'tini Girl

'tini Girl, originally uploaded by AmateurX.

April Fools Day recap

I think April Fools Day should be re-named April Rules Day. This infographic I think makes my point.

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Home built Media Center

Caution: very boring, and technical prose ahead.  Read on only if you like computers...

 

A few weeks ago, I couldn't pass up the deals on Newegg.com for computer parts.  I dove in with both feet and took the plunge to build myself the family a computer to stream movies, music & pictures to my TV over a LAN.  

The hardware was the easy part.  I already had a 1.5TB HDD, so I managed to buy the CPU, motherboard, PSU, case, and another 1.5TB HDD (for RAID 1 - mirroring) for all under $300.  I had considered an all-in-one solution, like a Drobo, but those are way too expensive, and I was looking for cheap.  I could've also gone with a cheaper/lower power CPU setup, like an Intel Atom, but those motherboards are either limited in features or are expensive.  Additionally, if there's any video transcoding necessary, an Atom would not have done the job.

The software is always the wildcard, especially when you're going for the cheapest setup possible.  At first I chose to use FreeNAS. This is basically a simple operating system that can turn virtually any PC into a Network Attached Storage.  I've successfully implemented FreeNAS in the past with little issue.  I reviewed the specs, and found that it would be capable to stream my video, and supported a plethora of RAID cards.  What's really cool about FreeNAS, is that it's really small.  You can install it on a 1GB (possibly less) USB thumb drive.  Since I had a spare 2GB thumb drive laying around, that was my plan.  

Even though I was planning on using the on-motherboard RAID configuration (for the 1.5TB storage disks), I assumed that FreeNAS supported the RAID, because it was a popular chipset.  I was wrong.  I set up the 2 HDDs in RAID 1, using the on-motherboard RAID setup.  It was actually, pretty painless. But, to my surprise, FreeNAS would attempt to start, but would only result in a reboot.  If I put the HDDs back to IDE mode, it would boot fine, but that's not what I wanted.  After a lot of scoping thru the FreeNAS forums, I decided to abandon FreeNAS altogether.  Apparently there was a new beta release that could've possible solved my RAID problem, but the DLNA streaming wouldn't be available for the foreseeable future. :-(  So, on to Linux I go.  

I've installed and used Ubuntu, OpenSuse, and a couple others before, with reasonable results.  This time though, would be different.  I've never had to create a server before.  I decided to use Mandriva for two reasons.  1) the KDE interface looked pretty, and 2) the wiki and Mandriva forums had a wealth of information regarding servers, and shares.  Luckily the streaming application (PS3 Media Streamer) that I currently use for Windows, to stream video to my PS3, has a Linux version that works in Java, so no installation necessary.  w00t!  

I still have a couple things to iron out.  1) Under the disk management in Mandriva, it shows 2 1.5TB HDDs.  This is not what I would've expected since they're configured in RAID 1.  I plan on writing a bunch of information to 1 HDD, and see if the free space of the 2nd HDD goes down at the same time.  2) I can't figure out how to share the drive location, to a Windows computer, using SMB shares.  Right now, I just think I have more reading to do... When I get this all done, maybe I'll throw up some info on how anyone can do it...

 

I'm hoping that after all is said and done, I can check off my "learn linux" goal on 43things.com

 

Resolutions - Revisited

At the beginning of this year I posted my resolutions, and such, for 2010.  Well, here it is, the end of the year.  Let's see if I've accomplished anything of value...

My resolutions for 2010 were as follows:

1. Pray with both my son & my girls before they go to bed.
2. Do coffee or breakfast with all my kids, but especially Carly. (Remember, God has engineered YOU to mesh with your family. You, not Mark, not Ryan, not Will, are the spiritual leader of your family for a REASON.)
3. Continue with small group. It's been a while since I've been encouraged in such a way that I'm motivated to go home and lead my family in the pursuit of following God.
4. Be diligent, honest, & committed to my spending plan. Understand that it's OK to revise the plan as long as we both agree.
5. Join a reading plan on Youversion.com. Make reasonable attempts to stick with it. Hold laura accountable.
6. Pick out a Bible verse with the kids to memorize. Attempt more as time permits.
7. Pray more frequently
8. When is God most apparent to you? Is it during worship? Driving, what?
9. God has placed His desires in our hearts! What are YOU going to do about it?!

Ok, let's see how I did...

