Apr

29

Password management is not a simple task, for me that is

Filed Under Doing, In the life, Web | 2 Comments

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Password management is not a simple task, for me that is (image: 2291139919_cd960c5aa0_m)I’m having trouble keeping track of all my passwords. Being the good little net / junkie that I am, I tend to sign up for every demo or beta that there is…just to try them out.

Here’s the problem: they all want a password. I’m lazy. I give them all the same, disposable password, thinking “hey, if it’s compromised, no worries, it’s not the one I use for my banking..etc”. Now that’s not very secure. I’ve since changed my ways. I have hundreds of passwords.

For a long time now, I’ve been using Password Safe on my home , an open source password ‘vault’ that securely encrypts your login id, password and other attributes or notes you want to keep about sites you log into regularly. I keep the data file on a server, and Password Safe running on those loads the data over the network.

But lately I’ve been using a Drive to keep my documents and applications handy as I move from computer to computer to work computer. I’ve also installed a portable manager / system called PortableApps. Unfortunately Password Safe doesn’t have a PortableApps version.

So now I’m KeePass - the newer on the block. It has quickly garnered a large and vocal following, and for good reason. Here’s the features list:

One of the cooler features is (with a plugin) the ability to import Password Safe data, so I can now carry my hundreds of passwords with me, as I need them.

Eventually I’ll probably install KeePass on my home , point them to the single data file on my server, and replace Password Safe.

Another option, one that I’m just starting to explore, is password vaults. I’ve recently set up a PassPack account, but am having issues with the CSV import of my existing password file.

The concept looks , seems secure, but I’m in no hurry to convert yet. PassKey is working for me right now.

Now here’s a , what do you (do you?) use to keep your passwords safe yet convenient? ? Offline? Paper??

courtesy: Anonymous Account

Apr

24

3 things I learned when my Wordpress blog crashed.

Filed Under Blogging, Social Media, Web | 3 Comments


3 things I learned when my Wordpress blog crashed. (image: 2329376071_f76e6b35f7_m)This week my blog crashed. It could have been a mess, but due to foresight, paranoia, and a lot of good advice from other bloggers, it was actually a pretty recovery process.

But, without some essential plugins and basic knowledge, it all would have been lost. So here’s the what and why of what I’d learned the day my blog crashed.

Daily is your - the most important thing you can do for your blog is and install the WordPress Database Backup plugin. Yes, there are many plugins out there (take a look at the plugins I use) but this one should be standard on any blog. It literally saved my blog. Basically it does what it says, creates a of your WP database. Then saves it on your server, or emails it to an account of your choice. The is actually a MySQL rebuild script which you run after you’ve cleaned out your DB. Worked like a charm the first time.

Know how to run MySQL queries - the above is useless if you don’t know how to reinstall it. In my case, since I’d been running since version one-point-something-or-other, I decided to do a completely new install. What I did was:

  • Rename my existing blog directory. This disconnected it from my name and structure, yet let me have access to my original files for when rebuilding
  • Install the latest version of Wordpress.
  • Clear the MySQL database. This deletes all blog entries and related data.
  • Run the MySQL query. In my case, I uploaded it into phpMyAdmin, the of choice for managing MySQL databases.
  • Reinstall plugins and themes. This was a great opportunity to all the plugins I had previously installed, determine my need for them, and then and reinstall fresh copies.
  • Reinstall supporting files and data. I copied and other support files from my renamed ‘old blog’ directory. Customizations such as the ‘external link icons’, default Gravatar , etc.

Start from a clean reinstall - as I mentioned above, I’d been running since the early days. It’s entirely possible that there was something from my many tweaks and customizations that borked the site. So, by starting from a clean install, I have a new, fresh baseline.

And, since I still have my original blog files stored in a renamed directory, if I forgot anything in my rebuilding of the blog, I can easily refer to my original and fix it up.

courtesy PPDigital

Apr

23

Sorry for the mess…

Filed Under Blogging | Leave a Comment


*** Update ***
Things seem to be back to normal…though this post will prove that, or not. Things went wonky after my last post so I wonder if there’s an issue with posting…we’ll see. This is being published as an Edit.

My blog is ill. I’m cleaning it up. Posts have been recovered but I need to carefully apply themes and plugins. Sorry for the funky look, it should be back to normal soon.

Apr

23

5 reasons my library ‘gets’ me.

Filed Under Social Media | 2 Comments


I was recently reminded why I happily support my local library, and yes, this is all about me.

The backstory: A recommended a few movies over dinner the other evening. The local store didn’t have them, so after remembering a conversation with another , I went to the local , from the comfort of my .

After a brief catalogue , all my movies were placed on hold to be delivered to the branch near work when they’re ready to be picked up.

Über convenient, and since this is all about me here’s 5 solid reasons my is convenient:

  1. Hard to find , CDs and DVDs — In my , libraries will tend to have more varied selection, not being driven by the need to sell more units of the popular stuff, they can have one or two copies of more eclectic works.
  2. Live streaming and downloadable — this one surprised me. The Edmonton Public Library has the Naxos music catalogue available for streaming, as well as time-limited downloads of of eAudiobooks Overdrive ( only (boo!) a I’ve not used, yet).
  3. catalogue with reservation system — I can reserve when it’s convenient for me, say, at 2am.
  4. Modest price, huge benefits — fees are inexpensive. Their value to me, and to my are huge. My has programming for kids, annual sales, is a great meeting place, and is an awesome resource.
  5. The Public gets — Heck, how many stodgy old places do you know that develop their own Facebook Application?

courtesy Nrbelex

Apr

18

It’s tiny, cool, and giving me an administration headache

Filed Under Doing, In the life | 2 Comments


Its tiny, cool, and giving me an administration headache (image: )

Recently we’d picked up an ASUS eee PC as a replacement for my ill Compaq R3200. Well, not really as a replacement. You see, anytime we start looking into a purchase, Tess and I our need for the purchase.

