Another basement update

Sorry for the poor quality - This one was recorded from my phone for simplicity in uploading.



Ceiling contractors should be coming on Wednesday!

Kubuntu 11.10 KMail, Personal Information Manager issues

After *finally* upgrading to Kubuntu 11.10 recently, I had problems with the mail application "Personal Information Manager" aka, KMail startup.

I tracked down my problems to a failed migration, but there was no detailed log information available. I tried several times to cleanup the failed migration then migrate again with no luck.

Finally, I decided to skip the migration and the app would appear to startup then crash.

I figured this had something to do with the Akonadi changes that were the big feature of this release, so I played around with akonadiconsole and akonadictl. The console app tells what data sinks are present and I had many duplicates there that I cleaned up. I used akonadictl to control the tool with the stop and start parameters.

After restarting it, I observed some mysql errors during table creation. Thankfully, those message were very verbose and I was able to track the problem down to the fact that my MySQL installation has a password for the 'root' user.

I removed that password and restarted Akonadi again and things were looking up. After a bunch of configuration, things are getting back to normal with my kmail.

Next step - Importing my old mail files.

Basement update

OK, here's the latest update. Points to note:

Drywall all up except one sheet near the circuit breakerbox
Drwall mudding and sanding in progress
Windows are partially framed
Small fridge has been sold, chest freezer out of the way
Doors installed
Kitchen area ceiling removed

Meatball recipe

1 lb ground beef, organic of course.
2 eggs
3/4 cup breadcrumbs
1/3 cup Parmesan cheese
1 tbsp basil
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp garlic powder
salt + pepper

2 tbsp olive oil

Mix it all up, form into balls.
Heat olive oil on medium or medium-high

Add meatballs to pan to sear, turning constantly to sear all sides, but not crisp any side (3-4 minutes).

Remove to paper towels when all sides are seared.

After excess oil has been absorbed by paper towel, add to sauce and cook for a long time.

Basement video tour, progress update

Here's a video of the basement in it's current state.

Verizon Droid Smartphone on Pre-paid plan

I recently inherited a gently used Verizon Droid phone and intended to use it to replace my wife's dumb phone on Verizon prepaid.

I diligently went to the Verizon site and plugged in the ESN for the new-to-me phone to port the phone number from the old to the new.

I was surprised to see a "Service Level" selection that did not include my pre-paid plan. So I tried the process again a few times and had the same result. I then googled it and discovered that Verizon does not allow smartphones on their pre-paid plans.

Oh the humanity. Really, Verizon. The phone has Wifi, and that how I intended to get the data on it. I don't need your megabuck per month insane talk + text + data plan, since the phone will generally be used only in emergencies.

But nooooo, you have to bulk-exclude smartphones on plans that don't have data. Learn a lesson from your competitor, T-Mobile, where one can buy a prepaid plan including data if one so desires.

So I searched a little more and discovered a second-tier wireless company that uses the Verizon network and offers both inexpensive unlimited as well as prepaid plans. The company is Page Plus Cellular and it's carried by equally second-tier cell phone shops such as Truly Unlimited Wireless, located on Culver and Parcells (across from the old Arlene's Costumes).

For a $10 activation fee, I got a phone number and for another $10, I got 100 minutes of service from Page Plus. So $0.10/minute for their most expensive prepaid plan. No data though.

I'm prototyping the service now, so I'll reserve critical analysis until my first $10 is spent.

Basement has turned a corner

After a little over a two weeks of putzing with around by patching problem area in the floor, moving electrical boxes and correcting some ugly wiring we finally pulled the trigger on the next phase of the basement remodel; reconstruction.

I decided to take the day off since I think I needed to be involved with a lot of decisions for this special day.

The first step was to have Mike the plumber come and correct some problems in the old laundry room. He had a bunch of low hanging water lines, and the bachelor Rick allowed prior plumbers to run supplies to the kitchen right in front of the window. See we went from this to that.




Additionally, I asked Steve the carpenter to come over and start insulating and framing the exterior walls. Lowes had delivered all the insulation, lumber and drywall the prior day.

We picked the west-facing wall, in honor of my Buffalo heritage and went from this to that:




Next steps are to continue insulating and framing the exterior walls, then work on the interior walls.

Things I'm thinking about

1. Where will the telephone/cable/internet center be?
2. How will I frame the walls in the laundry room, given the electric panel and plumbing?
3. When should I call the ceiling guy to come over?