Archives for July 2008
back up the truck, back it up
31 July 2008 | Uncategorized | No Responses
So after a week of pondering, I think I finally figured out what I am going to do for a backup / file server solution for my home network. Last night I backed up what I think I needed from the mini and re-installed OSX on it. Because its an older G4, I only have the back up disk for OSX 10.3.9. Since this operating system is about four or five years old, it took an ungodly amount of time to get the the thing updated. But never the less, its back to a prime state and ready to serve.
Enabling file server access on it was very simple. The sharing between my macbook and this machine works very well. All I had to do was go into System Preferences, then Sharing and enable it on the list of services. I also enabled remote login and remote desktop. I can now ssh into it. I can also control its desktop, but that didn’t come without a bit of trickery.
First, I had to find some free VNC server software. Apple wants to charge hundreds of dollars for their own solution. I was like bag that chaz and began my hunt for the software on my own. After a bit of surfing and research, I discovered vine server. They have a free Mac version so I downloaded it and off I went. Since the mini is running 10.3.9, I ran into a little trouble. After a little more searching, I discovered this blog entry and my questions were answered. So, if anyone is reading this that needs to get vine server running on 10.3.9, fire up the terminal and do a little something like this:
~/# cd /Application/Vine Server.app/Resources/Content/
~/# rm -r TigerBundle.bundle
After that, change the preferences on vine server to automatically start the server once the software is started. Also, change the user preferences to automatically start the software once the machine is up and running. Now, I can share the desktop with ease and I can now get rid of my monitor and extra peripherals on the desk. Ahh…life simplified.
Yet, there is one more step. I have an older PC with a 200GB hardrive just collecting dust. From what I understand, I can get an external enclosure for this thing for only $20.00. I plan to order one tomorrow. This will give me a nice amount of extra storage redeeming myself for opting for the cheaper model when I purchased my macbook. Now with 4GB of ram and this extra storage for $120.00, I’ve made a significant upgrade with very little work. ding ding.
gangster lean
30 July 2008 | life | No Responses
So last week I decided to take the plunge, sign my life away, and purchase a new automobile. Its kind of an exciting time. The monte carlo took a giant crap on me only to be left on the the side of the road with no cell phone. Nope, I’ll never make that mistake again. And when I mean mistake I don’t mean letting my car take a crap on me but simply never let my cell phone out of my site for more than thirty minutes. Its a long story that I don’t want to get into and the point is I was left without a car.
Being that the when this happened the summer was just beginning and if I worked even remotely close the where I work, I would have rode my bike every chance I could. But this wasn’t the case and after two week of car pooling with rachel, she began to get a little annoyed. My only option left: buy a new car.
I thought about this one hard and long. Its a big decision and since the last year of my life has been full of big decision, I thought it would be a perfect fit. Without getting into pointless details here, I opted for the scion tc. I also opted for the not-so-flashy rims and manual transmission. If I could choose any car in the world to drive, I probably would pick a 1985 cutlass supreme. These two cars even really in the same world, but due to gas prices and how much it would cost to install hydraulics on the bad boy, I opted for the coupe style.
So far I am really enjoying this thing. Honestly, the only thing I have to compare it to is a 1998 monte carlo, a 1988 buick regal, and an early nighties chevy conversion van. It has an ipod adapter, so I can sync my favorite weekly podcasts and listen to them on my thirty-minute commute. I also don’t have to resort to the sounds of worn out cassette tapes that I had to fast forward to listen to my favorite jams. And I suppose having to open the door at drive-thru resturants because the window wont go down. Yet there is something about that I will certainly miss. Life’s just getting too damn convenient these days.
And this may seem a little ironic, but if anyone knows where I can buy a cheap ten-speed road bike, let me know.
Thanks,
joe
sunday social #16 – barely hangin' on
20 July 2008 | Uncategorized | 1 Response
So I had an interesting weekend. I went to muskegon to play in a fundraising golf outing with a lot of people I haven’t seen since high school. I suppose it was probably better off that way. Its not like I like these people but the whole thing was a little pawncy. Never the less, I had blast playing golf and hopefully team younts will be asked to play again next year. Even after showing up over an hour late.
In other news I am getting a new ride this week if all goes as planned. We’re talkin’ murdered out man. Black on black. No substitutions and no accent.
I have a couple other plans for this week as well. I ordered some more memory for the new macbook. Apparently its an easy installs, so that should brings things up to a proper speed. Also, I’m looking into a file server solution for my home network. Something I can back up to, share files, and possible utilize as the jukebox for the bar. It sounds like a bit much, but we’ll see.
My first choice would be the mac mini. It’s ideal for a file server, but right now is being use as the juke box. I thought about using one of the desktops I have but they things use a lot more power than the mini. My perfect solution would be to use the desktop as jukebox. Then buy a cheap touch screen, install linux with some special apps and have my very own digital music station. Then the mini could run as a backup / file server. Life would be good and I haven’t found the right software for it yet. I’ll document the process.
sitting on the d(c)ock of ebay
16 July 2008 | Uncategorized | No Responses
After a whirlwind of a time in chicago this past weekend, I finally have my internet connection running properly again. I also came home today to find the remains of an ebay order totally going wrong. After listening to a podcast yesterday, its sounds like I am not alone. Frankly the entire thing is bullshit and I’m not sure where to start. At least it was only $40.
