Let’s reset this Jambox

So, at the bakery we use the Jawbone Jambox. We actually use two of them… we have the regular Jambox (in blue of course for Yeni) and in the kitchen we have the Big Jambox.

I’ll tell you why I love the Jambox in a bit — first let me tell you what to do when your Jambox doesn’t light up or when your Jambox doesn’t respond.

Resetting the Jambox

This is actually one of the easier resets I’ve done, but like anything… once you know how, it seems much easier. Without further ado:

1. Make sure your Jambox is off (like in the picture above)
2. Make sure your Jambox is NOT plugged in
3. Press and hold the big round button on the top of the speaker
4. While you’re still holding, plug the Jambox into a power source
5. It should light up immediately

For me, it was that easy. Simple as pie.

Now, Why I Love the Jambox

One of my favorite pizza places in Gainesville is Mamma Mia NY Pizza (off 23rd Ave and Main St). One night Yeni and I are eating dinner and chatting with the owner Sean… the music sounds awesome.

First Sinatra… then Martin… back to Sinatra… it was awesome.

I told him that his system sounded great — and Sean just smiled. “System?” he said… “it’s a Jambox.”

I went home and ordered one for the bakery that night. Now, Yeni jams in the decorating room listening to whatever she wants. We connect it via bluetooth to her iMac. It might be iTunes… or Pandora… or an MP3.

Whatever she chooses, it just sounds amazing.

People cannot believe that we have the sound coming from this little box tucked away in the corner.

Now for the kitchen, I needed something that could pump up the volume to 11. The system had to drown out the mixers, the over, the fridge, and the sink… all at the same time.

So, for the kitchen I chose the Big Jambox. It’s out of site and sounds amazing.

We power it from a first generation iPod touch.

Up until tonight, the two had worked flawlessly (about 3 – 4 months or so); pumping out the beats about 10 hours a day.

Today, for no apparent reason, Yeni’s Jambox stopped responding. No lights. No music. No nothing.

It made me sad.

Nothing seemed to work… and then, low and behold. Sometimes things just work after a reset.

The world ain’t all sunshine and rainbows. It’s a very mean and nasty place.

People will take advantage of anyone. Since we opened the bakery, we’ve received tremendous amounts of donation requests (some legit, many not so much) and about once every two weeks or so a flat out attempt to hustle some money.

In 2010/2011 we would get 2 – 3 calls a month from operators claiming to be relaying information for deaf clients needing cakes, cookies, or cupcakes. Currently, it’s the cupcakes needing a courier trick.

Here’s how the scam works:

1. You get an email, usually in broken English asking to price a good quantity (more than 100) of cupcakes.
2. The cupcakes will need to be picked up by a courier within a short time frame (1 – 2 days)
3. If you respond (please don’t), they will then offer to pay with a credit card… but
4. You will be asked to charge the courier fee to the total and then wire that portion to the “courier”

What happens is that you will be given a stolen credit card and be out (a) the cupcake costs, (b) the money you sent out, and (c) any other costs associated with the order.

I hate this scam because of my first hand knowledge of the low margins that bakeries work within. Most of the targets are family owned bakeries and they simply cannot absorb the type of loss associated with this.

It’s brutal. It’s mean. But, sadly, it’s life as we know it.

For giggles (I’m cleaning my language today), I played along with one scammer… here’s how it went:

On 04/24/2013 11:42 AM, Katheryn Leedman wrote:

Hello Sales

I am Katheryn, i will like to know if you will able to get me cupcake for hundred (100) people for my son birthday on 27th april 2013. and it will be pick up by my private carrier. so i want you to give me the total cost for the 100 people.

Thanks
Katheryn

My response:

Yes, we can. Total cost is $275.00.

On 4/24/13 12:09 PM, Katheryn Leedman wrote:

Thanks for your soonest responce, the total cost sound nice. but i will also want you to do me a favor.

I played along…

What is the favor?

On 4/24/13 12:33 PM, Katheryn Leedman wrote:

hello Fred

I will give you my card to charge for the full payment for the cupcakes. and the favor was that i haven’t pay for the carrier fee so i wants you to add an extra $600 plus the total cost so you will send the $600 to my private carrier that will come for the pick up of the cupcakes in your shop.

Thanks
Katheryn

I told her I would… again I knew this was a scam, but was just curious to how they would respond…

Thanks for your coperation.so you will have to send the fund to the carrier via the nearest western union money transfer,so they can come for the pickup.
Looking forward for your response.

