Cdpuvbhfzz! What do you know, Coppermine was the subject of a mass hacker attack. Again. It is described in more detail here. I suppose I could be faulted for not upgrading, but honestly, I was only like a week behind on upgrades and Coppermine isn’t the sort of script where one can expect upgrades. So no reason to visit their site really.
And regardless, what can you say about a script that is the target of attacks time and time again. No matter how much they patch the script seems like a black hole of security problems.
I feel very much compelled to move to Picasa or something. In the meantime, I upgraded Coppermine and removed the version info from the footer.
Filed under Site by Björn Hallberg7 months ago | 164 views
The 5+1 master/slave netpower block is simply an outlet that automatically cuts off the power supply to the slave outlets when the supply current to the master outlet is severely diminished. Ideal for use with a computer to turn off devices like powered speakers that lack a proper power switch or have substandard transformers that can easily consume 10-15W in standby mode. For instance, my Creative P380 2.1 system consumes 13W regardless of what they’re doing and switching them off using the little knob on the back of the subwoofer doesn’t make any difference. Which leads me to believe that the huge, ugly brick of a transformer has something to do with it. There is however a small caveat when using these and other outlets that I have. In a way they work pretty much like the bargain bin UPS that I recently acquired. That is, their energy efficiency is relative to the load. The above outlet draws 6W even without anything plugged in. Just as the UPS draws a mind-boggling 55-60W with no load. But plug in an 11W bulb to the outlet and it draws 13W. And at 100W load the UPS draws 120W or so. The same trend roughly continues until maximum theoretical efficiency. In the case of a UPS it can rarely climb above 90% and that sort of efficiency may require a 3-400W load - more than most modern PCs.
It would seem I couldn’t stay away for more than 10 months or so. I still don’t think these journals are entirely worth the investment in terms of time, but in the end I felt like I was missing out on something. Originally I thought that I could just walk away and never look back. That my motives for writing and keeping up to date with the news would fade over time and that it would make me more at peace. Guess what … it didn’t. In the end it just kept building up inside and I noticed that I never really could let go, as I had intended. The expression just took on new forms.
So I’ll try a more laid-back approach this time around and try to harness the best of both worlds, offering a more selective and sparse commentary.
To some degree I suppose I also missed the meticulous tinkering of graphic design and web programming.
As far as the personal journal is concerned I’ll be starting by filling in the gaps of last year, retroactively posting some of the highlights.
As far as the site goes I have moved all the Wordpress blogs to the same server, running several blogs off of the same directory using distinct database table prefixes. Also known as a virtual multiblog. Far superior to the normal multi-user versions of Wordpress and with the added benefits that you still have your databases intact and free of any hacks and fixes. Other than that I have finally gotten accounts with some of the more obvious web 2.0 sites, like twitter, picasa etc and I am currently evaluating how to best integrate that functionality.
Filed under Uncategorized by Björn Hallberg7 months, 1 week ago | 149 views
There are two main reasons for this upgrade. Firstly, I was unable to play 720p and 1080p video. And secondly, the new faster broadband connection put such a strain on the system when running bittorrent / utorrent that you could barely use the computer for anything else.
I decided to go with a 45nm E8200 CPU and a better than average main board. I also got a new cheap 55nm HD3450 card which accelerates all forms of HD video. Even though the CPU could technically have handled the task. But there are times when you have to do more than just be able to watch video.
Still using the Antec Aria case which admittedly is far too snug for comfort. The 92mm Zalman fan was the largest heatsink / fan that would fit. And with no more than a millimeter to spare.
Main gripes otherwise would be the apparent CPU bug which prevents proper core temp readings. I read somewhere that some E8XXX Wolfdale CPUs had this problem so this must be some version of that.
Other than that the HD3450 does get uncomfortably hot. But it’s no big deal I suppose.
Filed under PC by Björn Hallberg9 months, 1 week ago | 103 views
I needed to complete my essential Miyazaki collection and since I couldn’t find what I wanted on P2P (except for Totoro) I had to make one last order. I also decided to get the director’s cut of Fearless.
Ironically, Howl’s Moving castle was suddenly on backorder and it ended up being canceled. So I had to go with the stripped down P2P version. Oh well. On to Bluray and better P2P networks.
Filed under Movies by Björn Hallberg10 months, 1 week ago | 110 views
Got a new flashlight from Fenix after much deliberation. The L2D. A Cree 7090 XR-E LED flashlight with orange peel reflector and a maximum output of 180 lumens. The difference compared to other flashlights that I’ve owned is simply astonishing. The bright, white beam almost seems to light up the air around it.
Uses two 1.5V AA ( Alkaline, NiMH, Lithium ) batteries
Digitally Regulated for Constant Brightness
General Mode: 12 lumens (55hrs) -> 53 lumens (10.5hrs) -> 107 lumens (4hrs) -> SOS
Turbo Mode: 180 lumens (2.4hrs) -> Strobe
In the end I found that the Fenix brand was pretty much the best bang for the buck. And I was desperate to replace my old mini Maglight (that gives maybe 40 or so lumens). Here is a good video comparison of the difference in output between some of the more popular models.
