2017 Razer Blade Stealth

For the first time since the days of Windows 95, I bought a Windows-based laptop. Specifically, I got the the 2017 13” model of the Razer Stealth Blade (RZ09-01963) equipped with:

Specs

• 13.3” QHD+ 3200x1800 touch screen (16:9 aspect ration)
• Intel Core i7-7500U (2 cores, 4 threads)
• 16GB LPDDR3-1866MHz
• 256GB SSD
• Intel HD Graphics 620
• Killer™ Wireless-AC (802.11a/b/g/n/ac + Bluetooth® 4.1)
• I/O
  • Thunderbolt™ 3 (USB-C™)
  • USB 3.0 port x2 (SuperSpeed)
  • Multi-point touchscreen interface
  • Anti-ghosting keyboard with Chroma backlighting
  • HDMI 2.0a audio and video output
• 720P camera
• Audio
  • Built-in stereo speakers
  • 3.5mm headphone/microphone combo port
  • Array microphone
  • Dolby® Digital Plus Home Theater Edition
  • 7.1 Codec support (via HDMI)
• Charger & Battery
  • Compact 45W USB-C power adapter
  • Built-in 53.6Wh rechargeable lithium-ion polymer battery
• Size: 0.52” / 13.1 mmm (Height) x 12.6” / 321mm (Width) x 8.1” / 206 mm (Depth)
• 2.93 lbs.

Thoughts on Hugo

I posted earlier about moving from Blogger to Hugo and it has been a couple of months so I thought that I share my thoughts on how Hugo has been working out.

Upgrading from Fedora 24 to 25

Fedora 26 was released this month which starts the 1 month count down to Fedora 24 becoming unsupported in another month.

The steps to upgrading is very simple and going from 24 to 25 has been the easiest upgrade I’ve had. I even had to double check that I actually got upgraded to 25 after it rebooted since it was so seamless.

I originally planned to immediately upgrade to Fedora 26, but there was one package that wasn’t available in 26 so I’ll wait a few months for 26 to settle down and then upgrade.

My First GopherCon

Being a member of the Go team allowed me to attend my first GopherCon in Denver from July 13 to July 15. This is the 4th GopherCon to be held and previously I’ve only watched the recordings of the sessions on the Gopher Academy Youtube Channel.

Backpack Rain Cover

In my review of the Everki Atlas, I pointed that the outside pocket might collect water if it rains. While the rest of the backpack’s contents will be fine, items in that pocket might get wet. Everki does sell a backpack rain cover that can protect the backpack but it is outrageously expensive.

Instead, I got the Ayamaya 40L raincover from Amazon. It is a fraction of the price and easily fits the Atlas. I also like the fact that the Ayamaya doesn’t have any logos on it and is just a cover.

Moving from Blogger to Hugo

I really liked Blogger and I’ve hosted my blog on it since 2011. It was free (still is), but still had all the essentials features for a blog at the time and I like that it was integrated with Google.

My blogging needs haven’t changed since then but the world have evolved and Blogger no longer have all the essential features necessary for a blogging platform. Specifically, I’m talking about Blogger’s lack of support for SSL/TLS for custom domains. I could accept the dated editor controls, quirkiness in the WYSIWYG UI, and limited customization of themes, but there’s no excuse for not having https enabled on a web site anymore.

I’ve now moved Lazy Hacker Babble from Blogger to Hugo + Google App Engine. Hugo is a static site generator written in Go. It takes your markdown file and generates an entire web site consisting of static files so it doesn’t require databases runtimes, extra libraries, etc. Since it’s written in Go, Hugo comes as a stand-alone binary so there is no need to install a bunch of extra software in order to run it.

Setting up HTTPS on App Engine With a Custom Domain

The Go programming language provides a great tool, go get, to fetch packages.  A common use case is to get a package that is hosted on Github:

Hootoo Travelmate Elite and Using Chromecast In Hotels

Our family always brings a Chromecast with us when we travel so we can watch our video library on the TV.  The challenge has always been getting it to work in hotels especially ones that require a password to access its wifi.

