Tools

How do you permanently delete files from Github, use ansible to modify a file, and other nits

August 3, 2013 john

Random things I’ve stumbled on in the last week, and that I am sure I will need to know again.

…permanently delete some files from Github? Like when you check in something to the wrong project accidentally.
…temporarily show a localhost web service to someone? Horribly dangerous but sometimes useful.
…peek inside really big files from the command line? Nothing earth shattering here, I just forget to use these tools.
…edit Python code? Pycharm worth a look.
…structure a flask application? One man’s opinion.
…use ansible to modify a file or install a package or whatever? All the modules are listed here.
…use graphviz to make a certain graph or a certain shape node?
…build a python command line? Seems less obtuse than some of the solutions I’ve looked at.
…pick a messageq framework to use? No idea but this post suggests that perf differences are dramatic.
…snapshot vagrant boxes? Very handy if you are trying out a lot of config options.
…install packages from other repositories on CentOS?

Producing complex documents — playing around with Sphinx and Graphviz

March 24, 2013 john

I have a need to collaborate on some complex documents and I am trying out Sphinx as the document build system. Plays nice with github, promises to play well with code (tho I haven’t really tried that out yet), uses reStructuredText for markup. I would have preferred that it used markdown (well, multimarkdown, I kind of need tables), but rST seems fine. Sphinx builds HTML, text, PDF, and a bunch of other output formats.

I also need some simple flowchart imagery and GraphViz seems like the way to go — auto generation of flowcharts, etc from simple text descriptions. Again plays nice with github, with my favorite text editor, etc.

For text editing I have moved to Sublime Text. I love bbedit but I do have the occasion to use a Windows machine and Sublime has versions for both OSX and Windows.

Oh and finally I occasionally need a more complex drawing. The Wacom Bamboo Stylus + Lekh Diagrams on the iPad seems to be a great combo. My drawing skills blow, I really like how Lekh Diagrams autocorrects my rectangles, triangles, circles, etc.

Saturday morning software tools roundup

April 7, 2012 john

Stuff I recently saw which intrigued…

* “GeometricTools”:http://geometrictools.com (via @donpark) — great repository of code snippets for math and geo operations.
* “How to find freely usable photos on the net”:http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-505143_162-57399598/how-to-find-photos-you-can-legally-use-anywhere/ — excellent tips, I’d been using Wikimedia Commons as well (thanks @ellegold)
* “The Lean Startup Bundle”:http://www.appsumo.com/lean2012/?gid=WzYsIDM2MCwgIjIwMTIwMzI5MTE1NCIsICJ0dyIsICJib3RkZXRhaWwiLCBudWxsLCAiZWtpIl0= OK I hope to gosh I would never need all these things but some good ideas in here
* Step by step diffeq solutions in “WolframAlpha”:http://blog.wolframalpha.com/2012/01/30/step-by-step-differential-equation-solutions-in-wolframalpha/. What a resource.
* Charlie Kindel articulates “why I need to flip to Powershell”:http://ceklog.kindel.com/2012/03/25/update-coping-with-the-oss-command-line-on-windows/ on my Windows box. He also makes a strong case for switching to “Sublime Text 2”:http://www.sublimetext.com/2

Tools I Want But Don’t Need — January 2012

January 19, 2012 john 1 Comment

Since I am semi-retired from Halloween prop-building (tho I still have 2 storage pods full of gear if anyone wants to buy some skeletons, tombstones, etc…) I have not been buying as many tools and workbench gadgets as I used to. If I was buying, I’d be trying these out:

* “Planet Pocket Tool”:http://atwoodknives.blogspot.com/ — small handmade tools with an arty bent. I never have time to follow the site and get in on the deals.
* “Grabber”:http://toolmonger.com/2011/02/14/a-third-hand-with-lots-of-fingers/. indispensable for fat-fingered guys like me.
* “Fathead tweezers”:http://toolmonger.com/2011/02/10/fathead-tweezers/. ANother very nicely machined tool.
* “Blackfire flashlight”:http://www.blackfire-usa.com/proddetail.php?prod=001. Always need a clampy light.
* “Cubify”:http://cubify.com/index.aspx. I would LOVE to have a cost effective 3d printer.
* “Inpection Camera”:https://www.google.com/search?gcx=w&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8&q=cordless+inspection+camera. OK no real use for this but isn’t it cool? I am sure I could justify somehow.

* “Photo Lens Burrito Wrap”:http://www.petapixel.com/2012/01/16/photorito-protect-your-lens-burrito-style/. Seems awesome.

Things I need in my toolbox

August 30, 2010 john

* “Wire Bender”:http://toolmonger.com/2010/01/07/wire-bending-the-easy-way/ is a genius little thing. Cheap, rarely used, but the exact right tool for certain jobs.
* “Air hose swivel”:http://toolmonger.com/2009/11/10/stop-fighting-with-your-air-hose/ is another simple little thing that is exactly the right solution.
* “Rollo Knife”:http://toolmonger.com/2010/02/23/roll-o-was-its-name-o/. Rolling utility knife, purportedly a knuckle saver.
* “Butt splicers”:http://toolmonger.com/2010/03/30/fast-electrical-butt-splices/. I am the suck at splicing wires so these might be useful.
* “Skoobawraps”:http://www.skoobadesign.com/product/skoobawrap-large-86/. Trying to decide if these are awesome cool, or kind of stupid.
* “Fab@Home”:http://www.adafruit.com/blog/2010/04/11/fabhome-make-anything/ 3d printers. Seems cool but honestly, the constraining factor on my manufacture of 3d items is not lack of a 3d printer, but is my complete inability to design/draw anything.

