我等指南來採取我由手。

miscellany: three meat substitutes, and information about inheritance

2011-11-10T08:19:00.002-05:00

A repetitious recipe for vegetarian char siu, along with some information regarding inheritance.
Cooking with code: stock the pantry with vegetarian meat substitutes

miscellany: renamed the veggie recipe repository

2011-10-13T06:32:00.003-04:00

Renamed the recipe repository to more aptly fit its character; hence, it is now Cooking with code: a vegetarian recipe miscellany. It's coding and cooking, or cooking and coding, or cooking and some other geeky thing.

miscellany: cooking with dehydrated gluten

2011-10-12T05:58:00.002-04:00

Cooking with dehydrated gluten; also includes a little information regarding SQL injection attacks.

miscellany: a page for collecting all of the recipes to come.

2011-10-10T04:40:00.003-04:00

Recipes to be collected here; notes about random-ish things interspersed within each recipe.

miscellany: some vegetarian recipes

2011-10-09T03:47:00.005-04:00

Temperatures seasonal for a bit, so I did a little non-microwave cooking.

Maple and sage vegetarian breakfast sausage Includes a note about grappling hook guns.

Double-fried mushroom and gluten knot cutlets Also, some information regarding simple substitution ciphers.

miscellany: Brother, my cup is empty, and I haven't got a penny...

2009-03-21T02:47:00.003-04:00

miscellany: e-Business done

2008-03-13T01:30:00.002-04:00

Finished up e-Business; turns out no writing was required, as two versions of the course exist. I received the new course, but the old book; after completing two of the assignments, then asking about the discrepancies between course material and supplied text, was given the old course materials.

Also finished up the work for the forensics class.

Last stop, a project of some kind. I may possibly have worked out the bit where one part of a ciphertext must successfully be decrypted to yield part of the key needed to decrypt the following part; need to test a bit.

miscellany: headache-induced work break

2008-03-05T06:23:00.003-05:00

Since it now feels like I've been stabbed in the eye, I'm not going to continue looking at this godforsaken e-Business textbook, much less begin the barrage of crummy writing assignments associated with it.

So far in the last thirty days: firewalls/VPNs, intro network defense, sec policies and awareness, disaster recovery, systems analysis, and database management. One more writing assignment to finish for forensics.

Then it's just e-Business and the project. April should be manageable.

Cramming all those undergrad classes this month was actually a lot easier than trying to complete half a semester's worth of C++ in two weeks; lots and lots of repetitive material in the preceding list of courses.

Reading some of the infosec texts is reminiscent of Hunter S. Thompson's bit about attending the law enforcement conference on drugs; just substitute "script kiddie", "hacker", or "cracker" for "dope fiend", and that's the right tone. The definitions given may be weird, off-kilter, or just plain wrong, but if they're repeated enough in print, those will be the definitions used.

miscellany: Four credits to start off September.

2007-09-02T23:48:00.000-04:00

Finished the assignments for the !@#!>? Office class, and finally managed to submit them. Hurray.

As you might have surmised, Xianzhi, I had to resort to calling Verizon about the service. After being subjected to the usual array of hoops and jumping, and additionally being instructed to turn off the firewall, anti-virus, and anti-spyware utilities, and clearing the IE cache, which is nonsense, since I don't even use IE, the connection works again.

Verizon's tech support recorded some garbage about GoogleTalk being the issue, which it isn't, and also attempted to sell me more bandwidth, since obviously I shouldn't be able to load five or six web pages at a time at the low-bandwidth end of DSL service.

Sure.

It's almost enough to make one write a product review.

miscellany: 3 more credits down

2007-08-19T06:48:00.000-04:00

Technical Physics is done, or close to it; all assignments have been submitted. The section on heat and optics had some formulas that might be useful for setting up an array of solar cells, so it's not a complete wash.

Thanks for the movie, Xianzhi!

miscellany: almost done with Technical Physics

2007-08-17T07:40:00.001-04:00

On the good side, only one more exam to complete; as far as I know, that should be it for the AAS in Computer Information Technology and Systems Management, as Business Communications was wrapped up earlier in the week. Then it's onward to complete the rest of the BCIS coursework.

Still need to register for the next graduate course; probably going to be the C++ course, as no particular guidance has been provided re: order of completion.

Not going to open the last physics assignment at this time, since I should try to get a little sleep.

miscellany: what course to take next?

2007-08-09T06:05:00.000-04:00

Resubmitted all the Marketing Principles coursework. Working on the last set of writing assignments for Business Communications, which finishes up with a multiple-choice test.

Need to pick one of these courses to take next. MIS is finished. Should check which books I've got, then pick a class. At this rate, I'm going to need to wait for the next shipment of stuff for the BCIS, so I might as well get rolling on the next MSIS course. [grin]

Edit: Where did that library card go, anyway?

miscellany: eyes + knitting needles = whee

2007-08-08T08:02:00.000-04:00

On the good side, done with the first graduate course. Don't know how the last two assignments will fare, but I'm bound to find out soon enough.

So it's back to working on the BCIS. Need to finish up Business Communications and Physics, and then see what happened to all those missing assignments. Time to take a brief break from the "now write a position paper" thing.

Need to sleep, now.

miscellany: social engineering attempt to report.

2007-07-19T06:44:00.000-04:00

So two nights ago, someone tried to get my credit card number.

Uncharacteristically, I answered the phone. This person claimed that a charge for $780 was made against my charge card, and that it would need to be verified. "My" card, of course, was not charged a dime; the person at the other end of the phone didn't know my name, much less the names of any banks I use. This supposed bank representative didn't ask for any particular person by name. Red flags, anyone?

It is highly improbable that an unidentified representative of an unnamed credit card company would call an unknown card holder to "verify a fraudulent charge". If I had gone along with the call, I would no doubt have been asked to provide my name, account number, bank name, phone number, date of birth, Social Security number, blood type, and the contents of my last bowel movement.

Instead of providing any personal data, I asked about the "NYS Alcohol" phone number on my caller ID box. I probably should have asked if they were using a caller ID spoofing service, or if they were doing some funky PBX stuff; I didn't get a chance, since the caller disconnected.

Tried calling the number back during regular business hours: of course, it doesn't take incoming calls. Reverse lookup says it's a private land line with Verizon. Google pops up an address to go with the number. Combing through New York City substance abuse centers eventually gets to a working phone number.

The receptionist verified that the number on my caller ID matches a pay phone in the treatment center; she then passed my call on to the program director. Not really sure who else should get a report on this one. Verizon, maybe? They'd be able to check if the call was actually made from the listed ID.

miscellany: tired and want a cigarette

2007-07-06T05:37:00.000-04:00

So off to smokeville, then to bed. Can't think clearly enough to write the required gobbledygook, so it'll have to wait until after this sleep cycle.

webweaving: more reading comprehension, re: Spyrus' Hydra PC II

2007-06-19T01:24:00.000-04:00

Now having thought about the article in SC Magazine for yet another day, I think I figured out what they meant regarding the default key lengths.

What the article should say is that the default key length for ECC is 384 bits. Default key length for AES is 256 bits. Default hash used is SHA-384. The article suffers from not explaining enough.

It isn't that the authors aren't necessarily knowledgeable with respect to the field; it's just that the article needs some extra sentences which seem to have been left out.

Oh, and I got a 100 on the paper. [big grin]

webweaving: Things that bug me, for no really good reason.

2007-06-18T05:10:00.001-04:00

Kat and Xianzhi already know about this article about Spyrus' Hydra Privacy Card, because they've both heard me gripe about it over the last couple of days.

The online version doesn't have the same title as the print version, which is a shame. "First Look" is much better than the whole "Like the Greek Hydra, the Hydra PC has many uses" bit. The print title doesn't even make any sense.

