None of the Above

my hobby

nospam@example.com (ra) — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 19:30:56 +0000

When an online registration form doesn't specify a maximum username or password length, I'm always compelled to find the unstated limit experimentally and then create a username/password of that length.

Frequently this results in page layout problems since the many sites don't display long usernames well, even if their user registration process allows them.

On a few occasions I've actually managed to register with a username and password that cannot even be used to login or access the site (apparently due to length, since shorter ones work fine), which I find particularly amusing.

mmm, blueberry serial

nospam@example.com (ra) — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 03:44:28 +0000

With all the networking gear and headless servers and whatnot I manage, I still frequently use RS-232 connections. Since it's been a long time since I had a computer with a built in serial port, I have a couple USB-serial adapters I use for this purpose. I just found another one in a drawer and thought it would be nice to have hooked up to my other computer so I don't have to move the adapters around. What I found is an old blueberry-iMac-themed Belkin F5U103 USB-serial adapter. I connected it to a router console and to my computer and it was recognized by Linux 3.0.0 and attached to /dev/ttyUSB0, but despite the apparent flow of data (this thing has some status/activity lights) I couldn't get a router prompt or anything human-readable using kermit or minicom. This adapter has supposedly been supported in Linux for a long time, but I wasn't finding any useful info about making it work for me. I was about to give up and assume it was defective until I stumbled onto this post about FreeBSD users testing the same adapter back in 2003: http://markmail.org/message/6snsp5cndmakspzs

Hmmm... " an off-by-1 error in the speed setting code"? I reconfigured kermit for 4800 baud instead of 9600 and sure enough, it works. You just have to set the port speed to the next slower standard rate than expected by the connected device.

Google+--;

nospam@example.com (ra) — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 16:49:43 +0000

Shame on me for thinking Google would take a different tack on this.
http://www.zdnet.com/blog/violetblue/google-plus-deleting-accounts-en-masse-no-clear-answers/567

The relevant part of their ToS states: "In order to access certain Services, you may be required to provide information about yourself (such as identification or contact details) as part of the registration process for the Service, or as part of your continued use of the Services. You agree that any registration information you give to Google will always be accurate, correct and up to date."

This does NOT say that you must register using the name on your birth certificate or government ID, etc. If you are known friends or fans by a name other than your given name then that is still an accurate, correct name.

They want celebs on Google plus, but are Google going to force Lady Gaga to register as Stefani Germanotta? Unlikely. I'm pretty sure this guy's name isn't listed on his driver's license as $0.50 either: https://plus.google.com/114809488257853535663/

EDIT:
The Google+ Content Policy also addresses the name issue, using different language: "To help fight spam and prevent fake profiles, use the name your friends, family or co-workers usually call you. For example, if your full legal name is Charles Jones Jr. but you normally use Chuck Jones or Junior Jones, either of those would be acceptable"

Some more good info on the topic here:
http://infotrope.net/2011/07/22/ive-been-suspended-from-google-plus/
http://infotrope.net/2011/07/24/more-comments-on-google-plus-and-names/

And a data collection effort for people who have had their profiles suspended, here:
https://spreadsheets.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dFZHSEZ6ZURPQkpyTldMMXFFNkJrU0E6MQ#gid=0

EDIT+:
Another good article on this subject:
http://nakedsecurity.sophos.com/2011/07/27/google-misses-an-opportunity-privacy-is-an-important-part-of-openness/

There is yet another page at Google explaining their profile name policy and this one is more specific than the other two I've seen, stating that you must use the name you go by "in daily life".
http://www.google.com/support/+/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=1228271

double domain-search

nospam@example.com (ra) — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 18:24:09 +0000

I recently revamped my home and business networks and found myself in need of a way to automatically attempt hostname resolution in two different dns domains.

