Java

import javax.crypto.Cipher;
import javax.crypto.SecretKey;
import javax.crypto.spec.SecretKeySpec;

import org.apache.commons.codec.binary.Base64;

public class WordsToLiveBy {

	public static void main(String[] args) {
	
		String value = "2UEnLAFR7aICwCQ8q6LfE2b7EGNZLExRtOb7FbI6R-0let8dqHnTB-R" +
			"dIwM82gKaEwBzOhvyI2e7oqGWTTwbx2Krb54txM6juMH5FNpwNxbKCM" +
			"scaqf3N2G5kglXPMhzONnaWfp0Wxf5Kk7NZF0yAcLiPPkK3CTSbUDAk" +
			"PLVa7kbZGjbTG1cjM0-1rvEB8mvwbPEH-GDcLg8uU7v-EzBAblRMovk" +
			"_olXAklRo4AKNuikee7MPldNQf3zmWL2WsIyDOmgMc9LWKR1cq9rAyB" +
			"744xfsxFLB1FYueyhTBKeezynxuLuYd5UUovXSUEbk8DL";
		
		try {
		
			SecretKey key = new SecretKeySpec("Rush2112FreeWill".getBytes(), "AES");
			Cipher cipher = Cipher.getInstance("AES/ECB/PKCS5Padding", "SunJCE");
			Base64 coder = new Base64(32, new byte[] {}, true);
			cipher.init(Cipher.DECRYPT_MODE, key);
			byte[] decrypted = cipher.doFinal(coder.decode(value.getBytes()));
			System.out.println(new String(decrypted));
		
		} catch (Throwable t) {
		
			t.printStackTrace();
		}
	}
}

Replicator 2 Update

Well MakerBot support has been great. They sent me the filament tube, they sent me a replacement Thermocouple and instructions on how to replace it. So after a small surgery my printer is up and running.  I do have a new support issue with them, wondering what I should do with a squeaky pulley. But, I'm sure they will help me with that as well.

Here's a short video of my printer running, hear the squeak? - Note: Video no longer available.

So far I have printed sample files, and things I have downloaded.  My iPhone is sporting a printed case, and I have started printing a few X-Mas gifts for a friend. The quality I can get on the Replicator 2 is way beyond what my Printrbot was capable of.

Now I need to get working on some of my own designs.

What kind of programmer are you?

While listening to the latest episode of Build & Analyze this morning. Marco Arment mentioned this post over at Joel on Software.  This article really hits home with me. I like elegant reusable code, but most of the time it's more important to "Just get things working."  You can always clean it up later.

What kind of programmer are you?

Now where's the duct tape?

Experiments in Wet Shaving

I (used) to hate shaving. Electric razors suck. Disposable razors make me feel ill every time I throw a used one away. So how can I get a better shave, take better care of my face, and not waste money?

An article in the first issue of "The Magizine" clued me in to Wet Shaving. This is basically the way we used to shave. All you need is a brush, shaving cream, double edged razor blades, a good razor, and some aftershave. For the details go to the article I mention, or any of the great websites that talk about Wet Shaving.

I'm still learning how to shave this way. I don't always get a great shave, but I'm working at it.  The most important thing is I'm willing to shave more often, and I'm enjoying the process.

3D Printer Stuff

I learned a bunch messing around with my LC Printrbot. But to be honest I got tired of the constant tweaking, and the looming need to print new gears to keep it running. So, I ordered a MakerBot Replicator 2. Expensive but still less costly than professional 3D printers. I hoped that I would get the Replicator 2 and with minimal maintenance I would be be able to print with no fuss.

UGH, so far not going well. The plunger based extruder is causing me problems. I'm getting an unexplained heat read error. And I think my Y axis belts are loose. I will have to perform some emergency fixes to even get started. This is not the experience I expected.

So far MakerBot support has been helpful and I hope that I'll be able to work through the issues and start using the printer like I want to. I'll update with more information once I get pass these issues. Hopefully I'll be able to give a better review then.

Update

I used the Replicator a bunch, but eventually Makerbot fell apart and was sold to a bigger company. They switched their focus to larger buisness needs and gave the low end market away. All of the effort that was spent on growing a community was wasted. Now I'm unable to update my printer easily and I'm likely to get something differnent. Maybe a Prusa.

Printrbot - Build and use.

It took longer than expected but the fine folks at Printrbot.com shipped my Kickstarter Printrbot LC a few weeks ago.

It took me 2-3 days to finish building my printer. Including a quik trip to Home Depot for some extra screws and nuts I was missing.  I followed the construction videos that were posted on Youtube, and the guides available at Printrbottalk.com.

Without the Printrbot talk forum I would never have completed the construction.  Towards the end of the build I ran into a couple of major problems.

First, the cable for the extruder stepper motor was too short to reach the controller board.  I had to solder in 4 extension wires to make the connection.

