Scott Hanson has made some changes to enable localhost HTTP access to his FeedLand docker containers. #
@fmcpherson @troutcolor I've now added an option to install on localhost using http on the standard FeedLand port of 1452. The proposed update is in the localhostInstall branch and can be downloaded as a zip file here. Basically, you run scripts/generate-env.sh --http-localhost, and a proper config.json for localhost is generated.#
I spent the afternoon working on and testing Scott Hanson's dockerized version of Feedland. I've written notes but I don't have the time now to edit and post them, which I will do this weekend. The net is that like the other time I installed FeedLand in my home lab, I could not get browser access via HTTP to work. The web browser just simply refuses to load the site and displays an SSL error message. The good news is that I did get access to work via my Nginx and duckdns.org configuration in the same manner as I have done with other apps hosted in my home network.#
Just realized that there is no RSS feed for the Daynotes outline file being served by PagePark, so a reason to keep using the "Old School" version is to have a RSS feed of my day notes. I just confirmed via FeedLand that the HTTPS access to the RSS feed of that site works. I may copy items over here so that they get pushed out via RSS.#
- On January 30 my ability to update this site broke. Each time that I tried to build this blog I saw an error message reporting that the file name contains illegal characters. I also observed via the web browser console that the server was returning a 400 error. I suspected the use of my email address with the at sign was the cause, even though the at sign is a legal character I saw information on the web saying it was common for web servers to have policies that don't recognize the at sign as a legal character.#
- Today Dave wrote on Scripting.com that there was a problem in Drummer blogs due it now being served by HTTPS. Details suggesting a fix were posted on the drummerCms github repo that involved creating one's own template for the site and adding an OPML header to tell the CMS to use it for generating she site. I then went down the rabbit hole of fixing the site and I posted the results of my work to the thread on github. #
- I was curious about how support for https caused the illegal characters, so before I did anything I decided to just try building the blog and to my surprise it worked. My idea is that https support has been added to the oldschool host using either Caddy or Nginx, which had a default policy that did not allow the at sign in the URL and that subsequently got changed so site access will work. If I am right the net is Drummer users don't have to actually do the template change unless Dave were to decide to force all access via https.#
- I decided to press on down the rabbit hole by getting a copy of the minimal template Dave provides, editing it, and storing it on my shared Internet instance. My copy of a working template is at https://shared.frankmcpherson.net/html/newtemplate.html. Users could use this link but that means any changes I might make to the template in the future will affect your site. #
- To use the new template one has to add the OPML header urlTemplate to the blog.opml file by selecting File, Edit OPML headers in Drummer. Through several iterations of testing I found that all references to //scripting.com in the template needed to change to //s3.amazonaws.com/scripting.com and all references to //fargo.io need to be changed to //s3.amazonaws.com/fargo.io. The changes are needed for HTTPS access because all referenced scripts and CSS files need to use HTTPS, which with these changes are provided by Amazon's default public access to S3 buckets. (s3.amazonaws.com is Amazon's host). #
- After adding the urlTemplate header variable and setting it to a value, which is the URL to your template file, click Tools, Build my blog in Drummer to build the new site. Note that when you Build your blog with Drummer it may continue loading the site using HTTP rather than HTTPS, pay attention to the security indicator in your blog. You may want to confirm HTTPS by access the site via another browser tab.#
- After testing further I found that all the generated links in the site, for example the links to each day's posts, where still using HTTP rather than HTTPS. I went back to the Drummer docs and found information about using PagePark for serving Drummer blogs with one's own URL like www.example.com, and that requires the header variable urlBlogWebsite set to the URL https://www.example.com. I added urlBlogWebsite and set it to https://oldschool.scripting.com/frank.mcpherson@gmail.com and then rebuilt the blog and confirmed that all generated URLs used HTTPS. #
- This site is not my blog, I view it as public access to a set of notes. I do my writing here using Drummer and so long as I can access Drummer I can get to my notes. Problem is, Drummer works best in a desktop browser so I have found it easier to access my notes via the "standard" web server. I don't know how many people beyond myself read what I write here, so what I write here it is for an audience of one. #
