Binary Expressions

Hi everyone. As I’m sure some of you have noticed the site has been down since Sunday. There was a tragic event that happened to the server hosting my web site. Some how the entire server was whipped. Since everything was lost we are unable to analyze the log file to determine if someone hacked the server. However on a positive note the site is back up and services are returned to normal. Security has been heightened even further now and with redundant servers. As well we will smarten up and do regular backups. You know how it goes, oh it’s not done yet I want to do a little bit more and then I’ll start doing backups. Well we definitely suffered from that. I was able to recover 10 blog entries, 4 comments (only) and all the links. I was able to recover this data from my work computer and Google cache. The rest is gone unfortunately.

I’ve done the following changes to the site and there’s more to come.

Removed

• Weather data. It wasn’t accurate enough for me. I will add this feature back when I’m able to gather weather data from Environment Canada via METAR.
• Archive Calendar. I see no real point for this at this time. I might put it back as just a link instead of a visual calendar.
• Register link. Not accepting account registration.

Added / Changed

• Current Desktop. My current desktop wallpaper provided in full size. Take a copy if you want it.
• Rearranged navigation menu.

More additions coming soon.

Hi everyone. I wanted to announce that I will be starting a new personal project (like I don’t have enough already). The project will be focused towards producing computer learning material as in How Tos, Tutorials, and so on. In the future all this material will be stored in a search able knowledge base. For now I wanted to at least start writing material and posting it here. I get asked so many times how to do various tasks on the computer and I think it’s about time I start documenting them. My way of giving back to the computer community. Here’s a glimpse of material I plan to write.

• How to install OpenOffice for Multiple User Environment
• How to hide or reveal Windows XP accounts
• How to remove the Windows Fax and Picture Viewer
• How to various Microsoft Word tasks
• How to install Microsoft Windows XP
• How to secure Microsoft Windows (as much as one can)
• And much much more…

If you have any suggestions on material I should do or some you wish to submit please submit your comments.

This is a little late now but for those that didn’t see the impressive but devastating Tsunami satellite photos have a look.

Tsunami Satellite Photos

Help Tsunami Victims

There is another new Strong Bad skit called Dreamail, check it out.

Hi folks. I’ve been trying for a few years to find some time to put together a computer to be a firewall/router/NTP server. I ran across a OpenBSD CD bootable firewall system. I had to try it out because I love OpenBSD, best Unix distribution out in my opinion. So while fixing another system that was infected with endless virus’ and sypware while waiting I started piecing together the system. Most of the computer system was done just had to add two NICs, video card, CD-ROM drive and a 3.5″ floppy drive. I burnt the ISO of the OpenBSD CD bootable firewall system and placed a floppy into the drive. I set the bios to boot from CD at startup but nothing happens. I’ve tried three times on three different machines. I’m not sure what I could possibly be doing wrong. I really want to get this to work due the fact that this is the only specific OpenBSD focused CD bootable firewall that I know of. But it’s not working so if anyone has any suggestions or can recommend another alternative that runs via CD and 3.5″ floppy let me know.

Well the progress of the web site I’m trying to convert over to Midgard CMS is still on going. Things are moving a lot slower then I had hoped. One thing is for certain when I brought up the fact of using CMS, I had no idea it would take so much time and be such a huge learning curve. Ultimately though I know it will be worth it, especially with Midgard CMS by my side. One thing I am certain about is Midgard CMS will provide everything I will need and more some. I was worried at first but now after doing some reading, learning and talking there is no worry present. Since my deadline are coming so soon (end of January) we are going to bring in some more consulting with Nehmer.net IT Services (Torben). We’ve already used Nemein Oy (Henri Bergius, Piotras and Eero af Heurlin) and Nehmer.net IT Services (Torben). Thanks guys for all your help!

On the documentation side of things, I’ve started working on writing a Midgard FAQ or something of that sort. It fits as a FAQ but not. If I don’t call it a FAQ then I’m not sure what to call it :-). I have also started to document Midgard acronyms/terms. Bergie has brought to my attention the glossary that is online at, Midgard-Project.org. So I will take that and some how work that information into my document. As for the first document I did, Midgard CMS Installation Instructions for OpenBSD. I hope to have that done this week. I have a couple more things I want to do and then I will release the PDF version for those that want to print it or as a offline copy. I will announce the release of these documentations and more, so stay tuned.

If you have any comments, corrections and/or suggestions please let me know via IRC, email or my blog.

Hi. My wife found this shockwave flash joke, Are You Dumb?. It is so funny I had to post it. Check it out and see if you are dumb :-D.

With Midgard continually improving and in my mind getting complex in certain areas I believe we need to take a step back and look at usability, accessibility and adaptability. Sure Midgard has this in some areas but not from the end user point of view in my mind. There should be a centralized point for admins, developers, users (content editors) and visitors to go to. The user whatever type they maybe opens their browser agent goes to the site and logs in. Once logged in the user interface should look similar but altered by access levels they may have. By doing this it removes confusion and adds simplicity. Even at the point of installation of Midgard the user should be pointed to there browser (once they reach a certain point) to complete the rest as in Site Creation, site settings, etc. As well changing the user interface to be simple and easy on eyes . Realistically it doesn’t matter what is on the back end at this point. Whether it be Aegir, MidCOM, etc. this should be all transparent to the user. Focusing on usability, accessibility and adaptability for the end user will create an environment of simplicity, comfort and desire to want to use the application. In return you gain a bigger user base and community of developers. Which of course everyone wants.

I’ll put my hand up and now say, “sure I’ll do what I can to help in these areas”. I too want to see a great user base and community of developers. I want to see a simplified UI like WordPress. Yes they are different I’m not meaning that, refer to Bergie’s blog entry Comparing Midgard and WordPress.

Submit your comments and lets discuss this on here and/or on Midgard’s IRC channel.

I happy to announce that my Midgard CMS blogs will now be syndicated into Planet Midgard. I have my hackergotchi/hacker head all ready as you can see below. Yes that’s me :-). I took it from the cheesy picture of me modeling my works golf shirt and sun glasses (no I don’t do modeling). For those interested in Midgard and CMS go check out Planet Midgard.

I’ve recently dived into CMS. After some research I ended up choosing Midgard CMS. I have found little documentation seems to exist, so I’m set to start writing docs to fill this gap. After quite sometime of fighting I’ve installed Midgard CMS on to a OpenBSD v3.5 i386 system. I’ve documented everything and released the document for others to use, Midgard CMS Installation Instructions for OpenBSD. I plan to release a PDF version shortly.

Watch for more documentation coming from me on the subject of Midgard CMS.