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tugrikThe servers are as happy as they are going to get, at this point. The only thing not restored is the old Exchange database that has one friend's email archives. I'm going to work with my bro-in-law to sneak the data onto a spare already-built exchange server and extract the data into a format he can make use of. This will be a lot less resource draining than trying to build up another NT box just for restoring and exporting that one fileset.
In the end, we're better off. Things on the servers are more where they should be, and older, krufty hardware is no longer littering the garage floor next to the rack. The only annoying part was the 5am night on Friday night, and the headed-towards-3am one tonight. Now to go back and shore up a little more of the infrastructure: better backups yet (now that everything is on unix so there's no NT-bringup-isms to halt a snap restoral), better power systems (more than the 25 mins of backup we now have), etc.
Today's morning was spent with ![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
reality_fox at a motorcycle show up in San Mateo. I got to drool over the new Valkyrie Rune. It looks amazingly better in person than it does on website pics -- those of you who think it's ugly, hold judgement until you see it in person, honestly. *rumbles happily*
The other two notable motorcycles I got to perch upon and inspect the glory of were the new Victory Vegas and the jeep-like Kawasaki KLR650 dualsport. Both could handle my weight, and both fit me well -- the Kowi incredibly so. The Vegas interests me as a possible boulevard cruiser someday, though at $16k that's not really a possibility until I'm rich -- my two pricey bikes already drain the monthly budget. The Kowi, at a meager-by-comparison $4995, is a low-weight mid-power dualsport that can pick up in the dirt where the GS leaves off. Shorter range, easier to pick up, more air-capable, and still a dualsport so I can street it out to the trails. Both were a lot of fun to sit on and think about. The fun of doing so at a show is getting to talk to the mfgr reps directly and get high-weight-rider questions answered by those who actually know.
While there, Reality_Fox and I both took the plunge and bought custom molded earplugs for use while motorcycling. They had a hearing-doctor on site with a few lab techs to do the work. They gave you an ear cleaning (yeEEEk that tickles) and if all was OK, they'd do an ear-channel casting out of a silicone-like resin. From these they make custom-fit earplugs. The advantages are plentiful: better comfort, better sound sealing, safer all around, personalized (not worth stealing as they only fit the wearer), and very importantly: fully legal under California law for use while motorcycling. Unlike the soft foam ones you get at the grocery store, you won't get a fix-it ticket if you're caught wearing these. Reality_Fox got the normal $45 set. I got one of those too, as well as a more expensive 2nd set with communciations transducers built in that will attach to my bike comm systems. It only took an hour for our normal sets to be done and we got to take those home. The transducer set has to be made back at the lab from the 2nd set of castings they took and I won't get 'em for two more weeks. I'll jot an LJ note once I find out how well they do or don't work.
For those of my friends who are serious about motorcycling: get these. Seriously. One of the best $45 you'll spend on your motorcycling lifestyle, and you'll be able to still appreciate music on into old age.
This was a foggy-day picture of the Pidgeon Point lighthouse I took last year. I'd lost track of the file and found it again while playing HD-swap games on the dead server. This picture and the handful that went with it will always remind me of an online friend I met during the same period of time named Rainwing. A coastal dragoness, she was a fun person to meet. Her life's led her off to other things and I don't see her around FM much more, but now and then she flies near over on another world I visit (HLM). I've got to get more coastal/rain pictures taken now that the winter storms are starting up. Hmm. Time to order that weatherproof camera cover...
In the end, we're better off. Things on the servers are more where they should be, and older, krufty hardware is no longer littering the garage floor next to the rack. The only annoying part was the 5am night on Friday night, and the headed-towards-3am one tonight. Now to go back and shore up a little more of the infrastructure: better backups yet (now that everything is on unix so there's no NT-bringup-isms to halt a snap restoral), better power systems (more than the 25 mins of backup we now have), etc.
Today's morning was spent with reality_fox at a motorcycle show up in San Mateo. I got to drool over the new Valkyrie Rune. It looks amazingly better in person than it does on website pics -- those of you who think it's ugly, hold judgement until you see it in person, honestly. *rumbles happily*The other two notable motorcycles I got to perch upon and inspect the glory of were the new Victory Vegas and the jeep-like Kawasaki KLR650 dualsport. Both could handle my weight, and both fit me well -- the Kowi incredibly so. The Vegas interests me as a possible boulevard cruiser someday, though at $16k that's not really a possibility until I'm rich -- my two pricey bikes already drain the monthly budget. The Kowi, at a meager-by-comparison $4995, is a low-weight mid-power dualsport that can pick up in the dirt where the GS leaves off. Shorter range, easier to pick up, more air-capable, and still a dualsport so I can street it out to the trails. Both were a lot of fun to sit on and think about. The fun of doing so at a show is getting to talk to the mfgr reps directly and get high-weight-rider questions answered by those who actually know.While there, Reality_Fox and I both took the plunge and bought custom molded earplugs for use while motorcycling. They had a hearing-doctor on site with a few lab techs to do the work. They gave you an ear cleaning (yeEEEk that tickles) and if all was OK, they'd do an ear-channel casting out of a silicone-like resin. From these they make custom-fit earplugs. The advantages are plentiful: better comfort, better sound sealing, safer all around, personalized (not worth stealing as they only fit the wearer), and very importantly: fully legal under California law for use while motorcycling. Unlike the soft foam ones you get at the grocery store, you won't get a fix-it ticket if you're caught wearing these. Reality_Fox got the normal $45 set. I got one of those too, as well as a more expensive 2nd set with communciations transducers built in that will attach to my bike comm systems. It only took an hour for our normal sets to be done and we got to take those home. The transducer set has to be made back at the lab from the 2nd set of castings they took and I won't get 'em for two more weeks. I'll jot an LJ note once I find out how well they do or don't work. For those of my friends who are serious about motorcycling: get these. Seriously. One of the best $45 you'll spend on your motorcycling lifestyle, and you'll be able to still appreciate music on into old age.