1. Fail.  I don't think I did this at all.
2. Neither fail nor success.  Although I didn't really do coffee or breakfast with any of them this year, I did make a point to take them individually out with me to do things, like errand running and such.  It's not nearly the face time I had in mind, but it was something.  And the kids & I did have had some good conversations.  I like this one though, and I think I'll keep it on the list for 2011.
3. Fail.  Joined a small group, but dropped out.  No fault to the group; I was feeling the demand of the commitment I'd made, and I didn't like that.
4. Success!  Although I wouldn't call it a complete success, we did stay (relatively) committed to our spending plan, and managed to come out in the black.  (considering it's post-Christmas I consider that a definite success)  So, to improve upon this goal, I plan to make some revisions, and keep better track of where my money is actually going.
5. Fail.  Although I joined the plan, motivation was nonexistent.  I'm not really sure what the solution is here.
6. Fail.  Completely forgot about this one once I wrote it.
7. Neither fail nor success.  Although I feel I prayed rather frequently, I definitely didn't pray as much as I wanted to.
8. I think this is an ongoing question.  My answer as of now: during Worship.
9. This question fuels a complicated answer that I'm not prepared to answer now.

Although it appears that 2010 was mostly a FAIL for me, I'm not looking at it that way.  I did manage to carve out a new position at work, that I actually like.  Football this year was a success.  The hopes I have for my kids have not subsided. I have worked out at the gym a bit...

That leads me to my resolutions for 2011:

• Continue working out at the gym, but progress toward a 5 day workout week.
• Significantly reduce my daily sugar intake.
• Revise budget to include 401k contributions, and better weekly expenditure tracking
• Read a novel
• Better refine my work duties, responsibilities
• Create an actual schedule for one-on-one time with each of the family members - especially Laura.  (see number 2 above)
• Find a Disciple that works with me.
• Take more pictures, and publish them.
• Create and develop long-term goals
• Pray with, and for my children.
• Learn Mandarin (a little)
• Get another tattoo
• Do at least 1 fun thing with my cousin, Eric
• Visit my sisters (both of them)

It'll be interesting to see how I do this year. 

Figured out what's making the racket in the truck...

Not good.

What Made You A Car Guy? [Question Of The Day]

Found this on Jalopnik the other day:

What Made You A Car Guy? [Question Of The Day]:

Whether we're born with an innate love of automobiles or not, environmental factors fan the flames. Just ask an Andretti. What made you a car guy (or gal for the 4% of the Jalopnik readership who is female)?


Personally, growing up in a steadfastly working class neighborhood I had little access to fine automobiles or classics. It was mostly trucks and cars kept barely running. So quirky cars like an Isuzu Impulse and Subaru Brat became my objects of affection and shaped me into a strange car guy. The next transformation came when we moved to an apartment complex in Houston and a neighbor's son, a dentist, would bring over well-worn issues of Road & Track too dog-eared for his lobby.


Reading Peter Egan, Phil Hill, and Thos L. Bryant gave me an appreciation of the finer things in life. Finally, a grandfather willing to drive me anywhere to see anything (firetrucks, classic cars, new car shows) sealed the deal. Thus I can like a new fire engine, an old rusty El Camino, and a perfectly restored Bugatti. All in the same day.
What's the source of your car love?

For me, I'd have to say it was my dad taking me to car shows, crash-up derbies, drag races, etc. From there, the cars themselves took over. The countless color schemes, smoke from burnouts, the smell of burnt racing fuel, and the revs of V8 engines, was like the perfume and make-up of a pretty girl walking by. It still makes my heart flutter. The funny thing is, it's not the ride in the car(s) that I remember. I didn't get very many of those.

I actually think I'm more a car guy now than only just a few years ago. I recently let go of all my auto-inhibitions and started taking a car for what it is, rather than how old it is, or who it was made from/by.  I have a greater appreciation for the automobile now than I ever have.

I sometimes notice how my son is attracted to cars.  I'm finding he likes many of the same attributes, but really likes trucks & Jeeps.  ...not my thing, but that's ok.  I really think this stuff runs in the blood.  Thanks dad!

Getting there...

Ok, joined the gym last month, and have gone 2-3 times a week ever since. I still feel there’s a long way to go to look good naked, but at least I have a regimen. The next step is to eat healthy…no easy task.

See more progress on: exercise more