This can be easily acheived by editing /etc/resolv.conf like so:

search alpha.example beta.example

However, I use DHCP so I wanted a DHCP solution. DNS search domains can be specified using DHCP option 119, which is supported by both dnsmasq and isc-dhcp-server on Debian Squeeze. Client-side DHCP support for DNS search domains, especially multiple search domains, is reportedly rather limited; but fortunately it's supported out of the box by Debian and Ubuntu so it's just a matter of getting the server-side configuration correct. I had some trouble finding the correct syntax and as a result my first attempts (using apparently incorrect examples I found on the net) resulted in failure, as indicated by this log message on the client:

dhclient: suspect value in domain_search option - discarded

After fixing the server-side config (isc-dhcp-server 4.1.1) to match the following format, it works great:

option domain-search "alpha.example","beta.example";

If you use dnsmasq for DHCP, this should be useful:
http://lists.thekelleys.org.uk/pipermail/dnsmasq-discuss/2005q2/000231.html

iwconfig... or not

nospam@example.com (ra) — Thu, 02 Jun 2011 19:14:41 +0000

This wasn't the first time I've unsuccessfully tried to connect to an open wireless network from the command line using iwconfig (which should be a simple task) and this time I was determined to find the solution. In this case I was running Knoppix, but I've had the same problem on Debian and [XK]?Ubuntu as well.

I tried...

iwconfig wlan0 essid raspberry
iwconfig wlan0 essid raspberry mode Managed
iwconfig wlan0 essid raspberry mode Managed chan 1
iwconfig wlan0 essid raspberry mode Managed chan 1 ap 00:01:02:03:04:05
-etc-
dhclient wlan0

...but no matter what, I couldn't get an IP or even see any DHCP traffic from my device at the router. Furthermore iwconfig wlan0 would consistently report that I was not associated.

¡FRUSTRATING!

Lots of searches turned up little more than inapplicable solutions and unanswered questions.

So I checked dmesg to see if there were any errors being reported and found something like this:

deauthenticating by local choice, reason=3

OK... that's not MY choice, so WTF? Turns out that even though I started knoppix in runlevel 2, network-manager was running, which had wpa_supplicant running, (even though I was not connected to a network, have no predefined network profiles, am not running any network-manager clients, etc) and as I see it, wpa_supplicant was fighting with me for control of the wlan adapter config. So that was helpful... NOT!

I killed wpa_supplicant but it was immediately respawned by network-manager so I had to stop network-manager and then kill wpa_supplicant, and THEN, FINALLY, I was able to connect to the network with a simple:

iwconfig wlan0 essid rasberry; dhclient wlan0

NOT on assbook!

nospam@example.com (ra) — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 00:49:00 +0000

I haven't blogged in a while. Oh well. I think I might be doing something blog-worthy soon, just now right now.

In the meantime, I have noticed lots of sad, stale, abandoned blogs on the net which make you wonder if the person died or something, but others concede that they have left their blog behind and went to facebook.

Well that just pisses me right off, and it prompted me to post this to make it clear that I am NOT on assbook. Nor will I ever be, because facebook sucks. I would rather volunteer for an unpaid role in a scatological porno than join facebook (eww).

I have not blogged because I didn't feel like it. Period. End of story.

Okay, I'm glad I cleared that up.

ubuntian crossgrade

nospam@example.com (ra) — Sat, 08 May 2010 04:21:45 +0000

Sometimes you have an Ubuntu server. But what you need a Debian server. And you could reinstall the system with Debian but you either can't or do not want to (i.e. you are lazy). In a future post I will expand on how and why I find myself in this situation, but suffice it to say that I have a few times. But what to do about it?

The thought may have crossed your mind: Can you [up/down/cross]-grade an Ubuntu system to a Debian system*? I prefer the term crossgrade. After all, Ubuntu is based on Debian and they both use the apt package manager and so they have quite a bit in common.

So, the answer? Yes, Virginia; you can!!... maybe... possibly... there is a chance it could work, anyway.

* You may also wonder whether you can go the other direction; Debian to Ubuntu. I would guess that it would work as well as the Ubuntu to Debian procedure (i.e. I hope you have an ample supply of four-leaf clovers on hand) but I haven't tried it, as I personally have no reason to.

