Rename Gnome Terminal Title Bar
printf "\\033]0;TEXT YOU WANT HERE\\a" AI Artificial Intelligence
Linux vs Microsoft 
On the other hand the biggest and only down side of Linux is that there is a rather steep learning curve, but worth the effort. It is open-source and free, yes no cost to you. I prefer Debian Linux. Debian's program repositories consist of approximately 63,000 programs. Easily downloaded, some require configuration. With open-source you are free to modify, share, do whatever you like, just be careful what you type. You just might get it. There are literally hundreds of distributions based on Debian. Take a look at distrowatch.com.
Kill A Zombie Process In Linux
[Sat Aug 16 11:53:39 AM CDT 2025] In Debian Linux, a zombie process (or defunct process) is a process that still has an entry in the process table. This happens when the parent process hasn't yet collected the terminated child's exit status. These aren't particularly harmful, but I like to kill them. A reboot will get rid of them but we Linux folks rarely reboot. Instead run this command in a shell or terminal: ps aux | grep 'Z' you would see the defunct process. The quotes are needed. Run this to get rid of it:kill -9 $(ps -A -ostat,ppid | grep -e '[zZ]'| awk '{ print $2 }') as regular user, unless maybe it's a defunct root process.
Why Trucking is Failing
[Tue Jul 29 10:08:31 AM CDT 2025] Why is trucking failing? Why is there a shortage of “ Good Drivers? ” Back in the day and now, there has always been a shortage but for different reasons. I drove a straight truck when I was eighteen, by the time I was nineteen when I drove two man teams running semi trucks to California. My license was not rated for big trucks but they needed drivers. No CDL at that time but there was the CMVs or Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1986. This was before deregulation was enacted, things were good, drivers were very good and no schools existed at the time. If you were good at it, you had a job.Ad Hoc: Something to note. There are hundreds of big truck drivers out there that don't even speak english -what- So it's reasonable to assume they can't read road signs. Super bad. Then there were companies like J.B Hunt, they hired idiots that couldn't drive along with many others disreputable freight haulers. We were meat haulers and proud of it. They were freight haulers, this was just a friendly rivalry. I have many articles of my time over the road. Trucking is now failing, mainly due to companies that cheat drivers, the DOT using ELDs technology that prevents drivers from doing there job. The DOT isn't making things easier by demanding you park it... there is no where to park! To summarize, good drivers are quitting, leaving rookies to carry nearly everything you buy. My stories are on archived pages. here and here
2026 Chevrolet ZR1X Corvette
[Sat Jul 19 07:45:14 PM CDT 2025] Despite my previous article concerning American cars, I still stand by my favorite all my life, that being Chevrolet. I preferred working on or owning Chevrolet cars. The way they engineer things which I won't go in to here. I have been a Corvette fan forever, never owned one, but did drove one. About the Corvette ZR1X, one can say it is the first American Super cars. Joining the ranks of to name a few, Examples include the Lamborghini Revuelto, McLaren 750S, and Ferrari 296 GTB. Other supercars include the Maserati MC20, Porsche 911 GT3 RS, among others. What makes a supercar? specs like the ZR1x Corvette has.
- 1250 Horsepower
- All wheel drive
- Twin Turbo Charged
- Advanced Braking System
- 230 mph top speed
- 0-60 mph under 2.0 sec.
American Disposable Cars
[Tue Jul 1 02:59:10 PM CDT 2025] Planned obsolescence is what is happening to American cars, the question maybe is this by design, and by design I mean is it the parts and the nature of the engineers to over do the not so brilliant way they attempt to accomplish better mileage? more power, both? Or is it greed? Statistics say the typical $40,000.00 USD cost of a new car is only lasting two owners even though well maintained, will incur repairs after 100,000 miles or sooner, these repairs often cannot be repaired by the dealer that sold the car, and the mechanics in the private sector are quitting the business because of complex and poor wiring practices that will fail. Include foreign made parts that fail and are extremely expensive to buy and install, adding insult to injury, something will likely need to reprogrammed.This brings us to one of the most common issues. Thanks to LED lighting and a plethora of sensor voltages for lights and dozens of sensors only require 1.5 volts, some times less, sometimes more. With less voltage thinner qauge wires can be used, just many more packed into flexible looms and routed throughout the car in tight places subject to chafing, hot or moving parts causing short circuits and knocking out sensors and the networks they communicate on. These repairs can cost hundreds and more often thousands of dollars. Heaven forbid you break a flimsy built transmission or drive train component replacement costs, begin to exceed the blue book value of the car, and they and up in scrap yards. Too expensive to repair. Sad state of affairs.
