tl;dr
Would you like to use a remote control to control your computer? How about using your computer to send remote control signals to your TV or Stereo instead of using the remote?

This is the first in a series of posts where I will describe how to use a Raspberry Pi, Raspbian and Linux Infrared Remote Control (Lirc) to receive and send infrared remote control signals. This first post will be focused on setup and receiving input.
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Tagged howto, Linux, Raspberry Pi | Comments Off on Linux Infrared Control Part 1: Receive IR
tl;dr
I created a custom cabinet for my video game consoles, AV switch and Framemeister. Includes removable back panel to access and manage the cables.

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Tagged geek, howto, Raspberry Pi | Comments Off on Video Game Console Cabinet
tl;dr
I commissioned a vector version of the Pile of Poo emoji so that I could blow it up, frame it and hang it in my bathroom. I am classy like that.

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Tagged itsfunnylaugh, random | Comments Off on Pile of Poo, Framed
tl;dr
Steps to setup a Raspberry Pi running Raspbian to boot into a full screen web browser, hiding mouse pointer, disabling screen saver. Includes installing additional fonts and putting the browser in kiosk mode.

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Tagged howto, Linux, Raspberry Pi | Comments Off on Raspberry Pi Full Screen Browser (Raspbian July 2017)
tl;dr
How to create a SSH tunnel in a Java app from a localhost port through a jump box to a specific port on a server. Allowing a connection to the remote server port as if it was a localhost port.
Examples found online provided only one ‘hop’, not the double ‘hop’ needed. The code below supports 2 hops, but in theory could be used to support any number of hops.
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Tagged geek, Java, Linux | Comments Off on Creating a SSH Tunnel in Java
tl;dr
Steps to setup a Raspberry Pi running Raspbian to boot into a full screen web browser, hiding mouse pointer, disabling screen saver. Includes installing additional fonts and putting the browser in kiosk mode.

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Tagged howto, Linux, Raspberry Pi | Comments Off on Raspberry Pi Full Screen Browser (Raspbian November 2016)
tl;dr
A web app to control devices over HDMI-cec, turning tvs on and off, switching inputs adjusting volume. New project, customization requires editing simple HTML and JavaScript.

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Tagged howto, Linux, Raspberry Pi | Comments Off on stupid-remote: a HDMI-cec node.js Web App
Most modern HDMI connected devices support Consumer Electronics Control (CEC). It allows devices to send commands to each other, typically to get the TV to switch input and control volume. If you have ever turned on a Game Console and had your TV automatically change input to that device you have seen CEC in action. It is very convenient and useful, sort of a universal remote that works.
Every manufacturer seems to have it’s own branding of CEC (e.g. Samsung Anynet+, LG SimpLink, Sharp Aquos Link) but it may need to be enabled. Check your manual for details.
Using a Raspberry Pi connected to a TV that supports CEC, you can use the command line `cec-client` application to control the inputs and the TV itself. These are notes on how to use `cec-client` and understand the different options.
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Tagged howto, Linux, Raspberry Pi | Comments Off on Using cec-client on a Raspberry Pi
Being able to remotely connect to my home network over VPN has always been on my ‘nice to have’ list. It allows easier access to resources and direct ssh (rather then hoping through the gateway). I have recently updated the OpenBSD server I used for VPN to 6.0 and thought I would share the configuration and settings.
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Tagged howto, iOS, macOS, OpenBSD | 3 Comments »
In an effort to improve monitoring, I setup an ELK (Elasticsearch, Logstash, Kibana) server and setup my different servers to forward their logs. Filebeat is typically installed on the servers to do the forwarding and normally this installation is pretty straight forward.
However, Filebeat is dependent on Go 1.7 and OpenBSD 6.0 only provides 1.6 as a binary package.
The following steps will setup an OpenBSD ports build machine, update the ports to current, build the required packages; then copy the packages to the target OpenBSD server, install the packages, install and configure Filebeat.
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Tagged howto, OpenBSD | Comments Off on Filebeat on OpenBSD 6.0