Dell Inspiron 5576 (AMD) review [Update 7/29/2017]

[Update: after upgrading to mesa 17.1.3 there is a distinct increase in performance, I now get somewhat higher performance in Bioshock: Infinite on max settings than I previously did with shadows off.]

I am reviewing the AMD model of this chassis: FX-9830P CPU, RX460 GPU.

I chose this model for linux compatibility due to having an AMD GPU, and it was also available at a fairly steep discount ($680, down from 800$, this model regularly goes on sale). If more relevant information comes to light I will update the review accordingly. Continue reading “Dell Inspiron 5576 (AMD) review [Update 7/29/2017]”

Newtonian Money in the Ergosphere

This essay talks about Bitcoin a lot, but it is not about Bitcoin per se, that is merely the technology that first illuminated the problem I’m addressing. Bitcoin could crash and burn tomorrow and it would not change the analysis here: it is a placeholder for any decentralized “virtual” currency. Similarly I will be using Gold as a placeholder for all non-fiat currencies that might be proposed: after all, many people propose switching to a gold standard, no one proposes switching to an iron or coca bean standard despite those having been mediums of exchange at one time or another.
Continue reading “Newtonian Money in the Ergosphere”