Next, the article lists the whole "designed for validation under FIPS 140-2" bit. Can't really blame the authors for this, as it's listed on the Spyrus website and in the Hydra PC data sheet. But, if you look at NIST's Cryptographic Module Validation Program FAQ (.pdf format), you might notice the following:

Commonly used conformance claims
A vendor makes the following claims of conformance to FIPS 140-1 or FIPS 140-2. Are they
acceptable?
The module has been designed for compliance to FIPS 140-2. no
The module has been validated and has received Certificate #495.yes

Yes, I'm aware that Spyrus isn't the only company doing this, but NIST specifically mentions the claim as being unacceptable. One could blame the article for "Most important, however, Hydra can support storage of classified data under U.S. government standards." Hey, guys: NIST says that the whole "designed for validation" isn't valid.

The article also mentions that the Hydra PC is "a fully functional computer", which, as pointed out by Xianzhi this weekend, also applies to his wristwatch. While it might be true, it doesn't necessarily tell us what "fully functional" actually accomplishes.

The following passage is not very clear:
"Cryptographically, Hydra supports AES, ECC (Elliptic Curve Cryptography), SHA-2, SHA-512 and ECC-521. Default key lengths are ECC P-384, AES-256 and SHA-384."

Now, any of the parties that have had to put up with crypto ranting over the last few months should be able to pick out the two SHAs as hash algorithms. AES is a symmetric cipher. ECC uses asymmetric keys. Note that the Hydra also supports two- and three-key triple DES, ECDH and ECMQV key agreements, and ECDSA signatures.

Maybe I'm just very off here, but isn't it a bit odd to relate to key lengths with algorithms? Key lengths are usually defined as some number of bits, are they not? Would it not suffice to say that the Hydra PC defaults to 256 and 384 bit keys?

"When the PIN is set up, it is hashed and
the encryption key is derived from the hash. When the user enters a PIN, the process is reversed."

Now the way this reads, it means that when a user enters a PIN, the encryption key somehow gets unhashed. Which means there's a reversible hash function at play here, which just wouldn't be right. The article probably means that the user-entered PIN is submitted to a hash function, which outputs a value which is compared to the hash value stored on the Hydra. Note that the process doesn't get reversed, because cryptographic hash functions are ideally one-way.

It's the whole "what do we store and how" thing: user login/passwords shouldn't be stored in the database in plain text; we'll go and hash them (possibly with more than one hash) before adding the values to the database. Then, when a user logs in, we'll input the information provided by the user to the same sequence of hash functions, and compare the output to the stored values from the database. We aren't "reversing" anything. It's a comparison.

I'm not going to pick at the article more at this time, because I need to get some sleep.

crazy: gerbils are go!

2007-05-28T06:07:00.000-04:00

One of the reasons the weekly DS smoke sessions are great: Xianzhi doesn't lose it when I say something like, "All right, if one of the problems with the melting polar ice caps is that the planet reflects less heat, and then they melt some more, why don't we just install a bunch of mirrors at the polar ice caps?"

His reply: "You could probably have a bunch of mirrors orbiting the planet, and reflect the light to fields of solar cells. Boom! Cheap energy, and no more hydrocarbons."

Side note: why not hook a peltier cooler up to the CPU, but reversed? Instead of taking electricity to remove heat, take the heat and generate electricity. Have a massive heatsink on top of the peltier, and use the electricity to power the fan. Maybe even a battery to start up the fan initially, and have the peltier charge the battery.

Side note 2: Kat read the draft of the crypto paper (even after arriving home several hours late), and it made sense with some explaining. At this point, it's referenced, not written on scraps of paper and Starbucks bags, so it's losing a little of its mad scientist appeal.

Kat and Xianzhi, here's to you!

miscellany: Death by overthinking.

2007-05-17T05:15:00.000-04:00

That should be procrastination through overthinking. Spending a lot of time reading papers instead of writing what should be a really short, low intensity paper.

On the nice side, I ordered about half of my textbooks for less than a hundred dollars, shipping included.

Will be doing some more textbook shopping in a few weeks, methinks.

miscellany: Procrastinating.

2007-05-01T06:24:00.000-04:00

Finished up Marketing Principles, and the first few lessons from Business Communications. Haven't done anything on the research paper today, since it's a bit difficult to conduct any research without having a net-connected computer downstairs.

Get to start off May with 3 credits already. First class for the MS starts May 30. Have to pick up the textbook.

So. Marketing and Business Comm. Time to sleep, then back to the research later. Ha ha ha.

miscellany: tired...

2007-04-24T08:11:00.000-04:00

Oh, fine, so I'm only up two or so hours more than I should have been. Not too bad, at least until I can't get to sleep, and the kids wake up after I've had my eyes shut for ten minutes.

Let's get that report done tonight! Hell, why not two of 'em?

(Investigative and progress reports, yippee!)

miscellany: Another three classes down.

2007-04-24T00:13:00.000-04:00

April: Java, Algebra/Trig II, Technical Writing I, and maybe half of Technical Writing II. Don't know if I'll be able to complete the second writing course by the end of the month, as I don't have the guidelines re: the research paper.

But still not too bad, eh? Three classes in a month is a decent enough pace. Eleven credits this month, nine credits last month. Fifty-four credits to go.

Now just have to see what to start with the MS, and how that will affect completion of the bachelor's program.

miscellany: Onward to letters of reference...

2007-04-20T23:19:00.000-04:00

"Congratulations! You have been accepted into the Master of Science in Information Systems program"

Going to be busy, busy, busy. [big grin]

miscellany: Application to potential brain explody started...

2007-04-20T03:23:00.000-04:00

So let's see how it goes. Submitted the resume and application fee, so perhaps it'll get evaluated in the next week, at which point it'll be go time. Or not. Don't necessarily know that undertaking two degree programs at the same time is prudent, but it should be a challenge.

Need to see about getting accepted, first.

webweaving: Happy locking knee dance!

2007-04-18T23:38:00.000-04:00

The instructor looked over the assignments again, along with the code documentation, and decided to give full credit for them all due to my willingness to explain and expend some effort.

I am really glad that I took the time to do that, even if it did slow me down for the other courses a bit. And I'm really thankful that the instructor was willing to review the submitted code again.

Onward to finish up that last math exam, then it's time to start writing some reports. Yippee.

miscellany: ... two more sections to complete.

2007-04-16T06:36:00.000-04:00

A little more done. Resubmitted the Java assignments, along with a little more explaining, and an offer to explain even more, if that isn't sufficient.

And two left on the second math class. Hurray. My eyes, they are a'bleedin, so it isn't exactly simple to read the book at this moment. Time to sleep... then try and cram through the rest Monday/Tuesday, then start the next class Tuesday/Wednesday.

webweaving: "I took off more on the others... because I had no idea what was going on in the code"

2007-04-13T01:52:00.000-04:00

Sigh. Even if one had no idea what the code actually does, one could guess based on the comments.

webweaving: "I am just having trouble following what you have sent in."

