Frankenblocks Concept - Part 2

Frankenblocks + Concept

We settled on Lego (or the Lego dimensions and stud concept) as the basis for our own STEM system, and I've named the pieces 'Frankenblocks'. A sensible name, as we're building a kind of Frankenstein solution.

Frankenblocks Concept - Part 1

Frankenblocks + Concept

So, I decided to create my own STEM system. Step number one was the decision to adapt and adopt Lego bricks. Step number two was figuring out the concept and sizing.

I got some input from an Internet contact who is a teacher, and I used quite a bit of his experience and insight. (He didn't want to be mentioned, but you still deserve the credit, mister X! We'll call you 'Fred' from now on.)

Shrinking an oversized System Volume Information folder

Windows

After an update, I was suddenly left with a 500 GB hidden folder on drive O: (this is my Drivepool storage machine), and I couldn't figure out the owner.

It turns out, the owner might be anyone, and the folder could have gone 'plus-sized' due to a (partially) failed update.

Amy Tintera - Reboot

Audiobook Review

Love. Life. And zombies.

This is a YA first person present tense audiobook exploring the 'I died and came back as a zombie' trope. Fortunately, it's better than the average wannabe-writer 'Isekai' project.

100% Human Generated Content - My stance on AI

Amazon KDP + Writing

Today I saw a commercial for a tool that would auto-generate complete books. Including all chapters, text, graphics, layout, everything.

It was tailored to non-fiction, but it's rather scary - at least to writers. What will be the next step? Will there be 100% written - and readable - novels in our future?

Will there be any writers left? Probably. But - to level the playing field - I think we should be honest about WHO is creating the work...

KDP Essentials

Amazon KDP + Writing

My 'to do' list for publishing something on Amazon KDP, including links to sources or sub-posts, whereever relevant.

Read on... or visit the KDP Essentials page...

A.J. Hackwith - Hell's Library 2 & 3 - The Archive of the Unwritten & The God of Lost Words

Audiobook Review

The third and final book of this trilogy. That, by itself, was a bit of a surprise, as these books had all the hallmarks of the start of a long, extensive, giganormous series of books.

But nope. It's a trilogy. (And there's nothing wrong with that.) Perhaps I'm over-conditioned by those endless multi-volume series. I think Hackwith could have gotten away with that, but she chose not to.

Wallpaper - Within Temptation - The Unforgiving

Wallpaper

Within Temptation's Sharon den Adel has quite the voice, and the band has quite the reputation, but at first I didn't even know this wallpaper was actually an album cover... yet I like it.

Also, I'm a sucker for concept albums, so now I wonder if I can find the associated comics anywhere...

(Click on image to enlarge)

A.G. Slatter - All the Murmering Bones

Audiobook Review

This... is a weird one.

Take some dark, gothic fantasy elements, combine it with a family drama and a self-apreciating voice, and tell a tale that moves towards and touches upon horror territory.

FB-10046-1 - Plate Flat Scarred - 2x4x1

3D Printing + Frankenblocks

A very simple small flat plate 2x4x1, marked with the 'Frankenblocks' logo. Nothing special, but it had to be done.

You can find the model on Makerworld.

Not all (modular) power supplies are created equal... Not even connectors or pinouts...

Datatalk

Especially not pinouts!

I have multiple modular PSUs in use, and a box full of cables matching these PSUs. You'd expect some form of standardization, but there isn't. Suppliers do deviate, and especially the six pin 12V plug knows lots of variations.

Alexandra Bracken - Passenger 1 - Passenger

Audiobook Review

Book 1 of the Passenger series, in which the heroine is kidnapped from her own time (our time) and - obviously - travels through time.

Shortcuts to Windows 11 (and other) settings

Windows

I've updated the old page with some new entries. Go here.

Faith Hunter - Junkyard Cats 4 / 5 - Junkyard Roadhouse / Junkyard Riders

Audiobook Review

Faith Hunter (better known for her Romantasy stories) does a pretty good (Scifi) Apocalyptic series of novellas, all titled Junkyard Something.

Frankenblocks - Eyeing the Competition

Frankenblocks

How to combine Lego with other bits and pieces, including electronics.

Here are the results of my search for 'competitors' (not really 😁) - or better put - for alternatives, sources, ideas, possibilities.

Wallpaper - City Skyline

Wallpaper

Just another random wallpaper...

(Click on the image to enlarge)

FB-10043-2 - Baseplate Small Technic No Groove - 8x16

3D Printing + Frankenblocks

This is a Frankenblocks baseplate designed for Lego Technic.

You can find the model on Makerworld.

VirtualBox 7.2.4 - Client resolution doesn't automatically adjust to window size

VirtualBox + Windows

VirtualBox has a few more options in its latest incarnation, and a few defaults are different from previous releases.

