Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Wednesday, February 07, 2007
Brrr Brrr Ice (Originally from 1/16/2007)
Yep power outages. The ice covered trees amy be pretty but those limbs snap like tooth picks and take out any power lines that happen to be near by. I thought I was doing good until Saturday night. As I drove up to my house I noticed hmmm lots of dark houses. Pushed the button for the electric garage door to go up nothing, pushed again, nothing. Pushed it with more force nothing. Got closer nothing. Stared at door in disbelief pushed the button again. In resignating started digging in my pocket for the manual over ride device (ie keys).
It was dark and cold bummer... Okay lets start bringing in firewood. While my fireplace is a really pretty little fireplace in the basement it does lack a bit in the heat the house department. It is more of a ohhh what a pretty flickering there is there in that there fireplace. So time to cart out the camping gear and climb in the 20 degree mummy bag and stoke the fire all night long. Not a bad night but was a might chilly. I also have a new appreciation to how much work my Dad put into heating the house with a fireplace.
And brrr taking a shower in a house that is 50F is a challenge. But don't want to smell on Church Sunday morning now do I. And the old wood fireplace makes everything in the house smell like smoke...
Stayed the next night at a friends house. Did not want to do with out the CPAP a second night. You can wake yourself up snoring only so often before you cry out enough I must do something else.
Power came back on Monday afternoon huray.... Given that the temps were in the Teens F wow that would have taken a lot of firewood. And if I had not been at home the cat would have been mad and very cold. And I'm already concerned that she might be trying to kill me. Leave her one more night in a freezing cold house and it might just push her over the edge.
iPhone
I'm not exactly impressed by the old iPhone. One issue two year contracts, most people are currently tied up with a two year contract on their existing phone and service and breaking those contracts are really expensive.
Next it costs a lot of money, man is it expensive. Not sure I buy the idea that most people that have a smart phone have an iPod. I don't think they bought them at the same time.
Really disappointed that Apple choose to bring out a wide screen video device on such an expensive low memory platform. I was thinking about getting an iPod but not the iPhone. I'm in a two year contract.
It looks like an okay PDA with innovative features, but I already have a PDA that I paid less for and there are tons of third party applications for. And more importantly I can read a lot of books in the Microsoft reader format. Which for me is the killer PDA app.
What it did do right? I think they got the concept that these devices are for consuming data not creating data. That is where I think the PDA market has made a huge mistake in building devices that you are supposed to take notes on, put contacts in, and do you scheduling. PDAs excel at reading text and that is about it. So as a book, Bible, text web snippits reader they are great, data entry not so much.
Saturday, September 23, 2006
HAMSTER DANCE VIDEO
Hamster dance...multicolour style. I a remember back when the little guy was just a set of animated gifs in a row |
Sunday, August 06, 2006
Openvpn with Clarkconnect 3.2
Here is what I did.
Down load the openvpn rpm from:
http://dag.wieers.com/packages/openvpn/
The specific one I downloaded was:
http://dag.wieers.com/packages/openvpn/openvpn-2.0.7-1.el3.rf.i386.rpm
Down load lzo from:
http://dag.wieers.com/packages/lzo/
The specific one I downloaded was:
http://dag.wieers.com/packages/lzo/lzo-1.08-4.1.el3.rf.i386.rpm
Then install both RPM's with rpm -ivh
lzo needs to be installed first.
Okay then the configuration part.
Take a look at the documentation for openvpn
http://openvpn.net/howto.html#install
The first thing I did was cd to /usr/share/doc/openvpn-2.0.7/
Then cd to easy-rsa
And follow the instructions on creating your on PKI from the openvpn howto guide.
After that cd back up one level to /usr/share/doc/openvpn-2.0.7/
Then cd in to the sample-config-files directory
Copy the server.conf file to /etc/openvpn
You will also need to copy the the following files from /usr/share/doc/openvpn-2.0.7/easy-rsa/keys folder
ca.crt
dh1024.pem
server.crt
server.key
Then you will need to modify the server.conf file in /etc/openvpn to reflect your set up.
The conf file has a pretty good set of comments to tell you all about what needs to be filled in and how it needs to be set. I really did not do anything special for the Clarkconnect firewall.
I did set
push "redirect-gateway"
So all traffic would go through the vpn and be encrypted.
Okay here is the magic part for Clarkconnect
You need to go to the clarkconnect web admin. Select the network tab under firewall select incoming.
