# philscomments.com ## Posts - [Free tutorials? Git outta here!](https://philscomments.com/free-tutorials-git-outta-here/): Udemy has lots of free courses avaialbel for enrolling. In this post I discuss a basic Git course a colleague found useful as an introduction Git Started with GitHub - [Hackintosh build](https://philscomments.com/hackintosh-build/): I wanted an Apple desktop machine to replace my aging desktop. I have a Macbook pro, but it lacks the serious power I was desiring (yeah, don't really need it, but I LIKE to have it just in case). I started pricing Mac Pro's, but the cheapest I could get still seemed WAY overpriced, especially considering that the video cards haven't been refreshed in forever, and there are not thunderbolt ports available (future proofing?). I could have gone with an iMac, but I have grown used to having 4 monitors, and I didn't really feel like upgrading the monitors yet. So I decided to build myself a hackintosh based on Mountain Lion and save some serious cash. - [Hello Internets!](https://philscomments.com/hello-internets/): Hello Internets, it’s been a long time since I’ve posted here. Not sure if I will keep this up or not this time, but at least there will be one new post coming. phil - [Alaska Airlines (Austin - Seattle) experience](https://philscomments.com/alaska-airlines-austin-seattle-experience/): My wife and I took a whirlwind trip to Seattle over the second week of Sept (Sept 10-14) 2010. We departed Austin Friday evening and returned Tuesday Afternoon, both trips were on Alaska Airlines nonstop from Austin-Seattle and Seattle-Austin. The flights were pretty standard, except for a few issues I will discuss below. - [How not to run a business - take 1](https://philscomments.com/how-not-to-run-a-business-take-1/): I've named this article \"How not to run a business take 1\", because I expect to write MANY more of these. Last night, in thinking about my list of things to do for the week, contemplated several missed appointments from a certain roofing company. Then I took it further and decided that one of the main reasons for our economic issues is that businesses have apparently forgotten, or never knew how to be run \"correctly\". Or as I said it last night, \"No wonder the economy sucks. No one knows how to run a frakking business anymore\". Now on to my roofer story. - [And now for something a little different](https://philscomments.com/and-now-for-something-a-little-different/): I’m going to veer off my normal course here for a minute and take part in a time-honored and under-appreciated form of expression, the RANT.  And, maybe in the course of writing it, it will become less of a rant, and more of a commentary, but I can only hope.  I will also be mentioning ... Read more - [Lemon Blueberry Muffins](https://philscomments.com/lemon-blueberry-muffins/): These muffins are great fresh or even frozen(reheated).  They have a nice lemon snap followed by the sweet tang of blueberry and then cake-y goodness.  I usually use organic ingredients to make these, but when the items are out of season and the wife wants a batch, I settle for the best quality I can ... Read more - [Twitter Updates for 2010-02-17](https://philscomments.com/twitter-updates-for-2010-02-17/): [New Post] YA Vegetarian Chili recipe – via @twitoaster http://toast.tw/100mr6 # - [YA Vegetarian Chili recipe](https://philscomments.com/ya-vegetarian-chili-recipe/): I’ve decided recently to focus more on healthier cooking, and with the number of vegetarians and light meat eaters around me have been trying to focus on vegetarian recipes (rather, I should say trying to make them vegetarian or as meatless as possible, but vegetarian first…then add meat back in next time if I feel ... Read more - [Twitter Updates for 2010-01-26](https://philscomments.com/twitter-updates-for-2010-01-26/): Time to begin re-integrating back into non-vacation life. Back to the reality of work tomorrow # - [Honey Wheat Bread recipe](https://philscomments.com/honey-wheat-bread-recipe/): I make this Honey Wheat bread as our normal bread loaf for everyday use.  I generally put it into the bread maker on the dough cycle, then pull it out, split it into 2 loaves and proof it again before baking.  I could bake it in the bread maker, but I don’t like the shape ... Read more - [Chili recipe](https://philscomments.com/chili-recipe/): I’ve made this chili a few times for friends and family, and even taken it to the wife’s work, as well as mine for a chili cook off.  Unfortunately, at my office it lost the chili contest (though not a reflection on the recipe).  Here are the basic ingredients(based on what I can get at ... Read more - [Twitter Updates for 2009-12-03](https://philscomments.com/twitter-updates-for-2009-12-03/): [New Post] Awesome updated shots of celebs in their memorable roles – via @twitoaster http://toast.tw/100agc # - [Awesome updated shots of celebs in their memorable roles](https://philscomments.com/awesome-updated-shots-of-celebs-in-their-memorable-roles/): Empire's 20th Anniversary/Birthday gallery has shots of stars recreating some of their most memorable roles. - [Lumberjack Commandos will beat your Ninja Assassin](https://philscomments.com/lumberjack-commandos-will-beat-your-ninja-assassin/): who needs a Ninja Assasin when you have Lumberjack Commandos? - [4.5 TB NAS build Part 1](https://philscomments.com/4-5-tb-nas-build-part-1/): Finally, I got a chance to work on my NAS build, since I’ve been on vacation for all of last week.  