Tin Foil Hat Show - Episode 022

Episode 22. Moving quickly, but plenty to chat about.  My casts are less rant prone these days as health and family have made it difficult to keep my regular appointments with the microphone.  I hope with the return of school in a month or so that some normalcy will return and I can find one day in which I can do this without conflict.  Sorry for being behind, I'm trying to do better.  Don't take me out of your feeds.  If I ever retire, I will have the decency to drop a good bye show.



New wireless headphones have cleaned up some of my audio.  Less difficult to get a recording that doesn't need a lot of post production work just to sound decent.  This show has quite a few stories in there that I fly over, please do get the shownotes and read the full articles on any story that interests you.  If you are unable to get the shownotes out, please write me at tinfoilhatshow@gmail.com and I'll send you direct url's if you need them.


In this episode I review the Dan Carlin podcasts "Common Sense" and "Hardcore History". Dan has a great mind and presents history in a light and with enthusiasm that few can deliver, the fact that he does so in audio only is enough to make me wish to be a student again, if I could name him my history and political science teacher.

The new episode should be in your favorite podcatcher for download already. If you haven't added me to your podcatcher software, please add the RSS feed on the right.

The podcast is also available to play directly online at the Fuzion Podcast Network.

For the instructions to get the show notes please see the instructions as posted in the post from the first episode. These instructions haven't changed.

Feedback as always is welcome, tinfoilhatshow@gmail.com or you can contact me by any of the other methods listed here on this blog. Please remember that the show is very new and still settling in, but constructive criticisms are always appreciated.

Enjoy and please do send me feedback and corrections, it can only make the show better. A permanent link to the show's rss feed is listed on the right side of the blog.

--
CafeNinja

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 United States License.

Tin Foil Hat Show - Episode 021

Episode 21. I had to make up for a lot.  I know I have been way behind.  Lots of Europe news in this episode and not really as an intentional move, just kinda worked out that way.


I do still have some audio hookup problems that I'm currently working through with the use of some duct tape.  I should be getting that resolved in the next month or so as a friend has recommended a bluetooth headset from Logitech.


In this episode I review the Frank Skinner show from Absolute Radio.  Dry British witty humor, is calm and relaxing and takes me to a childhood of Monty Python and Faulty Towers re-runs without the pictures.  Have a listen, you might enjoy this slightly slower paced comedy as well.  

The new episode should be in your favorite podcatcher for download already. If you haven't added me to your podcatcher software, please add the RSS feed on the right.

The podcast is also available to play directly online at the Fuzion Podcast Network.

For the instructions to get the show notes please see the instructions as posted in the post from the first episode. These instructions haven't changed.

Feedback as always is welcome, tinfoilhatshow@gmail.com or you can contact me by any of the other methods listed here on this blog. Please remember that the show is very new and still settling in, but constructive criticisms are always appreciated.

Enjoy and please do send me feedback and corrections, it can only make the show better. A permanent link to the show's rss feed is listed on the right side of the blog.

--
CafeNinja

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 United States License.

GPG Encryption - Attention in the details

I was working the other day, after setting up a new computer. When I noticed a strange item on the mailserver...the unencrypted copy of an encrypted message I had sent.

I realized later that it was the setting inside the mail client that had set "fcc_clear" option set. There was a simple option to deactivate it. Let me explain a bit the logic.

The reason you might wish to store a clear, plain text copy of your outgoing encrypted email, is that if the message is encrypted to a key that is _not_ yours, you won't be able to decrypt it later. So to be able to see, what you wrote in your last encrypted message to someone else, it saves a copy in the clear.

The problem then enters the room. When your message is actually being saved to a network server, it is just as subject to compromise by the forces of evil as the corporate monster. So, my point being, that you should be vigilant about the software you are using and suspicious of any new or unknown computer system.

I've personally gone to signing all of my emails with gpg both personal and professional as a point of guarantee of origin. Mobile is possible, but I'm working on the easiest/best way to manage that. I would HIGHLY recommend that everyone look to make it a part of their email life. If we get a critical mass of real people signing emails, we can start making that a receipt condition and watch the spam just stop.

--

CafeNinja

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 United States License.

Tin Foil Hat Show - Episode 020

Episode 20. My audio may sound a little worse than usual,  I may need to find the right filter mix/combo that makes that sound better.  I worry that with my usb headset now producing hum no matter what I plug into that the Android phone may become the closest thing I have to a solid piece of recording gear.  Maybe will all of my google ad sense money ($0.00) I'll buy a fancy usb mixer.   Anyway, It's clean audio, it just finally started picking up the echo I have in my office where I record.  I'll work on the post production to see if I can help that.


This episode's Podcast review was for Democracy Now.  A liberal, but professional news report weekdays for an hour.  Video and audio feeds available.  I personally feel that getting a different view on the same story, or a chance to hear the voices that don't make it to the main stream media is helpful in analyzing a situation.  

