The Geek “Must Do Before You Die” Checklist

Posted by Ian on 21st Sep 2009 at 5:27 pm
2009
21 Sep

Vijay (Scanman) tweeted ‘The Geek “Must Do Before You Die” Checklist‘ this morning.

Done #
 Item Web Reference
1. Add a Third Monitor http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/17960-13-adding-monitor
2. Build a Linux Firewall http://www.ocmodshop.com/ocmodshop.aspx?a=1524
3. Build a Network File Server http://dailycupoftech.com/howto-install-freenas/
x 4. Build a PC http://www.pcmech.com/byopc/
5. Build a Robot http://www.hiskey.us/PhysicalComputing/Week10.aspx
x 6. Build an HTML based Website using Notepad http://www.w3schools.com/htmL/
7. Bypass a Computer Password on All Major Operating Systems http://www.joetech.com/2009/01/29/how-to-crack-the-account-password-on-any-operating-system/
8. Bypass School or Work Website Blocks http://laptoplogic.com/resources/64-things-every-geek-should-know
x 9. Carry a Computer Cleaning Arsenal on Your USB Drive http://laptoplogic.com/resources/64-things-every-geek-should-know
x 10. Compile a Linux Kernel http://www.cyberciti.biz/tips/compiling-linux-kernel-26.html
11. Control Your House Lights with a Computer http://www.instructables.com/id/Control-lights-in-your-house-with-your-computer/
x 12. Convert Cassette Tapes to Digital Audio Files http://lifehacker.com/software/mp3/alpha-geek-how-to-digitize-cassette-tapes-222394.php
13. Crack a Wi-Fi Password http://docs.lucidinteractive.ca/index.php/Cracking_WEP_and_WPA_Wireless_Networks
14. Create ‘Hello, World’ in at Least Five Different Programming languages http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alphabetical_list_of_programming_languages
15. Create a Disposable E-Mail Account http://dailycupoftech.com/2009/03/14/create-a-temporary-e-mail-account-on-your-domain/
16. Create a Recovery Drive Image of Your Computer http://dailycupoftech.com/2008/05/06/free-or-open-source-imaging-solutions/
17. Create a WordPress Plugin http://net.tutsplus.com/tutorials/wordpress/creating-a-custom-wordpress-plugin-from-scratch/
18. Create a WordPress Theme from Scratch http://www.wpdesigner.com/2007/02/19/so-you-want-to-create-wordpress-themes-huh/
19. Create an Add-On for Firefox http://lifehacker.com/software/programming/how-to-build-a-firefox-extension-264490.php
20. Create an SSH Tunnel http://www.ehow.com/how_2036605_create-ssh-putty.html
21. Create Music with Keyboard http://thebatman.net/keybored/
x 22. Design and Build a Circuit Board http://www.olimex.com/pcb/dtools.html
23. Do Cool Things to Altoids Tins http://www.squidoo.com/altoids-tins
24. Download a Video from YouTube http://keepvid.com/
25. Download Wikipedia http://download.wikimedia.org/
x 26. Execute a Shell Script http://www.mcsr.olemiss.edu/unixhelp/scrpt/scrpt1.2.html
27. Find a Users IP Address on AIM http://www.elitehackers.info/forums/archive/index.php/t-2827.html
28. Find a Website IP Address Without Web/CommandPrompt Access http://laptoplogic.com/resources/64-things-every-geek-should-know
x 29. Flash System BIOS http://www.pcstats.com/articleview.cfmarticleID=1605
30. Hack a Pop Machine http://skattertech.com/soda-machine-hack/
31. Hack a USB Drive Startup File http://dailycupoftech.com/usb-drive-autoruninf-tweaking/
32. Hide a File Behind a JPEG http://www.online-tech-tips.com/computer-tips/hide-file-in-picture/
33. Homebrew Hack Game Systems http://www.3stepads.com/2009/03/05/learn-unlock-wii-system/
34. Increase Wi-Fi Range http://www.mavromatic.com/archives/000451
35. Install a Content Management System for a Website http://dailycupoftech.com/2009/04/24/cms-roundup/
x 36. Irrecoverably Protect Data http://www.truecrypt.org/
37. Jailbreak an iPhone http://lifehacker.com/398906/jailbreak-iphone-20-with-pwnagetool
x 38. Know the Meaning of Technical Acronyms http://www.techterms.com/acronyms.php
x 39. Know Who Mulder and Scully Are http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mulder_and_Scully_(song)
40. Learn and Write Javascript http://www.yourhtmlsource.com/javascript/basicjavascript.html
x 41. Learn At Least One Fictional Language http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_constructed_languages
x 42. Learn Hexadecimal and Binary Number Systems http://www.wisc-online.com/objects/index_tj.aspobjID=DIG1102
43. Learn How to Convert a DVD to x264 (or XviD or DivX) http://howto.diveintomark.org/ipod-dvd-ripping-guide/
44. Learn How to Hot Wire a Car http://howto.wired.com/wiki/Hot_Wire_Your_Car
45. Learn How to Install Mac OS X on a PC http://dailyapps.net/2007/10/hack-attack-install-leopard-on-your-pc-in-3-easy-steps/
46. Learn How to Reset RAM http://www.yousaytoo.com/sudjarwo/how-to-reset-ram-in-a-computer/29133
x 47. Learn Important Keyboard Shortcuts http://ow.ly/548w
48. Learn the Fastest way to Kill a Computer http://www.pcstats.com/articleview.cfmarticleID=1720