You want to allow incoming connections port 1194 (or what ever port you set up in your /etc/openvpn/server.conf file) for UDP or TCP depending on how you set up your server.conf file.
Here is what stumped me for awhile.
The problem is with all the iptables examples that are given on the openvpn site use the A option which is append. This errrr appends the rule at the bottom of the table the problem with this is it places the new rule after the very useful for a firewall rule that says "deny anything from anywhere" the packets hit the deny anything and boom they get dropped on the firewall floor.
So to get around that do this.
cd to /etc/rc.d
vi rc.firewall.local
I added something like this
iptables -I FORWARD -s 10.8.0.0/24 -j ACCEPT
Okay I changed that entry a little.
iptables -I OUTPUT -s 192.168.7.100 -d 10.8.0.0/24 -j ACCEPT
iptables -I INPUT -i tun0 -j ACCEPT
iptables -I FORWARD -i tun0 -j ACCEPT
On iptables -I OUTPUT the -s (source) address is the ip for the internal interface on your clarkconnect box.
The -i tun0 worked except for the output rule
This way the rule gets added higher in the iptables and the packets are passed on instead of dropped. Also by using the rc.firewall.local the rules will survive a firewall restart.
That pretty much configures the server.
For clients I used.
For OS X tunnelblick
http://tunnelblick.net/
Go right for the version 3.0 product (it was rc3 when I grabbed it) the 2.0 version just did not work.
For Windows Openvpn Gui for windows :-)
http://openvpn.se/
You will need to check the instructions on where to copy the client certificates that you created in /usr/share/doc/openvpn-2.0.7/easy-rsa/ folder.
That pretty much is all I did to get it to work.
Oh yeah and it really does not work to good when I'm trying to connect from the inside you really need to be on the outside connecting to get a good test.
So far though it seems to work.
Sunday, July 30, 2006
Lightening
This was from a strom that came out of the North East on July 19, 2006. It is one of the few storms I can remember that followed that track. There were 90 mph winds recorded.
One of the things that was unique was nearly constant lightening for a period of time. That is what made these shots possible.
... See my Tabblo>
Wednesday, May 31, 2006
The joy of a Digital Camera
Well this Bee kept buzzing around and around. It was pretty hard to catch it still long enough to snap the photo. That is one thing nice about digital cameras even if you take 8 shots to get one good one you don't feel so bad because you can only print off the one good one.
Oh go check out the big picture on Flickr it looks pretty cool
Thursday, May 04, 2006
Disney
I'm on Dial up so I'm having flash backs 1993..... :-)
Sunday, November 06, 2005
New 2006 Explorer Limited
I did it, I really did it I have bought a new car. It is a 2006 Ford Explorer Limited. A really good looking and performing vehicle in my opinion.
The Good
- The V8 really does have more power than you think.
- The Gas mileage is as good as my V6 98 Eddie Bauer Explorer
- It has a great ride for an SUV
- Still set up high
- Nice Styling
- DVD based GPS navigation with first in class Street names announced for turns
- Roomy
- Heated Steats
- A whole set of electronic stability, traction control features
Some misses
- Door handle in a strange place, but it is there because of new side impact beams
- A bit pricey
- Still not great gas mileage
- I've heard it does not have any skid plates
- Speed electronically limited to around 100 mph
- My 98 has a few features that this one does not.
- They moved the place you put gas in to the right side, I keep pulling up on wrong side.
So what is the final verdict this is a good successor to my existing Explorer. I feel like I've taken a step up and am over all happy. None of the other SUV's I looked at had the right mix to make me plop down my money. The V8 at first does not really feel like it is that much stronger than the V6 in my 98, but when you have the right combination of speed and gear selection it will throw you back in the seat with some authority and you think yeah this engine did come out of a Mustang. The engine is a 4.6 Liter 3 valve per cylinder variable timed V8. The 6 Speed automatic is a bit slow and misses some punch at certain speeds. But once you get it right you go yeah it does have nearly 300 HP! The DVD Based GPS navigation system is pretty cool it has a bright readable screen only direct sunlit with the moon roof open makes it hard to see. It has voice prompts and will give you street names for turns this is supposed to be another first in class. It is very comfortable and the ride is a lot better than the 98. I'm looking forward to the first snow to see how the electronic controls systems help out with less than optimal traction. I've had it out in a hard rain and there was really no issue with traction or handling. Over all it had enough features to convince me to spend the money
Click on the picture at the top of the post to see the flicker gallery.