Stuff I Want But Don’t Need — too late for Christmas edition

December 16, 2009 john

Awesome Studio Mango rugs. Love the asymmetry.
Hometown Jigsaw Puzzle. Would order one but 2-3 weeks for production…
Compartes Chocolates. Not really a chocolate fan but these are just so great looking…
Blue shift bumper sticker. Geek humour.
Tyler Cowen’s book list. His recos have a high hit rate.
Pocket Ref book. If Kurt recos, it will be good.
3d power plug. Doesn’t exist but if it did…
Cole-Bar Hammer. OK I only drive about 30 nails a year but still this looks like a winner.
LED Bed. Looks like effective birth control to me.
Motif cube. Looks puzzle-ish but isn’t.
Power Plug with USB. Way underpriced.

Halloween links

October 2, 2009 john

Not doing a big Halloween thing this year due to other commitments. Saving these tips for the future…

* “Monsterlist”:http://www.halloweenmonsterlist.info/. Starting point to find any kind of halloween project
* “Kurt’s tool wishlist”:http://www.grimvisions.com/tools/tools-i-want-to-get. I can only aspire to Kurt’s skill and tool collection
* “Kurt on prop setup”:http://www.grimvisions.com/halloween/setting-up-your-halloween-display-for-maximum-effect. The guy knows more than I ever will about this
* “Scott on controllers”:http://tangleofwires.blogspot.com/2009/09/arduino-vmusic2-xport-halloween.html. Need to read and parse this, Scott is ahead of me here.
* “Kurt on foam construction”:http://www.grimvisions.com/products/working-with-polyurethane-foams. Foam is my best friend at halloween time
* “Measure tape tape”:http://toolmonger.com/2009/09/03/fill-your-shop-with-red-tape/. Simple but brilliant
* “French Curves”:http://toolmonger.com/2009/09/04/french-curves/. Who doesn’t need these.

Stuff I Want But Don't Need — August Edition

August 10, 2009 john

* Possibly the most ill-considered travel item ever — those TSA agents love a good joke. Ha ha ha, strip your clothes off sir.
* Vex robotic kit. Never had robot love, but if i did…
* Sticky tripod. No idea why but seems like I should have in my camera kit.
* I don’t know why I don’t have an eye-fi yet.
* Cooling bandanna. At less than $2 I should certainly get
* Dramm fogg-it hose nozzle. Doesn’t the name sound like a spoonerized curse phrase?
* Dynomighty wallet. If they had a buckeye one i’d be there
* Digital rachet wrench. Seems like a horrible idea.
* Traverse switchplates. Nice, I hate generic plastic switchplates.

Stuff I Want But Don't Need — Themeless

July 12, 2009 john 1 Comment

* Solar Camping Lantern — I remember the old coleman lanterns using white gas, the pumping, the mantles. What a pain in the a$%. This looks way simpler.
* King Cobra wristwatch — awesome looking. Tho I have completely given up on wristwatches.
* Carabiners make everything better. So true.
* Denture ice cubes. Seriously awesome.
* Resistor cheat sticker. I can never remember how to speak resistor.
* Antitheft lunch bags — brilliant.
* Woven wood chairs. Beautiful. Probably uncomfortable as hell.

Knots

May 3, 2009 john

Animated Knots by Grog. — animations of how to tie nearly every knot you ever need. Oh and the forgotten Zeppellin knot — apparently critical in the production of Physical Graffiti.

Both via Make. The internet is freaking awesome.

Stuff I Want But Don't Need

April 7, 2009 john

* Graph Paper Napkins. To better help you design a breakthrough on the back of napkin.
* Defendius Lock System. Prevents you from going at night when you’ve had too much.
* Veneer Toolbox. I’m not handy, so maybe I can just make my tools look awesome.
* Rollaway bar. Actually I’d use it for gear stowage.
* Domino Coffee Table

Stuff I Want But Don't Need — Household edition

January 25, 2009 john

Imm Living. Love these totem coffee cups.
And this woodgrain pillow tho the color choices don’t work for us anywhere
Brilliant little painting tool
Corner clamp — looks positively frightening when not in use, like some medieval dentistry tool

Fluidforms :: Individual Design. — awesome topographical bowls and other objects.
Drippable adhesives as sculpting medium. There are some cool Halloween designs hiding in this idea
Fire fighting gun. Makes you want to have a fire nearby.
Bits needed for making wooden train tracks — i just like the idea of doing this
Recycled tire mulch — this actually seems like a disaster, i have a hard time believing all our plants would love this.
Good looking LED desk lights
Beyond the lunchpail and thermos. The Mr Bento one is cool

Stuff I Want But Don't Need — Geekhouse Bikes Powder Coating, Boynq Iris, Cyclone, Earthworm Hydro Drill

August 11, 2008 john

* Geekhouse Bikes Powder Coating Graphics — I never ride my bike, but wow could it look cool collecting dust
* Now that I’ve installed Edison, let me burn up all my savings with this dynamic LED keyboard
* Boynq Iris webcam-speaker-light-mic combo. I was just asking myself, where can I get a webcam-speaker-light-mic combo?
* Cyclone metal cleanup tool. As they say, if only this worked for sawdust
* Earthworm Hydro Drill. I actually could use this for routing cables for Halloween in the yard, tho it seems like it might be a disaster.

24 Free Sawhorse Plans

August 10, 2008 john

Stuff I want but don't need

July 22, 2008 john

* Toolmonger » Blog Archive » Bending Over Is For Chumps — actually I totally need this! Ordering today.
* Waspknife. For the sharks in Lake Washington.
* Jawbone 2. Rich loves it but I refuse to go bluetooth until they look less dorky. I have my pride.
* LED Candelabra for Halloween. Stupid expensive.
* Hex-pro wrenches.
* Gum Magnets. Gross. But cool.
* Picksets. awesome.
* Extruded Aluminum Dominoes. Neato.