My Desultory Blog

Posted By RichC on April 20, 2014

It is Easter and no matter what else is happening in the world, it is a “Happy” Easter knowing He Lives.

I was reminded the other day just how casual those of us living in a democracy take our freedom to worship … or at least some of need a reminder. My reminder came when a websiite I help manage for my friend Keith Thomas, had its access shut down in China (as well as a couple Islamic countries). The trigger, besides being a Christian Group Bible Study site, seemed to be a Chinese tab that I added early in the week to offer Chinese translations of study materials. Perhaps there is an automatic block in a few of the server locations which are triggered by certain “characters” or  combinations of words … or maybe the servers were just down for several hours? Nevertheless, after removing the “tab” and Chinese characters the site is once again functioning normal. Besides the recent Heartbleed bug, the incident is a good reminder to update server software and update to WordPress 3.9 on several servers.

The Golden Shield Project … or more appropriately, “The Great Firewall of China” with a few method of blocking from Wikipedia noted below:

IP blocking
The access to a certain IP address is denied. If the target Web site is hosted in a shared hosting server, all Web sites on the same server will be blocked. This affects all IP protocols (mostly TCP) such as HTTP, FTP or POP. A typical circumvention method is to find proxies that have access to the target Web sites, but proxies may be jammed or blocked. Some large Web sites allocated additional IP addresses to circumvent the block, but later the block was extended to cover the new addresses.

DNSfiltering and redirection
Doesn’t resolve domain names, or returns incorrect IP addresses. This affects all IP protocols such as HTTP, FTP or POP. A typical circumvention method is to find a domain name server that resolves domain names correctly, but domain name servers are subject to blockage as well, especially IP blocking. Another workaround is to bypass DNS if the IP address is obtainable from other sources and is not blocked. Examples are modifying the Hosts file or typing the IP address instead of the domain name in aWeb browser.

URLfiltering
Scan the requested Uniform Resource Locator (URL) string for target keywords regardless of the domain name specified in the URL. This affects the Hypertext Transfer Protocol. Typical circumvention methods are to use escaped characters in the URL, or to use encrypted protocols such as VPN and SSL.

Packet filtering
Terminate TCP packet transmissions when a certain number of controversial keywords are detected. This affects all TCP protocols such as HTTP, FTP or POP, but Search engine pages are more likely to be censored. Typical circumvention methods are to use encrypted protocols such as VPN and SSL, to escape the HTML content, or reducing the TCP/IP stack‘s MTU, thus reducing the amount of text contained in a given packet.

Connection reset
If a previous TCP connection is blocked by the filter, future connection attempts from both sides will also be blocked for up to 30 minutes. Depending on the location of the block, other users or Web sites may be also blocked if the communications are routed to the location of the block. A circumvention method is to ignore the reset packet sent by the firewall.

How to check sites for restricted access in different countries:

There are at least three reliable services that help you test Internet filtering in China using more or less the same method. They have computers located in different cities of China that try to access your site using the ping command.

If you get a "Packets lost" error or there’s a time-out while connecting to your site, chances are that the site is restricted.

1. Just Ping – They have checkpoints inside Hong Kong and Shanghai in China.

2. Watch Mouse – This service too has monitoring stations inside Hong Kong and Shanghai in China.

3. Website Pulse – In addition to Hong Kong and Shanghai, Website Pulse conducts website connectivity test from a computer located in Beijing as well.

Unlike the previous two services that simply do a ping test, this service connects to your site and tries downloading the complete HTML web page. The total response time shows how long it takes for your website to download.

Category: Blogs, Faith, Holiday, Technology | No Comments »
Tags: blocking, china, easter, firewall, groupbiblestudy, keith thomas, server

Posted By RichC on April 19, 2014

Tom Salt put together a 40th birthday celebration for his 1972 VW Beetle — a drive from Britain to the factory in Germany where the car was built. Nicely done Tom.

Video on Vimeo and a post on Katelyn’s goodbye to her 2001 Volkswagen Jetta TDI.

