Breaking it all Down

Posted on March 28, 2026March 24, 2026 by Alexander Case

Linux Diaries Redux V: Penny-wise and Pound Foolish

In my previous installment, I’d run into problems booting into TrueNAS on my planned home rolled Media Server. I’d ordered a USB Ethernet adapter to test the drop, and do some further investigations. Well, I’ve got some results – and they’re expensive.

Posted on March 27, 2026March 8, 2026 by Alexander Case

Where I Play Final Fantasy XVI Part 214: Forsaken Child

I pick up the power of Leviathan.

Music:
“Land of Eikons/Away (Overture)”
Scored by Masayoshi Soken, Nobuo Uematsu

Please support my Patreon: http://www.patreon.com/countzeroor
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Check out my Let’s Plays at https://www.youtube.com/@CountZeroOrPlays

Posted on March 26, 2026March 8, 2026 by Alexander Case

Where I Play Final Fantasy XVI Part 213: Curious Child

I take on a couple of sidequests to unlock the blacksmith and shop.

Music:
“Land of Eikons/Away (Overture)”
Scored by Masayoshi Soken, Nobuo Uematsu

Posted on March 25, 2026March 8, 2026 by Alexander Case

Nintendo Power Retrospectives: Part 143

We have a trio of sports games this issue, as we get closer to Ocarina of Time’s release.

Donation Links…

To support mutual aid groups in Minnesota: https://www.standwithminnesota.com/
To support relief and recovery in Ukraine: https://www.charitynavigator.org/discover-charities/where-to-give/ukranian-crisis/
Donate to Doctors Without Borders: https://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/get-involved/ways-to-give
Reproductive Health Care: https://www.charitynavigator.org/search?causes=Reproductive%20health%20care
Trans Rights: https://www.charitynavigator.org/search/?causes=LGBTQ%20rights

Games & Products Reviewed

(Any links are eBay & Amazon Affiliate Links – buying anything through those links helps to support the show)

Quarterback Club 99: https://ebay.us/5IxZa1
Madden 99: https://ebay.us/U9gC0o
Space Station Silicon Valley: https://ebay.us/HnF1VA
Twisted Edge Extreme Snowboarding: https://ebay.us/zKqEbB
WCW/nWo Revenge: https://ebay.us/BQR4pv
8BitDo 64 Controller: https://amzn.to/4lnGEU0

Posted on March 24, 2026March 8, 2026 by Alexander Case

Where I Play Final Fantasy XVI Part 212: Hidden Haven

We reach the village of Haven.

Music:
“Land of Eikons/Away (Overture)”
Scored by Masayoshi Soken, Nobuo Uematsu

Posted on March 23, 2026March 8, 2026 by Alexander Case

Where I Play Final Fantasy XVI Part 211: Hidden Village

I start the DLC and travel to the hidden land of Mysidia.

Music:
“Land of Eikons/Away (Overture)”
Scored by Masayoshi Soken, Nobuo Uematsu

Posted on March 22, 2026March 14, 2026 by Alexander Case

Linux Diaries Redux IV: The Best Laid Plans…

Well, the plan was to install the hard drives and SSD into the computer tower, and run an install of TrueNAS, and then spend the rest of the weekend of the 14th transferring files over and configuring my various media server programs – particularly Kavita and Jellyfin. Things didn’t go according to plan.

Posted on March 21, 2026March 11, 2026 by Alexander Case

Announcement: My Next RPG Campaign

As mentioned in my last Actual Play post, we have two chapters remaining in Shadows of the Dragon Queen, and one of those is going to go fairly quickly. This means it’s time to start thinking about what the next game will be and taking it over with my group. Well, we have decided on our next campaign.

Posted on March 20, 2026March 1, 2026 by Alexander Case

Where I Play Final Fantasy XVI Part 210: Finishing Marks

It’s time to finish clearing out the Hunt Board.

Music:
“Land of Eikons/Away (Overture)”
Scored by Masayoshi Soken, Nobuo Uematsu

Donation Links…

To support mutual aid groups in Minnesota: https://www.standwithminnesota.com/
To support relief and recovery in Ukraine: https://www.charitynavigator.org/discover-charities/where-to-give/ukranian-crisis/
Donate to Doctors Without Borders: https://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/get-involved/ways-to-give
Reproductive Health Care: https://www.charitynavigator.org/search?causes=Reproductive%20health%20care
Trans Rights: https://www.charitynavigator.org/search/?causes=LGBTQ%20rights

Posted on March 19, 2026March 1, 2026 by Alexander Case

Where I Play Final Fantasy XVI Part 209: Zealot

I take on a Dragoon that rejected Dion joining me.

