From 5aa7e3a77d87e4ee0defe2502b471945733cb637 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Christian Cleberg Date: Mon, 15 Dec 2025 19:36:43 -0600 Subject: remove footer padding --- content/blog/all_posts.txt | 24644 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ theme/static/styles.css | 3 +- 2 files changed, 24645 insertions(+), 2 deletions(-) create mode 100644 content/blog/all_posts.txt diff --git a/content/blog/all_posts.txt b/content/blog/all_posts.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..cc7efb2 --- /dev/null +++ b/content/blog/all_posts.txt @@ -0,0 +1,24644 @@ +#+date: <2018-11-28 Wed 00:00:00> +#+title: How AES Encryption Works +#+description: Detailed explanation of AES encryption, including key handling, encryption modes, algorithm structure, and implementation considerations for secure data protection. +#+slug: aes-encryption + +* Basic AES + +If you're not familiar with encryption techniques, the Advanced Encryption +Standard ([[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advanced_Encryption_Standard][AES]]) is a specification for encryption of electronic data. The +National Institute of Standards and Technology established this specification, +sub-selected from the Rijndael family of ciphers (128, 192, and 256 bits) +in 2001. Furthering its popularity and status, the US government chose AES as +their default encryption method for top-secret data, removing the previous +standard which had been in place since 1977. + +AES has proven to be a safe encryption method, with 7-round and 8-round attacks +making no material improvements since the release of this encryption standard +almost two decades ago. + +#+begin_quote +Though many papers have been published on the cryptanalysis of AES, the fastest +single-key attacks on round-reduced AES variants [20, 33] so far are only +slightly more powerful than those proposed 10 years ago [23,24]. + +- [[http://research.microsoft.com/en-us/projects/cryptanalysis/aesbc.pdf][Bogdonav, et al.]] +#+end_quote + +* How Secure is AES? + +In theory, AES-256 (AES using a 256-bit key) is non-crackable due to the massive +number of combinations that can the encryption process can produce. However, +AES-128 is no longer recommended as a viable implementation to protect important +data due the 128-bit key's short length. + +A semi-short [[http://www.moserware.com/2009/09/stick-figure-guide-to-advanced.html][comic strip]] from Moserware quickly explains AES for the public to +understand. Basically, AES encrypts the data by obscuring the relationship +between the data and the encrypted data. Additionally, this method spreads the +message out. Lastly, the key produced by AES is the secret to decrypting it. +Someone may know the method of AES, but without the key, they are powerless. + +To obscure and spread the data out, AES creates a substitution-permutation +network. Wikipedia has a wonderful [[https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/cd/SubstitutionPermutationNetwork2.png/468px-SubstitutionPermutationNetwork2.png][example of an SP network]] available. This +network sends the data through a set of S boxes (using the unique key) to +substitute the bits with another block of bits. Then, a P box will permutate, or +rearrange, the bits. This is performed numerous times, with the last round +deriving the key. For AES, the key size specifies the number of transformation +rounds: 10, 12, and 14 rounds for 128-bit, 192-bit, and 256-bit keys, +respectively. + +* The Process + +1. *KeyExpansion*: Using [[https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advanced_Encryption_Standard][Rijndael's key schedule]], the keys are dynamically + generated. +2. *AddRoundKey*: The process combines each byte of the data with the generated + key(s) using bitwise xor. +3. *SubBytes*: Next, the process substitutes each byte of data. +4. *ShiftRows*: Then, the process shifts the final three rows a specific number + of steps, dictated by the cipher. +5. *MixColumns*: Finally, the process mixes and combines the columns into the + final data for this round of processing. + +This process does not necessarily stop after one full round. Steps 2 through 5 +will repeat for the number of rounds specified by the key. However, the final +round excludes the MixColumns step. As you can see, this is a fairly complex +process. One must have a solid understanding of general mathematic principles to +fully understand how the sequence works (and to even attempt to find a +weakness). + +According to research done by Bogdanov et al., it would take billions of years +to brute force a 126-bit key with current hardware. Additionally, this brute +force attack would require storing 2^{88} bits of data! However, people have +shown different attacks displaying vulnerabilities with the use of this +technology. Side-channel attacks use inadvertent leaks of data from the hardware +or software, which can allow attackers to obtain the key or run programs on a +user's hardware. + +Please note that this is not something you should run out and try to implement +in your =Hello, World!= application after only hours of research. While AES +(basically all encryption methods) is efficient in what it does, it takes a lot +of time and patience to understand. If you're looking for something which +currently implements AES, check out the [[https://www.bouncycastle.org/documentation.html][Legion of the Bouncy Castle]] for Java +implementations of cryptographic algorithms. + +* Why Does Encryption Matter? + +There are limitless reasons to enable encryption at-rest or in-transit for +aspects of your digital life. You can research specific examples, such as +[[https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2018/12/australia-passes-new-law-to-thwart-strong-encryption/][Australia passes new law to thwart strong encryption]]. However, I will simply +list basic reasons to always enable encryption, where feasible: + +1. Privacy is a human right and some countries recognize it as a national right + (e.g., [[https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/fourth_amendment][US Fourth Amendment]]). +2. "Why not?" Encryption rarely affects performance or speed, so there's usually + not a reason to avoid it in the first place. +3. Your digital identity and activity (texts, emails, phone calls, online + accounts, etc.) are valuable and can result in consequences, such as identity + theft, if leaked to other parties. Encrypting this data prevents such leaks + from ruining lives. +4. Wiping or factory-resetting does not actually wipe all data from the storage + device. There are methods to read data from the physical disks/boards inside + devices. +5. Corporations, governments, and other groups or individuals are actively + looking for ways to collect personal information about anyone they can. If + someone's data is not encrypted, that person may become a target due to the + ease of data collection. + +* Read More + +- [[http://nvlpubs.nist.gov/nistpubs/FIPS/NIST.FIPS.197.pdf][Federal Information Processing Standards Publication 197]] +#+date: <2018-11-28 Wed 00:00:00> +#+title: Inside the C++ Compiler +#+description: Systematic presentation of the C++ compilation phases including preprocessing, compilation, assembly, and linking, with technical insights into each stage's function. +#+slug: cpp-compiler + +* A Brief Introduction + +[[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C%2B%2B][C++]] is a general-purpose programming language with object-oriented, generic, and +functional features in addition to facilities for low-level memory manipulation. + +A developer must compile source code, such as the example shown in the snippet +below, before they can execute the compiled program. There are numerous steps +and intricacies to the compilation process, and this post was a personal +exercise to learn and remember as much information as I can. + +#+begin_src cpp +#include + +int main() +{ + std::cout << "Hello, world!\n"; +} +#+end_src + +** Compilation Process + +*** An Overview + +Compiling C++ projects is a frustrating task most days. Seemingly nonexistent +errors keeping your program from successfully compiling can be annoying +(especially since you know you wrote it perfectly the first time, right?). + +I'm learning more and more about C++ these days and decided to write this +concept down so that I can cement it even further in my own head. However, C++ +is not the only compiled language. Check out [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compiled_language][the Wikipedia entry for compiled +languages]] for more examples of compiled languages. + +I'll start with a wonderful, graphical way to conceptualize the C++ compiler. +View [[https://web.archive.org/web/20190419035048/http://faculty.cs.niu.edu/~mcmahon/CS241/Notes/compile.html][The C++ Compilation Process]] by Kurt MacMahon, a Northern Illinois +University (NIU) professor, to see the graphic and an explanation. The goal of +the compilation process is to take the C++ code and produce a shared library, +dynamic library, or an executable file. + +** Compilation Phases + +Let's break down the compilation process. There are four major steps to +compiling C++ code. + +*** Step 1 + +The first step is to expand the source code file to meet all dependencies. The +C++ preprocessor includes the code from all the header files, such as =#include +=. Now, what does that mean? The previous example includes the +=iostream= header. This tells the computer that you want to use the =iostream= +standard library, which contains classes and functions written in the core +language. This specific header allows you to manipulate input/output streams. +After all this, you'll end up which a temporary file that contains the expanded +source code. + +In the example of the C++ code above, the =iostream= class would be included in +the expanded code. + +*** Step 2 + +After the compiler expands the code, the compiler comes into play. The compiler +takes the C++ code and converts this code into the assembly language, understood +by the platform. You can see this in action if you head over to the [[https://godbolt.org][GodBolt +Compiler Explorer]], which shows the compiled converting C++ into assembly +dynamically. + +For example, the =Hello, world!= code snippet above compiles into the following +assembly code: + +#+begin_src asm +.LC0: + .string "Hello, world!\n" +main: + push rbp + mov rbp, rsp + mov esi, OFFSET FLAT:.LC0 + mov edi, OFFSET FLAT:_ZSt4cout + call std::basic_ostream >& std::operator<< >(std::basic_ostream >&, char const*) + mov eax, 0 + pop rbp + ret +__static_initialization_and_destruction_0(int, int): + push rbp + mov rbp, rsp + sub rsp, 16 + mov DWORD PTR [rbp-4], edi + mov DWORD PTR [rbp-8], esi + cmp DWORD PTR [rbp-4], 1 + jne .L5 + cmp DWORD PTR [rbp-8], 65535 + jne .L5 + mov edi, OFFSET FLAT:_ZStL8__ioinit + call std::ios_base::Init::Init() [complete object constructor] + mov edx, OFFSET FLAT:__dso_handle + mov esi, OFFSET FLAT:_ZStL8__ioinit + mov edi, OFFSET FLAT:_ZNSt8ios_base4InitD1Ev + call __cxa_atexit +.L5: + nop + leave + ret +_GLOBAL__sub_I_main: + push rbp + mov rbp, rsp + mov esi, 65535 + mov edi, 1 + call __static_initialization_and_destruction_0(int, int) + pop rbp + ret +#+end_src + +*** Step 3 + +Third, the compiled assembles the assembly code into the object code for the +platform. Essentially, this is when the compiler takes the assembly code and +assembles it into machine code in a binary format. After researching this +online, I figured out that a lot of compilers will allow you to stop compilation +at this step. This would be useful for compiling each source code file +separately. This saves time later if a single file changes, since the developer +will only need to re-compile single file. + +*** Step 4 + +Finally, the compiler links the object code file generated by the assembler +together with the object code files for any library functions used to produce a +shared library, dynamic library, or an executable file. It replaces all +references to undefined symbols with the correct addresses. +#+date: <2019-01-07 Mon 00:00:00> +#+title: Real‑World CSS Techniques: Flexbox, Shadows, and Variables +#+description: Practical guide on applying CSS rules and constructs such as flexbox, box shadows, and variable usage to achieve standard web styling and layout objectives. +#+slug: useful-css + +* Introduction to CSS + +Cascading Style Sheets ([[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CSS][CSS]]), the language used to mark up HTML code and give it +a visual style, is one of the most effective ways to increase the attractiveness +of a website. It can also lead to increased user engagement, retention, and +satisfaction. In fact, there are whole career fields dedicated to the +improvement of user experiences, known as User Interface (UI) design and User +Experience (UX) design. + +Some web developers are familiar with the common CSS properties, such as element +sizing, fonts, and colors, but are not as well versed in less-used properties +and values such as =flexbox=, =clip-path=, and =transform=. This article will +provide some insight into the less-used and unique CSS properties. + +* CSS Variables + +The first topic today is CSS variables. Variables are not often used by smaller +developers. CSS variables allow you to give your website a well-defined +structure, where you can easily reuse CSS properties throughout the project. + +You can use variables to define things, such as color palettes. Then, you can +use these colors for backgrounds anywhere else in the HTML. You can expand this +and define variables for =primary-text=, =quoted-text=, etc. You can also use +variables to define spacing (e.g. =32px= or =2rem=), which you can then apply to +margins, padding, font sizes, and more. + +For example, here are some variables defined at the root of the website, which +allows for any subsequent CSS rules to use those variables: + +#+begin_src css +:root { + --primary-color: black; + --secondary-color: white; +} + +body { + background-color: var(--primary-color); + color: var(--secondary-color); +} +#+end_src + +* CSS Box Shadows + +Box shadows were once my mortal enemy. No matter how hard I tried, I just +couldn't get them to work how I wanted. Because of this, my favorite discovery +has been CSSMatic's [[https://www.cssmatic.com/box-shadow][box shadow generator]]. It provides a tool to generate box +shadows using their simple sliders. Surprisingly, this is the reason I learned +how box shadows work! You can use the sliders and watch how the CSS code changes +in the image that the tool displays. Through this, you should understand that +the basic structure for box shadows is: + +#+begin_src css +box-shadow: inset horizontal vertical blur spread color; +#+end_src + +Now, let's look at some basic examples! You can copy and paste the following +code into a site like CodePen or your own HTML files. Feel free to play around +with the code, experiment, and learn. + +*Box Shadow #1* + +#+begin_src html +
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+

Effect 1

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+#+end_src + +#+begin_src css +.box h3 { + text-align: center; + position: relative; + top: 80px; +} +.box { + width: 70%; + height: 200px; + background: #fff; + margin: 40px auto; +} +.effect1 { + box-shadow: 0 10px 6px -6px #777; +} +#+end_src + +*Box Shadow #2* + +#+begin_src html +
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+#+end_src + +#+begin_src css +.box h3 { + text-align: center; + position: relative; + top: 80px; +} +.box { + width: 70%; + height: 200px; + background: #fff; + margin: 40px auto; +} +.effect2 { + box-shadow: 10px 10px 5px -5px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.75); +} +#+end_src + +Try these box shadows out on your own and see how changing each shadow value +works. + +* CSS Flex Box + +Now, let's move on to the best part of this article: flex box. The flex box is by +far my favorite new toy. I originally stumbled across this solution after +looking for more efficient ways of centering content horizontally AND +vertically. I had used other methods before, but flex box throws those out the +window. The best part of it all is that flex box is /dead simple/. + +Flex Box pertains to the parent div of any element. You want the parent to be the +flex box and the children's behavior modified by the parent's attributes. It's +easier to see this in action that explained, so let's see an example. + +*Flex Box* + +#+begin_src html +
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+

1

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+#+end_src + +#+begin_src css +.flex-examples { + display: flex; + flex-wrap: wrap; + justify-content: flex-start; + align-items: center; + padding: 10px; + background-color: #f2f2f2; +} +.sm-box { + display: flex; + justify-content: center; + align-items: center; + width: 20%; + height: 100px; + background: #fff; + margin: 40px 10px; +} +#+end_src + +You may notice that we no longer need to use the =top= property for the =h3= +elements in our code. This is because we set the display box to be a flex +container for the small boxes, AND we made the small boxes flex containers for +their elements (the h3 tags). You can nest flex boxes to center content that is +inside centered content. + +For the example above, we designated the =justify-content= property to be +=flex-start= so that the boxes stack from the left side of the screen. You can +change this property to =center= to make the boxes appear in the center of the +screen. + +For an interactive example, [[https://codepen.io/LandonSchropp/pen/KpzzGo][check out this CodePen]] from [[https://codepen.io/LandonSchropp/][LandonScropp]]. Resize the +window with dice to see how they collapse and re-align. + +* Even More CSS + +For more inspiration, you can visit [[https://www.codepen.io][CodePen]], [[https://dribbble.com][Dribbble]], or [[https://uimovement.com][UI Movement]] to browse +the collections of amazing web designers. +#+date: <2019-09-09 Mon 00:00:00> +#+title: Bringing Data Analytics Into Internal Audit +#+description: Examination of data analytical approaches applied within internal audit functions to improve risk evaluation, process efficiency, and decision support. +#+slug: audit-analytics + +* What Are Data Analytics? + +A quick aside before I dive into this post: =data analytics= is a vague term +that has become popular in recent years. Think of a =data analytic= as the +output of any data analysis you perform. For example, a pivot table or a pie +chart could be a data analytic. + +[[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Data_analysis][Data analysis]] is a process that utilizes statistics and other mathematical +methods to discover useful information within datasets. This involves examining, +cleaning, transforming, and modeling data so that you can use the data to +support an opinion, create more useful viewpoints, and gain knowledge to +implement into audit planning or risk assessments. + +One of the common mistakes that managers (and anyone new to the process) make is +assuming that everything involved with this process is "data analytics". In +fact, data analytics are only a small part of the process. + +See *Figure 1* for a more accurate representation of where data analysis sits +within the full process. This means that data analysis does not include querying +or extracting data, selecting samples, or performing audit tests. These steps +can be necessary for an audit (and the same associates may perform these steps), +but they are not data analytics. + +* Current Use of Analytics in Auditing + +While data analysis has been an integral part of most businesses and departments +for the better part of the last century, only recently have internal audit +functions been adopting this practice. The internal audit function works +exclusively to provide assurance and consulting services to the business areas +within the firm (except for internal auditing firms hired by different companies +to perform their roles). + +#+begin_quote +Internal Auditing helps an organization accomplish its objectives by bringing a +systematic, disciplined approach to evaluate and improve the effectiveness of +risk management, control and governance processes. + +- The IIA's Definition of Internal Audit +#+end_quote + +Part of the blame for the slow adoption of data analysis can be attributed to +the fact that internal auditing is strongly based on tradition and following the +precedents set by previous auditors. However, there can be no progress without +auditors who are willing to break the mold and test new audit techniques. In +fact, as of 2018, [[https://www.cpapracticeadvisor.com/accounting-audit/news/12404086/internal-audit-groups-are-lagging-in-data-analytics][only 63% of internal audit departments currently utilize data +analytics]] in North America. This number should be as close as possible to 100%. +I have never been part of an audit that would not have benefited from data +analytics. + +So, how do internal audit functions remedy this situation? It's definitely not +as easy as walking into work on Monday and telling your Chief Audit Executive +that you're going to start implementing analytics in the next audit. You need a +plan and a system to make the analysis process as effective as possible. + +* The DELTA Model + +One of the easiest ways to experiment with data analytics and gain an +understanding of the processes is to implement them within your own department. +But how do we do this if we've never worked with analysis before? One of the +most common places to start is to research some data analysis models currently +available. For this post, we'll take a look at the DELTA model. You can take a +look at *Figure 2* for a quick overview of the model. + +The DELTA model sets guidelines for areas wanting to implement data analytics so +that the results can be as comprehensive as possible: + +- *Data*: Must be clean, accessible, and (usually) unique. +- *Enterprise-Wide Focus*: Key data systems and analytical resources must be + available for use (by the Internal Audit Function). +- *Leaders*: Must promote a data analytics approach and show the value of + analytical results. +- *Targets*: Must be defined for key areas and risks that the analytics can be + compared against (KPIs). +- *Analysts*: There must be auditors willing and able to perform data analytics + or else the system cannot be sustained. + +* Finding the Proper KPIs + +Once the Internal Audit Function has decided that they want to start using data +analytics internally and have ensured they're properly set up to do so, they +need to figure out what they will be testing against. Key Performance Indicators +(KPIs) are qualitative or quantitative factors that can be evaluated and +assessed to determine if the department is performing well, usually compared to +historical or industry benchmarks. Once KPIs have been agreed upon and set, +auditors can use data analytics to assess and report on these KPIs. This allows +the person performing the analytics the freedom to express opinions on the +results, whereas the results are ambiguous if no KPIs exist. + +Note that tracking KPIs in the department can help ensure you have a rigorous +Quality Assurance and Improvement Program (QAIP) in accordance with some +applicable standards, such as IPPF Standard 1300. + +#+begin_quote +The chief audit executive must develop and maintain a quality assurance and +improvement program that covers all aspects of the internal audit activity. + +- IPPF Standard 1300 +#+end_quote + +Additionally, IPPF Standard 2060 discusses reporting: + +#+begin_quote +The chief audit executive must report periodically to senior management and the +board on the internal audit activity's purpose, authority, responsibility, and +performance relative to its plan and on its conformance with the Code of Ethics +and the Standards. Reporting must also include significant risk and control +issues, including fraud risks, governance issues, and other matters that require +the attention of senior management and/or the board. + +- IPPF Standard 2060 +#+end_quote + +The hardest part of finding KPIs is to determine which KPIs are appropriate for +your department. Since every department is different and has different goals, +KPIs will vary drastically between companies. To give you an idea of where to +look, here are some ideas I came up with when discussing the topic with a few +colleagues. + +- Efficiency/Budgeting: + - Audit hours to staff utilization ratio (annual hours divided by total annual + work hours). + - Audit hours compared to the number of audits completed. + - Time between audit steps or to complete the whole audit. E.g., time from + fieldwork completion to audit report issuance. +- Reputation: + - The frequency that management has requested the services of the IAF. + - Management, audit committee, or external audit satisfaction survey results. + - Education, experience, certifications, tenure, and training of the auditors + on staff. +- Quality: + - Number and frequency of audit findings. Assign monetary or numerical values, + if possible. + - Percentage of recommendations issued and implemented. +- Planning: + - Percentage or number of key risks audited per year or per audit. + - Proportion of audit universe audited per year. + +* Data Analysis Tools + +Finally, to be able to analyze and report on the data analysis, auditors need to +evaluate the tools at their disposal. There are options available, but the most +common ones can easily get the job done. For example, almost every auditor +already has access to Microsoft Excel. Excel is more powerful than most people +give it credit for and can accomplish a lot of basic statistics without much +work. If you don't know a lot about statistics but still want to see some of the +more basic results, Excel is a great option. + +To perform more in-depth statistical analysis or to explore large datasets that +Excel cannot handle, auditors will need to explore other options. The big three +that have had a lot of success in recent years are Python, R, and ACL Analytics +(ACL). You can use ACL as either a graphical tool (point and click) or as a +scripting tool, where the auditor must write the scripts manually. Python and +the R-language are solely scripting languages. + +The general trend in the data analytics environment is that if the tool allows +you to do everything by clicking buttons or dragging elements, you won't be able +to fully utilize the analytics you need. To create the most robust solutions, +you should write the scripts manually. Note that as the utility of a tool +increases, it usually means that the learning curve for that tool will also be +higher. It will take auditors longer to learn how to utilize Python, R, or ACL +versus learning how to utilize Excel. + +* Visualization + +Once an auditor has finally found the right data, KPIs, and tools, they must +report these results so that readers of their results can take action. +Performing in-depth data analysis is only useful if the audience can understand +the results. The best way to create this understanding is to visualize the +results of the data. Let's take a look at some of the best options to visualize +and report the results you've found. + +Some of the most popular commercial tools