Cool again, but then warm again, and then HOT again. We almost got some rain around 6pm, which cooled things down as the front moved by, but it was 92F before that. And pretty humid too. Time for Fall to get here.
I did some things in the morning, doing some small things in my bedroom and closet that I’d been thinking about for a while. Just rearranging stuff really. There’s more to do, but I broke the logjam by finally starting. I hope. Then I fell down a rabbit hole with some network stuff.
I did get one ubiquiti access point configured. I have another that shouldn’t take but a minute, and then I’ve got to install them in the attic. The one that took some skull sweat wasn’t resetting, or configurable, or upgrading properly, so when that got resolved (by using a different ubiquiti tool) I was pretty happy. It’s a $400 access point I picked up at the goodwill bins for about $3. Yeah, getting that to work for me kinda rocked. The other came from my client’s house during one of the upgrade rounds, and it configured no problem.
What I can’t do yet is get them off my normal network, and I can’t get them to use an alternative DNS server. ATT doesn’t allow you to configure their router to use anyone but them, as they mine that and sell it. I’ve got several devices I want to stop seeing ads on, but can’t configure manually, so I need the wifi or the main router to assign an alternate DNS, whether that’s a pihole or 9.9.9.9 or some other ad blocking service.
I have been looking at used ubiquiti gateways and they’re pretty cheap on ebay, so I may just do that. Then I’ll have control over it at a whole ‘nother level. The added advantage is that I’ve already spent time and energy learning to use the ubiquiti stuff at my client’s house, so I can save some effort. The other choice is to change the way the APs are configured, and set them up as a portal (like in a coffee shop or business lobby) and connect the devices to them. There are additional issues there though, and I’d have to learn more about that functionality.
I’m bummed because I thought I’d just be able to config the APs to give out a different DNS server… and I just had another idea about how to do that which I’ll have to explore today… See, talking through a problem can help. The normal setup and use just passes the routers DHCP and DNS to wifi clients too.
In the afternoon I did my pickups, got stuff at the grocery store, and dropped the Ranger off at the mechanic shop. Then I walked home. D1 picked up D2 and took her to her Tues/Thur activity. Sometimes having minions helps.
Today I’ll do a bit more cleanup in the bedroom and closet, a bit more networking, and maybe a bit of other stuff. I do have a pickup locally, and I can take some stuff over to the shop using the Expy when I do that pickup. Even if it’s raining, the Expy will keep the stuff dry. Tiny little steps, but all stuff that needs to be done.
I’ve got a brisket to portion and freeze, so that will be adding to the stacks. It’ll also probably end up being dinner too.
Stack while you can. If assassinations aren’t enough to kick off the next stage, something else will.
nick