Paradroyd
@paradroyd.bsky.social
I'm a sysadmin for a medium-sized library system, as well as a retrocomputer/retrogaming enthusiast. In addition to a fair amount of original retro hardware, I also do a lot with SBCs, microcontrollers, and FPGAs.
These PACs have been in heavy use since the Pi2 came out, and they just work. Right tool for the right job.
It helps that the Polaris PACs just use basic HTML..not a lot of client-side procesing.
FWIW, our general internet public access computers are your typical intel-based Windows desktops.
It helps that the Polaris PACs just use basic HTML..not a lot of client-side procesing.
FWIW, our general internet public access computers are your typical intel-based Windows desktops.
November 2, 2025 at 6:16 AM
These PACs have been in heavy use since the Pi2 came out, and they just work. Right tool for the right job.
It helps that the Polaris PACs just use basic HTML..not a lot of client-side procesing.
FWIW, our general internet public access computers are your typical intel-based Windows desktops.
It helps that the Polaris PACs just use basic HTML..not a lot of client-side procesing.
FWIW, our general internet public access computers are your typical intel-based Windows desktops.
The Pi3B+ happily run without a fan. They don't pull in air, so they don't pull in dust. Also, the Pi 3B+ have a real, full-sized HDMI port. I've come to hate micro HDMI ports like the 4 and 5 have. They are much less stable in production,especially if the cables are exposed in children's areas,etc.
November 2, 2025 at 6:10 AM
The Pi3B+ happily run without a fan. They don't pull in air, so they don't pull in dust. Also, the Pi 3B+ have a real, full-sized HDMI port. I've come to hate micro HDMI ports like the 4 and 5 have. They are much less stable in production,especially if the cables are exposed in children's areas,etc.
The user never sees the startup slowness..because they typically aren't there for the startup. I still have about 100 of them in service. I've started moving to Pi 4Bs in some locations, but the 3B+s are still preferred in some places: dusty environments, and anywhere that heat might be an issue...
November 2, 2025 at 6:06 AM
The user never sees the startup slowness..because they typically aren't there for the startup. I still have about 100 of them in service. I've started moving to Pi 4Bs in some locations, but the 3B+s are still preferred in some places: dusty environments, and anywhere that heat might be an issue...
The way the PAC terminals work is, they reset and wait at the catalog homepage for a user.The user does their searches, and then they typically walk away.I have a script that counts down 3 minutes from idle, and it kills and relaunches Chromium. It's ready for the next user by the time they walk up.
November 2, 2025 at 6:02 AM
The way the PAC terminals work is, they reset and wait at the catalog homepage for a user.The user does their searches, and then they typically walk away.I have a script that counts down 3 minutes from idle, and it kills and relaunches Chromium. It's ready for the next user by the time they walk up.
When Debian Linux moved to primarily 64 bits, we quickly phased out all of the Pi 2s and skipped the 3s..went right to the 3+.
The reason Pis work well for PACs, in spite of doing some things slowly is that, the slowest part of the Pi is the startup. Once the browser is up and running, it's fine...
The reason Pis work well for PACs, in spite of doing some things slowly is that, the slowest part of the Pi is the startup. Once the browser is up and running, it's fine...
November 2, 2025 at 5:59 AM
When Debian Linux moved to primarily 64 bits, we quickly phased out all of the Pi 2s and skipped the 3s..went right to the 3+.
The reason Pis work well for PACs, in spite of doing some things slowly is that, the slowest part of the Pi is the startup. Once the browser is up and running, it's fine...
The reason Pis work well for PACs, in spite of doing some things slowly is that, the slowest part of the Pi is the startup. Once the browser is up and running, it's fine...
The Pi's are WAY too slow and niche to use for general internet access, but they do work well as PACs (Public Access Catalogs) Basically for looking up materials on terminals around the library branch. We did start off with Pi 2s years ago, but moved everything to Pi3B+s...
