NYC Resistor

So way back in the 2.4 Linux kernel days I operated a shell server. It was kind of like a “proto honeypot”. We set it up to portray a bunch of fake information about itself. We then released it into the wilds of IRC claiming it was a “machine we just owned here have a free account.” Then we monitored the systems use via ttysnoop applications and pulled copies of anything uploaded.

The result was we pulled about 4 gigs of exploit archives. And a bunch of logs of people trying to figure out why their x86 exploits weren’t running on the DEC alpha that was pretending to be the wopr.

Anyways, one of the neat side effects of my playing with the proc file system was finding a limit on the upper bounds of top. By setting up procfs to displays stats for 1048 processors I managed to get top to collapse after one iteration of showing cpu usage stats. Added a fun screenshot to the gallery.

Among the fun easy things you can do to tweak your kernel, upping your jiffy count to present 16 years of uptime, and customizing your HZ values are the most fun. I remember running HZ at 1024 back when the rest of the world was rocking it at 100 and slowing themselves down massively. Kernel tweaks are fun, relatively easy, and a great way to learn. Be fearless, be stupid, and be prepared to watch stuff explode catastrophically. But, don’t be afraid to slash and burn and start anew.

I bought these fantastic Apple In-Ear headphones for my iPod 80GB several months back for $79, and found that they worked well with my Macbook.  I’ve since moved on from both the iPod and the Macbook, settling on a Nokia n97 mobile phone.  I found that the Apple headphones don’t work with these devices naturally and distort the sound. Read more

I don’t know what to say. I’m getting all choked up. It’s just… I’m overwhelmed by the sheer magnificence of this huge list of wonderful classes we have here. I think I’m going to cry. I’ll do my best:

Introduction to Electronics — the standard in getting yourself primed and ready to make awesome things even more awesome. With electricity!

Radio and Antenna Design — Can you believe we even have this class? Amazing!

Bender 101 — Learn to express yourself in 3D, either on the screen or in real solid objects.

Sob sob! Hold on… I’m OK… ahem,

Fire the Lazzzor! — Lasers! Real big giant zappy cutty lasers! Master the power of LASERS!

Electrocardiogram! — Romance and precision instrumentation join together to give your electronics some heart.

Joule Thievery — Get a lot from a little. Squeeeze those electrons and make them do your bidding.

Arduino/Soldering 101 — Double up! Learn so much in one session that your head will pop!

Build Your Own Retro Computer — Are you getting this? Build your own computer. From parts that are not already a computer. This is power.

Cry, cry, honk! Sniff. Running down my face are tears of joy! I’m so glad we had this talk.

On the way home from work today I stopped by 269 Electronics in Chinatown. From the outside this looks like a typical Canal Street junk store, with a big spread of knockoff watches, perfume, mp3 players, etc. on display. However in the back they have a special counter area devoted to electronic components. One wall was covered with electrolytic capacitors and diodes in blister packs. The clerk I spoke to said they had other discrete components, like transistors and resistors, in an array of drawers in the back. He pulled out an NTE catalog for me to look through when I asked them what they stocked. They also had bins of various loose connectors, copper-plated PCBs, perf board, battery holders, multimeters, Velleman kits, and lots of other odds and ends on display. Bottom line: it’s not exactly Fry’s, but for hardware hackers in New York City, it’s definitely on the short list of places to get parts when you can’t wait for an overnight delivery from DigiKey or Mouser. Check it out yourself sometime:

269 Electronics Inc.
269 Canal St.
New York, NY 10013
(212) 625-0405
Open Monday-Saturday 10:00 am – 6:30 pm

More photos after the break: Read more

Sometimes you find interesting things in the oddest places.

Like a funnel of crashing foam.

Or a new Jovian moon.

 If you’ve been considering signing up for Beginning PHP, do it quick! The class is this coming Sunday!

The class is geared towards people with no prior programing experience,  so don’t be intimidated if you aren’t too handy with variables and functions. So sign up! Sign up now!