For the brightness issue, if you are running X:

allow dimming display beyond normal max dimming:

  xrandr --output eDP --brightness 0.5

restore to normal brightness range:

  xrandr --output eDP --brightness 1

(substitute the actual output name for your display instead of eDP; run xrandr without args to list)

▲ inatreecrown2 8 hours ago | parent [-]

nice! didn't know about that. Thanks!

	▲	sillystuff 5 hours ago \| parent [-]
		Someone was upset about it. The comment was down voted? Try to be helpful.