The goal I was shooting for was to build at least 4TB of RAID 5 storage, with at least a gigabit network connection.  Since I already have a 2 TB IDE-based NAS built on ... Read more - [Ebay Book Overload](https://philscomments.com/ebay-book-overload/): Yikes.  I really really seem to have an Ebay buying addiction.  Sigh.  I could try to rationalize it, but I’m sure there isn’t really a rational reason.  I just like to find things and buy them.  Oh well, moving on to the actual post… So, I decide that I wanted some books for my birthday ... Read more - [Tasty Bite Madras Lentils](https://philscomments.com/tasty-bite-madras-lentils/): I was searching for something to write and decided the only thing of interest I really did tonight was try the Madras Lentils (lentils, red beans and spices in a creamy tomato sauce) I got at Costco last week. The box had 4 smaller boxes, which they called an entree size, and I think it ... Read more - [Big Box Retailer paper](https://philscomments.com/big-box-retailer-paper/): I decided I would post this paper, from February 2007, since I can never seem to find it when I am looking for it.  Of course, at the time I wrote it, I thought I was pretty clever.  Now in re-reading parts of it, I realize I must have grown as a writer as I ... Read more - [Kenny Shopsin says Eat Me](https://philscomments.com/kenny-shopsin-says-eat-me/): I’d never heard of Shopsin’s General Store before, nor had I heard of Kenny Shopsin, but someone, somewhere in cyberspace recommended \”Eat Me: The Food and Philosophy of Kenny Shopsin\” on last Tuesday (I know because that is the day I ordered it along with \”A People’s History of the United States\” by Howard Zinn, ... Read more - [Star Trek. not. Star. Trek.](https://philscomments.com/star-trek-not-star-trek/): Saw Star Trek tonight.  I’m not disappointed because I made sure and kept my hopes low.  It wasn’t a BAD movie.  It wasn’t a great movie.  It was more firmly in the good category, but certainly not quite reaching the status of good.  Here’s my \”review\”.  WARNING: SPOILERS. Ok, so what’s with Romulans being the ... Read more - [4.5 TB NAS build starts soon](https://philscomments.com/4-5-tb-nas-build-coming-soon/): I’ve decided to build my new NAS on one of my PowerEdge 2400 boxes I have sitting here.  I’ve got a Dual PIII 866 with 2Gb ram, GigE, and room for 6 hard drives in the cage, and up to 3 5 1/4 devices (I will leave the SCSI CD-Rom, and add at least 1 ... Read more - [Asparagi alla Carbonara](https://philscomments.com/asparagi-alla-carbonara/): I hadn’t intended to turn this into a food blog, but it appears I don’t have much to say during the week (probably because work and school occupy so much of my time).  Since I really want to keep in the habit of posting articles, I’ve decided to try and fill the gaps with food ... Read more - [Black Bean Soup](https://philscomments.com/black-bean-soup/): Black Bean Soup – serves 4 – Ingredients 2 tablespoons olive oil 2 medium or 1 large onion, chopped 2 cloves garlic, minced 3 tablespoons chili powder, or more to taste 2 15 oz cans black beans, or 4 cups cooked from dry 4 cups vegetable stock Tobasco Chipotle pepper sauce (if desired) Salt Course ... Read more - [Adding a second internet connection to your home network](https://philscomments.com/adding-a-second-internet-connection-to-your-home-network/): I’ve had a business DSL through AT&T (formerly SBC) for the 7 years we’ve lived here.  Initially I was hosting sites and my own email server, as well as having enough network equipment I wanted to play with to justify the expense.  I got 5 static IPs and the fastest they had available 6 Mbps/768 ... Read more - [5 minute reviews:HostPC - kick butt website hosting](https://philscomments.com/5-minute-reviewshostpc-kick-butt-website-hosting/): Yet another 5 minute review! I figured I’d plug my web hosting company since they are having a killer deal for the next 3 days: Sunday April 19 – Tuesday April 21, 2009 (NO I am not getting a kickback or referral fee, I really just think this is a good deal).  $10 hosting for ... Read more - [5 minute book review: The Cat Who...](https://philscomments.com/5-minute-book-review-the-cat-who/): New feature: 5 minute book reviews.  No, not how long it takes for you to read it, it’s how long it takes me to write it 🙂  That being said, without further adieu…The Cat Who… I started reading this series because my Mother-in-law talked my wife into reading it, and since she(the wife) leaves her ... Read more - [OS X family pack vs Vista/Office non-family friendly pack](https://philscomments.com/os-x-family-pack-vs-vista-non-family-pack/): I recently needed to get OS X for a project I wanted to work on, so I went pricing different versions to find the best deal.  