<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8" standalone="yes"?><rss version="2.0" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom"><channel><title>Posts on Gadget Reviews, Gaming Guides, and Entertainment Life Hacks</title><link>https://half-life.jp/en/posts/</link><description>Recent content in Posts on Gadget Reviews, Gaming Guides, and Entertainment Life Hacks</description><generator>Hugo -- gohugo.io</generator><language>en</language><copyright>Half-Life</copyright><lastBuildDate>Wed, 14 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0900</lastBuildDate><atom:link href="https://half-life.jp/en/posts/index.xml" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><item><title>Lightweight OS introduction guide for reviving old laptops</title><link>https://half-life.jp/en/posts/lightweight-os-introduction-guide-for-reviving-old-laptops/</link><pubDate>Wed, 14 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0900</pubDate><guid>https://half-life.jp/en/posts/lightweight-os-introduction-guide-for-reviving-old-laptops/</guid><description>&lt;img src="https://half-life.jp/img/thumbnail/reviving-old-laptops-with-lightweight-os-en.png" alt="Featured image of post Lightweight OS introduction guide for reviving old laptops" /&gt;&lt;p&gt;Due to the end of support for Windows 10 and the strict hardware requirements of Windows 11 (TPM 2.0 and CPU limitations for 8th generation and later), do you have an older generation laptop sitting in the back of your closet that should still be fully functional? Even machines equipped with 4GB to 8GB of memory and 4th to 6th generation Core processors can be transformed into practical sub-machines that run smoothly by installing an appropriate lightweight OS and replacing a few parts. We will report on the actual playback steps.&lt;/p&gt;</description></item><item><title>How to set up a PC case fan that achieves both quietness and cooling performance</title><link>https://half-life.jp/en/posts/how-to-set-up-a-pc-case-fan-that-achieves-both-quietness-and-cooling-performance/</link><pubDate>Tue, 06 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0900</pubDate><guid>https://half-life.jp/en/posts/how-to-set-up-a-pc-case-fan-that-achieves-both-quietness-and-cooling-performance/</guid><description>&lt;img src="https://half-life.jp/img/thumbnail/pc-case-fan-tuning-quiet-cooling-en.png" alt="Featured image of post How to set up a PC case fan that achieves both quietness and cooling performance" /&gt;&lt;p&gt;Cooling and quieting your home-built PC cannot be solved by simply increasing the number of fans. Rather, interference between fans and imbalance of air pressure inside the case can cause unpleasant wind noise, resonance noise, and dust being sucked into the interior. We will explain airflow design based on thermodynamics inside the case and optimal tuning techniques using BIOS/fan control software.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h3 id="positive-pressure-vs-negative-pressure-atmospheric-pressure-balance-that-achieves-both-dust-prevention-and-cooling"&gt;Positive pressure vs. negative pressure: atmospheric pressure balance that achieves both dust prevention and cooling
&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;p&gt;Air flow within the case can be roughly divided into two types depending on the relationship between &amp;ldquo;intake volume&amp;rdquo; and &amp;ldquo;exhaust volume&amp;rdquo;.&lt;/p&gt;</description></item><item><title>Introduction to local development environment built with Docker containers</title><link>https://half-life.jp/en/posts/introduction-to-local-development-environment-built-with-docker-containers/</link><pubDate>Tue, 29 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0900</pubDate><guid>https://half-life.jp/en/posts/introduction-to-local-development-environment-built-with-docker-containers/</guid><description>&lt;img src="https://half-life.jp/img/thumbnail/local-dev-environment-setup-with-docker-en.png" alt="Featured image of post Introduction to local development environment built with Docker containers" /&gt;&lt;p&gt;Do you install runtimes (Node.js, Python, Ruby, etc.) and databases (PostgreSQL, MySQL) directly on the host OS every time you try a new programming language or framework? “OS environment contamination” that worries you about version conflicts and garbage files during uninstallation will become a thing of the past if you use Docker containers. We organize the steps to build a practical local development environment in a hands-on format.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h3 id="why-cant-you-install-it-directly-into-the-host-os"&gt;Why can&amp;rsquo;t you install it directly into the host OS?