Charge the below card for the total sum of $875.00.

Name: Katheryn Leedman
Address:1512 W Lake Shore Dr
City:XXXXXXX
State: XX
Zip code: XXXXX

Card Number:438857XXXXXXXXXX
Exp Date:11/13
Cvv:XXX

Get back to me as soon as possible

Thanks
Katheryn

“She” gave me a legitimate credit card, it’s a chase visa– so I called Chase, told them I thought I had someone using one of their cards fraudulently. Chase didn’t seem to excited about the call, but figured it was good for Karma… anyway…

I wrote back to “Katheryn,” told her the card was declined, and asked if she had a different payment method.

I never heard back.

In Closing

People have and will always try to take advantage of anyone. Be careful out there.

Also, that sunshine and rainbows is just one awesome quote.

The world ain’t all sunshine and rainbows.

It’s a very mean and nasty place, and I don’t care how tough you are, it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it.

You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life.

But it ain’t about how hard you hit. It’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward.

How much you can take and keep moving forward.

That’s how winning is done!

Now, if you know what you’re worth, then go out and get what you’re worth.

But you gotta be willing to take the hits, and not pointing fingers saying you ain’t where you wanna be because of him, or her, or anybody.

Cowards do that and that ain’t you. You’re better than that!

I’m always gonna love you, no matter what. No matter what happens. You’re my son and you’re my blood. You’re the best thing in my life. But until you start believing in yourself, you ain’t gonna have a life.

On the way back to Gainesville, we stopped off at the Wing Stop in Ocala. The Wing Stop is a Hooters knock-off with very good wings. Wings so good that Yeni suggested we stop there.
After waaaaaaaay too many wings and nachos we headed home.

You ever eat so much that you still are eating your dinner hours afterwards? I’m still eating them now.

When we got home I needed a walk-about. During the walk it hit me.

I’m fat.

I mean I’m really fat.

I don’t recognize the man in the mirror. I don’t see that person in my head.

So instead of ignoring what I see, its time to change what I see.

Shamon.

When people say its cold in Florida I just smile.

Looks like my silver dollar collection came in handy. :)

Who’s in the mood for barbecue?

This bear has quite the life.

Booker’s Bourbon

Yeni

Recently, a bi-partisan group is attempting to create a “path to citizenship” for illegal immigrants. Many in our community (and country) support such a plan — I do not.

Of course I’m biased. I’ve spent tens of thousands of dollars on fees, wiped away more tears than one can count, and have had my motives questions all to follow the rule of law and have Yeni and I keep within the bounds of legal immigration.

As most know, Yeni is Colombian. She’s also very funny, very attractive, and an amazing artist. The important part here is that Yeni is a Colombian citizen.

Although she had family here (US Citizens) and had visited previously under tourist visas, Yeni came to the US most recently under a work Visa. By trade and education, she’s a Microbiologist, and she initially came here to work for the University of Michigan / VA in research.

It took many years for her to learn a skill that allowed her to gain legal entry to the United States. She sacrificed a lot, risked a lot, and did actions according to the rule of law.

Today, Yeni studied for her citizenship test (it’s coming up this week). I guarantee you Yeni knows more about being a citizen than 60% of US Citizens.

Right now, without hesitation, my non-US Citizen wife can tell you how many representatives there are in the House of Representatives. She knows the terms of Congressman, Senators, the President.

She can name the Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court, the Speaker of the House, the President, the Vice-President. She knows their political affiliations.

She can name our US Representative to congress.

Yeni can name two wars fought by the US in the 1800s. Two in the 1900s. She can name several reasons why we had a civil war, as well as discussing the Emancipation Proclamation.

Yeni knows about the flag, can tell you how many amendments there are to the US Constitution, who wrote the Constitution, and can name several tribes of Native Americans habiting the land before the colonists.

She also can discuss the rule of law.

To pass her citizenship test, Yeni must know that the rule of law dictates:

• Everyone must follow the law
• Leaders must obey the law
• Government must obey the law
• No one is above the law

I guess she’ll be forced to lie to that question; because clearly there is no rule of law.

A path to citizenship for illegal immigrants?

Let’s first start by removing the rule of law.

Chocolate Chocolate Chip Muffin

Yes, I know the muffin man. I know him very well.

Too well.

Just the other day, literally, I posted high praises about my laptop — how long I’ve used it, the amazing quality of the hardware, and even how it’s amazing life had made me start to dislike Apple.