for visualization are Microsoft +PowerBI and Tableau Desktop. However, other tools exist such as JMP, Plotly, +Qlikview, Alteryx, or D3. Some require commercial licenses while others are +simply free to use. For corporate data, you may want to make sure that the tool +does not communicate any of the data outside the company (such as cloud +storage). I won't be going into depth on any of these tools since visualization +is a subjective and creative experience, but remember to constantly explore new +options as you repeat the process. + +Lastly, let's take a look at an example of data visualization. This example +comes from a [[https://talent.works/2018/03/28/the-science-of-the-job-search-part-iii-61-of-entry-level-jobs-require-3-years-of-experience/][blog post written by Kushal Chakrabarti]] in 2018 about the percent +of entry-level US jobs that require experience. *Figure 3* shows us an +easy-to-digest picture of the data. We can quickly tell that only about 12.5% of +entry-level jobs don't require experience. + +This is the kind of result that easily describes the data for you. However, make +sure to include an explanation of what the results mean. Don't let the reader +assume what the data means, especially if it relates to a complex subject. /Tell +a story/ about the data and why the results matter. + +* Wrap-Up + +While this is not an all-encompassing program that you can just adopt into your +department, it should be enough to get anyone started on the process of +understanding and implementing data analytics. Always remember to continue +learning and exploring new options as your processes grow and evolve. +#+date: <2019-12-03 Tue 00:00:00> +#+title: How the Ansoff Matrix Guides Business Growth +#+description: Analytical description of the Ansoff Matrix, detailing market and product development strategies for measured business expansion and competitive positioning. +#+slug: the-ansoff-matrix + +* Overview + +As the world of business evolves, managers must approach business planning and +strategy with a contemporary mindset. According to Dess, McNamara, Eisner, and +Lee, managers must be willing to adapt to the modern business environment by +going beyond "'incremental management', whereby they view their job as making a +series of small, minor changes to improve the efficiency of the firm's +operations"(2019). + +One reason that strategic management is crucial is because most businesses that +fail in the United States each year fail due to a lack of strategic focus or +direction(2019). The rate of failure for businesses with poor strategies shows +that strategic planning and management are crucial to a business's strength and +longevity, injecting the critical factors of growth and direction into a +company's business plan. + +One of the most significant strategic planning and management frameworks that +companies can use is the [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ansoff_matrix][Ansoff Matrix]]. While this framework has unique purposes +and use-cases, it can effectively help an organization grow and compete. +Specifically, the Ansoff matrix is one of the most effective frameworks for +companies who want to focus on increasing sales revenue or profitability(2019). + +This framework uses a two-by-two figure to show the four strategic options for +companies to use in this framework: market penetration, market development, +product development, and diversification (see *Figure 1*). The x-axis of the +matrix focuses on the firm's markets and also determines if the firm is looking +to enter new markets or innovate in its current markets. The y-axis of the +matrix focuses on the firm's products and determines if the firm wants to pursue +strategies around their existing products or explore new products. + +* Strategic Options + +** Market Penetration + +The most straightforward strategy in the Ansoff matrix is to focus on existing +products in existing markets, also known as market penetration(2019). Companies +such as Coca-Cola have used market penetration successfully by investing a lot +of money to get further value out of their current markets. Coca-Cola does this +by introducing new features such as Christmas-themed bottles, personal names on +the bottles, and other marketing schemes. + +** Market Development + +Market development extends existing products into new markets in an attempt to +increase the number of buyers. One interesting way that Coca-Cola used this +strategy comes from the stigma that Diet Coke is a woman's drink(2019). +Coca-Cola introduced Coca-Cola Zero, which contained the same nutritional +content as Diet Coke, but the company packaged it in a dark black can to appear +more "manly" (2019). + +** Product Development + +Product development uses existing markets to introduce new products so that the +firm can better meet customer needs(2019). The extreme end of diversification is +home to companies such as Johnson & Johnson, a healthcare company that has +developed a business portfolio of more than 60,000 different products(2019). +Johnson & Johnson's dedication to continuous diversification has led them to a +balance sheet rating of "AAA", industry recognition for diversification, and +increases in their investor dividends for 57 consecutive years(2019). + +** Related Diversification + +Diversification, the final strategy of the Ansoff Matrix, is more difficult than +the others since it involves exploring both new markets and new products. +Related diversification is a diversification strategy that closely relates to +the firm's core business. Coca-Cola's best example of related diversification is +its acquisition of Glaceau and Vitamin Water, which expanded their drinking +lines of business(2019). + +** Unrelated Diversification + +Unrelated diversification is a diversification strategy that does not really +relate to the firm's core business but still diversifies their business +portfolio. A good example of this would be a coffee company who has decided to +enter the market for bicycle sales. The main purpose of this strategy is to a +diverse company that will not go bankrupt if one market goes through difficult +times. However, this requires a lot of independent skills and heavy investments +since the company most likely cannot easily transfer knowledge between the +markets they compete in. + +* Requirements for Success + +To use the Ansoff Matrix framework, managers need to formulate corporate goals +and objectives. Without goals and direction, management frameworks do not +present much practical utility. Further, the Ansoff Matrix requires the managers +involved to make tactical decisions and create a path for the company to take +toward their goals. Lastly, both the Ansoff Matrix needs to consider both +internal and external perspectives throughout the strategy formulation process. + +One interesting probability is that companies will be using multiple strategic +planning and management frameworks at the same time. While this may sound like +it could crowd the management process, there are numerous reasons to do so. For +example, the Ansoff Matrix and the Balanced Scorecard are popular, and they +cover entirely different parts of a company's strategy. Using the results from +the Balanced Scorecard could inform a company of the potential product and +market demands, such as from customer or supplier survey results, to help the +company determine which Ansoff Matrix strategy to pursue. However, a combined +approach at this level would require mature frameworks and focused managers who +are able to strategize at a high level. + +Lastly, please note that the author of the Ansoff matrix, Igor Ansoff, +often used the term [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Analysis_paralysis][paralysis by analysis]] to explain the mistake of companies +who overuse analysis and spend too much time planning. Companies need to +understand the utility of a strategic management framework while ensuring that +the company is poised to execute as efficiently as they have planned. +#+date: <2019-12-16 Mon 00:00:00> +#+title: How to Secure Passwords: Best Practices and NIST Guidelines +#+description: Compilation of guidelines for password generation, storage, protection, and compliance with established standards such as NIST for maintaining digital security. +#+slug: password-security + +* Users + +** Why Does It Matter? + +Information security, including passwords and identities, has become one of the +most important digital highlights of the last decade. With [[https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2018/12/28/data-breaches-2018-billions-hit-growing-number-cyberattacks/2413411002/][billions of people +affected by data breaches each year]], there's a greater need to introduce strong +information security systems. If you think you've been part of a breach, or you +want to check and see, you can use [[https://haveibeenpwned.com/][Have I Been Pwned]] to see if any public +breaches have exposed your email(s). Remember that there's a possibility that a +company experienced a breach and did not report it to anyone. + +** How Do I Protect Myself? + +The first place to start with any personal security check-up is to gather a list +of all the different websites, apps, or programs that require you to have login +credentials. Optionally, once you know where you are storing your information, +you can sort the list from the most-important items such as banks or government +logins to less important items such as your favorite meme site. You will want to +ensure that your critical logins are secure before getting to the others. + +Once you think you have a good idea of all your different authentication +methods, I recommend using a password manager such as [[https://bitwarden.com/][Bitwarden]]. Using a +password manager allows you to automatically save your logins, create randomized +passwords, and transfer passwords across devices. However, you'll need to +memorize your "vault password" that allows you to open the password manager. +It's important to make this something hard to guess since it would allow anyone +who has it to access every password you've stored in there. + +Personally, I recommend using a [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Passphrase][passphrase]] instead of a [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Password][password]] for your vault +password. Instead of using a string of characters (whether random or simple), +use a phrase and add in symbols and a number. For example, your vault password +could be =Racing-Alphabet-Gourd-Parrot3=. Swap the symbols out for whichever +symbol you want, move the number around, and fine-tune the pass phrase until you +are confident that you can remember it whenever necessary. + +Once you've stored your passwords, make sure you continually check up on your +account and make sure you aren't following bad password practices. Krebs on +Security has a great [[https://krebsonsecurity.com/password-dos-and-donts/][blog post on password recommendations]]. Any time that a data +breach happens, make sure you check to see if the breach exposed your email, and +if you need to reset any account passwords. + +* Developers + +** What Are the Basic Requirements? + +When developing any password-protected application, there are basic rules that +anyone should follow even if they do not follow any official guidelines such as +NIST. The foremost practice is to require users to use passwords that are at +least 8 characters and bad actors cannot easily guess them. This sounds simple, +but it requires different strategies. First, the application should check the +potential passwords against a dictionary of insecure passwords such =password=, +=1234abc=, or =application_name=. + +Next, the application should offer guidance on the strength of passwords you +enter during enrollment. Further, NIST officially recommends *not* implementing +any composition rules that make passwords hard to remember (e.g. passwords with +letters, numbers, and special characters) and instead encouraging the use of +long pass phrases which can include spaces. Note that to be able to keep spaces +within passwords, you should support all unicode characters, and you should not +truncate spaces. + +** What Does NIST Recommend? + +The National Institute of Standards and Technology ([[https://www.nist.gov][NIST]]) in the US Department +of Commerce regularly publishes information around information security and +digital identity guidelines. Recently, NIST published [[https://pages.nist.gov/800-63-3/sp800-63b.html][Special Publication +800-63b]]: Digital Identity Guidelines and Authentication and Lifecycle +Management. + +#+begin_quote +A Memorized Secret authenticator - commonly referred to as a password or, if +numeric, a PIN - is a secret value intended to be chosen and memorized by the +user. Memorized secrets need to be of sufficient complexity and secrecy that it +would be impractical for an attacker to guess or otherwise discover the correct +secret value. A memorized secret is something you know. + +- NIST Special Publication 800-63B +#+end_quote + +NIST offers a lot of guidance on passwords, but I'm going to highlight just a +few of the important factors: + +- Require passwords to be a minimum of 8 characters (6 characters if randomly + generated and generate using an approved random bit generator). +- Compare potential passwords against a list that contains values known to be + commonly-used, expected, or compromised. +- Offer guidance on password strength, such as a strength meter. +- Implement a rate-limiting mechanism to limit the number of failed + authentication attempts for each user account. +- Do not require composition rules for passwords and do not require users to + change their passwords periodically (unless compromised). +- Allow pasting of user identification and passwords to facilitate the use of + password managers. +- Allow users to view the password as they type. +- Use secure forms of communication and storage, including salting and hashing + passwords using a one-way key derivation function. + +NIST offers further guidance on other devices that require specific security +policies, querying for passwords, and more. All the information discussed so far +comes from [[https://pages.nist.gov/800-63-3/sp800-63b.html][NIST SP800-63b]] but NIST offers a lot of information on digital +identities, enrollment, identity proofing, authentication, lifecycle management, +federation, and assertions in the total [[https://pages.nist.gov/800-63-3/][NIST SP800-63 Digital Identity +Guidelines]]. +#+date: <2020-01-25 Sat 00:00:00> +#+title: Linux Essentials: Top Tools and Easy Setup Tips +#+description: Inventory and description of key Linux applications including graphical and command-line tools, with installation instructions for various distributions. +#+slug: linux-software + +* Graphical Applications + +** Etcher + +[[https://www.balena.io/etcher/][Etcher]] is a quick and easy way to burn an optical disc image (ISO) to a compact +disc (CD) or universal serial bus (USB) device. There are two different ways you +can install this program. First, you can navigate to the [[https://www.balena.io/etcher/][official website]] and +download the AppImage file, which can run without installation. + +However, AppImage files are not executable by default, so you'll either need to +right-click to open the properties of the file and click the "Allow executing +file as program" box in the Permissions tab or use the following command: + +#+begin_src sh +chmod u+x FILE_NAME +#+end_src + +If you don't like AppImage files or just prefer repositories, you can use the +following commands to add the author's repository and install it through the +command-line only. + +First, you'll have to write the repository to a list file: + +#+begin_src sh +echo "deb https://deb.etcher.iostable etcher" | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/balena-etcher.list +#+end_src + +Next, add the application keys to Ubuntu's key ring: + +#+begin_src sh +sudo apt-key adv --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com --recv-keys 379CE192D401AB61 +#+end_src + +Finally, update the repositories and install the app. + +#+begin_src sh +sudo apt update && sudo apt install balena-etcher-electron +#+end_src + +Using Arch, Manjaro, or another distribution using the Arch User Repository +(AUR)? Use this command instead: + +#+begin_src sh +sudo pacman -S etcher +#+end_src + +** Atom + +[[https://atom.io][Atom]] is the self-proclaimed "hackable text editor for the 21st century". GitHub +develops this editor, [[https://news.microsoft.com/2018/06/04/microsoft-to-acquire-github-for-7-5-billion/][now owned by Microsoft]], and has some of the best add-ons +available to customize the layout and abilities of the app. + +First, add the Atom repository to your sources. + +#+begin_src sh +sudo add-apt-repository ppa:webupd8team/atom +#+end_src + +Next, update your package listings and install atom. + +#+begin_src sh +sudo apt update && sudo apt install atom +#+end_src + +If you have issues updating your packages with the Atom repository, you'll need +to use the snap package described below instead of the repository. To remove the +repository we just added, use this command: + +#+begin_src sh +sudo add-apt-repository -r ppa:webupd8team/atom +#+end_src + +You can also install Atom as a snap package, but you must install it with the +=--classic= flag. A [[https://language-bash.com/blog/how-to-snap-introducing-classic-confinement][full explanation is available]] if you'd like to read more +about why you need the classic flag. + +#+begin_src sh +snap install atom --classic +#+end_src + +Using Arch, Manjaro, or another distro using the AUR? Use this command instead: + +#+begin_src sh +sudo pacman -S atom +#+end_src + +** Visual Studio Code + +[[https://code.visualstudio.com][Visual Studio Code]] (VS Code) is yet another fantastic choice for programming on +Linux, especially if you need those extra add-ons to spice up your late-night +coding sessions. The theme used in the screenshot is [[https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=EliverLara.mars][Mars]] by theme creator +[[https://github.com/EliverLara][Eliver Lara]], who makes a ton of great themes for VS Code, Atom, and Linux +desktop environments. + +To install VS Code, you'll need to download the =.deb= file from the official +website. Once you've downloaded the file, either double-click it to install +through the Software Center or run the following command: + +#+begin_src sh +sudo dpkg -i FILE_NAME.deb +#+end_src + +You can also install VS Code as a snap package, but you must install it with the +=--classic= flag. A [[https://language-bash.com/blog/how-to-snap-introducing-classic-confinement][full explanation is available]] if you'd like to read more +about why you need the classic flag. + +#+begin_src sh +snap install code --classic +#+end_src + +Using Arch, Manjaro, or another distro using the AUR? Use these commands +instead: + +#+begin_src sh +sudo pacman -S yay binutils make gcc pkg-config fakeroot yay -S visual-studio-code-bin +#+end_src + +** GNOME Tweaks + +[[https://gitlab.gnome.org/GNOME/gnome-tweaks][Gnome Tweaks]] is the ultimate tool to use if you want to customize your GNOME +desktop environment. This is how you can switch application themes (GTK), shell +themes, icons, fonts, and more. To install GNOME Tweaks on Ubuntu, you just need +to install the official package. + +#+begin_src sh +sudo apt install gnome-tweaks +#+end_src + +If you've installed Manjaro or Arch with Gnome, you should have the tweak tool +pre-installed. If you're on Fedora, this tool is available as an official +package: + +#+begin_src sh +sudo dnf install gnome-tweaks +#+end_src + +** Steam + +[[https://steampowered.com][Steam]] is one of the most popular gaming libraries for computers and is one of +the main reasons that people have been able to switch to Linux in recent years, +thanks to Steam Proton, which makes it easier to play games not officially +created for Linux platforms. + +To install Steam on Ubuntu, you just need to install the official package. + +#+begin_src sh +sudo apt install steam-installer +#+end_src + +For Arch-based systems, you'll simply need to install the =steam= +package. However, this requires that you enable the =multilib= source. +To do so, use the following command: + +#+begin_src sh +sudo nano /etc/pacman.conf +#+end_src + +Now, scroll down and uncomment the =multilib= section. + +#+begin_src config +# Before: +#[multilib] +#Include = /etc/pacman.d/mirrorlist + +# After: +[multilib] +Include = /etc/pacman.d/mirrorlist +#+end_src + +Finally, install the program: + +#+begin_src sh +sudo pacman -S steam +#+end_src + +[[./2020-01-26-steam-on-ntfs-drives.html][Problem Launching Steam Games? Click Here.]] + +* Command-Line Packages + +** neofetch + +[[https://github.com/dylanaraps/neofetch][Neofetch]] is a customizable tool used in the command-line to show system +information. This is exceptionally useful if you want to see your system's +information quickly without the clutter of some resource-heavy GUI apps. + +This is an official package if you're running Ubuntu 17.04 or later, so simply +use the following command: + +#+begin_src sh +sudo apt install neofetch +#+end_src + +If you're running Ubuntu 16.10 or earlier, you'll have to use a series of +commands: + +#+begin_src sh +sudo add-apt-repository ppa:dawidd0811/neofetch; sudo apt update; sudo apt +install neofetch +#+end_src + +Using Arch, Manjaro, or another distro using the AUR? Use this command instead: + +#+begin_src sh +sudo pacman -S neofetch +#+end_src + +** yt-dlp + +[[https://github.com/yt-dlp/yt-dlp][yt-dlp]] is a handy command-line tool that allows you to download video or audio +files from websites, such as YouTube. There are a ton of different options when +running this package, so be sure to run =yt-dlp --help= first to look through +everything you can do (or give up and search for the best configuration online). + +While this shouldn't be a problem for most users, yt-dlp requires Python 2.6, +2.7, or 3.2+ to work correctly, so install Python if you don't have it already. +You can check to see if you have Python installed by running: + +#+begin_src sh +python -V +#+end_src + +To get the youtube-dl package, simply curl the URL and output the results. + +#+begin_src sh +sudo curl -L https://github.com/yt-dlp/yt-dlp/releases/latest/download/yt-dlp -o +/usr/local/bin/yt-dlp +#+end_src + +Finally, make the file executable so that you can run it from the command-line. + +#+begin_src sh +sudo chmod a+rx /usr/local/bin/yt-dlp +#+end_src +#+date: <2020-01-26 Sun 00:00:00> +#+title: How to Get Steam Running Smoothly on NTFS Drives in Linux +#+description: Procedures for mounting NTFS drives using ntfs-3g to enable reliable execution of Steam gaming software on Linux environments. +#+slug: steam-on-ntfs + +* Auto-Mount Steam Drives + +If you want to see how to install Steam on Linux, see my other post: [[../linux-software/][Linux +Software]]. + +Are you having trouble launching games, even though they've installed correctly? +This may happen if you're storing your games on an NT File System +(NTFS)-formatted drive. This shouldn't be an issue if you're storing your games +on the same drive that Steam is on, but some gamers prefer to put Steam on their +main drive and game files on another solid state drive (SSD) or hard disk drive +(HDD). + +To fix this problem, you'll need to try two things. First, you'll need to +install the =ntfs-3g= package, which allows for better interoperability with +Linux. + +#+begin_src sh +sudo apt install ntfs-3g +#+end_src + +Next, you should set up the =/etc/fstab= file to automatically mount your drives +on boot. To automatically mount your drives when the computer boots up, you'll +have to create the folders you want to mount your drive to first. I store mine +in the =/mnt= folder using names that I'll recognize, but you can create your +folders wherever you want. + +#+begin_src sh +mkdir /path/to/folder +#+end_src + +For example: + +#+begin_src sh +mkdir /mnt/steam_library +#+end_src + +To automatically mount drives upon system boot, you will need to collect five +items. The universally unique identifier (UUID) is the identification number +connected to whichever drive you're using to store Steam games. + +Drives are usually labeled similar to =/dev/nvme0n1p1= or =/dev/sda1=, so you'll +need to find the line in the output of the command below that correlates to your +drive and copy the UUID over to the =/etc/fstab= file. + +#+begin_src sh +sudo blkid | grep UUID= +#+end_src + +Next, you'll need your user identified (=uid=) and group identifier (=gid=). To +find these, run the following command: + +#+begin_src sh +id -u && id -g +#+end_src + +Now that you have collected the necessary information, open the =/etc/fstab= +file: + +#+begin_src sh +sudo nano /etc/fstab +#+end_src + +Each drive you want to mount on boot should have its own line in the +=/etc/fstab= file that looks similar to this: + +#+begin_src config +UUID=B64E53824E5339F7 /mnt/steam_library ntfs-3g uid=1000,gid=1000 0 0 +#+end_src + +#+begin_src sh +sudo umount /dev/sdxX +#+end_src + +Now all you need to do is unmount your drive and re-mount it. You can unmount +the drive by doing this (be sure to use the correct drive name here): + +You can re-mount all your drives by executing the following: + +#+begin_src sh +sudo mount -a +#+end_src + +If you don't know what your drive name is, or you're nervous about unmounting +and re-mounting, simply reboot your computer, and the system will mount the +drive for you automatically. +#+date: <2020-02-09 Sunday 00:00:00> +#+title: A Practical Guide to Encryption, Keys, and Secure Communication +#+description: Systematic overview of encryption methodologies, key categories, algorithmic frameworks, and their applications in data confidentiality and integrity. +#+slug: cryptography + +* Similar Article Available + +If you haven't already, feel free to read my post on [[../aes-encryption/][AES Encryption]]. + +* What is Cryptography? + +In layman's terms, cryptography is a process that can change data from a +readable format into an unreadable format (and vice-versa) through a series of +processes and secrets. More technically, this is the Internet Security +Glossary's definition: + +#+begin_quote +[Cryptography is] the mathematical science that deals with transforming data to +render its meaning unintelligible (i.e., to hide its semantic content), prevent +its undetected alteration, or prevent its unauthorized use. If the +transformation is reversible, cryptography also deals with restoring encrypted +data to an intelligible form. + +- [[https://tools.ietf.org/html/rfc2828][Internet Security Glossary (2000)]] +#+end_quote + +Cryptography cannot offer protection against the loss of data; it simply offers +encryption methods to protect data at-rest and data in-traffic. At a high-level, +encrypted is when plain text data is encrypted to cipher text (a secure form of +text that cannot be understood unless decrypted back to plain text). The +encryption process is completed through the use of a mathematical function that +utilizes one or more values called keys to encrypt or decrypt the data. + +* Key Elements of Cryptographic Systems + +To create or evaluate a cryptographic system, you need to know