&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;p&gt;Version conflicts such as Project A requires Python 3.10 and Project B requires Python 3.12 are commonplace. Docker allows you to isolate your application execution environment and middleware as independent, disposable containers. Even when you get a new PC, you can instantly recreate a perfect development environment by cloning the repository and hitting a single command.&lt;/p&gt;</description></item><item><title>2026 latest standard! How to choose a PCIe 5.0 compatible NVMe SSD</title><link>https://half-life.jp/en/posts/2026-latest-standard-how-to-choose-a-pcie-5.0-compatible-nvme-ssd/</link><pubDate>Tue, 22 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0900</pubDate><guid>https://half-life.jp/en/posts/2026-latest-standard-how-to-choose-a-pcie-5.0-compatible-nvme-ssd/</guid><description>&lt;img src="https://half-life.jp/img/thumbnail/pcie-5-nvme-ssd-selection-guide-2026-en.png" alt="Featured image of post 2026 latest standard! How to choose a PCIe 5.0 compatible NVMe SSD" /&gt;&lt;p&gt;&amp;ldquo;PCIe 5.0 (Gen5) compatible NVMe SSD&amp;rdquo; whose sequential read speed has finally entered the realm of over 14,000MB/s (14GB/s). It&amp;rsquo;s easy to get caught up in the overwhelming numbers in the catalog specs, but when you actually incorporate them into your own PC, you need knowledge of &lt;code&gt;thermal design'' and &lt;/code&gt;lane distribution,&amp;rsquo;&amp;rsquo; which are fundamentally different from conventional Gen4 SSDs. We will explain how to make wise choices and investment techniques based on the latest market trends in 2026.&lt;/p&gt;</description></item><item><title>Lightweight Linux distribution recommended for home servers</title><link>https://half-life.jp/en/posts/lightweight-linux-distribution-recommended-for-home-servers/</link><pubDate>Tue, 15 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0900</pubDate><guid>https://half-life.jp/en/posts/lightweight-linux-distribution-recommended-for-home-servers/</guid><description>&lt;img src="https://half-life.jp/img/thumbnail/lightweight-linux-distros-for-home-servers-en.png" alt="Featured image of post Lightweight Linux distribution recommended for home servers" /&gt;&lt;p&gt;When starting up a home server using an old desktop PC, small power-saving mini PC, or surplus parts, the OS selection will greatly affect the machine&amp;rsquo;s lifespan and operating costs. Because it operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, a &amp;ldquo;lightweight Linux&amp;rdquo; that eliminates unnecessary GUI and resident services is essential. We will compare the characteristics of the three major distributions and the selection criteria you won&amp;rsquo;t regret from an engineer&amp;rsquo;s perspective.&lt;/p&gt;</description></item><item><title>For beginners: Points to review your home network</title><link>https://half-life.jp/en/posts/for-beginners-points-to-review-your-home-network/</link><pubDate>Tue, 08 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0900</pubDate><guid>https://half-life.jp/en/posts/for-beginners-points-to-review-your-home-network/</guid><description>&lt;img src="https://half-life.jp/img/thumbnail/home-network-review-points-for-beginners-en.png" alt="Featured image of post For beginners: Points to review your home network" /&gt;&lt;p&gt;As you increasingly enjoy video streaming services at home or conduct video conferences while working from home, do you ever feel dissatisfied with the fact that your home Wi-Fi is slow or intermittent? In order to restore a comfortable internet environment, here are three points to review your home network that even beginners can check right away.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;1. Review the “location” of the Wi-Fi router&lt;/strong&gt;
Wi-Fi radio waves are susceptible to obstacles and tend to spread out in a spherical shape around the router. Is your router placed behind your TV, in a shelf, or directly on the floor in the corner of your room? The ideal location is &amp;ldquo;near the center of the house&amp;rdquo; and &amp;ldquo;1 to 2 meters above the floor.&amp;rdquo; Also avoid near objects that block radio waves, such as microwave ovens and metal racks. Simply changing the location can make communication surprisingly stable.&lt;/p&gt;</description></item><item><title>Building a backup server that utilizes leftover HDDs</title><link>https://half-life.jp/en/posts/building-a-backup-server-that-utilizes-leftover-hdds/</link><pubDate>Thu, 03 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0900</pubDate><guid>https://half-life.jp/en/posts/building-a-backup-server-that-utilizes-leftover-hdds/</guid><description>&lt;img src="https://half-life.jp/img/thumbnail/backup-server-setup-using-spare-hdds-en.png" alt="Featured image of post Building a backup server that utilizes leftover HDDs" /&gt;&lt;p&gt;Have you ever bought a new PC or upgraded your storage, only to find yourself with a surplus HDD lying around that you no longer use? It would be a waste to just let it sleep! This time, we&amp;rsquo;ll show you how to reuse leftover HDDs and build a convenient &amp;ldquo;backup server&amp;rdquo; for your home.