We have a a G4 Powerbook, and a G4 tower in the house as well, so I was not opposed to buying more than 1 license so I could ... Read more - [dell mini 9 vs mac OS X](https://philscomments.com/dell-mini-9-vs-mac-os-x/): Several months ago, when dell had their mini 9’s blowing out of the outlet for around $200, I decided I needed one.  I got it and used it for a bit before I decided I needed to make it better.  What could make it better?  Well, first thing was to upgrade the ram to 2 ... Read more - [Vegetarian Lentil Chili](https://philscomments.com/vegetarian-lentil-chili/): Phil’s Vegetarian Lentil Chili I was inspired to make this after reading Willi’s recipe at digginfood.com.  I took her basic recipe and adjusted it to be more to my liking.  I made sure to honor the spirit of it by keeping it vegetarian (at least one of the spirits).  Next time I will try it ... Read more - [portable speaker for biking tunes](https://philscomments.com/portable-speaker-for-biking-tunes/): While I’m not currently active on my bicycle, I do still enjoy shopping and looking at gadgets for the biking experience. The latest one I’ve seen is the CyFi wireless speaker. This device allows you to connect to your ipod (via an included bluetooth adapter) or another bluetooth audio device, including phones.  I’m not fond ... Read more - [rock on to electric avenue](https://philscomments.com/rock-on-to-electric-avenue/): The Tesla Model S.  An all electric car that claims up to a 300 mile range, a 45 minute recharge time, and enough oomph to get you going.  Oh, and did I mention it actually looks like a car I might be willing to buy? Looks like this bad boy is going to go for ... Read more - [absence makes the heart grow fonder?](https://philscomments.com/absence-makes-the-heart-grow-fonder/): Have my 3 readers missed me?  As you can see, I haven’t posted in a few days.  It reminds me of a saying: Exclusive dedication to necessitous chores renders John (or Phil in this case) a hebetudinous fellow. Yes, it’s true.  Work has been especially demanding this last week.  We’re trying to get some new ... Read more - [Twitter Updates for 2009-03-26](https://philscomments.com/twitter-updates-for-2009-03-26-2/): Austin City Council to Keep Austin Interactive- Don’t outsource the city of Austin web … http://twitition.com/umx8r @sameder # No posts today. Late night for work and school # - [Academic Earth = Hulu of education](https://philscomments.com/academic-earth-hulu-of-education/): I have a real fondness for educational videos, OK make that a strong like (love?) of educational programs.  I like to be stimulated mentally.  This usually takes the form of watching Discovery, The History Channel or The Learning Channel.  Since I no longer have cable, I’ve had to do without much of the educational programming ... Read more - [SafariBooksOnline vs. Blackberry Curve](https://philscomments.com/safaribooksonline-vs-blackberry-curve/): Safari Books online. A Blackberry curve. One a kick butt service, the other a kick butt phone (ok, debatable…but its pretty good for Verizon) but never the twain shall meet. Or will they? I just got an email from Safari touting their new m.safaribooksonline.com site, so I went and tried it out on my Curve’s ... Read more - [Vista quad monitor update](https://philscomments.com/vista-quad-monitor-update/): I received the video card from NewEgg today and was able to get it installed and working.  Found out that one of my monitors was \”bad\” since it kept going into power-save mode, even when the cable wasn’t plugged in.  I was able to swap it with another I had on hand and get it ... Read more - [Google engineers drive designer nuts](https://philscomments.com/google-engineers-drive-designer-nuts/): Seems Douglas Bowman, a visual designer at Google, is tired of having to explain why he designs things the way he does. Seems he feels that Google hastoo many engineers, asking engineer type questions and viewing the world through engineer tinted glasses. - [Lego Tiger I at Mechanized Brick](https://philscomments.com/lego-tiger-i-at-mechanized-brick/): If you're a Lego fan like I am, and you've ever taken a stab at creating tanks, planes or helicopters that are more \"realistic\" than the normal Lego fare, you've got to take a look at Mechanized Brick's creations. - [Twitter Updates for 2009-03-22](https://philscomments.com/twitter-updates-for-2009-03-22/): Dinner with the in-laws at Cheddars # - [Q2 Upcoming DIY projects](https://philscomments.com/q2-upcoming-diy-projects/): I’ve got a few projects that I’ve had on the back burner for awhile, so in an effort to get things done AND generate some content, I’ve decided to make them articles for Phil’s Comments.  Here is the list of planned projects for Q2: DIY 4.5TB Nas.  