• About
  • Archives
  • Categories
  • Archive for the ‘Tech’ Category

    Las Plagas…


    2014 - 10.20

    Last week turned out to be a very busy week, but still in the end not too bad. Ended up working from home Friday and today just to make sure I could make a significant dent in cleaning up my current project at work, as well as some research into some other problems in the environment. I’d say well worth it to reduce the interruptions I usually get while at work. However can’t last forever; tomorrow I will have to return to the my little Battery Hen cage and continue to put out the spot fires while Rome burns!

    I have bitten the bullet and decided that I will start running an Antivirus on my OS X machines, the internet just seems to be getting more and more dangerous thanks to unscrupulous programmers. I know that best practice while using a mac gives you next to no chance of catching a virus, but just because that’s the case now, it will be too late if I get the first major one that makes the grade! Additionally I still have to interact with a lot of windows users, and we do know there’s no doubt the Windows World is ridden with filth everywhere! I did the research about six months ago, but after narrowing the list to about three contenders still wasn’t convinced that the need was there to justify adding something to the operating system which by it’s very nature has to impact on performance. I think the risks are now increasing to the point I’m no longer willing to depend on the fact that my preferred OS and hardware solution is only about 10% of the share of what’s available. Clearly key loggers and email trojans are there to pickup up the big & the small, and although I don’t make their job easy as it is, I would like to make it even harder now. No doubt there will be more updates to follow.

    I’m currently running the Sophos OS X free version on one of the machines, and I’ve dug into the wallet for a 3 licence version of ESET Cyber Security for OS X. I’ve dug into the wallet for the extra flexibility offered by the paid ESET. Additionally it offers a flexible licencing option, and has tested up in the top 5 for detection over the last several years.

    Good Glass…


    2014 - 10.06

    About six weeks ago I picked up a new lens, the Tamron Di 150mm – 600mm. I’ve been so impressed with it that I am in awe of it’s performance considering it’s price to the big name “equivalents”. I use the work “equivalent” with some “looseness” given that so far none of the Nikon or Canon lenses have the range and are at least $4000 more expensive.

    I bought it mainly for wildlife photography, and had the idea of using it for some sports shooting too. So far it’s provided amazing performance. The critics reviewed it quite favourably although indicated a drop in performance at the last 50mm of the range. However, can’t say that I’ve noticed that much drop: considering my savings of a bit over $3500 from the closest Nikon currently available. My one comment is that it DOES need plenty of light, having a minimum aperture range of F5 – F6.3. I’ll be putting some shots up on Mirrormere very soon, just need to catch up on a few imports. I am even making an effort to try and get to some sports events! I went to shoot the Cycling at Buninyong last weekend, and shot about 750 shots, and culled it down to 500 or so after sorting through.

    A friend of a friend was riding in the race, and here’s one of him (Nat) on his first lap.

    Nat on Lap 1 – Sat 4th Oct 2104

    Here’s another one of a pleased rider.

    Made it!

    I also sent an email around work asking for “pet” models, and was very surprised at the response. I have had probably about a dozen responses. So many that it’s going to take me several weeks to organise such shots. I even got an offer of a Bonsai collection to shoot.

    Facelifts…


    2014 - 09.22

    Well the Final Coat is on, it seems to have come up alright. Remember always undercoat! Also the initial facilities are in place. I’ll slip a photo up tonight, running out of time, to work I must away.

    OS Purge…


    2014 - 09.12

    It’s been a while, but I’m seriously preparing for the removal of the last vestiges of Windows from the Andulain.net domain. I’ve not used my PC for over 200 days now, the iMac 27″ has seen to that. I’m no longer buying games that don’t provide an OS X client as part of their offering. In fact over 1/3 of my games in STEAM have an OS X client. I’ve basically found a solid replacement for all the major applications I used under windows, and most of the smaller ones too.

    My only windows now is a virtual running on virtual box. It’s legitimate of course as is all the software too. But it’s really only there for “others”. I ran into one excel incompatibility between the OS X version and the Windows version on a form for a job application, but outside of that, rarely need anything from windows. On the “odd” time that I feel I “must” use a flash based site, I will use it under the virtual windows now. I no longer pollute my OS X with a flash installation. To be honest most of the time if a site is using flash I go elsewhere now. Youtube also loses out a lot, as I rarely bother if the video wants flash. The VM does perfectly well in the rare instance that I make the effort to watch such a video.