I did look at some of the CR123 battery models, but the prospect of buying a new charger and maintaining a separate line of batteries didn’t seem tempting. So I went for a model that had pretty much the same form factor as the mini Maglight to maximize output and battery time, given that CR123 is the better battery. In the end something has to give.
One of the downsides with the L2D and indeed most Fenix models is the beam though. Most tactical flashlight, like Surefire, are designed to produce a slightly wider beam which is practical for locating objects outside the beam of a normal flashlight. Fenix on the other hand has a really narrow beam that projects extremely far.
Filed under Widgets by Björn Hallberg10 months, 2 weeks ago | 129 views
I actually forewent any real winter apparel upgrades this year. The weather for these last two winters has been perplexing and so I wait for the spring collection which I think will be more useful overall.
Filed under Apparel by Björn Hallberg10 months, 4 weeks ago | 122 views
Having far too much free time I recently decided I had to try out EVE Online. It seemed like a radically different MMORPG since it didn’t feature anything with green skin, pointy ears or giant man-cows.
Unfortunately, almost everything else that I’ve come to despise in MMORPGs was present and accounted for.
Better / different than most MMORPGs.
Downloadable client. Cheaper, faster to get started.
Free expansions.
Can buy virtual game cards for real money and sell them for in-game currency to afford in-game ships or items.
No levels, but rather skills that train even when you’re offline.
Same as most MMORPGs.
Grind, grind, grind …
Takes ages for a beginner to see any serious play.
Realistically no chance to catch up to seasoned players.
Poor / slow software development.
Outcome is the usual combination of gear, gear level, and character level plus chance. Very little room for skill. Even Subspace favored more of the right skills.
Worse than most MMORPGs / Other gripes.
Higher monthly fee (Europe) but game cards can be purchased in US dollars.
Higher learning curve.
Daily one hour server maintenance.
A lot more time consuming to max out skills. Leveling in WoW takes months, skilling up in EVE takes a year or more.
Persistent world. No suddenly leaving the computer. If you don’t log out at a star base you’re screwed.
It is set in spaaace. Big and black, filled with a lot of nothingness. Terribly unexciting.
Can’t control your own ship directly, just fly to certain points, set speed, destination.
Can’t escape PvP, but can minimize risks in high security space.
Bigger ships don’t make you king of the hill. Turns out the battleship I purchased (and barely could afford to outfit) couldn’t hit pesky little frigates. That may make sense in PvP for leveling the battlefield, but for PvE it’s just retarded.
Witty comments about EVE may follow.
2008-09-22: Found this neat little video from Zero Punctuation / The Escapist. Very succinct review that really pegs what a boring piece of shit game this is. Even compared to major grind-jobs like World of Warcraft.
Filed under Games by Björn Hallberg11 months, 2 weeks ago | 132 views
Sennheiser HD-280 Pro for the HTPC and AKG K414P for portable music. I just got fed up with the wireless system I was using for the HTPC. Incidentally a pair of wireless headphones also made by Sennheiser. The hissing, the breakups, the constant changing of batteries and having another bloody power brick stealing energy. The horror, the horror. Plus the HD-280 is in another class altogether. The audio quality is crisp and superb and it is a sealed / closed headphone so no more disturbances during the summer months with the windows open.
The K414P is a semi-sealed design or whatever, but it’s enough to cut off a few dB of outside interference. It also has a much lower impedance (32 ohm) compared to my old Koss Porta Pro (60 ohm). And that saves quite a bit of battery time. Even the HD 280 Pro is only rated at 64 ohm and with a sealed design one rarely has to crank up the volume as far. Plus the Porta Pro cushions become mushy, filthy after a couple of years. And I was only able to find replacements for the actual ear cushions. Not the rectangular "spacers". So it’s an early retirement for the Porta Pro.
I also took the opportunity to replace my old MS Optical mouse with a Microsoft SideWinder gaming mouse. So far I’ve been very pleased with the model. The dpi switch comes in very handy in certain games as well as in certain applications, like Photoshop. Once again I purposely chose a wired product over a wireless. I have become far more restrictive when it comes to wireless communication over the years. Mostly because it either doesn’t work, runs on batteries or consumes far too much power in standby or while operating. Plus the poorly researched health issues. Plus possibly interference between devices. Some devices need to be wireless so it is unnecessary to squander the airwaves unless you really have to.
The mouse also came bundled with a SteelPad QcK+ Gaming pad.
Filed under PC by Björn Hallberg1 year ago | 96 views
Contact
Lifestream
It would seem I couldn’t stay away for more than 10 months or so. I still don’t think these journals are entirely worth the investment in terms of time, but in the end I felt like I was missing out on something. Originally I thought that I could just walk away and never look back. That my motives for writing and keeping up to date with the news would fade over time and that it would make me more at peace. Guess what … it didn’t. In the end it just kept building up inside and I noticed that I never really could let go, as I had intended. The expression just took on new forms.
Got a new flashlight from 
Having far too much free time I recently decided I had to try out 
