School Resources
Useful sites for schoolwork, english, math, and more!
More than a few times I've had teachers at school who do not explain well enough or they make us memorize/study way too much. Many times, I've found other sites or links that definitely helped. I'll update this as I find more. Hopefully this helps out some of you. Feel free to share if you find any too! 
Last Updated Apr 12th, 2012 | 2459 unique view(s)
Securing HTTPS SSL
Below are all steps to take to make sure your site is served securely over HTTPS. Any suggestions, feel free to let me know.
1. Preliminary:
- Install SSL certificate to your domain either through GoDaddy, AutoSSL on CPanel, or Let's Encrypt on CPanel. Let's Encrypt is easiest to me, as it auto-renews and is free. There isn't really a reason to pay anymore for SSL. However, note that you can't have both AutoSSL and Let's Encrypt on at the same time (they will compete/conflict). If you run into errors for subdomains on Let's Encrypt, try excluding the www- checkbox. For Windows IIS, you can use CertifyTheWeb which auto-installs from Let's Encrypt.
2. Adding HSTS to servers....[More]
1. Preliminary:
- Install SSL certificate to your domain either through GoDaddy, AutoSSL on CPanel, or Let's Encrypt on CPanel. Let's Encrypt is easiest to me, as it auto-renews and is free. There isn't really a reason to pay anymore for SSL. However, note that you can't have both AutoSSL and Let's Encrypt on at the same time (they will compete/conflict). If you run into errors for subdomains on Let's Encrypt, try excluding the www- checkbox. For Windows IIS, you can use CertifyTheWeb which auto-installs from Let's Encrypt.
2. Adding HSTS to servers....[More]
Last Updated Sep 6th, 2018 | 1081 unique view(s)
Security Software
Best antivirus, antispyware, and just antimalware in general.
Just doing a bit of research on my own to figure out what antivirus programs I want to use once I do a clean install of Windows 7 on my laptop. Obviously, I cannot personally try them all, so I'm going to be listing ones I find most mentioned and in general what people say about them.
Free...[More]
Last Updated Jan 14th, 2012 | 1393 unique view(s)
Send As From Google Group
Below are steps so that, from your personal email account, you can "send as" from the same email address as that used in a Google Group under a business account. The information is not really spelled out anywhere, so I'm writing this down for future reference.
1. Login to the business account primary email (the owner / admin).
2. From Gmail, go to Settings > Accounts and Import > Send mail as. Add the Google Group address here once.
3. Login to your personal email account in Gmail, which should also be a member of the Google Group to receive messages.
4. Go to Settings > Accounts and Import > Send mail as. Add the same Google Group address here again.
For the login credentials, you'll need to use a user email (non-Google group) from the domain of the business and for password, it needs to be an app password generated specifically for this.
1. Login to the business account primary email (the owner / admin).
2. From Gmail, go to Settings > Accounts and Import > Send mail as. Add the Google Group address here once.
3. Login to your personal email account in Gmail, which should also be a member of the Google Group to receive messages.
4. Go to Settings > Accounts and Import > Send mail as. Add the same Google Group address here again.
For the login credentials, you'll need to use a user email (non-Google group) from the domain of the business and for password, it needs to be an app password generated specifically for this.
Last Updated Jul 19th, 2024 | 861 unique view(s)
Send Mail As From Gmail SMTP
These are directions on how to set up your own domain's email addresses to work from Gmail in case I forget. In other words, sending from your own user@domain.com address but having it sent from Gmail's servers so you can use gmail as your client, authentication, etc. You might also want to look at sending from a shared Google Group email to avoid having to maintain an extra email account.
