davidotek.github.io

Open source means the software's source code is publicly available, so anyone can inspect, modify, and redistribute it. Zen Cart, the platform running this reptile supply store, is open-source e-commerce software: the store owner can read and change the code, and no license fee is paid to a vendor. That matters to a small shop because it removes per-sale or monthly software fees and allows deep customization — but it also means the owner (or a developer they hire) handles hosting, updates, and security. Note that "open source" here describes the store software, not the reptile foods and supplements sold on it.

Open source in plain terms

Proprietary store platforms typically charge a subscription or a percentage of sales and keep their code closed. Open-source platforms publish the code under a license that permits use and modification. In practice, for a store like this one:

• No license fee. You pay for hosting and your own time, not for permission to run the software.
• Full access to the code. Layouts, checkout flow, and product pages can be changed beyond what a theme editor allows.
• Community development. Fixes and add-ons come from contributors and other store owners, not only from one company.

What it looks like on this store

The page evidence shows a typical Zen Cart storefront: category navigation (Bee Pollen, Cat Grass, Chia Seeds, Dandelion, Sprouting Seeds, Supplements), an "All Products" listing, reviews, and an information block with About Us, Shipping & Returns, Privacy Notice, Conditions of Use, Order Status, Site Map, Gift Certificate FAQ, and Discount Coupons. That structure — categories, reviews, coupons, gift certificates, order status — is what the platform provides out of the box. The store also publishes care guides (Russian Tortoise Care, Box Turtle Care, Redfoot Tortoise Care) and growing instructions, which are content pages the owner added rather than built-in store features.

Benefits for a small pet supply shop

• Cost control. No platform subscription means a low fixed cost that doesn't scale with order volume.
• Custom catalog logic. A shop selling seeds, dried weeds, and supplements by weight can adjust product options, units, and shipping rules directly in the code.
• Content and commerce in one place. Care guides and growing instructions sit alongside the catalog, which supports the store's stated role of helping customers find foods for herbivore reptiles.
• No vendor lock-in on data. You can export and migrate your catalog if you decide to move.

Trade-offs to plan for

Deciding whether it fits your store

Choose an open-source cart like Zen Cart if you want no license fees, need code-level customization, and have either technical skills or a developer you can call. Choose a hosted subscription platform instead if you'd rather not manage hosting, patches, and upgrades, and you're comfortable paying monthly for that convenience. A middle path works for many small shops: run the open-source cart on managed hosting that handles server updates, and keep a developer on retainer for store-level changes.

If you're evaluating this specific store as a model, the useful signal is that a niche reptile supply shop can run a full catalog, reviews, coupons, and care content on open-source software without a platform fee — the cost shifts from subscriptions to maintenance.

ProtonUp-Qt is a graphical tool for installing and managing Wine- and Proton-based compatibility layers used by Steam, Lutris, Heroic Games Launcher, and similar game launchers on Linux and Steam Deck. It fits you if you want to add or switch compatibility tool versions (for example, GE-Proton) without handling downloads and directory placement by hand. If you run a headless setup or prefer scripting, the same project family offers protondl, a command-line alternative.

What ProtonUp-Qt actually manages

Proton and Wine compatibility tools are the translation layers that let Windows games run on Linux. The versions shipped by Steam or bundled with a launcher are not the only options — community builds often fix specific games or add newer upstream changes sooner.

ProtonUp-Qt's job is to handle the lifecycle of those extra versions:

• Install a chosen compatibility tool version into the location your launcher expects.
• Track which versions are already present.
• Remove versions you no longer need.
• Expose them to the launcher so you can select one per game.

It is a manager, not a compatibility layer itself. Installing ProtonUp-Qt does not change how any game runs until you pick a different tool version for that game.

Which launchers it supports

The project describes compatibility tool management for Steam, Lutris, Heroic Games Launcher, and more. In practice this means the tool knows the standard install paths each launcher reads from, so a version you add through the GUI becomes selectable in that launcher's own settings.

The exact menu path inside each launcher is launcher-specific and changes between releases, so treat the launcher's own compatibility dropdown as the place where the installed version shows up.

Why Linux and Steam Deck users reach for it

The common reason is a game that misbehaves on the default Proton version — crashes, missing audio, launcher failures, or graphical glitches. Community builds such as GE-Proton frequently carry fixes that have not landed in the stable channel yet.

The workflow is short:

1. Install ProtonUp-Qt.
2. Open it and pick the launcher you want to target.
3. Choose a compatibility tool and version, then install it.
4. In the launcher, set that version for the specific game.
5. Launch the game and check whether the problem is resolved.

Expected result: the new version appears in the launcher's compatibility list and can be assigned per title. If it does not appear, the usual cause is that the launcher was open during installation or that the tool was installed for a different launcher than the one you are configuring.

On Steam Deck, the same steps apply in desktop mode; the compatibility version you set is then used when you launch the game from either desktop or gaming mode.

How it relates to the rest of the DavidoTek projects

ProtonUp-Qt is one entry in a small family of open-source tools from DavidoTek:

• ProtonUp-Qt — the GUI manager described here.
• protondl — a work-in-progress modern Python library and CLI for managing Steam and Linux gaming compatibility tools, described as a headless, async-first alternative to ProtonUp-Qt.
• pupgui2 — a related component in the same ecosystem.