2007-04-11T02:27:00.000-04:00

Please work on this some more. I cannot pass you as is. I am just
having trouble following what you have sent in.

import java.io.*;// import for using BufferedReader, BufferedWriter

public class Palindrome
{
  public static void main( String args[] ) throws IOException
  {
       try
       {
       BufferedReader inputStream = new BufferedReader(new FileReader("pals.txt"));
       BufferedWriter outputStream = new BufferedWriter(new FileWriter("palsout.txt"));// using BufferedWriter instead of PrintWriter
       String line;
       String lineCopy;
       line = inputStream.readLine();// starts reading file by the line
       while( line != null )
       {
               // strip punctuation, spaces, and special characters, then convert to lower case
            String stripArray[] = { "\"", "'", ".", " ", ",", ";", ":", "!", "@", "#", "$", "%", "^", "&", "\\", "(", ")", "_", "-", "+", "=", "?", "[", "]", "{", "}", "<", ">", "/" };
            lineCopy = line;
            for(String charReplace:stripArray)// remove each element in stripArray from lineCopy
            {
                 lineCopy = lineCopy.replace( charReplace,"" );
            }
            lineCopy = lineCopy.toLowerCase();
            StringBuilder copyString = new StringBuilder(lineCopy);
            copyString.reverse();// reverse the character order in copyString
  
            if( lineCopy.equals(copyString.toString()) )// it's a palindrome
            {
                 System.out.print( line + " Is a palindrome.\n" );
                 outputStream.write( line + " Is a palindrome." );
                 outputStream.newLine();
            }
            else// it's not a palindrome
            {
                 System.out.print( line + " Is not a palindrome.\n" );
                 outputStream.write( line + " Is not a palindrome." );
                 outputStream.newLine();
            }
            line = inputStream.readLine();// read the next line
       }
       inputStream.close();
       outputStream.close();
  }
  catch( java.io.FileNotFoundException e )
  {
       System.out.print("The file \"pals.txt\" must be located in the same directory as this application.");
  }

 }

}

webweaving: I did the exception handling again, anyway

2007-04-09T06:01:00.000-04:00

Added a try... catch to the last assignment. Why? To avoid what happens if the file it needs isn't there.

I can take another hit. Give me some more fuel, I've got a couple of lighters.

My code works, and it's probably a little different than the one they have archived. Wonder how many points it'll cost, this time.

webweaving: this is not a coding assignment

2007-04-08T04:24:00.000-04:00

Well, submitted that pseudocode and diagramming exercise that I discussed with Xianzhi last night. (By the way, bro, it's also up at Docs.)

Don't think I'm going to start the last assignment 'til tomorrow, since I'm getting a little cranky. Humid, nasty, want to cruise around the property with the Gorilla Bar cranky. Maybe even the little old three pound forging hammer. It's a good thing I can't move quickly, eh?

Though the stubborn streak says that I should go look at the assignment anyway. It's something about file reading and palindrome testing, which, if the other assignments are any indication, I will complete, compile, test, have working, and then get marked down a random amount because my code will not look exactly like the answer key.

But I would much rather have the feedback on all of the assignments before I start banging my tanker boot on the table and start shouting that I'm burying anyone. After all the grades are returned, it's go time.

webweaving: very, very cranky

2007-04-05T23:53:00.000-04:00

Okay, so how is "it should look more similar to the attached" valid feedback re: working code?
(Does it work? Yes. Then where is the issue?)

Is it like "there seems to be some things missing"?
(...such as? My for loops are different than the ones in the example? So what?)

Or is it like "the code could have been more readable and considerably shorter"?
(Yes, without validating user input in any way, if you don't mind having InputMismatchException crop up several times in a row. Or calculating a circumference with a negative value.)

So my work is being evaluated by someone who either isn't looking at the code, or is looking at the code, but isn't really sure what it is supposed to do. Which, of course, hardly garners any confidence on my part for quality instruction.

Going to need to do a line by line code breakdown, Barney style, and ask for some valid feedback. Because I don't need to have my grade killed by a strict "it doesn't look like the answer key" kind of thing.

And Xianzhi, re: "I almost wonder, now that I think of it, if your grader doesn't actually know the language and was "overwhelmed" by your verbosity. It looked different than the "answer" so it must be somehow wrong, even though the code worked."

That's the sinking feeling I have, too.

webweaving: Seven assignments down, three to go.

2007-04-05T05:11:00.000-04:00

Might not quite make the weekend for this course. Or I might. Have some skeletal classes with placeholder methods for the next assignment, so completing it tomorrow should not be exceedingly difficult.

Then two more assignments. And it'll be another four credits.

I don't believe that I will drop below the A range for this class, unless I bomb the last three assignments horribly-- won't compile, produce the wrong output, etc. Though the comments received back are largely too vague to be helpful.

I still don't understand the rationale for marking code down if it does what the assignment asks. I may have to ask about that.

(Edit: two of the prior assignments were marked down 20%, and a third 10%. Total feedback basically boils down to "it's missing some stuff, look at the attached code". Whoever is evaluating the course doesn't seem to have any idea what my code does.)

webweaving: well, only because it should really be under miscellany.

2007-04-03T03:15:00.000-04:00

Meaning that it oughta be under miscellany, but since it's vaguely coding related, webweaving applies just as well.

Finished the first five assignments for the intro to Java class. Want to take a break and see how I do on the three I submitted tonight before I continue on.

(Actually decided to just sorta follow along with whatever the book says, instead of trying to guess at how I'd do it with PHP. Y'know, when faced with malicious user input and needing some semblance of error handling.)

edit: Just did the barebones for the sixth assignment(compiles, works within given parameters). Should probably go and add some vaguely helpful comments before submitting it.

miscellany: not too shabby for a month.

2007-04-01T01:03:00.000-04:00

Three courses down: Intro to Microeconomics, Intro to Management, and Algebra/Trigonometry I.

Two assignments into Intro to Java Programming. Book is good, but I have to say that I still like the ready access to information provided by the online PHP manual by far. Unfortunately, it's a Java class, so that doesn't help very much, now does it?

However, it's time to at least get some basic familiarity with the stuff. Doesn't mean that I need to complete any of my personal projects in Java, just enough to be able to hack code reasonably.

Next course is in the mail, and hopefully should be done with the introductory Java course by next weekend. Well, maybe. Should probably sneak a little peek ahead to see what kind of exercises will need to be completed before I get too cocky about it.

webweaving: some SQL sites for Xianzhi

2007-03-19T04:21:00.000-04:00

Introduction to SQL

Teach Yourself SQL in 21 Days

SQLCourse 1 and SQLCourse 2

SQL Injection Attack at SQLZoo.net

Database eLearning

Enjoy 'em, dai dai.

webweaving: yet another crypto related nonsense idea

2007-03-09T04:01:00.000-05:00

Now, if we're doing a standard DHM style public key-private key kinda thing, then the session key, then the whole pseudo-Feistel network of randomly chosen ciphers/modes/IVs, and sticking the whole thing back together, it'll have defined headers like PGP. Which isn't necessarily what's needed, here.

So what if there's a separate pair of public/private keys used for additional obfuscation? Generate the second shared key, and expand it to the proper length with a given function. Then XOR all the data with the second expanded key. Blam, no more header.

webweaving: more precipitation-induced brain mush.

2007-03-09T04:00:00.000-05:00

So if the basic DHM asymmetric arrangement where a sends b a message is (((g to the a)mod p)to the b) mod p , and out pops the shared key, couldn't we try something like:

a picks (some group of keys) as a key group.
b picks (some other group of keys).
All key group values are > 1 and < p. Otherwise, they're unrelated.

Meh. Had something in mind here. This is what happens when I don't write this down exactly when it goes flyin' by.

I think it had something to do with using a separate key for signing, and a third key for additional nonsense. Bleh.

webweaving: scrap and redo planning

2007-03-09T03:57:00.000-05:00

The bot (ingame) will be used to a)record/change user passwords and b)relay infowindows to users. Additionally, admins should be able to add/drop members. The bot is also responsible for relaying queries to other bots for database replication. Bots should maintain a copy of all username, messages, news reports, department listings, whatever that could be stored in the database.

The client app should be able to a)send/receive gridmail messages, b)access the bulletin boards, c)access/submit netlog posts and comments. The client app should store the user's gridmail messages and netlog posts locally. Could store bulletin boards/other netlogs/departmental listings locally, too. Just not other users' gridmail messages. Possible direct connect chat?

Ideas: utilizing (poorly thought out replica asymmetric key encryption) to prevent storing cleartext, and so that only the proper user (or at least the one with the key) can decrypt. This doesn't necessarily preclude further obfuscation of text, but should provide a minimum level of security. Could try doing the one-time key->symmetrically encrypt text / public key encrypt->one-time key (send recipient bundled encrypted one-time key and symmetrically encrypted ciphertext).