Music:
“Land of Eikons/Away (Overture)”
Scored by Masayoshi Soken, Nobuo Uematsu

Donation Links…

To support mutual aid groups in Minnesota: https://www.standwithminnesota.com/
To support relief and recovery in Ukraine: https://www.charitynavigator.org/discover-charities/where-to-give/ukranian-crisis/
Donate to Doctors Without Borders: https://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/get-involved/ways-to-give
Reproductive Health Care: https://www.charitynavigator.org/search?causes=Reproductive%20health%20care
Trans Rights: https://www.charitynavigator.org/search/?causes=LGBTQ%20rights

Posted on March 18, 2026March 1, 2026 by Alexander Case

Campaign Diary: Dragonlance: Shadow of the Dragon Queen – Part 3

The campaign moves on to chapter 5, and a hex-crawl (which I tweaked to a Point Crawl).

‘Solecism’ by Scott Buckley – released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au

Donation Links…

To support mutual aid groups in Minnesota: https://www.standwithminnesota.com/
To support relief and recovery in Ukraine: https://www.charitynavigator.org/discover-charities/where-to-give/ukranian-crisis/
Donate to Doctors Without Borders: https://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/get-involved/ways-to-give
Reproductive Health Care: https://www.charitynavigator.org/search?causes=Reproductive%20health%20care
Trans Rights: https://www.charitynavigator.org/search/?causes=LGBTQ%20rights

Posted on March 17, 2026March 1, 2026 by Alexander Case

Where I Play Final Fantasy XVI Part 208: New Alliances

Clive & Byron work to form an alliance to help fend off continent-wide famine.

Music:
“Land of Eikons/Away (Overture)”
Scored by Masayoshi Soken, Nobuo Uematsu

Donation Links…

To support mutual aid groups in Minnesota: https://www.standwithminnesota.com/
To support relief and recovery in Ukraine: https://www.charitynavigator.org/discover-charities/where-to-give/ukranian-crisis/
Donate to Doctors Without Borders: https://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/get-involved/ways-to-give
Reproductive Health Care: https://www.charitynavigator.org/search?causes=Reproductive%20health%20care
Trans Rights: https://www.charitynavigator.org/search/?causes=LGBTQ%20rights

Posted on March 16, 2026March 1, 2026 by Alexander Case

Where I Play Final Fantasy XVI Part 207: Zombie Extermination Squad

We clear out the remaining Akashic Bandits.

Music:
“Land of Eikons/Away (Overture)”
Scored by Masayoshi Soken, Nobuo Uematsu

Donation Links…

To support mutual aid groups in Minnesota: https://www.standwithminnesota.com/
To support relief and recovery in Ukraine: https://www.charitynavigator.org/discover-charities/where-to-give/ukranian-crisis/
Donate to Doctors Without Borders: https://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/get-involved/ways-to-give
Reproductive Health Care: https://www.charitynavigator.org/search?causes=Reproductive%20health%20care
Trans Rights: https://www.charitynavigator.org/search/?causes=LGBTQ%20rights

Posted on March 15, 2026March 9, 2026 by Alexander Case

Anime Review: Steamboy

Steamboy is a film that started with monumental expectations. It was Katsuhiro Otomo’s first non-anthology film since Akira. It was his first project that basically didn’t begin its life as a manga. It took 10 years to make. It was, at the time, the most expensive anime film to make (having begun its life as a planned OVA, with 3 40-minute episodes). It was set up for failure and didn’t disappoint. I’ve finally watched it, and even with greatly tempered expectations, I didn’t go away happy.

Posted on March 14, 2026March 8, 2026 by Alexander Case

Video Game Review: Final Fantasy V Pixel Remaster

One of the games on my New Year’s Resolution list was the Final Fantasy V Pixel Remaster. I’d already started it in 2025, and had played it partway through several times over – on SNES Emulation back in the late 90s, on the PS1, and on the GBA. So, now it’s time to take a look at the Pixel Remaster.

Posted on March 13, 2026March 1, 2026 by Alexander Case

Where I Play Final Fantasy XVI Part 206: Hang Together or Hang Separately

We have to get the people of Dalimil to unite against (checks notes) Akashic Bandits.

