DEBRIS.COMgood for a laugh, or possibly an aneurysm

My attempt to get a software RAID-based test bench set up are going about as well as expected…
- /usr is too small?! Back up and try again.
- inadvertently click the wrong arrow; wait 1 hour for badblock scan to complete (again).
- Can’t back up far enough to change partitions; start over.
- Attempt “upgrade” option, which fails; start over.
- Bad blocks detected on resized sda7; start over.

It finally worked. Elapsed time: about 6 hours. Networking fails, though, which is par for the course. Hmph.

task: replace failing disk drive in RedHat 9 server (software RAID)

risk: site downtime, data loss, sleep loss, hair loss

step 1: test RAID disk swap procedure on spare hardware
- oops, spare hardware runs RH7. Begin upgrade.
- oops, RH9 CD won’t boot. Try bootdisk image.
- oops, networking dies during image download?
- restart networking. download. repeat.
- finally, make bootdisk.
- make a driver diskette too.
- scan CD during install. Scan fails. Need new RH9 CD.
- Download CD image to laptop.
- oops, browser puked. Force-quit; retry.
- oops, browser puked. Reboot.
- oops, browser puked. Force-quit. Try a different browser.
- Burn CD-ROM from image.
- Repeat for CD#2.
- finally, begin installation from floppy and CD-ROM.
- can’t select RAID options with keyboard. Find mouse.
- oops, mouse not recognised. back up; try again.
- mouse still not recognized. Reboot; try again.
- finally, installation (graphical mode) is working.

step 2: to be continued?
- unfortunately, yes.

The LA Times’ automotive critic Dan Neil has a smart review of the new Chevy SSR.

Here’s my favorite line:

The weaknesses of the SSR — weight, limp acceleration, expense, a curb appeal more gimmicky than gob-smacking — are part of a larger flaw: Corporations can’t build hot rods.

Sure is pretty though. (Not that I’d ever drive one. 15 mpg?! Sheesh, there oughta be a law.)

New feature announcement: the latest development version of Monaural Jerk can send “trackback pings” to other weblogs. This enables MJ users to participate in cross-blog discussions, by linking their stories to stories published on other websites.

It’s perhaps a bit confusing if you’re not familiar with the concept. So, just trust me when I say: it’s pretty cool.

You might also want to see a screenshot of the administrative interface for trackbacks in Monaural Jerk.

(Part II of the trackback implementation — receiving pings — is in the works and scheduled for the next release. The client side will become available in a day or three.)

I inadvertently lost 7 lbs. I had no intention of doing so, but now I realize I may have stumbled onto the next great fad diet. Practitioners need not count calories nor purchase approved food replacement products nor take supplements of any kind. There are no expensive bestselling how-to-diet manuals, no consultations with doctors, no record-keeping or worry or guilt.

No, all you have to do is join a blues band. Play the drums for 5 hours a week on top of your already full schedule and you, too, will lose 7 lbs.

I guess it will help if you’re mostly vegan when you start out. So in that sense, to honestly follow this diet you can’t eat any meat or dairy, except for the occasional baked good or pizza. Then just pick up some sticks.

As a bonus, you’ll get your shuffle back.