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Cake day: June 18th, 2023

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  • The idea was one computer on the LAN would hold the “talking stick” (the token) and transmit whatever data it needed to, then pass the token off to the next computer in the ring. If a computer received the token and didn’t have anything to transmit, it’d just pass on the token. The problem would be detecting when one of the computers in the loop had gone offline or crashed and taken the token with it. After some amount of time with no traffic, some system was responsible for generating a new token and an amended turn order. Similar problems existed when a new computer wanted to get added to the rotation.






  • The lines for the two controller ports are duplicated on the NES’s expansion port, so this device is able to send inputs into the NES as if it were a real set of controllers. I’d call it a neat hack, but it doesn’t require any hardware modification to the system other than removing the expansion port cover, so it feels much too clean to call a hack.





  • Reminds me of a passage from my favorite Discworld book, Night Watch.

    “I didn’t think you was stupid, Mister Vimes…”

    “What?” said Vimes, looking down suddenly. Carcer was smiling cheerfully.

    “I said I didn’t think you was stupid, Mister Vimes. I know a clever copper like you’d think I’d got two knives.”

    “Yeah, right,” said Vimes. He could feel his hair trying to stand on end. Little blue caterpillars of light were crackling over the ironwork of the dome, and even over his armour.

    “Mister Vimes?”

    “What?” Vimes snapped. Smoke was rising from the weathercock’s bearings.

    “I got three knives, Mister Vimes,” said Carcer, bringing his arm up.

    The lightning struck.