Passwords need to be set by sending an ingame tell to one of the bots- can't be set outside of the game, so authentication is handled by the game, and the username associated with the password will be stored in the db by the bot. Won't be able to use the app to decrypt without signing in, so storing the private key with the app (outside the db) should be less of an issue.

The website should really just be a variation of the client application. Will record queries made to its own database, cache the queries made, and relay the cached queries to other client apps/ingame bots. Should display bulletin boards, gridmail, and netlogs, along with departmental directories. Password creation should only be done via ingame bot, and lost password requests should only be sent by ingame tell.

Data replication- perhaps instead of relaying IRC->tells, each app could have a script called that would add the particulars to the local queue. Have 'em listen on whatever port for requests, ignore any that don't follow whatever accepted format ends up being. This would still require resolving username to IP address, which opens up a whole 'nother can of headaches, but that's part of the fun. Could store the username/IP information in a table on the website, mirrored to other websites. Then check each one down the line if things time out.

Some links for Kat :D

2007-02-11T00:53:00.000-05:00

Australia

United Kingdom

webweaving: wonking out more codey code code designs

2006-12-25T03:59:00.003-05:00

Each client app doesn't actually need the full database, just the user's mailbox and netlog. Could do a complete copy of the db, but then everything will need to at least be encoded into something other than cleartext. Yes, I should probably do that anyway. It's a good thing that no one is actually waiting to use this, or paying for it, because it'd be very late, and extremely over budget.

So. All db fields should probably be encrypted.

Message relay: for asynchronous replication of the database. Write queries made locally will need to be logged (for backup purposes) and forwarded on to each application using the database. Idea here is to speed up each app by using the local databases instead of having a single remote database.

The query relay messages will need to have username/client information and possibly a TTL to allow for propagation of relayed messages amongst the various applications, but also prevent an application from processing a query relay message it sent to the network. (Network being used very loosely here.)

Don't really know about trying to implement a mailer-daemon/XMPP server/peer-to-peer overlay network kinda thing. Reading reading reading. Still think the bounce off an external server IP reporting thing would be simplest, and allows for direct connections. (Side note: could do a small HTTP server, then have each relay request a script which would queue the relayed message. Details, details.)

Client logon -> sends logon / pw to a local script (local db query) -> checks a remote script (with failover URLs for timeout factor) which will return HTTP_X_FORWARDED_FOR and REMOTE_ADDR.

The client will then parse the results of the script, and write username, fwd_for, and rem_addr to a database table. The remote script will also add said values to its db.

Direct client-to-client chat could then be performed by looking up a username in the table, and trying to connect to fwd_for and rem_addr at whatever port number gets implemented.

webweaving: a bit on XMPP

2006-12-25T03:59:00.001-05:00

So it looks like the client can have an embedded XMPP server, and an account on said server. Which means that the client can then use its Jabber account to send and receive updates. All without having to configure Jabber accounts at a central location.

And yes, the IP address of the user will most likely change with every time they log on to the internet, but that can be worked around by doing an external IP check/report, then using the reported external IP. Add a "username" as the resource in node@domain/resource.

Or maybe have a remote table to resolve username to IP. Then have node@domain/resource look like username@username/resource.

"The domain identifier for every server or service that will
communicate over a network MAY be an IP address but SHOULD be a fully
qualified domain name (see [DNS])."

(http://www.ietf.org/rfc/rfc3920.txt)

webweaving: more nonsense for the client to do

2006-12-25T03:58:00.001-05:00

Might change the way the pseudocryptography stuff works by actually generating sorta random keypairs. Store the private key only with the client, store the public keys in the db.

Since the db is going to be replicated on each client/bot/website, the public keys will be available for the encrypted message feature.

webweaving: More peer-to-peer messaging thoughts.

2006-12-25T03:57:00.000-05:00

So there's ePost, which is built on FreePastry. Routes e-mail through POP3, SMTP, and IMAP proxies, and stores n extra copies of each mail across enough peers to keep it alive, even if most of the network fails horribly. Now, the actual embedded proxy server stuff isn't needed, but couldn't some of this functionality be carried over?

webweaving: Overengineering. Because my teeth hurt more than my hands and knees do.

2006-12-01T06:03:00.000-05:00

(Obvious brainstorming disclaimer: probably not sensible, much less able to implement with current coding skillset.)

Been rethinking the bot/web bit. Why not have a client app as an additional means of interfacing with the data? Each user will need access to the database query logs for asynchronous replication. (So .htaccess or other password protection, or possibly a Jabber account, or some silly username/submitted password -> username/stored MD5 password check.)

Dynamic DNS - for client apps and the ingame bots. Could use the service at http://www.2mydns.com/domains.asp. Need to detect the public IP address of each client, then perform the update. Each client will also need to run some server code, if attempting the peer-to-peer networking thing. Should at the very least think of having static hostnames resolve to the bots, so that some round-robin functionality can take place, in case the website is not available.

Otherwise, can just get away with each client connecting through Jabber to the website (or similar idea) and not have to bother with the dynamic DNS / IP address / NAT traversal nonsense.

The bots will also need Jabber accounts/client functionality, as should the website. If a client sends an update to the website, the client script on the web server will then relay the message to each of the other clients, except for the originator of the message. Means changing the existing update relay code a bit, but that's something to do another day.

The ingame bots are for relaying messages to non-members, and for a bit o' redundancy. New message notification can take place through the ingame bot (if not logged in with the client app) or just through the client app.

All the actual database querying should take place on the client's local db, not any of the remote ones. This should speed up queries some, though if the db gets big, I'd imagine users not wanting a local copy.

(Side note: some really neat distributed systems stuff.)

Edit for stupid factor: (still in lotsa pain, so probably not making much sense) Can always just connect to the client apps via IP address instead of using a hostname. Durrrh.

webweaving: a little more ported over to the new bot

2006-11-27T05:39:00.000-05:00

Starting to port over the old plugin code to the new bot, which of course means that the old filesystem-based checks need to be converted to use the database instead.

And the old text file storage methods need to be converted to use the database instead.

All the old member/admin/department checks need to be converted to use the database instead. Profiles, signature files, encryption/decryption keys, logon status, user access level, so on and so forth... ad nauseum.

And let's not forget that since I didn't *exactly* replicate the other bot's core, that some of my fly-by-night functions don't use the same parameters. So things won't run right out of the box, but they will run with some tweaking.

Might still decide to just go with a web-based messaging system, and try to code a little client app to access it. Won't run through the game's chatserver, but if the website goes kablooey, then the messaging clients won't work.

Better still would be to offer a GUI client that would synchronize with the web database, and relay any locally made changes to the site. Do the whole backup/SQL logging thing, like the current bot's supposed to do. So the clients would synchronize with the site- and the bots would also synchronize with the site. Not to mention that the bots relay SQL to each other. Multiple interfaces to the same data.

miscellany: working on db stuff, more planning...

2006-11-10T23:27:00.000-05:00

So switched from MySQL to SQLite 2, and then to SQLite 3. Meant a bit of going back and recoding for proper functionality.

Made a queue for the queries that can write to the db, so that changes will be done one at a time.

Now, need to start thinking about backup functionality. Was thinking of doing daily backups of the SQL (again, only saving queries that write to the db) and a full backup every week. Have to see how best to go about it.

Also trying to come up with a better db design than the hack-and-slash noob one that's being used currently. Reading a bit about data modelling. So the time to start screwing with the db schema is when the sucker's empty, not a few months in when it'll have some badly stored data in it.

Went to the co-op with the family today. All in all, a very pleasant 35th.

miscellany: embedded help working (sort of)

2006-11-03T04:00:00.000-05:00

Got the embedded help to return an infowindow with the old plugin format help information, and it processes some of the templating tags, too. Took a little to iron out, but it looks all right so far.

The command syntax check is functional. Since the bot won't be echoing messages to any channels, it doesn't matter if the first word gets mangled. Might be a more elegant way to do this, but it works for now.

miscellany: need to cache db queries.

