Channel Update December 2023

Greetings! It’s time for another channel update, including some reflections on computing in 2023, and things coming up in 2024.
If you are interested in becoming a channel member (for weekly updates and a members-only video every four weeks), click on this link and I’ll tell you about it in a short video:
/ @explainingcomputers
You can also support the channel by making purchases via the ExplainingComputers Amazon Storefronts:
US Storefront: www.amazon.com/shop/explainin...
UK Storefront: www.amazon.co.uk/shop/explain...
Please note that as an Amazon Associate I earn a commission from any qualifying purchases you may make.
Specific videos that I refer to in this update are the:
Pi 500 Maker Build: • Pi 500 Maker Build: Ra...
and
RISC-V Week: • RISC-V Week: 7 days on...
And you can find the Agility Robotics (Digit robot) KZbin channel here: / @agilityrobotics
More videos on computing and related topics can be found at: / explainingcomputers
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
01:53 Channel News
06:50 Computing in 2023
14:43 Coming Soon
#explainingcomputers #RISC-V #Pi500 #comingsoon

[@johncundiff7075]

Wow, 8 years of rock solid consistency!!! Solid content delivered on time week after week!! I hope and pray we get another 8 years!! Thanks Mr. Barnatt!

[@judsonleach5248]

Has it really been 8 years, Sir?! - Well Happy Anniversary! 🙂 - This is my FAVORITE part of Sunday ! - FACT!!!

[@ExplainingComputers]

Time flies.

[@Ollital]

Or as the ancient Greek said "tempus fugit" 🙂@@ExplainingComputers

[@JeffGeerling]

Happy Sunday, and it's already December, yikes! Here's to a million subscribers!

[@ExplainingComputers]

Greetings Jeff. :)

[@HrLBolle]

got your Christmas shopping done already or are one of those last second buyers?

[@JeffGeerling]

@@HrLBolledefinitely last second, lol

[@HrLBolle]

@@JeffGeerling lets hope there's still some pies left by then

[@markwhidby5148]

Sorry to hear about the tinnitus. My mother suffered from it so I know all about it. It's very much a 'hidden' affliction that many people aren't aware of.

[@cvoskuil]

I too have tinnitus. Recently went the hearing aid route hoping that there will be some cancelling of the buzz. I'm not a doctor, but maybe explore that in the future.

[@rnts08]

Tinnitus is slowly driving me mad. Pushing 2 decades now. Not fun.

[@Broken_robot1986]

Christophers gotta get that new workstation built ASAP. My man can't be going crazy, we need computers explained! Some people report tinnitus going away so I bet once he's eradicated that awful fan things will improve.

[@Nordlicht05]

I can only hear something really high pitch when it's really quiet. When I try to sleep. But mostly I can ignore it because it is maybe there as long as I can remember. When I focus like now i can hear it 😅

[@Robbie-mw5uu]

many adults suffer from tinnitus, even when they don't realize it Humans are not supposed to be exposed to the high pitch noises machines make. Our ears are only designed for hearing natural bird calls at most.

[@Tomsongsrocks]

Mr. Christopher. You are the GO TO guy for computing. I've grown more reliant than realized until your words in this clip. We'd be lost without ya in this ever changing computing world. Your the Man, man! Right! Thanks for all & everything.

[@ExplainingComputers]

Thanks for your kind feedback, appreciated. :)

[@dantevortex]

You'll hit that 1 million milestone in just a few months. Prepare to have a spot reserved on the wall for that golden play button award.

[@ExplainingComputers]

:)

[@sbc_tinkerer]

Sunday greetings all!

[@Praxibetel-Ix]

Hi!!! :3

[@ExplainingComputers]

Greetings.

[@stanpotter7764]

Chris - a note on tinnitus. Mine started about 20 years ago. The first few months, the ringing drove me nuts. But our brains are incredibly adaptive. Within a year I could go weeks and not even think about it, even though the ringing never stops. And I'd say after a few years I got to where I am now, where I can go months without even thinking about it. In fact I hadn't thought about it for a long time until this video reminded me. Your brain will adjust, amazingly. Until then, keep some music to focus on. 🤜🏻🤛🏻

[@ExplainingComputers]

This is good to know, thanks.

