP £20 shipped. This would boost performance significantly, with single thread improvement of around 50%, plus the benefit of hyper-threading. I'm not sure I really need it... but it's a very inexpensive upgrade. I'm sorely tempted I love Linux on old hardware. For years I used an old Acer netbook as a traveling laptop to backup photos, basic edits, etc. It was painfully slow on WinXP or Win 7, but I dropped in a copy of lightweight Xubuntu Linux and it was quite usable. What's screaming fast is my 12-core system with 32Gb of RAM and a 1TB SSD with that same Xubuntu Linux.

08-08-2021, 04:37 AM - 1 Like	#23241
Benz3ne Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2019 Location: Cymru Posts: 2,356	Originally posted by pepperberry farm next up, my new Takumar 55mm f2.2 (preset) my Auto-Takumar 55mm f1.8 is on the right, which I thought was tiny for a 55mm lens A beauty, as is the Primoplan! Looking forward to your shots here, D.

08-08-2021, 06:44 AM - 1 Like	#23242
pepperberry farm amateur dirt farmer Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: probably out in a field somewhere... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 41,636	Originally posted by Benz3ne A beauty, as is the Primoplan! Looking forward to your shots here, D. thank you.... Takumar 55mm f2.2 (preset version) - PentaxForums.com

08-08-2021, 06:46 AM - 1 Like	#23243
ChrisPlatt Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Rockaway Beach NYC Posts: 7,692	I'd be all in for Linux were it not for TurboTax software, which this year forced me "upgrade" to Windows 10. My old 4 GB I3 system worked great with Windows 7 but now it's hardly usable even for Web browsing with Firefox. I just ordered 4 GB additional memory in hopes of better performance, but this is merely a stopgap solution. As documented in another thread my system now refuses to print to my HP Laserjet since Windows 10 was installed. Chris

08-08-2021, 07:43 AM	#23244
ThorSanchez Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2012 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,804	Originally posted by ChrisPlatt I'd be all in for Linux were it not for TurboTax software, which this year forced me "upgrade" to Windows 10. My old 4 GB I3 system worked great with Windows 7 but now it's hardly usable even for Web browsing with Firefox. I just ordered 4 GB additional memory in hopes of better performance, but this is merely a stopgap solution. As documented in another thread my system now refuses to print to my HP Laserjet since Windows 10 was installed. Chris The online version of TurboTax works happily with Linux, or I presume any other operating system.

08-08-2021, 07:58 AM	#23245
BigMackCam Digitiser of Film Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: North East of England Posts: 20,645	Originally posted by ThorSanchez What's screaming fast is my 12-core system with 32Gb of RAM and a 1TB SSD with that same Xubuntu Linux. LOL Yeah, I imagine that would zip along reasonably well Not much swap activity either, and you wouldn't notice even if there was

08-08-2021, 12:13 PM	#23246
ChrisPlatt Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Rockaway Beach NYC Posts: 7,692	Originally posted by ThorSanchez The online version of TurboTax works happily with Linux, or I presume any other operating system. My daughter uses the online version. Cost is several times that of the physical software package on CD. Chris

08-08-2021, 01:04 PM	#23247
ThorSanchez Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2012 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,804	Originally posted by ChrisPlatt My daughter uses the online version. Cost is several times that of the physical software package on CD. Chris Is it? Several times? I don't know, but even if it's $50 (or really almost any amount) more that's more than worth it to not have to maintain a separate Windows machine.

08-08-2021, 02:11 PM	#23248
bobD Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Waikikamukau Photos: Albums Posts: 1,248	Might be a bit of a learning curve but seems to provide an acceptable alternative.. Use OpenTaxSolver as an open source alternative to TurboTax \| Opensource.com

08-08-2021, 02:28 PM	#23249
ChrisPlatt Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Rockaway Beach NYC Posts: 7,692	Before Windows in its various iterations I used most good versions of DOS. They had their charms but now frankly you can keep your command line. I will grudgingly buy a newer PC or laptop and be ready for Windows 11 or whatever. The old one had a good run; about ten years. It's time for a hardware upgrade. Chris

08-08-2021, 11:43 PM - 2 Likes	#23250
tim60 Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2011 Photos: Albums Posts: 8,738	I got a new headset for the laptop. I hate shouting at the computer and also the bad acoustics I often hear from others doing that. It was called a gaming headset. Physically much better than regular, that was really flimsy, and the sound quality is much better too.

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