Got a free printer, wasted 12 bucks, saved 80

That was a hoot. I recieved a free printer from my best friend's parents while I was in Texas, and hadn't gotten a chance to set it up till now. What I didn't know was Ubuntu's "Keep it simple" mindset was just a little too simple. More details to follow.

The printer is an HP LaserJet 4 Plus, yes one of those huge 90 pound office machines that will crush your toe or finger if you ever venture too close or stumble a bit when moving it. No, I haven't weighed it. I like to keep my fingers intact and attached. The Operating System: Ubuntu 9.04. I plan to upgrade to 10.04 when it's released, but this is my desktop, and it has to work in the meantime. I needed to stick this printer somewhere where it couldn't fall, and was easily reachable by me at my desk.

I selected the left cubby, which it fit perfectly in with just the right amount of breathing room, while my computer is on the right side of my desk, on the outside, because while it would fit just as nicely in the computer cubby, I wanted a bit more airflow around the case, without having to tear out the cardboard backing... but we're talking about the printer here! Point being, the 6 foot cable that came with the printer wasn't long enough. So, I bought a 10 foot printer cable for $7 plus shipping, which I got today; and found out that the printer-side connector was the wrong type. Phooey! I mentioned it to Dad and he said "I might have one of those cables." So I looked in the box of cables and junk he had in his office and found a 3 foot cable that would serve well to extend the cable I had. $12 wasted. (Return, maybe?)

I'd installed both printers that Dad has shared in the basement from his Windows machine fine, so I figured I'd have the same luck with the directly connected HP LJ4+, but alas, it was not to be. The printer showed up in the New Printer window, replacing the LPT1 option with "HP LaserJet 4 Plus" and in the description showing "HPLIP software", straight from HP's open source labs. "Wonderful!" I thought to myself. "HP sure is great. I knew they liked Linux!"

Unfortunately, once I went through the install (fairly simple, it seemed) and tried to print a test page, nothing happened. I check the printer, and it was displaying a "W2 Invalid Pers" error. Ah, the days when printers actually told us what was wrong themselves! Anywho. I had no idea what that meant, so after some googling I discovered that I'd need to install a PostScript module and some extra ram into the printer to make it work. Oh, the days when printers needed font modules and more memory...

I checked on the price of those after some more searching and found Amazon selling them for $75, and another place for $80. "Holy moly!" I thought, "$80 for a simple little font module? They sure don't make them like they used to, and I bet they were much more expensive then." I really, really didn't want to have to spend 80 dollars just to use a free printer that seemed to have drivers already installed. So I looked through Synaptic for anything mentioning "hplip" and found a few things I thought might be useful: hplip-gui, hplip-cups, and hpijs-ppds. The first, because sometimes gui's are a bit more helpful than the command line, and it'd been mentioned in the forums I looked at. The second, because why would the hplips backend for cups not be installed? probably a good idea to have it in case. And the third, because if I needed to use a printer definition file, that would probably be the package I needed.

After I installed those I checked the GUI and got the same error that other folks had run into: No discovered devices. I thought, "Bollocks! You just showed me it in the System printer window!" So I went back a screen and it mentioned going to the CUPS management page on port 631. I know a bit about CUPS, but I've never actually installed a printer through the web-ui. I did recall that moments before, I'd installed the hplip backend for CUPS, and that some people had gotten their LJ4's working by selecting a generic printer driver, so I gave it a shot.

Turns out, that was just the thing it needed. For some reason, the default HPLIPS driver sends PostScript data to the printer, which of course it doesn't understand without the (freaking $80) module. So I selected the Gutenprint driver, selected the default options there, and voilà! The printer showed up in my printer configuration window and I can print a test page! So now my shiny happy (old and dusty) printer works; and for (nearly) free, I can print in my room, and I'm happy that I learned a bit more about CUPS.

And now, time to delve into another project. Learning about subnetting and VLSM... Oh how my head spins with numbers.

I don't like it.

This thing inside me... this failing organ, this diabetes, or LADA, as they like to classify it. I'm working on getting an insulin pump, which might make things easier... I've gone from being on the high end of normal blood sugars consistently last week to being on the low side of normal consistently this week. It's not fun. I'd really like a Continuous Glucose Monitoring system.... but those things are a bit ambiguous as far as insurance coverage goes. I'm in talks with Animas, who makes the pump I want, and I'll ask them about the CGM solution they're working with/on.

