Category Archives: Tech Stuff

Frameworks – Solution or Problem?

Frameworks are all the rage these days. Frameworks for building web sites. Frameworks for building applications. Frameworks for building databases. Frameworks for building frameworks. Okay, I made the last one up but I’m sure that sufficient noodling around the net … Continue reading

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Cleaning Up an IT Mess

So you have a shiny new job managing the IT infrastructure for Acme Widgets Inc, a company that has been in business for decades. You have barely sat down at your desk when the telephone rings. You pick it up … Continue reading

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Web Hosting

These days, it seems to be cool to select the lowest price option for anything, regardless of the merits of the service selected. In some cases, that is fine. However, one common case where this may not be the best … Continue reading

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Multiple Jobs to Multiple File Volumes in Bacula

I don’t normally go about making howto documents. However, in this case, I have decided to make an exception. In the latest version of Bacula, it is possible to have multiple jobs operating on the same volumeĀ  pool at the … Continue reading

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Ubuntu 11.04 – Unity Fail!

Okay, so Ubuntu 11.04 is out. I braved the stampede and upgraded my notebook just to see what this Unity Desktop brouhaha is all about. The title of this post should give the astute reader the general gist of my … Continue reading

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The Ivory Tower Trap

As recent developments show, the current addressing scheme on the Internet (IPv4) is nearly depleted. There is, fortunately, a replacement scheme called IPv6 which should last some time. In fact, IPv6 has been around in one form or another since … Continue reading

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IANA IPv4 Endgame Arrives

To borrow terminology, the IPv4 middlegame has ended from the perspective of the IANA. Officially, APNIC received two /8s on January 31 (or February 1, depending where you are. I’m in North America so January 31 it is). That leaves … Continue reading

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Ditching Automake and Friends

Some time back, I switching a personal project of mine to using the GNU autotools. At that time, I was overall quite pleased with the GNU build system. However, in the intervening time, I have had more experience with those … Continue reading

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Akismet to the Rescue

Any web site that’s been online for more than a few seconds seems to attract spammers, especially if it supports comment posting or other user generated content. The magnitude of the problem seems to be higher when the site is … Continue reading

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Netbook Aweigh

Have you ever wanted to bugger off somewhere semi-remote to just get away from people? I know I have. However, my idea of enjoying such a location does not involve sitting around staring at the scenery or slogging through random … Continue reading

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