My son and I are building our cars. I'm building my own so I can try to keep away from taking over my son's car. I'm so gonna kick his ass!
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
My dead battery
I had to change my battery as mine died. Someone shut the seatbelt in the door making the dome light stay on all weekend. I tried to jump this thing, but it was dead Jim.
Passive Hydroponics - Complete
I have all 12 plants rooted now. They -should- all grow. I'll try to take pics of this thing every month to track the progress. I hope to have these things really growing by the end of spring so I can get a bunch more clippings.
I found the more narrow top fit much better into the bottom than the more common two-litre style bottle. I'm just a little nervous that using 1 litre instead of 2 might make it a little too cramped.
The next one I build is going to be the air pump ebb and flow kind from a two litre bottle.
I found the more narrow top fit much better into the bottom than the more common two-litre style bottle. I'm just a little nervous that using 1 litre instead of 2 might make it a little too cramped.
The next one I build is going to be the air pump ebb and flow kind from a two litre bottle.
Monday, January 14, 2008
Day... I failed 365
I missed far too many days to stay in this group. I forgot my camera at work all weekend. I picked it up late Sunday, but I still missed too many days.
Things I learned. It's fun to take self portraits and you aren't a narcissist if you do it. When I started, I really didn't have that many pictures of myself, but a lot of my family. I need to include myself in these photos as I am a part of the family too.
I really liked doing the project, and it kept my blog much more active than ever before. I am going to jump right into the family version of 365 so I can get more pictures of all of the family.
Things I learned. It's fun to take self portraits and you aren't a narcissist if you do it. When I started, I really didn't have that many pictures of myself, but a lot of my family. I need to include myself in these photos as I am a part of the family too.
I really liked doing the project, and it kept my blog much more active than ever before. I am going to jump right into the family version of 365 so I can get more pictures of all of the family.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Day 227: Wardriving!
I had to download the source for SWScanner because the package in the default Ubuntu install doesn't work. After adding a few development libraries (Ubuntu ships with Gnome, and SWScanner is made for KDE), I got it running.
I too my son to hold the laptop and we headed out, just around the neighbourhood a little. Just to find out what was out there. We picked up 70 wireless devices. I also found out that the hospital has a public access point.
I too my son to hold the laptop and we headed out, just around the neighbourhood a little. Just to find out what was out there. We picked up 70 wireless devices. I also found out that the hospital has a public access point.
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
My first hydroponic system
I took some pothos clippings and put them water and waited for them to start growing roots
Once they grew some good roots, I cut a 1 litre bottle in half.
Then I cut off the top part of my sock to use as the wick.
I cut that up into ribbons, and put it through the top part of the bottle.
I then put a little bit of perlite into the top, put in the plants, and topped off the perlite.
I got the perlite and Shultz plant food at Home Depot during my lunch break. I'd like to thank KidsGardening.org for the idea to get me started.
I feel that the 1 litre bottle is just a bit small, but great for starting. I might transplant these to a two litre bottle sometime in a few months. That's the one that I'll do an ebb and flow type system.
Once they grew some good roots, I cut a 1 litre bottle in half.
Then I cut off the top part of my sock to use as the wick.
I cut that up into ribbons, and put it through the top part of the bottle.
I then put a little bit of perlite into the top, put in the plants, and topped off the perlite.
I got the perlite and Shultz plant food at Home Depot during my lunch break. I'd like to thank KidsGardening.org for the idea to get me started.
I feel that the 1 litre bottle is just a bit small, but great for starting. I might transplant these to a two litre bottle sometime in a few months. That's the one that I'll do an ebb and flow type system.
