Modern Simple Living

Gear Review Evaluating New Linux Distros for My Revived Rig Navigating the transition from legacy Lubuntu to modern Linux environments ~3 Months Usage 8 GB RAM 3 Distros Tested Section I Out with the Old: Lubuntu 17.10 I’m evaluating new Linux distros for my revived Linux rig. The old Lubuntu 17.10 was fantastic but has become obsolete. I was unimpressed with Lubuntu 20.04 LTS, as it seems the mindset of Linux has evolved to accommodate increasingly more powerful computers. Now, a minimum of a dual-core CPU and 2 GB of RAM is required. The HP i3-4010u with 8 GB of RAM is just slightly above those minimum standards.   The Testing Process → Lubuntu 20.04 LTS — A longtime favorite that unfortunately felt bloated and laggy, with 15-second Firefox load times on capable hardware. → Linux Mint 20 Cinnamon — A pleasant surprise that offers a familiar, Windows-like interface and superior performance compared to my experience with Lubuntu 20.04. → Elementary OS — A clean and aesthetical...

Gear Review Overview of My HP 15-F010DX: A Decade of Resilience *How a budget 2014 laptop survived water damage, hardware swaps, and 12 years of daily use.* ~12 Years 5.1 lbs 256 GB SSD 1 Water Submersion Table of Contents ① The Budget Laptop That Wouldn't Quit ② The "Frankenstein" Restoration ③ A Decade of Updates ④ Final Retirement (2026) Section I The Budget Laptop That Wouldn't Quit I’ve owned several laptops in my lifetime, and the HP 15-F010DX was a budget choice at around $399 back in 2014. I never spent much on hardware, as I wasn't into gaming or intensive tasks. While Windows 8 felt sluggish on the i3-4010u CPU, the touchscreen proved to be a surprisingly useful feature that defined the machine's longevity.   Technical Specifications → Model — 15-F010DX → CPU — i3-4010u → RAM — 8 GB (upgraded from 4 GB factory) DDR3 1600mhz → Storage — 500 GB HDD (later upgraded to 256 GB SSD) → OS — Windows 8.1 (swapped to Linux Mint, later Lubuntu) → Displa...

Gear Review A Long-Term Review of Adidas Stan Smiths *From initial break-in struggles to a 14-month durability report.* $40 Price 14 Months ~1,000 Miles Section I The Initial Verdict I recently picked up a pair of Adidas Stan Smiths for under $40, and after a full week of wear, I'm quite pleased with them. They have a thick leather upper and tongue, paired with a rubber sole, giving them a classic look that feels reminiscent of oxford dress shoes. Although I'm still breaking them in, I can already tell these shoes have a lot of potential.   Sizing I opted for a size 9.5, and while they are snug, I anticipate that they will stretch out a bit, making them perfect for me. If you plan to wear them infrequently, consider sizing up, as breaking them in can take some time. Most people recommend going up a size for Stan Smiths, which I usually do, especially since my right foot is slightly wider. Style These shoes are a timeless classic with a sleek profile that fits almost any outfi...

Gear Review Comparing Adidas Stan Smith and Superstar *A breakdown of two iconic footwear legends* ~2 Years Lifespan 1 Week Break-in 2 Classic Styles Section I The Contenders When it comes to classic Adidas shoes, the Stan Smith and Superstar are two popular contenders. While both have roots in sports—tennis for the Stan Smith and basketball for the Superstar—they've largely transitioned to fashion staples. Below, I’ll compare and rate these shoes across several categories.   Style & Design → Stan Smith — Casual and versatile, it complements most outfits. The clean lines and classic profile pair well with slimmer or regular-cut clothing, making it a great match for shorts. → Superstar — The build is chunkier and tends to suit baggier styles, particularly jeans. Comfort & Performance → Superstar — Features a plush inner lining that makes them incredibly comfortable. They broke in quickly, requiring only a day of wear. For longer outings or standing for extended periods,...