The new episode should be in your favorite podcatcher for download already. If you haven't added me to your podcatcher software, please add the RSS feed on the right.

The podcast is also available to play directly online at the Fuzion Podcast Network.

For the instructions to get the show notes please see the instructions as posted in the post from the first episode. These instructions haven't changed.

Feedback as always is welcome, tinfoilhatshow@gmail.com or you can contact me by any of the other methods listed here on this blog. Please remember that the show is very new and still settling in, but constructive criticisms are always appreciated.

Enjoy and please do send me feedback and corrections, it can only make the show better. A permanent link to the show's rss feed is listed on the right side of the blog.

--
CafeNinja

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 United States License.

Tin Foil Hat Show - Episode 019

Episode 19. I great feedback session in this one.  I'm truly happy that something I said was worth enough thought, energy and passion for someone to write in.  I have one of the most simple, but maybe the lamest tech tip ever in this episode.  I'll ask you all not to be too harsh on me for that one.  And I do make a genuine solicitation for feedback in this episode.  I really do want to know how you guys feel before I just start busting out stuff that drives listeners off.

This episode's Podcast review was of the Knightcast.  I've enjoyed Knightwise's podcast participation from back when he made regular appearances on Fresh Ubuntu Podcast where I was producing the Man Page Minute for some episodes.  Anyway, have a listen.  

The new episode should be in your favorite podcatcher for download already. If you haven't added me to your podcatcher software, please add the RSS feed on the right.

The podcast is also available to play directly online at the Fuzion Podcast Network.

For the instructions to get the show notes please see the instructions as posted in the post from the first episode. These instructions haven't changed.

Feedback as always is welcome, tinfoilhatshow@gmail.com or you can contact me by any of the other methods listed here on this blog. Please remember that the show is very new and still settling in, but constructive criticisms are always appreciated.

Enjoy and please do send me feedback and corrections, it can only make the show better. A permanent link to the show's rss feed is listed on the right side of the blog.

--
CafeNinja

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 United States License.

Home Server - Media (tvmobili + subsonic)

As part of my home server project, I've been trying to configure what should be a multimedia server solution.  With PC's, laptops, TV and mobile devices who all connect in the house I was looking for the combinations that would produce the most viewed media on the most devices.

My first attempt was to return to Mythtv.  But after the server took a upgrade to the mythtv package it basically borked the db, and mis-matched with the desktop clients that I couldn't find the correct versions for.

I then tried to look into DLNA compliance a few months back with the introduction of a new TV.  Ushare was simple to configure and it seemed to speak the folder structure to the TV but didn't give the list of files.  I then installed tvmobili which works 100% and serves the files over DLNA to the TV with no issue.

Previous computer solution was Boxee using Samba (windows file sharing) to stream.  This was nice because it would pull all metadata as well as subtitles.   I haven't gotten rid of the Boxee solution, but I will probably look into XMBC for the same purpose without the customization.  XMBC should be a bit more resilient to changes as it is the code base for Boxee.

My newest discovery is Subsonic.  Man, I can't say enough good about this one.  Simple deb package install on my ubuntu server, web interface makes management/configuration completely painless.  It comes with simple and built-in dynamic DNS service.  It does ask for a donation to the project for a license that allows video streaming playback beyond a 30 day trial period.  I will be making that donation.  The web interface offers a flash player playback with adjustable bitrate to support LAN connections or even 3G connections.  Very well developed howto included to help with firewall issues if there and I have to say it's just working.  I've tried the Android client and the performance and results is truly impressive.  Try the demo on your own, see if you think it is work a small donation to the project.

--
CafeNinja

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 United States License.

Tin Foil Hat Show - Episode 018

Episode 18. This show had more ACTA than ever before.  New and improved, the lastest details on activity going on with this other horrible internet protection legislation.  I got link-happy with all the articles that came up since the last show.  I really do encourage you to follow those links, if you have any trouble getting the show notes, please email me and I'll send you those directly.

This episode's Podcast review was of NPR's Intelligence Squared.  It is the presentation of classic debate style discussions in a civilized manner.  It is interesting to be because it reminds me of when I used to go with the high school debate team to competitions.  Even in this show, they poll the audience both before and after to see if the debate itself impressed anyone's opinion.

The new episode should be in your favorite podcatcher for download already. If you haven't added me to your podcatcher software, please add the RSS feed on the right.

The podcast is also available to play directly online at the Fuzion Podcast Network.

For the instructions to get the show notes please see the instructions as posted in the post from the first episode. These instructions haven't changed.

Feedback as always is welcome, tinfoilhatshow@gmail.com or you can contact me by any of the other methods listed here on this blog. Please remember that the show is very new and still settling in, but constructive criticisms are always appreciated.

