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Modeling Resources

August 12th, 2015 | Posted by pftq in 42 | #

Tutorials and other resources for 3D modeling, 3D printing, etc


3D Modeling and Printing for Beginners - Starting point for myself coming from familiarity with Photoshop and Illustrator.
1435 unique view(s)

Music and Sound Editing

August 10th, 2009 | Posted by pftq in 42 | #

Free tools and programs to edit audio and mp3 files.  Resources and tips to read on.

     Of course, the best programs would have to cost money, but for those of us with somewhat of a budget, these are some of the programs I've found most useful.  Further down are also resources I found useful for advice on how to better edit sounds or music pieces.

My own tips for loudness penalty: https://www.pftq.com/blabberbox/?page=Loudness_Penalty_Tricks

General...[More]

Last Updated Jan 25th, 2023 | 1039 unique view(s)

One Equals 0.99999...

April 29th, 2007 | Posted by pftq in 42 | #

Confusing math…
  I came across this a few times. They say once you go into Calculus, it’s understandable, but me having not gone that far, find this pretty strange…
x = 0.99999…
10x = 9.99999…
10x-x = 9.99999……[More]

840 unique view(s)

One Equals Zero

September 26th, 2006 | Posted by pftq in 42 | #

Proving 1=0, 2=1, and so on…
  Here is a pretty tricky proof that I’ve come across several times. It basically proves that a+b=a, which would mean that 1+0=0, 1=0, 2=1, and so on.

  I know very well how to prove this wrong, but do you? :P
a = b
ab = b²
ab…[More]

1959 unique view(s)

Origami Folding

March 29th, 2009 | Posted by pftq in 42 | #
     I used to fold a lot of origami when I was littler.  Don't remember as many anymore, but once in a while I try to relearn a few.  Below are some bookmarks I keep of some nice ones to remember (or reference if you don't remember).  Usually I care only for those that require no cutting or additional accessories (just the paper and folding).  Kind of defeats the purpose otherwise - at least to me.
     If you know any other nice tutorials, do add.  I'm always wanting to learn more - and perhaps figure out a few that I used to know how to make but forgot lately. Sad
Materials:...[More]
Last Updated Mar 20th, 2014 | 1155 unique view(s)

PDF Creator Borderless Word Doc

February 6th, 2010 | Posted by pftq in 42 | #
  I recently ran into an issue where PDF Creator was cutting off the top of my documents that were too close to the edge.  It's strange because the sides and bottom of the pages were okay, so it didn't seem like a border-issue (and PDF Creator isn't a real printer anyways).

   To fix it, go to Print Options for Microsoft Word and make sure <strong>"A4/Letter Resizing" is turned off</strong>.

I am guessing if you set the correct paper size in PDF Creator's options, this would fix it as well.  Usually however, I just print straight to PDF without changing any settings, so this is the preferred method for me.
Last Updated Jan 3rd, 2011 | 1397 unique view(s)

Preventing Myopia

July 16th, 2007 | Posted by pftq in 42 | #
Can glasses worsen nearsightedness and Myopia?

Quote
** Update 2019: I have pretty much confirmed, at least for myself, that getting stronger glasses each year was the cause of my myopia.  I stopped going to eye exams and getting stronger glasses since 7th grade, which is over 15 years ago now.  I also made deliberate effort to never wear my glasses except when needed to read far.  During that time, I only went back once at the end of college to replace broken glasses, and that prescription ended up being pretty much the same as eight years prior.  Another seven years later, today, after going back to replace broken glasses, my prescription still ended up being close to what it was over a decade ago.  

