I have completed updating this site to use HTTPS. Enjoy!

Update: Having a few hiccups after updating to HTTPS. The public facing site became unreachable after a day or so, while the backend was working fine. GreenGeeks support suggested that my Cloudflare configuration was the culprit and recommended a couple of changes to the configuration.

It looks like this was the case, because the site is now reachable again after making the suggested tweaks to Cloudflare. Another issue arose with some pages not loading/working I had to manually edit the code to point to the correct https source which fixed that problem .

Also this prompted me to get rid of a fragment of Adobe Flash code that was still running on the site (a good thing) but served no useful purpose.

As EDI said: “It … Read More »

Weather Underground keeps Webcams

The Weather Underground PWS Network is a huge network of over 250,000 so called “backyard” or personal weather stations in North America and around the world.  From the Weather Underground PWS page:

“Weather Underground is a global community of people connecting data from environmental sensors like weather stations and air quality monitors so we can provide the rich, hyperlocal data you need to power your passions. The future of weather is personal, hyperlocal, and smarter than you think. Join our global community and contribute to the future of forecasting. 

Our network of sensors means more data. More data means better forecasts when it matters most. While everyone benefits from better data, sensor owners enjoy:

Precision: Get weather conditions for your exact location (not your neighbor’s or at the airport)
Visualization: See comprehensive dashboards and graphs of your station data
Historical: Archive your … Read More »

Landscape Photo Diary Updated

I recently had the opportunity to photograph the area around Drumheller, Alberta.  This is a spectacular and beautiful area of Alberta. I took time to walk and drive parts of the now abandoned CN Drumheller Subdivision (CN Rail).  This particular subdivision winds its way through some wonderful areas of the Alberta Badlands.

I have put up a selection of my landscape and railway images on my photo website:  Drumheller Badlands, Spring 2014

Enjoy the wonderful Alberta Summer!

Shaun M

New Vacuum tube box scans

I have added several new images to my gallery of Vacuum Tube Box Artwork.

The new images include Westinghouse, Tung-Sol and Quality Brand tube boxes.

Quality Brand Tube Box Side 2

Westinghouse TV Receiving Tube Box Side (4)

Shaun M

New Section added: Vacuum tube glow, box scans and artwork

In the spirit of both preservation and exploration, I have added a new section to the the under Photography: Vacuum tube glow, box scans and artwork

Here I will be documenting the artwork used on vacuum tube boxes as well as showing some of the images I have captured of vacuum tubes while they are operating.  I will be adding more images over time as I work through my vacuum tube inventory.

12AU7 “Blue Glow”

Shaun Merrigan Landscape Photography Pages Updated

I have updated my Landscape Photography pages:  Shaun Merrigan: Landscapes from the Heart  Here are a couple of samples:

Sunrise at Raley

Alberta Prairie Sunrise

As well as my professional photography (Metallography, Scientific Photography) I am an avid landscape photographer. I work in medium format film and digital, and I prefer to explore the lonely and forgotten places on the Alberta and Saskatchewan prairies.

Shaun M.

Internet Connectivity Restored: Our Internet connectivity has been fully restored. After a couple of hiccups scheduling the installation, and some effort required to reconfigure my new DSL modem, I am reconnected and back online. We now have a VDSL 25Mbps down / 2Mbps up connection with no caps. In fact, I am getting 24.5Mbps down and 2.6Mbps up consistently. Streaming video, gaming, etc are easily handled with this speed. My NEST thermostat is connected to NEST.com again, and my weather station is fully back online, as are my GPS Disciplined Clocks. Photography updates will follow.

Internet Connectivity Update: iPad saves the day

Due to the hot economy hereabouts (cannot schedule the technicians), my DSL upgrade has been delayed somewhat. But I had to terminate my existing DSL service in order to obtain an activation date, thus I have no high speed internet. However I can used my iPad as a roving USB connected hotspot (no bluetooth or wireless, thanks) in order to edit, update, get mail, etc. It is a kludge, but a secure and stable one until my 25/2 DSL is activated.

My internal home gigabit wired network remains fully operational, of course, so everyone is happy talking to each other and various devices; they just have no outside connection.

Update to my ongoing Internet Connectivity Issues:

My ancient Zoom X4 DSL modem finally packed it in. I could not stand the connection dropping anymore, so I reconfigured my new ISP’s VDSL modem to work with my current (6MBps) connection. Naturally it is working fine.

This connection is due to terminate tomorrow and my new 25/2 connection will be activated. (Of course I saved the modem configuration, why do you ask?)

So with a bit of luck, I will be back on Friday.

I am currently in the process of resolving internet connectivity issues that I am experiencing.

I am also taking this opportunity to switch ISP’s because my current ISP does not offer any residential ASDL beyond 6Mbps. I am switching to Teksavvy and trying their high speed (25Mbps) ASDL plan. Of course this means a new modem and a line speed change which will solve the connectivity issues too. I am about 800 meters or so from the CO, and should have no problem with 25Mbps ADSL.

What this means is that some of my pages (Weather Station, Cams, Clocks) may not be updated as frequently as expected.

I will update this blog as I work through the process.

Shaun M.