cross-posted from: !tech@programming.dev
USB Type C is great! …unless you have to use dongles anyway.
I liked the style of this video
You don’t have to use dongles, there are adapter plugs barely bigger than a USB plug:
But… that is a dongle? He also mentions them in the video.
Regardless, the idea that re-soldering a new usb header on your devices is somehow better/easier than just using a dongle like that is kind of absurd. Still a fun proof of concept, though.
Note that such a passive adapter is always broken and cannot possibly comply with the USB-C standard. Such an adapter is common and usually works, but is still illegal (in terms of the standard). An active device is absolutely always required. Devices have been killed in the past by these things, and many new USB devices have to be built to accept the incorrect use already because they’re common in the wild. Disclaimer: I use them anyway because it’s so convenient.
Reversibility, Vbus being powered, and back feeding are common problems with passive designs. I blame USB standards for not considering a low cost way to properly convert between A and C. USB4 is an even worse mess. It’s really a shame.
I’ve got some serious qualifications in electronics, it sucks I love in a tiny apartment and don’t have the equipment I need to fix things. Had my main monitor die a few days ago and I’m sure it’s just a capacitor or something dumb, I’ve been out of work now about a year and everything I rely on seems to be dying lately.
Really wish I had the space and money to have a decent solder station, multimeter etc.
Also I’m not asking for any handouts or anything like that just cursing my own stupidity for never embracing a hobby that would definetly have benifited me.
I’m not sure where you are in the world, but you could look into maker spaces, local universities/colleges, or any local hobby clubs.
Each of them might have programs to let you borrow tools, or bring something in to work on. The least they might know about what is available