Category: Automotive, Video, Volkswagen | No Comments »
Tags: beetle, nostalgic, volkswagen

Posted By RichC on April 18, 2014

No doubt you’ve heard about the latest vulnerability on the Internet known as the Heartbleed bug, but like most web users are pretty much helpless to do anything about it. You can change your passwords, run protection and antivirus software, but until the HTTPS sites correct their SSL sites … you’re spinning your wheels.

For some of us, it would just be nice to know when sites have been updated and fixes installed. Enter the ChromeBleed extension for Google Chrome browser users. Add it and watch for warnings, or set options to “show all notifications” to see the “All Good” note. (see CNET tip)

Category: Computer, Technology | No Comments »
Tags: browser, chrome, extension, google, heartbleed, security, techfriday, virus

Posted By RichC on April 18, 2014

Let’s call this a follow up post on tracking fuel economy (or “non-economy”) as I took the opportunity to fill the 1982 Mercedes Benz 300D Turbodiesel with B-20. My station of choice between Mansfield and Columbus Ohio is a Sunoco at the I-71 exit 151 and has carried a variety of domestic renewable fuels including B-2, B-10 and B-20 (biodiesel). The convenience and price are both reasons this station is preferred as I drive by going north and south (station could use a clean up and some relabeling). On Thursday evening the $4.04 price for B-20 was 6 cents per gallon higher than the dino-diesel making it “fairly” priced for an Ohio grown substitute. My advocacy has waned in recent years, but I’m still a supporter of domestically renewable options … sure would love to see it succeed on its own without government intervention … but the convoluted nature of politics and energy are too complex for the average Joe to figure out.

Although I missed a few Fuelly fills, the old Mercedes is going to need an overdrive gear in order to hit 30 mpg. (last 70+ mph all highway 360 miles was 24.81mpg)

Category: Automotive, Biodiesel, Diesel, Mercedes | No Comments »
Tags: b-20, biodiesel, mercedes, ohio, turbodiesel

Posted By RichC on April 17, 2014

I’ve been plagued off and on over the past few years with a check engine light that the computers say indicates cylinder misfiring. It seems to come and go, to the point I begin to ignore it until someone points it out again.

A few years ago, I suspected that I might have had a batch of bad fuel since it seemed to go off after a second or third tank. Then a couple years ago I had my buddy Tim at Mr. Godwrench replace the plugs and wires (not like the old days … or a diesel – grin!) thinking having so many miles on the original could be part of the problem. BUT … it appeared and disappeared off and on again.

Then it hit me after watching Motorweek’s Pat Goss discussing cleaning out the throttle body, injections components and build-up on pistons and cylinders, that it might be the fuel.

Since Shell Oil  loyalist, my wife Brenda, was in the car on a recent 2200 mile drive, we ran almost entirely Shell’s Nitrogen-enriched gasoline — PDF. Unlike my better half, I tend to shop for the cheapest regular unleaded that I can find … Brenda on the other hand will only burn Shell gasoline. Interestingly, the light came on after running another brand of fuel and now has been off since I’ve only filled with Shell. Maybe there is something to the quality of fuel being sold by different companies or the “cleaning and protective barrier” claims advertised by Shell? My situation has me once again rethinking my position on what I suspect is just a snake oil  additive business.

WHY SHOULD YOU USE SHELL NITROGEN ENRICHED GASOLINE?

• It is the only gasoline that contains the patented and exclusive Shell Nitrogen Enriched Cleaning System
• Extensively tested for more than half-million miles in various engines and vehicles
• Actively cleans performance-robbing gunk from intake values and fuel injectors
• Acts like a protective barrier to shield fuel injectors and intake valves against future gunk build up
• Exceeds the stringent requirements of the world’s top automakers –  Audi, BMW, General Motors, Honda, Toyota and Volkswagen – and is certified as a TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline
• No other gasoline protects better!