Music:
“Land of Eikons/Away (Overture)”
Scored by Masayoshi Soken, Nobuo Uematsu

Donation Links…

To support mutual aid groups in Minnesota: https://www.standwithminnesota.com/
To support relief and recovery in Ukraine: https://www.charitynavigator.org/discover-charities/where-to-give/ukranian-crisis/
Donate to Doctors Without Borders: https://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/get-involved/ways-to-give
Reproductive Health Care: https://www.charitynavigator.org/search?causes=Reproductive%20health%20care
Trans Rights: https://www.charitynavigator.org/search/?causes=LGBTQ%20rights

Posted on March 12, 2026March 1, 2026 by Alexander Case

Where I Play Final Fantasy XVI Part 205: Love & Sacrifice

Jill joins our party, and we check in on an agent of The Undying in Ash.

Music:
“Land of Eikons/Away (Overture)”
Scored by Masayoshi Soken, Nobuo Uematsu

Donation Links…

To support mutual aid groups in Minnesota: https://www.standwithminnesota.com/
To support relief and recovery in Ukraine: https://www.charitynavigator.org/discover-charities/where-to-give/ukranian-crisis/
Donate to Doctors Without Borders: https://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/get-involved/ways-to-give
Reproductive Health Care: https://www.charitynavigator.org/search?causes=Reproductive%20health%20care
Trans Rights: https://www.charitynavigator.org/search/?causes=LGBTQ%20rights

Posted on March 11, 2026February 22, 2026 by Alexander Case

Film (Video) Review: Mission: Impossible

This week, I’m taking a look at the movie that kicked off a blockbuster spy/heist/con franchise, with Mission: Impossible.

Mission: Impossible is available for streaming on:

Paramount Plus Premium

‘Solecism’ by Scott Buckley – released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au

Donation Links…

To support mutual aid groups in Minnesota: https://www.standwithminnesota.com/
To support relief and recovery in Ukraine: https://www.charitynavigator.org/discover-charities/where-to-give/ukranian-crisis/
Donate to Doctors Without Borders: https://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/get-involved/ways-to-give
Reproductive Health Care: https://www.charitynavigator.org/search?causes=Reproductive%20health%20care
Trans Rights: https://www.charitynavigator.org/search/?causes=LGBTQ%20rights

Posted on March 10, 2026March 1, 2026 by Alexander Case

Where I Play Final Fantasy XVI Part 204: Sea of Flowers

Clive tries to help Jill feel better.

Music:
“Land of Eikons/Away (Overture)”
Scored by Masayoshi Soken, Nobuo Uematsu

Donation Links…

To support mutual aid groups in Minnesota: https://www.standwithminnesota.com/
To support relief and recovery in Ukraine: https://www.charitynavigator.org/discover-charities/where-to-give/ukranian-crisis/
Donate to Doctors Without Borders: https://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/get-involved/ways-to-give
Reproductive Health Care: https://www.charitynavigator.org/search?causes=Reproductive%20health%20care
Trans Rights: https://www.charitynavigator.org/search/?causes=LGBTQ%20rights

Posted on March 9, 2026March 1, 2026 by Alexander Case

Where I Play Final Fantasy XVI Part 203: Serizawa

Mid makes a decision about her Mithril Engine technology.

Music:
“Land of Eikons/Away (Overture)”
Scored by Masayoshi Soken, Nobuo Uematsu

Donation Links…

To support mutual aid groups in Minnesota: https://www.standwithminnesota.com/
To support relief and recovery in Ukraine: https://www.charitynavigator.org/discover-charities/where-to-give/ukranian-crisis/
Donate to Doctors Without Borders: https://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/get-involved/ways-to-give
Reproductive Health Care: https://www.charitynavigator.org/search?causes=Reproductive%20health%20care
Trans Rights: https://www.charitynavigator.org/search/?causes=LGBTQ%20rights

Posted on March 8, 2026March 1, 2026 by Alexander Case

NextGen #47 (November 1998)

I’m still making my way through NextGen, with Issue 47 for November 1998

Posted on March 7, 2026February 27, 2026 by Alexander Case

Linux Diaries Redux III: Doubling Up

Something I didn’t quite anticipate when I started this project was that, well, prices for everything that uses NAND would start rising quite so high, quite so fast. Consequently, beyond getting an SSD for the server, I’m also having to get the ball rolling on the follow-up project as well.

Posted on March 6, 2026March 1, 2026 by Alexander Case