TrueNAS core FOSS evolution

zVault

I’m real excited to see what comes of this project. I switched to vanilla FreeBSD once TureNAS went to scale. I’ve enjoyed the experience because I’ve learned more about the underlying system. You can read more about the project here. I have not messed with it yet. However I do finally have bhyve working. I used the vm-bhyve scripts. It was pretty seamless once I RTFM.

July 8, 2025 · 1 min · Reese
Vim accessibility

Vim accessibility features

When my hands get bad Vim helps to me keep working. It’s also modular in a sense that there are plugins for most common tools for Vim like bindings. Even for the likes of whole window managers with the Vim bindings! You can effectively turn your mouse into a door stop. 🐭 It sure makes the experience more enjoyable and efficient. I do not code much at all anymore. I had a linter installed on my main machine. It was not ale either. I went looking for it but I can’t find it. Blog posts are good about keeping things where you can maybe look up later. ...

June 19, 2025 · 1 min · Reese
Mesa on Windows???

Mesa on Windows WTF?

Github Link Wow this is wild. I’m going to have to try this out. I remember using OpenGL playing Quake2. I’d like to try this out. If I do I’ll be sure to update later. I should really be in bed by now. GN 73

May 27, 2025 · 1 min · Reese
TrueNAS mini

FreeBSD kernel modules

Many years ago I changed the default IPMI password for my TrueNAS mini from iXsystems. They no longer are developing the FreeBSD based version TrueNAS Core. I decided to switch to vanilla FreeBSD. I ended up finding in the Wiki linked below. You have to load the IPMI kernel module manually! That’s why I enjoy running the system vanilla bare metal. It only loads the minimum. After I loaded the module I was able to reset the password with ipmitool. You can see it listed as number 13 below. ...

May 26, 2025 · 2 min · Reese
Memorial Day 2025

Memorial Day 2025

I was laying in bed today and I got a text from a random number. It was of some kids and my buddies grave. Suddenly I got the impulse to go see him. Alzie had already asked me if I wanted to ride today anyways. 😆 I texted him and he quickly said he was down. It’s been three or four years since I’ve been there. It was dark by the time we got back home but it was worth it. I hope I don’t hurt too bad tomorrow. 😟 ...

May 26, 2025 · 1 min · Reese
Onions anybody???

Oniux tor via Linux namespaces

For many years I’ve ran a relay for the Tor project. Some people say it’s bad. It can be used for good and evil. The same as any other tool. Hetzner used to give me 20TB a month but they ended up turning that down to 2TB per month. For a $5/Month service that seems to be the norm for US, that I’ve found. Oniux via rust I noticed a post about Oniux on Mastodon. Is this the same concept that FreeBSD uses for Jails? I recall hearing namespace in the handbook and FreeBSD Mastery: Jails! Go get some of his books so he can buy some food for his rats. He has great skill to break down topics simply. All the books are DRM free you can get them here. ...

May 22, 2025 · 1 min · Reese
Neat 20 watt rig!

T41 20W SDR rig

WB4AEG sent me this today. They also threw everything up on Github. They even made a companion book to go along with the radio. You can get it here! That is so cool. I love the fact that it has actual knobs and switches you can use. Sometimes that’s better for me in the field, if the sun is bright. Another rig I’ve been eyeballing is the zBitx from HF Signals. I love the fact that it will run off 18650 batteries! It’s neat to see there are so many options for the tinkerer aside from the big Japanese brand radios. I still need to get busy building my QCX mini. I signed up for cw academy but it was too late in the semester already. ...

May 22, 2025 · 1 min · Reese
Will this be a smoke show?

First HF radio uBitx

Before I got my ham license I had a shoestring budget. I pondered getting a used rig like an Icom IC-706mk2g. They were still 300+ USD used. I decided I’d take a chance and buy a kit radio! Up to this point I’d only assembled a simple fm radio and other simple kits and drone repair. I figured the worst that’d happen would be a smoke show. When I finally got it fired up the first time I had a large towel with me to smother in case a 🔥 started. 🤣 ...

April 20, 2025 · 2 min · Reese
Vibroplex in the Chevy

Packet Radio

I love BBS systems and old POTS stuff. I’ve always wanted to try and setup a BBS node. I really enjoy doing APRS while mobile on my motorcycle. I found lots of good info from The Modern Ham ultimate guide his YouTube channel link I have ran a APRS digipeter/i-gate from my QTH on a raspberrypi4 for testing. I’ve had a few chat with repeater owner about putting a node up on our site on the hill. ...

April 14, 2025 · 1 min · Reese
Vibroplex in the Chevy

First mobile CW QSO!

Wow it was so awesome to make a mobile cw contact. I worked my old instructor from CW Academy Dallas K1DW! I know he works remote he was in TX. Our QSO was on 15 meters. The lowest I’ve been able to go and get a workable safe SDR is 10 meters. I need to put some radials on it. Also the plate that my mout uses is not grounded well. ...

April 13, 2025 · 1 min · Reese