 

HOW DOES THE SHELL NITROGEN ENRICHED CLEANING SYSTEM WORK?

The Shell Nitrogen Enriched Cleaning System uses a patented molecule, which cleans and protects intake valves and fuel injectors. Enriching the molecule with nitrogen makes it more thermally stable and therefore more effective in tough engine conditions with higher temperatures and increased pressures. This is particularly important in modern fuel-efficient engines to prevent the breakdown of cleaning agents.

The Nitrogen Enriched Cleaning System gives all three grades of Shell gasoline the ability to clean up gunk on intake valves and fuel injectors. Industry data indicate and car manufacturers recognize that a clean engine is more fuel-efficient, produces fewer emissions and allows vehicles to perform at their best.

LINK

Category: Automotive | 2 Comments »
Tags: auto, engine, honda, maintenance

Posted By RichC on April 16, 2014

It is official … my daughter Katelyn is no longer driving a Volkswagen, let alone a TDI. She made the decision to go with a Nissan Juke which has her really excited. So far she loves this little cute CUV, although definitely will miss her little diesel. The new Juke has all the features she was looking for and was at a price point that made it more affordable than the Tiguan. Great technology, good gas mileage 27/32 mpg, sporty turbocharged engine, all wheel drive, great quality fit and finish along with snazzy youthful styling that appeals to Katelyn … and did I say is was RED?

 
I can’t wait to see it … but also worry that my wife Brenda will want a new car.

Category: Automotive, Personal, Photos | 4 Comments »
Tags: family, juke, katelyn, nissan

Posted By RichC on April 15, 2014

Heritage.org

Category: Financial, Politics | No Comments »
Tags: federal, government, graphic, heritage, taxday

Posted By RichC on April 15, 2014

From weekend spring brush clearing to snow. It doesn’t look as if the 2013-1024 winter wants to leave?

I was out feeding Tootsie this Tuesday morning in just a sweatshirt, and although it wasn’t necessarily springtime warm, it wasn’t really “wintery cold” either. The fresh overnight snow was wet enough for packing so it gave me one more chance to make an “I’m BAAACK!” reminder.

Category: Photos, Weather | 2 Comments »
Tags: cincinnati, ohio, snow, snowman, weather

Posted By RichC on April 14, 2014

I found some dinosaur bones while clearing brush on Saturday … as I joked on Facebook (photo above left). Actually it is probably a raccoon or possum and it is much better finding the fully decayed bones rather than gagging while having to bury the dead carcass!

It is amazing at just how invasive the Honeysuckles, Poison Ivy and wicked “rose-stem-like” vines are when they take over a woods or fence line. I could work every day and still have to start clearing all over again in another year. I’m feeling a real kinship with our “brush clearing” President George W. Bush. I do miss his integrity and down to earth personality. Maybe we’ll get a few of those attributes back with our next president?

Category: Personal, Photos, Politics | No Comments »
Tags: brush, clean up, clearing, gwbush, woods, yard

Posted By RichC on April 13, 2014

According to the folks at Autoguide, Volkswagen will be following the  VW Jetta Sportwagen with Golf SportWagen in 2015 and is teasing us with a diesel variant. The new TDI concept proposes an all-wheel drive 2.0-liter powerplant called the EA288 diesel. This new diesel would offer 10 more horsepower over the current diesel and could come in both a six-speed manual or 6-speed DSG automatic. The  1.8-liter gasoline model is slated to hit dealer showrooms in early 2015 and will be available with LED daytime running lights, Xenon headlights, a panoramic sunroof and 12-way power driver’s seat. The larger than a Golf, but smaller Jetta SportWagen could be the ideal car for many Americans who love utility of smaller all-wheel drive SUVs, but want their next car to have improved fuel economy. Volkswagen has not published any MPG numbers for the new concept, but one would think they should be close to VW’s other TDIs (click image for larger chart).

Category: Automotive, Diesel, Volkswagen | No Comments »
Tags: autoguide, concept, diesel, sportwagen, tdi, volkswagen