Current Projects
SSH Key-based logins with Putty
I am running Red Hat Fedora 4 to support my MythTV setup and noticed (from my logs at /var/log/messages) quite a few people trying to logon to my machine via SSH with various usernames (usually root, mysql, etc), mostly from other countries. For a while, I would look up the offenders IP address and shoot off an e-mail to their ISP asking them to correct, but I quickly grew tired. I then tried scripts that would 'blacklist' multiple login attempts from the same IP address, but that wasn't an elegant solution. I finally decided to disable password-based authentications completely and require the use of public key authorization. Click the icon to the left to see how I did it.
JP1
I really didn't like the remote that came with the Hauppauge cards, so I created my own “upgrade code” for my One For All remote (URC-8011). It in essence allows me to add a “factory code” to any JP1able remote to control my equipment with any button of my choosing. If you are familiar with JP1 and IR.exe, here isRemoteMaster file. Click the remote to the left to see how.
MythTV
MythTV is an Open Source project (meaning it's source code is available for all and it is a free program, among other things) that acts as a sort of Tivo for your linux-based computer. It really does more than that. It's like a Tivo on steroids. I have recentyly updated to FC4 and am successfully using an Air2PC HD 5000 card to capture OTA HD signals. Details will be coming soon. Click on "My MythTV" on the left for complete details on my old setup..
FireFox
FireFox is an Open Source web browser that advertises itself as a "Safer, Faster, and Better web browser". I have installed it and love it! I especially like the ability to open new pages in "Tabs" located toward the top of the screen. Click the image to the left to download FireFox for yourself!!
ThunderBird
Thunderbird is an Open Source E-mail application similiar to Eudora or Outlook. It offers powerful message filters without Outlook's security problems. Try it for yourself by clicking the image on the left.
My USB flash drive
While I was bored at work one day, I searched the web for cool things and/or programs people put on their portable USB flash drives. Although most people seemd to store porn on their USB key drives, some had other neat things. I found quite a bit of cool stuff including a web-browser (portable FireFox), an e-mail program (portable ThunderBird), an entire Office Suite (portable OpenOffice), and a neat on the fly encryption program (TrueCrypt) to keep everything nice and secure and prevent everything on my flash drive from being used by anyone but me if it ever got lost. Click the image on the image on the left for all the details.
My XBOX
I have modified my XBOX to allow it to run linux. I am using it as a "Media Center" and can run MythTV on it and use it as a "front end". Click the image on the left to see how.
Beyond TV
Beyond TV is a commercial program not too unlike MythTV shown above. It is easier to configure and install. I am running it on my main television downstairs simply because I needed to quickly replace my ReplayTV that died unexpectedly. BeyondTV fit the bill, AND it was on-sale at Fry's for $10 after rebates. Update: I have now completely switched to MythTV... no more BeyondTV.