The Deep End of the Bathtub (Curve) with Dead Albatross

The dual g4 Quicksilver I use for general productivity at home was made in 2002. It has lived at 10 different addresses in 4 different states over that period of time. I used it to writing my B.S. thesis project and heavily used it in my Ph.D. work. While some of my friends have had lemon macs, I got my moneys worth and then some out of it.

To wit: the thing's been used. And I think it wants to retire, as much as a computer can tell you it wants to retire, but having trouble running a current operating system, having vanishingly small amounts of new code targeted to it, and most recently, killing all the hard drives I put in it.

I don't think there's anything physically wrong with the system; the problem is that every ATA-66/100/133 drive I have that is large enough to be useful is 5-7 years old and already has a lot of on-time. Statistically, they're already end-of-life.

One drive kicked the bucket in March. This past week, the drive I replaced it with, a barely used 160 gig drive I used to use for backups (back when 160 gigs was a lot) started spinning up and down, first at random, then all the time. It's motor is clearly gone. Now I get to pull out the screwdriver and put in another drive. I think I'll put in the newest drive.

Thank goodness for rsync. There is script that synchronizes the mac's data with the linux server over the LAN. Used weekly, it has saved every byte worth saving from depolarization.

Backups rock.

Keeping stuff working forever rocks.

But this is getting ridiculous. I have real stuff to do. Every computer in the house is newer and better in most ways. Time to kick this thing to the curb and find a way to do business with something else.

EDIT:
It turns out, the 160 gig drive is fine, and it's one of the other disks that have not raised a S.M.A.R.T. error, that's dying. Insanity.

Spare Derby Photo

I shoot photos of derby with the camera cranking at 5 fps. I must admit, it's intriguing to see the best parts in slow motion when going through to choose the ones I want to keep.

I wonder if I should set aside select sequences and merge them as their own photos....

Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera Fuel Filter Hacking

 The fuel filter in my 1990 Cutlass Ciera rusted apart, and I had to replace it. Sadly, the local autozone didn't have the stock filter (duralast FF607DL or fram G6348) available. In something of a pinch, I went through every box on the shelf looking for one with the correct fittings. It turns out that many of them were really the same element with different fittings and mounting brackets, so I took some hope that I could construct a usable replacement by somehow adapting fittings and maybe using some zip ties to attach my new creation to the car.

I found that the Fram G7333 had the right fittings (3/8 GM fuel quick connect), but an element that was about 30% smaller than the OE part. The Fram G10166 (duralast FF756DL) had the right size element, pipe, and flange, but needed additional plastic clips to make a complete, compatible filter. Fortunately, the GM fuel line clips where available as well, so I was able to construct useable replacement filter.

Audi Wheel

255/45R17 by the looks of it.

Results subject to interpretation.

Smaller brake rotor than the Golf GTi.

Ocotober 2012: Freedom Belles Rooky Mixer Double Header

 If there was ever a day when one had to choose between a roller derby bout and a hurricane, the October Freedom Belles bout was on that day.

Of course, since it was a double header, the choice was obvious. Even if NoVa had to share a bunch of players to make full teams.

I think I should experiment taking pictures of the backs of skaters a bit more so I can string together a better narrative. I never have the names of the away teams handy.

It was a really interesting bout with excellent photography conditions. I took 3000 photos. Of course, I only kept 250 and only 50 or so are even worth sharing.

If you look closely, not only do you see an abstract photo of skaters setting up a rink, but the overhead lights in the arena were two different colors. This foiled color accuracy in about 30% of the photos I shot. If someone looks a little pink, it's because the light over head was a little pink too. It was also a smidge brighter there than at Dulles Sportplex. End result: lots of well exposed photos.

This is a photo of an artificially pink person.

Doom socks.

Dominos.

I'm not sure if Johnny is messing around or if he's trying to hit the wall feet first.

The jammer is, I think, Booba Fette. She has the best Killing Face of the whole bout, reliably displayed in every jam.

Dogpile.

Windup for a whip.

I like this one because of what all the skates are doing. The black pivot's trucks are sunk down to the plates (a tad too loose?), the front black blocker is full up on her toe stops, the white blocker is really mid lunge, and the white pivots... maybe missed the whistle...

A jammer and opposing blocker make eye contact.

Pain oreo.

I normally try to frame skaters looking into the frame. I think going into the burst of photos Catz was looking into the frame. Then he took a hit. Now I think he wishes he was looking into the frame.

I'm pretty sure that's not a legal hitting zone.

Yup. Totally bogus.

NoVa Roller Derby September 2012 Backwood Rollers Vs. Betties

NoVA Roller Derby

September 2012: Beltway Betties Vs. The Backwoods Rollers.