June 6 1944 D-Day
[June Thu 6 11:00:50 AM CDT 2025] Quoting Google, “In the pre-dawn hours of June 6, 1944, American and Allied forces stormed a 50-mile stretch of beach in Normandy, France, winning a crucial victory that turned the tide of World War II and changed the course of history.”
ImageMagick Linux
[Tue May 20 04:16:10 PM CDT 2025] You can make these word clouds with Imagemagic. I use the Linux version but I think it's available for Windows also. I used wordcloud to create the cloud from a text file, any text file, then used the convert command from Imagemagic to insert the caption text. You install a wordcloud generator or use a free one at www.wordclouds.com . With Imagemagick you can do dozens of things to your photos. An example of the caption code below.convert -pointsize 30 -fill black -draw 'text 100,190 "caption text here" ' photo1.jpg photo2.jpg
The text numbers are coordinates as to where you want the caption in the photo. Start with any picture 'photo1.jpg' for example, the command convert will create 'photo2.jpg' or whatever you wish to call it. In the example start 100 pixels from the left and 190 pixels from the top. -pointsize is the text size, -fill is the text color, -draw is self-explanatory. Do not omit the single and double quotes. This is all done in a terminal shell. That said, Photoshop users will say, “ yeah, I can type that into an image in seconds. ” Ok, sure, just pay hundreds of dollars paying for Photoshop. Or use a Linux graphics program like “ The GIMP ” and it's free.
The IRC Protocol
[Thu Mar 20 04:00:08 PM CDT 2025] IRC was created in August 1988 by Jarkko Oikarinen, while the WWW, using the “http or better hypertext tranfer protocol” as we know it, emerged with the development of the first web browser and server in 1989. The letters IRC stand for “Internet Relay Chat.” Per Wikipedia, is a text-based chat system for instant messaging. IRC is designed for group communication in discussion forums, called channels but also allows one-on-one communication via private messages as well as chat and data transfer, including file sharing. I learned nearly everything I know about Linux and computers on IRC. “Linux.” You can also use Microsoft Windows as well as macOS to access any IRC network. Many have a web interface for those just curious but a IRC client will serve you best. The screenshot on the left is “IRSSI”, one of my favorites, very configurable, just one client of many.
With proper configuration of the client and the IRC server. it is very private. Privacy is near extinct these days. The server I use currently Is “Libera.chat”. Very good documentation on their site and includes a web interface to test drive the network. Current global users, 31748, channels, 22,244 channels formed. MS Windows users might like “mIRC.” This client is shareware, so you'll be seeing a nag screen if you don't contribute, but it will work just as well without paying.
The WordPress Incident
[Thu Mar 6 10:38:36 AM CST 2025] The reason I'm posting this short article is to apologize to hunter and big whitey for what I said about them years ago. I just happened to be using “WordPress”, a blog software. Never use it by the way, it's the most hacked software that I know about. So to the point, I stated they were poor friends, not true. They are good people and will likely never forgive me. Even though they were paid for nearly every thing they did for me, I should have never published what I felt at the particular time using wordpress. Wordpress had nothing to do with anything, I just needed a title for a long overdue apology. Sorry guys.
D.O.G.E.
[Sun Feb 23 07:33:07 PM CST 2025] While I was a bit skeptical of The “Department of Government Efficiency” at first, I think we need this government office. As for Elon Musk he is the kind to leave no stone unturned. I fear he may be too quick on the trigger. I do trust the president to surround himself with the best personel, he's done exactly that. This will create plenty of opposition I'm sure. If I were wasting money under Federal noses without the treasury department keeping track of waste and corruption, I would worry too. The fact is the U.S. needs serious change, and change is something many people do not like. From spending money we don't have, and not paying our debts et al, change is absolutely necessary. The first step is simple, common sense! Get this ship back on course.