Day 226: Passive Hydroponics
I finally did it. I made my first hydroponic system. I did the easiest thing I could do which is just a wick system. I found hydroponic nutrients and perlite at Home Depot
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
How to pick your operating system
I ran into this article:
http://itmanagement.earthweb.com/entdev/article.php/11070_3720291_1
In summary he says the hidden costs of Linux are:
Incompatibility, Support, Tiny Market Share, Time
I'd like to address these really quick. First incompatibility. For me, this really depends on which way you want to go with it. First, the author seems to be talking about the desktop and not the server market. So yes, some items will not work on Linux. Others might take some time to get working. That means that the manufacturer will sometimes get the windows driver to work first, then get the Linux driver out there. Other times, the Linux driver has to be created by a volunteer in the community. The thing I don't understand is people all upset that some things work with Linux and other things don't. Apple makes a really nice mouse, but I'm not sure that's going to work on a Windows computer. Just as buying whatever hardware you want and expecting it to work in Linux is a bit nutty. Do your homework first, then go spend your money.
Support. People complain that if you go with Linux, the only support you get is through forums. A lot of good that is going to do if you need help with your internet connection. You can buy support though. RedHat, Suse, and Ubuntu all offer support if you would like to pay for it. Are people expecting free support? Getting support from Microsoft works the same way. If you want someone to hold your hand it's going to cost you, no matter what operating system you choose. But to say Linux lacks support is just wrong. It's just going to cost you, just like the other operating systems.
Tiny Market Share. The claim is that because so few people use Linux, no one really makes commercial software for it. I'll address this in detail latter, but in a nut shell, if Linux doesn't have the software you are looking for, then don't use it. It's that simple.
Time. The biggest complaint in the article was getting things to work like the DVD playback. Why can't anyone understand this? You PAY for Windows and Macintosh. Part of that money goes to the patent holders of the codec (aka royalty). You want DVD playback? It's going to cost you. That's why it APPEARS "free" in an operating system you pay for... because you are PAYING FOR IT. When the operating system is free, how is the royalty going to get paid? It can't so you can't ship it with the codec.
People really need to stop picking their operating system like a religion or political philosophy.
How to Pick Your Operating System
First, you REALLY need to define the problem. What is it you want to do? Just an internet connection? Web surf and email? Games? Edit video? make music? Different operating systems have different strengths. Before you jump into anything, figure out what you want first. And don't think about the OS yet. Think of the computer as a tool. This tool is going to help you complete a task. What is that task? Generally, the arts lean to Macintosh, Science to Linux, and games to Windows.
If you do pick Linux, you might run into the problem of picking a distribution. Again, it depends on what you want to do. Just internet, then gOS. General stuff, then Ubuntu. Want to learn a lot about Linux, the go Gentoo. People may complain that there are so many distro's out there, how do you choose from all of them. This is diversity and competition. Some like power, some like lean, some want it all. I like not having one big fat distro, but having choice.
Finally, keep in mind there are Linux applications for the Linux operating system. When I was in the Apple store, I -really- like playing with Garage Band. But that's for the Mac, not Linux. I don't expect to find that application for Linux. When I bought OS2, I couldn't run my windows stuff on there. I don't understand why people accept the differences in pay for operating systems, but when it's free they are upset their software doesn't run.
http://itmanagement.earthweb.com/entdev/article.php/11070_3720291_1
In summary he says the hidden costs of Linux are:
Incompatibility, Support, Tiny Market Share, Time
I'd like to address these really quick. First incompatibility. For me, this really depends on which way you want to go with it. First, the author seems to be talking about the desktop and not the server market. So yes, some items will not work on Linux. Others might take some time to get working. That means that the manufacturer will sometimes get the windows driver to work first, then get the Linux driver out there. Other times, the Linux driver has to be created by a volunteer in the community. The thing I don't understand is people all upset that some things work with Linux and other things don't. Apple makes a really nice mouse, but I'm not sure that's going to work on a Windows computer. Just as buying whatever hardware you want and expecting it to work in Linux is a bit nutty. Do your homework first, then go spend your money.