This afternoon, I used my Macbook in a Dentist’s waiting room. This evening, she left us with the unacceptable blank screen of death.

Fred in 2007

It seems like just yesterday when I made the switch from Windows to Mac. It wasn’t.

It was July 2007 and I was going through a hair growing phase of my life. It wasn’t pretty.

Although I do look thinner.

Ah, the first Macbook self-portrait. There would be many to come… but you always remember your first.

My friend Ricardo was the first to make fun of my purchase. There were many words, but to some up… he thought it was girly.

It will look great in your new purse. — Red Barron

I never felt the mac was anything other than an awesome computer. I mean… it lasted almost 6 years.

Fred Posner @ Astricon 2009

I’ve used that laptop at conferences across the United States. It’s been to Canada.

It delivered a presentation at Astricon.

I wrote my wedding vows with it.

It’s had some good times (like the wedding vows) and some sad times. I’ve written thank you notes, death notices, congratulations, and more.

I’ve also used it for a lot of work… thanks to creative hot spots and cell-phone hacks, I’ve used it on the side of a lot of highways.

My two favorites? Sitting on my Harley underneath an overpass on the Florida Turnpike during the pouring rain (ah, the VoIP.com days) and seated next to my wife on the side of I-75 looking at the view from the Cumberland Mountains.

Rock it Fred.

Airports, cars, motorcycles, boats, trains (Disney), and more. That laptop knew transportation.

I used it for communication, a lot.

From sip to facetime, coding phone systems to using softphones, that laptop communicated a tremendous amount of voice/video traffic.

It also helped me write a lot of words.

It was my first Mac  — and it may just be my last. With the exception of Photoshop/Illustrator, I can use linux OS for all of my needs. I’m using it now (and it smells great).

Today, I say goodbye to a great tool with great memories.

Thank you macbook. I never named you. I never will.

Daytona Beach, FL

It’s the first Sunday I can remember that Yeni and I didn’t have to work. How’d we celebrate?

With a ride to Daytona Beach, FL.

Yeni had never been to Daytona Beach and we had a few hours to kill. We hopped on the Harley and rode…. until we saw blue. =)

We headed on SR 20 through Palatka and then took 100 until US1. It wasn’t all without issue– I underestimated the amount of gas stations on 100 and, lets just say US1 came just in time.

Spent a very short time on the beach and then headed back through the Ocala National Forrest on SR 40.

Yeni’s favorite part? The bear signs.

I’ve gotten to know Michael over the years through the VoIP Users Conference. He’s a great resource to the VoIP community and takes Halloween displays to the epic level.

But I digress…

On the Shedding Weight article, Michael (and I’m quickly paraphrasing here) discussed replacing his existing laptop with something that will offer great power and perhaps reduce the overall weight of his bag.

I commented:

Are you tied into windows or with the adobe suite is Mac an option?

Which set off some other comments, with one suggesting that Michael consider running a Macbook Air and dual booting / using parallels for Windows (paraphrasing).

I had typed up a huge response… and took my time, causing a refresh to wipe my words like dust in the wind. Gone baby gone.

In the nature of “sharing the message” and with a little encouragement, I will attempt to re-post my thoughts. =)

A little background…

I earned an MCSE back in the 90′s. I guess technically I still hold the MCSE, but I certainly haven’t moved forward in keeping with the certification.

In fact, the watering down of the MCSE tracks and the “qualified” techs I would see in latter years with the certifications made me question the entire process and not consider certification as an indication of knowledge or capability. But I digress.

After spending more than a decade on Windows servers I had started the transition of the majority of servers to Linux.

With no reboots, great performance, and an incredible ROI, I had quickly embraced the Linux platform.

For my personal needs I had been using laptops. The basic routine was a complete replacement every two years — ie, in 2 years my awesome laptop would have become useless.

Transition to Apple

In 2007 I decided to purchase an Apple Macbook Pro. They had just transitioned to an Intel platform and I was looking forward to something different. SSH from a native app would save me a little time as well… but mostly, I was getting fed up with Windows.

For example, it was taking one full minute for my VPN client to load. Not to connect… just to launch. Annoying.

In 2007, Macbooks were crazy expensive and I was apprehensive. My Pro ran around $2500.00.

I bit the bullet and tried… and love it. My VPN client loaded immediately. It took about a month to get my windows habits out of my system, but I was hooked. I loved it.

Apple Pre iPhone

Pre-iPhone I loved Apple. The computer was excellent. The computer STILL is excellent. I’m typing this response on that same laptop I bought in 2006.