My eyes went from 0 to -5.00 diopters from 4th to 7th grade in a matter of 3 years, during which doctors gave me stronger glasses every year.  Eight years later after avoiding eye doctors for so long, my replacement glasses ended up still only -5.25 diopters.  Now, my newest prescription 7 years after that is -6.00 diopters, of which I currently have to practically argue with the eye doctor not to prescribe the full amount and restart the worsening cycle.  It's a bit too much a coincidence to think it had nothing to do with when I stopped upping the prescription every year.
...[More]
Last Updated Dec 21st, 2019 | 1803 unique view(s)

Printing Online

January 14th, 2012 | Posted by pftq in 42 | #

Printing postcards, posters, buttons, bags, t-shirts, cups, etc, etc


     Just my reference on what I've gone with over the years.  Not necessarily the cheapest or the best quality but what best suites what I needed (maybe cheapest for that particular item or whatnot).
Postcards
GotPrint.net...[More]
Last Updated Jan 15th, 2012 | 1090 unique view(s)

Programming for Holidays

April 12th, 2020 | Posted by pftq in 42 | #
In case anyone finds it useful, this is the code I use to automatically detect US holidays.  I don't claim credit for it - added bits and pieces over the years from various sources until it was complete enough that I didn't have to worry about it anymore.

[code]
        public bool isHoliday(DateTime date)
        {
    ...[More]
Last Updated Nov 27th, 2020 | 508 unique view(s)

Programming Resources

July 22nd, 2007 | Posted by pftq in 42 | #

Learning Java in 24 hours, etc

  Resources for learning non-web languages like Java or C will be noted here.  The first non-web language I picked up was Java.  I normally list resources as I find them and in the order I use them.  Check out the Web Design resources for my actual pathway starting any programming/language at all through HTML, PHP, MySQL, and other web-related languages.
  If you come across other great resources, feel free to send them to me.

Java

...[More]
Last Updated Jul 6th, 2017 | 1456 unique view(s)

Random Freezes with Nvidia Chipset

August 4th, 2013 | Posted by pftq in 42 | #
Something to look into if you were one of the early adopters of the Nvidia chipset back in 2007-ish and now notice it starting to pause or freeze your computer every so often, especially during high I/O.

I noticed on my end that I tend to get a spam of the following warning in my event viewer during these times:
Warning: nvstor64 “Reset to device, DeviceRaidPort1, was issued.”
Warning: nvstor64 “A request to this device has been cancelled. Device: DeviceRaidPort1″

As usual it's a software/driver issue.

See one way to go about resetting the chipset drivers here:
http://zuki.org.uk/blog/2009/11/random-freezing-stuttering-sound-loops-in-windows-vista-or-7/

For me, it worked to just go to Device Manager > IDE > Nvidia nForce Serial ATA Controller > Properties and disable Command Queuing on the drives being problematic.
Last Updated Aug 5th, 2013 | 1181 unique view(s)

Rejecting Spam via G-Suite

February 14th, 2022 | Posted by pftq in 42 | #
If you have G-suite for @Gmail and are getting repeat spam with the exact same phrases, you can make a filter to hard reject them by using compliance rules in the Google Admin panel.
1) Go to Apps > Google Workspace > Settings for Gmail > Compliance
2) Add a rule under Content Compliance.
3) Check "Inbound" and "Internal - Receiving"
4) Set to "If ALL of the following match.." Add an expression to match and use advanced content match.  You can add multiple conditions to make sure it only affects spam messages.  I use the following as an example (this guy has been using the exact same name and message for repeat daily spam for years):
- Sender Header...[More]
288 unique view(s)

Remote Desktop Setup

October 15th, 2015 | Posted by pftq in 42 | #
Good articles on securing the Remote Desktop function of Windows, so that it uses encryption, etc.

Basic things all RDP should have:
http://www.howtogeek.com/175087/how-to-enable-and-secure-remote-desktop-on-windows/

In addition,...[More]
Last Updated May 26th, 2024 | 1049 unique view(s)

Removing 30-Min Video Limit in Sony Cameras

August 31st, 2016 | Posted by pftq in 42 | #
For some reason, newer cameras (for me, the Sony RX100 IV) have this built-in 30 min limit to any video.  The supposed explanation is that companies don't want the camera to get categorized as camcorders which get extra import tax, but it's crazy to think that the camera I had back in 2009 could do more video recording than any camera I could get today.

Luckily this is all software, and at least for the Sony cameras like the RX100, you can run this hack here that would remove the limit:
https://sony-pmca.appspot.com/plugin/app/com.github.ma1co.openmemories.tweak

The hack itself might be getting dated though as you need Internet Explorer to run it.
Last Updated Dec 21st, 2019 | 1680 unique view(s)

School Resources

December 28th, 2008 | Posted by pftq in 42 | #

Useful sites for schoolwork, english, math, and more!

