Category Archives: #Infrastructure

FreeBSD 11.1 on the desktop

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So I made the jump to using FreeBSD on the desktop and it’s beginning to grow on me. Some notes.

  • I got the Nextcloud client running after running into a bunch of issues with Qt5. This now allows me to keep my files in sync and makes the time on my BSD box that much more productive.  Workflow is now enhanced.
  • Using XFCE as my desktop with Compiz as a windows manager. I fell in in love with the cube multidesktop feature when I saw it at a Linuxworld years ago.
  • Now that I am doing things mostly from the terminal, it gives me the incentive and environment to automate more and more.
  • Have to look into some other browsers beyond Chromium and Firefox.
  • Once I have rdesktop and xfreerdp, I can manage my MS Windows systems without much issues.
  • My previous setup was a Win7 system with 3 monitors.  While I could use the same 3 monitors, I realized having 12 (3*4) desktops may have been a bit too much.  So now I have two monitors and thus 8 desktops.  A major jump in productivity

All in all, a challenging experience, but one that I am glad I did.

The TODO list

  • ZFS file system
  • Custom launcher(s)
  • Custom dashboard

 

Great book that I am reading: “Bullshit Jobs: A Theory”

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This book by David Graeber should be read by technologist and anyone who is interested in systems and processes.


Powershell – Max the bright

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This script increases the brightness to max

set-ExecutionPolicy remotesigned -force
(Get-WmiObject -Namespace root/WMI -Class WmiMonitorBrightnessMethods).WmiSetBrightness(1,100)

My voice communications configuration

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Spent some time, but I got my voice communications system up. Tested it and now feel confident that I can stay in touch, wherever I am in the globe, at least wherever there is a GlobalStar Satellite coverage.

My configuration is this :

Hardware/Services :

  • Sprint Samsung S7 Smartphone
  • 8×8 Polycom Handset
  • AT&T Prepaid ZTE Z22 Flip phone( I love the ability to flip the phone to end the call)
  • GlobalStar Qualcomm GSP-1600 Satellite handset
  • Computer with Internet Access (I use an AT&T Mifi hotspot)

My Sprint phone number is linked with my Google Voice account.  For this, you have to have a number with an area code in one of the 50 states.  I haven’t tried Puerto Rico.

This linking gives you a lot of features.  The most important one is the ability to forward calls to verified phone numbers.  In my case, I have a SkypeIn #, an 8×8 phone service, and a GlobalStar Satellite phone.  With this feature, calls coming to my Sprint #, ring on all these devices.

To make use of a prepaid GoPhone for use on the AT&T service, I configured the SkypeIn number to forward to the local AT&T number.  I wanted this configuration, because when I travel to a location outside of the US, I can just get a local number and then configure Skype to forward to this number.

Is this configuration expensive ? Yes !  However, what is more expensive, is the lack of communications in my line of business.

Over time, I will figure out ways of optimizing this configuration for both cost and dependence on various service providers.

I build for me….

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I build tools for my use.  Hardware, Software, and services.  I build not to sell, rent and/or give to others.  One cannot solve the problems of others, until she can solve her own.

While I am supporter of Free Software, both beer and freedom, I most importantly support the freedom to do what you want.  This is because I don’t want anyone telling me what to do with my life.

If I follow your instructions, know that it is because I deem it in my own best interest.  Our goals have been aligned.  Nothing more, nothing less.

ZFS Testing

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Spent the day testing ZFS, via FreeNAS, as a VM storage medium.  Got it to do snapshots, rollbacks, clones and the most important, incremental backup to remote systems.

The goal is for this to allow my core data to be replicated to remote repos for security issues.  This is most imperative after Irmaria.

Resources that were most helpful.

https://www.headdesk.me/ZFS_incremental_replication

http://portrix-systems.de/blog/brost/zfs-migration-using-incremental-sendreceive/

Automata

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Automata theory is the study of abstract machines and automata, as well as the computational problems that can be solved using them. It is a theory in theoretical computer science and discrete mathematics (a subject of study in both mathematics and computer science). The word automata (the plural of automaton) comes from the Greek word αὐτόματα, which means “self-acting”.

—wikipedia

Veranda to dish….

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On June 20th, I took the step to self reliance and purchased an vertical aeroponics system from Al Henry [alhenry2@gmail.com] a local(USVI) hydroponics system maker and this weekend harvested the first of many produce.

Here is the system

Before

Currently:

Plants are :

Kale
Parsley
Thyme & Oregano
Basil
Spinach
Collard Greens
Lettuce
Arugula
Onions (Scallions)
Chives
Rosemary
Sweet Marjoram
Cilantro
Swiss Chard
Mustard (Greens)
Lemon Grass
Mint
Sage
Tarragon

 

This is a time lapse of the system(click on image to start animation):

And the resulting meal that used produce from the system.