This was a foggy-day picture of the Pidgeon Point lighthouse I took last year. I'd lost track of the file and found it again while playing HD-swap games on the dead server. This picture and the handful that went with it will always remind me of an online friend I met during the same period of time named Rainwing. A coastal dragoness, she was a fun person to meet. Her life's led her off to other things and I don't see her around FM much more, but now and then she flies near over on another world I visit (HLM). I've got to get more coastal/rain pictures taken now that the winter storms are starting up. Hmm. Time to order that weatherproof camera cover...
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no subject
Date: 2002-11-10 03:13 am (UTC)Of course, after all the years of damage that the clubs we went to did, I wonder if it's too late! ;)
(Yes, I was a bad girl and passed out in speakers once. Yes. IN speakers.)
no subject
Date: 2002-11-10 03:42 am (UTC)If you're using them for clubbing, concerts, playing in a band, or just attending really loud movie theaters... spend a little more and get a specific brand through your local hearing-doc: Etymotic. Have your ear-doc do the molds for you ($30-60 depending on the doc) and then get the 25dB musicians' earplugs (or 15dB if you don't need as strong of protection).
The advantage here is that these are 'true sound' attentuation. They transmit sound near-perfectly across the spectrum, simply quieter. No deadened bass or dropouts in the high-end. You can go to a dance club, hearing every note, feeling every beat, without the danger and without missing any of the music at all. They're awesome.
A cheaper alternative that will give you a great example of how good the sound quality is, but for a tiny $12 (at the trade of not having earmolds, so they don't fit everybody and are a little less comfortable), try their ER-20 'Hi-Fi' earplugs.. I've had those before. They work great, but don't fit under a motorcycle helmet at all.
If you really have the bucks, go a step farther even and get their MicroPro earphones, which will run $330. Now _that_ is the right way to listen to mobile music. :)
no subject
Date: 2002-11-10 07:05 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2002-11-10 11:52 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2002-11-10 07:37 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2002-11-10 11:35 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2002-11-10 05:11 pm (UTC)Rain-proof outfit-Check
Gloves and helmet- Next on the list
(Earplugs?)
Riding Jacket- after gloves and helmet
Better boots- after jacket.
Anything else I'm missing so far? ^_^ Any order that should be different?
no subject
Date: 2002-11-14 12:37 am (UTC)2) Riding Jacket and Pants
3) Better boots
4) Rain-proof outfit-Check
Okay, so this is just my take on the order of equipment priority.
The helmet (lid) and gloves are top on the list of important stuff because...Well...It's your mellon and protecting that is a good thing. Hands too because in the case of a mishap you'll instinctivly try to put your hands out to protect your body. I prefer full face helmets because they protect your face from bugs and flying rocks and face plants. (In 40% of all accidents involving a head strike the point of contact was the face) You can do well with a pair of full leather work gloves from Home Depot, actually, if you make sure that they have a cinch around the wrist. Gloves designed specifically for riding provide better comfort over a range of temperatures and condtions, however.
I lump jacket and pants into one catagory 'cause they're both pretty important. A good riding jacket is a must. Lots of styles are made, of course, and I own a few. I own a four season cordura (nylon) touring jacket, a nylon mesh summer jacket and, in a way, a leather jacket. All of these jackets have armored padding in the shoulders, elbows and back. Similarly riding pants are there to protect your legs from sunburns, rocks and road rash and come in Cordura, leather and nylon mesh with armored knees and padded hips. When I made an excursion from my motorcycle in September 2001 I landed in a patch of sharp gravel with my elbows infront of me to protect my body and my Cordura jacket soaked up the incident with aplumb. Because of my gear I walked away from that with only a few nicks and scratches instead of being carted away in an ambulance. At the very least you should wear denim jeans while riding.
I don't always wear my boots but I should. Boots that cover your ankle and won't slip off your feet are a good bet. Better boots will provide support to your ankles as well as protect your feet from the elements and the road. Like everything these come in a nice wide range of styles and features to fit just about every rider. I'm actually in the market for a new pair riding boots of boots.