DISCLAIMER: This is probably a crazy stupid thing to do. Especially on an important system and even more so if you are planning to try it on a remote system (WTF is wrong with you??). Stop being so lazy and just back up the system and config and reinstall it properly. There is no guarantee that this will work. It's totally NOT supported. If you ask most people they will probably just tell you that it doesn't or won't work. Just because it worked for me doesn't mean it will work for you.
Continue reading "ubuntian crossgrade"

Merry christmas to me!

nospam@example.com (ra) — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 02:02:00 +0000

So not only did I get a Motorola CLIQ this month, but I also got a new laptop! FINALLY! It does not exactly meet my stated criteria, but it's pretty damn close! (holy bang abuse, batman!!!)

I got a Dell Studio 14z. It has a 1600x900 LED backlit screen, a 2.53 GHz Core 2 Duo and 3 GB DDR3 ram. It also weighs about half what my old laptop did (OK, not really, but including the power adapter it might be close) while easily besting it in processing power, noise, etc. So far I'm very happy with it.

INsane[d]!

nospam@example.com (ra) — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 00:28:00 +0000

I share my scanner on the network using sane but after reloading my server I found it was not being seen from the network even though it appeared to be working locally.

I saw this kind of stuff in the logs:

Dec 19 15:56:19 localhost saned[32422]: saned (AF-indep+IPv6) from sane-backends 1.0.19 starting up
Dec 19 15:56:17 localhost saned[32422]: check_host: access by remote host: 10.0.0.55
Dec 19 15:56:17 localhost saned[32422]: init: access granted to saned-user@10.0.0.55
Dec 19 15:56:19 localhost saned[32422]: saned exiting

I increased the verbosity but it wasn't any more helpful:

[saned] check_host: access granted from IP address 10.0.0.55 (in subnet 10.0.0.0/24)
[saned] init: access granted
[saned] init: access granted to saned-user@::ffff:10.0.0.55
[saned] process_request: waiting for request
[saned] process_request: got request 1
[saned] process_request: waiting for request
[saned] process_request: got request 10
[saned] bailing out, waiting for children...
[saned] bail_out: all children exited

After much troubleshooting I realized that while local access worked file, saned was not working when running as user saned, but worked fine if run as root.

Obviously this looked like a permission problem, and it was. I checked the perms on the scanner device, /dev/sg2 and confirmed that saned had no access. But why? I checked the udev rules and found a rule that would give permissions to the scanner group, of which saned is a member. But this rule had set the permissions.

Then I realized that since I booted up with the scanner attached, and then installed sane, the new udev rule would not have had any effect until the device was replugged or the system was rebooted. I restarted udev and un/re-plugged the scanner and then saned worked fine again!

you're being watched

nospam@example.com (ra) — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 05:28:00 +0000

I've been experimenting with more and more IP cameras.

Some quick notes on image/video/audio URL's for the cameras I currently have:

ABS 311M
mjpeg:
http://camera_address/mjpg/video.mjpg?resolution=vga

Trendnet 312W
jpeg:
http://username:password@camera_address/cgi/jpg/image.cgi

mjpeg:
http://username:password@camera_address/cgi/mjpg/mjpg.cgi

pcm (amr?) audio:
http://username:password@camera_address/cgi/audio/audio.cgi

CLIQy CLIQy CLIQy

nospam@example.com (ra) — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 21:21:00 +0000

Yes, Virginia; I DID finally get a MOTOCLIQ!

And yes, I love it! I will have to withhold further comment until later because right now I'm too busy playing with my phone!

notsmartenoughphone

nospam@example.com (ra) — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 16:30:04 +0000

I still have yet to own a smartphone. I carry a phone and a separate PDA, although the latter is kept in my wallet-case so I'm not really burdened by carrying an "extra" device or anything. But it does feel like a bit like I'm living in the past. When I pull out my PDA it seems like people are thinking "wow... that's quaint".