the essential +pieces to the system: + +- *Encryption Algorithm (Primitive):* A mathematical process that encrypts and + decrypts data. +- *Encryption Key:* A string of bits used within the encryption algorithm as the + secret that allows successful encryption or decryption of data. +- *Key Length (Size):* The maximum number of bits within the encryption key. + It's important to remember that key size is regulated in certain countries. +- *Message Digest:* A smaller, fixed-size bit string version of the original + message. This is practically infeasible to reverse, which is why it's commonly + used to verify integrity. + +* Symmetric Systems (Secret Key Cryptography) + +Symmetric cryptography utilizes a secret, bidirectional key to perform both +encryption and decryption of the data. The most common implementation of +symmetric cryptography is the Advanced Encryption Standard, which uses keys that +are 128 bits to 256 bits in size. This standard came after the National +Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) decided to retire the Data +Encryption Standard (DES) in 2001. + +Since brute force attacks strongly correlate with key length, the 56-bit key +length of DES was considered insecure after it was publicly broken in under 24 +hours. However, there is a modern implementation of DES called Triple DES where +the DES method is applied three times to each data block. + +The main advantages to symmetric systems are the ease of use, since only one key +is required for both encryption and decryption, and the simplicity of the +algorithms. This helps with bulk data encryption that may unnecessarily waste +time and power using asymmetric systems. + +However, symmetric systems have disadvantages to keep in mind. Since the key is +private, it can be difficult to safely distribute keys to communication +partners. Additionally, the key cannot be used to sign messages since it's +necessary to keep the key private. + +* Asymmetric Systems (Public Key Cryptography) + +Asymmetric cryptography utilizes two keys within the system: a secret key that +is privately-held and a public key that can be distributed freely. The +interesting aspect of asymmetric cryptography is that either key can be used to +encrypt the data, there's no rule that dictates which key must be used for +encryption. Once one key is used to encrypt the data, only the other key can be +used to decrypt the data. This means that if the private key encrypts the data, +only the public key can decrypt the data. + +An advantage of this system is that if you successfully decrypt data using one +of the keys, you can be sure of the sender since only the other key could have +encrypted the data. + +One of the major implementations of an asymmetric system is a digital signature. +A digital signature can be generated using the sender's private key, or a +one-way hash function and is used to provide assurance for the integrity and +authenticity of the message. A couple common message digest algorithms are +SHA-256 and SHA-512, which securely compress data and produce a 128-bit message +digest. + +It should be noted that man-in-the-middle attacks are one of the risks with +digital signatures and public keys. To combat this, applications often use a +public key infrastructure (PKI) to independently authenticate the validity of +signatures and keys. + +Due to the large key size and [[https://crypto.stackexchange.com/a/591][inefficient mathematical functions]] of asymmetric +encryption, elliptical curve cryptography (ECC) is often used to increase +security while using fewer resources. + +* Applications of Cryptographic Systems + +There are numerous implementations of cryptographic systems around the world. +Here are six popular examples: + +*Transport Layer Security (TLS):* One of the most famous cryptographic solutions +created is TLS, a session-layered or connection-layered internet protocol that +allows for secure communications between browsers and servers. Using handshakes, +peer negotiation, and authentication allows TLS to prevent eavesdropping and +malicious transformation of data. The major reason for TLS popularity is that a +major vulnerability was found in the SSL protocol in 2014. Instead of SSL, TLS +can be used with HTTP to form HTTPS and is the preferred method for modern web +development due to its increased security. + +*Secure Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTPS):* An application layer protocol that +allows for secure transport of data between servers and web clients. One of the +unique parts of HTTPS is that it uses a secured port number instead of the +default web port address. + +*Virtual Private Network (VPN):* VPNs are made to securely extend a private +network across public networks by utilizing an encrypted layered tunneling +protocol paired with an authentication method, such as usernames and passwords. +This technology originally allowed remote employees to access their company's +data but have evolved into one of the top choices for anyone who wishes to mask +their sensitive personal data. + +*Internet Protocol Security (IPSec):* This protocol suite facilitates +communication between two or more hosts or subnets by authenticating and +encrypting the data packets. IPSec is used in a lot of VPNs to establish the VPN +connection through the transport and tunnel mode encryption methods. IPSec +encrypts just the data portion of packets in the transport methods, but it +encrypts both the data and headers in the tunnel method (introducing an +additional header for authentication). + +*Secure Shell (SSH):* SSH is another network protocol used to protect network +services by authenticating users through a secure channel. This protocol is +often used for command-line (shell) functions such as remote shell commands, +logins, and file transfers. + +*Kerberos:* Developed by MIT, Kerberos is a computer-network authentication +protocol that works on the basis of tickets to allow nodes communicating over a +non-secure network to prove their identity to one another securely. This is most +commonly used in business environments when used as the authentication and +encryption method for Windows Active Directory (AD). + +* Cybersecurity Controls + +If you're someone who needs solutions on how to control risks associated with +utilizing a crytograhpic system, start with these basic controls: + +- *Policies:* A policy on the use of cryptographic controls for protection of + information is implemented and is in accordance with organizational + objectives. +- *Key management:* A policy on the use, protection and lifetime of + cryptographic keys is implemented through the entire application lifecycle. +- *Key size:* The organization has researched the optimal key size for their + purposes, considering national laws, required processing power, and longevity + of the solution. +- *Algorithm selection:* Implemented algorithms are sufficiently appropriate for + the business of the organization, robust, and align with recommended + guidelines. +- *Protocol configuration:* Protocols have been reviewed and configured suitable + to the purpose of the business. +#+date: <2020-03-25 Wed 00:00:00> +#+title: Session Messenger: Is It Secure? +#+description: Technical description of the Session messaging protocol, including end-to-end encryption, metadata minimization, multi-device synchronization, and privacy-centric design. +#+slug: session-messenger + +* Privacy Warning + +The company behind Session (Loki Foundation) is from Australia. If you didn't +know, Australia has introduced [[https://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/download/legislation/bills/r6195_aspassed/toc_pdf/18204b01.pdf][legislation]] mandating companies comply with +government requests to build back door access into applications. For more +information, read my article on [[./2020-01-25-aes-encryption.html][AES Encryption]]. + +* About Session + +[[https://getsession.org][Session]] is a private, cross-platform messaging app from the [[https://loki.foundation][Loki Foundation]]. As +someone who has spent years looking for quality alternatives to major messaging +apps, I was excited when I first heard about Session. Reading through [[https://arxiv.org/pdf/2002.04609.pdf][Session's +white paper]], you can learn the technologies behind the Session app. Part of the +security of Session comes from the Signal protocol, which was forked as the +origin of Session. + +#+begin_quote +Session is an end-to-end encrypted messenger that removes sensitive metadata +collection, and is designed for people who want privacy and freedom from any +forms of surveillance. +#+end_quote + +In general, this app promises security through end-to-end encryption, +decentralized onion routing, and private identities. The biggest change that the +Loki Foundation has made to the Signal protocol is removing the need for a phone +number. Instead, a random identification string is generated for any session you +create. This means you can create a new session for each device if you want to, +or link new devices with your ID. + +Since Session's website and white paper describe the details of Session's +security, I'm going to focus on using the app in this post. + +* Features + +Since most people are looking for an alternative to a popular chat app, I am +going to list out the features that Session has so that you are able to +determine if the app would suit your needs: + +- Multiple device linking [via a quick-response (QR) code or identifier (ID)] +- App locking via device screen lock, password, or fingerprint +- Screenshot blocking +- Incognito keyboard +- Read receipts and typing indicators +- Mobile notification customization +- Old message deletion and conversation limit +- Backups +- Recovery phrase +- Account deletion, including ID, messages, sessions, and contacts + +* Downloads + +I have tested this app on Ubuntu 19.10, Android 10, macOS Monterey, and iOS 15. +All apps have worked well without issue. + +Below is a brief overview of the Session app on Linux. To get this app, you'll +need to go to the [[https://getsession.org/download/][Downloads]] page and click to link to the operating system +you're using. + +For Linux, it will download an AppImage that you'll need to enable with the +following command: + +#+begin_src sh +sudo chmod u+x session-messenger-desktop-linux-x86_64-1.0.5.AppImage +#+end_src + +* Creating an Account + +Once you've installed the app, simply run the app and create your unique Session +ID. It will look something like this: +=05af1835afdd63c947b47705867501d6373f486aa1ae05b1f2f3fcd24570eba608=. + +You'll need to set a display name and, optionally, a password. If you set a +password, you will need to enter it every time you open the app. + +* Start Messaging + +Once you've created your account and set up your profile details, the next step +is to start messaging other people. To do so, you'll need to share your Session +ID with other people. From this point, it's straightforward and acts like any +other messaging app, so I won't dive into much detail here. + +** macOS + +One key feature to note is that the desktop application now provides a helpful +pop-up box explaining the process that Session uses to hide your IP address: + +** iOS + +The mobile app is simple and effective, giving you all the standard mobile +messaging options you'd expect. + +* Potential Issues + +I've discovered one annoying issue that would prevent from using this app +regularly. On a mobile device, there have been issues with receiving messages on +time. Even with battery optimization disabled and no network restrictions, +Session notifications sometimes do not display until I open the app or the +conversation itself and wait. This is actually one of the reasons I stopped +using Signal (this seems fixed as of my updates in 2021/2022, so I wouldn't +worry about this issue anymore). + +Looking for another messenger instead of Session? I recommend Signal, Matrix, +and internet relay chat (IRC). +#+date: <2020-05-03 Sun 00:00:00> +#+title: My Homelab Setup: Gear, Network, and Lessons Learned +#+description: Comprehensive instructions on assembling and configuring a homelab environment, emphasizing hardware selection, software deployment, and network setup for operational efficiency. +#+slug: homelab + +* What is a Homelab? + +Starting as a developer, I have stayed away from hardware-based hobbies (other +than building a gaming desktop). However, as the quarantine for COVID-19 +stretches out further and further, I found myself bored and in search of new +hobbies. After spending the last few months browsing the [[https://www.reddit.com/r/homelab/][r/homelab]] subreddit, I +decided it was time to jump in and try things out for myself. + +Since I am a beginner and just recently graduated from college, everything I've +done so far in my homelab is low-budget. + +* Hardware + +** Raspberry Pi 4 + +Luckily, I had actually purchased a [[https://www.raspberrypi.org/products/raspberry-pi-4-model-b/][Raspberry Pi 4]] before the quarantine started +so that I could try to keep Plex Media Center running, even while my desktop +computer was turned off. I started here, using the Pi to hold Plex and Pi-hole +until I grew tired with the slow performance. + +Here are the specifications for the Pi 4: + +- Broadcom BCM2711, Quad core Cortex-A72 (ARM v8) 64-bit SoC @ 1.5GHz +- 4GB LPDDR4-3200 SDRAM +- Gigabit Ethernet +- H.265 (4kp60 decode), H264 (1080p60 decode, 1080p30 encode) +- 64 GB MicroSD Card + +** Dell Optiplex 5040 + +Since I wasn't happy with the Pi as my main server, I turned to Craigslist. I +know a lot of other homelabbers use Ebay, but I can't seem to ever trust it +enough to purchase items on there. So I used Craigslist and found a Dell +Optiplex 5040 desktop computer on sale for $90. While this computer might be +underpowered, it was one of the few computers under $100 that was available +during quarantine. + +Here are the specifications for the Dell Optiplex 5040: + +- Intel Core i3 6100 +- 8GB RAM DDR3 +- Intel HD Graphics +- Gigabit Ethernet +- 500GB Hard Drive + +While this hardware would be awful for a work computer or a gaming rig, it +turned out to be wonderful for my server purposes. The only limitation I have +found so far is the central processing unit (CPU). The i3-6100 only has enough +power for a single 4k video transcode at a time. I haven't tested more than +three 1080p streams at a time, but the maximum amount of streams I've ever +actually used is two. + +** WD easystore 10TB & 8TB + +Application storage and temporary files are stored on the internal hard drive of +the server, but all media files (movies, television, games, books, etc) are stored +externally on my WD easystore hard drive. Creating auto-boot configurations in +the =/etc/fstab= file on my server allows the hard drives to automatically mount +whenever I need to restart my server. + +#+begin_quote +Update: In March 2022, I shucked the hard drives out of their external cases, +put some Kapton tape on the third power pin to prevent power shutdowns, and +stuck them inside my server tower using internal Serial AT Attachment (SATA) +cables. +#+end_quote + +** Netgear Unmanaged Switch + +To manage all the ethernet cords used by my homelab, my desktop, and my living +room media center, I purchased an 8-port gigabit ethernet switch for $50 at my +local computer store. This is probably much more than I should have spent on an +unmanaged switch, but I am comfortable with the choice. + +** TP-Link Managed Switch + +Since I use the unmanaged switch to group all living room devices together, I +use the managed switch to configure virtual local area networks (VLANs) and +secure my network. + +** Arris TM1602A Modem & Sagecom Fast 5280 Router + +My default modem and router, provided by my ISP, are fairly standard. The Arris +modem supports DOCSIS 3.0, which is something that I definitely wanted as a +minimum. The Sagecom router is also standard, no fancy bells or whistles. +However, it does support the dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP) for +internet protocol version 4 (IPv4) and internet protocol version 6 (IPv6), which +is something iyou can use to route all household traffic through a pi-hole or +firewall. + +** TP-Link EAP + +In order to gain better control over the network, I use my own wireless access +point instead of the one included in the Sagecom router above. Now I can control +and organize all of my ethernet connections through the VLANs on the managed +switch and wireless connections through the VLANS on the EAP. + +** Generic Printer + +The last piece to my homelab is a standard wireless printer. Nothing special +here. + +* Software + +** Ubuntu Server 20.04 + +While the 20.04 version of Ubuntu was just released, I always like to experiment +with new features (and I don't mind breaking my system - it just gives me more +experience learning how to fix things). So, I have Ubuntu Server 20.04 installed +on the Dell Optiplex server and Ubuntu Server 19.10 installed on the Raspberry +Pi. Once I find an acceptable use for the Pi, I will most likely switch the +operating system. + +** Docker + +I am /very/ new to Docker, but I have had a lot of fun playing with it so far. +Docker is used to create containers that can hold all the contents of a system +without interfering with other software on the same system. So far, I have +successfully installed pi-hole, GitLab, Gogs, and Nextcloud in containers. +However, I opted to delete all of those so that I can reconfigure them more +professionally at a later time. + +** Plex Media Server + +Plex is a media center software that allows you to organize your movies, TV +shows, music, photos, and videos automatically. It will even download metadata +for you so that you can easily browse these collections. + +** Pi-hole + +Pi-hole is an alternative ad-blocker that runs at the DNS level, allowing you to +block traffic when it hits your network, so that you can reject any traffic you +deem to be bad. Pi-hole uses blacklists and whitelists to decide which traffic +block and, luckily, there are a lot of pre-made lists out there on Reddit, +GitHub, etc. + +** Nextcloud + +While I had trouble with the Docker version of Nextcloud, I was very successful +when setting up the snap version. Using this, I was able to map Nextcloud to a +subdomain of a domain I own in Namecheap. Additionally, Nextcloud has an +integration with Let's Encrypt that allows me to issue certificates +automatically to any new domain I authorize. + +** Webmin + +To monitor my servers, and the processes running on them, I use the Webmin +dashboard. This was fairly painless to set up, and I currently access it +straight through the server's IP address. In the future, I will be looking to +configure Webmin to use a custom domain just like Nextcloud. +#+date: <2020-05-19 Tue 00:00:00> +#+title: Tweak Your Ubuntu Look: A Beginner’s Guide to GNOME Customization +#+description: Detailed instructions for modifying system appearance and interface elements in Ubuntu 20.04, including setting themes, icon packs, font adjustments, terminal configurations, and related customization parameters. +#+slug: customizing-ubuntu + +* More Information + +For inspiration on designing your *nix computer, check out the [[https://libredd.it/r/unixporn][r/unixporn]] +subreddit! + +* Customizing Ubuntu + +New to Linux and want to add a personal touch to your machine? One of the best +perks of Linux is that it is *extremely* customizable. You can change the styles +of the windows, shell (status bars/docks), icons, fonts, terminals, and more. + +In this post, I'm going to go through customization on Ubuntu 20.04 (GNOME) +since most new users tend to choose Ubuntu-based distros. If you've found a way +to install Arch with i3-gaps, I'm assuming you know how to find more advanced +tutorials out there on customizations. + +** Required Tools + +Ubuntu 20.04 ships with the default desktop environment [[https://www.gnome.org/][Gnome]], which includes +the handy =gnome-tweaks= tool to quickly change designs. To install this, just +open your terminal and enter the following command: + +#+begin_src sh +sudo apt install gnome-tweaks +#+end_src + +After you've finished installing the tool, simply launch the Tweaks application, +and you'll be able to access the various customization options available by +default on Ubuntu. You might even like some of the pre-installed options. + +** GNOME Application Themes + +To change the themes applied to applications in GNOME, you will need to change +the Applications drop-down in the Appearance section of Tweaks. To add more +themes, you will have to find your preferred theme online and follow the steps +below to have it show up in the Tweaks tool. While you may find themes anywhere, +one of the most popular sites for GNOME themes is [[https://www.gnome-look.org/][gnome-look.org]]. This website +contains themes for applications, shells, icons, and cursors. + +Steps to import themes into Tweaks: + +1. Download the theme. +2. These files are usually compressed (.zip, .tar.gz, .tar.xz), so you will need + to extract the contents. This is easiest when opening the file explorer, + right-clicking the compressed file, and choosing "Extract here." +3. Move the theme folder to =/usr/share/themes/=. You can do so with the + following command: =sudo mv theme-folder/ /usr/share/themes/=. + - Icons and cursors will be moved to the =/usr/share/icons/= folder. + - Fonts will be moved to the =/usr/share/fonts/= folder Alternatively, you + can move them to the =/usr/share/fonts/opentype/= or + =/usr/share/fonts/opentype/= folders, if you have a specific font type. +4. Close tweaks if it is open. Re-open Tweaks and your new theme will be + available in the Applications drop-down in the Appearance section of Tweaks. + +If the theme is not showing up after you've moved it into the themes folder, you +may have uncompressed the folder into a sub-folder. You can check this by +entering the theme folder and listing the contents: + +#+begin_src sh +cd /usr/share/themes/Mojave-Dark && ls -la +#+end_src + +This is an example of what the contents of your theme folder should look like. +If you just see another folder there, you should move that folder up into the +=/usr/share/themes/= folder. + +#+begin_src sh +cinnamon COPYING gnome-shell gtk-2.0 gtk-3.0 index.theme metacity-1 plank xfwm4 +#+end_src + +** GNOME Shell Themes + +To change the appearance of the title bar, default dock, app menu, and other +parts of the GNOME shell, you'll need to install the [[https://extensions.gnome.org/extension/19/user-themes/][user themes]] extension on +[[https://extensions.gnome.org/][Gnome Extensions]]. To be able to install extensions, you will first need to +install the browser extension that the website instructs you to. See this +screenshot for the blue box with a link to the extension. + +After the browser extension is installed, you will need to install the native +host connector: + +#+begin_src sh +sudo apt install chrome-gnome-shell +#+end_src + +Finally, you can go the [[https://extensions.gnome.org/extension/19/user-themes/][user themes]] extension page and click the installation +button. This will enable the Shell option in Tweaks. Now you can move shell +themes to the =/usr/share/themes= directory, using the same steps mentioned in +the previous section, and enable the new theme in Tweaks. + +** Icons & Cursors + +Icons and cursors are installed exactly the same way, so I'm grouping these +together in this post. Both of these items will need to follow the same process +as installing themes, except you will want to move your font folders to the +=/usr/share/icons/= directory instead. + +** Fonts + +Fonts are one of the overlooked parts of customization, but a good font can make +the whole screen look different. For example, I have installed the [[https://github.com/IBM/plex/releases][IBM Plex]] +fonts on my system. This follows the same process as installing themes, except +you will want to move your font folders to the =/usr/share/fonts/= directory +instead. + +** Terminal + +If you spend a lot of time typing commands, you know how important the style and +functionality of the terminal is. After spending a lot of time using the default +GNOME terminal with [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bash_(Unix_shell)][unix shell]], I decided to try some different options. I ended +up choosing [[https://terminator-gtk3.readthedocs.io/en/latest/][Terminator]] with [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Z_shell][zsh]] (Z Shell). + +Terminator is great if you need to open multiple terminals at one time by simply +right-clicking and splitting the screen into as many terminals as you want. +While this project hasn't been updated in a while, [[https://github.com/gnome-terminator/terminator/issues/1][it is coming under new +development]]. However, this terminal is great and I haven't experienced any +errors yet. + +For the shell choice, I decided to choose zsh after trying it out on a fresh +Manjaro installation. Zsh is great if you like to change the themes of your +terminal, include icons, or add plugins. + +The desktop uses the [[https://github.com/zsh-users/zsh-autosuggestions][zsh-autosuggestions]] to suggest past commands as you type. +In addition, it suggests corrections if you misspell a command. Lastly, it uses +the =af-magic= theme, which adds dashed lines between commands, moving the +user@host tag to the right side of the terminal, and changes the colors. There +are plenty of plugins and themes to choose from. Just figure out what you like +and add it to your =~/.zshrc= file! + +*** Steps to Replicate My Terminal + +To install zsh on Ubuntu, enter the following command into a terminal: + +#+begin_src sh +sudo apt install zsh +#+end_src + +Then, enter the next command to activate zsh: + +#+begin_src sh +sudo chsh -s $(which zsh) $(whoami) +#+end_src + +To install Terminator on Ubuntu: + +#+begin_src sh +sudo apt install terminator +#+end_src + +To install Oh My Zsh on Ubuntu: + +#+begin_src sh +sh -c "$(curl -fsSL +https://raw.github.com/ohmyzsh/ohmyzsh/master/tools/install.sh)" +#+end_src + +To install zsh-autosuggestions via Oh My Zsh: + +#+begin_src sh +git clone https://github.com/zsh-users/zsh-autosuggestions +${ZSH_CUSTOM:-~/.oh-my-zsh/custom}/plugins/zsh-autosuggestions +#+end_src + +Then, add the following plugin wording to your =~/.zshrc= file (the default +config usually has the =git= plugin activated, so just add any other plugins to +the parentheses separated by a space): + +#+begin_src sh +nano ~/.zshrc +#+end_src + +#+begin_src sh +plugins=(git zsh-autosuggestions) +#+end_src + +Finally, you need to log out of your computer and log back in so your user shell +can refresh. +#+date: <2020-07-20 Mon 00:00:00> +#+title: A Data-Driven Look at Video Game Sales (1980–2020) +#+description: Presentation of analyzed data regarding global video game sales, covering platform distributions, genre classifications, and geographic market performance metrics. +#+slug: video-game-sales + +* Background Information + +This dataset (obtained from [[https://www.kaggle.com/gregorut/videogamesales/data][Kaggle]]) contains a list of video games with sales +greater than 100,000 copies. It was generated by a scrape of vgchartz.com. + +Fields include: + +- Rank: Ranking of overall sales +- Name: The game name +- Platform: Platform of the game release (i.e. PC,PS4, etc.) +- Year: Year of the game's release +- Genre: Genre of the game +- Publisher: Publisher of the game +- NA_{Sales}: Sales in North America (in millions) +- EU_{Sales}: Sales in Europe (in millions) +- JP_{Sales}: Sales in Japan (in millions) +- Other_{Sales}: Sales in the rest of the world (in millions) +- Global_{Sales}: Total worldwide sales. + +There are 16,598 records. 