• I started my computer career with the command line, or as it is known today, the CLI.

    Almost everything I do is done via CLI.

    I’ve had clients that had hosts in China, Ukraine, and London. They all look the same to me because they are just another window next to the other windows on my desktop.

    When programming, my hands seldom leave the keyboard. I don’t need to use the mouse to program. It is mostly done with control key sequences.

    When I need to configure something, I use a text editor and edit the configuration file. If the configuration file is JSON, I use JSON CLI tools to manipulate the file. Everything is done via the command line.

    Even this post is done from “the command line.” I am typing raw HTML into a simple text editor. So an aside is written as:

    <div class="aside">This is the aside</div>

    Which renders as

    This is the aside

    The editor also has a visual editor. What we call a “What You See Is What You Get” or WYSIWYG.

    In the WYSIWYG, you type, and it is formatted close to what it will look like when presented in a web browser.

    You have likely used a word processor like Microsoft Word, Apple’s old Mac Write, or the modern LibreOffice. If you’ve used Google Docs, you have used the online version of LibreOffice.

    The idea is that you can look at what you type in these WYSIWYG editors and that is what it will look like when printed.

    We have another term for Graphical User Interfaces, WYSIAYG, or What You See Is All You Get.

    What do I mean by that? Well, if you have a GUI that performs configuration options, then only the options that are implemented in the GUI are available to you through the GUI.

    The new level 3 managed switch has a web GUI. It is rather nice. You can see the status of each port. There are pleasant drop-downs to give you choices.

    One of the issues I needed to deal with was to get DHCP running on it, rather than the old DHCP server.

    After fumble fingering my way through the interface, I had a working configuration.

    The other day, I wanted to set up network booting. I am installing Linux on so many machines, both virtual and bare-metal, that I wanted a simple method to use. Network booting seemed like the answer.

    This requires setting the “next-server” and “bootfile” options in the DHCP configuration file.

    There is NO place in the web GUI to do so. It is available through the CLI. Undocumented, of course.

    WYSIAYG. I muddled through, I got it working. I can now do a network install anytime I want. And I can provide multiple options.

    Which leads me to the root cause of this rant.

    They are now building CLI tools that require CLI tools to configure them. And the CLI tools that do the configuration are not well documented because you should use the CLI management tool!

    I needed to install incus on a system to configure a working OVN network! I am so frustrated right now that I could scream.

  • So there I was, happily standing slightly left of middle, when people around me started doing weird stuff. First, it was making statements that bothered me. Stuff like calling me a TERF (trans exclusionary radical feminist), which is so far from the mark as to be almost funny. I was told that I don’t understand what it’s like to be LGBTetc. I just can’t possibly get it because I’m so normal.

    Folks, these things were coming from people who’ve known me in real life, face to face, for about a decade. They know I’m pansexual (ie bisexual but really I don’t care what you stash in your slacks). They know I’m pagan. They know I’m poly. They know I’m kinky. They know I’ve had lovers of many types (men, women, and people who don’t really fit comfortably into either of the first two categories). They know I come from Hungarian stock (ie Magyar, a group who were and sometimes still are persecuted) on one side, and Scottish (a group historically persecuted) on the other. If you want to get down to brass tacks, I’m a charter member of some of those alphabet soup groups. I’m old enough that I remember when the kink community was still ruled largely by the gay men and their families.

    I’m also apparently sexist, homophobic, and racist.

    All of this is said of me because I decided to comment (sometimes face to face, and sometimes online) about things going on in the world. Stuff like how I don’t think you should force the word “cis” on someone, just like you (that particular group) don’t want various pronouns forced on you. Somehow, it’s always “just not the same.” And so I’m a traitor to my race, to my gender, to my country.

    What? (more…)

  • On desktops, the right side panel has a new item, navigation links. The first link is to the M4A1 design documents. These are the blueprints for the M4A1. As far as I can tell, they are a complete package.

    These do not include tooling or how to documents, they are just the blueprints.

