[=x-=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=-]
       [<<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>]
       [=x-=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=-]
       
       Stardate: 20211119.0953
       Location: Chimney
       Input Device: 7202 (cygwin)
       Audio: Chimney muzak
       Visual: Chimney  patio table
       Emotional State: anxious
       
       [=x-=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=-]
       
       I recieved that DE9 to RJ45 adapter.  The pins were not assembled so
       I had to put that together.  I put the adapter at the other end of
       my console cable and plugged it in, but still no dice.  Frustrated,
       I went looking for information online.  I found out that the console
       port basically needed a straight through cable, not a rollover
       cable that is usually used with Cisco routers.  Kinda funny that it
       would use a straight through since it is a Linksys switch, which was 
       owned by Cisco at the time it was released (around 2006.)  I have 
       since learned that Belkin acquired Linksys from Cisco in 2013; shows
       what I know.  So I swapped out the cable and was able to get in.
       
       It turns out that this console port is only good for basic settings,
       like setting the IP address, changing passwords, administration
       stuff.  The more advanced stuff is in the web GUI.  I tried accessing
       the page with a modern browser, but failed since the web GUI is
       designed for Internet Exploder and would not even load properly.  
       I tried to ssh into it, but my version of ssh is too advanced and  
       would need to be recompiled to allow for shorter key lengths.
       
       At this point, I decided to put it down and will try later with the 
       P1610, which still has an XP partition with Internet Exploder.  Maybe 
       this is one of the reasons why the switch is discontinued, as well as 
       the deal with the ssh key length.
       
       These are the types of challenges that I am faced with when working
       with older equipment.  The equipment works just fine, but it bugs me
       when I have to monkey with incompatibilities in accessing the
       configuration.  I figure that I should be able to configure the
       whole device from a console port, but maybe that is an unfair 
       assumption on my part (cuz when you ASSUME, you make an ASS out of
       U and ME!)
       
       </frustration>
       
       This had me thinking even more about some of the newer devices that
       use web GUIs for the configuration.  With the way that things keep
       getting released, upgraded, then discontinued, will I have to keep an 
       archive of older hardware and software for future maintenance?  Or am 
       I NOT supposed to maintain my stuff and the older hardware is meant 
       to be disposed of in the landfill?  Planned obsolesence is the term 
       I think they use.  Such a waste. #RightToRepair
       
       I do have my fair share and then some of old hardware; not just stuff
       I bought, but also reclaimed hardware that were no longer useful to 
       their previous owners from over the years, many of which I have 
       repurposed.  I have since stopped adding more to my pile and have
       been spending more time with the stuff I currently have.  
       
       With the shortening lifespan and the premature obsolescence of things 
       these days, I wonder at what point will the usefulness of some of my 
       hardware in my current pile of old will outlive the usefulness of 
       the current devices when they get old since the way many devices are 
       designed these days, they are pretty much useless and cannot be 
       repurposed even only after a few years from being released.  
       Especially stuff that connects to the intarwebs or needs web apps.  
       I do still use many of my old PDAs that have surpassed usefulness in 
       regards to some of my old android devices.  Then again, those PDA's 
       were not really designed to be on the intarwebz.
       
       [=x-=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=-]