My Desultory Blog

Posted By RichC on April 6, 2016

After buying a new 64GB Samsung EVO+ microSD card and imaging Raspian on it, I started the Raspberry Pi 3 in my home office.  It is now time to start installing software and updating it to make it a proper "micro" webserver … although I already have WordPress and American Pi running on it (even installed PHP7 against my better judgement!). There is still a lot of tweaking still to do, but it is running the LAMP stack pretty well and as a couple favorite apps … like Pianobar (love that Pandora app).  I am amazed how much hotter the Broadcom chip runs when compared to the Pi2 … it even hit 80 degrees C for a few minutes during an install although averages about 60 degrees C (Pi 2 is  in the 40s even when overclocked). I’m starting to think about a little cooling heatsink if I want this microcomputer to remain stable and last a while?

I’ve tried using it a little bit as a desktop Linux computer … and although it is faster than than the Raspberry Pi 2, it is still a sloth.

Category: Computer, Raspberry Pi, Software, Technology | No Comments »
Tags: Computer, linux, micro, pianobar, raspberry pi, webserver

Posted By RichC on April 5, 2016

Love this car and the whole W123 thing!

Category: Automotive, Diesel, Mercedes | No Comments »
Tags: 300d, benz, mercedes, turbodiesel, W123

Posted By RichC on April 5, 2016

Category: Millitary, Photos | No Comments »
Tags: canine, dogs, military

Posted By RichC on April 4, 2016

In order to start working on the BMW X5 35d upgrades this weekend, I ordered a set of "star" sockets known as E-sockets. I picked up the larger set partially because I wanted the plastic storage box … and the Torx bits (already have "some") came with it — Amazon’s price with Prime shipping was $33.90. 

The new AC compressor is now installed and next is figuring out how much to take off in order to access the main headache … the DPF issue (Diesel Particulate Filter). I was quoted an unacceptably high price for this "platinum" device of over $4000 at the BMW dealership. Needless to say … I’ll be doing a little wrenching on my own. (By the way, the navigation maps update using 4 – 16GB micro SD cards in my USB device from the downloaded Torrent files went great … although the process was slow. Current maps went from 2009 to the 2016-2 release, but still don’t have a recent I-75 exit ramp in West Chester/Liberty Twp Ohio. Hmm … so much for current).

After trying to figure out just how much to remove under the car to gain access, I decided to order a BMW E70 X5 Service Manual on eBay in hope it will detail just what is required. So far, this is not easy and is probably the most difficult challenge yet. Here are a couple photos that hardly do justice in figuring out how to gain access. Unfortunately I’m stalled for now …

Category: Automotive, BMW, Diesel, Tools | No Comments »
Tags: BMW, DPF, garage, tools, x5 35d

Posted By RichC on April 3, 2016

This content is restricted.

Category: Archive, Audio, Music, Personal, Photos, Sailing, Travel | 1 Comment »
Tags: block, brenda, drew, encore, family, katelyn, mp3, sailboat, spare parts, toes, zac brown

Posted By RichC on April 2, 2016

We had a few wicked thunderstorms last week while in Florida and enjoyed watching this one “from a distance” in the cockpit of Encore (also a very short clip of Katelyn and Drew heading off to explore distant shores in the Zodiac – below the break).
 

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Category: Sailing, Video, Weather | No Comments »
Tags: drew, encore, family, katelyn, sailboat, thunderstorms, zodiac

Posted By RichC on April 1, 2016

It has been a couple months since I backed the Pine A64 Kickstarter, but I did noticed my credit card was billed last month … meaning it was shipped??? Besides the hint of a March shipment in a previous email, there hasn’t been an update as to "if" the micro 64-bit computer board has left China yet. So you can imagine when a packaged appeared I was excited thinking the computer board was here … but alas … 
it was only a t-shirt.  

Nevertheless, I am anticipating the Pine A64 sometime this month since the earliest backers are receiving their boards … with a few complaints I might add. Hopefully there will not be a problem with my board.

Last week I also stopped at Microcenter and pick up a new Raspberry Pi 3 starter kit … it will be interesting to set both micro computers up together and compare.

Category: Raspberry Pi, Technology | No Comments »
Tags: april, fools, gadgets, pine a64, raspberry pi

Posted By RichC on March 31, 2016

Donna Lange anchored aboard her boat Inspired Insanity (renamed Inspired Sanity, this trip she says) on March 29, 2016 near the Panama Canal

Solo ’round-the-world sailor Donna Lange is safely at anchor west of the Panama Canal after lousy weather stymied her non-stop circumnavigation via the Cape Horn. She detoured after suffering damage and lose of her electronics and will head for a Rhode Island completion after passing through the canal. Her initial plan was to be the first woman to sail nonstop by rounding both capes (Africa and South America) — still, she is on an impressive 2nd rounding. It is a physical undertaking on such a small 28′ boat for a 53 year old. “Keep on, keeping on” Donna!

Donna Lange set out last May from Bristol, RI on a round-the-world voyage and will be making landfall this week in Panama.

Source: Donna Lange Makes Landfall

Category: Sailing | No Comments »
Tags: circumnavigation, donna lange, sailboat, sailing

Posted By RichC on March 30, 2016

According to posts on Twitter and tweets and shares among friends … today is #ManateeAppreciationDay.

My interest in learning about Manatees goes back to the the late 1970s when a small group of us college guys in Ohio  decided to join the "Save the Manatee" campaign. We selfishly used it as a rally to travel to a variety of warmer Florida spots over several years when taking college trips over our breaks. Although we were economically minded and basically camped out on both east and west coasts as well as the Florida Keys … we did spend a little time on the St. Johns River helping with preserves and signage to warn boaters of the presence of these quiet, gentle and large mammals.
Here’s a short video off the stern of Encore; this one particularly liked our Zodiac!

Category: Nature, Sailing | No Comments »
Tags: encore, florida, manatee, sailboat

Posted By RichC on March 30, 2016

Amazon has released a step-by-step guide on how to turn the $35 Raspberry Pi into a voice-controlled assistant.

The instructions demonstrate how to set up the single board computer to use Amazon’s Alexa Voice Service to create a low-cost alternative to the Echo, Amazon’s $180 smart speaker.

Like other online assistants, Amazon’s Alexa responds to voice commands and can set reminders, play music and answer simple questions.

While it was previously possible to use Alexa Voice Service with a Raspberry Pi, by releasing the guide, Amazon has made it simpler for users to gain access to the service.

Alexa is similar to other voice activated companions, although Amazon’s efforts are less prominent than the likes of Apple Siri, Microsoft Cortana or Google Now.

The service is used by the Echo, which is not officially available outside the United States, as well as by free apps on iOS and Android devices, again only available in the US.

However, now, thanks to an extensive post on GitHub by Amazon, all the code required to build a Raspberry Pi version of Alexa is available online.

To build the voice-powered assistant, the guide recommends a second generation Raspberry Pi, a USB mini microphone, an Ethernet cable and a MicroSD memory card, all of which can be acquired for a lower cost than an Echo. Amazon is still looking to make money from these ‘home-made’ devices, however, with the walkthrough linking to these items on its online store.

Source: Raspberry Pi: Amazon releases recipe for baking a low-cost Alexa voice assistant | ZDNet

Category: Computer, Productivity, Raspberry Pi | No Comments »
Tags: Alexa, amazon, assistant, raspberry pi, voice, zdnet