ssl grade a

Editing my /etc/apache2/mods-available/ssl.conf to use the following SSLCipherSuite changed my grade from SSLabs from B to A!

SSLProtocol ALL -SSLv2 -SSLv3 -TLSv1
SSLHonorCipherOrder on
SSLCipherSuite ECDH+AESGCM:DH+AESGCM:ECDH+AES256:DH+AES256:ECDH+AES128:DH+AES:ECDH+3DES:DH+3DES:RSA+AESGCM:RSA+AES:RSA+3DES:!aNULL:!MD5:!DSS

Check it out:
https://www.ssllabs.com/ssltest/analyze.html?d=strawberrybricks.com

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bracket: dropbox vs google drive

If using a Browser, Google Drive wins. If on a local computer, draw.

raspberry pi 3

You know, every time I get a new raspberry pi computer, a month or so later there’s a new and improved model out. So that rPi 2 B I got the kids for Xmas is now rendered obsolete by the latest rPi 3 B. Built-in wifi and bluetooth, faster processor  from the 64bit 1.2GHz quad-core chipset, faster RAM and GPU, and hopefully the same footprint because I really like the fancy “official” case they are in.

BTW, I did pickup a rPi Zero for $5, but until I find an HDMI-mini to HDMI cable that costs less than $5, I guess it will just remain in its wrapper.

2015 in review

The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2015 annual report for this blog.

Here’s an excerpt:

A San Francisco cable car holds 60 people. This blog was viewed about 2,200 times in 2015. If it were a cable car, it would take about 37 trips to carry that many people.

Click here to see the complete report.

genius (sic)

“I tried following the instructions on that site but unfortunately I don’t really understand what they want me to do. For example I downloaded the correct version but I do not know how to run it at the command line.”

iMod

#IStoodWithAhmed

#IStoodWithAhmed – until he wanted $15,000,000 dollars.

att giving me the hard sell

AT&T is pushing U-Verse in my area, using the hard sell tactic:
“… if we don’t hear from you before 4/25/15, your service maybe temporarily interrupted”.
Of course, there’s nothing more I look forward to more than talking to a sales rep on a phone, and having someone install new equipment in my home.

this one’s going to the ICC

2996_001

2014 in review

The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2014 annual report for this blog.

Here’s an excerpt:

A San Francisco cable car holds 60 people. This blog was viewed about 1,200 times in 2014. If it were a cable car, it would take about 20 trips to carry that many people.

Click here to see the complete report.

fitbit

Exercise or dieting? Well, I completed a clinical study for alternate day fasting, and lost a lot of weight. I’ve kept it off because I’ve changed my eating habits. But being active also has its part. While I was in the study, I wore an activity monitor, and the data it generated gave me an insight into my activity.

I purchased the $99 Fitbit so I could monitor my activity daily. Worn on a wrist band, it automatically captures steps, miles and “very active” minutes, calculates calories burned, and will track your sleep if you bother to manually start that mode. It also serves as a tracking device because it records your steps as they happen. So, yeah that 1246 steps at 11:25pm was coming home from the saloon!

None of this is earth shattering mind you, but more than anything Fitbit keeps me active. If I haven’t meet my daily goals, I take a walk in the evening, or with the kids. It makes me aware of my activity, which, just like stepping on a scale every morning, leads to better decisions on my part.

I’m not sure what “very active” minutes constitutes, but I’m sure it’s something my body needs. Since the basement’s remodel has begun, I’ve spent entire days working, painting, moving, etc., but none seems to count as “very active”. Is it cardio? Also, privacy freaks beware! Although Fitbit connects to your computer or smartphone via bluetooth, all the data it collects must be viewed on their website! Of course, it doesn’t verify your identity, but it is all our there.

on the web: https://www.fitbit.com/