 More than a few times I've had teachers at school who do not explain well enough or they make us memorize/study way too much. Many times, I've found other sites or links that definitely helped. I'll update this as I find more. Hopefully this helps out some of you. Feel free to share if you find any too! Smiley



General

...[More]
Last Updated Apr 12th, 2012 | 2087 unique view(s)

Securing HTTPS SSL

July 29th, 2018 | Posted by pftq in 42 | #
Below are all steps to take to make sure your site is served securely over HTTPS.  Any suggestions, feel free to let me know.

1. Preliminary:
- Install SSL certificate to your domain either through GoDaddy, AutoSSL on CPanel, or Let's Encrypt on CPanel.  Let's Encrypt is easiest to me, as it auto-renews and is free.  There isn't really a reason to pay anymore for SSL.  However, note that you can't have both AutoSSL and Let's Encrypt on at the same time (they will compete/conflict).  If you run into errors for subdomains on Let's Encrypt, try excluding the www- checkbox.  For Windows IIS, you can use CertifyTheWeb which auto-installs from Let's Encrypt.

2. Adding HSTS to servers....[More]
Last Updated Sep 6th, 2018 | 643 unique view(s)

Security Software

June 17th, 2010 | Posted by pftq in 42 | #

Best antivirus, antispyware, and just antimalware in general.


     Just doing a bit of research on my own to figure out what antivirus programs I want to use once I do a clean install of Windows 7 on my laptop.  Obviously, I cannot personally try them all, so I'm going to be listing ones I find most mentioned and in general what people say about them.

Free...[More]

Last Updated Jan 14th, 2012 | 1054 unique view(s)

Send As From Google Group

April 6th, 2021 | Posted by pftq in 42 | #
Below are steps so that, from your personal email account, you can "send as" from the same email address as that used in a Google Group under a business account.  The information is not really spelled out anywhere, so I'm writing this down for future reference.

1.  Login to the business account primary email (the owner / admin).
2.  From Gmail, go to Settings > Accounts and Import > Send mail as.  Add the Google Group address here once.
3.  Login to your personal email account in Gmail, which should also be a member of the Google Group to receive messages.
4.  Go to Settings > Accounts and Import > Send mail as.  Add the same Google Group address here again.

For the login credentials, you'll need to use a user email (non-Google group) from the domain of the business and for password, it needs to be an app password generated specifically for this.
Last Updated Jul 19th, 2024 | 451 unique view(s)

Send Mail As From Gmail SMTP

October 15th, 2015 | Posted by pftq in 42 | #
These are directions on how to set up your own domain's email addresses to work from Gmail in case I forget.  In other words, sending from your own user@domain.com address but having it sent from Gmail's servers so you can use gmail as your client, authentication, etc.  You might also want to look at sending from a shared Google Group email to avoid having to maintain an extra email account.

1. Login to gmail.com.
2. Go to settings.
3. Go to accounts and import.
4. Under send...[More]
Last Updated Dec 13th, 2022 | 1113 unique view(s)

SMF1 on PHP5

January 14th, 2020 | Posted by pftq in 42 | #
For those still using SMF1, PHP5 or later will throw a lot of deprecated errors and warnings, which quickly clog the error log.  This thread below isolates the 3 changes you need to clear them:
https://www.simplemachines.org/community/index.php?topic=534915.0

To stop error logging internally to SMF:
Quote
In index.php:
- Replace set_error_handler('error_handler'); with set_error_handler('error_handler',E_ALL & ~E_DEPRECATED & ~E_NOTICE);

To stop errors showing on the page itself:
Quote
In index.php:
- Change error_reporting(E_ALL); to error_reporting(E_ALL & ~E_DEPRECATED & ~E_NOTICE);

In SSI.php
Change
Code:
$ssi_error_reporting = error_reporting(E_ALL);
to
Code:
$ssi_error_reporting = error_reporting(E_ALL & ~E_DEPRECATED & ~E_NOTICE);
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