[@briccimn]

@@ExplainingComputers Chris, tinnitus is still there, but you barely notice it, time passing. I have it since an early age, and now I'm almost 49... I spent so many years in server rooms... They definitely killed tons of my hearing cells but I am here without any heavy problem, but a barely noticeable "SHHHHH" in my head... I don't mind it, I live well! ❤

[@salan3]

Until some one mentions it! lol

[@georgearmstrong6575]

Tinnitus comes and goes for me... Agree, the brain seems to adjust the severity for me... Hopefully, your experience will be the same... Great content 👍

[@rogermac358]

@@ExplainingComputers Started out with tinnitus in my left ear about 20 years ago, then right ear joined in about 10 years ago. As posted above, background music or other white noise can be quite helpful. The worst time for me is trying to fall asleep, at which time I almost always play soft music or nature sounds.

[@petewarby7158]

This channel deserves 1m subscribers, it's one of the best on computer tech on KZbin for me. Very well presented and totally balanced.

[@padgepadgham3238]

One of the best computing based information channels on here.

[@AMDRADEONRUBY]

I love Channel update videos your stuff are crisp and cristal clear. That why I watch your videos from 0% to 100%

[@ExplainingComputers]

Thanks for watching.

[@williamgiddings9636]

Keep up the great work Chris!

[@mannyc4123]

Gotta be the world's best teacher

[@legojenn]

Congratulations on eight years. I haven't been there from the beginning, but I no longer remember Explaining Computers not being part of my Sunday morning routine. Good luck wth the tinnitunus. I deal with symptoms similar to it sporadically and it is so anxiety provoking.

[@rivertees]

It has been very easy to stay subscribed as I like the manner you present the subjects and the majority of the subjects them selves. Here's to the 1millionth subscription and in two years the celebration of your tenth year of posting every week.

[@Vhbaske]

I congratulate you fo having this channel. You are a very intelligent teacher/tutor. I come here regularly to learn more...

[@frankwhite2072]

I'm glad you were able to update your webpage, that sounds like quite the undertaking.

[@fredneedle123]

I've had tinnitus on and off all my life. Lately it's more on than off. In fact, it's constant now. It's not nice and I wouldn't wish it on anyone. Doesn't seem to be any cure and not.much relief. All the best Chris.

[@LeandroPinheiroTI]

Christopher thanks for all the great videos in 2023, I will see you soon in 2024 ❤

[@MarkWhich]

in the last 7-8 years you have help me incredibly to make me even build and designed my own PCs at at a incredible savings cost, your definately one of my oldest channels in my subscription list.

[@montecorbit8280]

At 1:42 DNS script.... That explains why it sounded and felt like one of your older videos. I still enjoyed the video....

[@Razor_Burn]

Congratulations on the milestone and another successful year with best wishes for 2024 - the year you finally reach 1 Million subscribers 🎉

[@aw34565]

Wow, I have been a channel member now for 1 year, 4 months, 26 days! Looking forward to another year of ExplainingComputers.

[@facundomolina6235]

Been watching this channel for a while. I like the content of it specially the raspberry pi content. I really enjoy this channel.

[@Indrajit_Saren]

Love you!!! Your videos are Full of information! Really helpfull for me ❤

[@mechaform]

Congrats on 8 years of useful content generation. Amazing achievement. My commiseration on the tinnitus; it’s a devilish affliction.

[@EricFraga]

The real computer of a true computer lover had to have a non-matching color drive on the front bays :) Thank you for all those outstanding quality videos all those years!

[@d.barnette2687]

Greeting from across the pond near Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA. Thanks for yet another super-great max-groovy video. You are SPOT ON regarding placing a priority on applications for RISC-V computing instead of development. Surely we computer folks haven't forgotten that development, done correctly, takes time and should proceed only with lots of checks, balances, and unit testing along the way. So naysayers, take a back seat. Our patience will be well rewarded, you'll see. :)

[@d.barnette2687]

Sorry -- strike 'development', insert 'performance'!

[@ExplainingComputers]

Thanks for your support, most appreciated. :)

[@bgg-jp5ei]

8 years of joy, enlightenment and humour. Thanks Chris and Mr Scissors

[@hugocardozo8685]

Don't forget Stanley the knife.

[@rikprince8414]

Have a great holiday, Sir! looking forward to more videos in 2024.

