Tag: technology

iPad diagramming


I often need to diagram things at work. It's usually something like a system block diagram, a gnarly code problem, or client-server interactions. Sometimes it's just a list of things I'm comparing. Whatever the diagram is, I need to the keep it around for a while. And refer to it, scribble on it, and update … Continue reading iPad diagramming →

Rackspace Ubuntu 11.04 servers broken without a network


I've got an odd problem. I create a 4 GB VM in the Rackspace Cloud with an Ubuntu 11.04 server image. After it's created, I can't ssh to it, and ping returns zero bytes. I can get to it from the Rackspace dashboard console. But it's not on the network. Creating a VM without a network is kind of … Continue reading Rackspace Ubuntu 11.04 servers broken without a network →

Scaling CouchDB


Scaling CouchDB by Bradley Holt, published by O'Reilly, is a sweet little book. Buy this book if you're using, or contemplating using, CouchDB in a high-performance setting. It's only 58 pages. But it's a very good 58 pages.

Does Rackspace still support Ubuntu?


Updated at 7/6/2011 1425: Whatdeyaknow, Ubuntu 11.04 just showed up on Rackspace's server list. ——— Ubuntu released 11.04 (Natty Narwhal) back in April. It's now July, and 11.04 is still not available as a server image at Rackspace Cloud. I've repeatedly asked Rackspace about 11.04's availability. I always get the same answer back, which is, paraphrasing: … Continue reading Does Rackspace still support Ubuntu? →

AT&T tethering cross-country


I tried AT&T tethering during my bus trip to PyCon 2011. My bus stayed on the highways, for the most part. The results: It was trivial to set up When it worked, it worked well Through most of Washington State, all of Idaho, 95% of Montana — in fact, through most of all the way … Continue reading AT&T tethering cross-country →

AT&T tethering while I’m on the road


I'm going to use AT&T tethering while I'm traveling to & from PyCon 2011. CLEAR/Clearwire could have gotten my business, but their service has been so terrible at home. They lose!

CLEAR fails another customer support test


I filed a complaint about CLEAR with the WA Attorney General's office. Yesterday, about two weeks after I filed the complaint, someone from CLEAR calls me and is very apologetic. "We want to see if you're having any more speed issues." We talk. He says let's do another speed test. I say OK. He says … Continue reading CLEAR fails another customer support test →

Review of CLEAR WiMAX in Seattle


(Read parts I, II, and III.) Yesterday, I did another speed test with CLEAR's level 1 tech support. (I.e., the reps you get by dialing 1-888-888-3113.) CLEAR's support rep said they had done no work on my ticket, but they wanted to do another speed test anyway. Hrm. No work at all? None. The results: My … Continue reading Review of CLEAR WiMAX in Seattle →