Missing http in Firefox Address Bar

For anyone missing the 'http' in the address bar of Firefox, here is a nifty article I found:
http://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/880046#answer-252333

Basically you need to go to about:config and set browser.urlbar.trimURLs to false.

Linux Test Server

So, I bought a cpu machine for $85 at my local Edmonds computer store. Thanks to the technician over there, it runs great - in Windows. The dvd writer worked so well, I spent hours and hours making cds of all the different Linux variations out there, Debian, Fedora, Centos, Ubuntu, I was even willing to give old Free BSD a try. Unfortunately I then spent more hours and hours trying to get the machine to boot from those cds and dvds - wasn't gonna happen! So, I discovered this site which has some utitilties to boot linux from a usb stick. After I found that, I was able to copy the compact boot version with net install and quickly make the machine boot up. I first tried Ubuntu "Live CD" version that runs the whole computer from that little usb stick. It seemed a little too plastic for me, so I reloaded the stick with Debian 6.0.

Here are the notes I took to install the new debian os:

• Enter BIOS and Enable "Boot USB Devices First".
  
• Boot up from usb
• I proceeded to wipe out and re-partition the hard drive removing all the fine windows work. Most of the space was allocated to /home partition.
• Use SPACE key to select packages. (chose Desktop and Web Server)
  
• Remember to switch back off "bood usb devices" before restart.
• copy down all created passwords and usernames.

Now, I have built a new desk from an old closet door and I have both machines setup in the office. I almost regret installing the desktop software on the machine, I'm using ssh mostly to access the machine from my trusty ole windows xp. I can't figure out why the "Epiphany Web Browser" and the "GNOME Terminal 2.30.2" don't co-operate together. I can't even copy and paste between the two. It also seems too reliant on the mouse. I think I will try another desktop.

In the meantime, I am ssh'd directly in from my windows machine here, and I'm going to town editing the apache conf files and creating svn repositories and virtual hosts. That's the real reason I got this machine - to administer my own little server here. Before I get too carried away, it may be worth it just for the experience to re-do the whole thing and try the red-hat version. I see the server hosting my web site is CENTOS 5.7 i686 standard .

Helpful links for setting up:

• Setting up svn on debian. (skips around a little bit at "Let's set up easy ssh connectivity, on a user machine")
• Hosting Multiple domains on apache. I ignored all the "included sites" individual files, I just edited the virutal hosts conf file.
• Slice Host, some good info and centos specific
• Apache on Debian

I now have a "new" desk, and a linux test machine sitting under it.

Domains

Recently while searching for a new domain name, I built this little wizard based on previous programming work in perl.

Try it out: Domain Name Wizard .

Take Care, Keith

Jay Data Customer Login

Jay Data Customer Login Keep it Simple, the "KISS" principle.

9-11 Alert

After I already left Taiwan, I started getting emails from the Dept. of State.  I'm not sure how they got my email.  Here's the latest release to coincide with the 9-11 anniversary:

---

9-11 Anniversary


As we mark the 10th Anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, the Department of State informs U.S. citizens traveling and residing abroad of the continued threat posed by al-Qa’ida and its affiliates.  While we have not identified any specific threats from al-Qa’ida affiliates and allies to attack the United States or our interests on the 9/11 anniversary, U.S. citizens should be aware that al-Qa’ida affiliates and allies have demonstrated the intent and capability to carry out attacks against the United States and our interests around the world.  In the past, terrorist organizations have on occasion planned their attacks to coincide with significant dates on the calendar.  This Worldwide Travel Alert supplements the July 26, 2011, Worldwide Caution, and expires on January 2, 2012.

U.S. citizens traveling and residing abroad should enroll in the Smart Travelers Enrollment Program (STEP) at the following website: https://travelregistration.state.gov

U.S. citizens without internet access may enroll directly at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate at their destination.  By enrolling, U.S. citizens make it easier for the Embassy to contact them in case of emergency.
Updated information on travel and security may be obtained from the Department of State by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or, for callers outside the United States and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444.  For further information, please consult the Worldwide Caution and other consular information, including Country Specific Information, for specific countries.  These products and the latest international travel information for U.S. citizens are available on the Bureau of Consular Affairs Internet website at http://travel.state.gov

This email is UNCLASSIFIED.