Support. People complain that if you go with Linux, the only support you get is through forums. A lot of good that is going to do if you need help with your internet connection. You can buy support though. RedHat, Suse, and Ubuntu all offer support if you would like to pay for it. Are people expecting free support? Getting support from Microsoft works the same way. If you want someone to hold your hand it's going to cost you, no matter what operating system you choose. But to say Linux lacks support is just wrong. It's just going to cost you, just like the other operating systems.
Tiny Market Share. The claim is that because so few people use Linux, no one really makes commercial software for it. I'll address this in detail latter, but in a nut shell, if Linux doesn't have the software you are looking for, then don't use it. It's that simple.
Time. The biggest complaint in the article was getting things to work like the DVD playback. Why can't anyone understand this? You PAY for Windows and Macintosh. Part of that money goes to the patent holders of the codec (aka royalty). You want DVD playback? It's going to cost you. That's why it APPEARS "free" in an operating system you pay for... because you are PAYING FOR IT. When the operating system is free, how is the royalty going to get paid? It can't so you can't ship it with the codec.
People really need to stop picking their operating system like a religion or political philosophy.
How to Pick Your Operating System
First, you REALLY need to define the problem. What is it you want to do? Just an internet connection? Web surf and email? Games? Edit video? make music? Different operating systems have different strengths. Before you jump into anything, figure out what you want first. And don't think about the OS yet. Think of the computer as a tool. This tool is going to help you complete a task. What is that task? Generally, the arts lean to Macintosh, Science to Linux, and games to Windows.
If you do pick Linux, you might run into the problem of picking a distribution. Again, it depends on what you want to do. Just internet, then gOS. General stuff, then Ubuntu. Want to learn a lot about Linux, the go Gentoo. People may complain that there are so many distro's out there, how do you choose from all of them. This is diversity and competition. Some like power, some like lean, some want it all. I like not having one big fat distro, but having choice.
Finally, keep in mind there are Linux applications for the Linux operating system. When I was in the Apple store, I -really- like playing with Garage Band. But that's for the Mac, not Linux. I don't expect to find that application for Linux. When I bought OS2, I couldn't run my windows stuff on there. I don't understand why people accept the differences in pay for operating systems, but when it's free they are upset their software doesn't run.
Monday, January 7, 2008
List of shame
Everyone once in a while I like to browse through the list of systems that tried to ssh to my home system. I'm on Verizon DSL and my home system isn't contacted through DNS or links from anything. So, generally I only get probed from scripts or big nmap style sweeps. If the originating IP address is something like a mail server, it's a good bet that it's been hacked and is being used as a launch point for finding more vulnerable systems. It's good to see that the list is global, but still disturbing to see all of the mail and dns server on the list. Some are possibly government systems too. I removed all the IP's that didn't resolve, as well as the broadband folks. This list is just the interesting ones.
syriatech.comIf you are the admin for any of these domains, please check your stuff for a possible root kit.
production.responsivesolutions.net
www.moviestorm.co.uk
cristeaclaudiu.iasi.rdsnet.ro
ns.marinework.co.jp
ittotalmanagement.serv.net.mx
lepi.facom.ufu.br
teco.com.tw
cruzroja.org.ec
dedicated.ipowerweb.com
mail.mmea.gov.my
complexx.cba.gvt.net.br
dothost.ru
itm.vaslui.ro
mail.longmerge.com
www.gf.k12.ar.us
vsvr1.jambo.co.ke
pop2.angsana.com
seg.nju.edu.cn
mobilink.dz
mail.howareyou-textile.net
dns.daiwa.com.cn
mail1.maxibit.ru
Day 224: Up at 5am (again)
This kid just loves getting up early and he wants to play and party VERY early in the morning. Grr! This is what he looks like at 5:30 am (after having some oatmeal). Party time! I still have another year or two before he starts learning the value of sleeping in.
