My Desultory Blog

Posted By RichC on May 6, 2017

Our kitchen update is nearly finished and we only have a few touch up items, the correct under the counter LED lights and a freezer door replacement to go. The mounted TV is now working with everything self contained on the sliding mount and everything works off of a single power plug. I’m still having MOCA connection issues and will need to try and reroute a networking cable to try and centrally local in hopes of a stronger connection.

All in all the new pot filler over the gas range is a great addition and am loving the full slab granite work island and counter height eating area. Perhaps the most appreciated change are the three pendant lights over the eating area. This has been a great update and upgrade.

Category: Archive, Misc, Personal, Photos | No Comments »
Tags: 4k TV, construction, granite, kitchen, project, remodel, upgrade

Posted By RichC on May 5, 2017

Ever since the switch from Time Warner to Cincinnati Bell Fioptics, the Raspberry Pi2 and Pi3 that I’ve been using for testbed Linux servers have been out of commission. I’m struggling to come up with a way to bypass the Port 80 block that CB and many ISPs put in place to protect users equipment (that is the theory). About the only option that might work semi-well is to use a different port and services from a company like no-ip.org. Currently the Raspberry Pi 3 is running on port 8080 so it looks as if it might work? (Still looking for self directed options tho)

Port 80 Redirect: This option needs to be used if your ISP blocks port 80 like most commonly do.  It enables you to reach your server without having to type the port after the hostname.

Example: Without Port 80 redirect you would have to type in the following into your browser: yourhost.no-ip.org:8080.

Category: Raspberry Pi, Technology | No Comments »
Tags: apache, blocking, isp, port 80, raspberry pi, server

Posted By RichC on May 4, 2017

The contractor that dented our Samsung refrigerator ask me to get a replacement freezer door so I called J & J International  at 800-627-4368 and had to log a case #149782 and give them our model and serial number before they could research and price the part. Hopefully if I order it they will continue to honor my reimbursement?

Perhaps I’ll hold back the amount on my final payment as they are closing in on finishing up. Today they are grouting the backsplash subway tile, adding the final trim, staining the floors, touching up paint and installing the cooktop. We are nearly done after being under kitchen construction for 2 months.

 
Backsplash tile going in and the hanging of our crystal “birdcage” lights (don’t call them that around Brenda or I’ll have to replace them!!!)

Category: Archive, Misc, Personal, Photos | No Comments »
Tags: birdcage, construction, dent, door, freezer, kitchen, refrigerator, remodel, subway, tile

Posted By RichC on May 3, 2017

A lightning strike looked as if it had taken out my Epson Workforce 545 multifunction fax/scanner/printer/copier … which of all the office devices is probably the one I could most afford to lose. I suspect the "jolt" or whatever caused catastrophic failure came over the phone line, since devices plugged into the wall, APC unit or surge strips are fine … although my iMac did have an immediate shutdown requiring an SMC reset.

After talking with Epson support, I opted to pick up a refurbished Epson Workforce GT-1500 scanner since a fax machine is no longer really necessary. I’ll miss the quick copies, but can still scan and print when necessary I suppose?

After having all-in-one units for years now it seems unusual to go back to only a scanner? I can still remember my first $1500 which was hardly capable of a quality usable in offset printing. We use to enlarge images on the process camera in the darkroom (stats) and "then" scan them in oversize so as to have more pixels to use in "Desk Top Publishing" of catalogs and newsletter for clients. Oh the good ol’ days!

Epson WorkForce GT-1500 Color Document Scanner – Refurbished

Get superior image quality and enhanced productivity from the WorkForce GT-1500 color document imaging scanner. This easy-to-use scanner offers the versatility you need to create PDFs, electronically archive important documents or share records with your workgroup. Use the high-capacity Automatic Document Feeder to quickly scan a variety of sizes up to 8.5×14. And, it not only offers greater productivity, it ensures more efficient operation. With innovative ReadyScan™ LED technology, there’s no warmup time required. It’s all right at your fingertips with the WorkForce GT-1500, a powerful performer available at an amazing value.