Everki Atlas Review

I've been using a Victorinox backpack for many years whenever I've had to travel.  I can't find a link to it since it's no longer being made, but it is very well made, TSA friendly, side-loading laptop compartment, allows for good organization and can hold a good amount of items).  It is not a light backpack and is pretty heavy when loaded up.  Especially when traveling with the family which increases the number of electronics, I definitely started to feel the weight.

I started to look for a new travel backpack with all the same goodness but lighter and can hook on to the trolley handle of my luggage.  I've also gotten to like backpacks that can stand on its own so that would be a bonus feature.

Initially, the Everki Versa caught my eye as it fit many of my criteria, but I was concerned that it might be too small and it wasn't light at 4.01 lbs.  Instead, I chose the Everki Atlas which is larger then the Versa but is lighter.

The video above goes over the its key features so I'll just give my impression of the Atlas after taking it out on a 1 week business trip.

Pros

• The construction and materials seems solid and comparable to the Victorinox.
• Organizationally, it is very similar to the Victorinox with the pockets and compartment (the Atlas have a few more internal pockets).  
• A feature that I liked in the Victorinox is a divider in the main compartment to help separate paper/magazine from the rest of the item and the Atlas has it as well.
• The water bottle pocket is a good size whereas it was a tight fit with the Victorinox.
• When fully loaded, it didn't feel as heavy as the Victorinox since the backpack is better balanced.
• Hooking it on the trolley handle meant I didn't have to carry it all the time.

Cons

• The quick access magazine pocket is convenient but I worry that if it was raining that water will collect in the pocket.
• Opening up the backpack to go through TSA screening means unzipping that compartment.  This is the same as most TSA backpacks, but I found the Victorinox's method which uses velcro and clip to be faster to open up.
• I like the side loading compartment on the Victorinox which makes it easy to get the laptop out without taking off the backpack.  Top loading makes it a bit easier to access the laptop while on a plane, though.

Wish List

Here are a few things that I think would make the backpack even better:

• Rain cover or something to prevent water from going into the magazine pouch.
• Hard case compartment is something that might be nice but honestly I'm not sure about it.
• Hole to run a cable through for headphones or charger.
• Pocket on the shoulder strap for holding transit tickets/cards.
• The tuck-in strap of the Versa looks like a nice feature.  The Atlas is not too bad because it has a chest strap that helps keeps the shoulder strap from flopping around.

Accessing Github Through SSH As Different Users

To set up access to Github using different accounts, start by creating ssh keys for each account.

$ cd ~/.ssh
$ ssh-keygen -t rsa -C "github-acct1" -f "github-acct1"

Then add the ssh key to the Github account.

Next, create ~/.ssh/config to tell ssh when to use which account (set permission to be 600):

# Github account #1                                              
Host github.com-acct1                                                                 
   HostName github.com                                                          
   User git                                                                     
   IdentityFile ~/.ssh/github-acct1
   IdentitiesOnly yes                         
                                                                                
# Github account #2                                                         
Host github.com-acct2                                                        
   HostName github.com                                                          
   User git                                                                     
   IdentityFile ~/.ssh/github-acct2
   IdentitiesOnly yes

Check out a repo as the user to use by matching to the Host value in ~/.ssh/config:

$ git clone git@github.com-acct1:repo

Change to the repo directory and set the name and email to use for commits if needed.

$ cd repo
$ git config user.name "Acct1"
$ git config user.email acct1@example.com

To avoid accidentally using the wrong account (e.g. default):

$ git config --global --unset user.name
$ git config --global --unset user.email
$ git config --global user.useConfigOnly true

If you get an error message about the user (or the wrong user) not having the right permission to access the repo:

$ eval "$(ssh-agent -s)"
$ ssh-add