I wanted to rant on stuff failing or being difficult, but I'm really kinda tired out from something... can't really tell if it's the blood sugar levels or the middle-of-the-week Cold Stone shift. I'm definitely quitting there by the end of the month. I think I'll bring that up at the crew meeting on Saturday morning (that I'm currently the only one signed up for... Should be interesting). Also, I've got that interview on the 8th... still anxious about it. Need to talk with my current boss about stuff and getting work hours.

In other news, my room is very nearly unpacked... untarred mostly, as there wasn't much compression, if any. I still need to set up my desktop, which will be good to do. I've covered and uncovered my desk several times in the process. Once I get the trash bags and boxes out of my room it'll be good to fill in the spaces in the last bits of organization. Need to figure out where I'm gonna fit those three or four other chassis I've acquired. On the other hand, I think I've just thought of the perfect spot. So, the end of a part-rant, part-update, the beginning of the end of the room set-up.

See y'all later!

What a Whirlwind Week!

Well, this past week has been an adventure for sure... Putting up shelves in my room, driving to Jackson, Mississippi and then to Houston, Texas, packing all my stuff up in a day, driving up to Longview, spending a day there, and then driving for three days back to Maryland (I had time enough to pass the time listening to three novels and a short story, but it was still a long drive). I'm beat, and I've already been back for a day!

While I was in Longview I got to hang out with some old friends and some recent ones, and one dude I've never met before. We watched Gilligan's Island episodes and a made-for-TV sci-fi flick called Supernova. Bet you can't guess what that one's about, eh? I also had lunch with a most wonderful girl whom I hope to get to know more in the future, time/space/God permitting.

Now, this week I've got the elephantine task of unpacking and organizing all my stuffs in my room at home (probably gonna need some more shelves)... in the midst of 12 credit hours, a real job with more and more hours, letting my part-time job know I'm quitting, and certificate studies. Who knew real life would be so busy? And now I must be off, for I've got a letter to write!

An abbreviated conversation on versioning schemes

Background: I'm named after my father, so I've got the suffix "II" after my name, and I like it. I like it so much I'm going to name my first son after myself and my dad, making him the third. Here's a conversation (edited for clarity) I had with a friend about that.

Her: Here's an idea: When you get that son you want, instead of naming him III, make it a 3
Me: Or even better, make it a 3.0.
Her: Thaaaaat's a little too nerdy.
Me: It's better than making them minor releases until they're 18, i.e. 2.1, 2.2, 2.x, etc. until they reach 18, and then they're 3.0
Her: You can't keep changing his name, paperwork my word!
Me: Oh, for the government we'll keep it simple. We'll just give them the release number they can expect to use. i.e. v3. He's in development before then; the 2.x series is an internal versioning scheme.
Her: Then will 2.11 go on school records?
Me: Well he'll probably be home-schooled, so that won't be an issue. However, if we put him into public school his nickname will be "Beta". Wow I'm having too much fun with this.
Her: I WASH MY HANDS OF THIS IDEA. Please God, send him a sensible wife
Me: Well, hopefully I'll get a sensible, or equally nerdy, wife. Then we can joke about it behind his back. :-p
Her: ...that poor kid.

Thoughts from a morning in Proverbs

I'm reading through Proverbs (sporadically) and today is the 15th, so I read Proverbs 15.
Needless to say, there are many gems stored in the words of the Proverbs, some more famous than others. Proverbs 15:1, "A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." is one my mom is quoting quite frequently... and it's good advice. I'll list a few more that I found noticeable.

v12 "Mockers resent correction, so they avoid the wise." (NIV)

v14 "The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge, but the mouths of fools feed on folly.." (ESV)

v21 "Folly is a joy to him who lacks sense, but a man of understanding walks straight ahead." (ESV)

v22 "Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed." (ESV) (One of my personal favorites)

v23 "A person finds joy in giving an apt reply--and how good is a timely word!" (NIV)

and finally, vv31-33
31 "The ear that listens to life-giving reproof
will dwell among the wise.
32 Whoever ignores instruction despises himself,
but he who listens to reproof gains intelligence.
33 The fear of the LORD is instruction in wisdom,
and humility comes before honor."

This week's adventures

This weeks adventures include School, Health Insurance, More school, and SNOW!

A brief summary: At the beginning of the week, I was working on my certification {Now on to Network+ and I've got my exam scheduled for Monday) and health insurance was at the back of my mind. Now I've been alerted to the fact that I really really need to get a job with good health insurance so that my regular diabetic supplies will be covered. I've compiled a list of options, but we'll see what they say. I've aslo had some interaction with representatives from USA+, a group insurance agency/broker with a really pushy manager... I mean really pushy. But that's beside the point. He'd mentioned that because I have a pre-existing condition, I'm "basically uninsurable on an individual plan". Which means that I need to get a group plan, which he would prefer that I get through them.