    It’s likely this domain will have moved over to OS X Server before the year’s end. Windows will stay only on the basis of “development” / “test” for occupational education and training purposes. Let’s face it, work provides no training, so the only way to stay current is to provide that myself.

    I’d say after I purchase another external HDD to provide the Store for what used to be resourced from the Windows Domain, it will be migrated completely to OS X.

    Time in A Different Sort of Dungeon…


    2014 - 03.10

    I’m just sitting here reflecting, on the weekend just past. I’ve had a great weekend. Dusty arrived on Friday night, and we had a quick chat and then went to bed at my usual time. We both were up early on Saturday morning, enjoying a light breakfast then after that making sure the chores were done. Subsequently we went for a walk around the neighbourhood for him to reminisce and then a drive around town so that he could enjoy some fresh air with slightly more insane traffic than he’s used to now. After that there was a quick jaunt in JB and Officeworks. We returned home to have a quiet afternoon sitting on the patio chatting and generally taking it easy. Our original intention was to spend Saturday playing Descent: Journeys in the dark (first edition) and possibly Sunday too. It seemed, that we needed Saturday to unwind, debrief from work / study as both of us confessed to feeling extremely relaxed after basically doing nothing Saturday afternoon and evening. Anyway, Sunday was spent playing Descent: Journeys in the dark (first edition). We managed to put in a good 13 hours solid dungeon crawling, With Dusty creating a huge pile of carcasses comprised of Skeletons, Dark Priests, Spiders, Kobolds, Ferox, Razorwings, Sorcerers and an Ogre. What can I say other than that it was as good a weekend as I had hoped it would be.

    Not Toblerone Cheesecake but still a treat…


    2014 - 02.23

    In my pursuit to rid myself of the Perils of Microsoft outside of work hours, I’ve just about completely retired the PC. Over the last 12 months I’ve changed my approach to it and only turn it on when necessary. Let’s face it, I’ve not been using Windows for anything other than games at home for several years now. Yes I have a beefy PC, but really I’ve not been using it for much other than games since I started using the Intel Macs. This week I received my most recent addition: 27″ iMac with 256 Gig SSD, Nvidia GTX 780, 32 Gig RAM. Couple that with a 4TB USB 3 external (soon to be Thunderbolt hopefully) and I’ve pretty much given the PC it’s last call.

    Basically it’s this year’s treat.

    The last couple of years I’ve been busy making the most of the $AU for overseas shopping with regard to Photography Equipment. Now that the $AU is losing it’s ground, I will now be consolidating my Photography skills & techniques with the very good gear I’ve managed to accumulate thanks to the value for money overseas shopping has provided the last couple of years. Hopefully this year I will manage to come up with some solution for my Studio needs, and be getting a few shots into some of the competitions I’ve been watching over the last couple of years. I honestly believe I’m getting to a point where I can submit some work. No doubt I’ll be getting some arse kicking once I start submitting, but sooner or later something positive will come of my efforts. I’ve manage to turn one hobby into a career / income, hopefully I can do it again.

    The Glitter of Time…


    2014 - 02.23

    I had a different sort of photography shoot last weekend, a still life, but something a bit different. My friend Stu brought his Watch Collection up for me to shoot for him. He collects watches (mostly diving it seems), and wanted some shots done to be able to present them to other people who also collect such watches. It was definitely good to have a different type of challenge. He wanted them shot in Natural Light, and it’s amazing how much light can reflect off a watch when you’re trying to photograph one. Surprisingly after a few shots with the Macro on the D7000, and then my D600 with the Tamron 24-70mm it was clear that my Tamron 24-70mm was the lens for the shoot.

    Still I learned a trick or two, and although I’ve not finished the post processing yet for him, I feel some good work was achieved, and some new knowledge and skills developed. I’ll get some shots up on Mirrormere in a week or so. Thanks for the chance Stu!

