Using GNU utils on Macs for Makefile compatibility

By on September 12, 2018 - Geekery Tags:

One problem I see often with local builds are Makefiles that use modern GNU features in common commands like sed, awk, and tar. If the product only runs on Linux, writing backwards compatible versions for the older BSD-based commands on Macs may not be an effective use of time.

A simple fix is to libexec/gnubin directory to your path as documented here: Install and Use GNU Command Line Tools on macOS. However this changes your active environment, which might break scripts expecting to run on macOS. Further, this isn’t a repeatable configuration that can be safely used by others.

A better way is to explicitly configure the GNU versions to ensure they are used during the build. Read More »

How to prevent Roku Wifi Direct from breaking 5ghz devices

By on June 1, 2016 - Geekery Tags: ,

A Roku 3 or streaming stick uses Wifi Direct to communicate with the remote control. This works well… unless you intended to use your wifi for some other purpose, that is. If your Roku is near your wifi access point or between your device and the access point, you’ll experience horrible wifi connectivity. A Roku in the apartment next to you could break your wifi connectivity. People have been forced to stop using them in condos due to neighbor complaints.

Well, I’ve found the problem and how to fix it. Read More »

The changing nature of my business.

By on April 16, 2016 - Opinion

This year my income as a writer almost matched my consulting income. Although neither are appreciable sums, it represents a distinct shift in my non-dayjob efforts of which I am both proud, and deeply interested in developing further.

BringGo Review: right idea, worst possible implementation

By on June 29, 2015 - Geekery

I’ve been driving an EV car all week. Fun! Now I don’t tend think much of stock car stereos. Often when I bought a new car, replacing the stock radio was something I did on the way home before the car even got to my house. But I was, frankly, blown away with how good the stereo in the Chevy Spark EV was. HD FM radio? Check. Tightly integrated Sirius radio? Check. Bluetooth audio streaming? Check. Best display for interacting with my iPod I’ve ever seen. How, like, I would keep this!

When Chevy told me that the navigation system in the car worked with an app on my phone, I was very excited. “Someone finally got the right idea!” No more horrible built in Navigation. No more multi-hundred dollar map updates. I was so happy, I had such high hopes. I immediately downloaded the BringGo application and… Read More »