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The easiest way is to purchase a commercially available NAS kit (HDD-less model). Just by incorporating your own HDD into the entry model NAS released by manufacturers such as Synology and QNAP, you can create a full-fledged file server in no time. Initial settings can be done intuitively from the browser, so even beginners with no knowledge of server construction can feel at ease.&lt;/p&gt;</description></item><item><title>How to use Raspberry Pi to challenge long autumn nights</title><link>https://half-life.jp/en/posts/how-to-use-raspberry-pi-to-challenge-long-autumn-nights/</link><pubDate>Sun, 30 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0900</pubDate><guid>https://half-life.jp/en/posts/how-to-use-raspberry-pi-to-challenge-long-autumn-nights/</guid><description>&lt;img src="https://half-life.jp/img/thumbnail/raspberry-pi-utilization-autumn-nights-en.png" alt="Featured image of post How to use Raspberry Pi to challenge long autumn nights" /&gt;&lt;p&gt;Autumn brings cooler winds and longer nights. The long autumn nights are the perfect season to experience new technology and enjoy small crafts. Here are some fun ways to use Raspberry Pi, a palm-sized ultra-compact PC, to make the most of your time at home.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;1. Make a nostalgic retro game console&lt;/strong&gt;
Simply install a free OS called &amp;ldquo;RetroPie&amp;rdquo; and your Raspberry Pi will instantly turn into a versatile retro game console. By connecting a USB controller and outputting to a TV, you can enjoy nostalgic arcade games and home games on the big screen (*To play, you will need legal game ROM data that you downloaded yourself). Why not take the time to replay that game you were obsessed with as a child on an autumn night?&lt;/p&gt;</description></item><item><title>Initial configuration of Linux server and required commands</title><link>https://half-life.jp/en/posts/initial-configuration-of-linux-server-and-required-commands/</link><pubDate>Fri, 28 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0900</pubDate><guid>https://half-life.jp/en/posts/initial-configuration-of-linux-server-and-required-commands/</guid><description>&lt;img src="https://half-life.jp/img/thumbnail/linux-server-initial-setup-commands-en.png" alt="Featured image of post Initial configuration of Linux server and required commands" /&gt;&lt;p&gt;After building a Linux server for the first time by signing up for a VPS (Virtual Private Server) or setting up a server on an old PC at home, many beginners are confused, wondering, &amp;ldquo;What should I do first?&amp;rdquo; In order to operate the server safely and comfortably, we will introduce the initial settings that must be performed immediately after installing the OS and the required commands for that purpose.&lt;/p&gt;</description></item><item><title>Comparing the performance of the latest CPUs and GPUs and how to choose them</title><link>https://half-life.jp/en/posts/comparing-the-performance-of-the-latest-cpus-and-gpus-and-how-to-choose-them/</link><pubDate>Sat, 22 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0900</pubDate><guid>https://half-life.jp/en/posts/comparing-the-performance-of-the-latest-cpus-and-gpus-and-how-to-choose-them/</guid><description>&lt;img src="https://half-life.jp/img/thumbnail/latest-cpu-gpu-performance-comparison-en.png" alt="Featured image of post Comparing the performance of the latest CPUs and GPUs and how to choose them" /&gt;&lt;p&gt;When building your own PC or purchasing a BTO computer, the most difficult thing to worry about is how to choose a CPU and a GPU (graphics board). Every year, new generations of models come out and improve performance, so it&amp;rsquo;s important to stay on top of the latest trends. Here, we will explain the latest performance trends of CPUs and GPUs, as well as key points on how to choose one for each purpose.&lt;/p&gt;</description></item><item><title>Introduction to home network security measures</title><link>https://half-life.jp/en/posts/introduction-to-home-network-security-measures/</link><pubDate>Sun, 16 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0900</pubDate><guid>https://half-life.jp/en/posts/introduction-to-home-network-security-measures/</guid><description>&lt;img src="https://half-life.jp/img/thumbnail/home-network-security-basics-en.png" alt="Featured image of post Introduction to home network security measures" /&gt;&lt;p&gt;The threat of the Internet extends not only to businesses but also to ordinary households. In today&amp;rsquo;s world, where every device in your home, such as smart home appliances and network cameras, is connected to the Internet, security measures for your home network are essential. We have compiled a list of basic security measures to help you use the Internet with peace of mind.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;1. Review the Wi-Fi router settings&lt;/strong&gt;
The top priority is to strengthen the defense of your Wi-Fi router, which is the gateway to your home network.