[@schitlipz]

Please promise you'll do a million-subscriber dance when the time comes.

[@HyperspaceQ]

Eight years! Congratulations!

[@t.v.9696]

I enjoy your videos, Chris! They are very informative and entertaining 👍. You totally deserve a million of subscribers on your channel 😉. Best wishes and greetings from Ukraine 💙💛!

[@dang48]

Congrats on the 8 years of regular videos. They have become my Sunday go to. And sad to hear of the tinnitus. That can be nasty. I'm wondering what kind of sound dampening one can develop for the fans to lessen the chances of the fan noise causing harm to users in future.

[@busydadscooking001]

So sorry about your tinnitus Chris! The most important thing to realize is that it's your brain filling in this perceived "noise" - probably because certain audio nerve cells have stopped broadcasting changing electrical values to the brain, because of damage or cell age. In other words, it is a calibration problem for your brain, based on not getting fed data from 100% of its full spectrum of "sensors" any more. For a lot of people, including me, the sensations become far less bothersome once you realize it's your brain inventing the noise to try and present to you the correct info! :D In my case I have mild tinnitus, which most of the time is not too bad. One time it became super loud for like 20 minutes straight, in one ear, a scary experience. And I started from hearing the "world hum", which goes up and down at low frequencies - that one would only ever bother me in the winter, for reasons unknown. There is a real mind-body aspect here too. Once you accept that the noises are internal errors, your brain to some extent changes its approach and goes "well hang on then, maybe I should be down-sampling more of those inputs" ... the brain is a weird place huh :P

[@immucontagionfraud]

Getting close to the One Million mark! Yahoo!

[@-iIIiiiiiIiiiiIIIiiIi-]

OMG! If you end up using the N100 motherboards, I'd like to see if can match actively cooled N100 benchmarks with a larger passively cooled custom heatsink. That would be so cool!

[@t5ruxlee210]

Started taking vitamin C + Zinc tablets for occasional mild vertigo which I thought might be related to "cold" in my ears. Helps me. Now that I think about it, my "Welsh Choir" tinnitus has also stopped visiting as often.

[@srtcsb]

Congrats on 8 years Chris. I haven't really supported any of my favorite KZbinrs (beyond liking and subscribing to the channel), but a goal for me in 2024 is to be a member of some of them. Cheers and thanks for another great video.

[@insanemainstream3633]

Congrats on the 8 years! Enjoyed every year. Hopefully you will reach the million subs in 2024.

[@peteshulver9221]

Hi Chris and another informative and down to earth video about what’s ongoing in the world of computing,sorry to hear about the Tinnitus but welcome to club of millions who also suffer and I have been suffering myself for over 20 years now so will watch with interest as you try to solve one of the many triggers of tinnitus in modern life. Keep up the great work I look forward to seeing more stuff in 2024. all the best to you and family for Christmas and the New Year😀😀

[@clangerbasher]

Build the M-ITX quiet. And then stick it in a cupboard.

[@jamesladriski]

Thanks for the update. Peace

[@johngangemi1361]

8 years! That is a great run!

[@Maxume]

At the moment, "AI" is a very polarizing topic and with an audience as huge as yours, there's bound to be people on either side of the debate. Perhaps that's why content about it doesn't have the pull you had expected. Looking forward to your content in the new year. If all goes to plan I'll also be starting to put out a little. So I'm very excited for 2024.

[@bobhope4565]

Love the channel. I have had periods of tinnitus recently in one ear and have discovered it has something to do with ear wax. I find if I put a few drops of olive oil in for a minute, and then drain it out it really helps. I know it is related to stuff in my ear as if I don't let the oil drain properly it will make it worse. For me, it will take a while before I see an improvement. I can't seem to get rid of it permanently but the oil does help. I use it when I'm particularly bothered by it. Looking forward to your channel hitting a million!

[@ExplainingComputers]

Thanks for this. I've had a lot of ear wax removal over the years, and it can indeed cause tinnitus as you say (and for me this has been the case). But sadly now it is no longer an ear wax issue. :(

[@richardthunderbay8364]

I'm happy to hear that your channel views are up this year. Let the trend continue!

[@josephfilm73]

This is a really great channel. I like watching the videos and learn about topics I thought I knew.

