So I hacked together a basic working menu while I waited for shit to render out for my 3d Modeling class. The site still looks ugly as shit due to the disgusting ads at the top, but until we can afford a different hosting solution, it is what it is. Regardless, Hope to actually post a bit more often. I may even start linking to my flickr account to show off some of my work. We’ll see. Maybe I’ll just use Jenn’s so I can keep my shit private for now. Regardless. Say welcome back to some information folks, ’cause it’s coming.

By-the-by: Huge congrats to my sister and tony on the marriage! Awesome wedding and you guys rock. We love you both dearly. Alright. I’m out. Peace.

btw: If you noticed that the page doesn’t validate now, it is not my fault. GoDaddy’s free service adds extra markup to close out tags so they can throw their junk into the top frame. Why they need to screw with my stuff, I have no idea, but they do. I’ll try to hack a fix for it.

But unfortunately it’s over. The site is going offline in a few days. I may just take it down myself. We just don’t have the extra money to keep it going. We’re hoping to at least be able to salvage the domain name, but we’re not even sure about that right now. Hosting it ourselves would be fine, but that costs half of what it would cost me to get it hosted normally, so what would be the benefit. It’s still expensive - not really expensive in the idea of it, but more it’s expensive to our situation. So thanks to everyone who’s supported the site. Thanks to everyone who’s contributed. Thanks to everyone who’s paid attention. And thanks to everyone who’s listened. I may try to find a dyndns domain and transfer it over to that, but I don’t know yet. I’ll be pulling the site down on Thursday and I’ll let anyone know about whether or not I’m moving it somewhere else or not. It definitely blows, but… can’t really do a thing about it. Thanks again.

I’ve decided that I’m going to be taking down most of my sites not including this one. The reason. I don’t get what I need to get done done. I find myself starting a project, but instead of completing the project I find technologies that work for the project well, implement them into the scenario, do two things with the real project and drop it. I’ll never touch it again. I’ve got 4 sites - not including the sub-domain on here - that I host from my own server, and I will continue to host them, but I will not be doing much with them. I’ll use them for emails and the such, but really they’re a waste of my time. Example:

I implemented an entire CRM system for myself. I had client lists, phone numbers, etc. I did all the legwork to get it going and it was sweet. It was accessible from the web through an ssl connection with lots of bells and whistles. Annnnd I never did anything with it. No calls, no ads, no flyers, nothing. I had it all setup, but never did anything with it because I’d gotten bored with the project and then other things came along that took priority.

Example 2:

I setup a project management system for myself to help keep myself on task with the things I needed to do with the projects that I was doing. I researched out a plethora of software ultimately deciding on something that was (no shocker here) open source. I used it for… 1 project. A single project. That was it. Now I also transferred my server during this time and I also had to rebuild it from scratch so I did have to put it back on there, but I had the backups, the databases and everything so there was no reason I couldn’t use it again. But I didn’t. The lure of learning the new software was over after I’d figured it out and done my own updates to it and that was that.

So I’ll be using several services to get my work together and keep things centralized from this point forward. They will all be hosted somewhere else that way I can’t decide to get my hands into the nitty gritty backends like I usually do. This will help me out with keeping on task significantly. I have been debating over whether to use tumblr or wordpress with comicpress for my comic strip, artwork and other senseless rants, ramblings and technobabble. I love wordpress and I love the way it works. Almost every site I have worked on in the last year I have included wordpress in, because it makes updates so simple and basic it’s ridiculous. But that’s almost why I don’t want to use it. I love tinkering with wordpress. Figuring out it’s nuances and fixing them, or tailoring it to fix my needs. This site runs on a modified - although only slightly - version of wordpress. Tumblr seems like it’s just click and go. I’ve got a few choices here and there about what I wanna do with it, but overall it’s the way it is. While that seems like a drawback, for me it almost isn’t because then I can’t tinker. It is what it is and that’s it. Nothing more nothing less. If anyone has any suggestions let me know. I’d appreciate someone else’s opinion on the matter.

Over the next week or so I’ll be upgrading this site to a… “better” version. As such, there will be some minimal downtime so please be patient while the site is down. The site will also be moved to a new host in the next few months, but as that is not a big deal at this point, disregard it until further. Thanks for the understanding.

