Cable Combs

I've been incrementally updating my home lab, and now I really wish I had a 3D printer. These cable combs look like they would be awesome for when it comes to getting the server rack re-organized.

http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1320948/

One commenter said that the ones with a zip-tie slot will also fit nicely into a rack's square hole. I do have a 3D printer on my "big ticket wish list" but I don't think it's in the cards for this year.

Down 6 pounds

At the beginning of this month, I said enough is enough and I forced myself back onto the slow carb diet. Slow carb is really another fancy name for low carbs, but it makes a distinction between complex and simple carbs. You also get a cheat day.

  • Rule 1: Avoid "white" carbohydrates
  • Rule 2: Eat the same few meals over and over again
  • Rule 3: Don't drink calories
  • Rule 4: Take one day off per week

I have been almost exclusively eating steak salads (from Sheetz and Ed's) and avoiding soda/sugar drinks (including diet). I had one cheat day so far, where I got to have ice cream and tons of pasta (I had it coincide with my Nifty Noodles and Drones Day). During that day, I was surprised that I didn't gain any weight. The last time I was on this diet, I would loose a couple pounds during the week, then gain most of it back on cheat day, and average out the week with a loss of one pound.

I know for long term weight loss, it's recommended to focus on 1lb a week, but I've been reading up on this and more and more people are agreeing that a quick drop in weight at the beginning is more motivating. After loosing 6.6lbs in 2 weeks, I have to agree.

weight loss chart

Offline Social Networking

A few days ago, I read a blog post by André Staltz about "AN OFF-GRID SOCIAL NETWORK". I immediately intrigued and I'll tell you why. Amateur Radio. The bulk of all amateur radio traffic takes place as either phone (voice) or CW (morse code). Textual communication is only a portion of the traffic. I have been on and done PSK31 to send real time messages to people that are listening right now. I have used WinLink to send email from my computer, over the radio, to a packet station in another state or another country. I am very active with APRS to send text messages over VHF (think real-time twitter for amateur radio). Actually, on thinking about about how APRS beacons go every 10 minutes, and beacon stations in general, I guess those do push more than voice does.