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No more free lunch at Weebly

28/3/2019

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Question: No More Custom Domain Name For Free Accounts ????
Answer: Currently we only allow domains to connect to free sites if the domain is registered through Weebly. If you are on a grandfathered account we allow the external domain to remain connected as long as the site address is not changed. Sorry again for the inconvenience. Please let us know if you have questions about our current plans. Source: https://community.weebly.com/t5/Domains/No-More-Custom-Domain-Name-For-Free-Accounts/td-p/94518

What does this mean? Well .. a few $100 bucks per website. I have used Weebly for the past several years to develop and maintain several local websites. The beauty of it is that once it is developed it can be turned back over to the user/owners for minor self-maintenance or tweaked on request as needed by me. The free version is most appealing to most users and for good reason - so easy to set up and maintain, and up until this year, the biggest included freebie was the ability to point a custom domain name like whatever.com directly back to that weebly site (a service called custom domain names). Thankfully they say this ability is grandfathered in for old 'free' sites. Going forward however they expect users to pay a monthly fee for this service - currently about $5US/mo on an annual basis or with exchange and GST about $90can per year (@Mar 2019) in addition to the $15-30/yr it costs for the domain name itself and whatever you had to pay someone like me to type it all in for you. This hit is much like the unexpected Alberta gas bills this year with the new Carbon Tax tacked on .. a bit bracing to say the least.

Of course, you could dispense with a custom domain name altogether if you had to, saving yourself $120/yr. Since Weebly still lets you use a whatever.weebly.com type name for free, you would still let everyone view your website but without the appeal of that custom website name. Or as a compromise, you could simply buy the whatever.com domain name and simply redirect it (ie point it) back to your free Weebly whatever.weebly.com site (saving $90/yr). 

Nevertheless, it was an unexpected hit that surprised myself and some of my unsuspecting clients. Just one more thing to consider. However, onward and upward. 
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initramfx-tools no matching device available error

2/1/2019

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Working Notes: I was having a stubborn system error on my Linux test computer - initramfs-tools configuration error with it setting swap to wrong drive .. this page helped reset my system (but had to translate part of the text from Indonesian first ..) https://hantulab.wordpress.com/2017/10/11/debian-set-the-resume-variable-to-override-this/
​debian: Set the RESUME variable to override this.
when there is the following error:

update-initramfs: Generating /boot/initrd.img-4.10.17-3-pve
 W: initramfs-tools configuration sets RESUME = UUID = 79799165-f1ea-481f-a74b-094fa54e04df
 W: but no matching swap device is available.
 I: The initramfs will attempt to resume from / dev / sda3
 I: (UUID = 8bde2cb5-89c3-43ab-b7be-ae313ba4691a)
 I: Set the RESUME variable to override this.
try checking the disk:

root @ d: ~ # blkid
 / dev / sda1: UUID = "c6d3f94d-3df6-4b11-b442-9b3b5b15cdb9" TYPE = "ext4" PARTUUID = "000286c7-01"
 / dev / sda2: UUID = "66d2c9ef-ef96-4f03-a6ac-e4508bb3de74" TYPE = "ext4" PARTUUID = "000286c7-02"
 / dev / sda3: UUID = "8bde2cb5-89c3-43ab-b7be-ae313ba4691a" TYPE = "swap" PARTUUID = "000286c7-03"
try checking fstab:

root @ d: ~ # cat / etc / fstab
 # <file system> <mount point> <type> <options> <dump> <pass>
 # / was on / dev / sda1 during installation
 UUID = c6d3f94d-3df6-4b11-b442-9b3b5b15cdb9 / ext4 errors = remount-ro 0 1
 # swap was on / dev / sda3 during installation
 # UUID = 79799165-f1ea-481f-a74b-094fa54e04df none swap sw 0 0
 UUID = 8bde2cb5-89c3-43ab-b7be-ae313ba4691a none swap sw 0 0
check :

root @ d: ~ # cat /etc/initramfs-tools/conf.d/resume
RESUME = UUID = 79799165-f1ea-481f-a74b-094fa54e04df
This happened because it used to be a swap