2006-10-29T04:36:00.000-05:00

Since the db for the site is going to be remotely hosted, it'd probably speed things up a bit to cache some queries to the site, and only perform a query against the remote db if the cached version is too old.

Also wondering about trying the alternative PHP cache. Depends on wherever hosting ends up.

Going to bed, now. Fingers don't work, and everything looks like static. No more coding for me tonight, thanks.

miscellany: some more brainstorming on the various dbs idea

2006-10-21T04:58:00.000-04:00

So either I can try to dl SQLite on the server, or I can do some goony crap like have every insert/create/set query be stored in a log file. Have the log file on the game client end translated into MySQL compatible queries. Have the log file on the web server end translated into SQLite compatible queries. Compare the remote and local logs, grab queries if necessary, and then process on whichever machine needs to be updated.

Or, have any db queries be made locally on the game client, then open a connection to a remote MySQL database, and run queries there, too. At least the website db will be current with the local SQLite db. Then only the local db will need to be synchronized.

Either way, will need to make sure queries will run on either SQLite or MySQL. It's reading time again.

miscellany: more stupid database workaround ideas...

2006-10-17T01:46:00.000-04:00

Don't yet know if this is feasible, but the bot could keep its own database separate from the one on the site.

Once the bot connects, check to see if the bot's members db matches the members db stored on the site by counting rows. If not, then upload the bot's members db changelog to the bot, and run the changelog through SQLite on the site, or download the site's changelog and process as needed to the local bot. Set up something like a cronjob to do the check/update automatically at a given interval, or on demand by admins.

Then, any queries run on the site will be performed against the db stored on the site, and any queries run on the bot will be performed against the bot local db. So changes won't necessarily be instantaneous between the various bots and the website, but it should be good enough.

Could get really ugly and clunky, but it's a cheapass workaround to having to perform actual db synchronization. Bound to be a problem with a system with a large number of concurrent users, but there isn't any fear of that.

miscellany: need to stop my brain for a few minutes...

2006-10-15T02:41:00.000-04:00

Screwing around with the bot code again. And of course, I got to thinking. That's where the trouble starts.

Current crazy idea is this: have the bot have its data stored remotely for some sort of slightly more high availability setup. Something like a paid hosting account with remote MySQL database access. Try and replicate the data to another MySQL database stored on another server (here , here, here, or possibly a combination of all three.) Could also try writing the data locally to a MySQL or an SQLite database.

THEN, have most of the bot functions available through a password-protected website. The password will need to be set in game. Any of the changes made in game or through the web site will show in either interface.

The multiple database setup allows for a bit of redundancy-- could then set up multiple MySQL users with varying permissions. It'd allow multiple bots to access the same data set, which (if anyone were interested) would mean different people could run the bots.

So no more need for one box to stay on all the time. Not that it does, of course.

And no, I'm probably not going to implement this, mainly because I don't know enough about it yet.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Now, not too many people are going to want to run a bot if it's going to be a huge PITA, especially if I'm going to ask them to go and install MySQL, too. So SQLite would probably be an easier pill to swallow, since I could include the dll with the plugins, along with an altered php.ini.

Then, the web end will either need to have the SQLite extension installed, or let users dl() extensions.

Tricky part will be the file synchronization. Either the bot will need to check its file against the one hosted on the site, or I'll have to do some kind of dumb manual merge.

If it's allowed by the host, there's always SQLiteDBMS. And for load balancing, there's SQL Relay. Got a lot of reading to do :D

miscellany: a few web resources

2006-10-10T01:42:00.000-04:00

OnLAMP PHP Foundations
Practical PHP Programming
Teach Yourself SQL in 21 Days
MySQL Documentation
O'Reilly Open Book Project
http://www.regular-expressions.info/

miscellany: just testing

2006-10-06T02:00:00.000-04:00

miscellany: a few more changes

2006-10-03T03:39:00.000-04:00

Added a sig file option for interdepartmental and gridmail.
Comment code for netlog works.
News and report code changed to reflect proper date.

So far, so good. Wish my jaw didn't hurt. Need some sort of rubber chompy dog toy kind of thing to help alleviate some of the teeth grinding.

miscellany: No bot testing tonight, I guess.

2006-10-02T03:24:00.000-04:00

!@#! server is down. So since the bot can log in, and I can't, there won't be any testing to see if the new netlog comment code works. Bah.

Guess finding out it's broken will need to wait 'til tomorrow. Or whenever the login issues are resolved. Might as well get on with breaking a few more "features".

miscellany: crazy, now with MELTing eyeballs!

2006-10-01T04:54:00.000-04:00

OK, no more coding tonight. Will end up sleeping on my keyboard, and wouldn't that be a mistake.

Started in on the netlog comment code. Added a sigfile option to grid/interdepartmental mail, and links to the passcode, profile, and sigfile plugins to the authenticate menu.

Off to catch a smoke, then some sleep.

miscellany: Do we fight, use item, or run?

2006-09-29T22:51:00.000-04:00

Now shut up and pray for a critical hit.

And there's the very cool bfxproject.

miscellany: Text mangling plugin, check!

2006-09-28T05:07:00.001-04:00

The fake cryptographic plugins work.

Encrypt obfuscates text, and will send through idmail. The message recipient has to have a public key on file.

Idmail will show the message with a decrypt link.

Decrypt will make it all plaintext again. Won't work if the user's public key doesn't match the one used to encode the message, or if the user's passcode doesn't match.

Passcode makes the key for encoding the message, as well as storing the passcode/phrase for decryption. One person making keys with the same passcode will end up with a different public key each time.

It's not a terrible imitation of asymmetric key cryptography, even if it's just for "looks".

While it'd be kinda fun to see about implementing some *actual* cryptographic system, it's not really important. It works well enough for in game purposes. I'd never suggest using the thing for anything that actually needed to be secured.

Now, some sort of group-access text mangler might be in order. For the assignments/reports/forum plugins, maybe. And also get back to trying comments for the netlogs. And possibly even taking on the reply/cc/address book for gridmail.

miscellany: reworking the plugins, har har har

2006-09-18T05:53:00.000-04:00

Now, just 'cause my bro had to make a crack about my lackin' PHP abilities, I've started yet again on altering the plugins.

Got dept, deptlist, gridmail, authenticate updated.

Updated all with a spiffy new header with image.

Also added a user information lookup link to the deptlist results. Decided not to use the built-in directory listing function for just such a reason.

miscellany: so far, so good...

2006-09-14T05:12:00.000-04:00

Moved all the plugin-created files to one directory with a bunch of subdirectories, which got to be a bit of a pain since all the previously stated paths needed to be changed. Missed a couple first time around, but nothing major.

The pseudo-login pulls up links to all the major features of the new plugins.

Mailcode works.

Interdepartmental messaging is a little screwy right now, since there's a login notification hardcoded into the main bot file that needs to be altered. Or the interdepartmental mail needs to be changed again.

Departmental listings work, and so does the add/remove department code.

Have one reports board, one general discussion board, and eleven departmental boards (access only to registered users).

Users can post a bit of text as a user profile. Pulls up in the reformatted username information search.

Then the netlogs, which can currently be sent to others for viewing. Thinking about working on comments next.

miscellany: Might edit some of the directories...

2006-09-12T05:26:00.000-04:00

Thinking of changing all the /members/deptcode/membername checks to do otcg/members/deptcode/membername/membername
and cramming the netlogs into otcg/members/deptcode/membername/netlog/
and interdepartmental mail into otcg/members/deptcode/membername/idm/
and so on and so forth though that'll be a pain.

But it'd be nice to streamline everything down to one directory, instead of several scattered directories. Maybe do the directory checking/creation with the login. (Actually, on second thought, people change departments every now and again, so this would be a pain.)

