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title: Status update, January 2022
date: 2022-01-19
## Thinkpad madness
I am crazy about ThinkPads. Should I keep using my X220, or invest in a shiny
X230 with an i7 processor?
I have a very pleasant experience with my X220. I have been using it for more
than a year as a daily driver, oscillating between OpenBSD and ArchLinux. For
the past month, I have been using it as my work device too. Other computers,
laptops and secondary screens have been switched-off.
The X220 handles very well multiples microservices, docker containers, tmux
sessions, and two or three different web browsers running simultaneously.
However, I have encountered two problems:
- The microphone can generate static noises
- And the internal fan can be *very* loud
The microphone issues can easily be fixed by correctly loading some
[pulseaudio/pipewire settings](https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Lenovo_ThinkPad_X220#Microphone)
and placing the internal microphone and network cables correctly, without
creating interferences. However, even after repasting and cleaning the fan and
heatsink, the X220 is still loud. Some users recommend to
[install a new fan with a specific FRU](https://old.reddit.com/r/thinkpad/comments/7uyjiv/best_x230_fan_for_x220).
So, should I switch to an X230 for the extra-performances? Maybe yes, maybe no.
I'll keep using my X220 for now!
## Work setup
The X220 has been installed on one of my Ultrabase Series 3, and is standing on
a 10 bucks book stand.
I am the happy owner of two YubiKey 5C. But using a male *USB-A to female USB-C*
adapter is not practical with the X220, and even more when I am on the move or
in the train. Yes, I have hacked and soldered the same adapter on the
motherboard of one of my other X220 -the USB-A plug was dead-, but it is a
non-reversible process. Therefore, I have decided to invest in a YubiKey Nano.
It works and fit in the chassis perfectly, I can be on the move and not forget
nor lost it. Multiple issues:
- The point of using an external device is to be able to unplug that same device
when no decryption/signing operation is expected. Now it is stuck in the
X220's chassis, and my finger are now able to trigger it randomly!
- I want to trust Yubico, but I bet that we are going to see security issues
or zero days in the next decade. Alternatives such as
[somu](https://solokeys.com/products/somu-tiny-security-key-two-factor-authentication-u2f-and-fido2-usb-a)
exist, but the lack of PGP support is a no go for me.
But yes, touching the security key is enabled and required for all operations!
## Legal cheats
I have just discovered that [cheat.sh](https://cheat.sh) not only returns
helpful cheatsheets for a variety of commands -that I knew- but also allows
free form queries such as:
```
$ curl cheat.sh/python/list+comprehension
$ curl cheat.sh/zsh/git+status
$ curl cheat.sh/dwm/compile
$ curl cheat.sh/ksh/completion
```
I have spotted missing cheatsheets, such as `ipmitools` or `ykman`. Maybe
something worth contributing?
The `how to succeed in life` is also missing. Hopefully this will be completed
in the next decades!
|
