I use a Dell D6000[0] to drive 2x 1440p monitors, my keyboard and mouse via a single USB-A/C cable swapped between personal and work machines. It does it all via DisplayLink software so it adds a little load to the computer, but not noticeable. I've used it with Dell laptops, Surfaces, can even power (slowly) a MBP.
My desktop doesn't support Thunderbolt, which rules out the vast majority of solutions I've looked at.
Can't help with hangouts but I've been starting to play around with Helm (https://thehelm.com/). You self-host a little box at your home, it sets up TLS certs via LetsEncrypt and tunnels to an AWS frontend with a clean IP that ferries your data to/from your network.
All data is secured on your device. Bring your own domain, supports IMAP/CalDav/CardDav. So far, I'm a fan but I'm still battle testing it before I start moving in earnest.
ExoAnalytic Solutions | Director of IT | Los Angeles, CA or Orange County, CA | ONSITE, Full-Time | US Citizenship Required
Exo owns and operates a global network of 200+ telescopes responsible for keeping satellites and humans safe from orbital debris and other threats. We're 100% employee-owned and offer full health care, dental, vision, 6% to 401(k) as well as equity grants.
We're looking for a full-time computer-whisperer who can manage our existing back-end and develop infrastructure to fuel our growth goals. You'll work directly with users to identify issues and needs, our directors and PM's to understand technical roadmaps, and our C-suite (including me, our CIO) for planning and resources.
Skills we're looking for: Active Directory, Windows and Linux admin, cloud/virtualization tech, IP networking, GSuite/O365, scripting languages
ExoAnalytic Solutions | Director of IT | Los Angeles, CA or Orange County, CA | ONSITE, Full-Time | US Citizenship Required
Exo owns and operates a global network of 200+ telescopes responsible for keeping satellites and humans safe from orbital debris and other threats. We're 100% employee-owned and offer full health care, dental, vision, 6% to 401(k) as well as equity grants.
We're looking for a full-time computer-whisperer who can manage our existing back-end and develop infrastructure to fuel our growth goals. You'll work directly with users to identify issues and needs, our directors and PM's to understand technical roadmaps, and our C-suite (including me, our CIO) for planning and resources.
Skills we're looking for: Active Directory, Windows and Linux admin, cloud/virtualization tech, IP networking, GSuite/O365, scripting languages
For folks on Windows looking for Meltdown/Spectre protection but whose motherboard manufacturers are no longer pushing updates, this appears to be an option. I posted this in the other thread[1] but thought it warranted some more exposure.
Here are links to the latest microcodes I could find for Intel[2] and AMD[3]. As additional fixes come out, it is trivial to copy the updated microcode file over and reboot.
VMware distributes a driver[1] one can install to patch the microcode on Windows at runtime. If these updates need to be recognized before OS boot, this may not mitigate the dangers. But in my test lab, HWiNFO64 shows the current microcode version.
The Intel[2] and AMD[3] microcode can be downloaded but I can't vouch for how many Meltdown/Spectre mitigations these versions contain. The Intel one is dated 2017-11-17.
My desktop doesn't support Thunderbolt, which rules out the vast majority of solutions I've looked at.
[0] https://www.dell.com/en-us/work/shop/dell-universal-dock-d60...