When fitting yourself for a helmet you don't want the helmet that fits your head comfortably. You want the helmet that feels very tight and will not move around on you head. Try on every helmet until you find one that is almost painfully snug and will not rotate on your head. The helmet should break in to be very comfortable after a few days and will offer you the best possible protection. Look for a helmet that meets Snell M2000 safety standards, too. There are some very good, very affordable lids meet this standard.
Of course you should protect your hearing by carrying some ear plugs with you and using them. Ear plugs will reduce how much riding a motorcycle will fatigue you and make the experience of riding much more enjoyable. And you'll protect your hearing too boot which is a very god thing. Remember, at 115 db perminant hearing damage can occur in about 15 minutes. Other things to have with you include a cell phone.
Like I said, these are just my opinions on gear gathered from personal experience.
Re:
Date: 2002-11-14 08:08 am (UTC)How much for a good jacket? It's one thing I haven't priced out yet... Pants, I wear denim and know I'll need to upgrade soon... As for boots... That'll be a work in progress for me. I have a pair of leather boots... but they don't provide as much support as I would like for riding...
no subject
Date: 2002-11-14 09:44 am (UTC)Like I said, the boots are second to last on my list of gear. As long as you're wearing something that covers your ankles you should be in pretty good shape. And as for the pants, jeans at a minimum. They'll protect your legs from sun-burn and small flying rock. They don't offer much in the way of abraision resistance but they are good enough for most 'round town riding where you're not going to be at really high speed. You can get a kevlar lined jeans from Fast Company. They get thumbs up form lots of their customers.
no subject
Date: 2002-11-18 03:48 pm (UTC)Main questions:
On sunglasses. I understand you are something of an expert when it comes to good, cheap sunglasses. Any pointers?
And Tor said something about a starter bike community or something along those lines? Do you have the URL/info on that?
Ended up getting a good fitting helmet last Saturday. Wanted to show it to you, but you weren't at their house. ^_^ I'll probably be seeing you at some other time, so I'm not horribly disappointed. Next time. And even the short ride to/from Santa Cruz is pointing me to never, ever forget ear plugs again. Eeeeep.
Vulpis Incognito (Stealth Fox)
Date: 2002-11-18 11:30 pm (UTC)Here's my post on my most current round of Cheap Sun Glasses. Short story, MSA safety goggles=good stuff.
The URL that you're looking for is www.beginnerbikes.com. It's a good site dedicated to helping people get into the sport safely and sanely. There's also www.msf-usa.org to find out information about MSF classes, where they are held and how to register for them.
And please feel free to add me to your friends list! :)
Re: Vulpis Incognito (Stealth Fox)
Date: 2002-11-19 08:12 am (UTC)Hope that you're feeling better overall.. ^_^
no subject
Date: 2002-11-13 11:43 pm (UTC)As for the Rune? While it does look better in person that it does in pictures it's still not a looker, IMHO. But that's a all a matter of personal taste and astetic sense. The bike is far too long and the front end is far too...chunky. Especially with that very slim seat section and abruptly bobbed-looking rear fender. To me the bike looks like a wedge pointing the thick end into the wind. The shape of the bike does not work well to my eye even though there are many details of the bike which can't easily be seen in photos that are pleasing. Realizing that this is basically a Factory Custom bike built off of the GL1800 platform and sharing pretty much nothing with the current Valkyrie other than the name and number of cylinders I think it's a good bike for Honda and it's nice to see a radical styling study making it to show rooms even if it's in such limited numbers. I suppose it would have been odd for them to call it a GoldWing Boulevard and fits well as a Valkyrie.
As cruisers go--And you know that I'm NOT a cruiser guy--my money would go Victory Vegas. That is one seriously sexy motorcycle that manages to set itself apart from the Metric cruisers and the HDs/HD Clone Knock Offs. If I were in the market for a cruiser I would seriously look at the Victory before any of the Metrcis or HD.
The KLR is a jeep. Not much of a looker like the BMW F650GS but then again, it is also $3K less expensive. But for that price savings you don't get things like fuel injection, heated grips or ABS brakes. Come to think of it, the KLR's front brake is pretty pathetic by all accounts but that can be cured with a braided brake line and M.A.P. large rotor kit. And the heated grips? Well, there are after market soltions for that as well if they're very important. The HUGE 5+ gallon tank capacity and bullet proof engine work in favor of this bike as a long distance tourer. On the down side this bike would require far more maintenance than your R1150GSA or your 'Wing since it uses a chain final drive. I know how much you love to mock me about having to clean and lube the chain the on my bike. :)
Small, totally anal retentive rant...Don't spell it Kowi. Spell it Kawi. It reads like you're a red neck if you misspell the commonly used nickname for the brand. Though I suppose it's better than calling it a Kwaker or some other stupid thing. But that's just my humble opinion.