Moving to a New Machine

April 28, 2009 by Austin Seraphin · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Behind the Curtain, Technology 

The time has finally come. I got my Windows computer redone with all new hardware. I thought I’d gradually get my other two Linux machines redone, and continue merrily along, but Goddess had other plans it seems. This Linux machine may have bad memory, or a bad CMOS battery, or some other evil problem, but it could crash at any keystroke. The other Linux machine, which handles all AuBroadcasting’s streaming and some other duties, has a long and weird history, too much to go into now. With all the talk of consolidation, downsizing, and the like, I have decided to consolidate everything onto one machine, and switch that over to Linux. The Windows machine, since it has reliable new hardware, makes the obvious choice, plus Windows “Repair” whacked it out so the TCP/IP stack works less than optimally. It can see other machines, but they can’t see it, so I would have to redo it anyway.

I always have had one Windows machine, considering it a necessary evil, so this represents a big step for me. Linux will become my primary OS, and I will try to get Windows running on a VM console so I can use the programs which require it, but this truly feels like stepping into my own, where the walk and the talk merge. I know in my heart Linux will provide what I need, but unfortunately some programs only work under Windows, and others use them, so I must as well, like many things in our world.

It really does feel like moving – packing up old things, checking all the nooks and crannies for forgotten long-lost items, and saying good bye to the things that enrage or comfort you, and finally and with a twinge of sadness shutting and locking the door for the final time, before surrendering the keys back to the universal void from whence they came.

This basically means that I will have a bunch of work ahead of me, and probably will go out of touch for a few days at the least. I will try to answer email, and read my twitter and facebook if I can, but I can’t promise anything, so apologize if anyone needs me. If you have my number, then call me if you need anything, or just want to check up, otherwise I’ll see you all on the other side.

Behind the Curtain for 04-26-2009

I had a great show, doing it alone tonight. We covered the benefits of
nasal irrigation (Neti), Obama news, and the latest on the swine flu
outbreak.

Behind the Curtain, Episode 29

We had an ok show, despite some technical difficulties. We covered the following articles, and ended with a little 4/20 fun.

A Rude Awakening

April 18, 2009 by Austin Seraphin · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Behind the Curtain 

I woke up this morning to an awful screeching and scratching coming from my computer’s soundcard, which usually emanates beautiful music. I believe one of the drives in this machine, which began life as someone else’s test machine has crashed. The time has come for a massive reorganization. The plan of attack seems to go something like this: Get two new drives. Backup and reorganize all media to one, as well as all pertinent data from the root drive. Get this machine refurbished. Freshly install Linux on the other new drive, then reintegrate the new media drive.

For now, the archives do not work, but the listen feature does, though that also runs on an unreliable machine built under some very shady conditions by entities unknown. Don’t ask. I’ll keep you up to date as best as I can. Goddess protect us!

Behind the Curtain, Episodes 28

We had a rather unorganized show, as I had just gotten back from my
family’s Easter dinner. Nevertheless, we proceeded.