Day 223: I fixed my MythTV box
The kids can get their videos again. This originally was a KnoppMyth system, but I didn't something while trying to upgrade the system that horked it. I ended up just installing from scratch. I figured since everything else I have is Ubuntu anyway, i might as well go with Mythbuntu. Good times! I still need the -vm switch for mplayer to get rid of the little white noise lines in the playback. I did need to add this to xorg.conf though...
# TV Out Setup
Option "TVStandard" "NTSC-M"
Option "TVOutFormat" "SVIDEO"
Option "TVOverScan" "0.6"
into the device section. That was it.
# TV Out Setup
Option "TVStandard" "NTSC-M"
Option "TVOutFormat" "SVIDEO"
Option "TVOverScan" "0.6"
into the device section. That was it.
I caught my Gmail worshipping the devil!
I had to send myself an email right after this screen shot. I'm not generally superstitious, but... just in case.
Saturday, January 5, 2008
Mobile thin client status update
I am just starting to migrate away from using desktops and laptops to just using a single laptop for everything. And a pretty crummy one too (IBM Thinkpad T30). Well, crummy compared to a nice Mac laptop.
I moved my beefy desktop to the basement, into the server rack. I'm working on removing all the old photos, video, and saved stuff from it. I'd like to then format the whole thing with Gentoo, but I'm still dealing with space issues on my server.
One of my space issues is that I have over 4,000 photos that I took and I don't delete any of them. Actually, I have way more because Flickr reports 4k, so I might shoot 20 photos but only upload five of them. I really only want to keep the uploaded photos. So then the question became how do I get a local copy of all my Flickr photos? I found a great python utility called Flickrfs. You can mount your whole photo stream as a file system. Once I mounted it, I just rsync'd the mounted flickr file system to a local directory. Very cool.
I did a little speed test using a remote X session. I launched "Flock" which is just a Firefox browser with some extras on my laptop, and that took 7 seconds to launch. That doesn't sound like a long time, but count out 7 Mississippi's and it's a bit of a wait for a browser to launch. Then I logged into my beefy machine and set the local display to my laptop. Then I launched Flock and it took 3 seconds to launch.
So just with the browser test, I'm going to get a good deal of speed out of doing this. The first problem I ran into though is how do I project sound form the server to the laptop? I'm now working on this issue. I'd like to stay away from a full remote desktop deal. I think I'm leaning to using ESD, but I'm unsure at this point.
These are the first few steps I need to take to get World of Warcraft running on a thin client.
I moved my beefy desktop to the basement, into the server rack. I'm working on removing all the old photos, video, and saved stuff from it. I'd like to then format the whole thing with Gentoo, but I'm still dealing with space issues on my server.
One of my space issues is that I have over 4,000 photos that I took and I don't delete any of them. Actually, I have way more because Flickr reports 4k, so I might shoot 20 photos but only upload five of them. I really only want to keep the uploaded photos. So then the question became how do I get a local copy of all my Flickr photos? I found a great python utility called Flickrfs. You can mount your whole photo stream as a file system. Once I mounted it, I just rsync'd the mounted flickr file system to a local directory. Very cool.
I did a little speed test using a remote X session. I launched "Flock" which is just a Firefox browser with some extras on my laptop, and that took 7 seconds to launch. That doesn't sound like a long time, but count out 7 Mississippi's and it's a bit of a wait for a browser to launch. Then I logged into my beefy machine and set the local display to my laptop. Then I launched Flock and it took 3 seconds to launch.
So just with the browser test, I'm going to get a good deal of speed out of doing this. The first problem I ran into though is how do I project sound form the server to the laptop? I'm now working on this issue. I'd like to stay away from a full remote desktop deal. I think I'm leaning to using ESD, but I'm unsure at this point.
These are the first few steps I need to take to get World of Warcraft running on a thin client.
Day 222: Sledding
I spazed out while helping the kids to create sled paths. I wiped out and got snow up my back. I also crashed into a tree and nearly popped the tube. I had much fun.