Netlog subjects work. Tweaked the delete code a bit, so that either admins or the owner can delete.

Also tweaked the user lookup.

miscellany: more tweaking

2006-09-11T04:36:00.000-04:00

Netlog format is starting to shape up a bit. Now have the option to file a subject with each post. Should probably add some paragraph formatting at some point.

Maybe comments. And a private/public setting. Maybe.

(edit: !@#! subject isn't showing up when viewing others' netlogs. Time to try and fix it.)

miscellany: various comics to keep from doing other stuff

2006-09-11T00:53:00.000-04:00

Inverloch

Gnoph and Inchoatica

Friendly Hostility

A Miracle of Science

Kagerou

miscellany: still more coding garbage

2006-09-10T06:34:00.000-04:00

The netlogs work. Haven't tested the send to others, yet. Tomorrow.

Might change netlog and netlogread to something shorter.

Coming along. I'm actually kind of pleased with it.

Have to get some sleep.

miscellany: Few more working things

2006-09-08T05:44:00.000-04:00

Changed the headers in the mail and interdepartmental message code- now the sender and recipient usernames are linked to the user lookup, and the departments are linked to the departmental directories.

Also did a bit of a jumbly date conversion. Getting the year to go 27474 years ahead of the current year took a little bit of reading. But now messages show the proper date in game.

Still should add the date code to forums. And then it's a matter of going through the existing botcode to retrofit some of the new features into it. Report and mission code will end up just being worded a bit differently, and having different permissions set on the mission boards. If I bother doing a general comments/questions board, it'll be guest accessible.

Then, there's the slim possibility of incorporating some sort of user log. Have to see.

miscellany: botcoding notes, take 13,999,999

2006-09-07T05:20:00.000-04:00

Patched in subdirectories for the posting/reading code for the forum. Had to make a separate delete plugin to take over for the built in delete code, or else the new subdirectories wouldn't be recognized.

So *if* everything ends up functioning smoothly, I'll copy the forum plugins, change a little bit, and make a set with reports (by department), missions (by department), and a general questions/contacts board.

Oh, also working on changing that username info lookup. Have to change the text, and fix the info window. Now, if I could stop coming up with features to add, I might finish some time.

miscellany: never mind the little guy behind the curtain...

2006-09-07T01:01:00.000-04:00

Was thinking of using the existing bot's forum code for reports, but the reading/writing to subdirectories doesn't work. So there's only one board with a bunch of posts. Doesn't really work when there are eleven departments that potentially could be filing reports. Also, wanted to try maybe making a separate set of subdirs for delegating missions. And another for contacts.

So. Rather than fool with trying to see about reading subdirectories any longer, I can simply make copies of the forum/posting code, edit each one a little, and have another plugin with a bunch of hyperlinks to each of the subforums. It'll end up looking like working subdirectories, when in all actuality it's a cheap fakeout. Hurray for smoke and mirrors! Then it's just tweaking.

Still don't have a working username information lookup. Bah.

miscellany: bug tracking, making new bugs, and squashing them all over again...

2006-09-06T05:40:00.000-04:00

Weird footer kept popping up in the interdepartmental mail messages-- not in the revamped code, not *anywhere* in the revamped code. Doesn't match the new footer that's there. Turns out to be coded into the main bot.php, which I was trying to avoid altering.

Might want to add first/last names to the To: and From: fields, as it just shows username at the moment. Haven't had luck with it yet, but that's another thing to put on the to do list.

Also want to possibly add user information lookup link to the name.
Maybe an online check, also.
And department directory listing link to the department name field.

Then, add user lookup/online check to the departmental directories.

And all the above to the existing interdepartmental mail headers.

Er, and the chat seems to only let about 13ish lines of text through before not sending it. Maybe it's part of the spam/chat protection? Have to look into that a bit more.

(Was thinking of checking the finished string length, then splitting it into a bunch of pieces of a certain size, then sending the thing as however many parts are needed. That won't be ugly. Rrrright.)

miscellany: ah, the forgotten holidays...

2006-09-05T01:28:00.000-04:00

Apparently my brother had last night off. Forgot all about it-- Kat's been working extra this weekend (a double Sat., Sun., and another double Mon.), so it's been overtime babywatching. Wasn't online 'til much later than normal, and didn't have YM or Google open, since I wasn't expecting that you'd be around, NS. Sorry, bro.

Reminder about the 16th, by the way. Hope it's still open for you, and that you'll be joining us and the rest of the fam.

miscellany: Scrap the last couple of hours of coding, and try it the other other way...

2006-09-03T05:20:00.000-04:00

Ah, the integrated method seems to have some kind of problem. Might be able to get it in another week or two, but then why wait? Unfortunate, since it all looked so pretty in the text editor. And it parses, too. Just doesn't do what it's supposed to do. Flow control problem. Or a lack of PHP skills problem, more likely.

It'd be more helpful to just try doing the separate plugin that I had in mind before, rather than the slightly more complex slapdash send/reply/store temp file all-in-one headache... utility wins, hands down, against the desire for beautifully thought out code. Mainly because I'm not a coder.

So. Duct tape it'll be, until I get that working. Then, I'll try the integrated method again. Currently too challenging for me not to try... and damn it, it *should* work.

miscellany: Coding at 3AM makes baby Jesus cry.

2006-09-01T03:16:00.000-04:00

Half of the reply code works (the writing vars to a temp file bit), but it's breaking down somewhere.

The first attempt at merging the mailcode (integrated send and reply) is *ugly*. So ugly that it's pretty damn hard to figure out what I was thinking at the time. Entirely unnecessary variables and redundant condition checking, and it's only gotten worse with the last two or three edits. My eyes, they burn with the horror.

Starting another version, hopefully with a more sensible flow to it. Be even more sensible after a few more cigarettes...

miscellany: More ideas to code and recode and recode.

2006-08-31T00:17:00.000-04:00

Now that the original mailcode works as designed, it's time to add the reply code. So far it's been a bit of a wrestle, but what I'm going to try is having the text link send the prior message's contents and applicable info to the chatbot. Save necessary info to a temp file suitably named for the username in a temp directory as a pipe delimited file. Then, upon an attempted reply, check for the temp file if the sender has the proper permissions to use the system, open the file if it exists, append the needed bits into the new text, and send.

Said brainstorm, of course, should be implemented not into a second plugin with different usage than the original mailcode.

So now it's just time to see about retrofitting the old mailcode into the newer setup. Maybe add forwarding and CC/BCC capabilities while I'm at it, ha ha ha. This will either never get finished due to constant nitpicking, or will get finished, but never be released for general use.

If this works, there's no real reason to use the interdepartmental mail (save some sort of archiving) as it stands-- unless some of the regular mailcode features get added in. Also, the interdepartmental mail is limited only to internal use, so it'll probably get somewhat less use.

miscellany: more coding nonsense

2006-08-28T05:47:00.000-04:00

Got the directory listings to work. And on the first go, too. Makes up for some of the stuff I've been going around and around on.

Forums work, too. Turns out there was a problem with the original bot forum posting code that made nothing actually get posted. Altered the code to match up more with the e-mail coding, and now it works.

Interdepartmental mail is still buggy-- the messages get saved, but not necessarily sent to offline recipients. Might be an error with how I set up the basic user permissions. Have to double check.

Still haven't bothered with a reply plugin yet, but I'll get to it. Also want to alter the existing user reports code.

Then, all I have to do is see if anyone would want to use and host the damn thing. I don't want to run the chatbot, as it will require always on capability.

miscellany: starting to port code back into plugins

2006-08-27T01:19:00.000-04:00

Now that some of the bot code is starting to function as intended, I've started sticking it out of the main bot code, and back into the plugin format which didn't work when I first started this little project.

The department member add/remove works, and so does the current pseudo-email. Went with the unstored blob method, which will no doubt be the wrong choice-- could pretty easily go back to storing everything, but I don't currently feel like it.

