william

[william]

Here is my annual post to list the top rated (by me) books I read each year.  For 2018, these include both books I read and listened to, as well as, novellas and short stories.  I pulled this info from my Goodreads profile.  Needless to say, all of these are highly recommended.

5 Star:

Hand of Mars (Starship's Mage #2) by Glynn Stewart

Skyward by Brandon Sanderson

Uncompromising Honor (Honor Harrington #14) by David Weber

The Stone Sky (The Broken Earth #3) by N.K. Jemison

Oathbringer (The Stormlight Archive #3)

4 Star:

Children of the Nameless (Novella) by Brandon Sanderson

Cartwright's Cavaliers (The Revelations Cycle #1) by Mark Wandrey

Air Awakens (Air Awakens #1) by Elise Kova

Dominator (Vicky Peterwald #4) by Mike Shepherd

Kris Longknife's Relief: Grand Admiral Santiago on Alwa Station (Kris Longknife #15.6) by Mike Shepherd

Through Hell Should Bar the Way (Lt. Leary #12) by David Drake

Admiral (Kris Longknife #16) by Mike Shepherd

Persepolis Rising (The Expanse #7) by James S. A. Corey

What am I looking forward to in 2019? Same questions as the previous couple of years: where is the Song of Ice and Fire #6 Winds of Winter, The Kingkiller Chronicle #3,  and Gentleman Bastard #4?  Looking forward to Through Fiery Trials by David Weber, Tiamat's Wrath by James S.A. Corey, Siege of Stone by Terry Goodkind, and ANYTHING by Brandon Sanderson (Starsight?, Wax & Wayne #4).

[william]

Here is my annual post to list the top rated (by me) books I read each year.  For 2017, these include both books I read and listened to, as well as, novellas, short story's and re-reads.  I pulled this info from my Goodreads profile.  Needless to say, all of these are highly recommended.

5 Star:

Alcatraz Versus the Evil Librarians (Alcatraz #1) by Brandon Sanderson

Gateway (Heechee Saga #1) by Frederick Pohl - reread

City of Miracles (The Divine Cities #3) by Robert Jackson Bennett

The Sunset Warrior (The Sunset Warrior Cycle #1) by Eric Van Lustbader - reread

4 Star:

The Little Ships ( Alexis Carew #3) by J.A. Sutherland

We Are Legion (Bobiverse #1) by Dennis E. Taylor

For We Are Many (Bobiverse #2) by Dennis E. Taylor

All These Worlds (Bobiverse #3) by Dennis E. Taylor

Starship Mage: Ominbus (Starship Mage #1) by Glynn Stewart

The Fifth Season (The Broken Earth #1) by N.K. Jemisin

The Obelisk Gate (The Broken Earth #2) by N.K. Jemisin

The Invisible Library (The Invisible Library #1) by Genevieve Cogman

A Long Way to a Small Angry Planet (Wayfarer's #1) by Becky Chambers

Death's Mistress (Sister of Darkness: The Nicci Chronicles #1) by Terry Goodkind

Skullsworn by Brian Staveley

Pilot X by Tom Merritt

Arcanum Unbounded: The Cosmere Collection by Brandon Sanderson

The Tale of the Wicked (short story) by John Scalzi

What am I looking forward to in 2018? Same questions as last year: where is the Song of Ice and Fire #6 Winds of Winter, The Kingkiller Chronicle #3,  and Gentleman Bastard #4?  Already reading Oathbringer (The Stormlight Archive #3).  Next is Persepolis Rising (The Expanse #7), Shroud of Eternity (Sister of Darkness: The Nicci Chronicles #2).

[william]

Here is my annual post to list the top rated (by me) books I read each year.  For 2016, these include both books I read and listened to, as well as, novellas, short story's and re-reads.  I pulled this info from my Goodreads profile.  Needless to say, all of these are highly recommended.