After purchasing what I thought was going to by this awesome addition to my basement bar, I was fairly excited. Ordering the thing before memorial day I thought it was a sure thing I would have it by my sister’s party. This was not the case. In fact, nearly an entire month went by and I saw and heard nothing from the seller. So I emailed her. Being that paypal still has ever address I lived at in the last five years (which was like six different places) I had a concern it was sent to the wrong one.
A couple of more days went by and I tried to contact the seller again. All wanted was an effing tracking number. At this point I either got ripped off, or the item got sent to the wrong destination. Being that I still live in kalamazoo, I could possibly track it down. Lone behold, I finally got a response (mind you this was a month after the item was purchased):
HI JOE, SORRY IT TOOK ME SO LONG TO GET BACK TO YOU .I MOVE SO A DIDNT HAVE A WAY OF GETTING ONLINE MY SERVICE WAS JUST HOOK ON TODAY. I SHIPPED YOUR ORDER ON FRIDAY THE 23 OF MAY THEY TOLD ME IT WOULD TAKE FIVE DAYS BECAUSE OF MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND. I WILL GO BY THERE IN THE MORNING TO GET THE ADDRESS AND ASK THEM ABOUT THIS ORDER . I WILL EMAIL YOU BACK ASAP . IAM SO SORRY . THANK YOU LINDA
After a report to ebay and what will soon be some wonderful negative feedback, I arrived home to see this in the mail:
I also love the return address on the package from usps:
Not only could this woman not confirm the shipping address after asking for it five times, but not a trace of tracking number could be found. All I can do now is mail in a written request to usps asking to look for the thing.
I hate to be bitter. I won my first auction on ebay in 2000. I have been a regular purchaser and buyer ever since. Only once has a similar thing like this happened, and the seller sent me a replacement with an apology. I would like to think ebay would have a better lock down on this sort of thing and am now weary of making purchases on the site. I suppose the purchase could have been a lot more, but I believe its the principle of the matter.
Oh yeah, and here’s her email address. I only can hope she gets the shit spammed out of her.
email address – woolinda36@yahoo.com
ebay profile – http://myworld.ebay.com/210woolinda36?&ssPageName=ADME:X:RTQ:US:1181
jared, not the diamond place
9 July 2008 | dumb ass | No Responses
OK, so I totally got snowed on this one. While listening to a podcast today, it was brought to my attention that Jared Fogel is, in fact, actually alive and well. He never did have gastric bypass surgery and really did lose all of his weight walking to subway and eating vegetable sub sandwiches. Oh, and apparently eating diet cokes.
I’m having a hard time understanding why someone would take the time to dedicate an entire website to this. Jesus people, get a job or something. Its amazing what the internets can do to a story. As for me, I’m off to subway for a low fat sandwich. I apologize Jared, I guess your a good guy after all.
sunday social #15 – sync ipod, sync!
7 July 2008 | podcast, sunday social | No Responses
Wew, these weeks are flying by. This past was an exciting one. I celebrated the fourth of july with the family and got some sun om my skin for the first time in a long while. I also played some golf and went swimming in the dirty lake in muskegon county. I usually spend a lot of time in muskegon during the summer but I think that’s changing this year with the price of gas to blame. Having to pay $50 just to travel for a couple hours just doesn’t seem like a good idea.
In other news, I got some gift certificates to best buy and picked myself up one of those ipod thingies. In the midst of re-building my mp3 collection, I can now sync it with an mp3 player. I’ve never really used the itunes store because I never owned an ipod. One of the coolest features is being able to subscribe to podcasts, download them automatically and bring them with me on my thirty minute commute to work. My new ride has a port that I can plug this sucker into. Plus I got a cool little sticker shaped like a apple that I can stick on it. Yep, I going to be that guy.
america, you slay me
4 July 2008 | Uncategorized | No Responses
So wednesday night I turned the big two six. My twenties are on their way out and I am hoping I have something to show for it. As far as I’m concerned life is pretty good. I got a killer rumpus room that I can’t stop talking about and the other day I got the computer I’ve wanted for quite sometime. I’m still getting used to the command key. Oh, and the monte carlo crapped out and I am getting a new ride. Accessorize and glamorize, that’s what I always say.
In the past two days I have been to two basement shows on top of all this birthday madness. It was a lot of fun and totally inspiring to me. The time has certainly come. I built the bar and its on to phase two of my goals in 2008. July-years resolution, here we come. I’m taking the weekend off but have to hit it hard come monday. Until then, its golf, beers, brats, and American flags for this guy. Happy patriotic day americans, joe fearnley’s off to have some fun.
Oh and thanks to these guys for the free merch.