Not the common playlists you might usually find. I have compiled 2 main playlists with some Synthpop, New Wave and Alternatives of the 80s and 90s.
80s Flashback Alternatives:
90s Flashback Alternatives:
Flashback Alternatives Spotify Playlists
May 9th, 2013 by OZ | No Comments | Filed in Media, Miscellaneous
Netflix on iPad/iPhone does not work when connected to a router running DD-WRT [Fix]
March 10th, 2011 by OZ | 2 Comments | Filed in Miscellaneous, Networking, RantI was pretty frustrated when I realized that for firing up my new iPad I needed to install iTunes to my desktop. On top of that, I needed to add a credit card number to download a free application from the App Store. I worked it around by generating a one-time number from citicards.
I decided to install Netflix and did not work, even tried resintalling and changing SSIDs. The only way to make it work was by using a backup SSID from the U-Verse router.
After researching I found out that the DNSMasq package from DD-WRT thinks that the connection from Netflix on the iPad looks like a DNS Rebinding attack.
There are a couple of workarounds:
- Use a different DNS server in the iPad/iPhone wireless configuration, like the one provided by OpenDNS: 208.67.222.222
- Add a startup rule to DD-WRT to stop DNS rebinding:
1 2 3 | killall dnsmasq sed -i -e 's/^stop-dns-rebinding/#&/' /tmp/dnsmasq.conf dnsmasq --conf-file=/tmp/dnsmasq.conf |
I pursued the second workaround as it allowed me to keep the wireless connection “stock”. Netflix is now working properly on my iPad.
Stop DNS rebinding
Tags: DD-WRT, DNS rebind attack, DNSmasq, iPad, iPhone, netflix, Router
Solving the Garage Door Opener Safety Sensor Problem [DIY]
January 7th, 2011 by OZ | 3 Comments | Filed in MiscellaneousWhat I expected to be a 15 minute fix became to be an almost 2 hour one. The main reason: the problem was not really related to the safety sensors, but a bad cable which I could not identify the first time. But it was worth changing them anyways as the original safety sensors were really worn out and not installed properly using any brackets at all. This was against code and was like it since I bought the house.
I proceeded to install the new safety sensors, and after ensuring that they were working properly. I installed the brackets 17 inches above the floor. Aligned the sensors and worked perfectly until I faced a new problem.
The garage door has thick horizontal wood bars which were wider than the distance provided by the brackets for installing the safety sensors. It was causing the door to open right when the first wood bar crossed the sensors. This was a big deal as it was not allowing the system to work properly. Seems the reason why the previous owner never installed the brackets in first place.
What I ended up doing was reversing the sensors so they face backwards instead. That was the only way to make them work. This garage door opener system was installed 7 years after the house was built, so my guess is that the wrong model was chosen.
There is always a workaround. The system is working properly now.
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- Cable problem
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- Cable problem - different angle
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- Main system safety sensor connectors. Here I tested the new sensors.
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- Connecting cables
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- Connecting second pair of cables
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- New safety sensor
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- Provided hardware and scissors
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- Cutting and pealing the cable
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- Connecting cables
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- Brackets
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- Measuring distance from the floor to install the brackets
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- Checking distance after installation
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- Screwing in the safety sensor. Notice it is the correct location.
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- Screwing in the safety sensor. Notice it is the correct location.
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- Screwing in the receiving safety sensor. Notice it is the correct location.
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- Reversing the sensor so it does get blocked by the wood bar.
Garage door opener safety sensor problem [DIY]
January 5th, 2011 by OZ | 4 Comments | Filed in MiscellaneousI had a problem today with my garage door opener. When I pressed the button to close it was not doing so and flashing the light bulbs instead.
The first thing I thought was something was blocking the safety sensors. Checked and nothing was blocking them. Next thing I though was that they were dirty. Cleaned them and nothing happened. Third thing I thought was that they were misaligned. I proceeded to realign them and even put them at a distance of 12 inches and nothing happened.
With those tests performed, I went ahead and researched on the web for possible issues.
I found this article explaining about the flashing LED & count for the led above the learning button:
| Number of Flashes | Problem | Auto Reset | Manual Reset |
| 1 | Photo-Cell totally misaligned or Photo-Cell wire open | X | |
| 2 | Photo-Cell wire shorted or the wire is reversed on the terminals | X | |
| 3 | Wall button (panel) wire is shorted in wall or attic | X | |
| 4 | Photo-Cell sensor sightly misaligned (dim or flashing LED on sensor) | X | |
| 5 | Possible RPM sensor failure or motor overheated, unplug opener to reset unit | X | |
| 6 | Motor circuit failure, replace main logic board | X | |
| Rapid Flashing | This is not a problem but just an indicated that the opener is receiving a signal but it will not respond to an unauthorized code |
Mine was flashing once, but one of the sensors was flashing intermittently. Every now and then it will be flashing 4 times too. So this test was inconsistent.
I searched again and found this article that pointed out:
11. Door does not close, light on garage door opener flashing:
- Check The Protector System. Both sensors must be aligned or aimed across the door opening without any beam obstruction. Remove any obstruction or align both sensors.
- Check for spider webs and/or dirty lenses. Wipe clean.
- Make sure both LED lights are solid on each sensor housing.
- Check safety sensor wiring and connections to the power head unit. Repair as necessary.
- Check for diagnostic flashing code “1″. Located at the power head unit.
- Try replacing safety sensors. Retest.
I have opted for the last recourse. To replace the safety sensors and retest.
Fortunately amazon has them in stock and taking advantage of amazon prime I should receive them in 2 days.
Will post an update once replaced. Wish me good luck.
Liftmaster 41A5034 Garage Door Opener Safety Beam Kit
Tags: 41A5034, Garage Door Opener, Liftmaster, safety sensor problem
Maintaining Passwords. What do I do?
December 16th, 2010 by OZ | No Comments | Filed in Miscellaneous, TechnologyIt comes with no surprise to me that online database of passwords are being hacked. Last week Gawker Media got compromised and their password database stolen. Passwords were stored in an encrypted format but are still prone to dictionary attacks.
So how do I do it?
I use a different password for every account I create online. I combine uppercase, lowercase, numbers and non-alphabetical characters when possible.
How do I keep up with different passwords?
Well with so many passwords it is almost impossible for me to remember them. I use an excellent software: KeePass.
Do I create my own Passwords?
I do mostly. But lately I have let KeePass generate them for me.
How do I access my own password database from different places?
The easy way? Storing the password database on a USB thumb drive. Just make sure that the database has a strong password for accessing it.
The convenient way? Synchronizing to the cloud. I use DropBox for that matter. I can download from the website, or if feasible, install the DropBox and KeePass application on the local machine where I am working on.
KeePass Password Safe
What If I need to access the site using my SmartPhone?
No problem. I installed DropBox and KeePass for Android. Both Applications are available for pretty much all mobile platforms.
Is my smartphone saving passwords for websites?
Yes, for convenience, although it is a security concern.
What if my phone gets lost/stolen?
I installed Android Protector and the most sensitive applications require a PIN to access it. I have also installed Lookout for Android which allows me to backup sensitive data to the cloud, remote lock, remote locate and the best option, remote wipe.
Do I change my passwords?
Yes. Every 3 months at the most.
This is what I do for my passwords. How do you do it?