・&lt;strong&gt;Change the password for the administration screen&lt;/strong&gt;: Be sure to change the initial password (such as admin) for logging into the router&amp;rsquo;s settings screen to a complex one.
・&lt;strong&gt;Firmware update&lt;/strong&gt;: Always keep the program (firmware) that runs your router up to date to prevent vulnerabilities. Modern routers often have an automatic update feature, so make sure it&amp;rsquo;s turned on.
・&lt;strong&gt;Use a strong encryption method&lt;/strong&gt;: Please use &amp;ldquo;WPA3&amp;rdquo; or &amp;ldquo;WPA2-AES&amp;rdquo;, which is currently the safest Wi-Fi encryption method. Never use WEP, as it can be decrypted within seconds.&lt;/p&gt;</description></item><item><title>Best practices for data backup: 3-2-1 rule</title><link>https://half-life.jp/en/posts/best-practices-for-data-backup-3-2-1-rule/</link><pubDate>Tue, 11 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0900</pubDate><guid>https://half-life.jp/en/posts/best-practices-for-data-backup-3-2-1-rule/</guid><description>&lt;img src="https://half-life.jp/img/thumbnail/data-backup-best-practices-321-rule-en.png" alt="Featured image of post Best practices for data backup: 3-2-1 rule" /&gt;&lt;p&gt;A computer or smartphone malfunctions, a cyberattack such as ransomware occurs, or a file is accidentally deleted&amp;hellip; The risk of losing important data lurks everywhere in our daily lives. In order to avoid regrets when the time comes, we will explain the golden rule for data backup, the &amp;ldquo;3-2-1 rule&amp;rdquo; recommended by IT experts around the world.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The 3-2-1 rule is a concise statement of three principles for keeping data safe.&lt;/p&gt;</description></item><item><title>Steps to migrate PC storage from HDD to SSD</title><link>https://half-life.jp/en/posts/steps-to-migrate-pc-storage-from-hdd-to-ssd/</link><pubDate>Wed, 05 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0900</pubDate><guid>https://half-life.jp/en/posts/steps-to-migrate-pc-storage-from-hdd-to-ssd/</guid><description>&lt;img src="https://half-life.jp/img/thumbnail/hdd-to-ssd-storage-migration-guide-en.png" alt="Featured image of post Steps to migrate PC storage from HDD to SSD" /&gt;&lt;p&gt;If you are feeling stressed that your computer is slow to start up or that apps take a long time to start up, the most effective solution is to migrate (replace) your PC&amp;rsquo;s storage from an HDD (hard disk) to an SSD (solid state drive). You can experience a dramatic increase in speed compared to adding more CPU or memory. Here, we will introduce the overall process of migrating from HDD to SSD.&lt;/p&gt;</description></item><item><title>Guide to building a development environment using Docker</title><link>https://half-life.jp/en/posts/guide-to-building-a-development-environment-using-docker/</link><pubDate>Fri, 31 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0900</pubDate><guid>https://half-life.jp/en/posts/guide-to-building-a-development-environment-using-docker/</guid><description>&lt;img src="https://half-life.jp/img/thumbnail/development-environment-setup-docker-en.png" alt="Featured image of post Guide to building a development environment using Docker" /&gt;&lt;p&gt;When learning programming or developing a system, the first obstacle that stands in the way is &amp;ldquo;building a development environment.&amp;rdquo; Installing the necessary software and libraries directly onto your PC (host OS) can cause various problems, such as version conflicts and an overly complex environment that slows down your PC. Therefore, we recommend building a development environment using Docker.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Docker is a tool that creates virtual environments called &amp;ldquo;containers&amp;rdquo; on your PC. Unlike traditional virtual machines (VMware, VirtualBox, etc.), they are lightweight and start up very quickly. By using Docker, you can launch a development environment (container) only when needed and delete it without leaving a trace when it is no longer needed, so you can always keep the host PC environment clean.