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From: Moe Trin on 27 Jan 2010 14:54
On Tue, 26 Jan 2010, in the Usenet newsgroup alt.internet.wireless, in article
<o8kul51dvl49kqrid6fs4ujqg6vnraqbi7(a)4ax.com>, Christopher A. Lee wrote:

>Char Jackson <none(a)none.invalid> wrote:

>> Christopher A. Lee <calee(a)optonline.net> wrote:

>>> It's a disadvantage for home networks

One size does not fit all - never has.

>> I don't know, I see advantages for some situations, like very small
>> networks or Jeff's constant change scenario, or perhaps situations
>> where the network owner would rather put up with the hassles you
>> identified in this post instead of the hassles of static assignments.

With DHCP, you are depending on the DHCP server configuration (defaults
and local settings). If they work for you - that's fine. You are
trading the complexity of setting up the DHCP server verses setting up
the client[s]. The brain-dead mode of "hand out any address to any
computer that asks for one" may not be optimum, which is why most DHCP
servers can be set to hand out specific addresses to specific systems
(generally based on MAC address). "Pay your money - take your pick."

>>> If you don't give the printers fixed IP address it won't find them if
>>> devices are powered up in a different order. Which they always are.

Trivial solution - DHCP servers can assign specific IPs based on MAC
addresses. HOWEVER, you do have to configure it to do so.

>> I don't power down anything except a laptop, so I don't have a reason
>> to power things up in any specific order. Actually, I'm surprised that
>> you power cycle things like print servers and NAS devices. I don't do
>> that here.

The big HP printer eats lots of power - but it's fast. The small HP
con$umable$ are expen$ive, but it only uses a few VA when idle. The
ancient dot-matrix is dirt cheap, slow, and wants about 100 VA when
it's waking the dead. How often am I printing? ``That depends.''
Bottom line is that all of the printers are not on 24/7/365.

>Perhaps you don't live in a place where the utility cables run through
>trees?

Trees... yeah, I remember those. We also have drunk drivers who
manage to drive into the surface mounted transformers and telephone
distribution boxes. So? There are two UPS here, powering nine
computers and the networking stuff. If power fails, the computers will
turn themselves off gracefully after a few minutes.

>But in any case it is bad software design to use fixed IP addresses
>where URLs are available. Whether it is in Windows, the router or the
>built in print and disk servers.

Huh?

>Without fixed IP addresses I would have to deinstall the networked
>devices on each comupter and reinstall them. Also change the IP
>address at ther router for the forwarded port.

DHCP has been able to allocate IP addresses based on client MAC address
since 1993 (RFC1541), as did the earlier BOOTP from 1985 (RFC0951).
These protocols were developed at rather large universities, and they
did really think about consequences of fixed verses dynamic addresses.

>I suspect the problem with the printers is that if I had two identical
>Brother Lasers instead of a Brother and an HP Photosmart they would
>default to the same ID based on the model number and the wizard could
>not tell one from the other.

What do you expect to do when we've got some 40 identical printers on
this floor of this building _alone_ (differing of course in their
physical location)? Sure, we use static IP addresses (which implies
static names for each printer) but as I've been saying, DHCP can be
configured that way.

Old guy
From: Jeff Liebermann on 30 Jan 2010 00:44
On Fri, 29 Jan 2010 21:00:37 -0600,
ibuprofin(a)painkiller.example.tld.invalid (Moe Trin) wrote:

>Hope no banana slugs are listening.

They're listening. I have an unusual problem during the wet winters.
The banana slugs somehow get into my downstairs shop. Once inside,
they leave slime and droppings all over everything. That can be
removed fairly easily, but they also eat paper. Their favored diet is
Motorola service manuals and white chip-board boxes. Many of my
service manuals have pieces missing or the covers destroyed. My
storage boxes of parts look like a bad case of leprosy. Unfortunately,
I'm into ecology and simply move them outside when I find them.

>>Besides, if I created an employee relationship, the paperwork, taxes,
>>and insurance would be unaffordable.
>
>I was under the impression that the school handles that, and basically
>you are paying less than cost to the school. But I'm also aware that
>the UC system isn't exactly over-flowing with cash.

I don't know. I usually just "hire" them for cash, under the table,
etc. I once tried to use the UCSC student employment office, and
discovered that 3 out of 3 programmers couldn't follow instructions,
or complete a simple programming project. It's difficult to do
everything myself, but it's still easier than hiring a student to do
it, and then having to clean up the mess myself.