To make a long story short, I’m inheriting her little Dell M1210, and she’s taking the eee PC, after I get it configured…hence the headache.

  1. Wireless networking — it seems that the native installation (Xandros) has challenges. It manages wired networking fine.
  2. Can’t find SMB / workgroups — I’ve got 5 or 6 other wireless devices easily finding my server, but not this one…yet. I’ve not tried it wired yet…that’s next.

But those things aside, it is a very little unit, with many possibilities. Out of the box it’s a more-than-capable surfing and basic office box, using standard open source applications. Of course, I want more :)
Currently I’m looking into setting it up to dual boot Ubuntu and XP. This will enable greater compatibility with my home network (I hope) and with other networks. We’ll see.

As for the somewhat ill Compaq? Since it’s the backlight that’s gone, I’ve plans to convert it to a Centre box.

Apr

8

Are Canadian telemarketers quaking in their boots? Maybe.

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iOptOut logo. Woot!My position: telemarketing is annoying and should be eliminated. DO NOT WANT!
My reasoning: I did not for the call; hence it is an intrusion. It uses up my resources (time) without my request or approval. I did not for you to call me offering a home audit for an alarm company. My current is fine thank you. Don’t call me. I’ll call you.

As a result, my is locked on Do Not Disturb. I don’t hear the calls — all incoming calls go directly to mail. Nice and quiet now.

But why should I have to have a that screens my calls? I pay my company a fee just to add telemarketers to my ‘blocked’ list. I’m paying for the privilege of having a peaceful dinner at home.

Soon all this may , as will implement a Do Not Call list.

The government passed legislation in 2005 mandating the creation of a do-not-call registry. The registry is scheduled to take effect in mid-2008, yet many Canadians may be disappointed to learn about the exemption of a wide range of organizations (registered charities, with prior relationships, political parties, survey companies, and newspapers). Under the law, exempted organizations are permitted to make unsolicited telephone calls despite the inclusion of the number in the do-not-call registry.

So, there’s a loophole, and a rather large one at that. But wait…there’s more!

Canadians now have their own Do Not Call (iOptOut.ca), hosted by renowned --rights law professor Michale Geist. iOptOut (still in beta) is a where Canadians can register up to three numbers and addresses as part of setting up their iOptOut profile.

Once the profile is set up, iOptOut members select organizations to be notified of their preference to opt-out of marketing communciations. Just select an industry, say Newspaper, check all, and an will be sent to all registered newspapers indicating that you no longer want them calling or emailing you for subscriptions. By law they must comply.

As I understand it, ’s do not call legislation (and the official DNC registry) allows some organizations to be ‘exempt’ from the legislation. iOptOut fills that exemption hole.

How does iOptOut work?
iOptOut contains a database of organizations, all of which are exempted under the current law. When you register with iOptOut you create a personal list of organizations that you wish to opt-out from further marketing. You provide your name, telephone number(s) and address(es) and we send a message to each organization, on your behalf, asking that they remove you from their active marketing or polling lists. You could send a message to each organization yourself individually, but there are hundreds and the appropriate contact information is often difficult to obtain. iOptOut allows you to do this in bulk, opting out of dozens of organizations with a few clicks.

Do I still need to register my number with the “official” do-not-call registry once it is operational?
Yes. IOptOut complements the forthcoming do-not-call registry by filling in the gaps created by exempted organizations. You will still need to register your number with the do-not-call registry once it becomes operational.

So, I’ve opted out. We’ll see if this reduces the number of calls coming in from ‘Manitoba’ or ‘Ontario’. Unfortunately, there’s no way to opt out of incoming telemarketing calls from outside of . Savvy telemarketers will soon switch to services hosted in the America, or offshore. Sigh.

Quotes courtesy iOptOut.ca FAQ and Michael Geist’s blog.

Apr

7

Selecting a beer to suit the mood.

Filed Under Social Media | 1 Comment


Two Beer Bottles: Keith's Amber Ale and Boreal NoireRecently, Adam Snider — local writer, conducted a quick poll via . The : What is your favourite kind of beer?

The survey sample was small, but there wasn’t really a winner declared.

And this also gave me an opportunity to write about one of my favourite subjects; !

My thinking on the poll results is that mood can really dictate the taste of the moment (and that’s what I’d said in my limited tweet back in the poll). There are many great labels out there; I’ve even blogged about a couple that we couldn’t get previously though one, Keiths Amber Ale, is now readily available here.

But for me, mood really does influence selection. Do I feel like savouring a long lengthly chew on a Guinness? Or am I in the mood for a light and bubbly Old Style Pilsner when I’m in the middle of the latest First Person Shooter. Or maybe we’re chillin’ out with some friends on the patio with a BBQ - perfect for a Grasshopper.

You begin to see the delimma of selecting a ‘favourite’.

Then again, vive la difference!