Still working on interdepartmental messaging, forums (or "reports"), and maybe a departmental listing. Perhaps even allow for users to post a bit of biographical information and a departmental affiliation.

while($coding_headaches>=0 || $hateful>=0 || ($foo>=0 && $bar>=0)){if(!empty($cigarettes)){if(file_exists("pocket/cigarettecase/cigarettes")){$cigsmoke=
fopen("pocket/cigarettecase/cigarettes", "w");if($cigarettes>=1) {$cigarettes--;fwrite($cigsmoke,"cough cough");fclose($cigsmoke);$coding_headaches--;$hateful--;$foo--;$bar--;}
else{$no_cigarettes="aaaaaaarrrrgh!";echo $no_cigarettes;$coding_headaches++;$hateful++;$foo++;$bar++;}}}
if(empty($coffeecup)){
if(file_exists("kitchen/apps/coffeemaker"))
{$coffee=fopen("kitchen/apps/coffeemaker", "w");$scoop=0;$h20=0;
while($scoop<15){$scoop++;while($h20<10){$h20=++;}}$ready=600;
while($ready>=600){$ready--;}if ($ready==0){fwrite($coffee,"done");fclose($coffee);$
coffeecup=10;}}else{$no_coffee="aaaaaaarrrrgh!";echo $no_coffee;$coding_headaches++;$hateful++;$foo++;$bar++;}}
if($coffeecup>=1){$coffeecup--;$coding_headaches--;
$hateful--;$foo--;$bar--;}if($no_cigarettes=="aaaaaaarrrrgh!" && $no_coffee="aaaaaaarrrrgh!"){if($coding_headaches!=0 && $hateful!=0 && ($foo+$bar!=0)){$coding_headaches=$coding_headaches*$hateful*($foo + $bar);}}}

miscellany: insert evil cackling here

2006-08-26T00:38:00.000-04:00

So, converting the text input into a blob works-- and so does the way it's currently set up to send. Won't save on the bot host, so shouldn't be bogging down a drive with storing this stuff. (Could probably explain it as messages being destroyed on transmission for optimal security, or some such.)

Next thing then, is a reply function. Will have to store the prior contents as a text link in the mail message, along with the subject and sender. This should be another learning experience :D

The new version of the department roster administration code doesn't work, mainly because the function I wrote to handle the department check is bugged. Might fix it, or just go the path of least resistance and use the working prior version instead of the "upgraded" broken version.

miscellany: inspired by Warning: on line 13739

2006-08-24T03:54:00.000-04:00

Now that some of the damn mailcode sort of works, why not try and simplify it a bit more by just making a blob and firing it off to the recipient? No need to store it on the bot host, since it's really just for pseudo-e-mail for a game. Also gets rid of most of the problems with random bot guests reading others' mail.

Then, the interdepartmental mail becomes a bit more useful. Less duplication of service.

Edit: Well, now it's a new unexpected T_VARIABLE on line 13272. Hurray for multiple backups before making any changes... bleh, will fix it tomorrow.

miscellany: "Parse error, unexpected T_VARIABLE on line 13687"

2006-08-22T05:20:00.000-04:00

I hate missing semicolons.

Problem created right before bed yesterday, and fixed at first chance today. Have a decent chunk of the added functionality for the bot working, but there's still quite a bit to hammer out.

The finished pile:

Login (not actually a functional login, just works for "looks"-- and it provides access to the actually intended functions.
admin adding/removing members from departments
header/footer (looks vaguely e-mailish)

Needs work:

interdepartmental code works, but the formatting of the results is from hell
forum code appears to work, but doesn't

To be implemented (maybe):

some way to file reports (probably just altered mailcode)
a way to reply to the mail (like the web-based "reply" button)
something else that will no doubt occur to me as I screw up another bit of code, ad nauseum
take all those bits of edited code that didn't work as plugins the first several times (the ones that work as part of the main php file) and mangle them into working plugins. MWAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!!! Won't that be masochistic.

miscellany: that's what I get...

2006-07-12T03:59:00.000-04:00

Nice little bugbite of some kind on my neck. Figures, being the only warm-blooded critter out at 4:00 AM.

I only hope it isn't the kind to get horrible swollen and travel along a vein. Doesn't feel promising, though. Have Benadryl, will travel.

(Okay, turns out it didn't get *really* swollen. Still itches like mad, despite the hydrocortisone cream. Waiting to see if the MSM helps it subside a bit.)

miscellany: "So why the hell do you still read comics?"

2006-07-12T00:28:00.000-04:00

"For hope."

(And no, not those ancient Golden Age ones, nor the "Shogun Warriors" ones from the twenty for a dollar bin.)

There are a few fun web comics to check out below-- spent most of last week reading through various archives.

Questionable Content reminds me of a certain N.O., who will otherwise remain nameless, because he kicked this kid in the nuts really hard for saying "indie rock" one too many times. (Well, maybe not just for saying "indie rock", but having never met the victim, I can't guess accurately at any character quirks that might have instigated such a vicious attack.) Note that getting kicked in the groin has nothing to do with Questionable Content.

ScaryGoRound is lots and lots of fun. There's zombie raising, time travel, tiny vampires, killer robots, and a few trips to the afterlife. Oh, and ninjas and spies and evil inventors on an island, and cults, too!

The Adventures of Dr. McNinja. "What would Batman do?" and "In the chill of winter, the shamrocks in the grass had become frozen. And sharp. And deadly." It's a blend of some of the very worst comic book conventions ever!

crazy: aspirin and coffee and more aspirin, oh my.

2006-07-12T00:20:00.000-04:00

Hurray for projected thunderstorms for the next few days. Woke up two hours before the kids-- nothing like trying to sleep when my joints are swollen like they've been hit with cartoon mallets, and they're as red as ripe tomatoes.

Two or three days of maybe two hours of sleep should really work wonders on my ability to cope with breathing, ha ha ha.

Hey, that aspirin's wearing off already. Damn it.

(I'd be dangerous if I could move. Y'know, that whole murderous rage at a rate of no more than two miles per decade. I am a violence engine.)

Time to compensate with an extra helping of coffee and kreteks :D

Anarchy Online: Lost Eden Q&A #5

2006-07-03T03:48:00.000-04:00

A bit more information regarding the research system.

The personal research system offers seventy new options to learn for each profession. Unlike some perks, there are no ‘shared’ research lines, each profession has their own unique line of research open to them.

It would be great to see some more specifics about the different research lines. Looking forward to finding out about the pre-order bonus, too.

Full article at Funcom's site here.

miscellany: Thanks, Andy.

2006-06-28T01:11:00.000-04:00

Since biogas was the prior topic, this museum fits right in.

And it's in Worcester, too.

DIY: hot tubs and biogas production, oh my.

2006-06-28T00:59:00.000-04:00

A bunch of information re: small scale biogas (methane) production courtesy of Journey To Forever.

Methane Digesters for Fuel Gas and Fertilizer
Nepal Biogas Plant -- Construction Manual

Lots of other resources available in the Journey To Forever Biofuels Library.

Also found a few hot tub plans :)

BUILD A HOT TUB! Mother Earth News, Issue # 62 - March/April 1980
How to build a hot tub Steward Community Woodland
Our woodland wood fired hot tub Steward Community Woodland

DIY: just a couple yurt manufacturers

2006-06-27T01:56:00.000-04:00

There's a nice little yurt-building instructional page here. (A complete guide to making a Mongolian Ger by P.R. King)

The following two vendors offer yurts with solid walls.

Smiling Woods Yurts (note the metal roof kit available)
Oregon Yurtworks (offers two-story yurts, as well as a number of optional additions)

miscellany: send in the clowns

2006-06-25T01:11:00.000-04:00

Springfield Residents will be Charged $90 for Trash Removal

SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS (WWLP) -- Springfield residents can expect to be paying a ninety dollar yearly trash-removal fee. Officials say the trash fee will generate four million dollars a year, which is needed to help balance the budget.