Second, the main extruder gear was very wobbly and kept getting stuck at the same point.  I emailed the Printrbot folks and they sent me both extruder gears, and replacement pulley gears. Great tech support.  Looking back I think I could have gotten the original extruder gear working with a little careful grinding with my Dremel.  I will still be printing another set of gears as backup. It seems these pieces are the most likely to fail over time.

After fighting the software used to communicate with the printer, I finally was able to make the bot move. Several days of tweaking later, and I'm starting to be able to print half way decent items.  You can find an amazing assortment of things to print at Thingiverse.com.

I still have one major problem I have not been able to figure out. Occasionally, my bot locks up. It can happen when simply moving an axis or when I'm in the middle of a print. Thats a scrapped print.  I'm still trying to figure the problem out. I may have to send another email to Printrbot for suggestions.

Things I've learned.  This kit is very much a hobby kit, with all the little gotchas that you might not expect till you start using it.

• I really need to flat the shafts on the X,Y, and the Extruder steppers.  I've already had problems with the Extruder loosening, and ruining a print.
• I need to add a fan to cool the plastic quicker, and make the prints more precise. Ordered from amazon, and printed a fan mount.
• I need lubricant for the threader rods.  Ordered from Amazon.
• Every few times I print I need to check the various belts and pulleys to make sure they are tight and in the correct positions.
• I really need a spool for the plastic, and a way to mount it.  My plastic filament is very tangled at the moment. Printrbot has a solution for this that I may get.

Things I think Printrbot could do better:

• Better instructions, more detailed if possible. Include getting through the first print.  I was able to find the info I needed, but not everyone will. I would hate to see people give up in frustration.
• Include glass for the print bed.  It shouldn't be that hard to buy and ship glass with the packaged.
• Include a mechanism for mounting glass on the print bed.

Conclusion:

• So far I have had a blast getting my printer running, and there are bunch of things I still need to learn and do to take advantage of this awesome tech.
• Using the bot is way more complicated than I realized it would be.
• If you have the money I might suggest getting the Replicator from Makerbot instead.  However, it is 4 times the price.

Nike Fuel Band - Part 2

Been using the Nike Fuel Band for a few weeks. I strongly recommend the Fuel Band or a similar product if you are having trouble staying active.  I am much more aware of how active I am on a daily basis.

I thought I would add some additional pros and cons. What I stated in my previous post is still valid.  These are from using the device for about 3 weeks.

Pros:

• Provides an incentive to be more active. I check the "Fuel" amount regularly and actively attempt to improve it.
• Syncing with my iPhone is easy and convenient.

Cons:

• It would be great if the Fuel Band had an api that food tracking apps could use.
• I'd also love to see a sleep tracking feature like the Fitbit has.

Nike Fuel Band

Got a Nike Fuel Band and so far its pretty awesome.  I haven't been using it for a whole day yet, but I'm hoping that it will provide a little more motivation to be active and hit my daily goals.  Once I've been using it for a week or two I will post an update with more information.

Here are the pro's and con's based on my initial impressions.

Pros:

• Comfortable. Make sure you get the correct size. Large for me.
• Nice interface. easy to use, cool display.
• Seems pretty accurate so far - hard to tell for sure till I use it more.
• Wireless syncing with phone is nice.

Cons:

• Way way way too expensive. Should cost half as much.
• Why do I have to connect it to the computer first, why can't I set my account up with the phone app? Did I miss something?
• Had to try a few times to get the Bluetooth to connect.

Paper by Fifty Three

There has been a crazy amount of publicity for the new iOS app Paper by Fifty Three.  There are several similar apps, but none of them are as fun to use as Paper.  It has just the right level of simplicity with an easy to use interface.

The app is free but all the tools you will want to use are sold as separate in-app purchases.  To get all the tools currently costs $7.99, and I think this is an ok value for the amount of time I have already used this application.  Should they have charged for the app up front instead of doing in-app purchases? I dunno, some people hate in app purchases, others are ok with them.

Pros:

• Beautiful and elegant application
• Easy to use tools

Cons:

• No way to save to Camera roll
• Can't zoom in - can't really decide if this is a bad thing.
• Would be nice to be able to move pages around in the notebook
• Would be nice to have the ability to change pages to lined or graphed
• In app purchases for the tools you actually want to use. Would be easier to swallow if they were $1.00 each instead of $1.99 each.

I would expect some of these issues to be fixed in future updates.  I would also expect there to be new features sold via in-app purchases.

If you like to draw, and you have a stylus I would suggest getting this app.

The Nest

I wanted a Nest bad when they first came out, but I waited too long to order.  When they recently became available again I ordered right away and a few days later we replaced our old "smart" thermostat with the shiny new Nest.

Imagine the change you went through when going from a dumb flip phone to the iPhone or other smart phone.  That's what it's like with the Nest.  It learns your schedule. It's very easy to change the temp whenever you need to, and you can do this directly, or via the web page, iPhone, or the iPad, and you can do all this remotely.  Want to turn the temp up or down while an hour from the house? You can.

It's just works.  Sound familiar? If you didn't know better you would think it was from Apple.