x 49. Learn to Identify Keyloggers http://www.ghacks.net/2007/06/28/how-to-defeat-most-keyloggers-on-public-computers/
50. Learn to Identify Major Constellations http://www.sky-watch.com/astronomy-guide/major-constellations.html
51. Load Rockbox onto an MP3 Player http://rockbox.org
52. Lock Your Computer with a USB Drive http://lionjkt.wordpress.com/2008/12/31/how-to-lock-your-computer-with-usb-drive/
x 53. Make a Cat5 Patch and Crossover Cable http://geeksaresexy.blogspot.com/2006/01/save-money-how-to-make-your-own.html
54. Make a Laptop Cooling Pad http://www.instructables.com/id/Lazy-mans-laptop-cooler/
55. Make Your Office Ergonomic http://www.ergotron.com/tabid/305/language/en-US/default.aspx
56. Mod a Flash Drive Case http://www.instructables.com/id/Metal-USB—Flash-drive-case-mod/
x 57. Monitor Network Traffic http://www.slac.stanford.edu/xorg/nmtf/nmtf-tools.html
x 58. Mount and ISO in a Virtual DVD Drive http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows-vista/mount-an-iso-image-in-windows-vista/
59. Move Completely To Open Source http://www.osalt.com/
x 60. Permanently Delete Data on a Hard Drive http://www.dban.org/
61. Permanently Delete Your Facebook Account http://www.facebook.com/group.phpgid=16929680703
62. Pick a Lock http://www.gregmiller.net/locks/mitguide/
63. Play a Geek Practical Joke http://www.wired.com/entertainment/theweb/news/2008/03/pranks08currentPage=all
64. Play Retro Games without Retro Consoles http://www.ladyada.net/make/fuzebox/index.html
65. Put LEDs Inside a Light Bulb http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2006/06/make_a_led_bulb.html
x 66. Put Open Source Firmware on a Router http://kamikaze.openwrt.org/docs/openwrt.html#x1-40001.1.1
67. Read 1337 At Normal Speed http://www.wikihow.com/Read-and-Write-in-1337
68. Recover Deleted Files http://lifehacker.com/393084/how-to-recover-deleted-files-with-free-software
x 69. Recover Master Boot Record http://www.ntfs.com/mbr-damaged.htm
x 70. Register Your Name as an Internet Domain http://www.thesitewizard.com/archive/registerdomain.shtml
x 71. Remotely Control a Computer http://www.pcstats.com/articleview.cfmarticleID=1441
x 72. Replace a Laptop Keyboard http://www.refurbished-laptop-guide.com/how-to-remove-a-laptop-keyboard.html
x 73. Replacing a Laptop LCD http://www.fonerbooks.com/laptop_4.htm
x 74. Retrieve Data off Hard Drive http://laptoplogic.com/resources/5-ways-to-retrieve-data-off-a-crashed-hard-drive
75. Rip Streaming Videos http://applian.com/download-videos/
76. Run an Operating System from a USB Thumb Drive http://www.pendrivelinux.com/
x 77. Run Multiple Computers with one Keyboard and Mouse http://dailycupoftech.com/2007/02/19/multiple-computers-1-keyboardmouse-no-kvm/
x 78. Run Operating System inside a Virtual Computer http://linuxvirtualization.com/
x 79. Run Your Own Ethernet Line http://www.ertyu.org/steven_nikkel/ethernetcables.html
80. Screw with Wi-Fi Leeches http://tech.nocr.at/hacking-security/baffle-wifi-leeches-with-an-upside-down-ternet-2/
81. Setup a Computer in the Cloud http://howto.opml.org/dave/ec2/
82. Setup a Streaming Media Server http://www.n00tz.net/2008/07/vlc-media-server-ubuntu-hardy/
83. Setup a VPN http://www.computernetworkinghelp.com/content/view/41/1/
x 84. Setup an Apache, MySQL, Mail, PHP server on Windows and Linux http://www.apachefriends.org/en/xampp.html
x 85. Shrink a Website URL http://internet.suite101.com/article.cfm/shrink_a_link_with_free_url_shorteners
86. Soldering Glasses Together http://www.ehow.com/how_1315_weld-glass.html
87. Strip Windows DRM http://undrm.info/remove-DRM-protection/FairUse4WM-freeware-DRM-removal-Windows-software-Strip-copy-protection-from-WMV-ASF-WMA-Windows-Media-Player.htm
88. Surf the Web Anonymously http://www.torproject.org/
89. Survive in a Linux Argument http://www.linux.com/articles/feature/
90. Tethering a Smartphone http://www.tech-recipes.com/rx/2276/smartphones_bb_treo_tether_modem_usa_carriers/
91. Turn a Laptop into a Digital Picture Frame http://repair4laptop.org/notebook_picture_frame.html
92. Turn Webcams into Security Cameras http://www.simplehelp.net/2006/09/27/how-to-use-your-pc-and-webcam-as-a-motion-detecting-and-recording-security-camera/
93. Unbrick a Smartphone http://www.howardforums.com/
x 94. Understand What ‘There’s no Place Like 127.0.0.1′ Means http://www.tech-faq.com/127.0.0.1.shtml
95. Unleash a Laser Pointer’s full potential http://hacknmod.com/hack/6-fantastic-laser-pointer-projects/
96. Unlock an iPhone http://www.pcworld.com/article/137223/how_to_unlock_an_iphone.html
97. Upload a Video to YouTube http://www.youtube.com/watchv=qFyIT7rVZ0Q
x 98. Use a Camera in Manual Mode http://digital-photography-school.com/digital-camera-modes
99. Use Bittorrent Effectively http://infinitium.blogspot.com/2005/03/js-essential-howto-guide-bittorrent.html
100. Wire a Home Theatre System http://www.prillaman.net/ht_info_8-wiring.html