- I have been using Dave Winer's products since 1999 and I have learned the lessons of what it means to use his products. Dave is a developer and not a hosting provider, so I understand the main risk of using his web apps is that they can go offline at any time and may never return. I am diligent about downloading copies of the files I create in Drummer and I have a copy of Electric Drummer on my Mac to enable me to open the files should Drummer ever go offline for good. I could mitigate this issue further by learning and using Dave's outlining source code, concord. #
- When I found that I could not publish to this Drummer blog I created a work around by creating a new OPML file in Drummer, creating a public link for that file, and then enabling access to that OPML file using my own instance of pagePark, which I had set up a few years ago to "publish" my other outlines like the books I read. #
- PagePark is a web server that can serve markdown and OPML files as well as HTML. It supports templates but I like the default way it renders OPML files. The simplest approach is using one OPML file for one HTML page/site, so while the Drummer blog version of my Daynotes renders separate pages for each day, the PagePark version of the Daynotes keeps a page of posts all on the same day. I can set collapse attributes to node headers to keep a web page from getting real long, and for now I am collapsing each month. #
- So now that this Drummer "Old School" blog is back online, do I stick with my single outline or revert back here? I am not entirely sure, I am leaning toward keeping the single outline just because the web server access to it is under my control although the source OPML files are stored on Dave's drummer.land host. #
I have created a redirect to this public OPML file to provide an alternate way to get to it than Dave's OldSchool server. The url is https://info.frankmcpherson.net/daynotes.opml. There is something really weird going on with serving this file that is causing an entire node to be a URL like this one.#
To me the answer to the question in this thread is so obvious, because I think the natural outcome of religion is idolatry. When you consider that a group of people worship and idol, whether that be a religion, a bible, or even a name then it is easy to understand how those people don't know what is real so much so they don't even care because the idol reinforces their beliefs.#
Leo Laporte has vibe coded a terminal RSS reader app that uses Claude API for summarization. This might provide me with a way to test AI summarization of RSS feeds. And here is another RSS reader that uses local storage. It does feel like RSS is making a come back given the number of people making apps for it.#
I am thinking of paying for a monthly subscription to Claude in order to learn more about AI and what it can do for me. #
PrivateLLM is a iOS/iPadOS/MacOS app that runs open source LLMs on the device and costs $4.99. The LLMs are not from Hugging Face and optimized for the app.#
Found an app, Standby Pro, that turns my Pixel 10 in to a smart display when I have it on the wireless charger. What I like about it is, I can configure the manner in which the app auto launches. Right now it is configured to only launch when I put the Pixel 10 on the charger in landscape and its connected to Wifi. If I put the phone on the charger in portrait the app does not launch and in my case the phone stays on the lock screen. The app comes with a number of preset configurations but also can display standard Android app widgets, which means that I can have the Windy radar display to show the current weather. I tried Radarscope but that widget doesn't want to work in landscape.#
I have this Belkin Qi 2.5 wireless charger that I am really happy with, it charges my phone and ear buds wirelessly at the same time and has a USB-C port to plug in my watch charger. Funny that it wasn't until I tried Standby Pro that I even considered putting the phone on the charger in landscape.#
I have not yet upgraded my Macbook Pro to Tahoe. I guess the main reason why is that I haven't seen a compelling reason why I should run toward it. And yet, I do want to keep current so sooner or later I will have to go there.#
- I noticed some entries in my RSS feeds this morning making reference to the Blackberry, and I suspect they were in reference to the Clicks Communicator, a new Android-based phone to launch later this year. This is from the company that has been selling a physical keyboard case for the iPhone. The Clicks Communicator has a built-in physical keyboard, hence the reference to Blackberry. #
- The device software is built on Android 16 with a customized launcher that is optimized for communications. What it looks to me like is the Android notification shade made front and center to the device. It has hardware buttons to initiate voice to text input, if one prefers and has an LED around the primary button that will flash different colors one configures for different notifications. The color LED reminds me of the roller ball of the first Android phone, the T-Mobile G1. #
- The negatives start with the price, while one can reserve one now for a $399 total price by paying $199 to reserve it, the Communicator will retail for $499, which I think is too much for a device being promoted as a second phone. The intro video compares the Communicator to a Kindle as it compares to the iPad, but Kindles cost much less than $499. #
