File protection on my iMac

I like to keep a text file around with my passwords. I find this necessary because I have dozens of online accounts and it's hard to keep track. As such, I've always wanted to encrypt this file, so that if my computer was ever compromised, whether hacked or even stolen, at least my passwords would be safe. Googling for terms like "mac encrypt files" sent me to sites that recommended I create a separate disk image with file encryption enabled, then save my precious file in this new storage partition.

Ridiculous, right? Who's going to go through that hassle just for one file? I certainly wasn't.

Fast forward to today and I've discovered the perfect way to encrypt a single file, using an application called gpg. Not sure if there's a GUI version, but using the command line was simple. Here's an example of the command I used:

> gpg -c my_password_file.txt

It'll ask you to enter a passphrase. Enter a password and remember it. This should produce a file called my_password_file.txt.gpg. The .gpg file is your password protected file. Delete your original password file, and you're all set.

To decrypt:

> gpg my_password_file.txt.gpg

Again it'll ask you for a passphrase. Enter the same password that you used when encrypting. Voila! You should now have your original my_password_file.txt file back.

Some disclaimers:

• This method is only as secure as your password. Keep it secret.
• Logically, this doesn't seem foolproof against a brute force attack. I don't know the technical details of how gpg was implemented so I can't say for sure. It'll always help to use a strong password.

Changes to my Motorola Droid

I'm not all about basketball, sometimes I have other things on my mind. A short anecdote.

I've been using a Motorola Droid as my phone for over a year. Overall it's been a mostly satisfactory experience. However in the past several months, my phone has exhibited some infuriating behavior. When the battery level reaches 15% the phone lets out a loud, jarring sound that is quite annoying. This sound cannot be disabled except by silencing the whole phone. This wouldn't be much of a problem, except when I use my phone to listen to podcasts every day during my commute and forget to silence the phone. Many times I've been driving home, listening to an Adam Carolla podcast, when suddenly a horrifyingly loud noise explodes through my speakers. I literally get goosebumps after this from being so startled. And every time I want to throw the phone out the window.

Turns out the only way to truly fix this problem is to root the phone. For those who don't know, "rooting" is a way of allowing greater customization to the phone, at the cost of a voided warranty. This was not a big deal to me since I'd been pretty set on getting the iPhone when my contract expired. So I proceeded. Afterwards I was able to remove the particular sound from my phone's memory, and my podcast listening has been pleasant ever since.

Today I went a step further. After rooting, many Android users install a non-standard version of the operating system on their phones. This allows for use of a better version of the OS and thus improves the experience. Again, thinking about my impending transition to the iPhone, I wasn't concerned about any potential damage to my phone. After some fiddling with apps and downloads I was able to install a clean copy of the most recent Android phone OS, Gingerbread.

Simply put, I love it. One of my biggest pet peeves about Android was the unrefined feel of the UI, from stuttery scrolling to slow swiping home screens. Those annoyances are gone. In addition, it appears that Google's new scheme of syncing apps with the online Android Market web interface allows for basically a hands free back up and restore functionality. Within a few minutes of the OS installation, all my apps were magically back on the phone. And it appears all my pictures and songs are still present. The only things missing are the records of past texts and calls. (I did a Titanium Backup, which would allow me to restore these things. But I won't bother - its not a big deal.)

Can I tell you what the most amazing thing about my "new phone" is? I no longer feel the need to get the iPhone, or any other new phone for that matter. These changes have given my Droid a new lease on life.

Here are a few links that helped me with this process:
SuperOneClick - root
Android drivers
Motorola Droid driver
Titanium backup
ROM Manager help
Gingerbread
Custom rom installation help

UPDATE (3/4/2011):

As I started using the phone more I ran into a few hiccups. First, there was a strange instance when I couldn't make/receive calls or texts. A reset fixed the issue. Then the camera stopped working, but it turns out that removing the camera_click.ogg sound file (to prevent the camera from making the loud annoying shutter sound) caused the problem. I've since replaced it and all is fine. Finally, audio playback would stutter whenever the screen turned on and off. I'd start playing a song, turn the screen off, and there would be about 2 seconds of stuttering before resuming smoothly. I flashed a custom kernel (also from peteralfonso.com), and it seems to have fixed the problem. Let's play around for a few more days to see if there are any more issues. But things look promising!

Another nationally televised game...

another loss. I should seriously stop watching these ABC double headers. Stayed close but trailed Orlando throughout the game. In the fourth quarter the Magic scored at will and the Lakers couldn't. Not much to say. Couple comments:

Where's Gasol been for the past few months? He's supposed to be our second best player, he's bordering on being our second worst player behind Luke. Not a good trend. Let's just hope he's tired and needs the All Star break to get some rest. Oh wait, he's playing in the All Star game. Dammit.

Steve Blake does nothing. He's like the guy in a pick-up game who stands around the 3 point line, usually passes whenever he gets the ball, and takes a handful of jumpers that have a 10% chance of going in. Pretty much useless.

