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Creating an OSM Database

Things have changed it seems and I was now getting errors like:

ERROR: Database is not using UTF8 encoding.

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Recovering from a DB Fuckup

I have a DB server and a mirror server. While testing some code I set the new data to go to the mirror server.

This meant the main DB was missing data and queries to that machine returned the wring data.

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Encrypting a new user's home directory.

I use Fedora and Debian. Slowly moving to debian.

A friend wanted to borrow a spare laptop and I wanted him to be happy about the security of the data in his new homw directory.

Since I can become root, I could spy on his work. He is a playwrite and obviously doesn't want any spoilers being spilled.

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Thinkpad Ultrabay DVD repair

Thinkpad DVD repair. Symptoms were, flashing LED, tray would not open. If you forced it then disks were not recognised.
The fix (working so far).
I took the top off, 3 screws and cutting the tape along the seams. Eject the tray with a pointy thing. There are 2 switches that the tray pushes on when it's closed. Sprayed with switch cleaner and wiggled them several times. Reassembled and put back into the ultrabay. So far still working.

Update: No longer working.

Update2: Light oil on the guide rails and stepper screw seems to have to working gain.

So You Just Got a Shitty Fibre Router?

I'm with Plus.net, way back from from when they were free-online.net in the last century, and got "upgraded" to  FTTC and my prize was a shitty router modem. This has very few features and utilites that I enjoyed with my old Asus router/modem. OK I know it's not "Enterprise" grade but had some nice features. This week I learned I could still use it with the shitty router/modem I was sent.

Yea, it's fibre, not fiber.

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