In early 2025 I started fiddling around with minor bash prompt tweaks, then slowly developed themes, until it got out of hand….
Ultimate Encryption Solution
I wrote the ultimate encryption implementation, wow it is so good! However as far as usability for the average person (or even ultra nerd) leaves a lot to be desired. A WHOLE lot.
Using AI Responsibly
I wanted to use AI but in a way that was responsible, didn’t dig into my privacy, and helped me to get what I want. One might say I am “hacking” AI. Maybe I am. I’m trying to get it to do what I want it to do on my own terms - the essence of hacking. But first, I had to devise a test. Granted, this test is for my needs, but maybe you might find it interesting as well.
Tracking Advanced Port Scanning
I’ve noticed ports scans. A lot of them. However these are different, these are all scans from a seemingly distributed scanning network spread out over multiple IP addresses.
The Latest Solar Project Part 2
Wow, when things go sideways, they go sideways. Back to square one with my solar panel expansion plans.
Fail2ban for Sendmail AUTH
Mail server admins always notice when spammers try to use an AUTH command to try to relay spam through a mail server. But when they start hammering away with a much more sophisticated botnet, things start to get serious - especially for the paranoid.
LGBTQ+
I was asked by a friend why I was a supporter of the gay community. I didn’t realize I was, I thought I was just being accepting to everyone.
The Latest Solar Project Part 1
You make long term plans. Then an election happens, and you find yourself making changes to those plans - basically turning them into short term plans. My latest solar addition is in the works.
Edge Case
Perspective is everything. Looking at anything, tech-related or not, from a different perspective can be eye opening. I give a few really weird scenarios I’ve tried, and some are extreme.
Using AI Code Generation Securely
I did a bit of an experiment with several LLMs and code generation, and one of them actually seemed to perform slightly better from a security perspective.
Texas and Winter Storms
Since the winter of 2021 I’ve been preparing a bit better for winter storms. I blog about it, and wouldn’t you know the week I decided to auto-publish the blog it is during a winter storm.
Network Review 2025
Unsurprisingly to other techies my server rack has changed over the past year and few months. Warning, nerd territory ahead.
Random News
Things have been a bit quiet lately on the blog front, in spite of me being quite busy. Here’s an update.
Server Upgrades
Upgrading the operating system of a server can be easy, and it can be painful. I upgraded four of them, and as only three had issues, I consider myself lucky. Nonetheless, this wasn't easy.
Energy Monitoring Part Three
Getting better monitoring is good, until it uncovered failing equipment and you have to fix it.
Energy Monitoring Part Two
Finally! I get the monitoring in place so I can see everything on one screen. But it wasn’t easy…
Energy Monitoring Part One
What a first world problem. I can’t be monitoring things using four windows, I need one. This is part one of how I corrected this gross injustice against humanity.
Upgrading Debian 11 to 12
Upgrading an internal server from Debian 11 to Debian 12 went fairly good. Even Home Assistant in Supervised mode running on that system survived intact. Maybe Debian isn’t that bad…
Solar FAQ Part Two
Despite having a previous blog post where I answered common questions, new ones kept coming in. So here are some more answers.
The EV Over a Year Later
It’s been over a year since the Chevy Bolt EUV was acquired. Time for a status report.