Why?

It’s still perfect. It’s fast, dependable, and the best laptop I’ve ever owned.

Of course, things have changed.

After the laptop purchase, I invested in a Mac-Mini and then a Macbook Pro for the Mrs. When I purchased Yeni’s Macbook, the hardware had been “improved” to include a sealed case (aka no more being able to replace your own battery).

Apple had also been slowly converging their ios and osx to have very similar interfaces, features, and functions.

I’m Nobody’s Fanboy

Apple has grown by leaps and bounds. When I first got mine, I rarely saw others in the area. Today, they’re everywhere. Apple knows how to create a strong product following and they have very loyal customers.

Apple customers, from my own perspective, seem to embrace the new with a crazy passion.

Of course, some of their changes don’t sit well with all users… aka me.

For example, although my laptop is not only perfectly awesome, reliable, and quick… Apple says it’s too old to run their newest systems. Which starts a viscous cycle. Software will only get written for the newest OS, and soon you’re using a platform that will only support outdated versions of software you need.

None of this matters…

You see, choosing an OS/Platform can quickly become a religious war — and I definitely do not want any part of a religious war. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve been very comfortable with “If it works for you, do it.”

Want windows? Do it.

Want linux? Do it.

Mac? Do it.

Doesn’t matter to me… but of course, I have opinions. Where I used to love Apple, and 5 years ago would have strongly recommended the product line, the Fred of today doesn’t have the same beliefs.

With enclosed batteries, a merging ios/os line, and a company that will fade out older hardware from their current offerings, Apple today is Windows of yesterday.

So, when someone suggests Apple to someone with a desire to use Windows, I simply remind the other person…. Do what works for you.

Buying an Apple to run Windows? Seems like a solution that at the best would cause annoyance.

Recently, I started using Ubuntu 12.10 as my primary system. I didn’t want to… but that’s another story.

Everything installed very well, with the exception of my cheap Lexmark Pro715 printer.

I don’t want to get off on a rant here, but printers today are pure crap. When they stopped making the HP 4L, printers as a whole took a steep dive. Anyway…

The printer/fax/scanner/copier is under $100.00 and claims to have a very low price per page (based on the ink they use). It’s not listed on the Ubuntu 12.10 defaults and honestly, it was a pain in the ass to set it up.

So, please use my misfortune to save yourself some time.

Set up Lexmark Printer on Ubuntu

1. Download the Lexmark PPD files.
   Here’s the one I used:lexmark-PPD-Files-LMADI-1.0-1.i386.deb
2. Install
3. Add the printer as normal

Easy as pie. (I need a new catchphrase, especially since we don’t bake pies very often).

It’s not that I hate windows, I mean I did get an MCSE and everything… its just that I find linux and mac vastly better.

It’s a religious war, and I choose not to preach my choices to you. Mine works for me… whatever works for you is A-OK by me.

Anyway… this post is about NFS.

What is NFS?

NFS is the acronym for Network File System — brought to you by the friendly folks at Sun Mircosystems. The quick twitter definition?

NFS allows systems to share files and directories across a network.

As far as you’re concerned, it’s a local resource — in reality it’s on a network resource. NFS brings it to you fast and easily.

Many choices out there… I like NFS.

For my needs, we have several clients running Mac OS and Ubuntu. We share resources on a CentOS box. This box sets up the resources, and the others connect as clients.

Server Set-Up

Setting up on CentOS is simple:

• yum install nfs-utils nfs-utils-lib
• chkconfig nfs on
• service nfs start

Simple as pie.

You’ll then want to allow clients to connect. This is controlled by the /etc/exports file and formatted as resource / client.

• vi /etc/exports (or nano if you’re that way about it)
• /home/whatever 192.168.1.200(rw,sync,no_root_squash,no_subtree_check,insecure)

Note: You can use whatever options you want. Here rw allows read/write access, no_root_squash allows root connection, no_subtree_check reduces security but can increase reliability, and insecure is needed for our crazy Mac OS connections.
There’s a lot to learn about these options… but this is quick overview time.

• exportfs -a (whenever you make changes to /etc/exports

Mac OS NFS Client

There’s 1000 ways to kill a cat… I find it easiest to connect Mac OS to an NFS resource via the disk utility.

• Open Disk Utility, and from the File menu, select NFS Mounts
• Create a new mount, using nfs://SERVER/resource. For example:
  nfs://192.168.1.2/home/awesome
• For the mount location, select a location of your liking, I used Volumes, such as
  /Volumes/nfs
• Click advanced and add the following:
  resvport,nolocks,locallocks,intr,soft,wsize=16339,rsize=16339
• Click Verify

That’s it.