Tuesday, August 16, 2005
GeoSpinning
Okay this probably is not a new thing but it was new to us and turned out to be fun.
Requirements:
GPS
Laptop
Mapping software
Optional, car power for laptop.
Set your mapping software to only use secondary roads.
Pick a point on the map that you have not been to.
Then let the computer pick a route for you.
Final step follow the route.
Did it this Saturday we ended up seeing Turkey, Buffalos and a really big storm. Turned out to be a nice day all in all.
Thursday, August 04, 2005
In an effort to reduce confusion
It will hence forth be known as OS X Tiger.
Sunday, June 12, 2005
First Bike ride this summer
First flat tire. Lucky it was not my tire but Amy's tire went flat. Dave did a pretty good job of fixing it up had it repaired and we were on our way again with out any trouble. Used the Co2 pump I have, you just put the little air cylinder in there push the button and you are well on your way to having the tire aired up. Have to say I wold recommend one but you should buy a pack of cylinders. I would say it would take two or three to air a tire up. But the flat tire turned into a non event.
We did have another really really odd experience. As we were pedaling along we saw to guys coming at us and I was thinking you know they should wear shirts not everyone wants to see some guy with out a shirt. Then I sort of was thinking man those are tight shorts and they are a funny color. Hey wait a minute something just does not look right but what is it I can't really put my finger on it. There is something really odd about those two. So as I turned around to see what it was, did you guess it they were biking nude. That is just really really wrong hey people bring their kids out here. Put some clothes on idiots.. Guess they lost a bet. But how stupid.
Thursday, May 26, 2005
Friday, April 22, 2005
130,000
Now do I just keep it till it drops or should I start looking a new car/suv. I also really like an SUV even with the gas mileage. But I'm not sure I want to keep paying so much for gas. I've set in a new Explorer and I'm not sure I like it as much as mine. I've looked a the VW Toureg and like it but gosh it costs a lot I mean a lot. Like $56,000 that is to much money.
If I had a two car garage I might just get a newer car to drive to work that got good gas mileage and keep the Explorer or get a new SUV. Oh well decisions.
Saturday, March 12, 2005
Friday, March 04, 2005
Rio Audio : Rio Carbon 5GB Player

It is here!!
Okay nice features. You plug it in and it shows up as a hard
drive. Start dragging mp3's to it and you are good to go. This
is a requirement for any mp3 players I get again. My MPIO FL100
is okay but that one feature really kept me from really liking
it. And many of the other players in the space have to use a
proprietary app. to put music on them, the Creative Zen, the
Ipod family, and the Dell DJ's. So drag and drop the Rio Carbon
has!!.. Oh Yea..
Also 5 Gig is a lot. I've got it nearly full now and I have 4.4
days worth of music on it.. I like that. And it doubles as a 5
Gig portable hard drive. And with USB 2.0 it can accept
transfers faster than I can pull the songs off my file server.
When the MP3's are local it is really fast.
Battery life seems to be pretty good. I've been trying for a
couple of days to get it discharged so I can give it a full
charge. Since I had it plugged into to various computers
uploading 4.4 days worth of songs I've already given it a fair
charge since it charges over usb. But I also have this nice
little plug in that you hook the usb cable up to for charging as
well.
I can make playlists in winamp and save them on the player and
boom they work. I've not been able to figure out how to make
playlists on my Mac OS X IBook yet. The best I can come up with
is to use VLC drag the files to it save the playlist (comes out
as .m3u) and then edit the playlist to pull out the directory
entries that I don't need, you know the /volume/carbon stuff.
Need to write a script for that.
Not to many misses. Would have like to pay a little less for it.
Can't make playlists on my Mac, well if you know how let me
know. And the silly case they sent with it. It protects it
nicely but it covers up the controls and the read out. Duh...
Some one was napping there. Anyway give it a thumbs up. And a
better than IPod rating, because I can drag and drop songs to it
Tuesday, March 01, 2005
Rave-MP SPORT Flash based digital audio player 128MB and 256MB, sleek pocket size
Thursday, February 24, 2005
Trying w.blogger
Friday, January 21, 2005
E-books
I have to say that I would prefer to read E-books now. As long as you are not a speed reader, reading on a 3X5 screen is really pretty easy. You can carry around 60 or 70 books on a device half the size of a paper back.
I recommend using a cheaper general use PDA for this instead of a dedicated book reader. I'm finding the Pocket PC Windows to be a pretty good bet. I have not look at a later generation palm so I really can't tell
Any how fire up the browser get over to Baen down load some books put them on your favorite PDA and enjoy.
