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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 | 570 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 | 1760 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 | 1284 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]
375 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 | 1174 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 | 1798 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

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Last Updated Apr 12th, 2012 | 2178 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 | 733 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 | 1123 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 | 547 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 | 1203 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);
577 unique view(s)

Sony P200 Camera - Removing Dust Spots

January 2nd, 2009 | Posted by pftq in 42 | #

  The Sony P200 camera, despite being a very good camera, had a known flaw.  Its design was not air-tight and dust would eventually build up on the sensor - which means you get dust spots on pictures you take.  Usually these dust spots are out of focus and only come in for very bright pictures, but as they build up, they become more visible.  This build up I’m talking about usually takes place over a year or two - so it would not be evident at first.

  However, there is a solution for those who wish to keep using it.  Through this simple tutorial at dpreview.com, you can open the camera to brush off (or spray off using compressed air from a can) the dust.  From my experience though, it only buys a few more months before some dust appears again.

  Then again, I usually keep the camera in my pocket so that may be a factor in it. :P

969 unique view(s)

Spotify Release Checklist

October 18th, 2024 | Posted by pftq in 42 | #
These are strategies Waterflame and I have refined over the years for releasing to Spotify (preferably via Distrokid).
- Pre-generating the ISRC. Upload the track privately on Soundcloud first, then edit and check the "Create ISRC' under metadata to have an instant pre-generated ISRC to use on your releases (so you don't need to wait for the first release to finish processing to get the ISRC, in case you need to reupload or have multiple releases or whatever).
- Release Radar. Release on Fridays with global release at 0:00 New York time to ensure it gets on release radar (only updates once a week on Friday, so if you miss it by even a second, you're out of luck).  The fastest distributor is Distrokid, but even they require usually 2 days so you want to have the track uploaded by Wednesday at the latest.
- Release Frequency. Your latest release will generally take the release radar away from the previous, so ideally release once every 2 weeks...[More]
Last Updated Oct 22nd, 2024 | 182 unique view(s)

SQL Azure Users

June 23rd, 2019 | Posted by pftq in 42 | #
Something to remember to do every time you add SQL users to an Azure database.
https://stackoverflow.com/questions/19334041/the-select-permission-was-denied-on-the-object-users-database-xxx-schema
491 unique view(s)

Start Menu for Windows 8

November 26th, 2013 | Posted by pftq in 42 | #
Windows 8 is pretty fast and streamlined compared to Windows 7, despite all the negative hype on its Metro screen and whatnot.  You can disable the Metro screen and restore the Start button by downloading Classic Shell.  With Windows 8.1, you can use the 8.1 start button to bring up the classic start menu as well.
947 unique view(s)

Stopping File From Running

October 30th, 2014 | Posted by pftq in 42 | #
Recently had a case where a file kept running and spawning many instances of itself to keep from being killed.  It was probably Malware (though it called itself Chrome version 36.0.1985.143 with a random exe name Dkzbhjgkyhj.exe). 

Easy way to stop these from running is to just rename the file and extension so that it isn't an executable anymore.  Then you can kill the process in task manager before deleting the file.
1142 unique view(s)

Things That Are Funny

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

Funny quotes, funny facts, weird headlines, and more!

  Here you will find a compilation of silly things I find on the net. This includes quotes, facts, jokes, and more. Only good stuff is put here (as usual on this site Tongue ). Useful if you happen to work on the the school newspaper or something.
  This list is always growing. If you happen to find any you consider really good, feel free to send them to me. Please keep it clean.
Last Updated Dec 6th, 2019 | 1076 unique view(s)

Things to Do

January 11th, 2007 | Posted by pftq in 42 | #
Bored? Need something to do? Just want to burn time? These are some "interesting" sites to check out... Feel free to send me more links to add!
Aninote.com - Type a name into the addresses it gives you on the site and it'll display that name in the animation. Pretty neat. Here's an example with wow in the address: wow.youaremighty.com
Boxhead 2Play - Addicting 2-player stickman shooter game to kill time at school.
Crimson...[More]
Last Updated Oct 21st, 2017 | 1165 unique view(s)

Things to Read

June 3rd, 2009 | Posted by pftq in 42 | #
Below are just interesting sites to go through, to read or skim through, if you're ever bored or just looking for something to read or skim through because you're bored or not. Tongue (say that 10x fast! Ha!)

100 Most Beautiful Places in the World - All the places I want to one day see with my own eyes. Cheesy
Enneagrams...[More]
Last Updated Oct 25th, 2016 | 1103 unique view(s)