UUID = 79799165-f1ea-481f-a74b-094fa54e04df
then replaced it

UUID = 8bde2cb5-89c3-43ab-b7be-ae313ba4691a none
then this needs to be changed

first update the swap at:

root @ d: ~ # vi /etc/initramfs-tools/conf.d/resume
RESUME = UUID = 8bde2cb5-89c3-43ab-b7be-ae313ba4691a
now update-initramfs:

root @ d: ~ # update-initramfs -u -k all
 update-initramfs: Generating /boot/initrd.img-4.10.17-3-pve
 update-initramfs: Generating /boot/initrd.img-4.9.0-3-amd64
root @ d: ~ #
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This tip helped me access a broken Win10 hdd that was stuck in readonly mode ..

15/9/2018

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How to remove 'Read-Only' error from hard drive/USB/SD card/external hard drive?If your storage device such as USB drive, SD card or external hard drive are write-protected now with 'Read Only' mark, don't worry. Here in the below, you'll find an effective method to remove write-protection and get rid of 'Read Only' error from your storage device ... 

Step A. Run CMD to remove 'Read Only' from hard disk/USB/SD card/external hard driveIt's quite simple to remove and fix storage device 'Read Only' error by applying CMD command. 
The only thing that you need to keep in mind is to be very careful while following the CMD guide steps to remove the ”Read Only” error from an SD card, USB drive, hard disk or external hard drive. 
  • Connect the ”Read Only” storage device such as an SD card, USB, external hard drive  to your PC
  • Open a Command Prompt by typing: command in the Search tab, click Command Prompt
  • Type: diskpart and hit Enter
  • Type: list disk and hit Enter
  • Type: select disk 0 and hit Enter (0 will be the drive letter of your read-only hard drive/USB/SD card, etc.)
  • Type: attributes disk clear readonly and hit Enter
  • Type: exit and hit Enter to finish the process
Step B: After this, your storage device will be accessible again and you will be able to read and use the saved data on your SD card, USB or external hard drive. If you still cannot access the saved data on your storage devices or have lost some saved files/documents, don't worry.
​
​source: easeus.com/storage-media-recovery/fix-read-only-error-on-hard-drive.html

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More great marketing examples

7/4/2018

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 :) so .. I got this in my mail inbox the other day ..

"Hello Magrathchamber.com Owner,

You can't think, even your website helps you to rise your revenue with so various errors. Many business holders get perplexed as their website isn't accomplishment well, while others are thriving. That's unsuccessful, but not your affluence! 

Now, I will show you SOME TECHNICAL ERRROS in your Magrathchamber.com. 

If this is something you are concerned in,Please let me know.

Regards,
Scot Walker. 
Marketing Consultant
(240) 489-2269
------------"

This originally caught my interest due to the blatant misspelling and typographical TECHNICAL ERRROS shouted out at me.  Obviously Mr SpamRobot is no english speaker and has some nefarious purpose for this communication. I find no obvious virus or malware links embedded in the email. A quick google search shows that this phone number appears in several random spam emails see https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-240-489-2269 over the past several years. The contact names and website affiliations vary on these many spam communications, with possibly only the phone number remaining the same, much like the Dread Pirate Roberts.  I presume if anyone bothered to call them back they would attempt to sell them the London Bridge or something similar. My concern? What happens when Mr SpamRobot learns to speak engrish and use a smell checker? How will we be able to trust what we read and see anywhere on the internet?  What then? Well, until then, "O be wise, what can I say more?" They say: 'Don't click links or download unknown programs. Don't take wooden nickels from strangers.' (I can't believe you clicked on that last link! aren't you listening here?) But then, again,  who ever listens to 'them'? Also, it would probably be best not to call that number .. again ..

So Dear Reader, 

When  you find yourself lost in a sea of broken website promises. If your computer has  been hacked and your financial information collected by pirates. If you need someone trustworthy to come rescue your sinking ship .. If this is something you are concerned in,Please let me know.

