I have finally set up backups on my server
This procedure was scary and felt like stumbling around a maze in a blindfold. Borg is way too powerful and customizable for my needs. I think it works. We’ll see. →
Posts by Tag
Homelab
New Server: GMKtec NucBox G3 Setup
Image credit: GMKtec I acquired a new server: the tiny, affordable GMKtec NucBox G3. It replaces the Raspberry Pi 3B I’ve had for what feels like an eternity. I installed Ubuntu 25.04 on it, and so here’s a recording of how I set it up. →
Automated Raspberry Pi Backup with rsync
A couple of weeks ago, I made an attempt to reduce USB hard drive noise by idling it automatically. It didn’t work out that well – the drive seems to be possessed, turns itself on seemingly randomly, and the logs tell me nothing. →
Moving Raspberry OS to a larger SD Card
I’m tweaking my setup to reduce reliance on the noisy external hard drive. I want to keep more data on the SD card, which is why I decided to move up from 16GB to 64GB. →
Reducing External Hard Drive Noise
I have a 12 TB WD Essentials USB hard drive connected to my Raspberry Pi 3B. It’s annoyingly loud, so I needed a solution to spin it down when not in use. There are several ways to do it, I found that hd-idle worked for me. →
Calibre Web
I synchronize my Calibre library between my Mac and Pi using Syncthing. I add and manage books on Mac and do a one way sync to Pi to prevent database corruption. And then Calibre-Web on Pi picks up the database and makes it available on my local network. →
Plex Media Server
I use Plex Media Server as my personal, local/cloud music library. I have a lifetime Plex Pass, which gives me access to all Plexamp features, including setting it up as a headless player on my Pi. →
Installing Apps
I run a bunch of apps on my server. Most of them via Docker. →
Misc Setup
An assortments of things I set up on my Pi to prepare it for operation. →
Homelab: Introduction
I’m using a somewhat ancient Raspberry Pi 3B+ as a home server and NAS. This series of posts summarizes the steps I took to get it all up an running. →
Movies
Dick Laurent is dead
David Lynch’s death inspired me to rewatch my favorite movie of his: Lost Highway. I had been in high school when I saw it and I was curious whether my very disturbing and fond memories of it aged or not. →
Rest in peace, David Lynch
Wikipedia: In an August 2024 interview with Sight and Sound, Lynch said he was suffering from emphysema due to years of smoking, and had become housebound due to health risks. (…) →
The Outrun
Surprised how much I liked it. It was so authentic, flowing and real. I didn’t want it to end. Gorgeous cinematography by Yunus Roy Imer, stayed so close to the characters and the nature. →
Music
An Unreasonably Unfair Earphone Shootout
I spent quite a bit of time stuck on a chair in the air this year. Music is important to me, so I’ve been traveling with Oppo PM-3 — a wonderful planar magnetic, over-hear, closed-back headphone. →
Audeze LCD-X: A Review
I have had my pair of Audeze LCD-X for about a month now. Considering how few real world impressions of these seem to be available out there, I thought I’d scribble a few words about this rather interesting headphone. →
Gear
An Unreasonably Unfair Earphone Shootout
I spent quite a bit of time stuck on a chair in the air this year. Music is important to me, so I’ve been traveling with Oppo PM-3 — a wonderful planar magnetic, over-hear, closed-back headphone. →
Audeze LCD-X: A Review
I have had my pair of Audeze LCD-X for about a month now. Considering how few real world impressions of these seem to be available out there, I thought I’d scribble a few words about this rather interesting headphone. →
Design
Apple Card Onboarding UX: a Review
This my most popular article on Medium (23K views, 8.6K reads, wow!), originally written in August 2019. I’m importing it here in an effort to take ownership of my own words. This is an analysis of the new Apple Card onboarding experience in iOS Wallet app. →
Unguibus et Rostro
A throwback to the ancient history of UI customization, part two: circa 2005, my so-called career as a designer received a huge boost when Phill Ryu asked me to participate in the Shapeshifter theme contest, organized to celebrate the re-opening of MacThemes forum. →
UX
Unguibus et Rostro
A throwback to the ancient history of UI customization, part two: circa 2005, my so-called career as a designer received a huge boost when Phill Ryu asked me to participate in the Shapeshifter theme contest, organized to celebrate the re-opening of MacThemes forum. →
Books
At Night all Blood is Black
Thoroughly enjoyed At Night all Blood is Black by David Diop. Raw and morbid, but with a poetic, hypnotic rhythm. Quote: It feels like I’ve returned from far away. Who am I? I don’t know anymore. Shadows surround me, I can’t see anything, but I begin to sense a warmth lending me life. →
Tech
Apple Card Onboarding UX: a Review
This my most popular article on Medium (23K views, 8.6K reads, wow!), originally written in August 2019. I’m importing it here in an effort to take ownership of my own words. This is an analysis of the new Apple Card onboarding experience in iOS Wallet app. →