• Achieve superior clarity and detail with remarkable 1200 x 2400 dpi resolution
• Take on any project with easy, one-touch scanning to PDF, email and more
• Enjoy greater productivity with scans up to 20 ppm
• Quickly scan stacks of documents with the high-capacity
• Automatic Document Feeder — holds up to 40 pages at one time, for quick and efficient scanning
• Organize scanned documents with the easy-to-use document management software included
• Scan originals in a variety of sizes- from 5.9 x 5.9 to 8.5 x 14
• Enjoy more efficient operation with exclusive ReadyScan LED technology — no warmup time and fast scanning speeds
• Rest easy with earth-friendly LED technology — no mercury included and lower power consumption

Category: Computer, Shopping, Technology, Weather | 1 Comment »
Tags: copier, epson, gt-1500, lightning, multifunction, office, scanner, workforce

Posted By RichC on May 2, 2017

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Category: Personal, Photos | No Comments »
Tags: annalyn, babysitting, brenda, drew, family, katelyn, lagoon, lake erie, ohio, panarama, slideshow, toledo

Posted By RichC on May 1, 2017

The rate of U.S. inflation for March was slower than expected just one month after hitting a five-year peak. The number reflects lower gasoline and consumer goods prices, including automobiles. Thiis could ease pressure on the Federal Reserve to raise interest rates, even though central banks have telegraphed increases this year. The U.S. economy is still growing steadily, the stock market is at a record high, unemployment is 4.5% which is low and wages are on the rise along with a growing shortage of skilled workers. All in all, the economy is set for growth especially if the two big legislative items get done this year: 1) reforming Obamacare and 2) tax reform — especially lowering corporate tax rates and the repatriation of billions of overseas dollars.

Category: Financial, News | No Comments »
Tags: economy, finance, health care, inflation, obamacare, reform, taxes

Posted By RichC on April 30, 2017

The BMW X5 35d is still without a new battery as the replacement batch is still not available to ship. I’m hoping the new mid-May date for delivery will not be postponed again.

Last week just as I was running out the door for the airport, the car would not start again. Seemed to have happened out of the blue and a quick check of the battery voltage read 10.76 volts … not enough to start the car even with the jumper pack. I added the charger and could not get it to a starting voltage before needed to leave, so left it on the charger for a few days and took the "old reliable" 1982 Mercedes 300D Turbodiesel. It seems amazing that I have more confidence in that old diesel than the newer 2010 BMW … but there is obviously something wrong. Saturday I tinkered a bit to see if I could spot a big enough phantom leak in the system to take a fully charged battery down to 10.76 volts over night, or if there is truly a bad cell in the new AGM battery. Every reading I pulled on the battery indicated "BAD" so still assume that the battery is at fault. BUT … I’ve been monitoring the drain on the battery and at its fully shutdown "low" drain mode, it is still pulling about 1.26 amps (that is not enough to drain the battery IMHO and part of that drain is the small red "close the rear hatch" light that stays on even after disconnecting the normal courtesy hatch open lights).

Category: Automotive, BMW, Diesel, Mercedes | 2 Comments »
Tags: 300d, automotive, battery, BMW, diesel, mercedes, x5 35d

Posted By RichC on April 29, 2017

Just as I was beginning to “once again” ponder the wisdom of keeping our sailboat in Florida while still working, taking care of a home and being pulled in different directions … an early morning walk back to Encore reminded me that it is healthy to slow down, de-stress and appreciate the daily paintings He makes for us. So thankful.

Category: Art, Faith, Personal, Photos, Sailing | No Comments »
Tags: encore, marina, sailboat, sunrise

Posted By RichC on April 28, 2017

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Category: Archive, Automotive, Aviation, Blogs, BMW, Diesel, Memories, Personal, Photos, Sailing, Volkswagen | 4 Comments »
Tags: annalyn, anniversary, blog, BMW, family, friends, jetta, mercedes, tdi, volkswagen, x5 35d

Posted By RichC on April 27, 2017

Once a cloud-computing software security darling, FireEye has taken it on the chin and then some. Concerns still abound, but from most accounts, a bottom in stock price may have been found. It is particularly encouraging that Goldman’s Gabriela Borges, a software security analyst, has issued a “buy” recommendation and believes the stock will rally 18% over the next 6 months.

For me, this could be another 2017  “in and out” trade unless we see contracts renewed and more growth on the horizon.  Because the expectations are low and many investors have been hurt and likely afraid to get back into FireEye, it might take a “show me” moment to attract investors again? If you are a tech oriented investor with some risk-tolerance and want in before the “show me” moment, FireEye (FEYE) maybe a stock to buy. For me, I wouldn’t mind being out before the end of May if FEYE is up 7% or so … if not …no sweat considering it is currently priced close to a consensus bottom.

Category: Financial, Tidbits | 3 Comments »
Tags: feye, finance, fireeye, investing, market, stocks, trading, wall street