US Idiotic Spending
[Wed Feb 5 04:02:04 PM CST 2025] If you pay taxes in the USA then this is what some of that money went in 2024. Figures from The White House. This is so ridiculous it's hard to believe. This is just a short list!
- $1.5 million to “advance diversity equity and inclusion in Serbia’s workplaces and business communities”
- $70,000 for production of a “DEI musical” in Ireland
- $2.5 million for electric vehicles for Vietnam
- $47,000 for a “transgender opera” in Colombia
- $32,000 for a “transgender comic book” in Peru
- $2 million for sex changes and “LGBT activism” in Guatemala
- $6 million to fund tourism in Egypt
- Hundreds of thousands of dollars for a non-profit linked to designated terrorist organizations — even AFTER an inspector general launched an investigation
- Millions to EcoHealth Alliance — which was involved in research at the Wuhan lab
- Hundreds of thousands of meals that went to al Qaeda-affiliated fighters in Syria”
- Funding to print “personalized” contraceptives birth control devices in developing countries
- Hundreds of millions of dollars to fund “irrigation canals, farming equipment, and even fertilizer used to support the unprecedented poppy cultivation and heroin production in Afghanistan,” benefiting the Taliban
Kicking Ass Taking Names
[Sat Jan 27 10:11:00 AM CST 2025] True to his word President Trump has been kicking ass and taking names. It's awe inspiring what President Trump has accomplished in a matter of days. A master of negotiation he brought opposing peoples' ideas and views into a more efficient and logical state. Just one example disallowing biological males in womens sports and locker rooms. Just the thought of that is senseless and unreasonable. The whole idea of DEI Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion is on the surface perfectly fine, until you take those ideas to a ridiculous level. The same goes for the Woke culture which has also gone too far with it's silly ideas. I won't opine on DEI and Woke culture of which I know very little about. In summation I will just say I am so impressed by our current number 47th President, he understands the important of change while at the same time he doesn't do stupid things and all of the USA will be better for it.
Drones And The FAA
[Wed Dec 17 12:30:45 PM CST 2024] So what's up with all these drones? The FBI is investigating the reports, with an official acknowledging public concern while suggesting there might be a “slight overreaction.” The Pentagon has repeatedly stated the drones are not of foreign origin. The FAA (federal Aviation Administration) isn't saying anything. Some sources states the drones are flying at 3,000 to 4,000 feet. Given especially the airspace they are flying in is in close proximity to major east coast airpots and military sites. The https://www.faa.gov/uas are not saying anything. The Department of Homeland Security same thing, nothing. More disturbing is the airspace around military sites and high volume internatational airports such as, Teterboro NJ, Newark NJ. JFK NY. and LaGuardia NY. More than likely have Bravo Airspace. All this points to The US Goverment, but why?
Brain Rot
[Wed Dec 4 06:10:04 PM CST 2024] Excerpted from an article in the New York Times. Brain Rot is often invoked by young people on social media to describe the “supposed deterioration of a person’s mental or intellectual state,” particularly stemming from overconsumption of trivial online content. That usage surged by about 230 percent over the past year. Casper Grathwohl, the president of Oxford Languages, the company’s dictionary division, said the term’s rise reflects the breakneck speed of social media-driven language change. “With ‘brain rot,’” he said, “it’s a phenomenon of young people skewering language trends on TikTok, almost exactly after they themselves have churned out that language.”
I find this to be quite believable to the point of being dangerous considering all the bogus information on social platforms.
Isaac Asimov
[Sat Nov 23 03:10:22 PM CST 2024] Isaac Asimov was an American writer and professor of biochemistry at Boston University. During his lifetime, Asimov was considered one of the "Big Three" science fiction writers, along with Robert A. Heinlein and Arthur C. Clarke. A prolific writer, he wrote or edited more than 500 books. Source, AsimovOnline. The reason for this article is due to the prolific ideas Asimov had about AI and in particular, the advent of robots. I loved his books and short stories while in elementary school. Before robots became a thing, Asimov saw all this coming leading him to write the rules for robots listed below.
