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Use Usenet as a File Host

Friday, May 4th, 2012

With the ever expanding retention of usenet, it looks like if you upload a file today it will be there for years to come. This is more stable than using a centralized server like mediafire to upload your files. The only problem is your colleagues will have to be familiar with NZBs and possibly using Sabnzb.

First, you need an account with Astraweb. After that, download Yenc PowerPost A&A. First of all, you’re probably going to want to encrypt your files using TrueCrypt. This will ensure no one else will be able to view your file. Follow this quick tutorial on TrueCrypt here.

Next, you’ll need to split RAR archives if it’s a large post. Download WinRAR and follow this tutorial here. 

Ok, so now you have your encrypted and rar’d file(s) fire up Yenc PowerPost, go to view –> program settings and set your usenet username, server, and group(s) you want to post to.

Then, you add files to queue and create your Par2 files. A screen pops up, go to the tab checksums and check “Generate NZB”.  After that, change the subject line, and save the NZB file on your computer. Post away my friend! What Yenc Powerpost does is convert all your files to text for usenet, then it will spread to all usenet servers. If there happens to be missing text in transition, the Par2 files you created will fix it.

Your files are now accessible around the globe via your NZB file. Pop that into Sabnzb and it will unrar and par your file back to the original form. Once you have that you can use TrueCrypt to access your data. You can also use binsearch and search for the headers of the post you put on usenet to grab the NZB if you happen to lose it.

This will ensure long term encrypted storage for whatever you need on usenet. Bit complex, eh? Not really once you get used to it. Downloading is much simpler, but this isn’t hard either.

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Make Your Own Soda/Seltzer Cheap

Thursday, December 16th, 2010

Ever want to get out of paying $1 per bottle of carbonated water? Well you can, and as it turns out, it’s pretty easy. I just purchased a kit off eBay that had a 20oz paintball CO2 tank, a regulator, and the correct soda cap. It was pretty cheap as well, around $130 shipped. The paintball CO2 tank can be filled at many places for around $5, it lasts for about 40 – 60 2 liter bottles, depending on how carbonated you make them.

Generally, if I drink 1 2 liter per day it’ll last a month and a half. I make them very carbonated though, about what you’d get from the store. One note is I push the PSI higher than you probably should, 50PSI, I found that if I put it lower it wouldn’t get carbonated quickly enough for my liking. However, this will vary depending on how cold the water is that you’re trying to carbonate.

How To:

1. Fill 2 liter bottle with water, leave some space at the top.

2. Carbonator attachment on bottle has a pin on top, push it down and squeeze the bottle to remove excess air.

3. Attach hose to carbonator by pulling up on the attachment and pushing down.

4. Screw down pin on co2 tank until you feel it pushing down on the tank’s pin.

5. Adjust PSI on regulator until it’s at 30 – 35PSI (Or higher, depending on how cold the water is in the bottle, 50PSI works best but not recommended by most.)

6. Release Co2 via the red lever on the side.

7. Shake bottle for 60 seconds or so.

8. Turn off the co2, unscrew the valve, remove attachment from carbonator.

9. Remove carbonator from bottle and enjoy freshly carbonated water.

Soda requires different steps, I haven’t done it so I don’t know. This process might seem complicated, but it’s really easy after you’ve done it a few times, and it saves a bundle of $ very quickly if you drink a lot of it. Personally, I drink it on and off but when I’m in the mood I drink 1 – 2 bottles in a day.

So there you go.. Quick, easy & cheap carbonated water. Forgive me if I’m using incorrect terms to describe the components :) Kit can be found at KegConnection.

Informational purposes only, I take no responsibility for personal injury. If you utilize any information provided in this site, you do so at your own risk and you specifically waive any right to make any claim against the author and publisher of this Website and materials as the result of the use of such information.

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Technology Experimentation Tips

Wednesday, April 22nd, 2009

1. Read read and read some more. If you’re new to technology this may seem overwhelming. Technology, whether it be programming, computers, gadgets, etc, you need to read up on the subject. Once you get used to using more advanced/technical devices, you will find that keeping up with changes in technology is not that difficult. More advanced reading will require specific forums, for things such as modification or “hacks”.

2. Get help if you need it. Use forums! If you have an issue with something, why not make use of forums? They are free support. Generally there is a forum for every niche in the technology realm.

3. Read books. If you are studying a particular device, and trying to make a technical modification there are probably books available for it. An example would be Xbox modification.

4. Use your imagination. If you want to make a device do something it’s not intended for, find out if it’s possible. Chances are if it’s possible someone has already done it.

5. Stick to it. The old saying applies. “If at first you don’t succeed try, try, and try again.”

Some people may not realize that the Internet is FULL of information that you sometimes have to dig for. I mentioned a few times that FORUMS are probably the most wealthy in free knowledge on advanced, specific subjects. Don’t forget blogs though, they have also been useful for me when I’m dealing with specific issues. This blog was primarily started to *hopefully* provide easier access to some information that I have dugg up from forums.

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Replacing a Motherboard

Sunday, March 15th, 2009

Well, if you remember my old GA-P35-DS3L failed. ( http://technologyinsanity.com/insanity/the-ga-p35-ds3l-has-failed/ ) I had to get a new motherboard. So, how hard is it to replace one? Probably about as hard as building from scratch :)

*Note* Always ground yourself by touching the metal case of the computer or using a grounding wrist band.

First of all you have to remove everything connected to the motherboard. That includes the PCI/PCI-Express/AGP cards, the IDE/Sata cables, case cables, and the power cables. Once that’s done, you must unscrew all the mounting screws used to keep the motherboard in place. They are located in many different areas on the board. Once you’re done, you should be able to gently lift the motherboard out of the case.

emptycase

(This is how my case looked after I removed the motherboard. )

The next step is to remove the heat sink and fan from the old motherboard. The removal process should be documented if you have a stock heat sink/fan, or if you have an aftermarket cooler you should be able to look it up. The removal process will vary.

Once that’s done, you’ll have to remove the CPU, or processor from the old motherboard. There’s generally a latch by the cpu socket that you have to push down and then up to release the CPU. Place the CPU into the new motherboard and pull the latch down. Some older processors have pins on them so you should be careful. The next thing you’re going to want to do is remove the ram sticks from the old motherboard by pressing down on the release latches. Move them to the new motherboard as well, press them firmly into the memory socket.

processor

(Processor and Ram moved to new location)

The next thing you want to do is wipe off the old thermal paste and create a mirror finish on the top of the processor. Then reapply artic silver, or some other kind of thermal paste.

as5Next, you will  also want to create a mirror finish on the  heat sink and attach the heat sink to the new motherboard.

heatsinkWith that done, it seems it’s time to move the motherboard over to the case and mount it with the screws taken off the old motherboard. Then, all that needs to be done is to attach all the PCI/PCI-Express/AGP Cards, connect the power, and IDE/Sata cables. Not quite finished yet. There are some little wires hanging off your case you’re probably going to want to connect again to your case, otherwise your power button isn’t going to work :) Look up the pins for the connector in your motherboard manual. Then, hit the power switch :)

Next you’ll probably have to reinstall Windows or whatever OS you choose. You can backup your data by using a Linux LiveCD and copying them to a flash drive or another hard drive. You could also try following this guide: Replace Your Motherboard Without Killing Windows

Hopefully this will prove useful to someone out there :D

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Posted in Tutorials | 3 Comments »

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