I got my brand new 15″ Macbook Pro today! It was very exciting. I threw a few programs on there, messed around with the terminal for a bit, installed fink (which lets some software be apt-gettable!) and a few more niceties. So I’m very excited. I configured the firewall a bit as well. Now i just need to get a full copy of vim(I know vim from the command line is there, but I’d like the x11 interface) on here with textmate and netbeans and I’ll be good. Now to just figure out what the best editor is for all around programming and get all the widgets I can to load up my desktop! Gotta go! Gaming time!

So a few things have happened since my last posting. First, congratulations to Amy and Brian on their new baby girl Abby Marie. She’s a darling cutie. We’ve been with them since she went into labor so we’re very excited and it’s been awesome! She went home with the baby on, Tuesday and everything is fantastic! I’ll be putting up some pictures when I get some better ones and some more with Amy and the baby. =)

Second, I’ve finally got my server back up and running. I’m not using virtualmin or webmin like I was going to do previously. I like the command line. It makes me feel nerdy AND it really is the best way to administrate a system. Know your OS. Know your tools. So I’ve resorted to that, BUT I am using a frontend for managing websites so that I can add them easier and use email tools. So now all I have left to do is get my sites back onto the server and everything will be back to normal with some really cool features for myself (and some others) later. Anyone wanting a bit of space for a site can contact me and I’ll see what I can do. =) Oh! The guys over at virtualmin were helpful (mostly Ronald, so thank you), but their product wasn’t working the way I wanted it to so it is what it is. I am using ispconfig for my control panel and roundcube for my webmail. Roundcube is so friggin sweet. It’s an ajax interface. Ispconfig is nice too. It took a few minutes to get used to, but it really was simple and the support for it was FAN-TAS-TIC!

Ok. So I never thought it would be possible, but I’m slowly but surely migrating everyone over to Linux instead of Windows. I find this hilarious because there are people even within the Linux community that say it’s not ready for the average end user. I disagree. I installed it on my parents computer and even put compiz on it so that they have cool fire effects and 3d and all that and they haven’t had a single problem with it. No blue screens of death. Nothing. Both their inkjet and laserjet printer installed when I turned them on with only two clicks required of me (to dismiss the messages that they installed). Compiz took a bit of work, BUT that is an add-on that is not just a bit difficult to setup, but also very resource intensive. Regardless, my Father actually wants to switch completely over to Linux for everything except for a few video games and Quicken (although he wants to see what is available on Linux instead of Quicken). So to all of you who think that you’re stuck with Windows, you’re not. Linux is dead easy. Use Ubuntu. They even have starter guides on-line and everything. Try it and you’ll never go back to windows. I promise.

Lastly. My physical therapy from my operation has been to walk, and so I have been. Until recently I didn’t have a way to track my progress though and was unable to tell how far I had been walking. NO MORE! Someone did what I was going to do and they implemented a hack on-top-of Google Maps to make it so you can see how far you’ve walked, jogged or run. To make it even better, they allow you to sign up for an account in which you can save your routes! So head over to walkjogrun.net and give it a go! I’m going to be contacting the developers in the next few days to throw in my 2 cents for some new feature ideas. All-in-all, the site is amazing. There is a little bug, but it’s so minute that it doesn’t even matter. Oh, and since I started using this site I’ve been tracking my progress as well. Last Thursday I walked 6 miles, throughout the day; Sunday I walked 3 miles; Monday I walked 4 miles; Tuesday I walked 4 1/4 miles; Wednesday (Today) my morning walk was 4 miles by itself. I’m hoping to walk an extra mile and a quarter by this evening. =) So this tool rocks and I’d suggest anyone wanting to know how far a walk around their block is to try it out. Again, it’s walkjogrun.net. Go check it out!

So, I tried. I did my best. I even asked for help. But what I received was nothing less than nothing. I got a few posts back about my issues, but all-in-all this endeavor has been a waste of time.

What am I talking about you ask? Well recently I trashed my server, started from scratch and put ubuntu back on from nothing. Then I attempted to load up virtualmin. Big mistake. At every twist, turn and corner I ran into problems. I felt like Indiana Jones running from the boulder, except I wasn’t getting away. So because I want to make sure that it’s not something I’ve done, I’m doing two things.