Auto-adjusting client resolutions is one of those.

FB-10042-3 - Baseplate Small Technic Dual Groove - 8x16x2

3D Printing + Frankenblocks

This is a Frankenblocks baseplate designed for Lego Technic.

You can find the model on Makerworld.

VirtualBox - Windows 11 install is stuck at 10% on Windows 11 Host

VirtualBox + Windows

Symptom: stuck at 10% when installing Windows 11 Guest on Windows 11 Host in VirtualBox.

Solution: lots of small things, but mostly Memory Core Integration... I still have some testing to do, but this looks promising!

VirtualBox 7.2.4 - Windows doesn't recognize a (dynamic) .VDI that has an increased max size

VirtualBox + Windows

Situation: You're running out of diskspace in a Windows client. Increasing the size in VirtualBox seems to work, but when you try to use the additional space from within your Windows Guest (via drive management) it doesn't see the larger drive.

This work-around fixes that.

FB-10010-5 - Brick - 2x4x3

3D Printing + Frankenblocks

Your most basic Lego compatible building block, the 'Hello World' equivalent in the 3D printing building bricks community.

The model can be found on Makerworld.

Other parts can be found in the Frankenblocks Catalogue.

FB-10035-3 - Baseplate Small Dual Groove - 8x16x2

3D Printing + Frankenblocks

This is the basic building plate I use for my Frankenblocks system.

You can find the model on Makerworld.

A catalogue of all (?) my Frankenblocks can be found here.

FB-10017-2 - Calibration Piece

3D Printing + Frankenblocks

This piece is used in the FB-10000-x Calibration package.

You can find that package on Makerworld.

FB-10000-5 - Calibration Package v5

3D Printing + Frankenblocks

These objects can help you calibrate your printer. This should make it easier to print Lego compatible blocks, such as the Frankenblocks. You can find the files on Makerworld.

For most people it will be enough to print plate 1, play a little with X- and Y-compensation for 'snappiness', and be done with it.

Still want to know more? Read on...

Frankenblocks - Dialing in your printer

3D Printing + Frankenblocks

Combining Lego and 3D printing shows again how much engineering went into those stupid little Lego bricks. I can't print as accurate as their factory produces them, but I have to get as close as I can to make things usable.

See also the Frankenblocks Calibration Package!

Wallpaper - Grafitti

Wallpaper

Some of my wallpapers are just color themed, or relaxing, funny, or have a kind of special meaning. And sometimes I just want to enjoy the urban jungle... (This is a bit low-res and may require WallX or similar.)

Skiddle Skedaddle - Return of the Skiddler... or Frankenbricks? Frankenblocks? Whatever...

3D Printing + Frankenblocks

Skiddle Skedaddle. Return of the Skiddler. Well, arrival of the Skiddler, at least. This is going to be my big 2026 project. After world domination, of course.

(What the hell are Skiddles? Or Frankenbricks?)

Bambu Studio - Filament Shrinkage and Scaling

3D Printing

When3D printing objects, you may encounter crimp / shrinkage, when the material cools down.

Where to adjust these parameters in Bambu Studio?

Old Wacom + Old and New Graphical Software + New (Old) PC

Wacom + Windows

(Mostly notes for myself.)

I'm using an old Wacom with some old and new software. These are notes on how to set up and run things.

Wacom Cable Protector for Cintiq 21UX (DTZ-2100D)

Wacom + 3D Printing + DIY

One of those things where there is no good solution, except ordering a new cable... because Wacom decided to permanently attach a multi-cable to the monitor, and (poorly) shrink-sleeved / molded a cable splitter.

Installing OBS, Virtual Webcam, RSTP, Chromecast and what not, in 2026...

OBS + Windows

I'm writing this new OBS install post, as newer releases use different options, and things were getting a little confusing. Unfortunately, not everything works as it did in the past. That might be me, or other stuff may have changed...

Plate Lab - Cool & Cold Plates

3D Printing + Plate Lab

Not all cold plates are created equal. And many are simply not cold plates at all.

Here's a comparison between several (cheap) cold plates. Note: if you want me to test another plate, drop me a line, and send me that plate 😊

WD Colors for Regular Spinners, and Bloody SMR drives

Datatalk

I'm not a data hoarder (well, a bit, perhaps) but I like to keep stuff locally, so I have a few larger drives, and you know what? They're hard to find, and sometimes bloody slow.

There's no absolute fix, but at least I can remind myself not to buy those f* SMR drives!

