Stefan’s Stuff

Lot of things going on.
Minor:
We are now using Verizon FIOS (see speedtest results). After having one issue or another with TWC every week, it just got too tiring. When VZ called me up and  I priced out FIOS for TV, Phone and Internet, It’s just cheaper for me and my wife. On top of that, we get faster Internet, all HD channels we want, and the DVR works better. So, for now, we’re happy with Verizon FIOS. Since it is a NEW Fiber optic line coming into the house, I hope this eliminates all the issues I had with the original Copper line.

I have NOT been able to do many Photo Walk abouts in the last 6 months but I have joined a Camera Club at work. It’s fun and I have a chance to meet and network with new people. The Club covers events for work and is a lot of fun.

Major:
My Wife and I are expecting a Baby. Needless to say, we are happy to add to our Family!

It’s been years since I did any Javascript programing, but I had a simple problem and decided to dive into it.

Like many of the little programs I write, I had a “problem” and wanted to solve it. I wanted a convenient link on the photo page to cut and paste the short URL of FLickr Images.  Look at this URL for a nice photo my wife took:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/s_d/3665619548/

As a URL goes, not too bad, but suppose you wanted to insert the link in
Twitter or Facebook? It’s a little verbose.  Wouldn’t this be better?

http://flic.kr/p/6zVfZ3

Yep, I think so too and so does Flickr:
http://www.flickr.com/services/api/misc.urls.html#short
http://www.flickr.com/groups/api/discuss/72157616713786392/
This thread showed how to do it: http://www.flickr.com/groups/api/discuss/72157616713786392/

The FlickrBase58 function in the script was written entirely by ‘Xenocryst @ Antares Scorpii’
http://www.flickr.com/people/antares/

Other than reformating, taken verbatim from link here
http://www.flickr.com/groups/api/discuss/72157616713786392/72157620673064673/

The Original way *I* wrote it was to retrieve the HTML, Parse it for
<link rev=”canonical” type=”text/html” href=”http://flic.kr/p/6zVfZ3″ >

And use that link. While fun to write, that’s the wrong way to do it so I rewrote it to use the function written by ‘Xenocryst @ Antares Scorpii’ .  When installed on Firefox running the Greasemonkey extension, it will insert a link on the page on the right side just under “Flag your photo” that says:

The Flic.kr link is: http://flic.kr/p/6zVfZ3

This will allow you to right click the URL, copy it and paste into Twitter or Facebook.

Here is the script.

NOTE: I’m pretty certain it’s harmless, but use at your own risk. It’s hardly great programming and I’m sure someone else would have done it too, if not better.

Music I’m listening to right Now:
“Paralyzer ” by Finger Eleven from the “Them VS. You VS. Me” Album.

“Flickr Comment Tools” is a great Greasemonkey script that I use everyday but under Firefox 3.5, it would not insert emoticons. Finally fixed it, It was a simple change that was driving me nuts… As I posted here:

S.D. says:

Got it.

Change this:
ifrm.contentDocument.execCommand(‘inserthtml’,false,’<a title=”Smilies” style=”background:white !important;” href=”http://www.ts0.com/flickrcommenttools/”><img align=”absmiddle” style=”vertical-align:middle;” src=”‘+this.url+’” border=”0″></a>’);

to:
ifrm.contentDocument.execCommand(‘inserthtml’,false,’<a title=”Smilies” style=”background:white !important;” href=”http://www.ts0.com/flickrcommenttools/”><img align=”absmiddle” style=”vertical-align:middle;” src=”‘+this.src+’” border=”0″></a>’);

Music I’m listening to now:
Nothing at the moment

Ok, It’s been quite a while since I updated my blog, so here is a rundown:

• I’ve been working on my little backyard garden every weekend since it’s been warm enough. As a result, the lawn looks good, the vegetable garden is growing and our flower beds are weed free and has cedar mulch.  The Iris that our neighbor, Mrs. Chiu, gave us is really taking off. She planted that Iris in every house she owned, but finally moved to an apartment so she gave it to us. I have to call her son to let them know that it continues to grow (30-40 years!). It’s hard work, but it’s enjoyable as WE benefit from it.
• Related, I striped apart our Weber Genesis BBQ cleaned it, replaced the gas line (old quick connect is not used anymore), and we are good to go. That grill is a hand me down from over 10 years ago. The good thing about Weber grills: it will last forever if you keep it clean. I can’t wait for our small July 4th BBQ.
• We have so much Mint and Sage that we’re giving it away (Luckily our neighbor likes Sage). Since we have so much mint, we’ve learned to make an occasional mojito too.
• Thanks to Janny, I’m finally learning how to cook. I’m starting with simple meals like Tilapia fish marinated with coconut curry and collard greens. I also can safely cook chicken and pork chops too. Anyone that knows me, knows what an accomplishment this is. Having a good Zojirushi rice cooker also helps.
• Our home computer had a very persistent computer virus. The virus scaner (Two!) would ID the files but could not clean it as their was a persistent lock on them. As my brother suggested, I downloaded Ubuntu, burned a boot CD, booted up in LINUX and removed the infected files.  That was so easy that it was a bit ridiculous. Booting up in LINUX completely disables the threat.
• After using our PC since 2000/2001, we decided now was a good time. So, Janny and I got a Dell XPS 630 and pretty much optioned it out (8gb RAM, 1TB RAID 0, Intel® Core 2 Q8300 (4MB,2.5GHz, 1333FSB), 24 inch Flat screen monitor, etc. ). To put it mildly, I’m really looking forward to getting it.

In summary, life is pretty good.

Music I’m listening to now:
Nothing at the moment.

Saw this on Ngee Khiong’s site (great site); It’s the HGUC version of the Hi Nu Gundam. Prior to making the HGUC Nu Gundam and Sazabi, I would not have gotten this, but  I’m really impressed by the level of detail and flexibility of the recent HGUC line by Bandai.

When it comes out, I’ll probably just walk down to Image Anime on 30th street and just get it.

Music I’m listening to now:
Nothing at the moment.

One of the more annoying things about assembling Gundam Models (in this case a MG Kämpfer) is getting the gun to stay in it’s hands.

The hands are meant to look cool, not hold the gun properly. I finally came upon a simple solution: DAP BLUESTIK Reusable Adhesive Putty.  It’s the sticky clay like stuff that used to be used in place of thumbtacks.  Unlike glue, it is not permanent but holds pretty well.

I used just a bit about the size of the tip of a pen and the gun stays where I put it. It only cost me a couple of dollars and makes life a lot easier.

Music I’m listening to right Now:
“I Hate This Part” by the Pussycat Dolls from the “Doll Domination” Album.

All good things must come to end and Battlestar Galactica had it’s series finale last night.

I find I have mixed feelings about the final episode, which I will discuss after the break.

I really liked the show but agree with the decision to end it. The best stories have a beginning and an end and while I have some issues with the ending, Battlestar Galactica had a decent ending.

Music I’m listening to now:
Nothing at the moment.

[Read more →]

Currently painting a plastic model. I’m only doing selected high lights, but I have to be carefull not to put too much on at one time. Rule of thumb: if you think you’re close to putting on too much paint, just STOP. You can do touch up later.

MG Gundam Ver. 2.0 Clear Color Ver.

Saw this on Ngee Khiong’s site: The Gundam Expo 2009 in Hiroshima will have show special versions of several kits.

In this case, this is the MG Gundam Ver.  2.0 in clear plastic. As this version has a fantastic internal frame with a great deal of details (See the review on Dalong.net for images) this should be very cool.  I hope to see it on Ebay and maybe pick one up, hopefully at not too great a price.

Music I’m listening to right Now:
“No One Lives Forever” by Oingo Boingo from the “Dead Man’s Party” Album.

Ngee Khiong posted 39 photos of the upcoming PG Red Frame Astray. I have to say, this is an amazing model.

He also found someone who assembled one an placed it next to a PG RX-78-2.

Music I’m listening to now:
Nothing, but I did just buy the Blu-ray edition of “Kiss Kiss Bang Bang” with Robert Downey Jr. and Val Kilmer.