mattw2121's recent activity
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Comment on What is the best or recommended way to integrate my Windows 10 and Linux computers through the local network? in ~tech
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Comment on Finding a sewing machine in ~hobbies
mattw2121 LinkI go to estate sales in my area on a semi-regular basis. One thing I see really consistently is sewing machines. They aren't my thing, so I'm not sure if they are good models or not, but every...I go to estate sales in my area on a semi-regular basis. One thing I see really consistently is sewing machines. They aren't my thing, so I'm not sure if they are good models or not, but every weekend I see at least one.
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Comment on Sol eReader headset in ~tech
mattw2121 LinkIt's interesting. On one hand I could see this being a product I might use. I think in practice I would end up falling asleep while reading, having the remote slip from my hand, and then spend...It's interesting. On one hand I could see this being a product I might use. I think in practice I would end up falling asleep while reading, having the remote slip from my hand, and then spend several minutes each morning finding the remote. I read before going to bed each night and already have a tough time staying awake. I purposefully sit in bed in ways that are less comfortable so that I can read longer.
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The Swedish Maker's beautiful tribute to his father
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Comment on Seeking advice on untangling the hornet's nest that is my business's website in ~comp
mattw2121 LinkHere's some quick advise. Without analyzing more specific details, I need to keep it sorta high level and generic. Highest priority is the hosting. Sounds like you want as much of a hands off...Here's some quick advise. Without analyzing more specific details, I need to keep it sorta high level and generic.
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Highest priority is the hosting. Sounds like you want as much of a hands off solution as possible. You can get a managed server with your tech stack. PHP and a database? Given the age of other things, MySQL? Go to LiquidWeb and pick up a managed VPS or Dedicated (depending on your capacity needs). They will 100% manage the server. You will have a control panel you can easily do the things you need to do.
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Get all your existing code in Git. Just do it. You can clean things up later.
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Create a roadmap for code optimization, cleanup, modernization, and enhancements. Break this roadmap down into actionable tasks. Then you can take on these tasks, or contract them out. The better defined and broken down the tasks are the easier they are to knock out.
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Comment on Help me understand AC diagnosis, please? in ~life.home_improvement
mattw2121 Link ParentThe thing I'm having a hard time with is that my previous unit (same tonnage) was able to keep up. They are saying it is the evaporator drain pan that is cracked. They are saying that because of...If it's 92 degrees, your system will literally run all day.
The thing I'm having a hard time with is that my previous unit (same tonnage) was able to keep up.
I do not know if they are referencing the evaporator drain pan, in which case that coil shouldn't have even been installed (though won't affect cooling), or the drain pan under your entire unit
They are saying it is the evaporator drain pan that is cracked. They are saying that because of this crack, the water isn't leaving the unit correctly. They are saying two things are happening. First, water is pooling in the cracked drain pan due to the crack causing part of it to be level now instead of sloped. Second, water is going through the crack and wetting down the unit, including the blower box (the unit is in a horizontal position).
He identified the coil needed to be replaced based on pressures? What? Why? How? That doesn't make any sense. That's literal nonsense.
What was explained to me was that he could tell is was most likely a thermal expansion valve based on the pressures, but there was a chance it could be debris in stuck in the coils.
How's the insulation in your, what I'm assuming is, an attic? How's the duct work look?
I haven't personally looked at it, but the previous unit was keeping the upstairs cool and this new unit is not.
That's a two state heat pump. Is it actually running in second stage?
I have seen the Nest thermostat say it is in the second stage.
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Help me understand AC diagnosis, please?
In December 2023, I had the AC replaced for the upstairs of our house. Installed was a "Bryant Preferred 2 Ton" 227TAN02400A and the corresponding Fan Coil FV4CNF002L00. Two weeks ago, when the...
In December 2023, I had the AC replaced for the upstairs of our house. Installed was a "Bryant Preferred 2 Ton" 227TAN02400A and the corresponding Fan Coil FV4CNF002L00.
Two weeks ago, when the heat came (I'm in NE Florida), I noticed that our upstairs was not able to keep up. We keep it set to 73 both up and downstairs and the upstairs unit was just continually running from 11AM-7PM and never getting below 76-77.
A tech came out and let me know that, based on the pressures he was seeing, the expansion valve and coil needed to be replaced. It was under warranty, so I said sure, go for it. The install was scheduled for Monday, a week ago.
That tech showed up last Monday and replaced both parts. When he left, he said that we should be good to go and everything was looking great. Last week was a milder week for temperatures (mid to high eighties), but I did notice the humidity was still quite high in the upstairs (in the 70's and low 80's).
Things still didn't seem right by the end of last week, so I called again and they scheduled someone to come out today.
