Python Scripts

If I don't clean these tabs off my phone, they'll be there forever!  Two more:

1. noethfee.py, a hack to redirect the mining devfee via IP tables, specifically for Claymore
2. watchdog.py, a script to drive the USB hardware watchdog dongle available on Amazon

I had to run with the latter because the one featured in a YT video, the SSR, is out of stock, and I got sick of the crummy system locking up.  The USB dongle is nice because it has power and reset buttons on it: it avoids the need for a separate cable, and it's nicer, too.  The one I got has a heartbeat LED, although Kid#1 commented it'd be more like a heartbeat if it were red instead of blue.

As one might expect, there's a gotcha.  If the GPUs lock up but the script can still run, then the system doesn't reboot, so there's a window between the software watchdog in Claymore and the hardware watchdog where the rig stays in zombie mode.  Perhaps an IoT power outlet is required to address that case, as well as to log power usage.

Maybe I'll have to learn Python after all; these useful scripts are after all in that language.

Mining Mobo

I'd been wondering why no one bothered to make an out-of-form-factor motherboard with slots spaced for multiple GPUs.  One just showed up in my feed!  The manufacturer's page is a bit sparse, information-wise, so it'd be a bit risky to buy.  They're available on eBay for about $232, shipping included, with estimated delivery in 8-10 weeks.

Ethereum Mining

It's been a quarter since my last post.  Bitcoin is up over $16k, and other cryptos are up too.  Apparently making regular buys via ACH is destined to not be easy, so mining is looking attractive again.  Well, if it's break-even with zero profit, I'm still interested, for that reason.  (Not interested in "cloud mining contracts" because I don't trust code running on someone else's computer.)

Recently I was looking at mining Ethereum because it's still profitable with GPUs.  Bitcoin and Litecoin both have ASICs available, making it a hardware arms race.  Based on several articles (Cryptocompare on hashrate, TechSpot on hashrate, Tom's Hardware on ETH's effect on card prices) it appears that the Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060 is the best balance of cost and hashrate.  ~18 MH/s in 120W for $280 times three should pay for the GPUs in under a year's time, especially if the price of ETH keeps going up.  Of course, there's the cost of the mobo, processor, memory, and OS (if I don't use Linux).  I have an NOS Soldam case lying around, although I'll have to check if the power supply is sufficient.

Beekeeping Link Dump

The accumulation of this detritus is getting out of hand!

• Removing hardened latex paint from brushes -- well...it happens, when painting hives....
• Ulster observation hive design
• Funky beehive hardware at Eco Bee Box
• UofM beehive equipment plans
• Handhold jigs: Beesource (Hogan's jig, circular saw), Korschgen (YT video, drill press)
• YT video on how to make your own dado set -- good stuff
• How to start a queen in a 2-frame nuc (HoneyBeeSuite) -- explanation of using a "queen castle"
• Using queen cages to hatch multiple queens in the same hive, thus preventing one from killing the others (Facebook)

So much info, so little time.

Rem 870 Receivers

When Black Aces Tactical was still selling receiver kits separately, I thought about assembling a mag-fed shotgun...but wasn't sure where to get all the parts.  Similarly, if I wanted to build a tactical tube-fed pump, I'd have to buy a normal one and trash the stock parts (or pay out the nose for the stock tactical).  I'd heard that the Police and Marine models had superior non-MIM parts, too.

So I found a site, AI&P Tactical, that sells both virgin receivers and parts.  Cool!  The owner also builds custom shotguns, but as of 2016 only will do 50 per year to avoid the excise tax on firearms manufacturers.

GBookPro

So I don't forget, my model of MacBook Pro is the mid-2009 version.  Sure doesn't seem like I bought it five years ago.  The most amusing thing is that 20 years ago, that would've brought a sea change in computing hardware.  Now things have slowed down somewhat.

Apple's support site has a page describing how to swap out memory, which appears to cover the HDD as well.

Perhaps it's blasphemy, but I'm finally thinking about replacing the HDD with an SSD.  Even worse, I'm thinking of a Samsung, the 840 EVO, because it's got the best-in-class performance.  It ought to be a huge step up from the Fujitsu 160GB HDD currently in there.

The other update would be to expand the memory from 2GB to 4GB.  The system supports 8GB, but I'm not sure it's worth maxing out the memory in a dual-core 2.26 GHz system with a 13" display....

Logan Stanton

At work I got ahold of a Logitech C910 webcam, and noticed the cutie on the box.  So I consulted the interwebz and found out that her name is Logan Stanton, a former UFC ring girl.  I dig the half-Asian thing, but is this what she's resorted to, post-UFC...?

Sugatsune

While browsing the Rockler site to see what they have, I noticed a section "Sugatsune special order".  Japanese name, special order: must be good stuff, right?  Apparently it is indeed made in Japan.  The prices are higher than stuff made in China, but one pays for quality.

Silhouette

Interesting device to "print" out cut stencils.  The wife might find this useful, so it could be a neat Christmas present for her, albeit a bit of a spendy one.