For 15-20 years, I have run a script that gathers daily images for several comic strips. Recently, this script stopped working, and rather than fix it (it is Perl code that at this point has become unmaintainable) I decided to look for an OSS solution.
Web searches quickly led me …Continue reading
I recently discovered that my offsite backup NAS, a Synology DS118 with a 12TB drive in it, had filled up. I considered several solutions to this problem, eventually deciding to replace the DS118 with a DS225+. Since Synology now requires Synology-branded drives, I had to either buy two new drives …Continue reading
I recently received some advice that I should set up a more ergonomic workstation at home: a split keyboard, an ergonomic mouse, and an adjustable sitting/standing desk.
I did a lot of research about keyboards and decided that an ortholinear or column staggered unit was not for me. I …Continue reading
In my family, we have a half-dozen Mac laptops -- one for each of us, and one provided by my employer. For the personal laptops, I have been using Time Machine, backing up to my primary Synology unit. Unfortunately, Time Machine has proven unreliable, requiring frequent resets of the backup. For …Continue reading
A while back, I moved my FT-7800R to my hamshack, and bought an FTM-400XDM to replace it in the truck, so I thought an update was in order. I never fully mounted the FT-7800R control head, but after switching to the FTM-400, I finished the permanent install by mounting the …Continue reading
I was recently asked about how to get started with a home lab. As with most things, the answer depends on what you want to do with it. But, the core components are probably pretty similar.
Every home lab is going to require some sort of storage system. For mine …Continue reading
Over the weekend, I upgraded my network: I replaced my Ubiquiti USG with a UDM-SE. I debated between the UDMP and UDM-SE, and decided on the UDM-SE because of its added features. As part of this upgrade, I retired my self-hosted UniFi Controller in favor of the one on the …Continue reading
A few weeks ago, I installed a solenoid in my truck, to control my ham radio's power based on the ignition key position: I want the radio to power on and off with the engine.
As with most mobile ham radios, my radio has an auto-power-down function, but I want …Continue reading
I have continued playing with my M5stack. I now have it programmed to show 3 types of data:
After using a couple of ESP32s and doing some things with them, I decided I wanted to get an M5stack. I bought a first generation core, and am working to use that as a display for various things around the house.
As I started using the m5stack and trying to …Continue reading
I am a system engineer in the Raleigh, NC area. My main interests are Unix, VMware, and networking. More about me, and how I got started.