Adsense and Adwords

I got one of those free little cards that google sends out in the mail because I signed up for adsense.  I see I just got one because of google places too.  Anyways, I set up an "Add Words" advertisement for a web site design company in Ballard.    Supposedly they are going to match me up with some key words that I chose like website,design, Lynnwood, Seattle or Ballard.  I have a google adsense account over on the right side, so let's see if one of those ads come up there. 

Picture of giant ball made of Driftwood.  Taitung, Taiwan

I tried to see if the ad would appear in the google search results based on those key words, but it did not seem to.. That may be a different system or I may need to target some narrower keywords for the test.  Anyways, this post is mostly just to test out the system..

An interesting thing happened as well, apparently they (Google) don't allow ! in their ad titles, so my ad was immediately rejected.  There was a little link for "Request an Exception" which I clicked and waited until just today (4 days later) to get a reply back that my ad was "disapproved"!    This is the reason they gave: 

"Punctuation and Symbols: Punctuation & Symbols: Per the 'Ad Style &
grammar' section of our Editorial Guidelines, we do not permit
excessive or unnecessary punctuation or symbols. The following are
examples of guideline violations: "

Apparently they don't allow Exclamation Marks in the title, so I had to remove it from ad title "Get a web site now!".  After then it was immediately accepted.   Supposedly.  I'll believe it when I see the ad somewhere, like on this blog.

Cheers and Happy Last Days of Summer !

Keith

Containers used for river embankment.  Taitung County, Taiwan

Snow

That was some wild wacky snowy weather we had this winter.  It snowed and then snowed some more.  Thank goodness for wood heat.

SEOmoz is a Waste of Money

Looking for a job pretty much sucks - a lot. Putting yourself out there again and again to be rejected is just not fun at all. I had this brilliant idea that for every company that rejected me so far, I would start up my own competing company and "teach them a lesson"! ... Well, to date I would need to set up a massive online book-seller, an online car shopping system, and a global coffee store chain, not exactly the easiest of tasks! Well, this latest company "SEOmoz" is a little more in the ballpark.  I know a thing or two about "SEO" and I have been involved with it much longer than the founder of their company.

This SeoMoz offers a Pro (read: Expensive) search engine optimization service from $99 to $2,000 per month. What a complete rip-off! Most of what they offer can be found for FREE on the Google Webmasters page, or the Yahoo Site Explorer.  All your incoming links, page ranks and search engine queries can be found on these two excellent services from the major search engines.  I'm usually not that fond of Google, as I believe they are becoming too big and powerful.  However, you don't argue with a 1000 pound gorrilla and they have all the control in this situation, so you might as well go right to the source and don't waste your money on SEOmoz.

If you need any extra help with SEO, drop me a line, I will set you up for less than they charge, and also give you personalized service. 

Dear Skype, You Suck! but not not alot!

To our valued customers:

As 2010 draws to a close, I would like to take a moment to thank each of you for your patience, understanding, and support during Skype’s recent outage.

We know how important your Skype conversations are to you and we take any disruption to our service very seriously. We are pleased to confirm that Skype is back to normal allowing you to connect with friends, co-workers, family and loved ones.

As a valued customer of Skype, we would like to offer you a sincere apology and offer you our gratitude with a credit voucher worth a call of more than 30 minutes to a landline in some of our most popular countries, such as USA, UK, Germany, China, Japan. Or spend it however you like on Skype.

To redeem your voucher:

1. Go to skype.com/go/voucher
2. Enter your Skype username and password
3. Enter your unique voucher code and click redeem


Voucher code ******************

Thank you for allowing us at Skype to be a part of your life. May your holidays and the New Year be a time of joy, peace, and health for you and your family.

If you require any additional information please visit http://blogs.skype.com/en/2010/12/.

Kind regards,

Tony Bates
CEO
Skype