&lt;/p&gt;</description></item><item><title>Home VPN server made with Raspberry Pi</title><link>https://half-life.jp/en/posts/home-vpn-server-made-with-raspberry-pi/</link><pubDate>Sat, 25 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0900</pubDate><guid>https://half-life.jp/en/posts/home-vpn-server-made-with-raspberry-pi/</guid><description>&lt;img src="https://half-life.jp/img/thumbnail/raspberry-pi-home-vpn-server-en.png" alt="Featured image of post Home VPN server made with Raspberry Pi" /&gt;&lt;p&gt;When using free Wi-Fi at a cafe or hotel while out and about, have you ever felt the risk of your communication being intercepted (security concerns)? In such cases, a VPN (Virtual Private Network) can be helpful. This time, we will introduce how to use a small computer called &lt;code&gt;Raspberry Pi'' to build a &lt;/code&gt;home VPN server&amp;rsquo;&amp;rsquo; that enables secure communication.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The biggest advantage of building a VPN server at home is that when you connect to the Internet from outside, you can communicate via your home network. As a result, communication content is strongly encrypted even when using free Wi-Fi, allowing you to safely browse the web and conduct online banking. Another big advantage is that you can access your home network equipment (NAS, etc.) from anywhere.&lt;/p&gt;</description></item><item><title>How to reuse an old PC as a home server</title><link>https://half-life.jp/en/posts/how-to-reuse-an-old-pc-as-a-home-server/</link><pubDate>Mon, 20 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0900</pubDate><guid>https://half-life.jp/en/posts/how-to-reuse-an-old-pc-as-a-home-server/</guid><description>&lt;img src="https://half-life.jp/img/thumbnail/reuse-old-pc-as-home-server-en.png" alt="Featured image of post How to reuse an old PC as a home server" /&gt;&lt;p&gt;Do you have an old computer (laptop or desktop) sitting in your closet after purchasing a new computer? Even if your PC is no longer supported by the OS or is too slow to use on a daily basis, you can use it as a &amp;ldquo;home server&amp;rdquo; to enjoy a second life. This time, we will introduce the benefits and methods of reusing an old PC as a home server.&lt;/p&gt;</description></item><item><title>Homemade PC assembly procedures and precautions</title><link>https://half-life.jp/en/posts/homemade-pc-assembly-procedures-and-precautions/</link><pubDate>Tue, 14 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0900</pubDate><guid>https://half-life.jp/en/posts/homemade-pc-assembly-procedures-and-precautions/</guid><description>&lt;img src="https://half-life.jp/img/thumbnail/custom-pc-building-guide-tips-en.png" alt="Featured image of post Homemade PC assembly procedures and precautions" /&gt;&lt;p&gt;The best part of building your own PC is not only being able to freely choose parts to suit your needs and budget, but also being able to &amp;ldquo;grow&amp;rdquo; your PC by replacing or adding parts later on. ``Reassembly&amp;rsquo;&amp;rsquo;, which involves installing a new CPU, motherboard, case, etc. and completely replacing the contents, is even more exciting than building a new PC, but there are some points to keep in mind.&lt;/p&gt;</description></item><item><title>For beginners: Benefits of introducing NAS and how to choose it</title><link>https://half-life.jp/en/posts/for-beginners-benefits-of-introducing-nas-and-how-to-choose-it/</link><pubDate>Thu, 09 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0900</pubDate><guid>https://half-life.jp/en/posts/for-beginners-benefits-of-introducing-nas-and-how-to-choose-it/</guid><description>&lt;img src="https://half-life.jp/img/thumbnail/nas-introduction-benefits-beginners-en.png" alt="Featured image of post For beginners: Benefits of introducing NAS and how to choose it" /&gt;&lt;p&gt;In today&amp;rsquo;s world, digital data such as photos and videos on smartphones and documents on PCs is rapidly increasing. NAS (Network HDD) solves problems such as &lt;code&gt;I can't save because the storage capacity is full'' and &lt;/code&gt;It&amp;rsquo;s a hassle to share data with my family.&amp;rsquo;&amp;rsquo; This time, we will introduce the benefits of introducing NAS for beginners and points on how to choose one.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;NAS (Network Attached Storage) is a hard disk that is connected to a home Wi-Fi router (network) and used, unlike an external HDD that is connected directly to a PC with a USB cable.&lt;/p&gt;</description></item></channel></rss>