>I know commercial *nix don't but I thought most of your dealings were
>in windoze and a bit of OSX.

In terms of dollars generated, it's about 60% Windoze. Linux and SCO
Unix (and Xenix) adds another 10%. The rest are imbedded systems
which run on QNX and unrecognizable Linux mutations.

>>It's tempting. However, with my assortment of medical problems, I
>>don't expect to make it much past about 75. Based on a fairly short
>>collection rate, 5% inflation,
>
>Five???

The official rate is about 3%.
<http://www.usinflationcalculator.com/inflation/historical-inflation-rates/>
However, I track my grocery bills, fixed expenses (insurance,
satellite TV, gasoline, etc) and find 5% a more realistic number. I'll
be blunt... the government lies and tweaks the numbers on unemployment
and cost of living.

>I imagine you've also got an individual health insurance policy at
>best (Blue Cross or equal).

Nope. Long story. No insurance, but I have sufficient cash. Cash
has a big advantage in that I can negotiate the cost of services and
go offshore if necessary. Until my most recent monstrous medical
expense, I was doing slightly better than if I had insurance. One of
my rationalizations was that I was paying exactly what it would cost
if the insurance companies were removed from the picture. That's the
real affordable medicine. I'm not sure where Obama got the idea that
insurance somehow translated into good and cheap medical care.

>I'm currently seeing a primary care and five "*ologists" and the
>co-pays and deductibles mount up. At least I can get four of the eight
>meds I'm on at the local druggie for under five bucks a month each.

One of my surgeries costs me less in cash than the co-pay and
non-covered items cost an acquaintance with insurance.

>She's moaning because she finally retired at age 74.

I retired in about 1981, but didn't realize it. I've been working for
myself since then, which is close enough to retirement.

>We've got a fair number of health freaks cyclists here, and I don't
>like hearing them snicker when they pass. I'm usually in jeans and a
>full sleeve shirt to keep the dermatologist happy.

Shorts, cotton shirt, light jacket, and cheap tennis shoes. One local
cyclist that drives me nuts is a seriously overweight former heart
attack victim, about 45-50 years old. Every weekend, he cranks his
way up Hwy 9 from Santa Cruz to Felton (about 8 miles and 800ft
elevation) without ever stopping or appearing tired. His idea of a
bicycle came from a junk yard. I've tried to keep up with him, and
gave up early in the ride. I don't know how he does it.

>State law says cars must clear bikes by three feet even when there
>isn't a bike lane marked. Right.

The "bike lane" on Hwy 9 varies from 2ft wide down to perhaps 2 inches
wide. Lots of rocks and debris in the lane. Hit a pebble with my
skinny tires and I'll go sideways and possibly otto control. I've
come close enough to disaster to avoid riding on Hwy 9. There are
some nice quiet bike paths in the flats that are safer.

--
# Jeff Liebermann 150 Felker St #D Santa Cruz CA 95060
# 831-336-2558
# http://802.11junk.com jeffl(a)cruzio.com
# http://www.LearnByDestroying.com AE6KS
From: Moe Trin on 30 Jan 2010 21:16
On Fri, 29 Jan 2010, in the Usenet newsgroup alt.internet.wireless, in article
<3dg7m5h1mbke6m9pk0rkdg3cl8it1hcbhd(a)4ax.com>, Jeff Liebermann wrote:

>(Moe Trin) wrote:

>> Hope no banana slugs are listening.

>They're listening. I have an unusual problem during the wet winters.
>The banana slugs somehow get into my downstairs shop.

How? About five years ago, we had a problem with bees and scorpions
getting in, and the pest control guy identified the problem as gaps
in the foundation to frame junction. The solution was to inject a
urethane foam[1] into the gap. Pain in the knees to do, but that
ended that problem and the occasional ant. You may find that a
silicone caulk would be more permanent. Neither is easy, as you are
trying to work "up" with minimal ground clearance for the applicator.

>Unfortunately, I'm into ecology and simply move them outside when I
>find them.

15-ish years ago, the garden supply shops were selling snail bait
that was a mercury based poison - I imagine that's no longer sold. In
any case you'd have the problem of pets/wild animals eating the dead
snails.

[student interns]

>I don't know. I usually just "hire" them for cash, under the table,
>etc.