1. Login to gmail.com.
2. Go to settings.
3. Go to accounts and import.
4. Under send...[More]
1. Login to gmail.com.
2. Go to settings.
3. Go to accounts and import.
4. Under send...[More]
Last Updated Dec 13th, 2022 | 1549 unique view(s)
SMF1 on PHP5
For those still using SMF1, PHP5 or later will throw a lot of deprecated errors and warnings, which quickly clog the error log. This thread below isolates the 3 changes you need to clear them:
https://www.simplemachines.org/community/index.php?topic=534915.0
To stop error logging internally to SMF:
To stop errors showing on the page itself:
https://www.simplemachines.org/community/index.php?topic=534915.0
To stop error logging internally to SMF:
Quote
In index.php:
- Replace set_error_handler('error_handler'); with set_error_handler('error_handler',E_ALL & ~E_DEPRECATED & ~E_NOTICE);
- Replace set_error_handler('error_handler'); with set_error_handler('error_handler',E_ALL & ~E_DEPRECATED & ~E_NOTICE);
To stop errors showing on the page itself:
Quote
In index.php:
- Change error_reporting(E_ALL); to error_reporting(E_ALL & ~E_DEPRECATED & ~E_NOTICE);
In SSI.php
Change
to
- Change error_reporting(E_ALL); to error_reporting(E_ALL & ~E_DEPRECATED & ~E_NOTICE);
In SSI.php
Change
Code:
$ssi_error_reporting = error_reporting(E_ALL);
Code:
$ssi_error_reporting = error_reporting(E_ALL & ~E_DEPRECATED & ~E_NOTICE);
868 unique view(s)
Sony P200 Camera - Removing Dust Spots
The Sony P200 camera, despite being a very good camera, had a known flaw. Its design was not air-tight and dust would eventually build up on the sensor - which means you get dust spots on pictures you take. Usually these dust spots are out of focus and only come in for very bright pictures, but as they build up, they become more visible. This build up I’m talking about usually takes place over a year or two - so it would not be evident at first.
However, there is a solution for those who wish to keep using it. Through this simple tutorial at dpreview.com, you can open the camera to brush off (or spray off using compressed air from a can) the dust. From my experience though, it only buys a few more months before some dust appears again.
Then again, I usually keep the camera in my pocket so that may be a factor in it. 
1299 unique view(s)
Spotify Release Checklist
These are strategies Waterflame and I have refined over the years for releasing to Spotify (preferably via Distrokid).
- Pre-generating the ISRC. Upload the track privately on Soundcloud first, then edit and check the "Create ISRC' under metadata to have an instant pre-generated ISRC to use on your releases (so you don't need to wait for the first release to finish processing to get the ISRC, in case you need to reupload or have multiple releases or whatever).
- Release Radar. Release on Fridays with global release at 0:00 New York time to ensure it gets on release radar (only updates once a week on Friday, so if you miss it by even a second, you're out of luck). The fastest distributor is Distrokid, but even they require usually 2 days so you want to have the track uploaded by Wednesday at the latest.
- Release Frequency. Your latest release will generally take the release radar away from the previous, so ideally release once every 2 weeks...[More]
- Pre-generating the ISRC. Upload the track privately on Soundcloud first, then edit and check the "Create ISRC' under metadata to have an instant pre-generated ISRC to use on your releases (so you don't need to wait for the first release to finish processing to get the ISRC, in case you need to reupload or have multiple releases or whatever).
- Release Radar. Release on Fridays with global release at 0:00 New York time to ensure it gets on release radar (only updates once a week on Friday, so if you miss it by even a second, you're out of luck). The fastest distributor is Distrokid, but even they require usually 2 days so you want to have the track uploaded by Wednesday at the latest.
- Release Frequency. Your latest release will generally take the release radar away from the previous, so ideally release once every 2 weeks...[More]
Last Updated Jul 8th, 2026 | 589 unique view(s)
SQL Azure Users
Something to remember to do every time you add SQL users to an Azure database.
https://stackoverflow.com/questions/19334041/the-select-permission-was-denied-on-the-object-users-database-xxx-schema
https://stackoverflow.com/questions/19334041/the-select-permission-was-denied-on-the-object-users-database-xxx-schema
555 unique view(s)
Start Menu for Windows 8
Windows 8 is pretty fast and streamlined compared to Windows 7, despite all the negative hype on its Metro screen and whatnot. You can disable the Metro screen and restore the Start button by downloading Classic Shell. With Windows 8.1, you can use the 8.1 start button to bring up the classic start menu as well.