Regards, 
R Davies
Comptuer Consaltend
rdavies@ssdirect.com
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Lions Food Drive Apr 2018

21/1/2018

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Magrath, AB Magrath Lions

It is proposed that our annual Community food drive be held the week of Apr 20-28, 2018 with the flyers being distributed starting Apr 20th and the collection day being Sat 28 Apr, 2018. Thank you!

http://www.magrathlions.com/food-drive.html
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Helpful Junk Email Received and My More Helpful Response

21/7/2017

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Joseph Keller <joseph@bgchecksmail.com>

​
Hi Roger,

It seems that one of your pages has a broken link and I thought you’d want to know.

I landed on this page - http://www.ssdirect.com/news/install-opendns-familyshield and noticed you have a link to the OpenDNS page on internet security and the parental controls they offer (https://www.opendns.com/home-internet-security/parental-controls/opendns-familyshield/). I searched on their site and it looks like it has just moved to https://www.opendns.com/home-internet-security/ so you may want to update your page.

Whilst you are updating perhaps you’d consider also including a link to one of our pages on internet safety as well? We have a toolbox of 120 tools and tricks for the concerned parent to keep their child safe online. Here is the link - http://backgroundchecks.org/the-concerned-parents-toolbox-120-tools-and-tricks-to-protect-your-kids.html

I hope this helps, please let me know if you have any questions.

Thanks,
Joseph

If you do not wish to receive further emails from us, please reply with unsubscribe in the subject line.
Background Checks, 3844 Hood Avenue, San Diego CA, 92121, United States

My response: Thank you for your concern .. by the way, your page has 15 broken links .. just though you might want to know ..
Picture
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Ooma Office Review

13/10/2016

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Abstract: Ooma Office - Tried it for a month - liked some features, but in the end had to send it back because a) fax line issues, b) dialing out issues, and c) in bound calls not ringing the phone .. all somewhat critical for a phone system to handle. Disclaimer: Ooma did not work for us, but may be ok for your situation.  Read more for 'our story' ..

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Tutorial: Text to Speech Recording 101

12/9/2016

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So, recently I decided it would be neat to have the computer read me back a talk I had written and given. I suppose I could just record it by reading it aloud into a microphone, but that would get tedious and who likes to hear their own voice? Why can't a Siri-like voice could read it for me? Hmm

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Family Internet Safety Tips

18/12/2015

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Google/Youtube .. Mostly Fail - While I applaud the sentiment .. this 'opt-in' feature is all but useless for parents concerned with protecting their family members. a) it defaults to Off (Bad Stuff Available) vs On (Somewhat Protected) when not yet signed on - you must scroll way down to the bottom to click it On. b) by simply switching to incognito mode is is again defaulted to Off c) can only be 'locked' On after you sign on to your Google/Youtube account - but the 'lock' is easily defeated .. just scroll to the bottom and turn it back Off (because everyone in the family knows the email passwords) .. or just clear your Cookies (intentionally or inadvertently) and the 'lock' goes Off again. So .. What to do? ​ 

Picture
Is your family safe or at risk?

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Review: Ooma Telo  almost 'free' home phone service

16/10/2015

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So if you have internet service already .. and need a home phone line .. 
​Save $$ with Ooma: Home phone for only $109 up front and then just $5/mo for taxes/911 fees. http://www3.ooma.com/refer-a-friend/?referral_code=WIP1981 …
Picture

So I ordered up the hardware .. it took a week to arrive.

After it arrived, I took 15 minutes to register it online and and enter my payment  info/911 address location information. I select my new number and  then declined the 'premier' service offer - although it is half the cost of the comparable vonage service - as I only wanted a landline replacement.

Installed the ooma app on my cell phone as well. Calls to my new phone now also ring on my cell whenever I am near wifi (most always). And I can call out on my cell via wifi as if from my new ooma number. Nice

Bottom line: My telco cost per month now comes to just under $5 per month (for 911 fees and tax). Even nicer!

see also Magrath Call to Action: re Axia Fiber Optic Internet
and high speed internet options comparison table /rdd

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