Also, I've gotten some leads on jobs, one through my boss's boss at Cold Stone. The owner of the store was in and we chatted for a little bit. He knows a guy who has his own consulting firm, and has said that I can send him my resume and he'll forward it on. I need to get on that soon!

In the meantime, we've figured out that the best option for me right now is to go back to shool. But this time, it's mainly for the status. If I'm a full-time student, I can stay on my parent's insurance, AND I won't have to start paying off my student loans for a bit, AND I get some extra knowledge from whatever community college classes I decide to attend. Should be fun. Of course I still need to be seeking options, but that may literally buy me some more time to get things set up, especially to get me an insulin pump.

That's all for now folks, I hope to be posing still more regularly as time rolls on. Cheers, and thanks for reading!

So, about that weekly thing

Well, it's been nearly 3 weeks since my last post, and lookie there, I'm posting again. I believe it's time to give an update on my Resolutions so far this month, and I'll repeat the process at the end of each month hence.

Complete 7 certificates
Progress is good on this front. I took and passed my A+ exams, and I'm almost halfway through the Network+ study material. For a bit I wasn't able to access some of the labs and exams, but an update to my client fixed that. I'm also going through the Linux+ study material in my "free time", and it turns out I don't know as much as I thought I did... the command line is nearly unnecessary these days in a desktop environment.

Read more of the Bible
I've been reading sporadically more of Proverbs, which is more than I have been in the past. I've missed a few days, but what I've read has been really good and instructional.

Set up a wireless N linked router
Well, we've given up on the N part of the network (alas) since we've got two WRT54GL's linked and broadcasting. Funny thing is though, with the second router hooked up, the signal from the first router is stronger, and when it's not, it's so weak you can hardly stay connected for 15 minutes. I find that odd.

Get a job with a $40k+ salary
Definitely haven't gotten this one near done at all. I'm currently working at Cold Stone Creamery on Friday's, which is not bad at all, but other than that I'm focused on certifications as my full time job.

Set up a media/backup server (Test FreeNAS, CoreNAS, OpenMediaVault, OpenFiler)
This simply needs hardware... and that's in Texas. I'm currently in MD, and will most likely stay here for a while. I'm here until March for sure, and then I'll be heading down to Texas after taking my sister back to school in LouisianaMississippi. (So, if you're at LeTourneau, the next time you'll see me is March 22nd)

Set up a media client (MythTV, XBMC, Boxee, LinuxMCE, Enna/GeeXBoX, etc)
This one also requires hardware... but I'm thinking I may not have to roll my own for the client. I've been looking at a few things, and the Popbox looks pretty darn slick. It plays just about every single format you could want (and more than I have in my collection), and give me access to streaming services like Netflix and Revision3's stuff and Crunchyroll (look it up if you're into anime.) The kicker: it'll be priced at only $129 when it comes out. Pretty darn amazing if you think about it. The Boxee Box is also intriguing, but it's not stackable and wouldn't fit in our media center unless we stuffed it behind the VCR and DVD players. I do so love the remote though. Hopefully someone will come up with a hack to use it with a regular computer.

Start re-learning Sign Language
No progress thus far, but it's only January.

Rent or own my own place
Comes after the job marker.

Get on an insulin pump
My next appointment with my endocrinologist is Feb 3, and I've gotten my sugars down and regulated pretty darn well, so we'll see what she thinks. If she gives us the go-ahead, we'll need to schedule another meeting with an insulin pump educator, because it's a whole different system than the pens I've been using

Write a blog entry a week
Fail. :-p

Actually put up a decent website for myself
I've got my URLs (still) but no progress as of yet.

Move my blog to that site/URL
Ditto.

Read a book a month
Haven't even picked one up this month, guess I'll have to start next month. Any suggestions?

New Year's Resolutions!

Goals and resolutions:

I've got a dozen or so goals for this year, so I figured I'd hop on the bandwagon of resolution making, and the tenth day of the tenth year seemed like a decent day to start.

Complete 7 certificates

I'm currently halfway through my A+ certification, and plan to get the rest of the CompTIA suite and a security cert or two, as well as my CCNA cert. This will require about a workday's worth of time spent watching videos and taking practice tests for about three months. However, once I finish my A+, I'm going to start applying for jobs, but keep working on the certs. Basically they're working as my room and board (and insurance) while I'm living at home, so I gotta get 'em done!