Other projects on the site (an educational IP checksum lab, an RSA calculator, a P4-Utils Vagrant VM, and the unimo mobility prototype) are unrelated to gaming compatibility and are not part of the ProtonUp-Qt workflow.

ProtonUp-Qt vs. protondl: which to pick

Both target the same problem — getting compatibility tools installed and selectable. The difference is the interface and the environment they assume.

Choose ProtonUp-Qt if you are configuring a personal gaming machine and want to see and pick versions visually. Choose protondl if you are automating a setup, running without a display, or building compatibility-tool management into your own code — and accept that it is still in development.

Practical notes before you start

• ProtonUp-Qt manages versions; it does not guarantee a specific game will work. Compatibility depends on the game, the Proton/Wine version, and your drivers.
• Installing a new version does not remove the old one, so you can switch back if a game regresses.
• The launcher, not ProtonUp-Qt, is where you assign a version to a game.
• The project is open source and hosted under the DavidoTek name; the site lists it as an active install alongside the other projects.

Crossword Weaver is a Windows-only crossword puzzle maker that produces two distinct puzzle styles: free-form puzzles built from only your words, and themed symmetrical newspaper-style puzzles. It fits you if you work on Windows, want printable and playable output, and are willing to test the demo before deciding on a purchase. It is a weaker fit if you need macOS or web-based tools, or if you want a free alternative without evaluating paid software.

What Crossword Weaver Actually Does

Crossword Weaver is described as a tool for making two styles of crossword puzzles:

• Free-form puzzles — built using only your words, without forcing a symmetrical grid.
• Themed symmetrical newspaper-style puzzles — a more structured layout that resembles traditional published crosswords.

The software targets Windows only. Output is described as printable and playable, and the product is positioned as a maker, builder, and creator tool with automatic features. A demo is available so you can see whether it meets your needs before committing.

The Two Puzzle Styles, Compared

If your audience expects a classic newspaper look, the symmetrical style is the closer match. If you just want your own word list turned into a solvable puzzle with minimal layout fuss, free-form is the simpler path.

Platform and Compatibility Check

Before anything else, confirm you are on Windows. Crossword Weaver is Windows-only, so Mac, Linux, Chromebook, and browser-only workflows are out unless you have a Windows environment available. This is the single most common reason the tool is the wrong choice — not the puzzle features, but the operating system.

Evaluate With the Demo First

The site explicitly offers a demo to see if the software meets your needs. Use it to test the things that matter for your use case:

1. Build one free-form puzzle from a short word list and check the output.
2. Build one themed symmetrical puzzle and compare the layout to what you actually need.
3. Print or play the result to confirm the output format works for your audience.
4. Note any friction in the word-entry or layout process before deciding.

This demo-first path is the intended evaluation route, so treat it as the deciding step rather than relying on feature lists.

How It Compares to Alternatives

Use the same dimensions when weighing Crossword Weaver against other options:

• Platform: Crossword Weaver is Windows-only. Free web-based makers usually run in any browser but may offer less layout control.
• Puzzle styles: The two-style approach (free-form plus symmetrical themed) covers both casual and publication-style needs. Many simple free tools only do one style.
• Output: Printable and playable output is claimed here. Check whether an alternative gives you the same export and play options.
• Cost: Crossword Weaver involves a purchase. Free alternatives exist, so weigh the price against the layout control and Windows-native workflow you get.
• Evaluation: A demo lets you test before buying. Free tools need no commitment but also no trial period.

Which Choice Fits You

• Choose Crossword Weaver if you are on Windows, want both free-form and symmetrical themed puzzles, value printable and playable output, and are willing to try the demo and then purchase.
• Look elsewhere if you are not on Windows, need a free tool, or only need a single simple puzzle style that a browser-based maker already handles.

The deciding factors are platform, the two puzzle styles, and whether the demo output matches your audience or publication. Test those three before committing.

Arx Libertatis is an improved, cross-platform, open-source engine for Arx Fatalis, the 2002 first-person RPG/dungeon crawler/immersive sim from Arkane Studios. To play on Linux, you install Arx Libertatis (official Linux builds are provided), then point it at a copy of the original Arx Fatalis game data — the engine itself does not include the game. You need to own or otherwise obtain Arx Fatalis or its demo before you can play.

What Arx Libertatis actually is

Arx Libertatis is a port and modernization of the Arx Fatalis engine, based on the publicly released Arx Fatalis source code and available under the GPL 3+ license. Version 1.2.1 supports modern systems, brings the game to new platforms, and removes bugs and limitations of the original release.

Two things follow from that:

• The engine is free and open source. You can download, inspect, and redistribute the code under the GPL.
• The game data is not included. The license covers the engine only. The art, audio, levels, and other assets remain part of the commercial game, so you must supply them yourself.

The game itself features crafting, melee and ranged combat, and a distinctive spellcasting system where you draw runes in real time to cast the spell you want.