Friday, January 07, 2005
Aximsite - Axim Freezing or Sticking
Thought I would throw this in for all you Axim users out there (you can see a picture of mine in an earlier post).
I had this problem with my Axim. Spent a few months with on off reset wiggle poke and stuff. Finally decided to fix this problem so I went and backed up all the data with the old back up facility. Went and walked around and stuff. Then came back and did a hard reset. I originally thought that it might be driver problem or something. Well I got stuck in the align your screen forever function. Okay time for google.
And I came up on this link I've included. And sure enough there was a worn spot on the mylar ribbon cable. Followed the instruction in the link an YEA!! it was fixed... So if you are having problems with your Axim not clicking where you poke the stylus check out this link. It is not as hard to do as it looks.
Thursday, December 23, 2004
Cold
Just a couple of hours south of here they have massive snow falls like 10 or more inches. Mo. is not set up to handle that. But up here we had no snow none, nada, not a flake. But it sure is cold brrrrr
Merry Christmas
Saturday, December 18, 2004
Joy of Trout Fishing

Ahh the joy of casting your fly line in to a bucket of fish and still not being able to catch one. That is what Trout fishing is all about. The sheer frustration of being able to almost reach out and touch one of the little beauties but still having them come up, look at your offering, taste and spit it out just as you get ready haul him in. Or worse yet the crafty devils that seem to be able to untie fishing line just as you find a fly or lurer that really is working and you are down to your last one along comes that magical fish that can untie the line and run off your your prized fly. What a bother.
Well as you can see I did not leave empty handed this is from the catch made Friday afternoon on our trip to Rockbridge Mo. (http://www.rockbridgemo.com/) this Oct. I would really recommend it as a place to learn to trout fish. They have some pretty nice places to stay New House being the best. And the staff are always friendly and helpful. And even though you are in effect fishing in a bucket. You quickly realize that even with that you are at a disadvantage.
It is catch and keep so only catch as much as you can afford to buy and store. Helps to get a few people lined up before hand to pass the fish off to.
Fun time was had by all.
Saturday, December 11, 2004
Moon Lit
Are we men to undertake such action to rise up and go forward. Or should we cower in the darkness afraid of what the next step holds. Afraid of the terror in the ghostly forest. Afraid of the whispers in the dark. Afraid of the very inaction that we take.
No, I say rise up stand for what is right and true go forth to battle go forth to mighty deeds go forth to strive what ever the outcome may be go forth.
Friday, December 10, 2004
My Axim
Thursday, November 25, 2004
Well here we go
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We just had our first dashing through the slush in a well you know the rest. Was not to bad we only had a short period that it was nasty. That was the time I was driving. And idiots taking pictures did not make it better :-) er well I thought the picture looked good and captured the fun of driving to work in the snow. Here's looking lots more winter driving. |
Friday, November 05, 2004
Remember Beauty
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Really like this image. Thought it was a reminder of the beauty in the world. That we should take time to see the little objects along our path appreciate what we usually over look. Try to take some of the beauty along with us as we walk away. |
Tuesday, October 26, 2004
Mouthing the Words
This gets me thinking to my self what the heck is going on in this Country. We are in a war for our very way of life for our very beliefs. We are at a critical juncture of that war we will be voting in about a week on which way we want our Country to go and people are more interested in some silly little kid Mouthing Words on a silly little TV show. Come on it is not even real like Star Trek is (that is an old private joke).
More thinking on my part, we are a nation that is just mouthing the words we don't care about any thing but silly stupid little fluff. We act big we get up on stage and say what we have heard other people say. We are in effect lip syncing our way through our lives and maybe that is why we are so interested in seeing some one getting caught we don't want to give away our own act.
Remember in the end we stand before God at which time we will stop mouthing the words and confess what we really did in our life. Will our lives have counted for any thing or will we have just immersed our selves in whether or not some teenager was using her real voice or memmorex.
How would Jesus Vote.
Tuesday, October 12, 2004
The Key to Job
However when God confronts Job it is so much more than Job had ever guessed. All Job can say is "I am unworthy-how can I reply to you? I put my hand over my mouth. I spoke once, but I have no answer- twice, but I will say no more." I just think it is most truthful moment in human history. That when confronted with God in truth all our complaints all our wishes all our arguments about how things should have been, just become nothing, in the face of who God is.. Pretty cool and reassuring that even in spite of this, He loves us so much that He sent his Son to redeem us..