[@dylanwilsonYT]

Congrats on 8 years of weekly videos! Keep up the great videos Chris! :)

[@CompleteAnimation]

Congratulations on another year! I didn't discover your channel until 2019, and I'm glad I did!

[@charleshays2071]

Dear Chris, I greatly appreciate your dedication to mentoring your subscribers on the ins, and outs, of computing. I especially appreciate your work related to the DIY R-Pi family of SBCs and Microcontrollers, which I use to guide my students experimental work on their NASA MINDS projects (at Cal State LA). The new updates to your website will make this even easier. Thank you again, and I look forward to seeing your work in 2024. Take care. -CCH

[@andrewfalconbridge2744]

Hi Chris, I'm confident you are the person to inform us about AI, especially AI on SBC's.

[@NeonGenesisPlatinum]

Another great video Chris. I love this channel wish it and yourself a great 2024.

[@MickeyMishra]

Yea BOY! GO Oregon! Corvallis is going to be busy for the next few years. Thanks for showcasing it :-)

[@ExplainingComputers]

Thanks for your support. :)

[@CARLiCON]

love your work, & thanks for sharing the knowledge EC!

[@DanielDeRudder]

Glad I've found your channel. I already learned a LOT over here. Thank you very much.

[@ExplainingComputers]

Thanks for watching. :)

[@johngeib]

Chris, when you do one of the OS major upgrade videos (preferably the Mint one ;) ), could you do a full run through on how to upgrade without loosing your data on the current computer (think email, pics, browser bookmarks, etc). While a lot of people use the cloud for backup, I think a lot of users don't like the idea of being dependent on their internet connection to access their life. Hope you break 1 million subs soon. Thanks for all the content!

[@murraydawson8407]

Absolutely - a guide to different ways of updating LM and migrating data would be super helpful! Scripts, location of home folder, which folders to move... I'm stuck on an earlier version so can't use the upgrade script which not all distros have anyway.

[@zombie_pigdragon]

One idea, if you haven't considered it, is that OS upgrades provide a fantastic time to test your backup solution. That way, you can clean-wipe the drive, then restore your personal media and settings from backup.

[@fairhall001]

Premptive congratulations on your upcoming 1 million subscribers. Good job and well deserved for a job well done!

[@trevorberridge6079]

Very pleased to see that the channel has picked up this year as it thoroughly deserves to. I hope it isn't too long before you hit the one million mark. As always you have been informative and incredibly helpful. You explain clearly and make everything so accessible. Well done! Looking forward to whatever gems you have for us next year.

[@samyabdelm7895]

As always another great video, thank you Chris for all the amazing work you do and all of the things we learned from this wonderful channel.

[@ExplainingComputers]

Thanks for your support, most appreciated.

[@CyborgZeta]

Sir, your channel has become one of my absolute favorites on KZbin; thank you for all the knowledge you share with us. It's particularly helpful to someone like me, who is just an everyday PC user with no programming or software development skills. And I know how you feel about tinnitus, as I suffer from it as well (thanks to things like firearms, and working at an airport I'm sure); although mine sounds a lot more manageable than yours as I do not have triggers. If you want reduced fan noise, I highly recommend stuff from be quiet!; I've been using a be quiet! case w/fans since my first build in 2021.

[@braselectron]

Dear Sir, your channel is one of my favorites on KZbin. Thank you for your time and effort sharing your knowledge with us - best regards from Brazil.

[@RoboNuggie]

Thanks for the update Chris! I'm also a long time tinnitus sufferer, and you're right about triggers. Buy a warm drink, and take care of yourself in this cold weather....all the best till next time...

[@ExplainingComputers]

Thanks for your support, most appreciated.

[@KCTalksEV]

Like clockwork! Greetings for 2023 and hope that 2024 is as great for the channel!

[@tomas5376]

Time flies when you’re having fun and your videos, besides being very informative, are fun! Gracias👏👏

[@brentsmithline3423]

Love the competition in the processor area like x86, ARM, RISC-V. The more competition the better.

[@ExplainingComputers]

Agreed!

