Apple’s sleek new wireless keyboards offer a great typing experience, but pairing them with a Windows PC isn’t always straightforward. In this guide, I’ll walk you through the steps to connect your new Apple keyboard wirelessly to a Windows system, ensuring smooth setup and reliable Bluetooth performance. Whether you’re switching between Mac and Windows or just prefer Apple’s keyboard style, this tutorial will help you get connected quickly and easily.
CategoriesUnraid
Backup Unraid server to Backblaze personal using Ubuntu & Wine
Backing up your Unraid server to the cloud is a smart way to protect your data against hardware failure, accidental deletion, or ransomware. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to use a Backblaze Personal subscription—with unlimited storage and preferably 1-year file retention—to back up your Unraid server securely and reliably. We’ll do this by running the Backblaze client inside a lightweight Ubuntu virtual machine using Wine. This approach works around the limitation that the Backblaze Personal plan only supports desktop operating systems, allowing you to back up your server without needing a costly B2 or business plan. Let’s get started.
CategoriesMac
Start Screensaver and Lock your Mac from Spotlight
Since Apple introduced the Spotlight quick search feature, it has become an indispensable tool in my daily workflow. I rely on it for everything from launching apps to finding files instantly. Its speed and convenience have truly transformed how I interact with my Mac, making tasks smoother and more efficient.
However, there is one functionality I find notably missing from Spotlight’s capabilities: the ability to start the screensaver and lock the Mac directly through a Spotlight command. Being able to quickly secure my Mac or activate the screensaver without navigating through menus would add a great deal of convenience and enhance security, streamlining my workflow even further.
CategoriesMac
Delete Xcode Derived Data from Mac Spotlight
Sometimes Xcode can enter an unusual or unstable state, causing various development hiccups or errors that seem hard to fix. In many cases, the most effective remedy is to clear the derived data folder, which stores cached build files and indexes. Removing this data forces Xcode to rebuild everything from scratch, often resolving strange bugs or slowdowns.
Since the need to clear derived data can arise frequently depending on your Xcode version and project, having a quick and easy way to do it is invaluable. This handy tool lets you open an app directly from Spotlight that instantly clears your derived data, saving you time and hassle. With just a few keystrokes, you can reset your build cache and get Xcode running smoothly again without digging through folders manually.
CategoriesGames
Black Ops III – Zombie Eisden, The fight is not over YET!
Eisden, Belgium… Seven years after the outbreak, grandma is still holding strong and shows no signs of giving up anytime soon. This map is a complete rebuild of my most popular map from Call of Duty: World at War, bringing it back with updated details and improvements.
Dive back into the intense atmosphere of Eisden with this enhanced version, carefully crafted to capture the original’s spirit while adding fresh elements for an exciting experience. Ready to face the challenges once more? Download the map and jump in!
CategoriesHardware
BenQ W1070 Firmware Upgrade, extra 3D support…
Experience stunning 1080p Full-HD image projection that can expand up to an impressive 200 inches right in the comfort of your living room with the W1070 Home Entertainment Projector. This projector delivers brilliant and vibrant visuals, thanks to its remarkable 10,000:1 contrast ratio which ensures deep blacks and bright whites, enhancing every detail in your movies, games, and presentations. Coupled with a powerful 2000 ANSI Lumens brightness, the W1070 guarantees clear and vivid images even in moderately lit rooms, providing an immersive viewing experience that rivals many commercial theaters.
With the latest firmware update, the W1070 takes your home entertainment to the next level by supporting a wider range of 3D resolutions and refresh rates. This enhancement means you can enjoy a broader selection of 3D content with smoother motion and improved picture quality, making your viewing sessions more engaging and realistic. Whether you’re watching 3D movies or playing games that support 3D, this update ensures your projector remains compatible with the newest formats and standards, extending the longevity and versatility of your home cinema setup.
CategoriesHardware
DMX RS485 Wrong Board Fix
This guide serves as an important update and fix to my previous tutorial titled “DIY USB DMX Interface for Under $10“. Since that tutorial was published, it has become clear that there are multiple versions of this USB-DMX interface board circulating in the market. Depending on where you purchased your board, you may have received one with a chip that doesn’t function properly or is incompatible with the standard DMX data output. This can be frustrating if you were expecting a plug-and-play solution but found yourself with a non-working device instead.
For those who find themselves stuck with such a non-functional chip, this guide offers a practical solution. Thanks to the discovery by GermAndy, it is now possible to modify your existing board to enable proper DMX data transmission. Rather than having to buy a new interface or give up on your project, you can follow these instructions to tweak your board and get it working as intended. This fix ensures that even if your board was sold with a defective or incompatible chip version, you can still achieve reliable DMX control without additional expense.