I seem to have done 33 on the list. Some of the items haven’t been relevant e.g. Build a network file server – I have a file server with RAID array already and so didn’t need to create my own. For others, my definition may vary from that listed – by the list I haven’t installed a content management system, but I would class WordPress as a CMS.

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Our visit to London Zoo

Posted by Ian on 24th Aug 2008 at 3:07 pm
2008
24 Aug

Yesterday we went to London Zoo; we were going to visit a couple of weeks ago when I was on holiday, but I went down with a streaming cold, so we put it off. The weather forecast for yesterday had been looking good all week, so we got up fairly early.

The kids were excited, they hadn’t been on a train before and there was the zoo as well. We travelled from Hemel Hempstead station rather than Luton, it’s a smaller station and made the London change easier. We had previously bought a Family and Friends Railcard which gives discounts on family rail fares. It would have made a bigger saving if we had been travelling during the week as originally planned, but still saved us some money. We only had to wait about 5 minutes on the platform for the train and were able to get seats as the train wasn’t full at all. After about 35 minutes we arrived at Euston and (after a toilet break for the kids at 30p a visit,) changed onto the Northern Line underground for one stop to Camden Town. I had printed out the zoo’s directions for getting to them, but didn’t need them as it was signposted from outside the station. It took about 15 minutes to walk from the station to the zoo and then we were there. After presenting our Friends of ZSL passes we were in. Time to take my obvious camera bag out of my plain backpack.

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Sherwood Forest Center Parcs 2008 pt 7

Posted by Ian on 10th Aug 2008 at 10:00 pm
2008
10 Aug

It was a dry day this morning and I was in the bird feeding hide down the road before 7am. There was a fair variety, but nothing new. I had commented to Jo a couple of days ago that some of the greater spotted woodpeckers had different markings on the head; one of the woodpeckers I saw this morning had a red top of its head. It may be than this is the opposite sex to the ones we saw earlier or maybe an immature bird. I was in the hide for just over an hour and then concluded it was time to head back for a coffee; it might be a nice bright morning, but it was still chilly.

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Sherwood Forest Center Parcs 2008 pt 6

Posted by Ian on 9th Aug 2008 at 10:00 pm
2008
9 Aug

Another lay-in this morning, well we are on holiday! It was bright with blue skies this morning, so maybe the forecast of rain all day across the country was wrong. We decided to head into the village to find a booking point and see if we could book some archery for today, however, as we were unlocking the bikes it started to drizzle. By the time we got to the village it was raining and so we agreed that there was no point in trying to book anything. It was about 11:30m by this time anyway and the kids had been on at us to go back to Forestors’ Inn, so rather than hang around we headed out there before the rain got too heavy.

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Sherwood Forest Center Parcs 2008 pt 5

Posted by Ian on 8th Aug 2008 at 10:00 pm
2008
8 Aug

greater spotted woodpecker - juvenileAnother slow morning today. At least it’s stopped raining. After people leaving on Fridays had gone and their cars were out of the way, we went went up to the Nature Centre again. We were going to sit in the centre and watch the birds a bit, but as the weather was bright and sunny, we went down to the hide again. After we had been down there a while we came back and went to Forestors’ Inn in the Country Club for lunch. Jo and I had steak and ale pie and the kids had breaded chicken and chips. The waiter we had was the same one we had in Strada last night, I joked we had found him on his day job. The atmosphere in Forestors’ Inn was very relaxed and the food and service was great. The kids had a lot of fun in the play area at Forestors’ Inn and enjoyed their food.

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Sherwood Forest Center Parcs 2008 pt 4

Posted by Ian on 7th Aug 2008 at 10:00 pm
2008
7 Aug

We had another very lazy morning, up late again. It rained a bit before we went out to Pancake House for lunch. Yes, you can see a pattern to lunchtimes forming here. We ended up doing this last year at Elveden Forest.

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