[@BGBTech]

Yeah. Despite my reservations about RISC-V in some areas (mostly a few features that I feel are lacking), it does at least have promise, and still compares relatively favorably in many areas against both x86-64 and many of the prior RISC's; and does at least hold up reasonably well by various metrics. For example, at least in terms of instruction counts, RV does seem to be reasonably competitive against 64-bit ARM, and seems to be able to generate binaries with a smaller amount of executable if code compared with x86-64 (though, x86-64 tends to lean towards having larger instructions on average). Also, RV does have an advantage over x86-64 in that writing an instruction decoder for it is not "the stuff of nightmares" (if albeit the immediate and displacement fields are a bit dog chewed). ...

[@Videogame9559]

hi chris sorry to someone is unwell hope see you in the new year family comes first

[@petercarter9034]

Thank you Christopher for all your efforts I have enjoyed watching from day one, always well researched and produced content, I like many have been entertained and educated, good luck with the future I look forward to watching it

[@Praxibetel-Ix]

Good morning, everyone! 😊 First things first, there's no denying that there's always good, pleasant banter in here. Carry on, fellas. Secondly, if there's any scam accounts that managed to slip past the filters with us this week, well, mess around and find out. Finally, here is a Super Thanks donation that I hope will go to some tea. Lots of love always from one frood to a lot of very hoopy froods. You're all a really far out crowd. 💙

[@ExplainingComputers]

Thanks for your support, most appreciated.

[@Praxibetel-Ix]

@@ExplainingComputers You're welcome!

[@marksterling8286]

Wow I can’t believe how time is flying on. Fantastic update. Sunday wouldn’t be Sunday without your videos.

[@davidglenn6468]

Thanks for this update Chris. It really sounds & feels like the channel is on the up again this year and with so much coming next year, I for one can’t wait! Congratulations on your 8th year. Not sure how long I have been watching, but a fair while now. May I wish you and all my fellow fans, a Merry Christmas & and great 2024.

[@Goman1244]

I think there are a lot of us that have older computers and want to know how to successfully move all our data and configurations to a newer computer. I have also appreciated that you research and provide information about new apps that appear on the market. Thank you for all your videos that you have provided to our community.

[@strouja]

Thanks. I love your videos and get a kick out of your long pauses between segments. I have been building computers for friends in my family and others for over 20 years now, and still learn from your channel.

[@andrekz9138]

Hahaha, 8 years! Wow.. thank you for all of the knowledge and entertainment. I like to say to my family, "Let's take a closer look."

[@roku-device23]

Congrats! The work you do on this channel is important for the whole industry. Thank you!

[@WilsonBradleyTheOfficial]

Thank you sir.. Your presents even brings nostalgia.. ;-)

[@kencreten7308]

Thanks for everything.

[@Urosaurus]

I am happy to hear of your continued success. I wish you the best going forward. I do especially like that you have used the old beige case for your build!

[@jeffanderinkillmer8479]

Bravo Chris! Though you videos wind up costing me more money! Started with an overly complex UNRAID NAS to adding multiple raspberry pi's including the latest pi5. Thanks for helping me expand my computing knowledge and skills. Jeff

[@kevgermany]

For me, this is an incredibly valuable channel. Part of the furniture 😉. Congratulations from me and I hope you get your millionth subscriber soon.

[@danielsnyder6900]

Congratulations and Happy Anniversary! You are right on about Risc, this market is still in the early stages and many detractors do not see this.

[@alanthornton3530]

An interesting end of year update, thank you Chris for everything that you've done to make this channel what it is, I'm also looking forward to the goodies you've got planned for us in 2024! I also suffer with tinnitus & can empathise with anyone else that does, strangely I've just finished rewatching the 'Quieter PC Upgrade' series (2022) in a bid to help with this very problem, I'm going to rewatch the 'Silent Mini ITX' rebuild using the Morex case (2020) which I find really interesting. I found this video on 'DIY Perks' channel called 'Quieter than a heart beat' it's from 8 years ago but it might be worth a look, all in the quest for silent computing!

[@ExplainingComputers]

Thanks for your support, most appreciated. I think you will be interested in the motherboard I've found for the new build when events allow me to go it. But the two previous silent and very, very quiet builds worked very well.

[@jinty83]

Great video Chris. I'm excited to see all of the things you have planned for the future and congratulations on the 8 year Anniversary! I hope you get the new pc build done quickly to help with the tinnitus. As a musician I know quite a few people who suffer from it so I hope you can find ways to minimize the effects. Getting rid of the triggering fan noise is a great start and I hope it turns out well. Best wishes until the next video 😊

[@gam85191]

Happy Anniversary Chris! Keep up the great videos :) Sorry to hear about the Tinnitus!

