PC Tech Thread

Removing the fan, maybe an opportunity to get a nice slim noctua or something

always upgrade the fans to noctua

My dad has a progressive disease and is struggling with using a mouse. Eventually he may need eye or tongue controls but I don't think he's emotionally ready for that yet. For now he'd just like an easier way to press his mouse buttons (and not press them when he doesn't intend to).

Ideal would be something like a mouse with no buttons (or disabled buttons) with a separate button pad.

I was wondering about the Elgato Stream Deck so I can add more functions to the buttons as he becomes less able. Someone also suggested the Microsoft Adaptable Controller for the xbox but I'm not sure if it works as a mouse outside a game.

Anyone used either of these? I'm leaning to the Stream Deck because even if I have to replace the mouse entirely the buttons will probably still be useful for him.

Sorry to hear this. Microsoft are supposed to be releasing an adaptable mouse this autumn. This could work if you can wait for a little bit?

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/store/b/microsoft-adaptive-accessories

Use a different header (eBay has load of different types), or even solder wires to the mobile directly?

I started thinking about swapping the header out and realised the caps to the right of it would still cause issues so slim fan it is.
Obviously the beige is the mark of the connoisseur but I might have to go for black for the top one. It's very visible.

Thanks JB. I'll keep my eye out for it, but he needs something in the short term as well.

I found a mouse that you can extend with plug in buttons for sale on a US site - goign to see if I can get it in the UK.

I think I'll get the Stream Deck anyway and see what we can do with it. Even if it doesn't solve the mouse requirement I could set some keys up to Zoom or Skype family members directly, open an email to people he contacts a lot, that sort of thing. (Actually if he can handle Alt+key, maybe I can do a lot with Autohotkey)

I have a stream deck, they're pretty good and have a decent amount of plugins to give you functionality.

you would probably want to make it all icon based when you assign the buttons as the text can be difficult to read on a lot of them.

elgato also do a (3 button I think) pedal control that may help come up with a workable solution in conjunction with the stream deck.

Thank you...the pedal control sounds like a possible win as well

Webcams.

Bit late to the party. I typically use one of my actual cameras through some kind of HDMI or SDI conversion but it's a faff as I have to disconnect them/reconnect them when I take them out on a job. I'd like something I can stick up permanently that looks inoffensive (Razer Kiyo Pro for example).

Anyone used the Razer, or have anything else they'd like to suggest?

I don't need it to have a mic function (would prefer it actively didn't have one so I wouldn't have to turn it off).

Needs to work for the usual (Google Meet/Zoom/Teams as well as Twitch etc) which it seems that the Razer might not be best for (reviews suggest various key modes don't work in Zoom etc)

Logitech C920

Do you have an iPhone and a Mac?

Continuity camera.

have a razer kiyo and it took about 2 years for them to release a firmware and driver that let you save your settings and not have them reset when you rebooted your pc, but seems to be pretty decent now finally. depending on your desk area the ring light might be useful too.

since then though I upgraded to an elgato facecam and people always comment on the quality of the video in my zoom calls. I've not done much more complicated than set it up when first getting it though. I went for that as I use a stream deck and key lights so figured it's easier to keep it all in one software ecosystem.

Yeah, I have a couple of stream decks-didn't know they did a camera, worth looking into.

@Soul android and windows these days. Have an intel macbook but just used for copying cards these days.

edit: frankly prefer the round look of the razer as it looks familiar and lensy to me but the reviews on the elgato seem pretty good. will read some more and prob pick it up. Thanks HB

Maybe worth pointing out you can get a generic keypad for a small fraction of the price of a Stream Deck. And some come with labelable (is that a word?) keycaps, or you can add them.

Might a trackball be an option?

Realise that's a very different thing to a mouse which may be difficult, but it does separate the movement and buttons.

Cheers guys. I've shown him some of the suggestions but he isnt enthusiastic. It's hard, I think he's scared to try anything that might help in case he fails and feels even worse.

I found that mouse from the US site for sale in the UK. The critical search term was "switch adapted". It is literally a normal mouse with external buttons on wires so it's familiar. He seemed ok with the idea so I've ordered it for him...fingers crossed.

(Still quite fancy a stream deck for myself mind!)

Well this is weird. https://www.lfgss.com/comments/16661516/

My delete key now works. I've done nothing, changed nothing, just happened to try it (didn't work this morning) but now works fine.

Has anyone used one of those key sites for Office?

https://www.cjs-cdkeys.com/products/Microsoft-Office-Professional-Plus-2021-CD-Key-(Digital-Download).html?setCurrencyId=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwhY-aBhCUARIsALNIC06q8r6GykESo2GuxouxjQNHTaG74qTL8Oj8XRrNRLZhu5CL5QkVonkaAmWjEALw_wcB

Is there a catch?

I assume you won't get continual updates but it's a lot cheaper than £70pa

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I couldnt comment about that site, but I just (read: 30 mins ago) bought a key for office from g2a for my inlaws and it was fine, been buying from there and cdkeyz for years without issue.

Cheers. So be careful checking the site, but there are sites which work.

I found this https://softkeys.uk/products/microsoft-office-365-professional-plus-1-time-payment-lifetime-pc-mac

as well. Although I was a bit confused by this bit;

This is a Lifetime subscription and not a monthly or annual account thus, Pre-generated username is permanent and not changeable.

Looks like it someone is selling credentials to someone elses large scale 365 deployment.
Or
They bought a bulk user subscription and is selling off individual accounts to at a price point that makes money.

Either way you want something that gives you a license key and doesn't rely on someone else paying a subscription

Got discord set up for 4090 alerts from 2pm. Wish me luck :/

It's Founders Edition or bust for me, at least for today. Some of the AIBs are even more stupid in terms of size and price.

Genuine question, how do you plan on fitting it in your case?

Not a concern, beyond possibly having to get the spanners out and reconfigure the plumbing.

It's only ~20mm longer than the 3080 (depth and height a different matter but fortunately not an issue) which is about what I've got spare at the moment. Better long term solution would be to move the pump completely out of the way.

Edit: The thing on the bottom-left of the pump is a drain valve, which I can move to the port on the front. Only put it there originally cos it looked neater.

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