What you need before installing

The original game is sold through storefronts such as GOG.com, the Microsoft Store, and the Bethesda Store, and it also has a demo. Any of these gives you the data files the engine needs.

Installing Arx Libertatis on Linux

Arx Libertatis provides official builds for Windows and Linux. Beyond those, it has been packaged for macOS (Homebrew), FreeBSD, DragonFly BSD, NetBSD, OpenBSD, Haiku, and Pandora, and will likely compile and work on other operating systems.

On Linux, you have two practical routes:

Option 1: Use a distribution package

Check whether your distribution ships Arx Libertatis in its repositories. If it does, install it through your normal package manager. This is the least manual path and keeps updates tied to your system.

Option 2: Use the official Linux build

Download the Linux build from the project's download page and unpack it. This works regardless of whether your distribution packages the engine, and it lets you run a specific version such as 1.2.1.

If neither fits, the source is available on GitHub, so you can build it yourself — the project notes it will likely compile on other systems too.

Pointing the engine at your game data

The engine needs to find the Arx Fatalis data files. The general flow is:

1. Install or unpack Arx Libertatis using one of the routes above.
2. Locate your Arx Fatalis data. If you bought the game from a storefront, the installer places the data files somewhere on disk; if you have the demo, it comes as its own set of files.
3. Tell Arx Libertatis where that data is when you first launch it, or place the data where the engine expects it.
4. Launch the game and confirm it reaches the main menu.

The expected result at each step is simple: the engine starts, finds the data, and loads the game rather than exiting with a "data not found" style error.

If the game does not run

Check these in order:

• Data path is wrong. The most common failure is the engine not finding the Arx Fatalis data. Re-check the path you gave it.
• You installed the engine but not the game. Arx Libertatis alone cannot run — it has no assets of its own.
• Graphics/driver problems. Since the engine targets modern systems, most rendering issues trace back to drivers or to running an old build. Try the current release (1.2.1).
• Wrong build for your system. Make sure you grabbed the Linux build, not the Windows one, if you installed manually.

Where to go next

The project plans to keep improving and modernizing the engine and to enable community customizations and mods. If you want to follow development or get help, the project links to its GitHub repository, Mod DB page, and community forums such as the TTLG Forum and the GOG.com forum. There are also community projects built around the game, including the Arx Insanity Mod and other Arx mods.

DavidoTek is a personal open-source software project collection, with its main focus on Linux and Steam Deck gaming compatibility tools. Its best-known project is ProtonUp-Qt, which installs Wine- and Proton-based compatibility tools for Steam, Lutris, Heroic Games Launcher and more. Beyond gaming, the collection includes educational web apps, a P4 networking development VM, and public transport tools. Project status varies — some are active, some archived, and some work in progress — so the right choice depends on whether you need a maintained tool or just a reference implementation.

Gaming projects

ProtonUp-Qt (Active Install)

The flagship project. It manages Wine- and Proton-based compatibility tools for Steam, Lutris, Heroic Games Launcher and similar launchers, letting you install and switch compatibility layers to run games on Linux and Steam Deck.

Choose this if you want a graphical tool to manage Proton/Wine versions across multiple launchers without handling them manually.

protondl (WIP)

A modern Python library and CLI for managing Steam and Linux gaming compatibility tools. It is described as a headless, async-first alternative to ProtonUp-Qt.

Choose this if you want to script or automate compatibility-tool management, or run it on a system without a GUI. Note that it is marked work in progress, so expect incomplete functionality.

Educational and networking projects

IP Checksum Lab (Archived, Web)

A web application for calculating IPv4/IPv6/UDP/TCP checksums and checksum deltas. It is positioned as useful for university classes or for verifying checksums while debugging.

Use it as a learning or verification aid; it is archived, so it is not receiving active development.

Educational RSA Calculator (Archived, Web)

A web application that demonstrates RSA encryption using the Extended Euclidean Algorithm and the Square-and-Multiply algorithm.

Use it to see how RSA's core algorithms work step by step. Archived status means it is a fixed reference rather than a maintained tool.

Vagrant VM with ETHZ P4-Utils (Archived)

A Vagrant virtual machine based on Xubuntu that includes ETH-Zürich P4-Utils for developing and testing P4 data plane applications. PicoQUIC and Visual Studio Code are included.

Choose this if you need a ready-made P4 development environment and are comfortable with Vagrant.

Transportation projects

unimo – Universal Mobility Navigator (PoC)

A mobile and desktop app prototype for universal mobility. It combines public transport routing with e-scooter, bicycle, and car rental search. Built with TypeScript, React, and Web technologies.

This is a proof of concept, so treat it as a demonstration of the idea rather than a finished product.

ÖPNV Projekt Tracker (WIP)

A web application for tracking public transport (ÖPNV) construction and expansion projects in Germany. You can browse, filter, and contribute to a structured database of new-build and reactivation projects. Built with TypeScript and Next.js.

Choose this if you want to explore or contribute to German public transport project data.

How to choose

If your goal is playing games on Linux or Steam Deck, start with ProtonUp-Qt. If you need automation instead of a GUI, look at protondl but account for its WIP status. For learning or reference, the archived educational apps remain usable as-is.