Ryan Schulze

Synchronizing files over the internet

November 4, 2007March 24, 2009Ryan1 Comment

I have some files I like to keep current between my 2 computers. The problem is that those 2 computers are about 30km apart from each other. Simply copying the files to a USB Stick manually was out of the question since the files in question are configuration/plugins/… from an application and a) I have no idea which ones change when and b) there are about 9000 files. So I went on a search in the Internet and found Allway Sync, works like a charm. I’ve been using it for the last few months, but as the number of files it has to monitor grows I more and more often run into warning messages from the program, that I should consider using the “Pro” version that costs $$$.

Since the files all aren’t big, just numerous. And since I more and more often forget to sync my USB stick I decided to build myself an own solution that works over the Internet with freeware. no more forgetting to sync the USB stick (or syncing and then forgetting to take the USB stick with me. doh.).
My new solution is basically based on 3 components. Storing the files online, connecting the online storage to the computers, and syncing the files. Storing and accessing the online storage with windows … well since my Linux server was going to be the storage and my windows clients were going to be accessing it, I couldn’t get around looking at Samba. Samba is not a good idea. Sure it’s nice for windows, just throw the IP, username and password at it and presto, it pops up as a drive letter. But trust me, anyone will tell you samba (or any windows shares for that matter) are not a good idea in the Internet. While searching for alternatives I found a program called Netdrive that allows you to connect a webdav directory as a drive letter. Very nice. So I set up webdav on my webserver and use a Microsoft program Synctoy for synchronisation.

So that was basically what I did this morning between watching comics in TV and waiting for lunch.

Chocolate Chip Cookies

November 3, 2007March 12, 2011Ryan

I found a new recipe for chocolate chip cookies and mixed in some of the ideas into the recipe I normally use, turned out pretty good.
They were a little dry so next time I’ll substitute the majority of the butter with sour creme and see if it turns out ok.

But they look good 😉

VIM Settings

November 3, 2007March 12, 2011Ryan2 Comments

Here are my vim settings, makes working with vim a whole lot easier. Vim doesn’t have to be a pain in the butt, it’s just configured to be that way by default due to backwards compatibility to vi.

/etc/vim/vimrc.local or /etc/vim/vimrc.local

syntax on
filetype plugin on
set showcmd
set showmatch
set autowrite
set mouse=a
set pastetoggle=
map  :source /etc/vim/vimrc.numbertoggle^M

syntax on

filetype plugin on

set showcmd

set showmatch

set autowrite

set mouse=a

set pastetoggle=

map :source /etc/vim/vimrc.numbertoggle^M

/etc/vim/vimrc.numbretoggle

" number-toggle script
"   Licensed under the GNU General Public License
"   See:  http://www.gnu.org/licenses/licenses.html
:if &amp;number == 0
set number
:else
set nonumber
:endif
:echo &amp;number == 0 ?  "Line Numbering now OFF" : "Line Numbering now ON"

" number-toggle script

" Licensed under the GNU General Public License

" See: http://www.gnu.org/licenses/licenses.html

:if &number == 0

set number

:else

set nonumber

:endif

:echo &number == 0 ? "Line Numbering now OFF" : "Line Numbering now ON"

PSP Magic Stick

October 31, 2007Ryan

I found a cute little tutorial here on how to create a Jigkick / Pandora Battery / Stick. Took me a bit to follow through with the whole procedure, but it was well worth it. Now I can upgrade/downgrade any PSP, no matter what firmware it is currently running. Nice to be able to switch so easily between the official firmware and the “open” firmware that allows homebrew software to run. Also nice to be able to “upgrade” other peoples PSP by simply putting my battery and memory stick in their PSP and pressing a button, takes about 5 min. tops.
Downside is that for some reason my system name and wifi setting get copied to the PSP when upgrading, as far as i can tell the rest of the setting get set back to factory default (e.g. menu background). Nice to be able to play around with my PSP without fear of messing ob something beyond repair.
http://www.psp-hacks.com/forums/post-1202693.html

Orange Box

October 23, 2007RyanEpisode 2, Half Life 2, Portal, Team Fortress 2

Bought myself the Orange Box (Half Life Portal, Team Fortress 2 and Episode 2) and I must say I had a lot of fun yesterday. Playing Portal was a blast. I don’t want to reveal too much of the “story” but it was really well done, had you thinking around corners the whole time.

After I got done with Portal (haven’t tried any of the special challenges yet) I gave Team Fortress 2 a look. The graphics are simply “lol”, you have the feeling you just landed in a Pixar film. After playing all the classes i must say, if you have 3 or less players on each side, the Scout dominates most other classes. You often run into one-on-one situations where the sheer speed of the Scout gives you the upper hand (and I find the shotgun is a bit too powerful at range). I even managed to take down two “Heavy Weapons Guys” with the Scout. So that kinda makes the Scout my personal favorite, closely followed by the Engineer (which is a wuss without his turret). And yes, planting a turrent in the enemy base on the “2fort” map is still hilarious.

While plaing around with steam, I noticed that it has a webpage that shows the statistics of the user. http://steamcommunity.com/id/rschulze/ Nice.