Useful Utility: DialupRouteMaster
If you've ever tried to setup static routing on Windows, you may know that the 'interface index' can change on you breaking your route. This utility will detect a broken route, remove the defunct persistent route, then recreate it with the correct interface parameter.
Note: I haven't had a chance to test it on a live network (I will 12-22-09), but it may prove interesting for the rare need to route using Windows.
UPDATE: Tested, debugged, and 100% working. This is now managing the static routes for a dialup connection between two power plants in Alaska!
*Released under the MIT license.
Quickly make a scratch file using .net
Using this code, you can quickly make a scratch file for read/write before you either save it or requiem in pace
'Returns Tempfile Path
Dim FileName As String = Path.GetTempFileName()
Dim File_Stream As New FileStream(FileName, FileMode.Append, FileAccess.Write)
Dim FileWriter As New StreamWriter(File_Stream)
'Write the Data
With FileWriter
Try
.BaseStream.Seek(0, SeekOrigin.End)
.WriteLine("writing to scratch")
Catch ex As IOException
Debug.Assert(False, ex.ToString)
Finally
.Close()
End Try
End With
string FileName = Path.GetTempFileName();
FileStream File_Stream = new FileStream(FileName, FileMode.Append, FileAccess.Write);
StreamWriter FileWriter = new Stream(File_Stream);
try
{
FileWriter.BaseStream.Seek(0, SeekOrigin.End);
FileWriter.WriteLine("writing to scratch");
}
catch(IOException ex)
{
Debug.Assert(false, ex.ToString());
}
finally
{
FileWriter.Close();
}
Pwnsauce Program: Cain and Able
Cain and Abel is a Windows security toolkit. It can recover passwords from your local cache, crack passwords, find wireless networks, and even sniff the network for transmitted passwords. It even has tools to recover your Cisco passwords from your router. This is a must have for any computer tech.
I got owned this week
Sold the PLC
I sold the PLC on eBay and made about $600 back on the investment. I'll be buying one that isn't such overkill.
Equipment started showing up!
I've started getting packages by the dozen in the mail!
So far I've received my ControlLogix SLC-5555 from Allen-Bradley along with a bunch of the I/O modules for it. The Arduino (coolest diy gadget ever) and assorted other hardware. All I need to get my process automated now is some containers, burners, electrically actuated valves, pumps and tubing.
Also, the first batch of homebrew was wicked awesome!
Newegg has gotten their IPO!
I dont know about you, but I love Newegg and they are looking at going public on the stock exchange. They filed for IPO status today with the symbol 'EGG'
I'm buying ASAP!
here for more info: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/online-retailer-newegg-files-for-175-million-ipo-2009-09-28
Initial Brew Rig Planning
Arighty, I said I would post this, but life got in the way. Heres the run down of my current plans.
Containers:
I'm going to have three 10 gallon stainless steel containers fabricated. These will serve as the sparg tank, the mash tun, and the boil kettle. I could really get away with two, but then I couldn't run two batches at once.
Fermenters will be 10 gallon glass carboys, or stainless tanks. I'm hoping I will be able to get some air tight stainless tanks, but as far as cost and speed I can buy the glass carboys locally minus the cost of materials, fabrication, and design time.
Chiller will be a stainless tank holding approximately 12 gallons capacity to compensate for copper cooling plumbing and a pelter cooler.
All inter-container plumbing will use copper pipe.
Heating:
I will heating the sparg tank, mash tun, and boil kettle using propane heat. I'm planning on using a 21 or 32 tip propane heating element beneath each unit. Propane makes things simple as I won't need to run a natural gas line because I can reuse propane canisters from the grill.
Controls:
Right now I'm planning on using an Allen-Bradley SLC-500 PLC for all the grunt work. The SLC-500 is an industrial grade programmable logic controller. Allen-Bradley says they had 1.6 million of these little dandies installed worldwide, but they are now considered obsolete. Obsolete is relative. You can pick these units up for a song on ebay and they have more than enough capability to control my approximately 40 I/O points.
For controlling my SLC-500 I'm going to write some nifty code for an Arduino. The Arduino is going to provide a 'supervisor' mode to the SLC-500. Basically I want to abstract an web-based interface on top of the SLC-500 that can be used to program recipes and monitor the rig.
Probably going to start homebrewing with an arduino
After attending a GE Fanuc workshop today and designing a rough an automated brewing system on the way home, I figure I can put the arduino I'm receiving on Friday to good use. I'll post my overview and notes tomorrow.
Pwnsauce Program: Microsoft Small Basic
Ever wanted to teach someone how to program? Did they lose you at the first mention of a pointer value? Microsoft released a scaled down IDE and programming platform called Small Basic for the beginning programmers out there. Everything from fuctions to variables to arrays are explined n the accompanying 70ish page document. Everything feels almost drag and drop. Perfect for programming noobs.