It wasn't until my first exposure to Android that I actually had any desire for a smartphone. I had finally found something that could truly replace both my phone and my Palm TX and give me more functionality rather than amounting to a frustrating compromise. It certainly doesn't hurt that's it's Android based and largely open-sourced either. So I am definitely decided on the Android platform, there's just one problem. I need to find some sexy Android powered hardware. And that's the problem.

Until now, that is. I will have to wait to see and touch it in person of course but I think the Motorola CLIQ could be my first smartphone. It runs Android, I love the look of it, I love the physical keyboard and I've had a lot of Motorola phones over the years and for the most part have been very pleased with them. The G1 was just too clunky looking for me, and the HTC Magic lacked the physical keyboard and I just didn't care for how it felt in my hand. But the Cliq... appears to be something entirely different. I can't wait!

echo loop

nospam@example.com (ra) — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 17:45:00 +0000

If you're lucky enough to be able to call two different Asterisk servers from one phone, a really fun thing to do is to call the echo test on one Asterisk server, then conference in a new call to the echo test on a different Asterisk server, creating an echo loop.

The IP phone on my desk is connected to two Asterisk servers and it made my day when I realized I could do this.

laptop unexistium

nospam@example.com (ra) — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 01:18:00 +0000

I've been shopping for a new laptop and it's becoming a thoroughly frustrating experience.

I know what I want... but NO one makes it. I'm considering either purchasing a 15" laptop that would be my primary workstation at home and away, or buying a 13" small, convenient, portable machine that I would use mostly on the go. I would even go for a 14" if I could only find one with the right features, even though it's not what I really want.

This is my requirements list for each size laptop:

15" LED backlit WUXGA (1920x1200) screen
Intel Core 2 Duo 2.4+Ghz
DDR3 ram

14" LED backlit WSXGA+ (1680x1050) screen
Intel Core 2 Duo 2.2+Ghz
DDR3 ram

13" LED backlit WXGA+ (1440x900) screen
Intel Core 2 Duo 2.0+Ghz
DDR3 ram

I don't think I'm really being that picky. My budget is at most about $2500 for my new laptop, so I am willing to pay for something that meets my criteria. Plus there are all kinds of other components not listed on which I'm willing to be flexible. Alas every notebook on the market falls short. I don't know what to do, so for now I'm just waiting for a new product to come along and impress me.

video killed

nospam@example.com (ra) — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 04:38:00 +0000

...the radio star. Yeah. Anyway, I have a linksys WVC54GCA Network/IP camera that I've been playing around with. This camera is convenient because it's wireless so I can put it almost anywhere I want... or I could if the fucking piece of shit didn't lose it's wireless connection every ~24 hours and require a reset to get back online. So I have to run cat5 to the fucker instead. And it doesn't support PoE. Annoying, but it seems to work OK with power and UTP stuck up it's ass. Whatever. Remind me not to buy linksys again.

I've also been playing around with ZoneMinder and trying to get it grabbing video from the camera. That worked fine at 320x240 (jpeg) but not at 640x480 (jpeg or mjpeg). I finally figured out that it was a memory allocation problem. Even though I had followed a tip I found somewhere on upping the limit to 134217728, apparently that wasn't enough to grab high res from the camera. Finally I found this tip and I raised the limit to 268424446. Now it works fine at 640x480.

The most difficult part of the process was finding the URL's for grabbing video/stills directly. Through googling and experimentation this is what I came up with:

Linksys WVC54GCA - firmware 1.00r24

320x240 jpeg:
http://camera_ip_address/img/snapshot.cgi

640x480 jpeg:
http://camera_ip_address/img/snapshot.cgi?a
(I first tried ?res=640x480, which worked, but then I discovered that passing any argument at all gives you the larger jpeg)

640x480 mjpeg:
http://camera_ip_address/img/mjpeg.jpg
http://camera_ip_address/img/mjpeg.cgi
http://camera_ip_address/img/video.mjpeg
(I don't know whether there is any difference between these. I didn't notice any.)

640x480 mpeg:
http://camera_ip_address/img/video.asf
(VLC 0.9.4 plays this perfectly, including audio)