A few assumptions:

• There will be some sort of PC available, with a keyboard and mouse and speakers, and basic programs to play audio/video, read text/PDF documents, etc. that don’t count toward my 1GB limit
• I will have knowledge ahead of time about this PC and its specs, OS, installed programs, etc.

First, I’d make sure to include a stripped down version of 7zip, or whatever compression I use (y’all don’t wanna get on there and realize you can’t decompress your files). Hopefully only a few MB for a CLI utility.

Second, I’d include a decent library stored in a compressed text format. Some fiction, some non-fiction, classics, some of my favorite series, a bunch of “Intro to ___” type of books, that kind of thing. Probably up to 50MB or so.

Third, I would include some low-quality audio of some favorite music as well as a few audio books. Maybe 200MB or so.

Fourth, I’d include a copy of a simple game engine system (maybe something like libgdx) as well as Inkscape, and whatever compiler I would need to create programs/games for my PC, and relevant documentation. This would give me both a creative outlet, and allow me and my companion to make new games for each other to have something novel. Hopefully around 100 or 200MB.

Depending on the size, I might also consider including something like FruityLoops, again to be able to create new content. Ideally something that’s 100MB or so.

With whatever space I have left (300 or 400MB-ish), I’d include things like emulators and a couple favorite older games (Lord of the Realms 2 comes to mind) that have good replay value and would be small enough to fit. Ideally some multi-player options as well (assuming a shared keyboard).

Without previous knowledge of the available PC, I’d include multiple builds of 7zip for most common architectures, and prioritize the books and audio. Maybe bring a couple variants of GCC and minGW (if I can write programs, I can eventually replicate lots of the other software).

Math! Also, noise!

There are algorithms (a set of math steps) that make pseudo-random numbers. These usually involve large prime numbers, because those usually generate fewer repeating patterns.

A truly random number generator is similar to rolling dice: you use some source of randomness and convert it to a number. All electric circuits produce “noise” (which is often received radio waves and such that interfere with the circuits). Think of tuning a radio to a channel with nothing on it–you get “white noise”, which can be a good source of random information. Then all you need to do is convert that to a range of numbers, and you’re good to go.

These are fairly simplified explanations, so take them with a grain of salt, but they give the general idea.

Slow down there, what’s wrong with good ol’ assembly?

All it takes is a little hypnosis and a bunch of LSD.

Not aware of Bill Hicks’ take, but marketing effectively amounts to manipulating people into buying things that they otherwise would not.

I use this one regularly

Probably sleep late, then spend some quiet afternoons digging through the wreckage for a can of something that doesn’t seem too radioactive. Maybe get into painting or something.

About 15 years ago, my dad was doing some work on a manufacturing line and needed some technical drawings done (schematics, wiring diagrams, and panel layouts). I was just starting college, but had learned Autocad in high school, so he hired me to make them.

It paid well, and me being relatively inexperienced, I went the extra mile to make them clear, readable, and easy to work with. I think I did several dozen pages of drawings.

Just this year, my dad was chatting with someone from that plant about something unrelated. The person asked how I was doing, and said those drawings were still the best ones anyone had done for them. Felt pretty good.

Dang, I was late by a minute

Stickerbush Symphony from Donkey Kong Country 2.

Bonus: a Charles Cornell breakdown of the song.

I usually move static assignments outside the DHCP range, but in general, most routers will avoid re-allocating it even if it’s within the DHCP range.

Yeah, does anyone else remember the menu bars that would show up and disappear depending on what you were doing? Those were awful–the ribbon method of context-specific tabs is better (IMO).

If he wins, we’ll all wish the moon would start colliding with earth.

There’s a great comic by The Oatmeal that explains it more thoroughly, and it’s an amusing read.

HR does exist to protect the company, but sometimes that aligns with your needs. In this case, HR is likely more interested in avoiding a sexual harassment case (which would cost the company), so they’re probably going to hear you out.

My favorite band is Enter the Haggis. I’ll give you a couple choices:

Swallowed by a Whale - one of their newest.

Gasoline - one of their most popular ones, a bit country-leaning.

To the Quick - a solid instrumental.

If you’re browsing for torrents without a serious adblocker… why?

I already have to do this. My office wants everyone to use the MS authenticator app, won’t run on LineageOS. Even if it did, I wouldn’t install it, but still.

Ended up making them purchase a hardware security key for me instead.