- Another big miss in my opinion is not providing a removable battery nor Magsafe support, although I imagine this might be something that could be provided via special "cover." The device includes the things smartphones lost over the years like the physical buttons, storage card slots, and 3.5mm audio adapter, so why not go all the way and provide removable batteries? #
- The Clicks Communicator is going to be a niche device, it's not going to take over the smartphone leaders. I got to think that $499 starting price will have to come down to the $300 to $400 range to justify the purchase as an "accessory" to an every day carry smartphone. The question then is, will enough sell for the device to last long enough for the price to come down? The answer depends on whether there is truly a demand for this type of device.#
For the first time I used the Day One app to create a book of my blog posts I wrote during the past year. I've known about this ability and have wanted to do it for a while, but it wasn't until recently that I found a way to send all of my posts to the app. I was surprised to find that one can only create and purchase the book on the iOS/iPadOS versions of the app, I wonder why they don't include this feature in the MacOS app. I have also created a PDF of all my blog posts, but the book I ordered is only for the past year.#
I published my 2025 Year In Books to my blog using Epilogue and wrote my first blog post for the year in Obsidian. My first attempts to use the micro.publish plugin to publish the post failed and it took me a little bit of time to update the plugin, which resolved the problem#
The script was written by Steve Hayden, who died in August 2025. Shortly before his death, he had reflected on how the "1984" message of technology setting us free has not come true. "Yet the exact opposite happened," he said. "I don't think we've had weirder beliefs since the Salem witch trials or the Middle Ages."#
Just enabled themed icons on the Pixel 10. Only the MLB At Bat icon is not themed, for some reason. I thought I had the latest QPR installed that forced themed icons even if for apps that don't support it, so I am wondering what is going on. I am going to keep themed icons enabled for now to see how I like it.#
Received notification on the Viwoods AI Paper Mini that update V3.11.2 is available, and so that is in process of downloading and installing now. Amongst the new items is To-Do feature that replaces the barebones Tasks that has been previously available. To-Dos are text and not stored as digital ink whereas Tasks is purely digital ink. The two appear to co-exist in Daily, I think the main benefit will be for incomplete To-Dos entered today to carry over to tomorrow and I have created one as a test. To-Dos that are due on future dates only appear in the list on that date.#
Today is Day 3 of using the Pixel 10, and today I've taken notice of the battery life. When I went to bed last night there was 68% of life left and when I woke up about nine hours later there was 58%. With the Pixel 7a when I went to bed and woke up after that duration about 20% of the battery would be gone. #
9to5Google has an article about Pixel 10 accessories, including cases and Qi2 chargers. I've been using a Latercase on the Pixel 7a that I really like, so I went with their Pixel 10 Willy Blue version. I like how light yet durable these cases are, and after nearly three years of use the Pixel 7a case shows no wear. The cost for the case is at the high end of what most people prefer paying, but I think it worth investing in one that doesn't add bulk, weight, and yet provides good protection.#
The Latercase does not hinder the magnetic attachment to the Belkin Qi charging stand that I bought. I bought the magsafe atttachments in case there were problems, but looks look I won't need it. The Belkin charger is in 9to5Google's recommendations, it has two wireless charging pads and a USB-C power distribution port so I can charge the phone, Pixelbuds and Pixel Watch via the included 45W power adapter. Many companies no longer include the power adapter, so I think Belkin's inclusion of one makes this a good purchase.#
I wondering about what other Magsafe/Pixelsnap accessories may be worthwhile? Wallets seem to be particularly attractive, my bet is they are popular with women who clothing that is usually sans pockets. I am old enough to think wallets are for carrying money, so all the slim, card and ID only wallets, don't usually seem enough except for when making a quick run to pickup carryout. I wonder how many people always keep the wallet attached? #
I also frequently see adds for these magnetic "pop socket" like holders, my wife uses one of these on her phones but I have never seen the value.#
I got the Pixel 10 for Christmas and I am in the process of copying data from the Pixel 7a to the 10. The first thing I noticed about the Pixel 10 is how heavy it is and I don't know why I didn't think to compare the weight. I like the physical size of the Pixel 10 and how it feels in my hand. The indigo blue is very pretty, it almost makes me not want to put a case on. #
The transfer between the two phones includes moving from a physical SIM to an eSIM, which I am not thrilled about but I don't swap my SIM between phones so beyond this set up process it won't be a problem. However, I am most worried about whether the transfer will succeed. Right now I don't know for certain yet if it did.#
