Best products from r/factorio

>Man, I’m too young to have ever messed with stuff like that

me too, i was born long after all of that happend, which makes it even easier today to do projects with old hardware.

>I would have an amazing time with some 8/16 bit stuff!!!

you can easily buy all parts of an IBM PC today (or any custom 8/16 bit computer like i did, though i did easily get stuck on writting software for it)

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For an IBM PC, you just need the schematics of the motherboard (and all required daughter boards), make it into a PCB design, order it, buy the chips and other components, solder it, put a BIOS into the FLASH/ROM Chips, and somehow boot (SD Card or something as a replacement for a harddrive)

the rather difficult parts are going to be the Video output (which would probably be an FPGA outputting MDA/CGA video over a VGA Port), the keyboard and harddrive controller chips can just be replaced by a 20MHz AtMega, which is fast enough to handle a PS/2 Keyboard and an SD Card.

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if you do it right you should have a remake of an original IBM PC (but with a much faster "harddrive") that should be able to run all IBM PC Compatible software

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so, this is just an example for what it takes to make a very simple 8 bit computer for around 100 USD (if you start with no tools or anything):

• 1x CPU, something like a Z80 (which is still being made to this day), 5 USD
  
• 1x RAM, (32kB) should be enough, 2.5 USD
  
• 1x ROM (FLASH), (128kB, 32kB used) this is what holds the actual program... basically like RAM but can only be read from (can be programmed), 1.3 USD
  
• 2x? PLD, Programmable logic Devices, they just save a lot of wiring and space, require an EEPROM Programmer though, 2.3 USD
  
• 4x? Breadboards, this is where your put the componenets on, 6 USD/board (price may vary, maybe your find a better deal)
  
• 1x Wire (set), i mean you need to connect the chips somehow, price varies... best to buy a set like this
  
• 1x EEPROM Programmer, a device used to write data to the ROM Chip and a lot of other Chips, like PLDs, price varies, one of the best ones you can get is the TL866II Plus... expensive (~50 USD) but worth it if you really want to get into projects like this
  
• 1x Interface device, basically a way to send data from your Modern computer to your 8 bit Computer and vise versa. there are chips specifically for this but they can be expensive (UM245R, ~20-40 USD), so a cheaper way is to use something like a (pre soldered) Arduino Nano (~2 USD) and programming it to handle the communication
  
• 1x "Dosen Jokari" no idea what the english name is, but this thing is pretty awesome, it's used to strip the insulation off wires, no idea why but this thing makes stripping these small wires much easier than any regular wirestripper can do, price varies, try to find one of these
  
• 1x wirecutter, simple tool, like scissors but for wires, price varies, can be from ~5 USD to ~20 USD, even found one that has a build-in wire stripper for 15 USD in case you don't want to buy 2 tools
  
• 100x knowledge, you need to know how to use google to see how each of these things work, Digikey has all datasheets listed so for those parts it's easy but you would still need to look up and learn how to use each software and even write programs for this CPU
  
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  like I'm pretty sure to just order all of that was not possible when these Computers were brand new, mostly because of the price, and nowadays it's a DIY Project anyone can do (if they're interested), have the time and 100 Bucks to spare.
  
  i just find this amazing!

I have been using the Roccat Sova for a couple of years now. It works great for gaming but I would like to make a few tweaks. The whole board could be a tad smaller. The keyboard should be centered. The left side position of the keyboard is fine for gaming as I always map keybinds to my left hand. But when needing to type, it would be better if it was centered. In fact, I think a lap board with a split and dropped key layout would be perfect. The mousepad is huge, it seems like all mousepads are huge these days? I have the mouse speed cranked up, I can move from one edge of the screen to the other with about an inch or two of mouse movement. I think if I went back to a desk, I would still use a lapboard. It is so much more comfortable.

This is the kind of engineering paper I use for everything (I picked the first link I saw, which happened to be amazon, but you can probably find it for the same price or cheaper at an office supply store, or for $16 a ream at my university book store).

The grid on this kind of paper is actually printed on the back of the paper; when you have it on the ream, the grid from all the pages sort of adds up and is visible through the sheet, but once you take off the page, you can’t see it anymore. It’s nice for keeping things organized while writing, them when you take it off it looks super clean.

I like this stuff so much that I made a template of it in Krita when I switched to digital.

(If you meant, “where do I get old exam sheets,” then good luck. If you have friends in school, they may be willing to part with some. Your library might have scrap paper too. Or you can go back to college, but short of building your own paper mill, that might be the most expensive way imaginable to get scratch paper).

Logitech MX Master or MX Master 2s. I have the first version, version 2s just adds higher DPI (1600 vs 4000) though.
It's not a gaming mouse, but I like it. It's great for office type computer work, and games like factorio. It's even good for FPS games, as it still has a decently high DPI, it just doesn't have macro buttons. The scroll wheel is simply the best out there though, and is the main reason I like it.

It can charge while you're using it too, which is nice for when you forget to charge. Battery lasts a long time though, for me it's at least 2 weeks, and that's with 8+ hours daily use for work plus gaming/fun, with at least the first 8 hours being on bluetooth instead of the USB receiver. It has three storage settings for connections, so I can switch from using it on my work laptop to using it on my personal desktop by just pressing a button on the bottom.

> Acer Z35P

The Acer is a VA panel and the alienware is an IPS panel. The Alienware also OC to 120hz which is pretty nice.