I like how Bynum is playing. Makes a handful of solid moves per game, blocks a few shots, grabs boards. He's very useful when healthy.

Pretty upset the Clippers were the team to break the Cavaliers 26 game losing streak. It prevented the matchup with the Wizards, who hadn't won a road game all season, from being the deciding game where one team's embarrassing run was to end. Of course Washington came into Cleveland today and layed waste to the team that will win a championship before Miami.

And speaking of Miami, Lebron was again unclutch as he missed a crunch time free throw against Boston that could have tied the game. Instead Miami was forced to foul and lost.

Fantasize

Thought an update on my fantasy life was in order.

1. After last year's regular season, Steven proposed a fantasy playoffs. The object was to pick players from teams in the playoffs, and count the number of points scored by your players. The trick was obviously placing value based on a players expected number of games versus their scoring ability. Was Sasha Vujacic of the Lakers (made it to Finals) more valuable than Derrick Rose of the Bulls (first round exit)?

Well, long story short, I won! $100, in my bank account. This Vegas trip in June can't come soon enough.

2. This year's team has been up and down. I was doing very well earlier in the season, even first place at one point, but I've lost several weeks in a row to drop below .500. Who are my players? Glad you asked:

• Amar'e - Did you expect anything else?
• Eric Gordon - One of my favorite anecdotes about him is that he portrayed Michael Jordon's son in the movie Space Jam. Except this story appears to be false. The actor who played Jordan's son was indeed named Eric Gordon, but our man has denied that he is the same person. Regardless, he'll always be my "Baby Jordan".
• Brandon Jennings - love his game, just an all around baller. He's been hurt for a while, just starting to become productive again.
• Kevin Martin - solid points, 3's, percentages. Decent to good fantasy player.
• Brandon Roy - good lord, I grabbed him with my second pick? Not sure if he started 10 games this year.
• Michael Beasley - sometimes good, usually not.
• Darko Milicic - a poor man's Andrew Bogut. No wonder he fell all the way to #2 in the draft.
• Serge Ibaka - occasionally blocks a lot of shots. Pretty pleased with this late pick up.
• Mo Williams - the Cavs are in the midst of a 26 game losing streak. That is not a typo. Also, I went to the Lakers Cavs game this season, where we beat them by 55 points. Also not a typo.
• Everyone else on my team is garbage and not worth mentioning.

I've got my mind on my Lakers and my Lakers on my mind

Wow it's been quite a while since my last update. Turns out the Lakers won the 2010 title against the Celtics, in a game 7 at Staples! Cool story huh? As for this season I haven't watched too many games. A few that I remember: losing to the Heat on Christmas at home, beating the Cavs by about 50 points (I went to this game), and losing to Boston at home. Team hasn't been at its sharpest, hopefully they'll get it together come playoff time.

I'm contemplating merging my personal website with this blog, focusing more on my writing while expanding to other subjects I care about. Perhaps carry over my personal url (lawrencechang.net) to direct here. Stay tuned.

Slump

Lost 3 in a row. Awful. I don't like our late game offense of 100% Kobe isolation plays - it gets others out of rhythm, gets Kobe tired. Maybe there can be some plays where both Pau and Kobe have a chance to score the ball, not sure what such a play would look like. Maybe a pick and roll.

Raptors tonight. Chances this game is closer than it should be? Likely to very likely.

The Importance of January

Over the past month or so Kobe has been getting pretty banged up. He injured his index finger on his shooting hand, requiring a fat bandage whenever he plays. He had back spasms during a Spurs game and his lift has not been the same since - he passed up a wide open dunk for an awkward roll-around-the-rim layup against the Knicks this past Friday.

Media folk have asked Kobe why he doesn't rest and try to get better for the playoffs, especially since the team is in good shape record wise. His answer is always dismissive, almost as if he's offended at the idea of needing time off to heal like a mere mortal. I recently read a report where Kobe was asked something like "Why don't you sit and rest to heal yourself?" to which he replied "Why would I?" The report then gushes about how competitive Kobe is and how Kobe is being Kobe ad nauseum.

Huh? How about the simple fact that YOU DON'T WIN CHAMPIONSHIPS IN JANUARY? I haven't heard anyone mention this. Kobe should rest. We can feature Gasol or Bynum in all our offensive possessions and be better than any team we face.

Speaking of those bigs, the Lakers should bench Bynum and start Lamar. Gasol can once again be our ridiculous low-post threat. Our bench would be a lot less dependent on streaky 3-point shots when we can feed Bynum inside. I don't understand why this lineup hasn't been explored. I hope its not because of Bynum's contract and a way of showcasing him (there have been Bosh trade rumors...).

Of course the team will stay the course. Kobe will continue playing through his injury, Bynum and Gasol will continue to start together, I will continue to be frustrated at times. As long as we get home court I'll be happy.