Douglas Rehfeldt

Ever wonder where you’re food comes from?

Douglas — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 02:28:22 +0000

Not after viewing the documentary film Food Inc.

Veterans Day

Douglas — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:06:43 +0000

To my fellow veterans who have served and those still serving, I salute you.

New Paperless Geocaching Solution

Douglas — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 10:42:47 +0000

Back in April of 2007 I first posted about my paperless geocaching solution. This solution has changed over the years from a Dell Axim with a handheld GPS and then with a bluetooth GPS, to a WinMo smartphone with the Cachemate software (a great little program) and a bluetooth GPS, to most recently an iPhone with Groundspeak’s Geocaching iPhone Application. The iPhone geocaching app rocks and combined with the iphone’s GPS, internet access and Google Maps it makes for a fantastic urban geocaching solution. I include urban because I haven’t tested this yet outside of the phones coverage area. My search continues for a great iPhone waterproof and protective case, something along the lines of an Otterbox 2600. The season is changing here in Michigan and protecting the phone while geocaching will be a priority. I have used zip-lock bags, but plastic bags lack shock protection and tear easily. My latest paperless is the best yet and I recommend the app to all Geocaching iPhone owners.

Where’s Waldo? Or more accurately, where’s Doug

Douglas — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 22:30:01 +0000

New full-time job, maintaining the consulting and a garden have been keeping me busy over the summer. What I have learned recently? Linux definitely has a growing place in the enterprise. By that I mean the recession and associated belt tightening have the decision makers looking for alternatives. And having a Linux skill set helps! Speaking of Linux, I use the Windows Home Server at home and recommend it to other Windows users, both home and SOHO types, but the Amahi Home Server version 4.0 is out. Check out http://www.amahi.org/ and discover a great solution for your home network. Now, it’s back to the books.

Rockbox Rocks

Douglas — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 14:47:24 +0000

After fixing the gas trimmer motor last night I needed a geek fix. So, I installed Rockbox on an older 5th generation iPod that was laying around. It was a painless experience with the graphical installer that took only a few minutes. I even uninstalled the program and reverted to the Apple firmware just to be sure.

The added features over the original Apple firmware are what make Rockbox shine. Some of these features include: support for over 15 Sound Codecs, including OGG and FLAC, themes, tagging, plugins, and a spoken inteface. Oh, do I need to mention that it’s Open Source with constant improvement? Rockbox has breathed some new life into my 5th generation iPod and I want to extend my thanks to the the Rockbox crew.

Vermicomposting

Douglas — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 15:21:24 +0000

Vermi what? Vermicomposting is composting with red worms. I decided to leverage the ability of the “wiggler” worm to help in my home composting. It’s incredibly easy to create and maintain a worm bin. There are five things that you need to create a worm bin: a container, bedding material, red worms, some table scraps, and a little time. All of the physical components of your worm bin should be free with a little searching so that you really shouldn’t have to spend any money on creating a worm bin.

the container could be a simple plastic storage bin
bedding material – I use shredded computer paper and cut up corrugated cardboard
redworms, Eisenia foetida, get them from under leaves in the woods. Don’t use any other type of worm.
food – there are good and bad foods for the redworm

good foods include: fruit and vegetable peels, pulverized egg shells, tea bags and coffee grounds

bad foods include: meats, dairy products, oily foods, or lots of citrus.

Remember, it’s not a garbage bin!

This is a super project to do with your kids because is so simple and it teaches them about nature and sustainable living practices. The worms become pets for the kids and little compost makers for you.

I used a variety of resources, but started with the guide called Household Composting with Worms from the Purdue Extension office. This is a great way to recycle those table scraps, at least the ones that worms can eat, which provides some excellent compost material for your houseplants, landscaping and garden. I also recommend checking out the vermicomposting videos on YouTube if need a video howto on creating your worm bin.

Resources:

U of N, Vermicomposting: composting with worms, http://lancaster.unl.edu/pest/resources/Vermicompost107.shtml

Troublshooting Worm Bins, http://compost.css.cornell.edu/worms/troubleshoot.html

the book, Worms Eat My Garbage by Mary Appelhof, 1997 – look for it at your local library

Vote Earth – Will you go an hour without power?

Douglas — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 17:55:23 +0000

Freedom isn’t free

Douglas — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 10:34:38 +0000

We must never forget that freedom has a cost. Stop and think about for a moment those who have sacrificed to bring about or help maintain the freedom that we enjoy everyday.

I voted

Douglas — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 14:18:35 +0000

And my response to those who must know whom I voted for: we have a secret ballot in this country for a reason.

Your right to vote is guaranteed in the U.S. Bill of Rights. Exercise your right!

Home servers

Douglas — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 16:53:05 +0000

After running the Windows Home Server (WHS) for about three weeks, I have now started testing the Amahi Linux Home Server. Obviously, the WHS is very Windows centric and it’s also very easy to use. However, the Amahi Linux Home server is different in many areas, not good or bad, just different. I’ll need some more time to work with the Amahi project and already have some feedback for the developers. While I have a preference for the open source projects, I also understand that some people are just going to want a Microsoft Windows solution. And I want to be able to provide the right solution to my clients.