Enjoy and please do send me feedback and corrections, it can only make the show better. A permanent link to the show's rss feed is listed on the right side of the blog.

--
CafeNinja

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 United States License.

Online vim tutor - web based

For anyone who wanted to have the most very basic of commands to use in VIM in order to break into the command line world, there is a very good online tutorial which is nice for learning vim from a system that doesn't have it installed.  The online version has a specific sub-set of commands which a person would learn from vimtutor, but it is a good start and offers step through video side-by-side.

This might spark the question of "why".  The most impressive first reason to learn vim if you aren't using a linux system would be to log into a system as a user to make a text file in a hidden little corner of their home network.  I have such a server in the house where there is the shared printer, file shares, media and all home servers are run.

Obviously, this is the gateway drug to wanting to learn more, to run vimtutor once logged into that system and then to go online and look up every key combination available.  I still stick to my decision to use vim.  I know the vim vs. emacs war is long and the history trails with the text file bodies of the innocent victims.  I do personally think that emacs is probably much more extensible, but it is default included in 0 popular operating systems.  While every Unix and Linux kernel have vi (vim's grandfather) included and you will never find a system without at least vi.

--
CafeNinja

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 United States License.

MultiBoot LiveUSB - multiple iso + persistence

I had found a usb multiboot solution some time ago and realized that I had not written about it.  I would like to demonstrate an amazing piece of software that does exactly what it claims.  It does it so well, that I have purchased two 8Gig USB keys to manage using this software.

The concept is the same as the Ubuntu USB-creator, or even the same as Unetbootin.  Both of those tools are only loading a single disk image (.iso) onto a usb key (typically 1G).  These tools are amazingly useful to try out liveCD versions of linux distributions without a full blown hard drive install, but also not at the mind-numbing slowness of a proper CD Burn as the CD-Rom devices are so much slower than disk access that you no longer get an experience for an alternative operating system that is enjoyable.

Both of the tools I have already mentioned have over the last year and a half come to incorporate also a persistence mode which means that unlike a burned CD, a usb key in persistence mode with extra space is able to maintain updates across reboots.  So if you add an application to a livecd .iso on usb key using one of those tools with the addition of persistence mode then any application installed would be persistent the next time the usb key was used for a reboot.

Being a very demanding geek, the idea of a collection of usb keys with single unique linux distributions seemed too troublesome.  One key for installing Ubuntu on machines of folks who are converting.  Another key with rescueCD on it for diagnostics and data recovery.  Another key for me to try out the latest version of distros.  And so the list goes on, and then I end up with a small grocery bag filled with 1Gig usb keys each unlabeled and with unique purpose.

Enter the best usb boot tool I have found to date.  MultiBoot LiveUSB.  This software is truly amazing.  Will manage as many distro's/livecd's that the usb key can store.   Will let you load as just the live version or _also_ with persistence.  There are some limitations to which distro's have persistence available.  Most of those limitation have to do with the manner in which the .iso's are made.  The tool also allows you to remove old distro's and add new ones.  The tool also has a list of distro's known to work which looks like the majority listing of distro's from Distrowatch.

I can't say enough about this tool.  An affordable 8G usb key can now be turned into a virtual "swiss army knife" of bootable linux distro's.  It supports much more and my description of the software here is abbreviated.  The website is in original french, but the application has been translated into many languages.  Seems at this time there is no windows or mac port of this app, so you need linux to manage it.  So just to be ironic, maybe you make a persistence install on a usb key with this application installed to manage all other usb keys.

--
CafeNinja

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 United States License.

Tin Foil Hat Show - Episode 017

Episode 17. I'm proud to present the latest entry into the Tin Foil Hat Show Archive :). Only a minor rant but I think a good discussion. I did hope to have more stuff for the interwebbing section of the show, maybe I'll do an extended segment on the next show.

This episode's Podcast review was of the The Command Line by Thomas Gideon. I've done a review of this podcast back in June of 2009. And I have to say that over the time the quality of the podcast is the same, the output much more regular than mine and I would recommend this show to anyone as much today as I would have back in 2009 if you had asked.

The new episode should be in your favorite podcatcher for download already. If you haven't added me to your podcatcher software, please add the RSS feed on the right.

The podcast is also available to play directly online at the Fuzion Podcast Network.

For the instructions to get the show notes please see the instructions as posted in the post from the first episode. These instructions haven't changed.

Feedback as always is welcome, tinfoilhatshow@gmail.com or you can contact me by any of the other methods listed here on this blog. Please remember that the show is very new and still settling in, but constructive criticisms are always appreciated.

Enjoy and please do send me feedback and corrections, it can only make the show better. A permanent link to the show's rss feed is listed on the right side of the blog.

--
CafeNinja

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 United States License.