    These prints are to pretty modern standards, but easy enough to read.

    One fun thing I noticed was that they will often call out positions based on changing datum. A common datum is to consider the center of the front takedown pin to be 0,0. They do seem to use that as a starting point, but the trigger, selector and auto-seer holes are relative to the hammer pin hole.

    This is because the relationship between those holes is critical, while their placement relative to the take-down bin is not.

    For those on small screens, where the right-hand column is missing, scroll to the bottom of the page, you will find the link there.

    M4A1 Design Documents

  • I know not everyone on here does TikTok, for a variety of reasons, and I respect that. However, I’m trying to widen the readership of our blog, and TikTok is fairly “happening” these days. Also, I like it.

    So… if you want to see me talking, and get a feel for who I actually am, feel free to follow along.

     

    @vine.of.liberty Welcome to the Vine of Liberty vlog! Here, you’ll get a weekly Wednesday overview of the blog, and occasional videos about news and topics of interest. Come visit us at vineofliberty.com #vineofliberty #politics ♬ original sound – The Vine of Liberty

  • And the original, which I like better. I’m the guy that can listen to the same singer singing the same song and hear that they are different. And it drives me bonkers. So the original is the only version that I actually like.

    This is part of my SSS series.

    And for our friends in the Carolina’s

  • I preface this by saying that I’m not Jewish. However, having dated several Jews over the years, I can tell you that the food is INCREDIBLE. Since Yom Kippur began on Friday at sundown, I thought this delicious parve (meaning it can be eaten any time by Jews, provided they aren’t fasting) dish would be just perfect to share today. Remember that Yom Kippur is not a “happy” holiday; it’s a religious time of reflection and introspection. Mostly, people who celebrate Yom Kippur just want to be left alone for their 25 hours of attonement. After the fast, families tend to enjoy a small feast together.

    Ingredients:

    • 1 package puff pastry dough
    • 1 large onion, diced and sauteed
    • 2 (7- and- 3/4-ounce) cans salmon
    • 2 medium potatoes, cooked, cooled, and drained
    • 2 eggs, whisked (for egg wash)
    • sesame seeds, for topping
    • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
    • 1 teaspoon salt

    Defrost the dough per package directions. Pay attention to this, as you don’t want it to be too moist and melty, but it can’t be frozen either. Roll out the dough to 1/4″ thick, and then cut into 3-1/2″ squares.

    Combine all the ingredients for the filling, and mash it very fine. You can use a food processor if you want, but it’s better to do it by hand. You want it to be fairly smooth, almost like a pate, so that it fills the pastry well. Put a heaping tablespoon of filling into the center of each square. Fold the dough over, and press to seal. You can do this “pirogi style” (fold it in half, seal with fork tines for a pretty edge) or Jewish style (fold the corners up and seal it, making it back into a square, then flip it over and put the seam side down. Put your knishes onto a parchment paper lined cookie sheet.

    Brush the knishes with the egg wash, then sprinkle with sesame seeds. Bake at 350*F for 40 minutes, or until they are golden brown.

    Notes:

    If you celebrate Yom Kippur, these are designed to be eaten AFTER you’re done fasting. You can make them ahead of time, and then just reheat them easily enough. They can tide you over until the rest of your meal is ready! If you aren’t Jewish, these can be enjoyed anytime. As a bonus, they’re also safe to feed to observant Jewish friends.

  • The date was July 24, 1969. The world waited to see the spacecraft to return. They should land in a very accurate area, some of 6 miles by 10 miles Timestamp 1:14:10

    The video is 640×480 NTSC, (Never Twice the Same Color).

    There were multiple US warships in near the splashdown zone. Thousands of men to recover the command module before it sank, or something else bad happened.

    The day is October 13, 2024. The booster for StarShip returns to the pad, where it lands within the cradle of a gigantic pair of arms, called “The Chopsticks”. The booster has extended four short pegs which will rest on top of the catch arms.