1198 unique view(s)
Stopping File From Running
Recently had a case where a file kept running and spawning many instances of itself to keep from being killed. It was probably Malware (though it called itself Chrome version 36.0.1985.143 with a random exe name Dkzbhjgkyhj.exe).
Easy way to stop these from running is to just rename the file and extension so that it isn't an executable anymore. Then you can kill the process in task manager before deleting the file.
Easy way to stop these from running is to just rename the file and extension so that it isn't an executable anymore. Then you can kill the process in task manager before deleting the file.
1406 unique view(s)
Things That Are Funny
Funny quotes, funny facts, weird headlines, and more!
Here you will find a compilation of silly things I find on the net. This includes quotes, facts, jokes, and more. Only good stuff is put here (as usual on this site
). Useful if you happen to work on the the school newspaper or something.This list is always growing. If you happen to find any you consider really good, feel free to send them to me. Please keep it clean.
...[More]
Last Updated Dec 6th, 2019 | 1329 unique view(s)
Things to Do
Bored? Need something to do? Just want to burn time? These are some "interesting" sites to check out... Feel free to send me more links to add!
Aninote.com - Type a name into the addresses it gives you on the site and it'll display that name in the animation. Pretty neat. Here's an example with wow in the address: wow.youaremighty.com
Boxhead 2Play - Addicting 2-player stickman shooter game to kill time at school.
Crimson...[More]
Boxhead 2Play - Addicting 2-player stickman shooter game to kill time at school.
Crimson...[More]
Last Updated Oct 21st, 2017 | 1441 unique view(s)
Things to Read
Below are just interesting sites to go through, to read or skim through, if you're ever bored or just looking for something to read or skim through because you're bored or not. (say that 10x fast! Ha!)
100 Most Beautiful Places in the World - All the places I want to one day see with my own eyes.
Enneagrams...[More]
(say that 10x fast! Ha!)100 Most Beautiful Places in the World - All the places I want to one day see with my own eyes.
Enneagrams...[More]
Last Updated Oct 25th, 2016 | 1373 unique view(s)
Things to Watch
Just things on the internet worth seeing over time if you haven't seen them already. Some are old, some are new, ... Feel free to send me more links to add!
3D Projection Mapping - Using projectors to apply effects to real buildings and objects. More with live people from Sila Svetta, Bot & Dolly's Box, Light Harvest's Immersive Surfaces (Manhattan Bridge)
The Box Man - A man and a box. Inspired by Japanese author Kobe Abe.
Caldera...[More]
The Box Man - A man and a box. Inspired by Japanese author Kobe Abe.
Caldera...[More]
Last Updated Feb 25th, 2017 | 1387 unique view(s)
UE4 Game Module Error
"Game module could not be loaded. There may be an operating system error or the module may not be properly set up."
After reinstalling Unreal Engine, my project stopped loading up. The above error message was extremely unhelpful, especially as any search for it online referred to moving DLLs around which had nothing to do with my issue. It turns out what was missing was the exact version of Visual Studio that I had when I last worked on my project. It has to be the exact version with the extras for C++ game development included. Any newer or older version still returns the same error. In my case, it was Visual Studio 2019 paired with Unreal Engine 4.23.1; it took me a few reinstalls just to figure that out because the help docs point you instead to Visual Studio 2017.
This is more a reminder for myself in the future to avoid losing a day to this again, but maybe it helps save someone else the time as well.
1186 unique view(s)
Unreal Engine 4 Notes
General notes and things I wish I knew as I delved deeper into #UE4:
- Package build by default includes unused assets, which can bloat the size of your game. Go to Project Settings -> Packaging -> List of Maps to package only assets referenced by that map. To be more aggressive and reduce unused assets in general (or to keep smaller backups), right-click your map and Migrate to a new project to create a new folder with only the assets used in your game. More tips on this here.