5 Star: The Last Mortal Bond (Chronicle of the Unhewn Throne #3) by Brian Staveley The Dispatcher by John Scalzi Ready Player One by Ernest Cline The Rook The Checquy Files #1) by Daniel O’Malley A New Hope: The Princess, The Scoundrel and the Farm Boy by Alexandra Bracken

4 Star: Blood Song (Ravens Shadow #1) by Ryan Anthony Tower Lord (Ravens Shadow #2) by Ryan Anthony Queen of Fire (Ravens Shadow #3) by Ryan Anthony Firstborn by Brandon Sanderson Calamity (Reckoners #3) by Brandon Sanderson Marauder (The Shoal Sequence #4) by Gary Gibson Shattered Spear (The Lost Starts #4) by Jack Campbell Bold (Kris Longknife #14) by Mike Shepherd At the Sign of Triumph (Safehold #9) by David Weber De Oppresso Liber (Hayden War #6) by Evan Currie The Bands of Morning (Mistborn #6) by Brandon Sanderson Gentleman Jole and the Red Queen by Lois McMaster Bujold Son of the Black Sword (Saga of the Forgotten Warrior #1) by Larry Correia Secret History (Mistborn #3.5) by Brandon Sanderson Into the Dark (Alexis Carew #1) by J.A. Sutherland Warrior King (Odyssey One, #5) by Evan Currie City of Blades (The Divine Cities #2) by Robert Jackson Bennett

What am I looking forward to in 2017? Same questions as last year: where is the Song of Ice and Fire #6 Winds of Winter, The Kingkiller Chronicle #3, Gentleman Bastard #4, and The Stormlight Archive #3?  Already finished and loved Babylon Ashes (The Expanse #6) on January 1, 2017.  Looking forward to The Lost Metal (Mistborn #7), City of Miracles (Devine Cities #3), and anything by Joe Abercrombie.

[william]

I replaced the original Hue Bridge with the new square shaped HomeKit compatible Bridge.  

Unfortunately, no matter what I did, I could not connect my original Hue lights to that bridge.  More recent purchased lights connected no problem.  But the 3 original A style lights would not.  And I tried everything.  Reseting, uninstalling, auto find, manual find, changing channel, etc... even holding the light and bridge so they were touching.  No luck.  

I was not going to call the Hue 800 support number, as they would just have me redo everything I had already done.  Then I found this tweet.

After downloading and executing, a program ran that walked me through each of the 3 lights and connected them. Easy peasy.  Not sure why it is so hard to find this and so easy to use.

[william]

Setting up the SSH Proxy server on your Macmini is not super difficult.  Of course I have a tech friend who helps.  So I have an older MacMini that is sitting around and thought this a good project.  I use to have an Atom based Linux machine that did this for me, but it finally died.

 This is to run from a Windows machine and proxy through my home MacMini so all of my internet surfing is via the MacMini at home vs. the network in which the window machine resides (work, coffee house, airport, etc..).  So here goes...

You will do this by installing MacPorts and install Squid3 from the MacPorts repository.  http://ift.tt/19V8lrI

MacPorts requires XCode and XCode command line tools to be installed 1st. 

Download XCode from Apple Store and Install

Once installed you need to agree to the license, open XCode and run:

$ sudo xcodebuild -license

Download MacPorts for your version of OS X.  I am running ElCapitan on my MacMini

http://ift.tt/1jshVXY

MacPorts-2.3.4.10.11-ElCapitan.pkg

Once downloaded, doubleclick package and install MacPorts.

Once install is completed, confirm installation by launching a new terminal window and using port.

$ port version

Note, MacPorts base upgrades are performed automatically during a selfupdate operation.  To upgrade from a source, just repeat prior steps.

A guide can be found at http://ift.tt/1Ui28NS

Now install Squid.

To see what version of Squid is available: http://ift.tt/1YR7iab

I am installing Squid3.  In a new terminal window:

$ sudo port install squid3

This process can take some time, so have a beer.

You may get told during the install that you will need to download and install java.

Meanwhile you can set up your static ip address and port forwarding features in your router.