In this DIY project I will give new ... Read more - [Create a wall mount pc out of an old laptop](https://philscomments.com/create-a-wall-mount-pc-out-of-an-old-laptop/): I saw this on LifeHacker originally, where it caught my eye as a project I could easily do with all the spare hardware I have laying around, most of it which has little to no value but still functions correctly. Head over to Glowview to give the original article a read. I’m especially fond of ... Read more - [New Depeche Mode album \"Sounds of the Universe\" drops on April 21, 2009](https://philscomments.com/new-depeche-mode-album-sounds-of-the-universe-drops-on-april-21-2009/): I’ve recently been listening to the promo mini-cd for Depeche Mode’s new single from Sounds of the Universe, \”Wrong\”, and while I wasn’t sure about it at first, it’s come to grow on me.  I don’t find that surprising, since the last few albums have done the same (Ultra, Exciter, Playing the Angel). The current ... Read more - [Trying to keep this updated](https://philscomments.com/trying-to-keep-this-updated/): I've decided that while the site is the plain white, it's probably not a good idea to try to ad Google ads, since it just makes the site look even busier than it currently does. - [Mini keyboard for your HTPC](https://philscomments.com/mini-keyboard-for-your-htpc/): Now that I’ve gotten into watching Kitchen Nightmares and Hell’s Kitchen on hulu.com, I needed a way to log into my HTPC (Home Theater PC).  Keeping a USB keyboard hanging around the living room was a no-no in my wife’s book, as we were slowly de-cluttering the room, and that was definitely contributing to the ... Read more - [Vista changes graphics card management subsystem!](https://philscomments.com/vista-changes-graphics-card-management-subsystem/): I’ve been trying to get 4 monitors up and running on my main system now for a while.  I’ve got an XPS 420 that I got a killer deal on some time ago.  It’s a Quad-core 2.4 Ghz (using BSEL hack it can be 3 Ghz), and I jammed it with 8Gb of ram, so ... Read more - [Twitter Updates for 2009-03-18](https://philscomments.com/twitter-updates-for-2009-03-18/): Yum…the smell of corned beef and cabbage cooking. Happy St. Patrick’s Day! Serpents be gone! # - [Twitter Updates for 2009-03-17](https://philscomments.com/twitter-updates-for-2009-03-17/): Testing https://philscomments.com/?p=3 # trying again http://tinyurl.com/cbq2h6 # All new, all Phil! http://tinyurl.com/cf3k2m # My Dogs http://tinyurl.com/cmgx7h # My Dogs http://tinyurl.com/cuxxn9 # My Dogs http://tinyurl.com/cpaxde # oops, sorry for the massive flood of posts. might need to turn off some integration till I get the kinks worked out. # - [All new, all Phil!](https://philscomments.com/all-new-all-phil/): Introduction to Phil's Comments. ## Pages - [Accessibility](https://philscomments.com/accessibility/): Effective: March 2026 Our Commitment to Accessibility philscomments.com is committed to making our website accessible to all visitors, including those with disabilities. We strive to ensure that our content is available to the widest possible audience, regardless of technology or ability. Accessibility Standards We aim to conform to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1, ... Read more - [Do Not Sell My Personal Information](https://philscomments.com/do-not-sell-my-personal-information/): Effective: March 2026 Your Privacy Rights philscomments.com respects your privacy and your right to control your personal data. Under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and similar state privacy laws, you have the right to request that we do not sell your personal information. What We Collect philscomments.com collects limited data through cookies, analytics tools, ... Read more - [Terms of Use](https://philscomments.com/terms-of-use/): 1. Acceptance of Terms By accessing and using philscomments.com (“the Site”), you agree to be bound by these Terms of Use. If you do not agree to these terms, please do not use the Site. 2. Use of Content All content on this Site, including text, images, graphics, and other material, is the property of ... Read more - [About](https://philscomments.com/about/): About philscomments.com philscomments.com has been around since 2009. I’m Phil McNeely — a tech enthusiast, homelab operator, and longtime tinkerer with computers, servers, networks, and software. I’ve been building PCs since the late ’90s and have had my hands in everything from enterprise IT to running my own AI inference cluster at home. What You’ll ... Read more - [Affiliate Disclosure](https://philscomments.com/affiliate-disclosure/): philscomments.com is a participant in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products and services purchased through links to retailer sites. How Affiliate Links Work When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a ... Read more - [Privacy Policy](https://philscomments.com/privacy-policy/): Information We Collect philscomments.com collects minimal personal information. When you visit the Site, our web server and analytics tools may automatically collect: Your IP address Browser type and version Pages visited and time spent on the Site Referring website addresses If you leave a comment, we collect the name, email address, and website URL you ... Read more ## Optional - [Agent (MCP protocol)](websites-agents.hostinger.com/philscomments.com/mcp) [comment]: # (Generated by Hostinger Tools Plugin)