    All of this is being filmed in beautiful 4k (or better).

    The decision was made to attempt the catch after the last test flight landed within a few centimeters of the target.

    Later this day, the booster is lowered and preparations are started for the next launch.

    Yes, we are going to Mars.

    Aim small, miss small. We have gone from a CEP of 5 miles to a CEP of 0.5 inches.

  • (b) Machinegun

    The term “machinegun” means any weapon which shoots, is designed to shoot, or can be readily restored to shoot, ⁣ automatically more than one shot, without manual reloading, by a single function of the trigger. The term shall also include the frame or receiver of any such weapon, any part designed and intended solely and exclusively, or combination of parts designed and intended, for use in converting a weapon into a machinegun, and any combination of parts from which a machinegun can be assembled if such parts are in the possession or under the control of a person.
    U.S.C. Title 26 – INTERNAL REVENUE CODE § 5845, (last visited Oct. 13, 2024)

    (3) The term “firearm” means (A) any weapon (including a starter gun) which will or is designed to or may readily be converted to expel a projectile by the action of an explosive; (B) the frame or receiver of any such weapon; (C) any firearm muffler or firearm silencer; or (D) any destructive device. Such term does not include an antique firearm.
    U.S.C. Title 18 – CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE § 921, (last visited Oct. 13, 2024)

    In VanDerStok, the ATF is arguing that the term may readily be converted was not defined by congress. This makes it ambiguous. An ambiguous term is normally clarified by the rule making procedures.

    The gist of the argument is ATF determination letters regarding classification of things as hunk of metal or receiver has always focused on the term “readily”. According to the ATF, the new rule merely clarifies that “readily” can be modified by the auxiliary components included with a kit or in the same purchase.

    When asked if the ATF could just as easily claim that all AR-15 lower receivers are machine guns because they can be readily converted to M-16/M-4 receivers, the ATF responded that AR-15 receivers are not being restored because they never were.

    The issue is twofold, first, we don’t trust the government. The second is that there is zero difference between an 80% AR-15 lower receiver and an 80% M-16/M-4 lower receiver.

    Both require drilling holes for the trigger pin, the hammer pin, and the selector switch.

    Both require milling out the fire control group pocket.

    The M-16/M-4 lower receiver requires one extra hole.

    The Pivot pins are 0.250 +0/0.003 below the deck. The hammer pin is 0.375 +/- 0.002 below the pivot pin. The trigger pin is 0.3140 +/- 0.0015 below the hammer pin and 0.8430 +/- 0.0015 to the rear. The selector is 0.2250 +/- 0.0015 above the trigger pin and 1.9680 +/- 0.0015 to the rear of the hammer pin.

    1.9680 +/- 0.0015 to the rear of the hammer pin and 0.4980 above the hammer pin is a 0.1250 +0.0015 -0.0000 hole.

    This hole is the difference between an M4 and an AR15 lower receiver.

    If the ATF considers a piece of edgedetched steel to be a machine gun, and they consider a hunk of aluminum with a jig and instructions to be a receiver, what would stop them from deciding an AR15 receiver is an M4 receiver?

  • It’s good to know that Harris has everything under control. Her advertising team is on the job, let me tell you.

    Enjoy!

    https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTFmVuDq3/

  • Confirmation Bias, another woke pseudo-science?

    One of the most infuriating things to hear a “journalist” report, is that something is a “dog whistle” for some nefarious think.

    The idea that when I say, “Peacefully march to the Capitol” the reality is that this is a “dog whistle” to storm the Capitol.

    The remarkable thing is that only these hard hitting, truth to power, journalists can hear these dog whistles. The rest of us can’t. But I’m told that this is all super secret communications directed at me and people like me.

    Microaggression is the pseudo-science that allows a “victim” to be victimized by minute aggressive words, phrases, and actions. Hold the door open for a female student with her arms full of books is a microaggression. You are telling them that they need a male’s help.