    Cool Breeze under my armpits…


    2014 - 02.23

    Things seem to be coming along well in my journey through the Straits of Depression. I’ve managed to keep my head above water for almost a month now, without a profound bout of Depression. That’s not to say the Depression isn’t lurking at every corner, but at the moment I feel a sense of being able to float above it, not completely out of the depths, but at least if I was in quicksand, I’d be able to feel the breeze under my armpits! So far, with the help of my Psychologist, a Team Leader & Manager at work willing to exercise a bit of flexibility, I’m feeling better about a few things, including work. That’s not to say I’m doing Great! However, my days are noticeably changing. I’m up and out of bed most mornings at 06:00 feeling at least like facing the day and trying to some things done. I’m not quite so settled with the being in bed at 22:00 in the evening, that’s a psychological challenge, but I’m making the effort and clearly there’s benefits.

    No, there’s no extension on the house, no there’s no Garage, but at least I’m working towards getting a list of tasks done about the place. In addition I’m starting to enjoy other aspects of life again. My photography is providing me with considerable challenge and enjoyment, and I can honestly say I hope I can turn that into something to give me an income in my later years. There’s a bit of Creative Writing going on again, but I’m not ready to share that yet. I at least am starting to think about the future again, as I’m definitely over IT.

    Thy Time is now Two Score & Nine


    2012 - 09.06

    It’s hard to believe that it’s been mid February since the last update. Much has happened, but not necessarily much worth telling I guess! Back in the End of March I had a new arrival:Tigga. Yes another “Death Row Moggie”. At the time she was 3 months old, making her now about 8 months old. It seemed time for Furbag to have a successor lined up. Needless to say I’ve had to pay the price for my folly there!

    Looking Good

    Tigga in all her Glory

    For just over five months I’ve had to put up with a different Furbag; one that seems to be invested with an extra personality that I don’t recall before. I’ll grant that after 5 months she’s started to mellow a smidgeon, but only to the point of tolerating Tigga on the bed with me as the “Berlin Wall”. I’m sure Furbag will have much to complain about on her blog.

    Work’s been very depressing over the last 6 months, I feel like I’m the Protagonist in “The System of Dr Tarr & Professor Fether” suddenly realising who’s locked up and who’s not…

    On the plus I’ve been reinvigorating my environment and infrastructure by the purchase of a few domains of my choice, and moving my whole virtual environment from Xen on Linux to VirtualBox on Mac OS X. So the Virtual Environment of a year ago is no more. I now have the whole “andulain.net” domain being serviced by 5 servers running on a Mac Mini with 16 Gig of RAM, an SSD (60 Gig) & a 750 Gig (7200) HDD. There’s still room for 2 more servers, and the whole thing is not missing a beat so far. I was so impressed, I have retired the iMac I’ve had for four and a half years, and replaced it with another Mac Mini with 8 Gig of RAM. Currently I’ve lent the iMac to my niece to bring her over to the dark side.

    In my usual tradition I saw one year out and another one in with the mandatory shag, so yes another year (birth) has come & gone, nearly 17 of which the Furbag has shared with me.

    Partners come & go, but the pussy stays it seems…

    Old Bombadil has gone quiet, but Goldberry is now humming away…


    2011 - 06.06

    Well finally finished the move of the servers from physical to virtual. The blogs & web were the last to be moved, having done the mail over the weekend. Let’s just say there was more involved in getting the blogs moved over. I hadn’t forgotron all the initial configuration that needed to be done, but let’s say my “MySQL” is rusty!

    From an outward appearance, all looks smooth since it’s simply a matter of changing firewall ports forwarding after all is said and done on the back end. I doubt anyone would have noticed blogs or email offline for the few seconds it took to change ports / IP addresses; after spending the time doing the reconfiguring after moving data from the physical to the virtual. I’d originally considered keeping the SLES 10.1 and trying a physical to virtual migration. But after thinking about it for a while, and the SLES 11.1 seeming quite stable I opted to go the new install path and migrate data for mail, apache & what FTP there was available.

    Anyway, Furbag doesn’t seem to have noticed any problems, so guessing all has gone smoothly…

    So as the title says: “Old Bombadil has gone quiet, but Goldberry is now humming away…” 🙂