Handy Man Day August

          Started prepping the driveway, walkway and stairs to be resurfaced. Here are a few before pics:

 
As you can see, a lot of the initial coating is gone and there are a lot of layers of paint that need to be removed. 



 There are also a few cracks that have developed from harsh New York winters and over all wear and tear from the temperature changes that occur between winter and summer year over year.

The outcome is all within the preparation and I eluded to this previously but it cannot be understated. I reiterate this because even I get frustrated with the level of intensity involved with preparing to complete the process. Time Line:

9:15 - Woke up, had breakfast and started to plan the day.
10:00  - Started preparing the surfaces by removing loose and built up layers.
11:00 - Went to Home Depot with a list of items needed to complete to project.
14:00 - Finally got back from Home Depot with most of the items that we think will complete the work and continuing the prep work:

 

Prep work continued until approximately 19:00 when we filled the larger cracks and gaps with cement and the smaller ones with cement/crack sealant that's similar to silicone. Will have pics tomorrow with results. I will tell you all this. It was not easy and it takes dedication, determination and pure will power to complete the prep work properly and effectively.

A long week

It's been a long week. being in a leadership position at work and getting things done can be a pain sometimes but I know that the if the goal is true and the focus is correct, the outcome will be better than expected. Just have to stay positive and focused.

Server infrastructure

Gotta take a trip to home depot. I always spend more than I wanted to because I always want to get the best things. From my experience it's always better to get the better items. They last longer and work better.
The trip is to get electrical parts to add a socket and possibly additional lighting in the lab. Projected budget is $120. I'll post what I actually spent which should be by this weekend.

Blog 1.5

I am slowly figuring things out. I will attempt to post something, anything at least once a day. the times between posts are too long. see you all soon.

server 2.0 build issues..... (I think I found something)

Just before I installed the new GPU, I noticed something on the old one I was using:


Can You see the Issue............ I'll point it out later for those who couldn't spot the issue.
Another good reason to inspect all devices, especially when using older devices for any damage. This explains a lot. Will be updating later. Wish me luck.

Life

          When I was a teenager, I remember thinking to myself many times, " When I grow up, I'm going to do anything I want and do everything perfect." Then reality finally hit me a few years later. It's always easy to point out the errors, the fuckups, the 'thats so wrong' moments and the 'I could do better' moments in life but the reality is, could any of us do any better if we lived that persons life and had their experience and knowledge!
          Life feels like a casino, you play and play and play and play, you could get lucky and win a million, or you could die before ever having won anything meaningful. Thats how life feels to me, how life plays out to me. You could decide to play poker, slot machines, roulette or 21. Each game has it's pros and cons just like each decision we all make has its pros and cons.
          The reality is that life is too complicated to be able to look at any one situation or decision and say that it was the best decision. Too many things to factor in and in some cases, key pieces of the decision making process are not available until after the decisions are made. 
          Like I said when I started this blog, I am not sure where it will go and this is just me letting my thoughts play out as I feel fit. These are just my thoughts and my feelings put to digital permanency. I am all grown up now and I do anything that I want to, nothing is perfect but I try my best to get it perfect every day that I am gifted with life in this universe.

server 2.0 build issues..... (Houston, we have a problem)

So, the hardware wiring went good and the initial instillation went ok as well. We started having issues once the instillation was completed and the server restarted. We were getting garbled text or incoherent graphics even though it was command line. Initially we thought that it was just a driver issue and that once the server updated it would be fine but after updates, it was still an issue. it would display the command line occasionally but more often not. we decided to install a GUI and after installing the GUI we started getting this graphic output that kept on looping:

After re-installing the server three times with 3 different versions and a different linux distribution as well, we encountered the same error. We feel that it might be the GPU and between finding the time to replace it and buying another one we are at a stand still. 

On another note, we are moving in the right direction with the space for the server. We hope to be completing some wiring this week. will chronicle that as it begins. see you all soon. 

Server 2.0 Build

So we have decided on using Ubuntu Server 12.04.2 LTS based on the fact that it is a very popular platform and has a great history of support. This version will also be supported until April 2017. I am also using an older desktop that I've had forever. My greatest build ever, the wiring got a bit messy over the last few years but I will be fixing that up:

For those of you who know me, you know thats is a mess I am not proud of but I have been neglecting this unit for a while and now is the time to rejuvenate it. I actually have a second case exactly like this one that i want to really go HAM on, full custom. I will be chronicling that as well once I start the build.

As you can see, there is lots of space for expansion and all sorts of goodies. See you all on the other side.

Motherboard: Asus A8N-SLI-Deluxe
RAM: 4 X OCZ PC 3200, 1024MB 3-3-3-8 timing, performance series.
storage: 2 X WD Raptor 74.8 GB in raid 1 configuration.
GPU: BFG NVidia 7800GTOC, 256MB ram.
sound card: Sound blaster audigy 4.

After Rewiring:

Server research and design

I have started my hunt for server software and info to follow. Happened upon this article which seems perfect for me. basically, the current Blog is 1.0, I anticipate that the new server will host my 2.x Blog. I am using an older desktop unit that I've had for some time just to get started and will eventually either buy a server or build one. I like the building idea better. If anyone has any ideas, comments or suggestions please go ahead and comment. I will reply as soon as I possible can.