The Pixel out of box setup includes a step that transfers a physical SIM to the eSIM. It didn't work for me at first because I had AT&T wireless lock turned on, after I turned that off the transfer worked. I was afraid that I would either have to use the AT&T portal or call them, neither were things I looked forward do because of past bad experiences with AT&T. As a test I sent a text message to my wife and received a response.#
This is the first time that I have transferred my Pixel Watch to a new phone since Google made the transfer process easier, and it worked as advertised. In the past I had to wipe the watch and re-execute the first time setup process. Connection to Fitbit also worked as expected. It took Google long enough to finally get this right!#
I just by accident discovered how to create split view tabs in Arc, which I have done with Drummer and my now page. #
While technically I am not retired, I am thinking of myself as retired because I no longer have any work responsibilities. I think this is a mindset change more than anything. For example, normally when I start the Christmas vacation/holiday, I see the amount of unscheduled/committed time I have as finite because I know that it ends on New Years day. Not this year, this morning I am thinking more in terms of new routines. When do I want to get up? How do I want to start my mornings? Etc... #
I use Arc on my Macbook and one of it's cool features is split pane, which enables me to put by blog on one half of the screen and my editor on the other, then see side-by-side any changes that I make.#
Drummer is claiming to be running in another tab and for the life of me I cannot find it. Found it, it was running on my iPad for some reason. #
Friday, December 19 was my last work day at DXC. My retirement is officially on December 31, 2025 but I am now on holiday until then. Friday held within itself a bundle of emotions, starting with completing my last time sheets (weekly time reporting is perhaps the most important act of a DXC employee), then going to lunch with my wife, wrapping up with video calls with two of my former bosses who were no longer with DXC and another with those whom I have been working.#
I met my wife through work, specifically at an after work party that started with dinner and drinks at What's On Second and an evening show of Second City at The Attic Theatre. The first time spent by just the two of us was during a work day lunch at the West Side deli. West Side no longer exists but we had our lunch at a nearby Potbellys, a place I often got lunch from when I worked at the Renaissance Center in Detroit. It seemed to be the best place to go for my final work day lunch.#
On November 27, 1989 I boarded an airplane for the final destination of Plano Texas on the first day of my employment with Electronic Data Systems (EDS). Over those 36 years that I worked what was a subsidiary of General Motors became again a standalone company in 1996 only to be acquired by Hewlett Packard in 2008. In 2017, after a brief stint as part of Hewlett Packard Enterprise, I and what was left of EDS was merged with Computer Sciences Corporation to form DXC Technology. On December 1, 2025, on the 37 year mark of the first Friday of my employment with EDS I submitted my resignation for the purpose of retirement. I didn't plan it this way but I am struck by the timing of this moment. #
Dave has connected Scripting News to his Wordpress site so that what he writes appears in both locations. I couldn't help but notice how Dave got around the Wordpress requirement for title in order to create a direct link to a post, which is to generate a standard title using the date of the post, which i show I have been doing it using IFTTT. For example, look at this on Scripting News, it's copy on Wordpress, as compared to one of my copies from micro.blog to Wordpress. I was hoping Dave could influence Wordpress to improve how they handle titleless posts.#
There is a web browser standard for creating links that jump directly to a snippet of text on a web page. For example, this link should take you to the middle of my now page in which I wrote that I completed the 91 mile CA-M segment of the Pacific Crest Trail. To make the link I use the mouse to highlight the text, right-click and click Copy Link to Highlight. Unfortunately only Safari loads the page with the selected text highlighted, the other browsers jump to the location but do not make it obvious what is the text specifically jumped to. This is a form permalinks link generated on this site and anchored to the hash at the end of every paragraph. #
The only thing of benefit for my Google Pixel 7a in the November 2025 Pixel drop is the theme packs, which I have no interest in because I have no interest in turning my phone in to an advertisement for Wicked.#
In a country in which greed rules, is pedophilia the line that cannot be crossed? (Probably not) We all know the real problem in our country is that greed for wealth and power, an idol, drives us to not accept constraints on anything, but most of us in the United States are conditioned to not address, let alone recognize, the problem. Heck, we allow people elected to Congress to get wealthy by trading stocks no matter the clear conflicts of interest and likely insider trading that sends the likes of Martha Stewart to jail. The idea that any person can have too much money is heresy of the American religion, which itself is a heresy of the teachings of Jesus. And some dare to claim that the United States is a Christian nation? #