CategoriesHardware
Fix FTDI DMX interface & Arduino on OSX 10.9+ Mavericks
Apple recently made a significant change with the release of OSX 10.9 Mavericks by introducing their own custom FTDI driver. While this move was likely intended to improve system integration and performance, it inadvertently caused compatibility issues for many users relying on devices that use FTDI chips, such as Arduino boards and USB DMX interfaces. These devices suddenly stopped functioning correctly because the new Apple driver did not fully support the communication protocols these peripherals required. As a result, many developers and hobbyists found their workflows disrupted, with their essential tools no longer recognized or operating as expected.
Fortunately, there is a straightforward way to resolve this problem by disabling Apple’s new FTDI driver and reverting to the previous, more compatible version of the driver. By doing so, you can restore full functionality to your Arduino and USB DMX devices, ensuring that all your related applications work seamlessly again. This guide will walk you through the necessary steps to safely disable the updated driver, reinstall the older FTDI driver, and get your hardware back to working condition — allowing you to continue your projects without interruption.
CategoriesHardware
DIY USB DMX Controller for under $10 – Ethernet Cable
The DMX protocol, widely used in lighting control systems, operates on the same communication standard as the RS485 protocol. This means that any RS485 USB converter can be repurposed to send DMX signals, allowing you to control DMX-compatible devices such as stage lights, dimmers, and other effects. By leveraging this compatibility, you gain a versatile and cost-effective way to interface your computer or lighting software with professional lighting equipment without the need for specialized, often expensive DMX hardware controllers.
Traditional DMX controllers tend to be costly, which can be a significant investment for hobbyists, small venues, or independent artists. This guide provides an alternative approach, showing you how to save money by using an affordable RS485 USB converter as your DMX interface. The money saved on expensive DMX controllers can instead be redirected towards enhancing your setup with additional hardware, such as a MIDI controller for your lighting software, offering more hands-on control and creative possibilities for your lighting projects.
CategoriesIX4-300D
Sick Beard on IX4-300d
Sick Beard is a personal video recorder (PVR) designed primarily for newsgroup users, with some limited support for torrents. Its main function is to monitor your favorite TV shows and automatically download new episodes as soon as they become available. Once downloaded, Sick Beard takes care of organizing, sorting, and renaming the files, making it easier to maintain a clean and accessible media library without manual effort.
The application supports a wide range of NZB indexers such as NZBs.org, NZBMatrix, NZBs’R’Us, Newzbin, Womble’s Index, and NZB.su, as well as torrent sites like TVTorrents and EZRSS. To enhance the user experience, Sick Beard pulls show metadata and episode information from trusted sources like theTVDB.com and TVRage.com, ensuring your media collection is accurately labeled and up to date.
CategoriesIX4-300D
Couchpotato on IX4-300d
In this guide, I will walk you through the installation of CouchPotato on your IX4-400d NAS. CouchPotato is a powerful server application designed to automate the process of downloading movies and TV series episodes. It continuously monitors popular torrent sites and Usenet servers, ensuring you get the latest releases in the best possible quality without manual intervention. By handling searches and downloads automatically, it saves you time and effort, making it easy to keep your media collection up to date.
Once properly configured, CouchPotato will actively scan for new episodes and movies as soon as they become available online, grabbing the best sources from trusted platforms. This means your favorite series and films will be downloaded directly to your NAS drive shortly after airing anywhere in the world. With CouchPotato running on your IX4-400d, your media library stays fresh and organized effortlessly, providing seamless access to your entertainment whenever you want.
CategoriesGames
Downgrade any CFW PS3 to 3.55 or any other CFW
Switching to a different Custom Firmware (CFW) distribution on your PS3 can often be a challenging process, especially because not all CFW versions fully support the latest system updates or features. Compatibility issues can lead to unexpected errors, functionality loss, or even bricking your console if the transition is not handled carefully. Whether you’re looking to upgrade to a newer CFW with enhanced capabilities or want to explore alternative builds for specific benefits, it’s essential to follow a reliable procedure to ensure a smooth installation.
This guide is designed to help you navigate the complexities of installing any other CFW version on your PS3, including the option to revert back to the classic 3.55 firmware—often considered the gold standard for stability and homebrew compatibility. By following these steps, you’ll be able to switch firmware versions confidently, preserving your system’s integrity and unlocking the full potential of your console’s customization options.
CategoriesGames
E3 NOR Flasher Multiple PS3 consoles Samsung Firmware
The E3 NOR Flasher is a very easy tool to downgrade or dual-boot your PS3. However, your E3 hardware is limited to downgrading only 1 PS3 and was made for one-time installation. However, there is a firmware file that breaks this limit and allows you to downgrade unlimited consoles with only one E3 NOR Flasher.