Simple as pie. =)

I enjoyed a drink (just one — I was driving), Yeni enjoyed a drink. Both were top notch.

So… when the bill came I was faced with a conundrum.

How much should I tip?

In my infamous tipping rant, I talk a little about my feelings toward tipping. To quickly paraphrase: good (and I mean good) service gets 20%, adequate is 15%, disappointing is less than 15%.

In the 10+ years since I wrote that rant (can you believe I wrote it in the 90′s?), I’m still having the same “discussion” with my ex-waiter friends. You know, the ol’ “Maybe he/she was just having a bad day” discussion… or the “You don’t know how hard it is” lecture.

My friends are right. (sometimes ;) )

I have never been a waiter/server.

That being said, I absolutely know how hard the job is. I emphasize with servers and truly give the benefit of a doubt.

I (and you shouldn’t either) don’t blame servers for the quality of food.

Two main things I look for: Attitude and Attentiveness.

Tonight’s Conundrum

But I digress…

Let’s talk about tonight.

Was the attitude good? Yes.

Attentiveness? Adequate.

By those two factors, the tip would have been a 15%… So why am I disappointed with the service?

The tables at the restaurant are close enough where we could hear the other interactions. Tables next to me were greeted with, “Hello my name is xxxx and welcome to the restaurant.”

We were not.

The other tables were told of specials.

We were not. Sadly, they sounded awesome and we wish we would have known about them.

Other tables had waiters say excuse me– we had a server who constantly reached across us.

Other tables received such better service that we were disappointed in ours.

So, I leave you with this… if you had a great meal, but realized your service was much less then what should be expected… how would you tip?

(fyi… I tipped 10%)

I’ve been very lucky in life and have a lot to be grateful for; one of which is the continuing of this amazing tradition.

Some years, the trip seems too short. It rarely feels too long. This year, Yeni and I were able to take a few days off from the bakery and head down to South Florida for a few extra days.

I start thinking about my thanksgiving message around October… mostly just a mental outline of what I want to say. Pointless really. Every year when I sit to write the message, my mental outlines are thrown away. 

I knew I wanted to speak of my grandmother. Losing her this year just shy of her 100th birthday was a very significant loss; the table will definitely feel different. I had mentioned this to Yeni and jokingly asked “Who’s going to tell me I’m fat this year?” Without skipping a beat, Yeni said “I will. Your grandmother will always speak through me.” =)

I am extremely thankful to have had almost 40 years of guidance, stories, and love from my amazing grandmother. For those that met her, you know she simply was an amazing woman.

I knew I wanted to speak about the bakery. We are in a very difficult time economically and running a bakery requires a lot of work. Very long days. We are incredibly grateful to have the doors continue to open, the phone continue to ring, and customers that allow us to help them celebrate.

We have seen many businesses — many successful businesses — close their doors. We are thankful for each and every day.

Yesterday my wife, her parents, and I went to Sawgrass Mills mall. We were surrounded by rudeness. People literally pushing Yeni out of the way, store staff making racist comments, people demonstrating greed and selfishness at every turn. It was disgusting.

It’s hard not to distance yourself from that environment. Some will say, “oh that’s just South Florida,” or “that’s just the XYZ culture.”

It’s neither.

Here’s the deal. I’m not going to say what I feel it is. Why? Doesn’t matter.

That’s the beauty of distancing yourself from the scenario. What I know… it’s not me. It’s not my family.

It’s not how I run my business.

It’s not how I live my life.

It’s not my wife.

It’s not my family.

It’s not me.

This year, more than ever, I’m incredibly grateful to have a family filled with people I don’t need “distance.” I’m thankful to have family that I’ll drive all day to see and enjoy.

I’m thankful to have a business that welcomes all people; rather than the racists I saw yesterday.

I’m thankful to have family that fills my heart rather than the type of people yesterday that could easily break it.

I’m thankful, and continually grateful, to have an incredible family that helps and encourages me daily.

As always I didn’t say “friends.” My friends are family. Friends are the family you choose.

This year, as always, I’m thankful for you.

Happy Thanksgiving.

Big Fred Cookie (dot com)

Anyway…

Please check out Big Fred Cookie and even better yet, order one for a friend, for a relative, for yourself, or for anyone deserving a big 2 pound cookie. =)