ScuzzBlog: Diaries November 2025
Entry 29th November 2025: Post 1: Netgear Ethernet EN104 - back to the old tech.
Netgear Ethernet EN104 - back to the old tech.
Having spent way too much time preoccupying my time with Win11 I
decided to get back to more serious computing matters and my local
network in the workshop. I have a cluster of PCs that I use with
the Amiga for transferring ZIP files and the like. The machines
are a mix of XP and Win98 and connected via Ethernet to a hub over
the far side of the workshop. I decided to reduce the number of
lengthy cables and provide a new switch in their place.
And so enter the Netgear Ethernet switch ref EN104. I already have
one of these elsewhere in the house and found it to be very simple
and easy to use. It's not fast, by any means, but suitable for the
small files associated with the Amiga. It includes and uplink so
I can simply daisy chain Ethernet cables from one the next.
Anyhoo I bought the switch for twenty five quid and it came within
a couple of days. So easy to set up and worked without fault. I
was able to remove a number of long cables and make things a lot
more tidy.
So how is this old tech relevant to the world I occupy today.
Truthfully very little, but it got me thinking about my early days
with Ethernet and realised I've been plugging cables like these
into ports for thirty years now. That is a long time. Thing is I
did a quick check for suitable connectivity to the Win11 machine
and was again advised to use Ethernet over Wireless for all kinds
of reasons. So what has happened to human progress in those 30
years of me first setting up a network in my house ?
Thinks ...
You tell me.. Have things really changed that much ? Well other
than smart phones, memes and AI for creating memes. Social media
in other words. Hardly anything physically tangible. Probably
more space debris ... and batteries, loads of batteries.
I like my Netgear Ethernet switch. It is simple and effective. I
guess even I would never have thought that as I approached 2026
I would still be obtaining and using such a thing. Maybe old 'techi'
but still has validity in a world preoccupied by social banter
and touch screen clouds.
I should explain. Having managed to solve the Win11 dilemma I am
now facing the challenge of embracing the world of the smart phone.
Something I have never owned or know anything about. I am not in
the mood, but since BT cut the power to land lines, I am forced
I guess to having one. So playing with old tech helps me forget
for a while, anyway. I'm sure I'll get there.
Rambling, just ignore me.
Netgear Ethernet EN104 - back to the old tech.
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