CategoriesIX4-300D
Preserve custom Servers after IX4-300d Update
Lenovo recently released a firmware update for their IX4-300d NAS to address critical security vulnerabilities that left many devices exposed to potential hacker attacks. While it’s highly recommended to apply this update to keep your system secure, users who rely on custom configurations—particularly those using custom startup scripts to run servers or applications—should proceed with caution. Updating the firmware can overwrite or disable these scripts, potentially breaking your setup and preventing essential services from starting automatically.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through the process of safely updating your NAS firmware while preserving your custom server functionality. We’ll back up key configuration files, reapply custom startup scripts post-update, and verify that everything runs smoothly. With the right steps, you can enjoy the latest security improvements without sacrificing the features and tweaks you’ve added to your system.
CategoriesGames
Nazi_Zombie_SmallFarm Source Code
During the development of my custom Call of Duty: World at War zombie map nazi_zombie_eisden, I found myself inspired to start a second, smaller map that I hoped would offer a fast-paced and tightly packed survival experience. That project was codenamed “Smallfarm”—a compact, rural zombie map built with simplicity and replayability in mind.
Initially, the idea was to create a counterpoint to Eisden: where Eisden is detailed, complex, and lore-driven, Smallfarm was meant to be the kind of map you could quickly jump into for a short but intense game session with friends. A gritty, claustrophobic farm surrounded by undead—it seemed like the perfect challenge.
However, like many creative projects, reality caught up.
CategoriesArduino
Arduino Composite TV output Shield
Shields are add-on boards designed to plug directly onto the Arduino’s main PCB, expanding its capabilities without the need for complex wiring or additional hardware. These shields can add everything from network connectivity and motor control to audio output and displays, making the Arduino platform incredibly versatile for a wide range of projects.
In addition to its usual input/output functions, the Arduino is also capable of generating a composite video signal, allowing you to display basic graphics or text on a standard TV using a simple yellow RCA video cable. In this guide, I’ll walk you through how I built my own composite video-out setup for the Arduino in under 15 minutes, using just a few basic components and minimal code.
CategoriesIX4-300D
Minecraft Server on IX4-300d
Installing a Minecraft server on your Iomega NAS is a great way to host a lightweight, always-on multiplayer world from your own hardware. While the NAS only has 512MB of RAM—half of Minecraft’s recommended 1GB minimum—the setup can still be surprisingly functional with a few optimizations. The performance may not be suitable for larger, mod-heavy worlds or many concurrent players, but it is more than adequate for a small group. In my testing, the server handled up to five online players with reasonable stability, making it a viable option for casual gaming sessions among friends or family.
To make the most of the limited hardware, this guide includes a curated selection of lightweight server plugins that help optimize memory usage and improve stability. These plugins were specifically chosen to reduce strain on system resources while maintaining essential features like teleportation, basic permissions, and performance monitoring. If you follow the setup and configuration steps closely, you’ll find that even with just 512MB of RAM, your Iomega NAS can reliably run a Minecraft server that delivers a smooth and enjoyable multiplayer experience for a small group of users.
CategoriesHardware
DIY USB DMX Interface for under 10$
The DMX protocol, widely used for controlling stage lighting and effects, is fundamentally based on the RS485 communication standard. This means that any standard RS485 USB converter can be repurposed to send DMX signals to compatible devices. By leveraging this compatibility, you can bypass the need for expensive dedicated DMX controllers and instead use more affordable, readily available hardware to manage your lighting setup.
Typically, DMX controllers come with a higher price tag, which can be a barrier for hobbyists or small venues. This guide shows you how to save money by using an RS485 USB converter as a cost-effective alternative. The funds saved can then be redirected towards enhancing your lighting control experience, for example by investing in a hardware MIDI controller to interface with your lighting software more intuitively and creatively.
CategoriesIX4-300D
Transmission on IX4-300d
Transmission is a lightweight and efficient BitTorrent client known for its minimalistic interface and solid performance across multiple platforms. It offers a straightforward user experience while maintaining powerful features under the hood, making it a popular choice for users who want a no-fuss torrenting solution. With its clean WebGUI and support for remote access, Transmission is especially well-suited for NAS devices, allowing you to manage your downloads from any browser on your network.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through the process of installing the Transmission torrent client, complete with its WebGUI, on an IOmega/Lenovo IX4-300d NAS. This setup allows you to harness the power of your NAS for continuous, low-power torrent downloading while managing everything remotely via a simple web interface. Whether you’re looking to automate downloads or just want a convenient way to manage torrents without keeping a PC running, this guide will help you get everything up and running step by step.
