The Internet Home of Kevin L. Collins
Posts tagged Hacking
NEI Intranet v3
0So now that I have my laptop setup for development, I’ve duplicated the NEI Intranet. In looking at the existing code, the changes in PHP and the some of the APIs that I used back in 2005, and the requirements put in front of me for the new version, it has become apparent that a complete rewrite is in order.
The first question on my plate is whether or not I should create a new MySQL database and re-organize things there too. There really isn’t a need to keep any historical information, but I could probably copy the data from the old database into a new one without too much trouble.
I need to think about this for a while before I move forward.
Recent Happenings
0For the past few days, I’ve been trying to get setup to do some serious coding again. I’ve been setting up a virtual development server (thanks to VMware), trying things with NFS, implementing a Subversion version control system, setting this laptop up on Ubuntu and getting used to all of this stuff again.
I find it odd, that almost none of this brought me enjoyment though. Two years ago, when I wrote my company’s Intranet site, I was thrilled to be creating something. But it’s different this time. It feels less like hacking and more like drudgery.
But, there is some good that has come out of this. First, I’ve been using the newest Ubuntu – 11.04, the Natty Narwhal – for my laptop and I have to say, I’m impressed. The “Unity” desktop is growing on me. Overall the installation on the laptop was a breeze – drop the CD, boot and go. Bluetooth, WiFi, Webcam, Sound – everything worked without a fuss. Definitely an improvement over my last experience with a laptop and Ubuntu.
Second, I’ve been able to upgrade and consolidate my entire virtual infrastructure from a mix of various VMware softwares and 5 physical server to VMware ESXi 4.1 on three hosts.
Next, I’ve also been using Ubuntu 10.04 LTS for several new servers along the way. The NFS host for my VMware servers and my development server are just two examples. I like its clean, quick install. I’m a bit confused as to why dash has replaced bash and why the developers have chosen not to install a full vi implementation, but those issues are easily worked around.
Finally, I’ve been learning along the way. Most of this learning focused on the changes that have happened between 2009 and now, but still I’ve learned and used a few more tricks.
Using a Mac
0My friend Bill McGregor brought his Mac Mini in this morning so I could tinker with it. In fact, I’m using it right now to post this entry!
So far, for a “limited resource” computer by PC standards, it seems to be doing fine. Fairly snappy, even with several applications up and running.
I’m really a bit curious about the thing “under the hood” and being able to manipulate it in the same manner as I would a PC. I would like to be able to image the hard drive, reload it, add applications, make it do things like rip DVDs, utilize FTP, browse newsgroups, edit video and audio, figure out its quirks and learn the “Apple Way”.
I feel like I’ve been handed a my first windows machine all over again. Yeah, I can make it do things like browse the web, listen to music, read e-mails, etc. But ANY computer can do that. I want to take it to the next level – I want to be able to “hack” on the thing and see if I can make it do things out of the ordinary.
- Can I set it up as a Web Server? With the BSD underneath, one would think so.
- Can I make it serve files to my Windows PCs? Again with BSD and Samba, one would think so.
- Can I make it run SETI@Home/Folding@Home?
- Can I play “real” games on it? Like Call of Duty, Halo, PWI, etc.?
- Can I access my network from home with it?
At any rate, I know that all of these things should be possible, but I want to make them happen and learn how to control the system, not work inside the “Apple Box” so to speak.
Will report back later.