    Other things that sound like pseudo-science are real. Neuro linguistic programming, is one. Except it is very real. I’ve seen it used. I’ve used it. It works, and it works well.

    The gist is that you can associate words, phrases, and actions with feelings. Then using those words, phrases, or actions can cause the programmed person to react with the same feelings.

    Confirmation Bias is also real. It is the process of being more likely to believe something that confirms what you already believe. Nothing woke about it. We all suffer from it. Some of us just understand it exists and work to defeat it. I.e., have coping methods.

    What’s the Big Deal about Frames and Receivers?

    The bump-stock ATF rule was a clear-cut case of the ATF overstepping their legislative authority.

    The ATF’s frame and receiver rule, not so much. I’m not sure if we are going to win this one, on regulatory overreach.

    The ATF has never given clear rules on how to determine if something is a frame or a receiver. The only way to know if an item is a hunk of aluminum or a hunk of plastic vs. a frame or receiver, is to have a determination letter from the ATF.

    You need to send the ATF the item you have made. If the ATF determines it is a frame or receiver, they tell you that. I do not know what will happen to you because you have just sent the ATF a frame or receiver (a firearm) that is not serialized, as required by the GCA of 1968.

    By examining the determination letters, manufacturers were able to black box the point at which an item crossed the magic line, in the ATF’s view, and became a frame or receiver.

    In looking at the determination letters, the context is always the same, “This is a frame or receiver because only these operations need to be done to reach the fully functional stage.”

    The determination letters describe those operations. “Drill a 5/8in hole, then use a 4/8 rotary file to complete the frame or receiver”. It is a determination based on the number of operations, the difficulty of those operations, the equipment needed to complete those operations.

    The difficulty of an operation is based on the skills required. Today, a numb skull can read the directions and achieve acceptable results, a fully functional firearm, in only a few hours of work. Given my current skill set, the tools I have available, I figure it should take me about 2 hours to fully mill an 80% lower. A 50% lower would take me 4 to 8 hours.

    The ATF is arguing that they are applying the same logic, to fulfill the same legislative language. That, as such, they have not changed how they do the rule making, only that they are allowing for modern tools and methods.

    Poison in the Well

    When a rogue inferior court wants to deny The People their rights, they have no problem finding help from other rogue inferior courts.

    Years ago, Bush SR instituted a new educational directive, “No Child Left Behind.” The concept of this program was to make sure that every student received the resources they needed to succeed. Regardless of their abilities.

    This might mean that one set of students was receiving instruction in advanced math and literature while another set of students was receiving instruction in remedial math and literature. Both sets would receive enough instruction to succeed at their level.

    That was the boss’s instructions.

    But teachers don’t implement, they follow directions. By the time the line workers, the teachers in the trenches, received orders on how to implement “no child left behind”, it had become a mockery of what was intended.

    The teacher’s unions said that “no child left behind” meant that no child could be held back. Instead, every child had to pass every year. It was designed to fail, and it did. And Bush was made to look worse.

    The district courts have the ability and the responsibility to read Bruen and all Supreme Court opinions and to follow them.

    Instead, they play stupid, claiming that they don’t have clear guidance. Since their immediate superior court hasn’t given them guidance, they then must turn to other courts, where they get to cherry-pick.

    Thus, we have multiple district level courts claiming that “does the conduct proposed implicate the Second Amendment?” requires the plaintiffs to prove that the arm in question is a covered arm. Then they narrow the definition of “arm” to exclude firearms they don’t like.

    Who Had “Good Judges in New York” on their Bingo Cards?

    It appears that Trump’s appeal of the so-called “fraud” case was heard.

    According to the State of New York, a businessman, asked to borrow money. He offered as collateral different property. As part of the negotiation process, he valued his property at the top of the market. They bank valued it at less.

    The bank testified on behalf of the businessman that they intended to give the loan, regardless of the value of the collateral, because they had done loans to this businessman in the past. And that he had repaid all past loans, with interest, in full. It was a good business decision to make more money from him.

