Technology Tales

Switching Between SD Card Slots on the Pentax K-3 III

The Pentax K-3 Mark III camera introduces a user-friendly method for selecting which SD card slot to use for storing images, eliminating the need for the cumbersome workaround previously required on earlier models such as the K-3, K-3 II and K-1. Users can now switch between SD1 and SD2 via the control panel during image shooting mode or through the main menu, though firmware version 1.02 currently directs RAW files to SD1 and JPEGs to SD2 when using RAW+ format. This change simplifies workflow for photographers managing multiple memory cards, addressing a long-standing limitation that was reportedly influenced by patent restrictions.

Troubleshoot crash or freeze in Photoshop

Install previous versions of your Creative Cloud apps

The above two articles got consulted when I ran into trouble when running an upgraded version of Photoshop in a Windows 11 guest session on VirtualBox. Then, the solution was to roll back to the previous version.

However, that did not last, and I moved it onto a PC that dual booted Windows and Linux Mint. That persisted for a while once I sorted out the Samba access permissions on my primary Linux Mint powered workstation. That had me consulted another article that is listed below:

How to connect to Linux Samba shares from Windows

Since that time, I have moved onto doing image editing on Apple devices, one of which works off a primary workstation, powered by Linux Mint and a different one to the earlier link up from a Windows machine.

The open-source section of the website got a lot of tweaking in the last few weeks. The recipient of the attention was the operating system subsection. That got a full reorganisation, with all the listings seeing new entries too. The desktop software also got a bit of attention, and other areas could get altered yet.

HedgeDoc

This open source collaborative Markdown editor enables multiple users to write and edit documents simultaneously through a web browser with live synchronisation. Originally emerging as a community continuation of CodiMD, which itself descended from HackMD, the platform is designed for shared note taking, documentation, meeting minutes and collaborative writing projects. Users compose content in Markdown format whilst viewing a rendered preview alongside their work, with changes appearing instantly for all participants. The editor supports various formatting features including headings, lists, tables, code blocks with syntax highlighting, images, links, task lists and mathematical formulas.

Documents can be shared via simple URLs with configurable permissions, converted into slide presentations using frameworks like Reveal.js, and in some deployments include version history capabilities. Authentication options range from open access to login systems supporting local accounts, GitHub, GitLab, Google and LDAP for enterprise environments. Common applications include software documentation, developer meetings, conference notes, teaching workshops and technical writing, with the plain text and Markdown format making content easy to export or integrate with version control systems.

Deployment typically requires Node.js and a database such as PostgreSQL, MySQL or SQLite, often behind a reverse proxy, with Docker containerisation available. The platform appeals particularly to teams seeking privacy control and self-hosting capabilities, though the interface may feel technical for users unfamiliar with Markdown and lacks some advanced formatting features found in traditional word processors or modern cloud document services.

AbyssGuard

This visitor verification service uses behavioural fingerprinting to identify and block malicious actors including scrapers, automated bots, hackers and data harvesters before they can reach your site. The system analyses visitor behaviour in real time to detect threats such as SQL injection attempts, WordPress vulnerabilities, PHP exploits and fake search engine crawlers whilst verifying the authenticity of legitimate crawlers. It operates through a shared threat network where attackers flagged on any protected site are blocked across the entire network, and it claims to achieve zero false positives by isolating individual bad actors rather than blocking entire IP ranges. The service requires no infrastructure changes, adds minimal latency by sending headers via HEAD requests rather than proxying traffic, and offers detailed logs with options for IP blocking and country-based restrictions. Pricing is structured around daily request volumes starting from a free tier of 1,000 requests per day up to custom plans for higher traffic volumes, with all plans including full protection features and a five-day free trial available without requiring payment details.

Can I use BBC Sounds with my Alexa device?

Alexa Skills: BBC Sounds

The BBC Sounds skill for Amazon Alexa allows UK listeners to access live radio stations, podcasts, programmes and music mixes through voice commands. Users must first enable the skill either by asking Alexa to open BBC Sounds or through the Alexa app, then link their BBC account to create a personalised experience that includes listening history, the ability to resume content across devices and local news updates based on saved postcodes. Once linked, listeners can control playback with various voice commands to play specific stations or podcasts, rewind or fast forward live radio, navigate between episodes and discover new content through category requests. The skill also supports Alexa Routines for scheduling content at specific times and works with multi-room playback to stream across multiple Amazon devices simultaneously. Users experiencing technical difficulties can find troubleshooting guidance and information about known issues through the BBC Sounds help pages, whilst some content remains restricted to UK-based listeners only.

How to take a full-page screenshot with a hidden Chrome shortcut

Here are some methods for capturing full-page screenshots across various web browsers, focusing on Chrome's built-in developer tool feature accessible via keyboard shortcuts, which allows users to save entire web pages as images. As well as steps for customising screenshot dimensions in Chrome, there are alternative procedures for browsers such as Edge, Firefox, Safari and Brave, each with specific menu options or shortcuts. The techniques work most effectively on text-heavy pages rather than interactive web applications and the article also mentions third-party tools for screenshot sharing and automation, though these are presented as supplementary options rather than primary solutions.

Neurodivergent? Why you should learn how to automate.

Neurodivergent individuals, including those with conditions such as ADHD, autism spectrum disorder or dyslexia, often face challenges when attempting to meet conventional productivity standards that may not align with how their brains naturally function. Automation tools can serve as valuable aids by handling tasks that tax executive function, allowing neurodivergent people to design systems suited to their cognitive strengths rather than forcing themselves into neurotypical frameworks. Tasks worth automating include recurring responsibilities that are easily forgotten or impossible to complete on difficult days, activities requiring excessive switching between applications, and processes that are too boring, repetitive or complex to initiate.

Neurodivergent workers have found success using automated workflows to manage bill payments, send routine status updates, maintain calendar accuracy, document achievements, streamline notifications and organise files without manual intervention. Identifying automation opportunities involves tracking frustrations as they arise, recognising both the activities that provide motivation and those that trigger overwhelm, potentially adding variety to prevent important alerts from becoming background noise, and establishing a single trusted system to reduce cognitive load from context switching. Whilst automation cannot address all aspects of neurodiversity such as sensory processing or emotional regulation, it can substantially reduce mental burden by handling tasks that challenge executive function, ultimately freeing neurodivergent individuals to focus on areas where their particular neurological wiring excels.

Recently, I have been having trouble with Nvidia drivers following a kernel update in Linux Mint (21.1 is the version that I am using). The kernel version has been rolled back from 5.19.x to 5.15.x, and I installed an old AMD graphics card as well. Things still are not perfect, though, so I will be looking out for a way to make things smoother. For now, all is good enough for the moment.

Leanpub is an online platform that enables authors to write, publish and sell ebooks and online courses iteratively, often while still in progress, with a focus on technical and educational content. It encourages frequent updates and direct reader engagement, offering high royalty rates and flexible pricing models. In contrast, Standard eBooks is a volunteer-driven initiative that produces professionally formatted, high-quality editions of public-domain literature, enhancing readability and design through meticulous proofreading and modern ebook standards. The Pragmatic Bookshelf, a specialist publisher founded in 1999, focuses on practical, real-world programming and software development content, often authored by industry experts and released through early access programmes.

Each platform serves distinct audiences and purposes: Leanpub supports independent authors and iterative publishing, Standard eBooks prioritises accessible, polished editions of classic texts and The Pragmatic Bookshelf curates technical literature with a strong emphasis on professional practice and community-driven knowledge sharing. Together, they reflect diverse approaches to digital content creation and distribution within technical and literary fields.