[@jeffdingle9677]

Very interesting Chris. Looking forward to 2024. Incidentally have you looked at the distro "Void-Linux" on the Raspberry Pi 400 - I'm sure many others would be also interested in your views, if you have. I can empathise about the tinnitus - I have lost 95% hearing in my left ear but I can still hear the tinnitus, which sounds, at times, like a kettle boiling all the time 24/7. About 10 years ago, in my 50's, I had a BAHA (Bone-Anchored Hearing Aid) fitted to my skull behind my left ear so that my right ear (cochlea) can hear sounds from my left side now that the left ear cannot hear any more. My advice is to try and ignore it (and after 10 years I now generally do) and having background noise (like the radio or music playing) can help to mask it and focus the hearing part of the brain away from the tinnitus on to more important things and sounds. Hopefully your hearing hasn't yet fully deteriorated, fingers crossed.... In the meantime hope all goes well for you....

[@scottwatschke4192]

Thank you for sharing.

[@PcTechnRepair]

Congratulations, I'm looking forward to 2024! Keep up the great work!

[@alanjrobertson]

Delighted to hear viewership has risen again - very much deserved and reassuring after last year's update. Also the redesign of the EC website looks like a superb interface into that massive bank of videos.

[@FrankFloresRGVZGM]

Thank you for all of your consistent patient and informative work! I hope you keep explaining computers for as long as you can!

[@Vincent_Koech]

This channel should hit a million subscribers before the year ends.

[@SchoolforHackers]

Let’s help make that happen.

[@Oharafolk]

Thank you so much Chris for all these years of amazing work!

[@uvnegativa]

Thank you ! Your work is amazing

[@damightyshabba439]

Lets be clear - I am a fully qualified IT director. With a global work load. I watch this channel often. I think thats all you need to know! Yes its basic. GOOD. It feels like teacher / pupil... GOOD. It should - he is teaching. I'm a pro and when I need advice - I come here. What more do you need to know? Oh and tinnutus? I have that. Too many heavy metal gigs....

[@Raftzard]

I only discovered this channel very recently. Thank you for you amazing content. You make the subjects seem so simple, even when they are not. That is a sign of a great teacher!

[@taidee]

Yeah, you've been in it for a while now Prof, good to see you are still motivated. We will be here as you go along, keep up the good work.

[@Sven.Bornemark]

I'm so happy your channel is doing well. This was a good and positive episode. You seem happy about life in general. Good work, Chris! Lotsa love from Sweden! 🎶🙂❤

[@renobodyrenobody]

Thanks for your video(s). The most interesting for me was about the RISC-V SBC, your analysis was very instructive. Thanks and enjoy some holiday break!

[@Billybobble1]

That old PC tower is amazing! I love your Open University style and dry humour, to be on the cusp of 1 million subs I think speaks volumes about your content, no need for shorts and overdone editing, just nice and clear, informative and educational information. I don't expect you to explain this, but I thought I'd mention it. I have an old PC I use as an Unraid server, it has a quirk like your ethernet issue. I have to press the power button at least 100 times before it eventually turns on. It has had the motherboard replaced so it is surely the tower power button and cable that is the issue, but you would think it would either work, or not. You can imagine the frustrating day I was having when I initially found out how to boot it again, but it has been consistent for well over a year now. The tower is a massive Nvidia Edition Coolermaster Haf-X case, I could replace it, but where's the fun in that! I know virtually nothing about tinnitus, but I hope you can at the very least reduce it's affect with your new build and I look forward to the upload. All the best 🙂

[@usmani93]

And thankyou for these videos, I love your videos, the way you deliver them and the flow everything, thankyou for amazing Sundays!

[@bigtom1948]

8 years? wow I have been watching for most of that and thank you for all the great content.

[@YeOldeTraveller]

I'm always interested in silent PC builds. I also have significant tinnitus. My challenge is that i want to run higher power systems, so getting them quieter can be somewhat more difficult. I tend to avoid Shorts as i loathe the interface, and I prefer content with a bit more actual content.