Today’s learning focused on hardware control, system administration, and engineering management.

USB Switch to KVM Conversion

Display Switch demonstrates how to turn a $30 USB switch into a full-featured multi-monitor KVM switch. This project uses DDC/CI (Display Data Channel Command Interface) to control monitor inputs programmatically, enabling seamless switching between multiple computers without expensive KVM hardware.

The solution works by:

  • Detecting which computer is active based on USB device presence
  • Automatically switching monitor inputs via DDC commands
  • Supporting multiple monitors with independent control
  • Providing hotkey support for manual switching

USB Hub Per-Port Power Control

uhubctl provides per-port power control for USB hubs, allowing you to turn individual USB ports on and off programmatically. This is particularly useful for:

  • Resetting problematic USB devices
  • Power management in embedded systems
  • Automated testing of USB devices
  • Reducing power consumption
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# List controllable USB hubs
uhubctl

# Turn off port 2 on hub 1-1
uhubctl -a off -p 2 -l 1-1

# Turn on all ports
uhubctl -a on

Windows Service Wrapper

WinSW (Windows Service Wrapper) allows you to run any executable as a Windows service with a permissive license. This is invaluable for:

  • Running non-service applications as services
  • Managing application lifecycle automatically
  • Ensuring applications start on boot
  • Providing service-level logging and error handling

Configuration is done through XML files, making it easy to wrap existing applications without code changes.

Smart Hiring Strategies

Erik Bernhardsson’s article on hiring smarter than the market presents a mathematical model for competitive hiring. Key insights:

  • Focus on qualities that correlate with performance but are undervalued by the market
  • Develop interview processes that identify these hidden signals
  • Consider non-traditional backgrounds and experiences
  • Optimize for long-term value rather than short-term credentials

Additional Discoveries

  • Linux 5.10 Features: Major kernel update with improved hardware support and performance enhancements
  • USB Drive Phantom Load: Investigation into USB drives that consume power even when inactive, important for battery-powered systems

These tools and concepts address practical system administration challenges while providing insights into building more efficient development and hardware environments.