    The loan was given, the businessman repaid the loan with interest. All parties were satisfied.

    The state decided that this was actually fraud in play. That the bank must not have done due diligence in assessing the collateral. Because they didn’t do due diligence, the businessman got away with defrauding the bank.

    Even though he repaid the loan, as he promised he would do.

    At the appeals level in NY State, the 5 judge panel dug into the prosecutors. Some video is difficult to watch, there is so much blood spilled.

    The prosecutors seemed to be begging to escape the courtroom without sanctions.

    If the questions are any indication, this case will be dismissed as the political hatchet job it is.

    Bianchi to get his day in court?

    Finally, the Bianchi case is before the Supreme Court seeking cert. The plaintiffs, (good guys), had appealed the horrific opinion by the Fourth Circuit with in 15 days of the opinion being published. The state asked for and was granted a 30-day extension.

    The plaintiffs did not oppose the extension.

    When a case is submitted for certiorari, the opposing party is granted time to file an opposition brief. If this is done through the emergency docket, a justice will deny the request or present it to the court.

    The justice might require a response and in general, the opposition will file a brief in opposition.

    Occasionally, a stay or injunction will be issued, and the case will be moved to the regular docket to request a writ of certiorari.

    Once on the docket, there will be a briefing schedule set. Once the final briefs are submitted, per the schedule, the case will be distributed for conference.

    In conference, the justices will decide if they want to grant cert.

    If a case were to be distributed for conference this week, and it was granted cert, the case would be heard in the 2024-2025 term with an opinion issuing sometime in July or August, at the latest.

    By default, it looks like the response is due with in 30 days. This would require the state to file their response by September 23rd. On September 11th, they asked for 30 days more. This was granted. The state’s response is due October 23rd.

    If this schedule is met, then the case will be distributed on November 6th. It would be heard in conference on November 22nd.

    The state has requested a 30-day extension. This would push the first time the case could be considered to January 10th, 2025.

    This could mean that the case would not be heard until the 2025-2026 term, with an opinion issuing in July/August 2026, 4 years after the case was originally GVRed.

    The justices want to conference on this case in 2024. They did not grant the full 30 days. Instead, the deadline for the response is now November. 12th.

    The Math of weaving

    I have a little gizmo for winding thread from my bobbins into a coil. Each full round is one yard in length. Other versions of the gizmo warp 2 yards with each full wrap.

    There are several tools around the fort that measure yarn/thread by the yard. This is helpful when it is time to warp (or dress) your loom.

    The process starts with determining the wraps per inch of your yarn. This is accomplished by wrapping the yarn around a ruler until one inch is filled. The yarn should be touching, but not overlapping.

    This gives you the number of wraps per inch.

    The yarn we are using is 22 wraps per inch.

    Next, we convert this to ends per inch. This is determined by the waving pattern used. An over/under plain weave, the density factor is 1/2. For a twill, it is 2/3. We intend to do a twill. This means our factor is 2/3 which gives us 14.6 ends per inch.

    This can be rounded down to 14 or up to 16. Odd setts are more difficult.

    The loom has a weaving width of 46 inches. This is 736 ends at 16 EPI.

    The warping board I used has 35 pegs. Three are not used for length but for the cross and ???.

    The pegs are 2 yards apart. One full run is thus 64 yards long.

    We would need 47,200 yards of yarn. At 400 yards per hour, that is around 120 hours of spinning. Note that you will need the same amount for the weft as well. That is about 53 pounds of wool.

    After I finished making a new peg for the warping board, I started winding. The distance between pegs was enough that I had to take a couple of half steps to move back and forth.

    With Ally’s help, pulling the thread of the cone, I was able to do about 3600 yards in 4 hours. I was getting faster there at the end.

    My warp is only 10 yards long.

    The next step is to finish restoring the reed then to dress the loom. I’m sure that Ally will take pictures of that too. So you poor folks will have to see pictures of me dressing the loom.