November 2, 2025 at 5:55 AM
The Pi's are WAY too slow and niche to use for general internet access, but they do work well as PACs (Public Access Catalogs) Basically for looking up materials on terminals around the library branch. We did start off with Pi 2s years ago, but moved everything to Pi3B+s...
Listened to the episode recently while on the way back from Florida to Missouri and heard you mention the fact that I use Raspberry Pis as kiosks at work. (Yes..I'm outing myself, that was me).
Just to clarify, we never used Raspberry Pis as public general Internet computers, we use them as PACs...
Just to clarify, we never used Raspberry Pis as public general Internet computers, we use them as PACs...
November 2, 2025 at 5:51 AM
Listened to the episode recently while on the way back from Florida to Missouri and heard you mention the fact that I use Raspberry Pis as kiosks at work. (Yes..I'm outing myself, that was me).
Just to clarify, we never used Raspberry Pis as public general Internet computers, we use them as PACs...
Just to clarify, we never used Raspberry Pis as public general Internet computers, we use them as PACs...
I got the last one that the K-Mart in my area had in stock a few weeks after that. I got it new in the box for $25. I still have it (along with the original box with the $50 rebate sticker on it) and it still works great, and has been seriously upgraded.
October 29, 2025 at 12:40 AM
I got the last one that the K-Mart in my area had in stock a few weeks after that. I got it new in the box for $25. I still have it (along with the original box with the $50 rebate sticker on it) and it still works great, and has been seriously upgraded.
I might buy one after some people have gotten their hands on them and verified the quality of it.
That's only if/after it's an in-stock, tangible, buyable thing.
Hard nope on pre-ordering it at any price.
That's only if/after it's an in-stock, tangible, buyable thing.
Hard nope on pre-ordering it at any price.
October 23, 2025 at 10:15 PM
I might buy one after some people have gotten their hands on them and verified the quality of it.
That's only if/after it's an in-stock, tangible, buyable thing.
Hard nope on pre-ordering it at any price.
That's only if/after it's an in-stock, tangible, buyable thing.
Hard nope on pre-ordering it at any price.
One phrase I wish had never been uttered is "latest and greatest". Every time I hear someone say that I cringe. It's seldom true these days.
October 21, 2025 at 9:14 PM
One phrase I wish had never been uttered is "latest and greatest". Every time I hear someone say that I cringe. It's seldom true these days.
I had an AWE64 after having an AWE32. All other things being equal, the 64 definitely didn't sound as good as the 32 to me. I have no idea why, but it was noticeable.
August 26, 2025 at 3:21 AM
I had an AWE64 after having an AWE32. All other things being equal, the 64 definitely didn't sound as good as the 32 to me. I have no idea why, but it was noticeable.
Reminds me of another thing from long before AI (or digital computers, for that matter).
August 24, 2025 at 3:04 AM
Reminds me of another thing from long before AI (or digital computers, for that matter).
The DS version plays very well on my Anbernic RG406V. Also have the original boxed cart on my actual DS.
August 3, 2025 at 3:22 AM
The DS version plays very well on my Anbernic RG406V. Also have the original boxed cart on my actual DS.
One of my favorite Space Invaders games. I was just playing it last night.
August 3, 2025 at 3:19 AM
One of my favorite Space Invaders games. I was just playing it last night.
So much fine craftsmanship!
July 23, 2025 at 4:24 AM
So much fine craftsmanship!
Nope. Straight-up ordered it from Amazon UK. Had to retry multiple times, but I got it to work without any real shenanigans.
June 25, 2025 at 2:35 AM
Nope. Straight-up ordered it from Amazon UK. Had to retry multiple times, but I got it to work without any real shenanigans.
Sometimes it's OK if things don't make sense.
June 24, 2025 at 11:28 PM
Sometimes it's OK if things don't make sense.
That second pic was supposed to be animated. I often forget that you have to post GIFs as video for them to play in-line.
May 17, 2025 at 6:04 PM
That second pic was supposed to be animated. I often forget that you have to post GIFs as video for them to play in-line.