2 records were dropped due to incomplete information. + +* Import the Data + +#+begin_src python +# Import the Python libraries we will be using +import pandas as pd +import numpy as np +import seaborn as sns; sns.set() +import matplotlib.pyplot as plt + +# Load the file using the path to the downloaded file +file = r'video_game_sales.csv' +df = pd.read_csv(file) +df +#+end_src + +* Explore the Data + +#+begin_src python +# With the description function, we can see the basic stats. For example, we can +# also see that the 'Year' column has some incomplete values. +df.describe() +#+end_src + +#+begin_src python +# This function shows the rows and columns of NaN values. For example, df[179,3] = nan +np.where(pd.isnull(df)) + +(array([179, ..., 16553], dtype=int64), + array([3, ..., 5], dtype=int64)) +#+end_src + +* Visualize the Data + +#+begin_src python +# This function plots the global sales by platform +sns.catplot(x='Platform', y='Global_Sales', data=df, jitter=False).set_xticklabels(rotation=90) +#+end_src + +#+begin_src python +# This function plots the global sales by genre +sns.catplot(x='Genre', y='Global_Sales', data=df, jitter=False).set_xticklabels(rotation=45) +#+end_src + +#+begin_src python +# This function plots the global sales by year +sns.lmplot(x='Year', y='Global_Sales', data=df).set_xticklabels(rotation=45) +#+end_src + +#+begin_src python +# This function plots four different lines to show sales from different regions. +# The global sales plot line is commented-out, but can be included for comparison +df2 = df.groupby('Year').sum() +years = range(1980,2019) + +a = df2['NA_Sales'] +b = df2['EU_Sales'] +c = df2['JP_Sales'] +d = df2['Other_Sales'] +# e = df2['Global_Sales'] + +fig, ax = plt.subplots(figsize=(12,12)) +ax.set_ylabel('Region Sales (in Millions)') +ax.set_xlabel('Year') + +ax.plot(years, a, label='NA_Sales') +ax.plot(years, b, label='EU_Sales') +ax.plot(years, c, label='JP_Sales') +ax.plot(years, d, label='Other_Sales') +# ax.plot(years, e, label='Global_Sales') + +ax.legend() +plt.show() +#+end_src + +** Investigate Outliers + +#+begin_src python +# Find the game with the highest sales in North America +df.loc[df['NA_Sales'].idxmax()] + +Rank 1 +Name Wii Sports +Platform Wii +Year 2006 +Genre Sports +Publisher Nintendo +NA_Sales 41.49 +EU_Sales 29.02 +JP_Sales 3.77 +Other_Sales 8.46 +Global_Sales 82.74 +Name: 0, dtype: object + +# Explore statistics in the year 2006 (highest selling year) +df3 = df[(df['Year'] == 2006)] +df3.describe() +#+end_src + +#+begin_src python +# Plot the results of the previous dataframe (games from 2006) - we can see the year's results were largely carried by Wii Sports +sns.catplot(x="Genre", y="Global_Sales", data=df3, jitter=False).set_xticklabels(rotation=45) +#+end_src + +#+begin_src python +# We can see 4 outliers in the graph above, so let's get the top 5 games from that dataframe +# The results below show that Nintendo had all top 5 games (3 on the Wii and 2 on the DS) +df3.sort_values(by=['Global_Sales'], ascending=False).head(5) +#+end_src + +* Discussion + +The purpose of exploring datasets is to ask questions, answer questions, and +discover intelligence that can be used to inform decision-making. So, what have +we found in this dataset? + +Today we simply explored a publicly-available dataset to see what kind of +information it contained. During that exploration, we found that video game +sales peaked in 2006. That peak was largely due to Nintendo, who sold the top 5 +games in 2006 and has a number of games in the top-10 list for the years +1980-2020. Additionally, the top four platforms by global sales (Wii, NES, GB, +DS) are owned by Nintendo. + +We didn't explore everything this dataset has to offer, but we can tell from a +brief analysis that Nintendo seems to rule sales in the video gaming world. +Further analysis could provide insight into which genres, regions, publishers, +or world events are correlated with sales. +#+date: <2020-07-26 Sun 00:00:00> +#+title: A Location Intelligence Framework: Mapping Urban Business Clusters with Python +#+description: Methodology for utilizing data science techniques and Foursquare API data to analyze and select promising business sites within urban environments. +#+slug: business-analysis + +* Background Information + +This project aims to help investors learn more about a random city in order to +determine optimal locations for business investments. The data used in this +project was obtained using Foursquare's developer API. + +Fields include: + +- Venue Name +- Venue Category +- Venue Latitude +- Venue Longitude + +There are 232 records found using the center of Lincoln as the area of interest +with a radius of 10,000. + +* Import the Data + +The first step is the simplest: import the applicable libraries. We will be +using the libraries below for this project. + +#+begin_src python +# Import the Python libraries we will be using +import pandas as pd +import requests +import folium +import math +import json +from pandas.io.json import json_normalize +from sklearn.cluster import KMeans +#+end_src + +To begin our analysis, we need to import the data for this project. The data we +are using in this project comes directly from the Foursquare application +programming interface (API). The first step is to get the latitude and longitude +of the city being studied (Lincoln, NE) and setting up the folium map. + +#+begin_src python +# Define the latitude and longitude, then map the results +latitude = 40.806862 +longitude = -96.681679 +map_LNK = folium.Map(location=[latitude, longitude], zoom_start=12) + +map_LNK +#+end_src + +Now that we have defined our city and created the map, we need to go get the +business data. The Foursquare API will limit the results to 100 per API call, so +we use our first API call below to determine the total results that Foursquare +has found. Since the total results are 232, we perform the API fetching process +three times (100 + 100 + 32 = 232). + +#+begin_src python +# Foursquare API credentials +CLIENT_ID = 'your-client-id' +CLIENT_SECRET = 'your-client-secret' +VERSION = '20180604' + +# Set up the URL to fetch the first 100 results +LIMIT = 100 +radius = 10000 +url = 'https://api.foursquare.com/v2/venues/explore?&client_id={}&client_secret={}&v={}&ll={},{}&radius={}&limit={}'.format( + CLIENT_ID, + CLIENT_SECRET, + VERSION, + latitude, + longitude, + radius, + LIMIT) + +# Fetch the first 100 results +results = requests.get(url).json() + +# Determine the total number of results needed to fetch +totalResults = results['response']['totalResults'] +totalResults + +# Set up the URL to fetch the second 100 results (101-200) +LIMIT = 100 +offset = 100 +radius = 10000 +url2 = 'https://api.foursquare.com/v2/venues/explore?&client_id={}&client_secret={}&v={}&ll={},{}&radius={}&limit={}&offset={}'.format( + CLIENT_ID, + CLIENT_SECRET, + VERSION, + latitude, + longitude, + radius, + LIMIT, + offset) + +# Fetch the second 100 results (101-200) +results2 = requests.get(url2).json() + +# Set up the URL to fetch the final results (201 - 232) +LIMIT = 100 +offset = 200 +radius = 10000 +url3 = 'https://api.foursquare.com/v2/venues/explore?&client_id={}&client_secret={}&v={}&ll={},{}&radius={}&limit={}&offset={}'.format( + CLIENT_ID, + CLIENT_SECRET, + VERSION, + latitude, + longitude, + radius, + LIMIT, + offset) + +# Fetch the final results (201 - 232) +results3 = requests.get(url3).json() +#+end_src + +* Clean the Data + +Now that we have our data in three separate dataframes, we need to combine them +into a single dataframe and make sure to reset the index so that we have a +unique ID for each business. The =get_category_type= function below will pull +the categories and name from each business's entry in the Foursquare data +automatically. Once all the data has been labeled and combined, the results are +stored in the =nearby_venues= dataframe. + +#+begin_src python +# This function will extract the category of the venue from the API dictionary +def get_category_type(row): + try: + categories_list = row['categories'] + except: + categories_list = row['venue.categories'] + + if len(categories_list) == 0: + return None + else: + return categories_list[0]['name'] + +# Get the first 100 venues +venues = results['response']['groups'][0]['items'] +nearby_venues = json_normalize(venues) + +# filter columns +filtered_columns = ['venue.name', 'venue.categories', 'venue.location.lat', 'venue.location.lng'] +nearby_venues = nearby_venues.loc[:, filtered_columns] + +# filter the category for each row +nearby_venues['venue.categories'] = nearby_venues.apply(get_category_type, axis=1) + +# clean columns +nearby_venues.columns = [col.split(".")[-1] for col in nearby_venues.columns] + +--- + +# Get the second 100 venues +venues2 = results2['response']['groups'][0]['items'] +nearby_venues2 = json_normalize(venues2) # flatten JSON + +# filter columns +filtered_columns2 = ['venue.name', 'venue.categories', 'venue.location.lat', 'venue.location.lng'] +nearby_venues2 = nearby_venues2.loc[:, filtered_columns] + +# filter the category for each row +nearby_venues2['venue.categories'] = nearby_venues2.apply(get_category_type, axis=1) + +# clean columns +nearby_venues2.columns = [col.split(".")[-1] for col in nearby_venues.columns] +nearby_venues = nearby_venues.append(nearby_venues2) + +--- + +# Get the rest of the venues +venues3 = results3['response']['groups'][0]['items'] +nearby_venues3 = json_normalize(venues3) # flatten JSON + +# filter columns +filtered_columns3 = ['venue.name', 'venue.categories', 'venue.location.lat', 'venue.location.lng'] +nearby_venues3 = nearby_venues3.loc[:, filtered_columns] + +# filter the category for each row +nearby_venues3['venue.categories'] = nearby_venues3.apply(get_category_type, axis=1) + +# clean columns +nearby_venues3.columns = [col.split(".")[-1] for col in nearby_venues3.columns] + +nearby_venues = nearby_venues.append(nearby_venues3) +nearby_venues = nearby_venues.reset_index(drop=True) +nearby_venues +#+end_src + +* Visualize the Data + +We now have a complete, clean data set. The next step is to visualize this data +onto the map we created earlier. We will be using folium's =CircleMarker()= +function to do this. + +#+begin_src python +# add markers to map +for lat, lng, name, categories in zip(nearby_venues['lat'], nearby_venues['lng'], nearby_venues['name'], nearby_venues['categories']): + label = '{} ({})'.format(name, categories) + label = folium.Popup(label, parse_html=True) + folium.CircleMarker( + [lat, lng], + radius=5, + popup=label, + color='blue', + fill=True, + fill_color='#3186cc', + fill_opacity=0.7, + ).add_to(map_LNK) + +map_LNK +#+end_src + +* Clustering: /k-means/ + +To cluster the data, we will be using the /k-means/ algorithm. This algorithm is +iterative and will automatically make sure that data points in each cluster are +as close as possible to each other, while being as far as possible away from +other clusters. + +However, we first have to figure out how many clusters to use (defined as the +variable 'k'). To do so, we will use the next two functions to calculate the sum +of squares within clusters and then return the optimal number of clusters. + +#+begin_src python +# This function will return the sum of squares found in the data +def calculate_wcss(data): + wcss = [] + for n in range(2, 21): + kmeans = KMeans(n_clusters=n) + kmeans.fit(X=data) + wcss.append(kmeans.inertia_) + + return wcss + +# Drop 'str' cols so we can use k-means clustering +cluster_df = nearby_venues.drop(columns=['name', 'categories']) + +# calculating the within clusters sum-of-squares for 19 cluster amounts +sum_of_squares = calculate_wcss(cluster_df) + +# This function will return the optimal number of clusters +def optimal_number_of_clusters(wcss): + x1, y1 = 2, wcss[0] + x2, y2 = 20, wcss[len(wcss)-1] + + distances = [] + for i in range(len(wcss)): + x0 = i+2 + y0 = wcss[i] + numerator = abs((y2-y1)*x0 - (x2-x1)*y0 + x2*y1 - y2*x1) + denominator = math.sqrt((y2 - y1)**2 + (x2 - x1)**2) + distances.append(numerator/denominator) + + return distances.index(max(distances)) + 2 + +# calculating the optimal number of clusters +n = optimal_number_of_clusters(sum_of_squares) +#+end_src + +Now that we have found that our optimal number of clusters is six, we need to +perform k-means clustering. When this clustering occurs, each business is +assigned a cluster number from 0 to 5 in the dataframe. + +#+begin_src python +# set number of clusters equal to the optimal number +kclusters = n + +# run k-means clustering +kmeans = KMeans(n_clusters=kclusters, random_state=0).fit(cluster_df) + +# add clustering labels to dataframe +nearby_venues.insert(0, 'Cluster Labels', kmeans.labels_) +#+end_src + +Success! We now have a dataframe with clean business data, along with a +cluster number for each business. Now let's map the data using six +different colors. + +#+begin_src python +# create map with clusters +map_clusters = folium.Map(location=[latitude, longitude], zoom_start=12) +colors = ['#0F9D58', '#DB4437', '#4285F4', '#800080', '#ce12c0', '#171717'] + +# add markers to the map +for lat, lng, name, categories, cluster in zip(nearby_venues['lat'], nearby_venues['lng'], nearby_venues['name'], nearby_venues['categories'], nearby_venues['Cluster Labels']): + label = '[{}] {} ({})'.format(cluster, name, categories) + label = folium.Popup(label, parse_html=True) + folium.CircleMarker( + [lat, lng], + radius=5, + popup=label, + color=colors[int(cluster)], + fill=True, + fill_color=colors[int(cluster)], + fill_opacity=0.7).add_to(map_clusters) + +map_clusters +#+end_src + +* Investigate Clusters + +Now that we have figured out our clusters, let's do a little more analysis to +provide more insight into the clusters. With the information below, we can see +which clusters are more popular for businesses and which are less popular. The +results below show us that clusters 0 through 3 are popular, while clusters 4 +and 5 are not very popular at all. + +#+begin_src python +# Show how many venues are in each cluster +color_names = ['Dark Green', 'Red', 'Blue', 'Purple', 'Pink', 'Black'] +for x in range(0,6): + print("Color of Cluster", x, ":", color_names[x]) + print("Venues found in Cluster", x, ":", nearby_venues.loc[nearby_venues['Cluster Labels'] == x, nearby_venues.columns[:]].shape[0]) + print("---") +#+end_src + +Our last piece of analysis is to summarize the categories of businesses within +each cluster. With these results, we can clearly see that restaurants, coffee +shops, and grocery stores are the most popular. + +#+begin_src python +# Calculate how many venues there are in each category +# Sort from largest to smallest +temp_df = nearby_venues.drop(columns=['name', 'lat', 'lng']) + +cluster0_grouped = temp_df.loc[temp_df['Cluster Labels'] == 0].groupby(['categories']).count().sort_values(by='Cluster Labels', ascending=False) +cluster1_grouped = temp_df.loc[temp_df['Cluster Labels'] == 1].groupby(['categories']).count().sort_values(by='Cluster Labels', ascending=False) +cluster2_grouped = temp_df.loc[temp_df['Cluster Labels'] == 2].groupby(['categories']).count().sort_values(by='Cluster Labels', ascending=False) +cluster3_grouped = temp_df.loc[temp_df['Cluster Labels'] == 3].groupby(['categories']).count().sort_values(by='Cluster Labels', ascending=False) +cluster4_grouped = temp_df.loc[temp_df['Cluster Labels'] == 4].groupby(['categories']).count().sort_values(by='Cluster Labels', ascending=False) +cluster5_grouped = temp_df.loc[temp_df['Cluster Labels'] == 5].groupby(['categories']).count().sort_values(by='Cluster Labels', ascending=False) + +# show how many venues there are in each cluster (> 1) +with pd.option_context('display.max_rows', None, 'display.max_columns', None): + print("\n\n", "Cluster 0:", "\n", cluster0_grouped.loc[cluster0_grouped['Cluster Labels'] > 1]) + print("\n\n", "Cluster 1:", "\n", cluster1_grouped.loc[cluster1_grouped['Cluster Labels'] > 1]) + print("\n\n", "Cluster 2:", "\n", cluster2_grouped.loc[cluster2_grouped['Cluster Labels'] > 1]) + print("\n\n", "Cluster 3:", "\n", cluster3_grouped.loc[cluster3_grouped['Cluster Labels'] > 1]) + print("\n\n", "Cluster 4:", "\n", cluster4_grouped.loc[cluster4_grouped['Cluster Labels'] > 1]) + print("\n\n", "Cluster 5:", "\n", cluster5_grouped.loc[cluster5_grouped['Cluster Labels'] > 1]) +#+end_src + +* Discussion + +In this project, we gathered location data for Lincoln, Nebraska, USA and +clustered the data using the k-means algorithm in order to identify the unique +clusters of businesses in Lincoln. Through these actions, we found that there +are six unique business clusters in Lincoln and that two of the clusters are +likely unsuitable for investors. The remaining four clusters have a variety of +businesses, but are largely dominated by restaurants and grocery stores. + +Using this project, investors can now make more informed decisions when deciding +the location and category of business in which to invest. + +Further studies may involve other attributes for business locations, such as +population density, average wealth across the city, or crime rates. In addition, +further studies may include additional location data and businesses by utilizing +multiple sources, such as Google Maps and OpenStreetMap. +#+date: <2020-08-22 Sat 00:00:00> +#+title: Configure GitHub Pages to Use Your Root Domain Instead of WWW +#+description: Stepwise instructions for configuring redirection of GitHub Pages sites from the www subdomain to the apex domain to improve domain resolution and access consistency. +#+slug: redirect-github-pages + +* Short answer + +** Step 1 + +Add a new file called =CNAME= (canonical name) to your GitHub Pages repository +containing only one line: your top-level domain name. E.g.: =example.com= + +** Step 2 + +[Optional] but highly recommended + +2.1: Remove all other top-level records (prefixed with @) of type A from your +DNS configuration. + +2.2: Remove a CNAME record for the second-level domain =www=, if it is present. + +** Step 3 + +Add these 5 entries to the very top of your domain name system (DNS) +configuration: + +#+begin_src txt +@ A 185.199.108.153 +@ A 185.199.109.153 +@ A 185.199.110.153 +@ A 185.199.111.153 +www CNAME your_github_username.github.io. +#+end_src + +Replace =your_github_username= with your actual GitHub username. + +** Step 4 + +Wait for your DNS changes to propagate. DNS changes aren't effective +immediately. They can take up to a full day to propagate. + +* Long answer + +This issue has two sides. One is the DNS configuration itself. Another one is +the way GitHub Pages will forward hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP) requests. + +We need to know a few things to understand what GitHub is trying to say in their +documentation. + +** DNS Entry Types + +There are two types of DNS records which interest us: CNAME and A. + +=A= is also known as =Apex= or sometimes as =root entry=. It forwards requests +to a specified fixed IP address. =CNAME= entry forwards requests to a specified +URL (actual valid plain text URL, not an internet protocol (IP) address). + +** DNS Load balancing + +GitHub has one central URL address which accepts all DNS requests for GitHub +Pages: =http://username.github.io=. That URL is resolved to different IP +addresses based on your geographical location. Website hosted on GitHub Pages is +a simple collection of =HTML=, =CSS= and =JS= files. GitHub distributes these +files to different servers across the globe. So that when your browser sends a +request from Europe, it receives data from a server in Europe. The same is valid +for the requests from Asia and the USA. + +** What GitHub is trying to say + +Since =A= records in DNS must contain IP addresses, and they must be either +=185.199.108.153= or =185.199.109.153= or =185.199.110.153= or +=185.199.111.153=, there is no way to forward requests to a server located +somewhere in Europe or Asia. Your website hosted at GitHub Pages will be +downloaded from a central GitHub Pages server. There is a minor risk that if +GitHub Pages DNS servers (=x.x.x.153=) are down for some reason, all custom +domains which use fixed GitHub Pages IP addresses will not be accessible (their +DNS requests will not be resolvable). + +That is why GitHub strongly suggests to either use a second-level domain for +your GitHub Pages (e.g. =blog.example.com=) or use a DNS service provider that +supports a record type =ALIAS= that acts as =A= record but forwards request to a +URL address (e.g. =username.github.io=) instead of a fixed IP address. + +** How GitHub Pages treats HTTP requests + +After a DNS request for =your_github_username.github.io= is resolved into an IP +address, e.g. =185.199.108.153= your browser sends an HTTP request to that +server with an HTTP header =Host=. Below are =curl= examples that load the same +website (these examples might not work if you are behind a proxy server): + +#+begin_src sh +curl --header "Host: your_github_username.github.io" http://185.199.108.153/ +curl --header "Host: www.example.com" http://185.199.108.153/ +curl --header "Host: example.com" http://185.199.108.153/ +#+end_src + +This way GitHub Pages servers know which user website to serve. + +#+begin_quote +GitHub Pages server will automatically redirect HTTP requests to the top-level +domain if your =CNAME= file contains =example.com= but =www.example.com= is +requested. + +The same is valid if your =CNAME= file contains =www.example.com= but the header +=Host= in the =HTTP= request contains =example.com=. +#+end_quote + +** Why can't I add a =CNAME= record entry that accepts a top-level request (=@=) to my DNS configuration? + +Quote from the GitHub Pages documentation: + +#+begin_quote +Warning: Do not create a CNAME record for your custom apex domain! Doing so may +cause issues with other services, such as email, on that domain. +#+end_quote + +** References: + +1. [[https://docs.github.com/en/github/working-with-github-pages/configuring-a-custom-domain-for-your-github-pages-site][Setting up a custom domain with GitHub Pages]] +2. [[https://docs.github.com/en/github/working-with-github-pages/troubleshooting-custom-domains-and-github-pages][My custom domain isn't working]] +3. [[https://serverfault.com/questions/589370/cannot-access-my-github-pages-website-by-ip-address][Cannot access my GitHub Pages website by IP Address]] +4. [[https://stackoverflow.com/questions/23375422/how-do-i-set-up-github-pages-to-redirect-dns-requests-from-a-subdomain-e-g-www][How do I set up GitHub Pages to redirect DNS requests from a subdomain (e.g. + www) to the top-level domain (TLD, Apex record)?]] +#+date: <2020-08-29 Sat 00:00:00> +#+title: PHP User Authentication: Create, Validate, and Manage Sessions +#+description: Comprehensive guide to developing a secure user login system in PHP, including account creation, session management, and logout procedures. +#+slug: php-auth-flow + +* Introduction + +When creating websites that will allow users to create accounts, the developer +always needs to consider the proper authentication flow for their app. For +example, some developers will utilize an application programming interface (API) +for authentication, some will use OAuth, and some may just use their own simple +database. + +For those using pre-built libraries, authentication may simply be a problem of +copying and pasting the code from their library's documentation. For example, +here's the code I use to authenticate users with the Tumblr OAuth API for my +Tumblr client, Vox Populi: + +#+begin_src php +// Start the session +session_start(); + +// Use my key/secret pair to create a new client connection +$consumer_key = getenv('CONSUMER_KEY'); +$consumer_secret = getenv('CONSUMER_SECRET'); +$client = new Tumblr\API\Client($consumer_key, $consumer_secret); +$requestHandler = $client->getRequestHandler(); +$requestHandler->setBaseUrl('https://www.tumblr.com/'); + +// Check the session and cookies to see if the user is authenticated +// Otherwise, send user to Tumblr authentication page and set tokens from Tumblr's response + +// Authenticate client +$client = new Tumblr\API\Client( + $consumer_key, + $consumer_secret, + $token, + $token_secret +); +#+end_src + +However, developers creating authentication flows from scratch will need to +think carefully about when to make sure a web page will check the user's +authenticity. + +In this article, we're going to look at a simple authentication flow using a +MySQL database and PHP. + +* Creating User Accounts + +The beginning to any type of user authentication is to create a user account. +This process can take many formats, but the simplest is to accept user input +from a form (e.g., username and password) and send it over to your database. For +example, here's a snippet that shows how to get username and password parameters +that would come when a user submits a form to your PHP script. + +*Note*: Ensure that your password column is large enough to hold the hashed +value (at least 60 characters or longer). + +#+begin_src php +// Get the values from the URL +$username = $_POST['username']; +$raw_password = $_POST['password']; + +// Hash password +// password_hash() will create a random salt if one isn't provided, and this is generally the easiest and most secure approach. +$password = password_hash($raw_password, PASSWORD_DEFAULT); + +// Save database details as variables +$servername = "localhost"; +$username = "username"; +$password = "password"; +$dbname = "myDB"; + +// Create connection to the database +$conn = new mysqli($servername, $username, $password, $dbname); + +// Check connection +if ($conn->connect_error) { + die("Connection failed: " . $conn->connect_error); +} + +$sql = "INSERT INTO users (username, password) +VALUES ('$username', '$password')"; + +if ($conn->query($sql) === TRUE) { + echo "New record created successfully"; +} else { + echo "Error: " . $sql . "