Friday, January 4, 2008
Day 221: Setting up my render server
I'm going to try and use VirtualGL to send 3d rendered images to a terminal server. That just means that I'm going to run World or Warcraft on a beefy server and send the display to a crummy laptop. I might just use turbovnc which mentions something along the lines of >20 fps. Or if used in combination with virtualGL, I might even get better than that. Right now I need to save all my stuff first. I was thinking about reformatting with Gentoo with the hopes of squeezing out some extra performance.
Thursday, January 3, 2008
Day 220: Incubator
My daughter nearly killed this Epipremnum aureum, or "Pothos" (Devils Ivy). You can chop up the vine and grow new plants. Put them in water for a couple of week and roots should appear. Most of the clippings have some roots now.
I'm still on the fence between a flood system or a wick system, though the wick system would be easy to do.
What ever I end up doing, I need to get the substrate. So my quest for rock wool, vermiculite, perite, or expanded clay continues. The craft store and Walmart doesn't have it. I need to try a gardening store. Maybe I can get to one tomorrow.
I'm still on the fence between a flood system or a wick system, though the wick system would be easy to do.
What ever I end up doing, I need to get the substrate. So my quest for rock wool, vermiculite, perite, or expanded clay continues. The craft store and Walmart doesn't have it. I need to try a gardening store. Maybe I can get to one tomorrow.
Day 219: Broke my first resolution
Someone brought candy into work and left it out for anyone to take. I was unable to pass this up. Free, yummy chocolate. Come on. I was set up. The day after my resolution to stop sweets, and someone leaves this out. Also, the guy in the cube across from me keeps throwing me Hershey Kisses too. And of course I eat those as well. I have no will power.
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
Added "The Human Animal" to the list
For whatever reason, I found one of my favourite documentaries by Desmond Morris called "The Human Animal". I'll paste it here...
The Human Animal -
A Personal View of the Human Species by Desmond Morris. This episode focuses on the planet's most advanced animal, beginning with a look at how man communicated before the evolution of language. Some gestures and expressions are so ingrained that we have not been able to erase them from our vocabulary.
Part 1: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-3323021761394989726
Part 2: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=3759901256066398161
Part 3: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6600330421430506831
Part 4: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-7364117469621223460
Part 5: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=5506132108012517049
Part 6: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=4112551354986527535
The Human Animal -
A Personal View of the Human Species by Desmond Morris. This episode focuses on the planet's most advanced animal, beginning with a look at how man communicated before the evolution of language. Some gestures and expressions are so ingrained that we have not been able to erase them from our vocabulary.
Part 1: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-3323021761394989726
Part 2: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=3759901256066398161
Part 3: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6600330421430506831
Part 4: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-7364117469621223460
Part 5: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=5506132108012517049
Part 6: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=4112551354986527535
Day 218: Resolution time
Argh. Time for New Years resolutions.
#1. Quit smoking (again). I wasn't going to mention this, but I had been smoking for a couple of months and will quit... again.
#2. Back to being a vegetarian. I found that by breaking the rules even slightly starts a down hill tumble that leads to smoking! I broke from my vegetarian diet for some reason, and that started a "Well, I'm in it for a dime, in it for a dollar" kind of attitude.
#3. No added sugar. Natural sugar is fine, but stuff like candy bars, deserts, well... sweets in general is off. Fruits and naturally found sugars should be fine.
#4. No caffeine. Can't stand the headaches.
#1. Quit smoking (again). I wasn't going to mention this, but I had been smoking for a couple of months and will quit... again.
#2. Back to being a vegetarian. I found that by breaking the rules even slightly starts a down hill tumble that leads to smoking! I broke from my vegetarian diet for some reason, and that started a "Well, I'm in it for a dime, in it for a dollar" kind of attitude.
#3. No added sugar. Natural sugar is fine, but stuff like candy bars, deserts, well... sweets in general is off. Fruits and naturally found sugars should be fine.
#4. No caffeine. Can't stand the headaches.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