Read more of the Bible

Now this may seem religious and old-fashioned, but I am going to do my best to read at least a chapter of Proverbs each day. Eventually I plan to expand to the Psalms and even a 365 plan, but we'll stick with the wisdom for now. Some of that will probably show up here even.

Set up a wireless N linked router

Dad's got a decent wireless router in the basement, but spotty reception on the main floor (Duh, it's in the basement!) We got a range expander, but that still doesn't let the TiVO hook up to the internet wirelessly, which is a real bummer when you want to, you know, have an accurate TV schedule for recording. So, we're looking into linking an N router to the one in the basement (not running an ethernet cable around the basement ceiling... the wire hole behind the TV is too crowded already. I'd rather just run the cable, but the four ports downstairs are already used up... more on that later too.

Get a job with a $40k+ salary

This one I think is a bit of a lofty goal, though possible depending on where I look. I'll be searching out "government" jobs, because there happens to be a military base near us that is relocating to a bigger base even closer, and they need a ton of tech guys because it's mostly IT stuff that they're moving. But that's another post and a half again.

Set up a media/backup server (Test FreeNAS, CoreNAS, OpenMediaVault, OpenFiler)

Going to college and having a job was a blast, because I got to enjoy life and buy a few toys along the way... among those ended up being an awesome tower of a case and more than 6TB of hard-drive space. The eventual goal is to put most of the drives in a box in the (climate-controlled) basement, and have it serve up TV shows and movies or music whenever and wherever in the house I'd like, as well as serve as a central backup for all my other computers (desktop and laptop), though they be few. So I'll be exploring getting a cheapo box to experiment with before moving everything around.

Set up a media client (MythTV, XBMC, Boxee, LinuxMCE, Enna/GeeXBoX, etc)

Again, with all that media, I'd kindof like to watch it on the bigger TV screen, so I'd like to have a better solution than plugging in the output from my laptop every time I want to watch a movie from more than two feet away. So, a dedicated/multipurpose box is the solution here. Honestly, it'll probably be both my server and client box for a while, at least until I get my own house.

Start re-learning Sign Language

A long time ago, I was taken to a class where we learned some sign language, and even got to ineract with some deaf people to practice our "speech". (Hint: They're normal people like you and me, don't yell at them or think they're dumb just because you can't communicate easily with them.) My best friend also knows a large chunk of ASL (American Sign Language) so I've been interested in it again since college, but haven't really made the time for it. I shall make some goals to get to so I can measure my progress. Starting with memorizing the alphabet forwards, backwards, and inside out.

Rent or own my own place

This one is easy, or is it really? It's actually pretty dependant on getting a job, which will allow for and require a lot of things to happen. I'd love to have my own personal network to play with so I'm not accidentally screwing up something with Dad's network or other's computers, even if I did help set it up in the first place, or fix it later when it's broken.

Get on an insulin pump

This one is a long story about the rapid progression of my diabetes, which came as a sudden surprise (as opposed to a slow surprise?) to me and the rest of my family. I'm dealing with it pretty well and we have things very nearly under control, so once I get my habits down I can get a pump and go from sticking myself with needles 5-7 times a day to 3 times a day, and then hopefully to just once every 3 days or so. Yippee!

Write a blog entry a week

Here's looking at ya! I'm already nearly two weeks behind, so I suppose we'll just count by business weeks, eh? This one I'll just need to keep plodding upon, and some weeks I'll post more, some less, but always at least one, even if it's just before midnight on Saturday!

Actually put up a decent website for myself

I currently own two domain names, and my dad got me a third, but right now they're just parked. I'd love to look into a hosting solution (media server multitakser maybe?) and putting up a real, actual website about myself, with resume and other info useful for those interested in hiring someone like myself.

Move my blog to that site/URL

Once I get the website up, I'll probably want to attach a blog to it. I haven't decided yet whether I'll simply move this blog over, or start up a new personal blog, or have two blogs, this informal life-related one and another more professional and documentarily focused. Of course, that's definitely a ways down, but hopefully not too far along!

Read a book a month

I really want to read more, and times to escape into literature will be harder and harder to come by, I'm sure. I'd love to get up to reading a book a week, but I doubt that'll happen till I retire. For now we'll just say a full fiction or non-fiction novel every month. There are some good books in the library with suggestions on classic literatures to read each month, but I think I'll just find a list of 'must-read's, cross off the 'have-read's, and start from there.

And now we start getting into longer-term goals. I'll get into those next week, when I continue fulfilling my resolutions for the year.