When the guy showed up today, he checked the pressures and said I was on the low side of the manufacturer's specs. He topped it off a bit and brought me to the high side of the manufacturer's specs.
Of bigger concern he said that my drain pan was cracked. He said this had been identified by the very first tech and the part had been on order since then. He said they installed the coil and valve to get things cooling better even though they didn't have the drain pan in yet.
Today was the first I heard anything about the drain pan. Anyway, they are trying to get that as soon as possible and will have to install it when it comes in.
So, now that the background is done, here's my question. Would this cracked drain pan cause my cooling issues? Right now (4PM) it is 97 outside. My downstairs unit has no problem getting me to 73 and 50% humidity (and shutting off). The upstairs unit is running non-stop and is at 76 (set to 73) and 83% humidity.
I understand that the crack in drain pan is making it "all wet" inside the air handler. I understand that can cause the humidity to be high, but would that also be the cause for cooling issues?
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Comment on Before smartphones, an army of real people helped you find stuff on Google in ~tech
mattw2121 LinkBefore any of this stuff, the library would help you. When I was a teenager in the late eighties, early nineties, my friends and I would be sitting around having a debate about something. When we...Before any of this stuff, the library would help you.
When I was a teenager in the late eighties, early nineties, my friends and I would be sitting around having a debate about something. When we needed something fact checked, we'd pick up the land line phone and call the local library. Someone at the reference desk would listen to our question, put the phone down, and then come back 5-20 minutes later with an answer.
They were happy to do this! Or at least acted happy and not annoyed that some kids were asking them stupid questions.
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Comment on Questions about DEI standards in ~humanities
mattw2121 Link ParentI understand the quote was from an individual teacher, but it made it into the article. So, now the responsibility of the quote lies not just with the teacher, but also with the writer and editor...I understand the quote was from an individual teacher, but it made it into the article. So, now the responsibility of the quote lies not just with the teacher, but also with the writer and editor of this article.
If the same quote (but from a white perspective) came from a teacher and made it into a news article, there would be outrage. Why is there a double standard?
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Comment on Questions about DEI standards in ~humanities
mattw2121 LinkI'm honestly not trolling. I'm looking for healthy discussion and help understanding, what I see as, unevenly applied standards in DEI. Take, for example, this quote from the linked article: "Who...I'm honestly not trolling. I'm looking for healthy discussion and help understanding, what I see as, unevenly applied standards in DEI.
Take, for example, this quote from the linked article:
"Who better than a Latino teacher to instruct students of the same background?"
Imagine if this statement came from a white parent or white teacher and they said, "Who better than a white teacher to instruct students of the same background?"
Taking the article to its logical conclusion, should we implement segregation in our schools? Should we hire teachers that accurately represent the backgrounds of the students and then segregate the students into classes instructed by teachers with the same backgrounds?
I'm a white male. I readily admit that I've had an easier life handed to me than many other people. I'd love nothing more than to break down the divide and live in a world where people "will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character."
I struggle daily to understand how we can achieve that goal when I regularly see articles, like the one I linked, that appear to promote the opposite.
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Questions about DEI standards
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Comment on Maryland governor to pardon 175,000 marijuana convictions in sweeping order in ~society
mattw2121 Link ParentNo, they did not hire me. As with most HR departments, they were policy and process driven and lacking the ability for a human to make a rational decision. Background check lists anything = Don't...No, they did not hire me. As with most HR departments, they were policy and process driven and lacking the ability for a human to make a rational decision. Background check lists anything = Don't hire.
Without getting into too many specifics, the job was a director level job in my field and had responsibilities for one of my greatest strengths and passions.
BTW, another thing that really stung was that the state the company is headquartered in has a state law that limits how far back the background check looks. I reside in a neighboring state. If I had lived in the same state as the company is headquartered, they would never have seen something from 30 years ago.
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Comment on Maryland governor to pardon 175,000 marijuana convictions in sweeping order in ~society
mattw2121 (edited )LinkThese things can absolutely haunt people for years and decades. Pardons like this, and limits on how far back background checks go, are essential to ensure we aren't punishing people for eternity....These things can absolutely haunt people for years and decades. Pardons like this, and limits on how far back background checks go, are essential to ensure we aren't punishing people for eternity.
I was recently offered my dream job and was really excited about it. As part of the hiring process, there was the typical drug screening and background check. I haven't used any type of drugs for 25 years, so I didn't think twice about it. I just thought of this as some boxes to check before I started my new job.
I was absolutely shocked when their HR department came back and informed me I failed the background check. A misdemeanor possession charge from 30 years prior had popped up. I had pleaded no contest, and adjudication was withheld on this charge.