Remember HWInfo64's Window Positions

Windows

HWInfo64 is a nice program, but it has two disadvantages:

1. It needs to run with Admin rights

2. It sometimes forgets the location of its (child) windows

That second one is a bummer, so here's a desktop link that make it a little easier to restore them.

What am I going to print this year?

3D Printing

What am I going to print this year?

I have no clue yet. But I reserved a post / page for all my crap 😁

Wallpaper - Lady of Pain

Wallpaper + Planescape

Four different wallpapers, all based on Sigil's Lady of Pain.

If you haven't played D&D, you haven't lived. If you haven't played Planescape, you haven't died and gone to the great wheel 🤔 Yet 😁

Countdown to 2026 - #2 - Politics versus Free Speech - December 30 (November 21)

Countdown

This blog is a individual, personal opinion. It may not match yours, and that's fine.

I mean, opinions are like arseholes... everybody has (or is 😁) one.

I have my personal opinion on politics and politicians. I prefer them somewhat center, neutral, looking at long term results, and not crying out whatever gives them the most votes today, ignoring tomorrow.

Countdown to 2026 - #3 - A New PC! Next: Migrating Windows and Office (October 12)

Countdown + Windows

Migrating Microsoft Windows and Microsoft Office is an artform by itself. I'm still investigating and messing around, but one thing is certain: Microsoft did their best to make sure it's all as confusing as possible.

I would not go as far as to claim it's done deliberately in the hope you will buy new licenses. But it certainly is not user friendly!

Countdown to 2026 - #4 - Facist Takeover 101 - December 28 (September 1)

Countdown + Column

I think I'll leave it up to you to decide what part of the world this applies to, but it is scary how certain politicians are copying the pre-WW2 Nazi handbook...

Countdown to 2026 - #5 - Highs and Lows - December 27 (July 23)

Countdown + Column

On July 23, halfway the year, and I'm not sure if I should count the first half of the year as fantastic or just a mere meh.

I totally failed on publishing my book, but I did manage to find a place for my eldest daughter (who has a disability). My house's a mess, and I do not like my job.

Countdown to 2026 - #6 - Dungeons & Dragons - December 26 (June 12)

Countdown

June 2025... and I decided it can't be all about doom and gloom. Let's talk about something fun! How about Dungeons & Dragons? Or... how I managed to spend more on D&D than ever before 🤔

Countdown to 2026 - #7 - The Fermi Paradox / Life is not Exclusive - December 25 (May 3)

Countdown + Column

I'm trying my best to stay positive, but sometimes I wonder if this is the moment we see Fermi's Paradox in full action. Why? Well, we're facing global warming, Russia plays the robber baron, China threatens Taiwan, the US has become the most unreliable superpower ever. And now Pakistan and India are going beyond rattling their sabers and have started to bombard one another.

Countdown to 2026 - #8 - Battery Low - December 24 (March 23)

Countdown

March 21, and life still sucks. Even more so than usual.

Somehow I just don't feel like writing much lately. It's a kind of general slump, partially filled with the inability to get my sorry ass into gear and publish, partially by all the doom and gloom from the orange menace's corner, and there are some private things distracting me and mine.

Countdown to 2026 - #9 - Writing & Politics - December 23 (February 11)

Countdown + Writing

This year, my countdown schedule is a periodic flashback every 5 weeks. It's now February 18, and it's time to look back on the first part of 2025.

First of all, I'm happy Trump hasn't blown up the world yet - it's fine if he sticks to the US. I'm just a little baffled by the feeding frenzy as shown by the tech billionaires (Zuckerberg, Musk, you know who). Let's start by feeling sorry for them. Or not?

What year is it?

Gaming

Is this a little Sony 'Oops'?

I found an interesting banner on Sony's PlayStation page...

Wasdroger stapelvoetjes (Dutch)

DIY + 3D Printing + Dutch

(Hoe noem je zoiets?)

Ik heb (helaas) een nieuwe wasmachine (Bosch), en wilde er de wasdroger (een Zanussi) weer bovenop zetten. Helaas heeft de een of andere design guru besloten om het zeep bakje aan de bovenzijde te laten doorlopen, waardoor de normale koppelstukken niet meer werken. Wat nu?

Solid Monitor Redux

Music

Added some manuals to the Solid Monitor page.

(These oldies still work great!)

Wallpaper - Laserline

Wallpaper

Sometimes you just need a wallpaper that looks kinda' electrifying good on a dual monitor setup.

Wallpaper - White Balls

Wallpaper

It's somewhat like T+2000 (2000 days after I expected what would be the worst day for Corona / Covid) and my wallpaper is a silent reminder of that. Remember the lock-down? I do. Work was done over Teams (something many managers nowadays think is no longer working, duh?) and one of the Teams backgrounds was this specific image.

(Click on the image to enlarge)