I use DynDNS for my static IP service.  They do cost.   Other alternatives are DuckDNS and NOIP.

Once you have your static address, you will now want to port forward calls to that address to your server.  You can either set this up within your router (every router has a different way, check the manufactures website) or install updater clients (for DynDNS - http://ift.tt/1Ui27JQ).

From your Windows machine you will use PuTTY SSH client to set up the tunnel.  Download PuTTY from putty.org.

Also download the PuTTYgen application.

In Putty, you will need to set up your configuration:

Session: Put in your static IP address in Host Name.  Port should be 22 and connection type SSH.  Name and save the profile/session.

When ever you need to save the Profile/Session, return to the Session categoary, make sure your saved session is loaded and select save.

Load the profile to continue to modify if needed.

Connection/Data: put in your Auto-login username for the MacMini and save the profile again.

SSH/Tunnels: Source Port = 3128; Destination = Localhost:3128

Save the profile.

Run the PuTTYgen application to generate your RSA key.  Once generated, save the private key to your Windows Desktop or a folder you specify.  I save into a folder called .shh 

Copy the key under "Public key for pasting into OpenSSH authorized_keys file:"

From the terminal on the MacMini crearte a folder in your mac user folder ".ssh"

$ mkdir .ssh   

$ cd .ssh

$ cat > authorized_keys

Now right click and paste the public key stream you copied.

Hit CTRL-D, then Enter.

To check your work:

$ cat authorized_keys

Should show you your key.

Now check the folder:

$ pwd

Path should be /Users/yourusername/.ssh

Now load your private key into PuTTY session.  Open PuTTY, load your profile.  From the Connection/ssh/auth tab, browse to your .ppk private key and click save.  Be sure to save your profile.

DO NOT MOVE YOUR .ppk PRIVATE KEY on the windows machine.

Now launch your profile in PuTTY and it should auto log into your MacMini SSH Proxy.

You can create a shortcut on your Windows desktop to run the tunnel quickly: putty.exe 'load "profile/session name"

Using Google Chrome on my Windows machine, I use Proxy SwitchySharp extension.  I create a Proxy profile manual configuration for 127.0.0.1 port 3128.  This makes it easy for switch use of the proxy on and off in Chrome without affecting anything else running on the Windows machine.

On my MacBook Air, which is my travel laptop, I run a cool program called SideStep.  It is always running and checking my connection to the internet and any wireless network you may connect to that is not secured, it automatically will encrypt and reroute through my SSH Proxy to keep me safe.

 Note:  This post is really for my own documentation and not complete instructions for anyone to do.  I guess what I am really saying, is if you have problems, don't come to me.  Ask a tech friend like I do.

[william]

Here is my annual post to list the top rated (by me) books I read each year.  For 2015, these include both books I read and listened to, as well as, novellas, short story's and re-reads.  I pulled this info from my Goodreads profile.  Needless to say, all of these are highly recommended.

5 Star:

Nemesis Games (Expanse #5) by James S.A. Corey (Audible)

Half the World (Shattered Sea #2) by Joe Abercrobie (Audible)

The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman (Audible)

4 Star:

Half a War (Shattered Sea #3) by Joe Abercrombie (Audible)

The Rithmatist by Brandon Sanderson (Audible)

Stonefather (Mither Mages # 0.5) by Orson Scott Card (Audible)

Uprooted by Naomi Novik (Audible)

Leviathan (The Lost Fleet:Beyond the Frontier #5) by Jack Campbell (Audible)

Ruins (Pathfinder #2) by Orson Scott Card (Audible)

Shadows of Self (Mistborn #5) by Brandon Sanderson

Originator (Cassandra Kresnov #6) by Joel Shepherd

Firefight (Reckoners #2) by Brandon Sanderson

Hell's Foundation Quiver (Safehold #8) by David Weber

City of Stars by Robert Jackson Bennett

Unrelenting (Kris Longknife #13) by Mike Shepherd

Perfect State by Brandon Sanderson

What am I looking forward to in 2016? Calamity (Reckoners #3), The Last Mortal Bond (Chronicle of the Unhewn Throne #3), The Bands of Mourning (Mistborn #6), Sharp Ends (First Law #7), Death's Bright Day (RCN Daniel Leary #11).   And where is the Song of Ice and Fire #6, The Kingkiller Chronicle #3, Gentleman Bastard #4, and The Stormlight Archive #3?