- A robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm
- A robot must obey the orders given it by human beings except where such orders would conflict with the First Law
- A robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Laws
Educated at Colombia, University New York, NY. and was a professor of biochemistry at Boston University and writer. A quote of his was:
The saddest aspect of life right now is that science gathers knowledge faster than society gathers wisdom. Never let your sense of morals prevent you from doing what is right. In life, unlike chess, the game continues after checkmate.Wise words in my humble opinion.
To All Veterans
[Mon Nov 11 11:50:00 AM CDT 2024] To all American veterans, on behalf of a greatful nation we thank you all for your sacrifice.
History of Veterans Day
At The end of World War I, The Treaty Of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919. Since the treaty, Verterans Day is celebrated on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. Regardless of what day November 11 falls on. The nation is forever in your debt, living or dead. Thank you for your service and we will always be grateful.
The Rebirth Of The Pontiac GTO
[Tue Oct 22 04:39:04 PM CDT 2024] The Pontiac GTO was manufactured by General Motors from 1963 to 1974, and again from 2004 to 2006. The initials stand for, "Gran Turismo Omologato," which is Italian for "homologated grand-touring car." My favorite model year of the GTO is the 1970. Optional engines being a 400 CID and a 455 cubic inch.
The 2025 has numerous options, a few being a 6.2L V8, 455 horsepower with 650 hp supercharged and a ten speed automatic transmission. If 650 horsepower isn’t enough, the GTO Judge Edition takes it further with a twin-turbo 6.6L V8, generating over 700 horsepower. Specs on the 2025 model state it being supercharged while some sources state twin-turbo charged with the Judge option, achieving a 0-60 MPH time in less than 3 seconds. With this power, the Judge Edition is not for the faint of heart—it’s for those who truly want to tame the beast. Estimated top speed 200 mph. Estimated price $45,000.00 USD. The name "The Judge" comes from the 1970 GTO, complete with a graphics package. Be aware while some specs say 'Supercharged' which is a different type of forced induction compared to 'Turbo-Charging.'
X And Y Chromosomes
[Tue Oct 8 07:57:13 PM CDT 2024]
My knowledge of biology is weak to say the least, but a bit of research and memory tells me this. A female is XX and the male is X and Y chromosome. . Every individual must have at least one X chromosome. Since the female is XX, each of her eggs has a single X chromosome. The male, being XY, can generate two types of sperm: half bear the X chromosome, half the Y. This topic is far more complicated than I can explain. That said, thehe male, being XY, can generate two types of sperm: half have the X chromosome, half the Y. This is what defines gender. Hence, 'XX' = Female, and 'XY = Male.
Pronouns and 'Woke Culture.' So upon the basic male, female premise, when the two become intertwined by mental or physical means I know I become confused as to how to address LGBTQ people? 'Hey You?' It's fine by me, whatever but I draw the line at things like biological men in woman's sports.. I consider that an un-fair advantage. Be what you want to be. My take is this, born with a penis you're a man. Born with a vagina you're a woman just don't expect the US Government to pay for a sex change.
Trucking - The Fifth Wheel
[Thu Sep 5 03:19:15 PM CDT 2024] So what is this fifth wheel thing? It is the mechansism mounted between the frame rails behind the cabin or the sleeper berth. It is extremely strong and is used to connect a trailer kingpin to the tractor.
So when the trailer is at a proper height using it's landing gear, the driver backs under the trailer until the kingpin locks into the fifth wheel. A proper locking of the kingpin to the fifth wheel is exceedingly important. A good driver will hook the trailer and the get out of the truck, climb underneath the trailer and confirm the kingpin which is typically 36 inches from the front off the trailer. 
The king pin is welded to a the square steel plate, and in turn welded to the trailer. A 36 inch (914.4 mm) pin is standard but if you order a new trailer, or find a 30 inch (762 mm) pin in my opinion is much better for many reasons I won't go into here.