CategoriesIX4-300D
SABnzbd on IX4-300d
SABnzbd is designed to make using Usenet as simple and efficient as possible by automating nearly every step of the process. Once you provide it with a .nzb file, SABnzbd handles the rest seamlessly—no further user action is required. The program takes care of downloading the content, verifying its integrity, repairing any errors, extracting the files, and neatly organizing everything for you. This level of automation removes the usual complexity associated with Usenet, making it a user-friendly solution for both beginners and seasoned users alike.
If you’re looking to harness the power of SABnzbd on your own server, you’re in the right place. In this guide, I’ll walk you through the full process of installing SABnzbd on your NAS. Whether you’re running a home media setup or simply want an efficient way to manage your downloads, this setup will help you get started with minimal effort while maximizing performance and convenience.
CategoriesIX4-300D
Modify Startup Script on ix4-300d
We want our installed applications to start automatically whenever the NAS powers on or reboots, without the need to manually log in via SSH and launch each service. Automating this process ensures that your custom services are always running and available, providing a seamless experience without extra effort on your part.
This can be achieved by creating a dedicated “Startup” script and configuring your NAS to execute it on every boot or reboot. By using this method, you can easily manage multiple services, adding or removing them from the script as needed, so your NAS always launches exactly the applications you want without any manual intervention.
CategoriesIX4-300D
Install Package Manager on IX4-300d NAS
The Optware package manager is a lightweight system designed to deliver and manage software packages on NAS devices and other Linux-based small computer systems. It provides a convenient way to extend the functionality of your device by allowing you to easily install, update, and remove additional software beyond the default offerings. This flexibility is especially valuable for users who want to customize their NAS with new services or tools tailored to their specific needs.
To add these extra services to your NAS, the first step is to install the IPKG package manager, which serves as the foundation for Optware. Fortunately, on the Lenovo IX4-300d, IPKG is already pre-installed, so there’s no need for a full installation. Instead, all that’s required is to add the appropriate software repositories, enabling you to quickly access and install a wide range of useful packages to enhance your NAS’s capabilities.
CategoriesIX4-300D
SSH Access on IX4-300d
SSH access on Iomega and Lenovo IX/PX NAS systems is a hidden feature, primarily intended for use by official support personnel. By default, it’s disabled and undocumented in the standard user interface, as it’s not meant for general users. However, enabling SSH opens up a powerful backend interface that provides direct command-line access to the underlying Linux operating system. This functionality allows advanced users to go beyond the limited stock options offered by the NAS firmware and gain full control over their device’s software environment.
Once SSH is enabled, users can install and run a variety of custom and unsupported Linux services such as SickBeard, SABnzbd, CouchPotato, and Transmission directly on the NAS. This dramatically extends the functionality of your device, transforming it from a simple storage box into a fully customizable media server or automation hub. In the following guide, we’ll walk you through the exact steps to unlock SSH access on your Iomega or Lenovo NAS and begin installing these powerful open-source tools.
CategoriesGames
Nazi_Zombie_Eisden, Zombies invade Belgium!
Nazi Zombie Eisden is a custom zombies map I created under the name NiiGHTMARE, and it holds a very personal touch—it’s based on a small house that belonged to my grandmother. Every hallway, doorway, and cramped corner in this map was inspired by real memories, which I’ve transformed into a chaotic, intense zombie survival experience. While the layout may be modest in scale, don’t be fooled: this map offers tight, adrenaline-fueled gameplay that will keep you and your team constantly on edge.
Designed with 2 to 3 players in mind, Eisden is ideal for those who enjoy close-quarter action and rely on quick reflexes, smart positioning, and solid teamwork. The compact environment forces you to stay alert, move together, and make fast decisions—there’s little room for error. Whether you’re a seasoned zombie slayer or just looking for a fun, fast-paced challenge with friends, Nazi Zombie Eisden is sure to deliver. So grab your gear, hold your ground, and prepare to make a final stand in a place where the walls may be familiar—but the threat is anything but.
CategoriesGames
Call of Duty 2 – Weapon Skins
Here are a few weapon skins I created for Call of duty 2. These skins come in .IWD file format and should be placed inside your Call Of Duty 2/Main folder. I created a few weapon skins but the most popular ‘Rusty Smoke Grenade’ was used in many different “skin packs” later.
CategoriesGames
Call of Duty – Custom Resolution Launcher
Tired of being stuck with outdated 4:3 visuals in the original Call of Duty? This small but powerful tool allows you to run the game in any custom resolution or aspect ratio, including widescreen, ultra-wide, or 4K. Simply drop the tool into your Call of Duty installation folder and launch the game using this custom launcher. Your preferred resolution will be set automatically—no need to edit config files or apply patches.
The tool works seamlessly with both the original retail release and the newer Steam version, ensuring a modern visual experience for a true classic. Whether you’re revisiting the campaign or jumping into multiplayer, you’ll enjoy cleaner visuals and proper screen scaling with zero hassle.