" . $conn->error; +} + +$conn->close(); +#+end_src + +** Validate Returning Users + +To be able to verify that a returning user has a valid username and password in +your database is as simple as having users fill out a form and comparing their +inputs to your database. + +#+begin_src php +// Query the database for username and password +// ... + +if(password_verify($password_input, $hashed_password)) { + // If the input password matched the hashed password in the database + // Do something, log the user in. +} + +// Else, Redirect them back to the login page. +... +#+end_src + +* Storing Authentication State + +Once you've created the user's account, now you're ready to initialize the +user's session. *You will need to do this on every page you load while the user +is logged in.* To do so, simply enter the following code snippet: + +#+begin_src php +session_start(); +#+end_src + +Once you've initialized the session, the next step is to store the session in a +cookie so that you can access it later. + +#+begin_src php +setcookie(session_name()); +#+end_src + +Now that the session name has been stored, you'll be able to check if there's an +active session whenever you load a page. + +#+begin_src php +if(isset(session_name())) { + // The session is active +} +#+end_src + +** Removing User Authentication + +The next logical step is to give your users the option to log out once they are +done using your application. This can be tricky in PHP since a few of the +standard ways do not always work. + +#+begin_src php +// Initialize the session. +// If you are using session_name("something"), don't forget it now! +session_start(); + +// Delete authentication cookies +unset($_COOKIE[session_name()]); +setcookie(session_name(), "", time() - 3600, "/logged-in/"); +unset($_COOKIE["PHPSESSID"]); +setcookie("PHPSESSID", "", time() - 3600, "/logged-in/"); + +// Unset all of the session variables. +$_SESSION = array(); +session_unset(); + +// If it's desired to kill the session, also delete the session cookie. +// Note: This will destroy the session, and not just the session data! +if (ini_get("session.use_cookies")) { + $params = session_get_cookie_params(); + setcookie(session_name(), '', time() - 42000, + $params["path"], $params["domain"], + $params["secure"], $params["httponly"] + ); +} + +// Finally, destroy the session. +session_destroy(); +session_write_close(); + +// Go back to sign-in page +header('Location: https://example.com/logged-out/'); +die(); +#+end_src + +* Wrapping Up + +Now you should be ready to begin your authentication programming with PHP. You +can create user accounts, create sessions for users across different pages of +your site, and then destroy the user data when they're ready to leave. + +For more information on this subject, I recommend reading the [[https://www.php.net/][PHP Documentation]]. +Specifically, you may want to look at [[https://www.php.net/manual/en/features.http-auth.php][HTTP Authentication with PHP]], [[https://www.php.net/manual/en/book.session.php][session +handling]], and [[https://www.php.net/manual/en/function.hash.php][hash]]. +#+date: <2020-09-01 Tue 00:00:00> +#+title: How to Use IBM Watson Visual Recognition API for Image Analysis +#+description: Technical overview and application instructions for using IBM Watson Visual Recognition service, with focus on API configuration, image input processing, and classification output handling. +#+slug: visual-recognition + +* What is IBM Watson? + +If you've never heard of [[https://www.ibm.com/watson][Watson]], this service is a suite of enterprise-ready +artificial intelligence (AI) services, applications, and tooling provided by +IBM. Watson contains quite a few useful tools for data scientists and students, +including the subject of this post today: visual recognition. + +If you'd like to view the official documentation for the Visual Recognition +application programming interface (API), visit the [[https://cloud.ibm.com/apidocs/visual-recognition/visual-recognition-v3?code=python][API Docs]]. + +* Prerequisites + +To be able to use Watson Visual Recognition, you'll need the following: + +1. Create a free account on [[https://www.ibm.com/cloud/watson-studio][IBM Watson Studio]]. +2. Add the [[https://www.ibm.com/cloud/watson-visual-recognition][Watson Visual Recognition]] service to your IBM Watson account. +3. Get your API key and URL (uniform resource locator). To do this, first go to + the [[https://dataplatform.cloud.ibm.com/home2?context=cpdaas][profile dashboard]] for your IBM account and click on the Watson Visual + Recognition service you created. This will be listed in the section titled + *Your services*. Then click the *Credentials* tab and open the + *Auto-generated credentials* dropdown. Copy your API key and URL so that you + can use them in the Python script later. +4. *[Optional]* While not required, you can also create the Jupyter Notebook for + this project right inside [[https://www.ibm.com/cloud/watson-studio][Watson Studio]]. Watson Studio will save your + notebooks inside an organized project and allow you to use their other + integrated products, such as storage containers, AI models, documentation, + external sharing, etc. + +* Calling the IBM Watson Visual Recognition API + +Okay, now let's get started. + +To begin, we need to install the proper Python package for IBM Watson. + +#+begin_src sh +pip install --upgrade --user "ibm-watson>=4.5.0" +#+end_src + +Next, we need to specify the API key, version, and URL given to us when we +created the Watson Visual Recognition service. + +#+begin_src python +apikey = "" +version = "2018-03-19" +url = "" +#+end_src + +Now, let's import the necessary libraries and authenticate our service. + +#+begin_src python +import json +from ibm_watson import VisualRecognitionV3 +from ibm_cloud_sdk_core.authenticators import IAMAuthenticator + +authenticator = IAMAuthenticator(apikey) +visual_recognition = VisualRecognitionV3( + version=version, + authenticator=authenticator +) + +visual_recognition.set_service_url(url) +#+end_src + +*[Optional]* If you'd like to tell the API not to use any data to improve their +products, set the following header. + +#+begin_src python +visual_recognition.set_default_headers({'x-watson-learning-opt-out': "true"}) +#+end_src + +Now we have our API all set and ready to go. For this example, I'm going to +include a =dict= of photos to load as we test out the API. + +#+begin_src python +data = [ + { + "title": "Grizzly Bear", + "url": "https://example.com/photos/image1.jpg" + }, + { + "title": "Nature Lake", + "url": "https://example.com/photos/image2.jpg" + }, + { + "title": "Welcome Sign", + "url": "https://example.com/photos/image3.jpg" + }, + { + "title": "Honey Badger", + "url": "https://example.com/photos/image4.jpg" + }, + { + "title": "Grand Canyon Lizard", + "url": "https://example.com/photos/image5.jpg" + }, + { + "title": "Castle", + "url": "https://example.com/photos/image6.jpg" + } +] +#+end_src + +Now that we've set up our libraries and have the photos ready, let's create a +loop to call the API for each image. The code below shows a loop that calls the +URL of each image and sends it to the API, requesting results with at least 60% +confidence. The results are output to the console with dotted lines separating +each section. + +In the case of an API error, the codes and explanations are output to the +console. + +#+begin_src python +from ibm_watson import ApiException + +for x in range(len(data)): +try: + url = data[x]["url"] + images_filename = data[x]["title"] + classes = visual_recognition.classify( + url=url, + images_filename=images_filename, + threshold='0.6', + owners=["IBM"]).get_result() + print("-----------------------------------------------") + print("Image Title: ", data[x]["title"], "\n") + print("Image URL: ", data[x]["url"], "\n") + classification_results = classes["images"][0]["classifiers"][0]["classes"] + for result in classification_results: + print(result["class"], "(", result["score"], ")") + print("-----------------------------------------------") +except ApiException as ex: + print("Method failed with status code " + str(ex.code) + ": " + ex.message) +#+end_src + +* The Results + +Here we can see the full result set of our function above. If you view each of +the URLs that we sent to the API, you'll be able to see that it was remarkably +accurate. To be fair, these are clear high-resolution, clear photos shot with a +professional camera. In reality, you will most likely be processing images that +are lower quality and may have a lot of noise in the photo. + +However, we can clearly see the benefit of being able to call this API instead +of attempting to write our own image recognition function. Each of the +classifications returned was a fair description of the image. + +If you wanted to restrict the results to those that are at least 90% confident +or greater, you would simply adjust the =threshold= in the +=visual_recognition.classify()= function. + +When your program runs, it should show the output below for each photo you +provide. + +#+begin_src txt +---------------------------------------------------------------- +Image Title: Grizzly Bear +Image URL: https://example.com/photos/image1.jpg + +brown bear ( 0.944 ) +bear ( 1 ) +carnivore ( 1 ) +mammal ( 1 ) +animal ( 1 ) +Alaskan brown bear ( 0.759 ) +greenishness color ( 0.975 ) +---------------------------------------------------------------- +#+end_src + +* Discussion + +Now, this was a very minimal implementation of the API. We simply supplied some +images and looked to see how accurate the results were. However, you could +implement this type of API into many machine learning (ML) models. + +For example, you could be working for a company that scans their warehouses or +inventory using drones. Would you want to pay employees to sit there and watch +drone footage all day in order to identify or count things in the video? +Probably not. Instead, you could use a classification system similar to this one +in order to train your machine learning model to correctly identify items that +the drones show through video. More specifically, you could have your machine +learning model watch a drone fly over a field of sheep in order to count how +many sheep are living in that field. + +There are many ways to implement machine learning functionality, but hopefully +this post helped inspire some deeper thought about the tools that can help +propel us further into the future of machine learning and AI. +#+date: <2020-09-22 Tue 00:00:00> +#+title: The Strategic Role of Internal Audit in Risk, Governance, and Compliance +#+description: Analysis of internal audit processes, their contribution to risk management, governance frameworks, and compliance monitoring within corporate structures. +#+slug: internal-audit + +* Definitions + +One of the many reasons that Internal Audit needs such thorough explaining to +non-auditors is that Internal Audit can serve many purposes, depending on the +organization's size and needs. However, the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) +defines Internal Auditing as: + +#+begin_quote +Internal auditing is an independent, objective assurance and consulting activity +designed to add value and improve an organization's operations. It helps an +organization accomplish its objectives by bringing a systematic, disciplined +approach to evaluate and improve the effectiveness of risk management, control, +and governance processes. +#+end_quote + +However, this definition uses quite a few terms that aren't clear unless the +reader already has a solid understanding of the auditing profession. To further +explain, the following is a list of definitions that can help supplement +understanding of internal auditing. + +** Independent + +Independence is the freedom from conditions that threaten the ability of the +internal audit activity to carry out internal audit responsibilities in an +unbiased manner. To achieve the degree of independence necessary to effectively +carry out the responsibilities of the internal audit activity, the chief audit +executive has direct and unrestricted access to senior management and the board. +This can be achieved through a dual-reporting relationship. Threats to +independence must be managed at the individual auditor, engagement, functional, +and organizational levels. + +** Objective + +Objectivity is an unbiased mental attitude that allows internal auditors to +perform engagements in such a manner that they believe in their work product and +that no quality compromises are made. Objectivity requires that internal +auditors do not subordinate their judgment on audit matters to others. Threats +to objectivity must be managed at the individual auditor, engagement, +functional, and organizational levels. + +** Assurance + +Assurance services involve the internal auditor's objective assessment of +evidence to provide opinions or conclusions regarding an entity, operation, +function, process, system, or other subject matters. The internal auditor +determines the nature and scope of an assurance engagement. Generally, three +parties are participants in assurance services: (1) the person or group directly +involved with the entity, operation, function, process, system, or other +subject - (the process owner), (2) the person or group making the assessment - +(the internal auditor), and (3) the person or group using the assessment - (the +user). + +** Consulting + +Consulting services are advisory in nature and are generally performed at the +specific request of an engagement client. The nature and scope of the consulting +engagement are subject to agreement with the engagement client. Consulting +services generally involve two parties: (1) the person or group offering the +advice (the internal auditor), and (2) the person or group seeking and receiving +the advice (the engagement client). When performing consulting services, the +internal auditor should maintain objectivity and not assume management +responsibility. + +** Governance, Risk Management, & Compliance (GRC) + +The integrated collection of capabilities that enable an organization to +reliably achieve objectives, address uncertainty and act with integrity. + +* Audit Charter & Standards + +First, it's important to note that not every organization needs internal +auditors. In fact, it's unwise for an organization to hire internal auditors +unless they have regulatory requirements for auditing and have the capital to +support the department. Internal audit is a cost center that can only affect +revenue indirectly. + +Once an organization determines the need for internal assurance services, they +will hire a Chief Audit Executive and create the audit charter. This charter is +a document, approved by the company's governing body, that will define internal +audit's purpose, authority, responsibility, and position within the +organization. Fortunately, the IIA has model charters available to IIA members +for those developing or improving their charter. + +Beyond the charter and organizational documents, internal auditors follow a few +different standards in order to perform their job. First is the International +Professional Practices Framework (IPPF) by the IIA, which is the model of +standards for internal auditing. In addition, ISACA's Information Technology +Assurance Framework (ITAF) helps guide auditors in reference to information +technology (IT) compliance and assurance. Finally, additional standards such as +FASB, GAAP, and industry-specific standards are used when performing internal +audit work. + +* Three Lines of Defense + +[[https://theiia.org][The IIA]] released the original Three Lines of Defense model in 2013, but have +released an updated version in 2020. + +I won't go into depth about the changes made to the model in this article. +Instead, let's take a look at the most current model. + +The updated model forgets the strict idea of areas performing their own +functions or line of defense. Instead of talking about management, risk, and +internal audit as 1-2-3, the new model creates a more fluid and cooperative +model. + +Looking at this model from an auditing perspective shows us that auditors will +need to align, communicate, and collaborate with management, including business +area managers and chief officers, as well as reporting to the governing body. +The governing body will instruct internal audit /functionally/ on their goals +and track their progress periodically. + +However, the internal audit department will report /administratively/ to a chief +officer in the company for the purposes of collaboration, direction, and +assistance with the business. Note that in most situations, the governing body +is the audit committee on the company's board of directors. + +The result of this structure is that internal audit is an independent and +objective function that can provide assurance over the topics they audit. + +* Audit Process + +A normal audit will generally follow the same process, regardless of the topic. +However, certain special projects or abnormal business areas may call for +changes to the audit process. The audit process is not set in stone, it's simply +a set of best practices so that audits can be performed consistently. + +While different organizations may tweak the process, it will generally follow +this flow: + +** 1. Risk Assessment + +The risk assessment part of the process has historically been performed +annually, but many organizations have moved to performing this process much more +frequently. In fact, some organizations are moving to an agile approach that can +take new risks into the risk assessment and re-prioritize risk areas on-the-go. +To perform a risk assessment, leaders in internal audit will research industry +risks, consult with business leaders around the company, and perform analyses on +company data. + +Once a risk assessment has been documented, the audit department has a +prioritized list of risks that can be audited. This is usually in the form of +auditable entities, such as business areas or departments. + +** 2. Planning + +During the planning phase of an audit, auditors will meet with the business area +to discuss the various processes, controls, and risks applicable to the +business. This helps the auditors determine the scope limits for the audit, as +well as timing and subject-matter experts. Certain documents will be created in +this phase that will be used to keep the audit on-track an in-scope as it goes +forward. + +** 3. Testing + +The testing phase, also known as fieldwork or execution, is where internal +auditors will take the information they've discovered and test it against +regulations, industry standards, company rules, best practices, as well as +validating that any processes are complete and accurate. For example, an audit +of HR would most likely examine processes such as employee on-boarding, employee +termination, security of personally identifiable information (PII), or the IT +systems involved in these processes. Company standards would be examined and +compared against how the processes are actually being performed day-to-day, as +well as compared against regulations such as the Equal Employment Opportunity +(EEO), American with Disabilities Act, and National Labor Relations Act. + +** 4. Reporting + +Once all the tests have been completed, the audit will enter the reporting +phase. This is when the audit team will conclude on the evidence they've +collected, interviews they've held, and any opinions they've formed on the +controls in place. A summary of the audit findings, conclusions, and specific +recommendations are officially communicated to the client through a draft +report. Clients have the opportunity to respond to the report and submit an +action plan and time frame. These responses become part of the final report +which is distributed to the appropriate level of administration. + +** 5. Follow-Up + +After audits have been completed and management has formed action plans and time +frames for audit issues, internal audit will follow up once that due date has +arrived. In most cases, the follow-up will simply consist of a meeting to +discuss how the action plan has been completed and to request documentation to +prove it. + +* Audit Department Structure + +While an internal audit department is most often thought of as a team of +full-time employees, there are actually many different ways in which a +department can be structured. As the world becomes more digital and fast-paced, +outsourcing has become a more attractive option for some organizations. Internal +audit can be fully outsourced or partially outsourced, allowing for flexibility +in cases where turnover is high. + +In addition, departments can implement a rotational model. This allows for +interested employees around the organization to rotate into the internal audit +department for a period of time, allowing them to obtain knowledge of risks and +controls and allowing the internal audit team to obtain more business area +knowledge. This program is popular in very large organizations, but +organizations tend to rotate lower-level audit staff instead of managers. This +helps prevent any significant knowledge loss as auditors rotate out to business +areas. + +* Consulting + +Consulting is not an easy task at any organization, especially for a department +that can have negative perceptions within the organization as the "compliance +police." However, once an internal audit department has delivered value to +organization, adding consulting to their suite of services is a smart move. In +most cases, Internal Audit can insert themselves into a consulting role without +affecting the process of project management at the company. This means that +internal audit can add objective assurance and opinions to business areas as +they develop new processes, instead of coming in periodically to audit an area +and file issues that could have been fixed at the beginning. + +* Data Science & Data Analytics + +One major piece of the internal audit function in the modern world is data +science. While the process is data science, most auditors will refer to anything +in this realm as data analytics. Hot topics such as robotic process automation +(RPA), machine learning (ML), and data mining have taken over the auditing world +in recent years. These technologies have been immensely helpful with increasing +the effectiveness and efficiency of auditors. + +For example, mundane and repetitive tasks can be automated in order for auditors +to make more room in their schedules for labor-intensive work. Further, auditors +will need to adapt technologies like machine learning in order to extract more +value from the data they're using to form conclusions. +#+date: <2020-09-25 Fri 00:00:00> +#+title: Visualizing Global Happiness: A Choropleth Map with Python and Folium +#+description: Instructions for creating an interactive choropleth map visualizing international happiness data based on metrics such as GDP, social support, health indicators, freedom indices, generosity, and corruption levels. +#+slug: happiness-map + +* Background Information + +The dataset (obtained from [[https://www.kaggle.com/unsdsn/world-happiness][Kaggle]]) used in this article contains a list of +countries around the world, their happiness rankings and scores, as well as +other national scoring measures. + +Fields include: + +- Overall rank +- Country or region +- GDP per capita +- Social support +- Healthy life expectancy +- Freedom to make life choices +- Generosity +- Perceptions of corruption + +There are 156 records. Since there are ~195 countries in the world, we can see +that around 40 countries will be missing from this dataset. + +* Install Packages + +As always, run the =install= command for all packages needed to perform +analysis. + +#+begin_src python +!pip install folium geopandas matplotlib numpy pandas +#+end_src + +* Import the Data + +We only need a couple packages to create a choropleth map. We will use [[https://python-visualization.github.io/folium/][Folium]], +which provides map visualizations in Python. We will also use geopandas and +pandas to wrangle our data before we put it on a map. + +#+begin_src python +# Import the necessary Python packages +import folium +import geopandas as gpd +import pandas as pd +#+end_src + +To get anything to show up on a map, we need a file that will specify the +boundaries of each country. Luckily, GeoJSON files exist (for free!) on the +internet. To get the boundaries of every country in the world, we will use the +GeoJSON link shown below. + +GeoPandas will take this data and load it into a dataframe so that we can easily +match it to the data we're trying to analyze. Let's look at the GeoJSON +dataframe: + +#+begin_src python +# Load the GeoJSON data with geopandas +geo_data = gpd.read_file('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/datasets/geo-countries/master/data/countries.geojson') +geo_data.head() +#+end_src + +Next, let's load the data from the Kaggle dataset. I've downloaded this file, so +update the file path if you have it somewhere else. After loading, let's take a +look at this dataframe: + +#+begin_src python +# Load the world happiness data with pandas +happy_data = pd.read_csv(r'~/Downloads/world_happiness_data_2019.csv') +happy_data.head() +#+end_src + +* Clean the Data + +Some countries need to be renamed, or they will be lost when you merge the +happiness and GeoJSON dataframes. This is something I discovered when the map +below showed empty countries. I searched both data frames for the missing +countries to see the naming differences. Any countries that do not have records +in the =happy_data= data frame will not show up on the map. + +#+begin_src python +# Rename some countries to match our GeoJSON data + +# Rename USA +usa_index = happy_data.index[happy_data['Country or region'] == 'United States'] +happy_data.at[usa_index, 'Country or region'] = 'United States of America' + +# Rename Tanzania +tanzania_index = happy_data.index[happy_data['Country or region'] == 'Tanzania'] +happy_data.at[tanzania_index, 'Country or region'] = 'United Republic of Tanzania' + +# Rename the Congo +republic_congo_index = happy_data.index[happy_data['Country or region'] == 'Congo (Brazzaville)'] +happy_data.at[republic_congo_index, 'Country or region'] = 'Republic of Congo' + +# Rename the DRC +democratic_congo_index = happy_data.index[happy_data['Country or region'] == 'Congo (Kinshasa)'] +happy_data.at[democratic_congo_index, 'Country or region'] = 'Democratic Republic of the Congo' +#+end_src + +* Merge the Data + +Now that we have clean data, we need to merge the GeoJSON data with the +happiness data. Since we've stored them both in dataframes, we just need to call +the =.merge()= function. + +We will also rename a couple columns, just so that they're a little easier to +use when we create the map. + +#+begin_src python +# Merge the two previous dataframes into a single geopandas dataframe +merged_df = geo_data.merge(happy_data,left_on='ADMIN', right_on='Country or region') + +# Rename columns for ease of use +merged_df = merged_df.rename(columns = {'ADMIN':'GeoJSON_Country'}) +merged_df = merged_df.rename(columns = {'Country or region':'Country'}) +#+end_src + +* Create the Map + +The data is finally ready to be added to a map. The code below shows the +simplest way to find the center of the map and create a Folium map object. The +important part is to remember to reference the merged dataframe for our GeoJSON +data and value data. The columns specify which geo data and value data to use. + +#+begin_src python +# Assign centroids to map +x_map = merged_df.centroid.x.mean() +y_map = merged_df.centroid.y.mean() +print(x_map,y_map) + +# Creating a map object +world_map = folium.Map(location=[y_map, x_map], zoom_start=2,tiles=None) +folium.TileLayer('CartoDB positron',name='Dark Map',control=False).add_to(world_map) + +# Creating choropleth map +folium.Choropleth( + geo_data=merged_df, + name='Choropleth', + data=merged_df, + columns=['Country','Overall rank'], + key_on='feature.properties.Country', + fill_color='YlOrRd', + fill_opacity=0.6, + line_opacity=0.8, + legend_name='Overall happiness rank', + smooth_factor=0, + highlight=True +).add_to(world_map) +#+end_src + +Let's look at the resulting map. + +* Create a Tooltip on Hover + +Now that we have a map set up, we could stop. However, I want to add a tooltip +so that I can see more information about each country. The =tooltip_data= code +below will show a popup on hover with all the data fields shown. + +#+begin_src python + # Adding labels to map + style_function = lambda x: {'fillColor': '#ffffff', + 'color':'#000000', + 'fillOpacity': 0.1, + 'weight': 0.1} + +tooltip_data = folium.features.GeoJson( + merged_df, + style_function=style_function, + control=False, + tooltip=folium.features.GeoJsonTooltip( + fields=['Country' + ,'Overall rank' + ,'Score' + ,'GDP per capita' + ,'Social support' + ,'Healthy life expectancy' + ,'Freedom to make life choices' + ,'Generosity' + ,'Perceptions of corruption' + ], + aliases=['Country: ' + ,'Happiness rank: ' + ,'Happiness score: ' + ,'GDP per capita: ' + ,'Social support: ' + ,'Healthy life expectancy: ' + ,'Freedom to make life choices: ' + ,'Generosity: ' + ,'Perceptions of corruption: ' + ], + style=('background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial; font-size: 12px; padding: 10px;') + ) +) +world_map.add_child(tooltip_data) +world_map.keep_in_front(tooltip_data) +folium.LayerControl().add_to(world_map) + +# Display the map +world_map +#+end_src + +The tooltip will now appear whenever you hover over a country. +#+date: <2020-10-12 Mon 00:00:00> +#+title: When Good Is Good Enough—And When It Isn't +#+description: Examination of decision-making principles relating to achieving sufficient quality levels, including trade-offs between perfection and adequacy in professional and operational contexts. +#+slug: mediocrity + +* Perfect is the Enemy of Good + +As the saying goes, "the best is the enemy of the good." As we strive for +perfection, we often fail to realize the implications of such an undertaking. +Attempting to reach perfection is often unrealistic. Even worse, it can get in +the way of achieving a good outcome. In certain situations, we try so hard to +achieve the ideal solution that we have burned the bridges that would have +allowed us to reach a lesser yet still superb solution. + +Philosophers throughout history have inspected this plight from many viewpoints. +Greek mythology speaks of the [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_mean_(philosophy)][golden mean]], which uses the story of Icarus to +illustrate that sometimes "the middle course" is the best solution. In this +story, Daedalus, a famous artist of his time, built feathered wings for himself +and his son so that they might escape the clutches of King Minos. Daedalus warns +his beloved son whom he loved so much to "fly the middle course", between the +sea spray and the sun's heat. Icarus did not heed his father; he flew up and up +until the sun melted the wax off his wings. For not heeding the middle course, +he fell into the sea and drowned. + +More recently, management scholars have explored the [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pareto_principle][Pareto principle]] and found +that as we increase the frequency of something, or strive to perform actions to +achieve some form of perfection, we run into [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diminishing_returns][diminishing returns]]. + +Even further, Harold Demsetz is noted as coining the term [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nirvana_fallacy][the Nirvana fallacy]] in +1969, which shows the fallacy of comparing actual things with unrealistic, +idealized alternatives. This is another trap that we may fall into, where we are +constantly thinking of the ultimate solutions to problems, when something more +realistic needs to be considered. + +Over and over throughout history, we've found that perfection is often +unrealistic and unachievable. However, we push ourselves and our peers to "give +100%" or "go the extra mile," while it may be that the better course is to give +a valuable level of effort while considering the effects of further effort on +the outcome. Working harder does not always help us achieve loftier goals. + +This has presented itself to me most recently during my time studying at my +university. I was anxious and feeling the stresses of my courses, career, and +personal life for quite a while, which was greatly affecting how well I was +doing at school and my level of effort at work. One day, I happened to be +talking to my father when he said something simple that hit home: + +#+begin_quote +All you can do is show up and do your best. Worrying about the outcomes won't +affect the outcome itself. +#+end_quote + +The thought was extremely straightforward and uncomplicated, yet it was +something that I had lost sight of during my stress-filled years at school. Ever +since then, I've found myself pausing and remembering that quote every time I +get anxious or stressed. It helps to stop and think "Can I do anything to affect +the outcome, or am I simply worrying over something I can't change?" + +* When Mediocrity Isn't Enough + +One problem with the philosophies presented in this post is that they are +implemented far too often in situations where mediocrity simply isn't adequate. +For example, let's take a look at digital user data, specifically +personally-identifiable information (PII). As a cybersecurity auditor in the +United States, I have found that most companies are concerned more with +compliance than any actual safeguards over the privacy or protection of user +data. Other than companies who have built their reputation on privacy and +security, most companies will use [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Satisficing][satisficing]] as their primary decision-making +strategy around user data. + +#+begin_quote +Satisficing is a decision-making strategy or cognitive heuristic that entails +searching through the available alternatives until an acceptability threshold is +met. +#+end_quote + +This means that each decision will be met with certain possible solutions until +one of the solutions meets their minimum acceptable standards. For companies +that deal with user data, the minimum-acceptable standards come from three +areas: + +1. Laws and regulations +2. Competitive pressure +3. Risk of monetary or reputation loss + +Working with project management or auditing, the primary concern here is the +risk of legal ramifications. Since the primary risk comes from laws and +regulations, companies will require that any project that involves user data +must follow all the rules of those laws so that the company can protect itself +from fines or other penalties. + +Following this, companies will consider best practices in order to place itself +in a competitive position (e.g. Google vs. Apple) and review any recent or +ongoing litigation against companies regarding user data. In a perfect company, +management would then consider the ethical responsibilities of their +organization and discuss their responsibilities over things like +personally-identifiable information. + +However, as we mentioned above, most companies follow the idea of satisficing, +which states that they have met the minimum acceptable standards and can now +move on to other decisions. Modern business culture in the United States +dictates that profits are the golden measure of how well a company or manager is +performing, so we often don't think about our responsibilities beyond these +basic standards. + +Not all situations demand excellence, but I believe that applying any philosophy +as a broad stroke across one's life can be a mistake. We must be able to think +critically about what we are doing as we do it and ask ourselves a few +questions. Have I done everything I can in this situation? Is mediocrity an +acceptable outcome, or should we strive for perfection, even if we can't attain +it? + +Taking a few moments to think critically throughout our day, as we make +decisions, can have a tremendous effect on the outcomes we create. +#+date: <2020-12-27 Sun 00:00:00> +#+title: Designing for Speed: A 5KB Site That Scores 100s on Lighthouse +#+description: Detailed process outlining methods for reducing website page size to approximately 5 kilobytes, enhancing loading speed, search engine indexing efficiency, and user interface responsiveness. +#+slug: website-redesign + +* A Brief History + +As a form of continuous learning and entertainment, I've been running a handful +of websites since 2016 when I took my first programming courses in college. I +maintain one main website, the place I consider the official website to +represent me. Under this site, I have a handful of subdirectories and +subdomains. + +One of the parts I've enjoyed the most about web development is the aspect of +designing an identity for a web page and working to find exciting ways to +display the site's content. Inevitably, this means I've changed the designs for +my websites more times than I could possibly count. Since I don't really host +anything on my main webpage that's vital, it allows me the freedom to change +things as inspiration strikes. + +Historically, I've relied on core utilities for spacing, components, and layouts +from [[https://getbootstrap.com][Bootstrap]] and added custom cascading style sheets (CSS) for fonts, accents, +colors, and other items. I also tend to create sites with no border radius on +items, visible borders, and content that takes up the entire screen (using +whitespace inside components instead of whitespace around my components). + +* The Redesign Process + +About a week ago, I found myself wishing for a new design yet again. The prior +design was largely inspired by IBM's [[https://www.carbondesignsystem.com][Carbon Design System]] and relied on jQuery, +Bootstrap, along with some compressed [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WebP][.webp]] images. + +To anyone who knows my preferences toward web design - and even in my personal +life - it should be no surprise that I immediately started looking for +inspiration on minimalism. While there are some decent minimalistic designs on +sites like [[https://dribbble.com/search/shots/popular/web-design?q=minimalism][Dribbble]], people seem to mostly discuss [[https://brutalist-web.design][brutalist web design]] when you +ask about minimalism. While brutalist web design doesn't have to be minimal, it +often is. + +I suppose, in a way, I did create a brutalist website since my HTML is semantic +and accessible, hyperlinks are colored and underlined, and all native browser +functions like scrolling and the back button work as expected. However, I didn't +think about brutalism while designing these sites. + +The new design followed a simple design process. I walked through the screens on +my blog and asked myself: "Is this element necessary for a user?" This allowed +me to first start by removing all javascript, which had the sole purpose of +allowing users to open a collapsed navbar on mobile. Replacing the collapsible +navbar allowed me to remove both jQuery and Bootstrap's javascript. + +Next, I removed things like author names (since I'm literally the only person +who will ever write on this site), multiple ways to click on a blog post card, +blog post descriptions, and the scroll-to-top button. It also helped to move all +categories to a single page, rather than have each category on its own page. + +The final big piece to finish the "[[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marie_Kondo#KonMari_method][KonMari]]"-like part of my process was to +remove Bootstrap CSS in its entirety. However, this meant pulling out a few very +useful classes, such as =.img-fluid= and the default font stacks to keep in my +custom CSS. + +After removing all the unnecessary pieces, I was finally able to reorganize my +content and add a very small amount of custom CSS to make everything pretty. +This took a brief amount of time, effectively just consisting of me converting +=
= tags into things like =
    = lists and choosing accent colors. + +* The Results + +** Reflection + +So, what did all of this reorganizing do to my webpages? Well, first, my +websites are now *ridiculously fast*. Since the prior designs were also minimal +and didn't have many images, they measured up in Firefox's Network Monitor +around 300 KB - 600KB. After making the changes, my main site is at 5 KB +transferred (22 KB total), and my blog is at 6.5 KB transferred (13 KB total). +*That means the redesigned pages are less than 2% the size of the old designs.* + +Google Lighthouse ranks the new webpage as 100 in performance, accessibility, +and best practices, with search engine optimization (SEO) at 92 since they think +tap targets are not sized appropriately for mobile users. First contextual +paints of the pages are under 0.8 seconds with 0 ms (millisecond) of blocking +time. However, the blog subdomain ranks at 100 for all four categories! First +contextual paints of the blog homepage are under 1.0 seconds with 0 ms of +blocking time, due to the fact that the CSS for my blog is within a separate CSS +file, and the CSS for my main website is simply embedded in the HTML file. + +Now that everything is complete, I can confidently say I'm happy with the result +and proud to look at the fastest set of websites I've created so far. +#+date: <2020-12-28 Mon 00:00:00> +#+title: Outrun the Future: A Review of Neon Drive's Gameplay and Style +#+description: Description of game mechanics, graphical style, and level design in Neon Drive, an arcade racing game inspired by 1980s synthwave aesthetics. +#+slug: neon-drive + +* Game Description + +[[https://store.steampowered.com/app/433910/Neon_Drive/][Neon Drive]] presents itself as a simple arcade-style game inspired by the arcade +race games of the 1980s, yet it has managed to take up hours of my life without +much effort. The game description, directly from the Steam page, is intriguing +enough to entice anyone who's been looking for a good arcade racing game: + +#+begin_quote +Neon Drive is a slick retro-futuristic arcade game that will make your brain +melt. You've been warned. From beautiful cityscapes and ocean roads to exploding +enemy spaceships, Neon Drive has it all. +#+end_quote + +* Gameplay + +The game holds true to the [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Retrofuturism][retro-futurism]] style, including chrome female robots, +pixelated arcade machines, and [[https://teddit.net/r/outrun/][outrun]] aesthetics. + +Each level of the game is shown as a separate arcade machine. Each arcade +machine lets you play on Normal, Hard, Insane, Practice, and Free Run. To beat +each arcade, you must reach the end of the level without crashing your car into +the various obstacles on the course. Basic levels let you move left or right to +avoid blocks in the road. Later levels put you through other tests, such as +dodging traffic or blasting asteroids. + +The game uses synthwave music to keep you on track to make the correct moves by +timing the beats of the songs to the correct moves on the screen. It reminds me +of the early Guitar Hero games, as well as mobile apps like VOEZ - repetition +and staying on-beat is the only way to win. + +* In-Game Screenshots + +Taking a look at the main menu, you can see that Neon Drive plays into every +stereotype you can think of around retro-futuristic, synthwave arcades (in a +good way). + +Once you get into the first level, we see that the choice of car fits right in +with the stereotypical cars of the 80s, like the [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DMC_DeLorean][DeLorean]] or the [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ferrari_F40][Ferrari F40]]. +Each new level comes with new color schemes and cars, so you should never get +tired of the aesthetic. + +Personally, I love the orange and blue colors used in level 2: + +If you're the competitive type and getting 100% on all arcade machines isn't +enough, there are leaderboards for the regular part of the game, and the +endurance game mode. + +* Other Suggestions + +Neon Drive sits nicely within the well-founded cult genre of Outrun. Other games +that I've enjoyed in this same spectrum are: + +- [[https://store.steampowered.com/app/233270/Far_Cry_3__Blood_Dragon/][Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon]] +- [[https://store.steampowered.com/app/1239690/Retrowave/][Retrowave]] +- [[https://store.steampowered.com/app/732810/Slipstream/][Slipstream]] + +Although these games aren't necessarily in the same genre, they do have aspects +that place them close enough to interest gamers that enjoyed Neon Drive: + +- [[https://store.steampowered.com/app/311800/Black_Ice/][Black Ice]] +- [[https://store.steampowered.com/app/746850/Cloudpunk/][Cloudpunk]] +- [[https://store.steampowered.com/app/1222680/Need_for_Speed_Heat/][Need for Speed: Heat]] +- [[https://store.steampowered.com/app/1019310/VirtuaVerse/][VirtuaVerse]] + +Of course, if all you really care about is the arcade aspect of these games, you +can check out the [[https://store.steampowered.com/app/400020/Atari_Vault/][Atari Vault]] or any of the other classic games sold on Steam by +companies like Namco, Atari. For something like Nintendo, you'd have to settle +for buying used classic consoles or delve into the world of emulation. +#+date: <2020-12-29 Tue 00:00:00> +#+title: Your First Grue: Getting Started with Zork, the Iconic Text Adventure +#+description: Detailed operational guide for navigating Zork, a text-based interactive fiction game from the 1980s. Includes instructions for exploration, puzzle resolution, and item collection. +#+slug: zork + +* Download (Free) + +Before we get into the game itself, you should know that you can download Zork +for free from Infocom's [[http://infocom-if.org/downloads/downloads.html][download page]]. So feel free to boot it up and take a +ride back to the 1980s with this masterpiece. + +* Game Description + +Zork is an interactive, text-based computer game originally released in 1980. +This series, split into three separate games, introduced a robust and +sophisticated text parser to gamers. People were largely used to the simple +commands used in the popular game [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colossal_Cave_Adventure][Colossal Cave Adventure]], but Zork allowed +users to send more complex commands that included prepositions and conjunctions. + +Zork tracks your score as you explore the map, find tools, and collect trophy +items (e.g., a jewel-encrusted egg). When you place your trophy items in the +trophy case found in the Living Room area, you gain score points. Collecting the +Twenty Treasures of Zork and placing them within the trophy case wins the game. +However, you must explore the map, solve puzzles, and avoid being eaten by a +grue to collect these treasures. + +* The Map + +Since Zork is a vast and complex game, it helps to have a map as you +explore and collect your trophies. However, if you want to play the game +as it was truly intended, you should try to play it without using the +map. + +#+caption: Zork Map +#+attr_html: :alt A map for Zork, showing passageways, restrictions, and all locations. +[[https://img.cleberg.net/blog/20201229-zork/zork_map.jpg]] + +/[[https://www.filfre.net/2012/01/exploring-zork-part-1/][Map Source]]/ + +* In-Game Screenshots + +After playing the game (for the first time ever) for several weeks around 2014, +I was finally able to beat the game with some online help to find the last +couple items. As I was writing this post, I installed the game again to grab +some screenshots to show off the true glory of this game. As noted in [[https://www.filfre.net/2012/01/exploring-zork-part-1/][Jimmy +Maher's Playthrough]], the original Zork games looked quite a bit different due to +the older hardware of computers like the Apple II and multiple bug fixes that +Infocom pushed out after the game's initial release. My play-through uses the +[[https://store.steampowered.com/app/570580/Zork_Anthology/][Zork Anthology]] version, which utilizes DOSBox on Windows. + +The first screenshot here shows the introductory information, which doesn't +include instructions of any kind for the player. If you haven't played text +adventures before, try to use simple commands like "go west," "look around," or +"hit troll with elvish sword." + +In this second screenshot, we see the player has entered the house and found the +trophy case in the living room. The lantern and sword in this room allow the +player to explore dark areas and attack enemies. If you don't use the lantern, +you won't be able to see anything in dark areas, and you may be eaten by a grue. + +Finally, we see that the player has found the first treasure: a jewel-encrusted +egg. These treasures can be taken back to the house and placed in the trophy +case or carried until you feel like you want to put things away. + +* Conclusion + +It's been quite a few years since I first played Zork, but I clearly remember +the late nights and bloodshot eyes that helped me find all the treasures. This +game is well worth the time and effort, even though the text-based aspect may be +off-putting to gamers who didn't have to grow up playing games without graphics. +However, I believe that the strategy and skills learned in early video games +like Zork can actually help you, even when playing newer games. + +If you do decide to play Zork, you can download Zork I, II, and III from +Infocom's [[http://infocom-if.org/downloads/downloads.html][download page]] for free or search the internet for an online version. +#+date: <2021-01-01 Fri 00:00:00> +#+title: SEUM: Speedrunners from Hell +#+description: Technical overview for utilizing the game SEUM, focusing on speedrunning techniques, gravity manipulation, teleportation functions, and level completion criteria. +#+slug: seum + +* Game Description + +[[https://store.steampowered.com/app/457210/SEUM_Speedrunners_from_Hell/][SEUM: Speedrunners from Hell]] is an incredibly fast-paced mashup of a puzzle game +and a free-running game. Created by [[https://pinestudio.co][Pine Studio]] in early 2016 and first released +as a [[https://gamejolt.com/games/seum-speedrunners-from-hell-demo/154868][demo on GameJolt]], this game was successfully green-lit on Steam and has +amassed a cult following on multiple consoles. + +Here's the game description straight from the developers: + +#+begin_quote +Like a bastard child of Quake 3 and Super Meat Boy, SEUM: Speedrunners +from Hell is truly hardcore and focuses on speed and fast reaction. +#+end_quote + +* Story + +SEUM does a great job setting the stage when you open the game for the +first time, playing an animated video in the form of comic book images. +You see Marty, the protagonist, sitting around drinking his beer as +Satan busts down the door, cuts his hand off, and steals all his beer +and bacon. As Satan is leaving, Marty whips a vinyl record across the +room and cuts off one of Satan's hands. This hand is what allows you to +use all the powers in the game. + +* Gameplay + +To accomplish each level, you will need to get to the final blue portal +under a certain time limit. You can beat a level by getting to the +portal before the time meter runs out or "Dominate" a level by beating +it within a shorter time limit (noted by a bright red/orange color in +the time meter). + +The portal is usually set behind locked gates, protected by dangerous +defenses, or in hard-to-reach places. To reach the portal, you'll need +to go through any existing orange portals, light all yellow beacons, +avoid things like fireballs and blades, or use any satanic power orbs +lying around. These special abilities include: + +- Gravity +- Teleport +- Rewind +- Spawn platform +- Roar (DLC) +- Rocket (DLC) +- Shadow world (DLC) + +For the main storyline, there are nine floors to beat. Each floor +contains nine regular levels, one boss level, and one bonus level; +although you don't technically need to beat all levels to advance to the +next floor. # In-Game Screenshots + +The main menu gives you plenty of options for tuning your system, playing main +levels, playing the downloadable content (DLC), or exploring the other game +modes. + +Once you enter a level, you can look around and strategize before +starting. Clicking any button will start the menu, and you'll have to +restart if you die. One of the great things about SEUM is that it has +great keyboard shortcuts. You can quickly smash =R= to restart the level +or =M= to return to the level menu. + +Once you're able to win a level, you'll see the high scores and can +watch replays of the best scores. + +Each regular level also contains a beer in a disguised location that may +take some out-of-the-box thinking. +#+date: <2021-01-04 Mon 00:00:00> +#+title: Navigating the Fediverse: User Manual for Decentralized Social Media +#+description: Detailed introduction to the Fediverse network architecture, user registration procedures, platform navigation, and protocols ensuring content decentralization and censorship resistance. +#+slug: fediverse + +* What is the Fediverse? + +The fediverse is a federated universe of servers commonly used for sharing +content, like social media. So, instead of having to rely on a single +organization to run the server (e.g. Facebook), the fediverse is a giant +collection of servers across the world, owned by many people and organizations. + +Take a look at this depiction of a federated network. Each server in this photo +is owned and run by different administrators/owners. Federated networks are best +explained as email servers: you have an email account that exists on a server +(e.g. Outlook), your friend has an account on a different server (e.g. GMail), +and another friend has an account on a third server (e.g. ProtonMail). All three +of you can talk and communicate back and forth without having to be on the same +server. However, responsible email admins are there to set rules and control the +traffic going in/out of the server. + +The main objective of this architecture is to decentralize the control within +the internet connections. For example, if you run your own Mastodon instance, +you and your users can't be censored or impacted in any way by authorities of +another Mastodon instance. Some users have praised these features due to recent +criticism of popular social media websites that may be over-censoring their +users. + +This strategy is great for making sure control of the social web isn't +controlled by a single organization, but it also has some downsides. If I create +a Mastodon instance and get a ton of users to sign up, I can shut the server +down at any time. That means you're at risk of losing the content you've created +unless you back it up, or the server backs it up for you. Also, depending on the +software used (e.g. Mastodon, Pixelfed, etc.), censorship may still be an issue +if the server admins decide they want to censor their users. Now, censorship +isn't always a bad thing and can even benefit the community as a whole, but +you'll want to determine which servers align with your idea of proper +censorship. + +However, these are risks that we take when we sign up for any online platform. +Whatever your reason is for trying out federated social networks, they are part +of the future of the internet. However, the popularity of these services is +still yet to be determined, especially with the increased difficulty +understanding and signing up for these platforms. Perhaps increased regulation +and litigation against current social media sites will push