[william]

I forgot to post this last year.  So here it is.

 Here is my annual post to list the top rated (by me) books I read each year.  For 2015, these include both books I read and listened to, as well as, novellas, short story's and re-reads.  I pulled this info from my Goodreads profile.  Needless to say, all of these are highly recommended.

5 Star:

Pathfinder by Orson Scott Card (Audible)

Words of Radiance (Stormlight Archive #2) by Brandon Sanderson (Audible)

The Way of Kings (Stormlight Archive #1) by Brandon Sanderson (Re-read) (Audible)

The Emperor's Blades (Chronicle of the Unhewn Throne #1) by Brian Staveley (Audible) - My review here

Dorsai! (Dorsai Series #1) by Gordon R Dickson (re-read) (Audible)

4 Star:

Skin Deep (Legion #2) by Brandon Sanderson (Audible)

Coming Home (Alex Benedict #7) by Jack McDevitt (Audible)

Imperfect Sword (The Lost Stars #3) by Jack Campbell (Audible)

Half A King (Shattered Sea #1) by Joe Abercrombie (Audible)

The Magician's Land (The Magicians #3) by Lev Grossman (Audible)

What Distand Deeps (Lt. Leary #8) David Drake (Audible)

The Thousand Emperors by Gary Gibson (Audible)

In the Stormy Red Sky (Lt. Leary #7) by David Drake (Audible)

The High Druid's Blade (Defenders of Shannara #1) by Terry Brooks (Audible)

Final Days by Gary Gibson (Audible)

Operation Shield (Cassandra Kresnov #5) by Joel Shepherd (Kindle)

Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman!: Adventures of a Curious Character by Richard P. Feynman (Audible)

To Honor You Call Us (Man of War #1) by Paul H. Honsinger (Audible)

23 Years on Fire (Cassandra Kresnov #4) by Joel Shepherd (Kindle)

 What am I looking forward to in 2015?  Follow up to The Emperor's Blades, Defenders of Shannara #2, Cassandra Kresonov #4.

[william]

I have used the Apple Watch for a week now and wanted to share my first impressions and observations.  Not going to review specific features or how to's, but just things I have noticed.

First, it is a nice looking watch.  I received the 42mm Stainless Steel model and when I opened the box, my first thought was that it is smaller than expected.  The watch face was smaller and the thickness was thinner than my expectation.  No, I did not go into an Apple Store to view one or try one on before ordering and receiving mine.  My expectation was a big pillow shaped watch.   It is much sleeker than expected.

Screen is amazing.  So clear and bright.  Love the OLED.  The user interface takes a bit of time to get use to.  Thus all of the Apple demo's on their site.  It is not intuitive.   You have to learn new ways of doing things (buttons vs. swipes, etc..).  But it does get easier to use each day and slowly becomes second nature.

Not sure about the utility of most of the apps that can be used from your iPhone.  Certainly not going to read Yahoo News on my watch.  My advice is to select the option to "NOT" install all the apps during setup.  Only install the ones you really want to use as you need them.  That said, some are more convenient on the Watch than on the phone. Checking status of Apple orders on my iPhone Apple Store App requires a lot more work than checking on the Watch.  My package tracking app is quicker and easier on the Watch as well.

Some frustrations has been getting my calendar onto the phone (does not want my Work Outlook Calendar for some reason) which seems to pick and choose at random and receiving appropriate notifications on the watch.  Everything looks set up correctly but it is not working consistently.  Rebooting both phone and watch did help a little.  Even a wipe and start over did not fix the issue completely. Now am syncing one way from Outlook to Google Calendar.  Still a work in progress.   Which brings me to the biggest problem...

