Year: 2014

Blog Cybersuit Needed

Tron-Evolution-Cover-PC

Tron-Evolution-Cover-PCI must admit that this database problem has me really rethinking modern blogging stuff (again). With each “improvement” these platforms make I end up metaphorically banging my head against my desk. Perhaps it is my lesion-filled brain, a generational technology gap, or my lack of enthusiasm to join the brave new world but seriously, way to many “you have got to be joking” moments are happening.

This blog Bifurcate In The Road is a self-hosted blog that’s owner happens to have multiple sclerosis. I enjoy connecting with others. The past few years most of the comments received have come from MS bloggers. Years of piecing together themes and changes made to accommodate the latest platform updates have played havoc with the database. It needs major cleanup. Not one that can be handled by a plug-in but the old fashioned hunt and seek sql commands kind.

The need for tech savvy folks to mess with others via hacking, spam, etc. baffles me. With each new security breach new changes to blog platforms come and with each software update new conflicts arise. Even the operating system at mission control here is due for some more updates Tuesday.

Alarms are ringing, warning lights flashing, as someone slowly beats their head on the desk. Bifurcate In The Road is out in the cold of cyber space without a cybersuit.

One of thos WT* moments

red ball on cement WT*

DSC_0961_2009_webSo, I log in to my blog and there are no posts. I mean NO post they are all gone! if any of you checked in here today please let me know when as I am determined to figure out when this happened time wise.

I checked the database and the post table is gone – yep just gone. If you no nothing about databases just imagine a filing cabinet and the whole drawer labeled posts was not there. Every file folder stored in that drawer lost. Umm

So, I went back to the last backup I had – and this is all my laziness again it was from June LOL. Good thing I did not post a lot lately hee hee something positive out of that at least. I tried the repair tools in mysql myphpsql but the table of posts was corrupted beyond repair. Other records were mysteriously gone also and my main language in my administration page items related to jetpack turned to Czech or Romanian or something while a was looking at it. Who knows maybe the news features were put out in those languages?

I have recreated the missing posts best I can – sorry all you comments are lost. I ended up going to my news reader and copying the posts before they disappeared from there.

Well, I am now off to go scream because databases frustrate the heck out of me. Maybe I will come back later and figure out the photos etc that are missing, rebuild sitemaps etc. .

and yeah I am running the backup right now. I guess that will teach my lazy arse . …

 

update: 4:27pm I am working on finding a way to restore comments from older backup to this database, if anyone knows how to do this with the post id’s having been changed?

All Your Blog Belong To Us

indexIn July, a popular blogger posted an article on a well-read site that announced Blogging was dead – long live the blog. Not the first and not the last article that has/will proclaim the death of blogging. With the cyber atmosphere full of negativity many blogs not in the business to make money, sell, promote, etc. reacted and stopped, yep stated blogging was dead and like many before them just stopped blogging. Personal blogging has been declared dead more than once.
There is the “ugh oh” when bloggers realize that everything they post is out there – and make no mistake about this it is out there FOREVER. Security and privacy issues arise. I have waffled back and forth on this one. It is getting harder and harder to keep the online me from the private physical one becoming connected by the data miners. A personal blog allows me to control what I share or do not. While I can choose what I share on the larger social sites, I cannot stop them from collecting my data and selling it. If I am going to make an arse out of myself, I prefer someone else not making money off my idiocy.
Fifteen years ago, Scott McNealy of Sun Microsystems made his notable quote
“You have zero privacy anyway. Get over it.”
Personal blogs use a journal/diary format BUT they also provide connections. If they were just diaries why have comment system? The end game (purpose?) is to make connections with like-minded people and when comments drop, it can quell ones enthusiasm. In addition, just like in other social groups (friends, family i.e.) feelings can be hurt and trusts broken.
Blogs do not guarantee an instant circle or group of friends. It takes time and effort to write a post. Personally, I am usually LAZY and the harder it gets to type, read the screen, and mentally express my ideas the less apt I am to post. It is tempting to just insta gram it, pinit, or forgo it altogether.
Blog posts do stay around longer. After awhile the importance (to them not you) of a particular conversation on the big social media sites diminishes. A blog post will be found easier for a longer period. You have control over what you can post without the “terms of service” many forget to read.
Going back to the roots of blogging and just posting interesting stuff I have found in cyber space is an option. I will continue in my belief that personal blogs really are not dead. Or I will have to see you from the far side of the moon.
I will end with a video. That inspired the title of this post. One of the earliest Internet memes “All Your Base Are Belong To Us” was about the flawed Japanese translation of the opening dialogue from the Sega game Zero Wing.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=vfwqvUPIRkg?rel=0

Compass Spinning

game controllers consoles

Silly me, I got bored. My blog list folks are not posting. Television news tends to no longer presents unbiased reporting. I started back to reading and researching via the net. Yikes!
The perspective: Micro V the Macro, the small V the big, or Local V Global depending on how you want to define it.
Personal: Numerous physical annoyances atop of MS. I was half way through finishing a game (Assassins Creed Blackflag) when a power surge and fail scrambled my save game and all was lost. I might have to save up and buy a power backup for my game consoles.
Local: Two vehicles speed through our complex shooting hard plastic pellets randomly.
City: Demolition starts on the downtown plaza to make room for the new arena.
State: fires are burning. The DayFire, two miles N of the community of Day (Modoc Co.) is 7,000 acres and 5% contained.
Country: The U.S. State Department and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are bringing infected Ebola patients back to the USA.
Global: Middle East, Eurasia, Africa, and South America. …
I find myself really looking inward. Reevaluating – my beliefs and moral compass. This New World is annoying in many ways. Multiple sclerosis and age are the in my face you cannot do that anymore items. Frustration.
Our townhouse is in an association that if the thugs in the area do not stop stealing, vandalizing, and stop their anti civilized behavior campaigns we are toast. The religious interpretations going on globally are getting insane. I am still stuck on why the f would we bring a most dangerous virus onto our continent. Two people V 533,215,000 (est. pop of North American Continent). I have spent most of my time on earth as a middle of the road type. Neither total left or right politically taking each issue and deciding not based on political party affiliation but on its own merits.
My compass needle is spinning, spinning, and spinning.
Oh yeah it is 2p.m. and 104 F/40 C

degrees°