It's going to vary by state and school system, but here (and at least
"used to was" in California), the student is considered an employee of
the school, and they pay the ``benefits'' (about 18 years ago in Santa
Clara county, Foothill/DeAnza had a minimal health/dental/eye-care
insurance program that the students could join on their own nickel),
worker's comp, and handle the payroll/tax accounting. "We" pay the
school a nominal hourly rate (mentioned - it is below cost), provide
the workspace (including heat/cool, lights, water, etc.), the
supervision and ``some'' training. We also carry a liability insurance
to cover screwups and such. We get the warm body for a school term
(quarter, semester, what-ever) usually up to half time, and we CAN
``fire'' them for cause.

>I once tried to use the UCSC student employment office, and
>discovered that 3 out of 3 programmers couldn't follow instructions,
>or complete a simple programming project. It's difficult to do
>everything myself, but it's still easier than hiring a student to do
>it, and then having to clean up the mess myself.

It's not that much different from hiring a regular employee - except
we rarely see a resume/CV. You are dependent on the school to select
candidates, but they have to pass your interview. It's in the schools
interest to get students hired, so they tend to make an effort to
provide suitable candidates. If the candidates are unqualified, it's
the school's problem, and in our experience they do try to meet our
requirements (within reason). When we are hiring, we tend to favor
former interns as we know what we're getting. At least four of the
bods in my department (38 people) are former interns.

>> I imagine you've also got an individual health insurance policy at
>> best (Blue Cross or equal).

>Nope. Long story. No insurance, but I have sufficient cash. Cash
>has a big advantage in that I can negotiate the cost of services and
>go offshore if necessary.

As long as you've got that cash.

>Until my most recent monstrous medical expense, I was doing slightly
>better than if I had insurance. One of my rationalizations was that
>I was paying exactly what it would cost if the insurance companies
>were removed from the picture.

For the most part, you need to negotiate to one third the "list" price
for most stuff. I was in for surgery nearly two years ago. Prep, an
unknown amount of time on the table (I wasn't paying attention), ~15
hours in post-op, 24 more in intensive care, and three more days before
they released me (10 days at home plus ~2 hours to get stitches out),
and so on. The billed price was a bit over $134k - and they settled
for around $45k - with the insurance company paying most of that,
Medicare Part A picking up most of the rest, and me handling the
deductible. Damn expensive hotel, and the food was lousy (though
some of the staff _may_ have looked nice). What else is new?

>One of my surgeries costs me less in cash than the co-pay and
>non-covered items cost an acquaintance with insurance.

Ignoring out-patient, the cheapest surgery I've had listed at ~11.5k
which was settled for ~$3800 - my share was ~$750 which is near the
annual cap on out-of-pocket expenses with the insurer. I don't see
the bills for out-patient, but that's just a co-pay. YMMV.

>Shorts, cotton shirt, light jacket, and cheap tennis shoes. One local
>cyclist that drives me nuts is a seriously overweight former heart
>attack victim, about 45-50 years old. Every weekend, he cranks his
>way up Hwy 9 from Santa Cruz to Felton (about 8 miles and 800ft
>elevation) without ever stopping or appearing tired.

The eight miles I can do, the 800 feet is marginally OK, but the
highway 9 is totally insane. (I would be VERY tired by the way, in
spite of doing a 7 mile round trip with only a 220 foot up/down.)

>> State law says cars must clear bikes by three feet even when there
>> isn't a bike lane marked. Right.

>The "bike lane" on Hwy 9 varies from 2ft wide down to perhaps 2
>inches wide. Lots of rocks and debris in the lane. Hit a pebble
>with my skinny tires and I'll go sideways and possibly otto control.
>I've come close enough to disaster to avoid riding on Hwy 9.

I haven't been on highway 9 in over twenty years, but what I remember
says absolutely "NO".

>There are some nice quiet bike paths in the flats that are safer.

That's what I prefer as well. I've got a neighbor who is into trail
bikes - fat tires, big shock absorbers front and rear - and he keeps
trying to get me to ride with him out into the desert. He can't seem
to understand why I keep turning him down. Part of it is the bike,
mine is a road bike with those same skinny bald tires, part of it is
that I'm not into masochism. I don't LIKE running into a cactus
while trying to avoid a rattler or javelina.

Old guy

[1] "DAPtex plus Window & Door Foam Sealant"
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