Notifications is frustrating since on both my Pebble and Fitbit, it worked perfectly.  In fact, on my Fitbit, I would get the notification there before they popped up on the iPhone screen!  This should be the simplest, most basic thing to work... and it seems hit and miss on the watch.  Some may come 30 seconds after the notification on the phone or not at all.  Over time it seems to be getting better, but still a few issues. What I do like with Messages and notifications is based upon the content of the message, it provides one touch answers.  For example, my wife sent a message asking if I wanted the usual or something new from a restaurant for a to go order.  When I selected “reply”, the first two options to send where “the usual” and “something new”.  One click of “the usual” and response done.

Another big issue is I have 2 Apple ID's.  A main ID that I use for most everything, and another just for iCloud.  The watch will only allow me to use the iCloud ID.  It does not give you the option to put in the username for the ID I want to use, it just pulls it from your phone (I guess) and wants the password.  I have found no work around.  I even deactivated iCloud on my iPhone and reset the watch and installed again.  No change.   I tend to believe this is the source to my calendar and notifications issues?

The watch also seems to be affecting my battery on the iPhone more than expected.  That may be from me in the Watch App customizing everything over and over.  But I will keep an eye out.  But the battery on the Watch itself seems pretty good.  One day it ran for 15 hrs and was still around 40% left, even with fitness activities on the Watch used that day.  

Other abnormalities that have started since pairing the watch with my iphone.  When using some bluetooth headphones, they loose connection all of the time. Coincidence?  I did not have that problem before. 

I can only hope that Apple will fix some of these issues.  I am prepared for them as I know I was getting a 1st generation product and would be a tester.  It was expected.

Has it or will it replace my Fitbit?  Yes and No.  It will replace the Surge, but because the watch can not be used while sleeping, I will go back to a simpler Fitbit model.  I love the Fitbit sleep tracking and alarm feature to wake me in the morning (no noise!).  Also I am so invested in the data from the Fitbit, it is difficult to quit cold turkey.  So yes, I will be one of those nerds with both.

[william]

As part of my ongoing attempts at organization for life and work, I have tried to tackle To-Do List (see prior post from December 2008) and am now reviewing note taking applications, some of...

[william]

I love the idea of eBooks. I have been an eBook reader for years since I had Microsoft Reader on my iPaq. Now I have a Kindle and iPhone and this means I have more books to read than I really can...

[william]

My story with Symantec’s Norton began a few months ago when I upgraded a number of my computers to Windows 7.  Symantec released a beta version for Windows 7, but they would only give you a trial...

[william]

Unfortunately, the Apple iPhone does not allow multiple processes to run at the same time.  This has been a topic since it’s origin.  Although this has not been an issue for me since 1.0, now that...

[william]

Not only can I use Slingplayer via 3G, any other WiFi required iPhone application I now can use via 3G.

The key is not to use AT&T, but to use Verizon.  But how to use Verizon on the iPhone?  Well,...

[william]

I have been an AT&T wireless customer for more than 10 years. Unlike many cellphone users, I have actually had a satisfactory time and have not even considered leaving.

NOW EVERYTHING HAS CHANGED.

[william]

Why AT&T now SUCKS!

I have been an AT&T wireless customer for more than 10 years. Unlike many cellphone users, I have actually had a satisfactory time and have not even considered leaving. NOW EVERYTHING HAS CHANGED. AT&T changes wireless data plan terms.

[william]

It is one of those days with nothing but meetings. #

@leebennett @AccuWxOrlando avatar is not showing in Tweetdeck as well. in reply to leebennett #

Meetings make me sleepy. #

[william]

It is one of those days with nothing but meetings. #

@leebennett @AccuWxOrlando avatar is not showing in Tweetdeck as well. in reply to leebennett #

Meetings make me sleepy. #