1. Re-installing Ubuntu from scratch
2. Not configuring anything until after webmin/virtualmin is installed

The thing that kind of irked me was that I had several people suggest that I use a different OS. Here’s my issue with that. I like what I run. I’ve been using Ubuntu server for a few years now and it works. I’m stubborn in my ways, what can I say. Here is what I AM going to do, though. I am going to try a different OS. CentOS was recommended, but I really like the way that Debian based OS’ work and I’ve tried Fedora and I just don’t like yum. It’s a personal preference. Instead, I’m actually going to steer entirely clear of Linux and Install FreeBSD. Why? Well, because I’ve always wanted to use it. I tried to when I first began exploring other OS’ such as Linux, but it was a bit over my head. Now that I’ve got MUCH more experience I can safely do what I want. I’m going to try to use Webmin/Virtualmin on a vanilla system there too. Then if that doesn’t work, I’m going to try CentOS (as much as I don’t want to).

See the thing with OS’ is it’s much like software. You get used to a certain way of things going and that’s how you like them to go. It’s just a thing. Anyhow.

I also got great news on Monday from the VA and American Legion. I’ll be returning to school to finish my degree in Animation (BFA) in October. I only have a few quarters left so it’s gonna be good. Plus, I’ve already begun work on my demo reel, which is going to break the standards, but is so going to rock. Have fun everyone.

So if you attempt to peruse my sites right now, currently you wont be able to. Why? Well, recently I made the decision to redo my server from the ground up and install a web control panel to make it easier for others to have a bit of web-space if they wanted. Unfortunately it hasn’t gone as planned, as nothing normally does. I’ve run into issue after issue getting webmin and virtualmin to work nicely. My biggest issue right now seems to be the lack of documentation about how apache should be configured to work with it. I know how I have configured apache in the past and as such I made most of the security modifications and the such, but unfortunately it doesn’t give you a low-down on where to place your document root - which is my biggest issue right now. Currently, I’ve set my document root and a single domain up, yet when I attempt to gain access to the site it gives no output. I can gain access using the internal ip of the server, but no outside access. This is quite frustrating as I was able to do everything with ease when I did it all from the command line. Now in my attempt to make things simpler, I’ve made it harder. If anyone has had experience with this, then please email me.

Now onto Mr. T. Well, for those who don’t know WoW stands for World of Warcraft. It’s an MMORPG - which stands for Massively Multi-player Online Role-Playing Game - that people with a great deal of time and 13 to 15 bucks a month play until their wives leave them. I have never played it, but have heard mixed reviews about it. Nevertheless, it’s a game and Mr. T recently did a commercial for it and we learn that Mr. T has some awesomely amazing computer skills. To check it out go to gamespots site to watch it. It’s hil-arious. Enjoy!

Not many people are worried about filtering out websites or blocking things, but I ran across an open source program that does what the Barracuda network firewall does and sonicwall. It’s called untangle and it’s got everything that you get with one of those $600 boxes. Here’s the best part. If you have an old shitty computer around, it’s the perfect candidate for it. So why would you want to use any of this? Ok, so let’s say you’re getting a shitload of spam or you’re having a problem with intruders and people trying to get into your computer or you’re tired of your kids going on that god forsaken website myspace. Download the .iso image, burn it, and restart your old computer with it in the cd drive. Let it run through the install and bam. you’re done.  Now no one will ever be able to get on myspace or eharmony or whatever the hell else you don’t want them on again. You can filter out instant messaging and other protocols as well.

It’s not something I normally write about, but I thought this program was so damn good that I had to write about it. Because people come over and do nothing but spend time on the computer, I actually think I may put this in place here. Myspace. The worst thing to happen to the internet. Later.

Alright, so I was perusing for some backup software on cnet (because the windows backup utility keeps doubling the data every night, even though it’s set to incremental - only change files that have been changed) and on their front page an article grabbed me. Naturally, it was about Ubuntu Linux and how a regular windows user can install it without even repartitioning their hard drive.

Basically a program called wubi runs the installer, downloads the iso and rewrites the boot.ini to boot up ubuntu when you first power your pc on. You can check it out here. I would highly recommend anyone who is curious about Ubuntu or Linux to throw it on there. If anyone is interested I’d be more than happy to help troubleshoot and assist people with installing it on their machine.