Movies:
Lord of the Rings Extended Trilogy on Blu-Ray
Star Wars
TV:
Doctor Who
Fringe
Bleach
Books:
LOTR
H2G2 (All 5 books)
Bible.
All of C.S. Lewis' works
The dictionary (Just kidding!)
Sometimes, I miss out on things.
Internet, oh how you have sucked my time away, and yet I have not contributed back (aside from Twitter, Facebook, and now Google+) for so long.
Oh, and that printer thing? I reinstalled with Linux Mint Katya, and it took me three drivers to get it to work this time. Literally, the third driver in the list. No back-handed hpcups install, or going through the CUPS web interface... This one is the pcl3 hpcups driver, I haven't yet tried the Gutenprint driver, though I'm sure it would work as well.
And that subnetting? Well, I finally have a real job, doing real SysAdmin work, so the Certification chase is mostly behind me... for now.
Speaking of the job. I need to get off the internet and sleep now. Thanks for listening, y'all have been great.
I Use Firefox!
Friday, July 29, 2011
Saturday, April 03, 2010
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.
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.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
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!
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!
Sunday, March 28, 2010
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!
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!
Thursday, March 04, 2010
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.
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.
Monday, February 15, 2010
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."
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."
Saturday, February 06, 2010
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!
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!
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