I did a decent amount of comparisons, the Alienware seemed like the best panel for the price. The only one that will for sure beat it out is the new Acer Predator X35. That one just came out and has a price tag of $2500 lol. https://www.amazon.com/Acer-X35-bmiphzx-UltraWide-DisplayHDR/dp/B07V8KVK8H

I have a 970 I was supposed to return (Used it a month and then the 10 series came out, amazon authorized the full refund but I never sent it =[ ) that I would probably be willing to part with for a good deal if you're not on the far side of the moon, shipping wise.

It's literally in the original packaging and IIRC should even still have all the original DVI/HDMI/DP plugs that they ship new cards with.

i've been working as a financial analyst for close to 5 years now and i've used this more during my first run through of bob's mods than i have in all of my working years.

imo, you'll save a ton of time in the long run if you understand the underlying math behind the game (namely, production per second of various facilities accounting for crafting speed, production facilities per belt type (it's a bit more involved for miners), and optimal pump/steam engine/boiler ratios) and simply use a calculator as it's a faster and more flexible approach as compared to referencing an online tool while in a game. (i used to use doomeer factorio tool when playing vanilla but now i just use a calculator there too.)

if you have specific questions about the math, im happy to try and help!

This is a little advanced, but the underlying theories are covered by this book:

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https://www.amazon.com/Foundations-Solid-Mechanics-International-Dynamics/dp/0133299120

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Edit: There's also a paper on it that won the Ig Nobel prize: https://journals.aps.org/prl/abstract/10.1103/PhysRevLett.95.095505

I too am an engineer, been working in the Field for about 6 years, im a professional C++ developer, ive designed and implemented several simple game engines, the basics are: There is an Engine, which handles the graphicss, File IO and the other OS like portions of the game, then there is the Gamelogic, which maintains all the rules and functionality of the game, then on top of that there is game layer which would incorporate all the mods and scripting.

for ease of development, its very likely that the Game logic and game layers are implemented in LUA with the intention of rolling over into actual C++ when they stabilize to 1.0 and since the game is still alpha im willing to bet the "base game" "mod" that is in the mod list is actually a giant piece of LUA code

https://www.amazon.com/Game-Coding-Complete-Fourth-McShaffry/dp/1133776574 i recommend you read that book

Edit: seeing the devs did reply, looks like just the top layer is in LUA.

Get a simple track ball mouse like the Logitech m570. You can use your finger to move the ball, and then move it over to the button to click, without having to move your hand at all. (And after looking at the picture, you might be able to use thumb for the ball and finger for the button.)

I had scapholunate repair surgery in my right wrist, (with a second follow-up surgery) so know where you are coming from. I also recommend an electric toothbrush if you don't already have one, for your left handed tooth brushing. Contrary to what most people think, brushing teeth is the hardest daily bathroom activity to do with your non-dominant hand.

you forgot something:

https://www.amazon.com/Forum-Novelties-Inflatable-Judy-Doll/dp/B010R6I8V4/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1511339038&sr=8-2&keywords=sex+doll
but this could be a strong competitor to factorio in order of price / h of fun

If you want to understand it, read through Code: The Hidden Language of Computer Hardware and Software. It's not a giant textbook, just a regular book (with figures to help explain subjects too) which means it is concise in its material and not overly verbose. It will give you a complete rundown of what a computer is and how it works at its most base level, starting from the concepts of morse code and electricity up to binary and mechanical relays and then the instruction codes and massive banks of transistors which end up forming what we can definitely call "a computer". It's a great book for anyone trying to delve into computer science or even just trying to understand it as a hobby.

Erm, no. x4. As in, each player pays $70 for a Saturday tee-time, for a total of $280 for a morning tee time foursome.

Granted, that's country-club rates (which also include a yearly fee). I've seen higher end clubs do $150 per player. Yes, a $600 tee time. So $70/player is high-end (but not an outrageous price). A cheaper outing might be $30 per person ($120 for the foursome) for a Twilight / late afternoon outing. Then a good Golf Ball costs ~$4 each, a set of Golf Clubs is easily $500+.

Its called a rich-man's sport for a reason. The key to playing the game without breaking the bank is to find less popular locations and focus on twilight rates for maybe $20 for a bit of late-afternoon practice during the weekdays.

Something cheap like this can go a long way and don't forget to clap at the start to make synchronization with video easier at editing.

I play factorio on a 65" 4K OLED. It's great... :)

This one: https://www.amazon.com/LG-Electronics-OLED65E6P-65-Inch-Ultra/dp/B019O5F86W/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1494895446&sr=8-1&keywords=LG+E6

Also does a surprisingly good job against zombie bites!

Zombie Survival Guide

Essential Reading

My bike is connected to this and it is extremely solid. You basically have to try to tip over, I don't see a way that it would happen otherwise, save for assembling it incorrectly.

If you are playing on a system such as a laptop without a numpad, you could use one of these: https://www.amazon.com/Numeric-Jelly-Comb-Portable-Computer/dp/B01E8TTWZ2/

Numpads are also useful when typing Factorio numbers into spreadsheets to calculate ratios.

Oh hey, that's pretty close to mine. I'll test factorio later when I'm not busy with work or classes

https://www.amazon.com/Acer-E5-575-33BM-15-6-Inch-Notebook-Generation/dp/B01K1IO3QW can this laptop run this game well? I’m getting a laptop for college and want one that can play this game