more users into the +fediverse. + +* Federated Alternatives to Popular Sites + +The list below is a small guide that will show you federated alternatives to +current popular websites. There are many more out there, so go and explore: you +might just find the perfect home. + +** Reddit + +- [[https://lemmy.ml/instances][Lemmy]] + +** Twitter/Facebook/Tumblr + +- [[https://joinmastodon.org][Mastodon]] +- [[https://diasporafoundation.org][Diaspora]] +- [[https://friendi.ca][Friendica]] +- [[https://gnusocial.network][GNU Social]] +- [[https://pleroma.social][Pleroma]] + +** Instagram + +- [[https://pixelfed.org][Pixelfed]] + +** Slack/Discord + +- [[https://element.io][Matrix]] + +** Youtube/Vimeo + +- [[https://joinpeertube.org][Peertube]] + +** Spotify/Soundcloud + +- [[https://funkwhale.audio][Funkwhale]] + +** Podcasting + +- [[https://pubcast.pub][Pubcast]] + +** Medium/Blogger + +- [[https://writefreely.org][WriteFreely]] + +* Get Started + +The best way to get started is to simply sign up and learn as you go. If you're +comfortable signing up through a Mastodon, Pleroma, or Friendica server, here is +[[https://fediverse.party/en/portal/servers][a list of themed servers]] to choose from. If you're looking for something else, +try a web search for a federated alternative to your favorite sites. + +Find a server that focuses on your passions and start there! +#+date: <2021-01-07 Thu 00:00:00> +#+title: Hardening Ubuntu Servers with UFW: A Step-by-Step Firewall Guide +#+description: Stepwise instructions for installation, configuration, enabling, and management of the Uncomplicated Firewall utility to secure network interfaces on Ubuntu server environments. +#+slug: ufw + +* Uncomplicated Firewall + +Uncomplicated Firewall (UFW) is a convenient and beginner-friendly +way to enforce operating system (OS)-level firewall rules. For those who are +hosting servers or any device that is accessible to the world (i.e., by public +IP or domain name), it's critical that a firewall is properly implemented and +active. + +UFW is available by default in all Ubuntu installations after 8.04 LTS +(long-term support). For other distributions, you can look to install UFW or +check if there are alternative firewalls installed already. There are usually +alternatives available, such as Fedora's =firewall= and the package available on +most distributions: =iptables=. UFW is considered a beginner-friendly front-end +to iptables. + +[[https://gufw.org][Gufw]] is available as a graphical user interface (GUI) application for users who +are uncomfortable setting up a firewall through a terminal. + +* Getting Help + +If you need help figuring out commands, remember that you can run the +=--help= flag to get a list of options. + +#+begin_src sh +sudo ufw --help +#+end_src + +* Set Default State + +The proper way to run a firewall is to set a strict default state and slowly +open up ports that you want to allow. This helps prevent anything malicious from +slipping through the cracks. The following command prevents all incoming traffic +(other than the rules we specify later), but you can also set this for outgoing +connections, if necessary. + +#+begin_src sh +sudo ufw default deny incoming +#+end_src + +You should also allow outgoing traffic if you want to allow the device to +communicate back to you or other parties. For example, media servers like Plex +need to be able to send out data related to streaming the media. + +#+begin_src sh +sudo ufw default allow outgoing +#+end_src + +* Adding Port Rules + +Now that we've disabled all incoming traffic by default, we need to open up some +ports (or else no traffic would be able to come in). If you need to be able to +=ssh= into the machine, you'll need to open up port 22. + +#+begin_src sh +sudo ufw allow 22 +#+end_src + +You can also issue more restrictive rules. The following rule will allow =ssh= +(secure shell protocol) connections only from machines on the local subnet. + +#+begin_src sh +sudo ufw allow proto tcp from 192.168.0.0/24 to any port 22 +#+end_src + +If you need to set a rule that isn't TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) just +append your connection type to the end of the rule. + +#+begin_src sh +sudo ufw allow 1900/udp +#+end_src + +* Enable ufw + +Now that the firewall is configured and ready to go, you can enable the +firewall. + +#+begin_src sh +sudo ufw enable +#+end_src + +A restart may be required for the firewall to begin operating. + +#+begin_src sh +sudo reboot now +#+end_src + +* Checking Status + +Now that the firewall is enabled, let's check and see what the rules look like. + +#+begin_src sh +sudo ufw status numbered +#+end_src + +#+begin_src txt +Status: active + + To Action From + -- ------ ---- +[ 1] 22 ALLOW IN Anywhere +[ 2] 22 (v6) ALLOW IN Anywhere (v6) +#+end_src + +* Deleting Rules + +If you need to delete a rule, you need to know the number associated with that +rule. Let's delete the first rule in the table above. You'll be asked to confirm +the deletion as part of this process. + +#+begin_src sh +sudo ufw delete 1 +#+end_src + +* Managing App Rules + +Luckily, there's a convenient way for installed applications to create files +that ufw can easily implement so that you don't have to search and find which +ports your application requires. To see if your device has any applications with +pre-installed UFW rules, execute the following command: + +#+begin_src sh +sudo ufw app list +#+end_src + +The results should look something like this: + +#+begin_src txt +Available applications: + OpenSSH + Samba + plexmediaserver + plexmediaserver-all + plexmediaserver-dlna +#+end_src + +If you want to get more information on a specific app rule, use the =info= +command. + +#+begin_src sh +sudo ufw app info plexmediaserver-dlna +#+end_src + +You'll get a blurb of info back like this: + +#+begin_src txt +Profile: plexmediaserver-dlna +Title: Plex Media Server (DLNA) +Description: The Plex Media Server (additional DLNA capability only) + +Ports: + 1900/udp + 32469/tcp +#+end_src + +You can add or delete app rules the same way that you'd add or delete specific +port rules. + +#+begin_src sh +sudo ufw allow plexmediaserver-dlna +#+end_src + +#+begin_src sh +sudo ufw delete RULE|NUM +#+end_src + +* Creating App Rules + +If you'd like to create you own app rule, you'll need to create a file in the +=/etc/ufw/applications.d= directory. Within the file you create, you need to +make sure the content is properly formatted. + +For example, here are the contents my =plexmediaserver= file, which creates +three distinct app rules for ufw: + +#+begin_src config +[plexmediaserver] +title=Plex Media Server (Standard) +description=The Plex Media Server +ports=32400/tcp|3005/tcp|5353/udp|8324/tcp|32410:32414/udp + +[plexmediaserver-dlna] +title=Plex Media Server (DLNA) +description=The Plex Media Server (additional DLNA capability only) +ports=1900/udp|32469/tcp + +[plexmediaserver-all] +title=Plex Media Server (Standard + DLNA) +description=The Plex Media Server (with additional DLNA capability) +ports=32400/tcp|3005/tcp|5353/udp|8324/tcp|32410:32414/udp|1900/udp|32469/tcp +#+end_src + +So, if I wanted to create a custom app rule called "mycustomrule," I'd create a +file and add my content like this: + +#+begin_src sh +sudo nano /etc/ufw/applications.d/mycustomrule +#+end_src + +#+begin_src config +[mycustomrule] +title=My Custom Rule +description=This is a temporary ufw app rule. +ports=88/tcp|9100/udp +#+end_src + +Then, I would just enable this rule in ufw. + +#+begin_src sh +sudo ufw allow mycustomrule +#+end_src +#+date: <2021-02-19 Fri 00:00:00> +#+title: macOS for Linux Users: Initial Setup and CLI Customization +#+description: Comprehensive overview for first-time macOS users transitioning from other OS platforms, including system setup, terminal usage, and user interface customization. +#+slug: macos + +* Diving into macOS + +After spending nearly 15 years working with Windows and 8 years on Linux, I have +experienced macOS for the first time. By chance, my spouse happened to buy a new +MacBook and gifted me their 2013 model. Of course, I still consider my Linux +desktop to be my daily driver and keep Windows around for gaming needs, but over +the past week I've found myself using the MacBook more and more for things that +don't require gaming specs or advanced developer tools. + +* Initial Thoughts + +Before I move on to the technical aspects of my set-up, I want to take some time +and express my thoughts on the overall operating system (OS). + +As expected, the initial computer setup is a breeze with Mac's guided graphical +user interface (GUI) installer. + +The desktop itself reminds me of GNOME more than anything else I've seen: even +Pantheon from [[https://elementary.io/][ElementaryOS]], which people commonly refer to as the closest Linux +distro to macOS. The desktop toolbar is great and far surpasses the utility of +the GNOME toolbar due to the fact that the extensions and icons /actually work/. +I launch macOS and immediately see my shortcuts for Tresorit, Bitwarden, and +Mullvad pop up as the computer loads. + +Even further, the app dock is very useful and will be yet another familiarity +for GNOME users. I know many people like panels instead of docks, but I've +always found docks to have a more pleasing UI. However, I had to disable the +"Show recent applications in Dock" preference; I can't stand items taking up +precious screen space if I'm not currently using them. On that same note, it's +taking me some time to get use to the fact that I have to manually quit an app +or else it will still stay open/active in the dock, even if I've closed out all +windows for that app (e.g. Firefox). + +Overall, I'm having a lot of fun and for users who spend a large majority of +their time performing basic tasks like web browsing, writing, watching media, +etc., macOS is a fantastic option. + +The rest of this post explains the technicalities of how I set up my command +line interface (CLI) environment to make me feel more at-home, similar to the +environments I set up on Fedora, Ubuntu, etc. + +* Making it Feel Like Home + +If you're someone who uses Linux primarily, no doubt your first thought when +booting macOS will be the same as mine was: "Where is the terminal and how do I +set up my favorite utilities?" + +Luckily, macOS hasn't completely hidden away the development tools from the +average user. You can easily find the Terminal app in the Launchpad area, but +it's probably not what you're used to. I was surprised (and happy) to see that +the default shell is =zsh=, the shell I use on all of my Linux distros. However, +the commands are not the same - even the ones you may think are native to the +shell. Commands like =dir= do not exist, so other native commands like =ls -la= +or =pwd= are more useful here. + +With only a few minutes of installing and tweaking a few packages, I was able to +recreate a terminal environment that I feel very comfortable using. See the +image below for a preview of the iTerm2 app with a split view between my macOS +desktop shell and an SSH (secure shell protocol) session into my server. + +* Xcode + +My first step was to search the web for any hints on how to get =zsh= back up to +the state I like, with extensions, themes, etc. My first step was to install the +CLI tools for [[https://developer.apple.com/xcode/][Xcode]], Apple's suite of development tools. + +#+begin_src sh +sudo xcode-select -r +#+end_src + +#+begin_src sh +sudo xcode-select --install +#+end_src + +* Homebrew + +Next up is to install [[https://brew.sh][Homebrew]], a nifty package manager for macOS. + +#+begin_src sh +/bin/bash -c "$(curl -fsSL +https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/HEAD/install.sh)" +#+end_src + +I ran into a permission error when installing Homebrew: + +#+begin_src sh +Error: Failed to link all completions, docs and manpages: Permission denied @ + rb_file_s_symlink - (../../../Homebrew/completions/zsh/_brew, + /usr/local/share/zsh/site-functions/_brew) Failed during: + /usr/local/bin/brew update --force --quiet +#+end_src + +I found that the following permission modification worked like a charm. However, +I noted that some users online discussed the fact that this solution may not +work if your system has multiple users who use Homebrew. + +#+begin_src sh +sudo chown -R $(whoami) $(brew --prefix)/* +#+end_src + +Next up is to ensure Homebrew is updated and cleaned. + +#+begin_src sh +brew update +#+end_src + +#+begin_src sh +brew cleanup +#+end_src + +* iTerm2 + +Now that I've installed the basic utilities for development, I moved onto +installing iTerm2, a much better terminal than the default. + +#+begin_src sh +brew install --cask iterm2 +#+end_src + +I also used the =Make iTerm2 Default Term= and =Install Shell Integration= +options in the iTerm2 application menu to make sure I don't run into any issues +later on with different terminals. + +We will also install =zsh= so we can use it in iTerm2. + +#+begin_src sh +brew install zsh +#+end_src + +* Oh-My-Zsh + +I've shown the great aspects of [[https://ohmyz.sh][Oh My Zsh]] in other blog posts, so I'll skip over +that speech for now. Simply install it and run an update. + +#+begin_src sh +sh -c "$(curl -fsSL +https://raw.githubusercontent.com/robbyrussell/oh-my-zsh/master/tools/install.sh)" +#+end_src + +#+begin_src sh +omz update +#+end_src + +Finally, restart the iTerm2 application to ensure all changes go into effect. + +* Oh-My-Zsh Themes + +Let's change the theme of the terminal to make it a little more friendly. + +#+begin_src sh +open ~/.zshrc +#+end_src + +The third section of this file should contain a line like the code below. Change +that theme to [[https://github.com/ohmyzsh/ohmyzsh/wiki/Themes][any theme you want]], save the file, and exit. + +#+begin_src sh +ZSH_THEME="af-magic" +#+end_src + +After changing the =.zshrc= file, you'll need to close your terminal and re-open +it to see the changes. Optionally, just open a new tab if you're using iTerm2, +and you'll see the new shell config. + +* Oh-My-Zsh Plugins + +Of course, my customization of =zsh= would not be complete without +[[https://github.com/zsh-users/zsh-autosuggestions][zsh-autosuggestions]]. This will bring up commands you've run in the past as you +type them. For example, if you've run =ssh user@192.168.1.99= before, the +terminal will show this command as soon as you start typing it (e.g. =zsh u=), +and you can hit the right arrow to autocomplete the command. + +#+begin_src sh +git clone https://github.com/zsh-users/zsh-autosuggestions +${ZSH_CUSTOM:-~/.oh-my-zsh/custom}/plugins/zsh-autosuggestions +#+end_src + +#+begin_src sh +open ~/.zshrc +#+end_src + +#+begin_src sh +# Scroll down the script and edit this line to add zsh-autosuggestions +plugins=(git zsh-autosuggestions) +#+end_src + +Remember: After changing the =.zshrc= file, you'll need to close your terminal +and re-open it to see the changes. Optionally, just open a new tab if you're +using iTerm2, and you'll see the new shell config. +#+date: <2021-03-19 Fri 00:00:00> +#+title: GitHub and Sourcehut: Scripting Mass Clones and Remote Updates +#+description: Script-based methodology for cloning multiple repositories from GitHub and Sourcehut accounts. Includes automation techniques to streamline repository management and backups. +#+slug: clone-github-repos + +* Cloning from GitHub + +If you're like me and use a lot of different devices [and sometimes decide to +just wipe your device and start with a new operating system (OS)], you probably know +the pain of cloning all your old code repositories down to your local file +system. + +If you're using GitHub, you can easily clone all of your code back down in just +seconds. First, create a bash script. I do so by opening a new file in =nano=, +but you can use =gedit=, =vim=, or something else: + +#+begin_src sh +nano clone_github_repos.sh +#+end_src + +Next, paste in the following information. Note that you can replace the +word =users= in the first line with =orgs= and type an organization's +name instead of a user's name. + +#+begin_src sh +CNTX=users; NAME=YOUR-USERNAME; PAGE=1 +curl "https://api.github.com/$CNTX/$NAME/repos?page=$PAGE&per_page=100" | + grep -e 'git_url*' | + cut -d " -f 4 | + xargs -L1 git clone +#+end_src + +Finally, save the bash script and make it executable. + +#+begin_src sh +chmod a+x clone_github_repos.sh +#+end_src + +Now you can run the script and should see the cloning process begin. + +#+begin_src sh +./clone_github_repos.sh +#+end_src + +* Cloning from Sourcehut + +I haven't fully figured out how to directly incorporate Sourcehut's GraphQL +application programming interface (API) into a bash script yet, so this one will +take two steps. + +First, log-in to Sourcehut and go to their [[https://git.sr.ht/graphql][GraphQL playground for Git]]. Next, +paste the following query into the left box: + +#+begin_src sh +query { + me { + canonicalName + repositories() { + cursor + results { + name + } + } + } +} +#+end_src + +The output on the right side will give you an object of all your repositories. +Just grab that text and remove all the characters such as quotation marks and +curly brackets. You will need a single-line list of space-separated values for +the next step. + +Now let's create the bash script: + +#+begin_src sh +nano clone_sourcehut_repos.sh +#+end_src + +Next, paste the following bash script in with the list of repositories you +obtained above and replace =your-username= with your username. + +Note that this uses the secure shell protocol (SSH)-based Git cloning method +(e.g. =git@git...=), so you'll need to ensure you have set up Sourcehut with +your SSH key. + +#+begin_src sh +repos=(repo1 repo2 repo3) + +# List all sub-directories in the current directory +for repo in "${repos[@]}" +do + # Clone + git clone git@git.sr.ht:~your-username/$repo +done +#+end_src + +Finally, save the bash script and make it executable. + +#+begin_src sh +chmod a+x clone_sourcehut_repos.sh +#+end_src + +Now you can run the script and should see the cloning process begin. + +#+begin_src sh +./clone_sourcehut_repos.sh +#+end_src + +* Moving Repositories to a New Host + +Now that you have all of your code repositories cloned to your local computer, +you may want to change the remote host (e.g., moving from GitHub to GitLab). To +do this, let's create another bash script: + +#+begin_src sh +nano change_remote_urls.sh +#+end_src + +Past the following information and be sure to change the URL (uniform resource +locator) information to whichever host you are moving to. For this example, I am +looping through all of my cloned GitHub directories and changing them to +Sourcehut (e.g. == -> =git@git.sr.ht:~myusername=). + +#+begin_src sh +# List all sub-directories in the current directory +for dir in */ +do + # Remove the trailing "/" + dir=${dir%*/} + # Enter sub-directory + cd $dir + # Change remote Git URL + git remote set-url origin /"${dir##*/}" + # Push code to new remote + git push + # Go back to main directory + cd .. +done +#+end_src + +Finally, save the bash script and make it executable. + +#+begin_src sh +chmod a+x change_remote_urls.sh +#+end_src + +Now you can run the script and should see the cloning process begin. + +#+begin_src sh +./change_remote_urls.sh +#+end_src +#+date: <2021-03-28 Sun 00:00:00> +#+title: Getting Started with Gemini: Deploy Your First Capsule +#+description: Incremental procedural guide to initiate and maintain a Gemini capsule server. Covers installation, deployment, and operational best practices for beginners. +#+slug: gemini-capsule + +* What is Gemini? + +[[https://gemini.circumlunar.space/][Gemini]] is an internet protocol introduced in June 2019 as an alternative to the +Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) or Gopher. In layman's terms, it's an +alternative way to browse sites (called capsules) that requires a special +browser. Since Gemini is not standardized as an internet standard, normal web +browsers won't be able to load a Gemini capsule. Instead, you'll need to use [[https://gemini.circumlunar.space/clients.html][a +Gemini-specific browser]]. + +The content found within a Gemini page is called [[https://gemini.circumlunar.space/docs/cheatsheet.gmi][Gemtext]] and is /extremely/ +basic (on purpose). Gemini only processes the text, no media content like +images. However, you're able to style 3 levels of headings, regular text, links +(which will display on their own line), quotes, and an unordered list. + +Here's a complete listing of valid Gemtext: + +#+begin_src txt +# Heading 1 +## Heading 2 +### Heading 3 + +Regular text! Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet. + +=> https://example.com My Website +=> gemini://example.com My Gemini Capsule + +> "If life were predictable it would cease to be life, and be without flavor." - Eleanor Roosevelt + +My List: +,** Item +,** Item + +```Anything between three backticks will be rendered as code.``` +#+end_src + +*** Free Option + +There are probably numerous websites that allow you to create your personal +Gemini capsule, but I'm going to focus on the two sites that I have personally +tested. The first option below, Midnight Pub, allows you to create/edit any +Gemini files you want in your account. This is essentially a graphical option +with a built-in text box for editing. The second option below, Sourcehut, allows +you to use a Git repository and automatic build process to deploy your personal +Gemini capsule every time you push a commit. + +** Midnight Pub - Beginner Friendly + +[[https://midnight.pub/][Midnight Pub]] is a small, virtual community meant to reflect the atmosphere of +wandering into a small alley pub. The site is built in Gemtext and has a +server-side process to convert Gemtext to HTML if someone loads the site in an +HTTP(S) browser. + +To create an account, you'll need to email the owner of the website to obtain a +key. You can find their email on the Midnight Pub homepage. Once registered, +head to [[https://midnight.pub/account][your account]] and select [[https://midnight.pub/site][manage site]]. This is the screen where you can +upload or create any files to be displayed on the internet. + +For example, I've created both a Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) file and a +Gemini file. Remember that Gemini is automatically converted to HTML on the Pub, +so you don't need an HTML version. For example, I created an HTML version to add +in some extra styling. + +All you need to do is create a page like =index.gmi= and use your Gemini browser +to head over to your-username.midnight.pub to see the result. + +That's all there is to it! Easy enough, right? Let's check out a more advanced +version in the next section. + +* Paid Option + +As of 2021, Sourcehut has decided to require users to have a paid account in +order to utilize their automated build system. For now, paid accounts can be as +low as $2/month. + +** Sourcehut + +[[https://sourcehut.org/][Sourcehut]] is a collection of software development tools, but mostly surrounds +their hosted Git repository service. Simply put, it's a minimal and more private +alternative to services like GitHub. + +This walkthrough is more advanced and involves things like Git, SSH, the command +line. If you don't think you know enough to do this, check out my walkthrough on +creating a Gemini capsule for the Midnight Pub instead. + +The first thing you'll need to do is create an SSH key pair, if you don't +already have one on your system. Once created, grab the contents of =id_rsa.pub= +and add it to your Sourcehut account settings - this will allow you to push and +pull code changes without using a username/password. + +#+begin_src sh +ssh keygen +#+end_src + +Next up, let's create a repository with the proper name so that the Sourcehut +build system will know we want them to host a website for us. Use the following +format exactly: + +#+begin_src sh +mkdir your-username.srht.site && cd your-username.srht.site +#+end_src + +Now that we've created the repo, let's initialize Git and add the proper remote +URL. + +#+begin_src sh +git init +#+end_src + +#+begin_src sh +git remote add origin git@git.sr.ht:~your-username/your-username.srht.site +#+end_src + +Now that our repository is set up and configured, we will need to create at +least two files: + +- =index.gmi= +- =.build.yml= + +For your =.build.yml= file, use the following content and be sure to update the +=site= line with your username! + +#+begin_src yaml +image: alpine/latest +oauth: pages.sr.ht/PAGES:RW +environment: + site: your-username.srht.site +tasks: + - package: | + cd $site + tar -cvz . > ../site.tar.gz + - upload: | + acurl -f https://pages.sr.ht/publish/$site -Fcontent=@site.tar.gz -Fprotocol=GEMINI +#+end_src + +For the =index.gmi= file, put whatever you want in there and save it. You could +even just copy and paste the Gemtext cheatsheet. + +If you want to serve both HTML and Gemini files from this repository, just add a +second command to the =upload= section: + +#+begin_src yaml +- upload: | + acurl -f https://pages.sr.ht/publish/$site -Fcontent=@site.tar.gz -Fprotocol=GEMINI + acurl -f https://pages.sr.ht/publish/$site -Fcontent=@site.tar.gz +#+end_src + +Lastly, commit your changes and push them to the remote repo. + +#+begin_src sh +git add .; git commit -m "initial commit"; git push --set-upstream origin HEAD +#+end_src + +If you've successfully created the files with the proper format, you'll see the +terminal print a message that lets you know where the automatic build is taking +place. For example, here's what the terminal tells me: + +#+begin_src sh +remote: Build started: +remote: https://builds.sr.ht/~user/job/689803 [.build.yml] +#+end_src + +Now that you've properly built your Sourcehut page, you can browse to +your-username.srht.site in a Gemini browser and view the final results. +#+date: <2021-03-28 Sun 00:00:00> +#+title: Exploring Vaporwave and Outrun: Color, Culture, and Sound +#+description: Systematic examination of Vaporwave and Outrun aesthetic frameworks, focusing on graphical elements, chromatic schemes, musical associations, and period-specific cultural influences. +#+slug: vaporwave-vs-outrun + +* Overview + +When it comes to an aesthetic that originated primarily online, there tends to +be a lot of confusion around what falls into each specific genre. This post +discusses Vaporwave and Outrun, which have become almost synonymous in the minds +of those online who aren't hardcore into these genres of media. More +specifically, Outrun is largely an unknown term while all aesthetics in these +two genres are usually attributed to Vaporwave. For example, take a look at the +image search results for Vaporwave: the results include *a lot* of Outrun-themed +images. You'll find a similar trend almost everywhere. + +#+caption: Vaporwave Search Results +#+attr_html: :alt Search engine results for vaporwave, showing many outrun-related images. +[[https://img.cleberg.net/blog/20210328-vaporwave-vs-outrun/vaporwave-search-results.webp]] + +* Vaporwave + +#+caption: Macintosh Plus Album Cover +#+attr_html: :alt Album cover of the Macintosh Plus album. +[[https://img.cleberg.net/blog/20210328-vaporwave-vs-outrun/macintosh-plus.webp]] + +Okay, so what is Vaporwave? I'm going to just copy-and-paste some general info +from the Wikipedia article on [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vaporwave][Vaporwave]], so that I'm not repeating everything +you can already search for online: + +#+begin_quote +Vaporwave is a microgenre of electronic music, a visual art style, and an +Internet meme that emerged in the early 2010s. It is defined partly by its +slowed-down, chopped and screwed samples of smooth jazz, elevator, R&B, and +lounge music from the 1980s and 1990s. The surrounding subculture is sometimes +associated with an ambiguous or satirical take on consumer capitalism and pop +culture, and tends to be characterized by a nostalgic or surrealist engagement +with the popular entertainment, technology and advertising of previous decades. +Visually, it incorporates early Internet imagery, late 1990s web design, glitch +art, anime, 3D-rendered objects, and cyberpunk tropes in its cover artwork and +music videos. +#+end_quote + +This is an excellent summary, and it helps address my point here: there are +specific aspects that make Vaporwave unique: + +** Time Frame + +The time frame for references, logos, etc. focuses mostly on the 1990s in +Vaporwave. You'll see old school Pepsi logos, Microsoft 95 screens, tropical +plants, classic marble sculptures, and many references from Japan's influence in +the 90s. + +** Art + +The color scheme is generally a soft, light palette that uses pastel colors. The +backdrop will often be in a light-pink or teal blue. + +** Music + +The musical genre of Vaporwave incorporates soft tunes, lounge music, and sound +effects that will make the listener reminisce of the 90s. The sounds of the +genre are generally slower-paced and calming. The major breakthrough artist for +Vaporwave was [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vektroid][Macintosh Plus]], who released the album [[https://archive.org/details/MACINTOSHPLUS-FLORALSHOPPE_complete][Floral Shoppe]] in 2011. +Another more recent example is the artist [[https://sadbert.bandcamp.com/][sadbert]], whose latest album +incorporates the upbeat tones of the 1999 Dilbert television series. + +Notice that Vaporwave doesn't include things like racing cars, futuristic +technology, chrome, or the deep orange/purple color scheme. Vaporwave is a focus +on the idyllic state of the world when technology was becoming common in +households, a reality that we have already experienced. Focus on the most +aesthetically-pleasing parts of that past is a large part of Vaporwave. + +* Outrun + +#+caption: Outrun +#+attr_html: :alt The classic outrun picture with digital hills and a grid leading to a far-away sunset. +[[https://img.cleberg.net/blog/20210328-vaporwave-vs-outrun/outrun.jpg]] + +Now, let's get to Outrun. This one is a little trickier since the genre has +largely been lumped under the Vaporwave title for so long. However, it stems +from the [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Synthwave][Synthwave]] music genre and is likely named after the 1986 racer game, +[[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Out_Run][Out Run]]. + +** Time Frame + +Outrun can be thought of as a retro-futuristic aesthetic born from the 1980s. + +** Art + +The color scheme uses a very dark color palette with the main colors being deep +oranges, blues, and purples. Red edges are common around objects in Outrun art. +The background of the Outrun aesthetic is almost always a neon grid like you'd +expect to see in Tron or a 1980s arcade machine. + +Classic sports cars, chrome robots, computer generated graphics and fonts, and +the occasional use of rain or palm trees can be found in Outrun art. + +** Music + +This aesthetic has a more aggressive and fast-paced style of music, which tends +to match the subject of the art in this aesthetic. + +Outrun enthusiasts love what people in the 1980s thought the future would look +like. Take a look at a common video game discussed in Outrun circles, Far Cry 3: +Blood Dragon: + +#+caption: Fry Cry 3: Blood Dragon +#+attr_html: :alt The game cover for Far Cary 3: Blood Dragon, showing ninjas, lasers, dinosaurs, and cyborgs. +[[https://img.cleberg.net/blog/20210328-vaporwave-vs-outrun/far-cry.jpg]] + +Another example that doesn't force the color scheme as hard as some online art +does is Kung Fury: + +#+caption: Kung Fury +#+attr_html: :alt The movie cover for Kung Fury, showing the proteagonist in a city at night with a moon. +[[https://img.cleberg.net/blog/20210328-vaporwave-vs-outrun/kung-fury.webp]] + +#+caption: Kung Fury Hacker Scene +#+attr_html: :alt The HACKERMAN scene from Kung Fury, showing a classic 1980's hacker in a computer room. +[[https://img.cleberg.net/blog/20210328-vaporwave-vs-outrun/kung-fury-hacker.webp]] + +* Conclusion + +While Vaporwave and Outrun share similarities, they are two distinct aesthetics +with many important distinctions. Someone who enjoys one may not necessarily +enjoy the other, so it's important to make sure we properly describe the +aesthetic we're looking for. +#+date: <2021-03-30 Tue 00:00:00> +#+title: From Shared Hosting to VPS: Web Server Setup Made Easy +#+description: Instructional outline for setting up and maintaining a VPS environment configured for secure and scalable web hosting applications. +#+slug: vps-web-server + +* Shared Hosting vs. VPS (Virtual Private Server) + +Choosing a place to host a website is one of the most confusing decisions for +beginner web developers. Even for experienced web devs, choosing between +different forms of web hosting can be a daunting choice. + +First, let's take a look at [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shared_web_hosting_service][shared web hosting]]. Shared web hosting is a product +where you are purchasing a small piece of a web server that is being shared +between many websites. As a result, the cost of shared hosting is extremely low. +You won't have access to the server itself, which means you can't install your +own software on the server, such as Docker. Usually, you are simply allowed to +connect your domains to the server, set up domain security, and other small +utilities. + +In contrast, a [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virtual_private_server][virtual private server]] (VPS) is a virtual machine that replicates +the environment of having a dedicated server to yourself. You are able to +control the virtual server's host names, base file system, package manager, etc. +Another great upside of a VPS is that since it's virtual, the company providing +the VPS can dynamically increase the disk size, RAM size, or number of CPUs at +any time. However, the virtual server is still physically located on a server +that is shared between multiple virtual servers. + +The choice between shared hosting and VPS mostly depends on your skill level +with system administration. If you're comforting working on a server that is +mostly left up to you (or you're willing to learn), then a VPS is usually a +better option. However, shared hosting is a fantastic option for people who +don't want to have to learn how to manage their server. + +* My Situation + +I had used shared hosting for approximately 5 years before trying my first VPS. +I manage a homelab and have had success running a server and performing typical +sysadmin duties, but I was still hesitant to get a VPS. One fear was that I +always struggled to properly set up the networking part of a server - DNS and +hostname configurations were not my friend. + +As a little bit of background, I originally used [[https://www.siteground.com][Siteground]] for my initially +shared hosting and stayed on that platform for at least a year. However, the +user interface (UI) was clunky, and I didn't like how they handled certain +technical aspects, so I switched to [[https://www.namecheap.com][Namecheap]]. Namecheap was great because it is +the service I primarily use for purchasing domain names, which made it +incredibly easy to link them to my hosting service. However, it was still +mediocre shared hosting, and Namecheap is notorious for not letting you use +[[https://letsencrypt.org][Let's Encrypt]] to obtain free SSL (Secure Socket Layer)/TLS (Transport Layer +Security) certificates; Namecheap wants to make you purchase certificates +through their store. + +Finally, I settled down with [[https://www.iwebfusion.net][iWebFusion]] for about the last year of my shared +hosting. This service was pretty great, came with free SSL/TLS, and I never had +any complaints. + +However, I finally grew tired of not being able to install software on my own +web server. I wanted to be able to try out things like [[https://postmill.xyz][Postmill]] or [[https://matrix.org][Matrix]]. This +is possible with a VPS, so I decided to grab a new domain name to try it out. + +* Getting Started: Buying a VPS + +The first step to moving over to a VPS is (you guessed it): finding a VPS +provider. For my VPSs, I use [[https://1984hosting.com][1984]] and prefer their services much more than any +alternative, due to their location (Iceland), their [[https://1984hosting.com/GDPR/][privacy policy]], their +respect for GDPR, and the ability to remain anonymous if you pay in Bitcoin or +Monero. + +[[https://njal.la][Njalla]] is another good, privacy-oriented option for VPS services. + +You'll have to decide what specifications you want on your VPS. For me, I only +build and deploy low-resource HTML, PHP, and Python websites. This means I can +survive on the smallest VPS: 1 CPU, 1GB of RAM, and 25GB SSD for $5.00 per +month. + +As noted above, the great thing about a VPS is you can request your provider to +increase the resources at any time. + +* Configuring DNS Settings + +Okay, so now let's get into some actual work that has to be done to get content +moved from a shared host to a VPS. At this point, I'm assuming you have a shared +host with website content that you can still access, and you've purchased a new +VPS and can SSH into that server. + +The first change is minor, but it should be done immediately in order to get +things moving: DNS settings. Go to wherever your DNS settings are handled. If +your shared host also managed your DNS settings, you'll need to first move that +DNS over to your new VPS provider. For me, I route my DNS through [[https://www.gandi.net][Gandi]]. + +Once you know where your DNS settings are, go ahead and update the =A= records +to match the public IP address of your VPS. For example: + +#+begin_src txt +A example.com xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx +A subdomain xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx +CNAME www example.com. +#+end_src + +If you have any other records that require updates, such as MX or TXT records +for a mail server, be sure to update those accordingly. Personally, I don't host +my own mail server. I route all mail on my custom domains to [[https://www.migadu.com][Migadu]]. Hosting +your own email server can become complex quickly and is not for beginners. + +DNS changes can take up to 48 hours to propagate, so be sure to give it some +time before assuming you've made an error. + +* Server Updates and Packages + +Now that the DNS settings have been changed, let's set up our server while we +wait for the DNS to propagate. First up is to ssh into your server. If you've +signed up with a service like DigitalOcean, you can add your SSH key to your +account and to your VPS droplet so that you don't need a password in order to +SSH. + +#+begin_src sh +ssh root@xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx +#+end_src + +The VPS that is used in this blog post runs Ubuntu 20.04 with an Apache web +server. If you're working on a different operating system (OS) or want a +different web server, such as Nginx, you'll have to use different commands to +set it up. + +First, let's update and upgrade our server. + +*NOTE:* Since we have logged in to the server as =root= for now, we don't need +to use the =sudo= modifier before our commands. + +#+begin_src sh +apt update && apt upgrade -y +#+end_src + +* Create A User Account + +While being able to use =root= can be beneficial at times, you shouldn't use +=root= unless you have to. + +So let's set up a new user in our system. The =-m= option below tells the OS to +create a home directory for the new user. + +#+begin_src sh +adduser USERNAME +#+end_src + +Now, create a password for that user. + +#+begin_src sh +passwd USERNAME +#+end_src + +Finally, add the user to the sudoers file, so they can perform privileged +commands. + +#+begin_src sh +usermod -a -G sudo USERNAME +#+end_src + +If you are using SSH (secure shell protocol) keys and not passwords, you'll need +to copy your SSH key from your local machine to the VPS. If you haven't disabled +password-based SSH yet, the easiest way to do this is =ssh-copy-id= from your +local computer (not from the VPS): + +#+begin_src sh +ssh-copy-id testuser@xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx +#+end_src + +If you've disabled password-based SSH, you'll need to manually copy your SSH key +into the =~/.ssh/authorized_keys= file. + +* Install Software + +Our goal here is to host a web server, so the next step is to install the Apache +web server and any other packages we need. + +From this point on, I will be logged in as a user (not =root=) and will need to +use the =sudo= modifier for most commands. + +#+begin_src sh +sudo apt update; sudo apt upgrade -y; sudo apt autoremove -y +sudo apt install apache2 +#+end_src + +If you need other language support, such as PHP, you'll need to install that +too. + +#+begin_src sh +sudo apt install libapache2-mod-php php-dom +sudo a2enmod php +sudo systemctl restart apache2 +#+end_src + +* Website Files & Folders + +Next up is to create the directories for the domain(s) we want to be hosted on +this web server. + +#+begin_src sh +cd /var/www +sudo mkdir example.com +#+end_src + +We have a folder for =example.com= now, so let's add an =index.html= file and +put it within a specific =public_html= folder. You don't need this =public_html= +if you don't want it, but it helps with organizing items related to +=example.com= that you don't want to publish to the internet. + +#+begin_src sh +cd example.com +sudo mkdir public_html && cd public_html +sudo nano index.html +#+end_src + +You can put anything you want in this =index.html= file. If you can't think of +anything, paste this in there: + +#+begin_src html + + + + + + Hello, world! + + +

    Hello, world!

    + + +#+end_src + +If you want something to be served at =example.com/page01/file.txt=, you'll have +to create the =page01= directory under the =example.com= directory. For example: + +#+begin_src sh +cd /var/www/example.com/public_html +sudo mkdir page01 +sudo nano file.txt +#+end_src + +* Apache Configuration + +Now, let's set up the files that will tell the server where to find the files +for =example.com=. We will copy the default configuration file and create our +own. + +#+begin_src sh +cd /etc/apache2/sites-available +sudo cp 000-default.conf example.com.conf +sudo nano example.com.conf +#+end_src + +This configuration file will have a few default lines, but you'll need to edit +it to look similar to this (settings may change based on your personal needs): + +#+begin_src config + + ServerAdmin your-email@email-provider.com + ServerName example.com + ServerAlias www.example.com + DocumentRoot /var/www/example.com/public_html + ErrorLog ${APACHE_LOG_DIR}/error.log + CustomLog ${APACHE_LOG_DIR}/access.log combined + +#+end_src + +Now, enable the configuration for your new site, disable the default +configuration, and reload the web server. + +#+begin_src sh +sudo a2ensite example.com.conf +sudo a2dissite 000-default.conf +sudo systemctl reload apache2 +#+end_src + +You can always run a test to make sure no errors or warnings are found in your +configuration files. + +#+begin_src sh +sudo apache2ctl configtest +#+end_src + +Now, restart the web server entirely. After this, you should be able to browse +to =http://example.com= and see the HTML (hypertext markup language) content you +provided earlier. Note that SSL/TLS has not been enabled yet, so you won't be +able to use the secure version yet (=https://example.com=). + +#+begin_src sh +sudo systemctl restart apache2 +#+end_src + +You can repeat this for as many websites as you need. Just create the domain +folders in =/var/www/=, add the configuration file, enable the configuration, +and restart =apache2=. + +* SSL/TLS Certificates: Serve Websites Over HTTPS + +In order to serve secure content, you'll need to obtain SSL/TLS certificates. +Luckily, there's a free tool called [[https://certbot.eff.org][Certbot]] that helps us with the process. + +The first step is to install =snapd= and =core= for Ubuntu. + +#+begin_src sh +sudo apt install snapd +sudo snap install core +sudo snap refresh core +#+end_src + +Next, install the =certbot= snap package. + +#+begin_src sh +sudo snap install --classic certbot +#+end_src + +Execute the following command to ensure that the =certbot= command can +be run. + +#+begin_src sh +sudo ln -s /snap/bin/certbot /usr/bin/certbot +#+end_src + +Finally, you can run =certbot= one of two ways: + +1. run it and let it alter your Apache configuration files automatically to + enable HTTPS (Hypertext Transport Protocol) redirects. +2. run it and only allow it to create certificates. You'll need to manually + alter the config files to enable HTTPS redirects. + +Run certbot and allow automatic config changes: + +#+begin_src sh +sudo certbot --apache +#+end_src + +Run certbot for certificates only and don't allow it to alter config +files: + +#+begin_src sh +sudo certbot certonly --apache +#+end_src + +The Certbot packages on your system come with a =cron= job or =systemd= timer +that will renew your certificates automatically before they expire. You will not +need to run Certbot again unless you change your configuration. You can test +automatic renewal for your certificates by running this command: + +#+begin_src sh +sudo certbot renew --dry-run +#+end_src + +Now, test your domains by going to =https://example.com=. + +* Firewall Security + +To enable better security on your server, you'll need to enable a basic +firewall. For Ubuntu, we'll use [[https://cleberg.net/blog/ufw.html][the uncomplicated firewall]]. + +Now, add the following rules to the firewall allow SSH, Apache, and HTTP(S) +connections. If you need to, you can enable different ports for specific +applications. + +#+begin_src sh +sudo ufw default deny incoming +sudo ufw default allow outgoing +sudo ufw allow OpenSSH +sudo ufw allow Apache +sudo ufw allow proto tcp from any to any port 80,443 +#+end_src + +Once you've added all the rules you need, enable the firewall. + +#+begin_src sh +sudo ufw enable +#+end_src + +* Troubleshooting + +If you run into any issues during your VPS set-up, be sure to walk back through +your actions and make sure you didn't miss any steps. + +Many websites have fantastic guides to setting up various web servers. This is +one of the areas [[https://www.digitalocean.com/community/tutorials][where DigitalOcean shines]]. For simpler or more Linux-oriented +questions, I suggest using [Linuxize] ([[https://linuxize.com]]). + +If you're getting certain errors (e.g. =500 Internal Server Error=) and need to +debug locally, you can view the =access.log= and =error.log= files in the +=/var/log/apache/= directory. +#+date: <2021-04-17 Sat 00:00:00> +#+title: Agate Gemini Server Installation and Firewall Configuration +#+description: Detailed directives for installation and configuration of a Gemini protocol server on Ubuntu, including network security and firewall setup. +#+slug: gemini-server + +* Similar Article Available + +To read more about Gemini and ways to test out this new protocol without your +own server, see my previous post [[../launching-a-gemini-capsule/][Launching a Gemini Capsule]]. + +* Preparation + +This guide assumes you have access to a server accessible to the world through a +public IP (internet protocol) address and that you own a domain name used for +this Gemini capsule. + +* Getting Started with Agate + +We are going to use [[https://github.com/mbrubeck/agate][Agate]] for this tutorial. This is a basic Gemini server +written in Rust. It takes very little time and maintenance to get it running. + +* Install Dependencies + +First, you will need to install the Rust package for your system. On Ubuntu, use +the following commands (remember to use =sudo= if you are not the root user). +The Rust installation will give you options to customize the installation; I +used the default installation options. + +#+begin_src sh +sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y +curl https://sh.rustup.rs -sSf | sh +#+end_src + +Remember to configure your shell with the new configuration: + +#+begin_src sh +source $HOME/.cargo/env +#+end_src + +Before we install agate, make sure you have the =gcc= package installed: + +#+begin_src sh +sudo apt install gcc +#+end_src + +Next, you'll need to install the agate executable with Rust's Cargo +package maintainer: + +#+begin_src sh +cargo install agate +#+end_src + +* Create Symlinks + +Once Cargo has finished installing all the required packages, create a symbolic +link to the executable to your $PATH. + +#+begin_src sh +sudo ln -s $HOME/.cargo/bin/agate /usr/local/bin/agate +#+end_src + +* Using Agate's Built-In Installation Tool + +If you're running Ubuntu or Debian, use the Debian installation script found in +Agate's GitHub repository, under the =tools/debian= folder. + +#+begin_src sh +git clone https://github.com/mbrubeck/agate +cd agate/tools/debian +sudo ./install.sh +#+end_src + +* Configure the Gemini Service + +We have a little more to do, but since this script tries to immediately run the +service, it will likely fail with an exit code. Let's add our finishing touches. +Edit the following file and replace the hostname with your desired URL (uniform +resource locator). You can also change the directory where content will be +served. + +#+begin_src sh +sudo nano /etc/systemd/system/gemini.service +#+end_src + +#+begin_src sh +# Edit these lines to whatever you want - see the next code block for my personal configuration. +WorkingDirectory=/srv/gemini +ExecStart=agate --hostname $(uname -n) --lang en +#+end_src + +This is my personal config: + +#+begin_src sh +WorkingDirectory=/var/gemini/ +ExecStart=agate --hostname gemini.example.com --lang en +#+end_src + +Since we've altered the systemd configuration files, we have to reload the +daemon. Let's do that, restart our service, and check its status. + +#+begin_src sh +sudo systemctl daemon-reload +sudo systemctl restart gemini.service +sudo systemctl status gemini.service +#+end_src + +* Fixing Systemd Errors + +If you're still getting errors, the installation process may not have properly +enabled the gemini service. Fix it with the following commands. + +#+begin_src sh +sudo systemctl enable gemini.service +sudo systemctl restart gemini.service +sudo systemctl status gemini.service +#+end_src + +* Firewall Rules + +Great! Our server is now functional and running. The first consideration now is +that you need to be able to access port 1965 on the server. If you have a +firewall enabled, you'll need to open that port up. + +#+begin_src sh +sudo ufw allow 1965 +sudo ufw reload +#+end_src + +* Creating Content + +Let's create the Gemini capsule. Note that wherever you set the +=WorkingDirectory= variable to earlier, Agate will expect you to put your Gemini +capsule contents in a sub-folder called =content=. So, I place my files in +=/var/gmi/content=. I'm going to create that folder now and put a file in there. + +#+begin_src sh +sudo mkdir /var/gemini/content +sudo nano /var/gemini/content/index.gmi +#+end_src + +You can put whatever you want in the =index.gmi= file, just make sure it's valid +Gemtext. + +* The Results + +To view the results, you can use a Gemini browser, such as [[https://gmi.skyjake.fi/lagrange/][Lagrange]] or [[https://github.com/makeworld-the-better-one/amfora][amfora]]. +#+date: <2021-04-23 Fri 00:00:00> +#+title: Building a Lightweight PHP Static Commenting System Without JavaScript +#+description: Technical walkthrough for constructing a lightweight, privacy-oriented static comment system using PHP, with no client-side scripting or external dependencies. +#+slug: php-comment-system + +* The Terrible-ness of Commenting Systems + +The current state of affairs regarding interactive comment systems is, well, +terrible. It is especially awful if you're a privacy conscious person who does +not generally load third-party scripts or frames on the websites you visit. + +Even further, many comment systems are charging exorbitant fees for something +that should be standard. + +Of course, there are some really terrible options: + +- Facebook Comments +- Discourse + +There are some options that are better but still use too many scripts, frames, +or social integrations on your web page that could impact some users: + +- Disqus +- Isso +- Remark42 + +Lastly, I looked into a few unique ways of generating blog comments, such as +using Twitter threads or GitHub issues to automatically post issues. However, +these both rely on external third-party sites that I don't currently use. + +* Stay Static with Server-Side Comments + +The main issue for my personal use-case is that my blog is completely, 100% +static. I use PHP on the back-end but website visitors only see HTML (Hypertext +Markup Language) and a single CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) file. No external +JavaScript and no embedded frames. + +So, how do we keep a site static and still allow users to interact with blog +posts? The key actually pretty simple - I'm already using PHP, so why not rely +on the classic HTML =
    = and a PHP script to save the comments somewhere? As +it turns out, this was a perfect solution for me. + +The second issue for my personal use-case is that I am trying to keep the +contents of my website accessible over time, as described by [cite/t:@brandur], +in his post entitled [[https://brandur.org/fragments/graceful-degradation-time][Blog with Markdown + Git, and degrade gracefully through +time]] . + +This means I cannot rely on a database for comments, since I do not rely on a +database for any other part of my websites. + +I blog in plain Markdown files, commit all articles to Git, and ensure that +future readers will be able to see the source data long after I'm gone, or the +website has gone offline. However, I still haven't committed any images served +on my blog to Git, as I'm not entirely sold on Git LFS (large file storage) +yet - for now, images can be found at [[https://img.cleberg.net][img.cleberg.net]]. + +Saving my comments back to the Git repository ensures that another aspect of my +site will degrade gracefully. + +* Create a Comment Form + +Okay, let's get started. The first step is to create an HTML form that users can +see and utilize to submit comments. This is fairly easy and can be changed +depending on your personal preferences. + +Take a look at the code block below for the form I currently use. Note that +== is replaced automatically in PHP with the current post's URL +(uniform resource locator), so that my PHP script used later will know which +blog post the comment is related to. + +The form contains the following structure: + +1. == - This is the form and will determine which PHP script to send the + comment to. +2. =