I wonder if it'll be $90 per household, or if it'll end up costing us $450.

Why not just reassess all the homes for another $20-30,000?

(Oh, wait, the city's already assessed our house for $40,000 more than its initial assessment six years ago. Before any significant improvements had been made.)

miscellany: a bit of wandering memory...

2006-06-24T05:25:00.000-04:00

Remembered the old password for the original TMP site at GeoCities. Put up a temp redirect to the page at DS (.net, not .com). The webring we started back in 1996 apparently still exists-- though it's dwindled down to less than 25 sites. And the new admin changed the damn picture. Couldn't be buggered to change the description I wrote, naturally-- funny, when it was intended to be a writing ring of sorts. Just changed the picture.

Checked on a bunch of the old domain names-- three occupied, several still vacant. Managed to get one of them back in January.

I hate domain name snipers, hate 'em to itsy bitsy little pieces. Imagine seeing someone else wearing a tattoo that you designed for yourself. That's what I get for being broke when domain renewal time came around (more than once).

Bitter. Nothing new, there.

miscellany: more random taxation to follow...

2006-06-22T00:08:00.000-04:00

It isn't enough to up the property taxes by re-evaluating property values. It isn't enough to start charging extra for certain types of trash pickup. So, it looks like we're in for even more good times.

Springfield Announces $320 Million Capital Plan

SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS (WWLP) - For years the city of Springfield hasn't had enough money for major improvements like school renovations, road construction and the demolition of abandoned buildings.

I hate this "city".

Here's the article from WWLP.

Anarchy Online: Lost Eden Q&A #4

2006-06-18T02:29:00.000-04:00

A quickie link to Funcom's fourth Lost Eden Q&A.

Don't really have anything exciting to say about it, since it's almost completely about the PVP features. Might be willing to visit reclaim a few times to try it out, but I can't say that I'm very excited about the prospects of such...

More information on the alien missions would be welcome.

Anarchy Online: since my brother doesn't appear to be awake yet...

2006-06-18T02:21:00.000-04:00

Might as well catch another kretek or two, then log into AO.

Think I'll try the 160 incarnator in Marble Orchards (Scheol) instead of the 170 near Adonis City. I think the 160's the one I used for the Scheol keys, anyway.

Nicotine awaits...

... and I need another 505 nanoprogramming to be able to combine the pattern for the Diviner with the novictum. Bah.

Anarchy Online: laziness prevails!

2006-06-16T05:49:00.000-04:00

Finally getting around to the Adonis sanctuary quest. Decided to take the easy method, and buy the completed demon pattern, along with the needed crystals filled by the Source, and the necessary novictum for the demon and the diviner.

Should finish it up tomorrow- just need to go to an incarnator. Maybe then I'll get back to running missions on Rubi-Ka.

(It's tomorrow. Actually, didn't even log in. Maybe later.)

miscellany: Do you have trouble sleeping, or sleep all of the time?

2006-06-14T23:58:00.000-04:00

Fun fun fun! My darling e-mailed me a link to this video.

Reminds me of an old skit on Talk Soup.

Some more random web cruising:
"The notion of specific drug treatments for specific psychiatric disorders helped to bolster the case that psychiatry was no different from other medical specialties..."

Anarchy Online: more procrastinating...

2006-06-14T04:46:00.000-04:00

Started in on the Adonis sanctuary quest- and just bought myself another month of time in which I can put off doing the next step.

Hurray for /terminate for quick transport!

NS: don't know if you've seen the Omni-Tek Board of Directors website before.

crazy: a few more things to connect

2006-06-12T23:37:00.000-04:00

ANCHORAGE, Alaska - Polar bears in the southern Beaufort Sea may be turning to cannibalism because longer seasons without ice keep them from getting to their natural food, a new study by American and Canadian scientists has found.

"It's unavoidable that glacial retreat will induce tectonic activity," says geoscientist Allen Glazner of the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.

MOUNT MERAPI, Indonesia - Mount Merapi's unstable lava dome has partially collapsed, easing pressure that threatened to make the Indonesian volcano erupt.

TOKYO (AFP) - A 6.2-magnitude earthquake nearly as strong as last month's deadly tremor in Indonesia has shaken large areas of southwestern Japan

The independent Oxford Research Group says in its report Global Responses to Global Threats that the effects of climate change - displacement of peoples, food shortages, social unrest - have long-term security implications far greater than those of terrorism

Anarchy Online: Lost Eden Q&A #3

2006-06-12T03:32:00.000-04:00

Looks like there's good news about how much XP can be placed into research:

How high a percent of experience will players be able to donate to global research? Will we be able to set it at 100% so that we don't get personal exp at all?

Yes! If a player wants to dedicate all their earned XP/SK into research they are free to do so.

So I'll be grinding missions for research perks and credits instead of levelling and credits :)

The full article is available from Funcom's site here.

crazy: where are the brakes on this thing, anyway?

2006-06-11T16:47:00.000-04:00

Everything's just a little too fast, a little too sharp. Have to be able to slow this down...

crazy: got my blinders on

2006-06-11T00:33:00.000-04:00

Limited eyesight is a good thing.

I stopped wearing contact lenses years ago- having decent peripheral vision and nothing to limit my field of view meant that I'd notice more things going on around me. Global events and personal events whorl around in giant ugly patterns that can weave into a rather hideous tapestry, when seen in the light of day.

So I've taken to wearing sunglasses most of the time. They work reasonably well-- though that pair of old safety glasses is waiting for an upgrade. Selective vision works: why worry, when one can simply crash from one mishap to another, never knowing what lead to that point, or considering what might be around the corner?

miscellany: I hate Verizon, yes indeedy.

2006-06-09T02:52:00.000-04:00

So the internet connection went down for no apparent good reason again.

The last time this happened, I wised up a bit and left the Verizon provided modem in a conspicuous place, so I wouldn't drop the fucker down the stairs again, like I did not the last time, but the time before that. Not the time before that, where my modem got fried during an electrical storm.

Which is nice. So I got to poke around with the browser-based admins for both the modem I'm using (not Verizon supported) and the Westell.

Connection works again, after about two hours of having the modem connect, sign in, and then disconnect.

So at least I've saved myself the headache of having to call Verizon and have them tell me nothing's wrong on their end. (Which is when I'd normally break out the tracert timeouts, but couldn't even get that far this time. Besides, "virtual circuit xxxxx status down" indicates a problem with their end, not mine.)

Thankfully it didn't require a password reset, like the usual every few months Verizon DSL crashola.

miscellany: various game engines.

2006-06-08T00:51:00.000-04:00

I miss being able to alter things while playing Anarchy Online. I miss hex editing saved games, changing item headers, retexturing, fooling with scripts. Not that I have a superlative grasp of said things.

So, NS, if you want to check some of these freely available (some limitations may apply, beware) game engines, let me know.

Reality Factory (website) (downloads page)

Crystal Space (website) (downloads)

Kaneva Game Platform (website) (download)

Or, you can poke around Google and see if you like some other engine more.

(If anyone from Funcom happens to be looking around-- pretty please, make a way for us to at least do some skinning for Anarchy Online, or run contests for player-made content. Quest storylines, creature models, textures, what have you.)

crazy: no, really!

2006-06-07T05:22:00.000-04:00

Welcome to the modern world...

More antipsychotics being prescribed for children

Study says millions have 'rage' disorder

miscellany: raining again.

2006-06-07T02:53:00.000-04:00

Thankfully, it's nice and cool out. If only my eyes didn't feel like I've been wearing my contacts for too long, and my knuckles didn't feel like I went a few rounds with a cinderblock wall, it wouldn't be so bad.

And I haven't worn contacts in years.

Time to break out the double vodka quarter cranberry. Would if I weren't worried about some unknown calamity occurring, which I wouldn't be able to correct if inebriated.