I was a totally different person 30 years ago and made more than one mistake. Unfortunately, I had "burned" my one record sealing on a different charge from 30 years ago. Now, that misdemeanor marijuana possession charge had come back to haunt me.
Anyone who knows me now would have a hard time believing that me and that person from 30 years ago are one and the same. They would all be (and are) shocked when I tell them I have a charge on my record from 30 years ago.
We must stop punishing people for the sins of their long-ago past.
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Comment on Where do you find community? in ~talk
mattw2121 LinkI don't find it anywhere, so I just lose myself in my work. Just being honest here. There's only been a handful of people that I've really ever connected with in any meaningful way and we don't...I don't find it anywhere, so I just lose myself in my work. Just being honest here. There's only been a handful of people that I've really ever connected with in any meaningful way and we don't get together or talk as regularly as I'd like. Part of it is that I can't stand meaningless conversation. I can converse for hours about some obscure technical issue or some weird hobby I have. Finding people that can deeply talk about the same things that I am interested in is hard.
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Comment on Career advice: specializing in niche tech stack vs. finishing first degree in ~life
mattw2121 LinkHere's my advise as someone who didn't finish their degree 30 years ago. At that time, tech was absolutely booming (early 90's) and if you could turn on a computer, you had a job. I could do much...Here's my advise as someone who didn't finish their degree 30 years ago. At that time, tech was absolutely booming (early 90's) and if you could turn on a computer, you had a job. I could do much more than turn the computer on, so off I went to do various roles over the years -- all self taught.
Salesforce isn't going away any time soon. You are right that there a bunch of people who are entry level and pollute that lower end market. You have your foot in the door and are already differentiating yourself from that lower tier. For the short to mid term, lean into that. Your goal should be to become the consultant you spoke of. The one that companies bring in when in house talent isn't up to par. At that consultant level, the money will be great.
If your passions really lie in more traditional development, self teach yourself those technologies. Build side projects, get involved in an open source project for that technology. Then, if you are working full time for a company, find people using that technology and network with them. Talk to your manager and let them know your aspirations and see if you can spend 5-10% of your time just sitting in daily standups or doing peer reviews for the other team. If you see a gap in your companies internal tooling, but a prototype and sell it around the company.
As for the degree, I definitely wish I'd completed mine. If you have the cash and can find the time and discipline to complete it (even if it takes you 3-4 years), definitely do it. Don't be a 50 year old guy wishing you had it. Not having the degree has hurt me over the years. Doors have been closed, especially doors that lead to more senior roles.
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Comment on Game and programming exercise based on The Prisoner's Dilemma (need Beta Testers) in ~games
mattw2121 LinkFYI, I've removed the need for a beta key and it is now "open beta". Anyone can submit their strategy.FYI, I've removed the need for a beta key and it is now "open beta". Anyone can submit their strategy.
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Comment on Spotify raises US prices of premium streaming plans for second time in one year in ~music
mattw2121 Link ParentIf you have a Python script, that would be great! Please feel free to DM me.If you have a Python script, that would be great! Please feel free to DM me.
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Comment on Spotify raises US prices of premium streaming plans for second time in one year in ~music
mattw2121 Link ParentHow is YouTube Music's recommendation engine? Is there anyway to export my liked songs from Spotify and import to YouTube Music?How is YouTube Music's recommendation engine? Is there anyway to export my liked songs from Spotify and import to YouTube Music?
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Comment on Game and programming exercise based on The Prisoner's Dilemma (need Beta Testers) in ~games
mattw2121 Link ParentThoughts on providing the "Defect Rate" in the opponent data? This would allow strategies to know how often their opponent defects, even if they haven't kept that history themselves (plus it would...Thoughts on providing the "Defect Rate" in the opponent data? This would allow strategies to know how often their opponent defects, even if they haven't kept that history themselves (plus it would be a defect rate across all their opponent's matchups).
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Comment on Game and programming exercise based on The Prisoner's Dilemma (need Beta Testers) in ~games
mattw2121 Link ParentI'm not sure if you've noticed, but your bot's avg round score has been decreasing. Other strategies have learned to recognize that your strategy always defects, so they always defect when matched...I'm not sure if you've noticed, but your bot's avg round score has been decreasing. Other strategies have learned to recognize that your strategy always defects, so they always defect when matched up against yours. This is one of the variations I thought would be useful -- giving the opponent ID from the very first round. With this, a strategy can know what the previous matches against the same strategy were like and react accordingly.
Definitely open for other ideas too!
If all you want to do is transfer files to your Plex server, look at setting up a SSH or FTP server on the Plex server and then you can transfer files directly to it.
If you want a shared storage location for all your computers, set up a NAS (network attached storage). Synology is a popular brand name, but you can roll your own.