- Shipping build will give you an instant 10-15 FPS increase, if you're trying to squeeze performance (ie for VR). However, it disables using command line arguments (such as to create listen servers); the way to get around that is to build both shipping and dev in the same folder. You can then create shortcuts to target the shipping or dev exe file depending if you want to launch server or client version of the game.
- Do not use numbers in the project folder name. Otherwise builds will fail to run.
- Do not use Duplicate, as it moves the object slightly. Use copy+paste.
- Never use...[More]
- Package build by default includes unused assets, which can bloat the size of your game. Go to Project Settings -> Packaging -> List of Maps to package only assets referenced by that map. To be more aggressive and reduce unused assets in general (or to keep smaller backups), right-click your map and Migrate to a new project to create a new folder with only the assets used in your game. More tips on this here.
- Shipping build will give you an instant 10-15 FPS increase, if you're trying to squeeze performance (ie for VR). However, it disables using command line arguments (such as to create listen servers); the way to get around that is to build both shipping and dev in the same folder. You can then create shortcuts to target the shipping or dev exe file depending if you want to launch server or client version of the game.
- Do not use numbers in the project folder name. Otherwise builds will fail to run.
- Do not use Duplicate, as it moves the object slightly. Use copy+paste.
- Never use...[More]
Last Updated Dec 27th, 2021 | 1335 unique view(s)
VCR-VHS Resources
Maintaining or obtaining the VCR and VHS, for whatever purposes...
Yes, VHS is dead technology, but for various reasons, some might want to keep the tape and machine. A few might even want to obtain them. You might want a VCR spare to watch really old tapes, or you might want to start converting tapes and still need the VCR to do it. Good VCRs are becoming harder to come by, so it's ever more important to keep whatever ones you have in working condition - same goes for tapes, especially if you recorded them yourself.
Below are possible links to check out if you want to obtain or maintain your VCR and tapes, as well as other links related.
Diagonal Lines on Capture - Something to watch out for if you're...[More]
Last Updated Feb 11th, 2021 | 896 unique view(s)
VPN Windows Setup
Edit: Easiest way is to just buy the TP-Link AX1500 Router or similar. It's just a checkbox to turn it into an OpenVPN server.
Below is how to turn a Windows server into your own VPN using OpenVPN. I pretty much spent the entire day piecing all this together. The OpenVPN documentation is very out of date, so the steps on their site do not work for Windows - for example, the init-config command in their docs is not recognized. Sadly, the devs/mods seem more interested in dismissing their users than actually fixing or providing help (ie here and here).
The steps I have in this post are sourced from the below links:
- Download...[More]
Below is how to turn a Windows server into your own VPN using OpenVPN. I pretty much spent the entire day piecing all this together. The OpenVPN documentation is very out of date, so the steps on their site do not work for Windows - for example, the init-config command in their docs is not recognized. Sadly, the devs/mods seem more interested in dismissing their users than actually fixing or providing help (ie here and here).
The steps I have in this post are sourced from the below links:
- Download...[More]
Last Updated Dec 17th, 2022 | 715 unique view(s)
Web Design Resources
Learning to web design from the ground up...
This site was my first real attempt ever at coding a website from scratch. I started this with absolutely no clue as to what I was doing, and to be honest, I still don't really know what I'm doing.For those wondering, I use nothing but a simple text editor to type all my code - type the code, yes. You really can't "program" your site if you're using a click-and-drag interface. At most, I'd use Notepad2, which is the same as Notepad on Windows except with highlighting. Anything extra is cumbersome.
The following are tutorial and resource sites in the order I found them. This site wouldn't be here if I didn't manage to find these. If you're just starting web design, you might want to bookmark a few of these. Once you're done with those and want to learn actual programming...[More]
Last Updated Jun 2nd, 2020 | 2720 unique view(s)