The picture on the left is a actual fifth wheel, you'll notice the locking jaw, and the release handle. Here is where a meat hook often came in handy for me. The fifth wheel is suspended on to pivoting trunion bearings, allowing it to tilt forward and backwards. The is to provide pitch of the tractor to the trailer. Furthermore the flat surface of the fifth wheel needs to be greased periodically for making turns or the yaw axis. This entire assemble can to moved forward and backwards by releasing locking pins on a rack.
These pins are pneumatically released by a switch on the drivers dashborad. What this does is shift weight onto the front axle, or off same. The best and optimal position is center the kingpin equally between the two drive axles. Don't forget to re-engage the locking pins.
Born Republican
[Sat April 6 06:46:18 PM CDT 2024] For those who don't know, Abraham Lincoln was the founder of (The GOP, The Grand Old Party). Also known as The Republican Party. He became the 16th president (1861–1865) and first Republican to hold the office, thus making American Politics a two party system. I've never been intested in politics, but I do claim to be a Republican. I quote, President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863, as the nation approached its third year of bloody civil war. The proclamation declared that all persons held as slaves within the rebellious states are, and henceforward shall be free.
So moving on... Americans are supposed to know The Pledge of Allegiance which states, I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
So this does not mean you're free to do anything you f***ing want NO.. Justice for all means break the law and there will be consequences and victims will and should get justice. This applies to LEGAL citizens. It's actually on the test to get citizenship. Yeah, there is a test! Liberals, some democrats, illegal aliens et al,, think oh well we'll just cancel that sh*t and do it their way. WRONG, rules are rules. Wake the hell up Americans.
King Of The Road Peterbilt 389
[Sat Mar 30 04:46:18 PM CDT 2024] This is a no frills Model 389 Peterbilt. You can get all sorts of options. Depending on a choice of two engines it's rated at 400 - 605 hp. Engines are a choice of Paccar (Paccar is the company that builds these trucks), and Cummins are available. The base configuration transmissions are 10 to 18 speed automatic. You can get a manual thank God. In my opinion, Paccar/Peterbilts are not what they used to be. They have always been over-rated and very expensive. If I was in the market I would buy a older model or switch to 
Kenworth W900.
There has always been a rivalry between Peterbilt, and all the rest. International Trucks, Freightliner et al. The one truck I will have nothing to do with is Volvo. I've driven all of these except Volvo and all were good looking and fast! All or most of these trucks, with amenities will cost you well over $100,000.00 USD. The Peterbilt drives like a dream but then again so do the others. With the price of fuel and everything else such as an abundance of idiot 4-wheelers and school taught truck drivers out there, I really don't miss it, but it was fun in the old days when we didn't have those damn DOT mandated computer tattle tales in the truck. That really must suck. On top of that the swinging beef days are long gone, personally I liked hauling swinging, never had a problem. Happy trails to you drivers out there. The country cannot do without you.
BeechCraft King Air 320
[Mon Mar 18 12:07:04 PM CDT 2024] I have always been an aviation fan, and the picture is a smaller model of the plane I got to fly on which was maybe a 200?. Years ago the company that processed the swinging beef that I hauled for years. My uncle was a cattle buyer for that company. The company owned a smaller version of the KingAir Turbo-Prop, It seated eight people as I recall. So my uncle invited me to take a ride on that plane, it was worth well over 1.5 Million and perfect condition. We left the company's home base, flew to Chicago, dropped off some shoppers then flew direct to Louisville, Kentucky. After a couple hours my uncle concluded his business and took of for Chicago, Illinois.
The Captain's name was Bill Anderson and after he flew us up to maybe 7 to 10,000 feet, at well over 250 miles per hour. It so happens no aircraft is permitted to exceed 250 mph under 5,000 feet. Anyway, the captain asked me if I wanted to sit in the capatain's seat, of course I accepted. The plane had very modern avionics and it was on auto-pilot naturally, but that was so fun. The picture is a 320 model, about the only visable difference is the number of seats/windows. In my opinion, I'll take this type of airplane over any big jet. You can see a current King Air 260 here.
Sanctuary Cities
[Tue Feb 27 07:15:56 PM CST 2024] According to Center For Immigration Studies, and I quote,
These cities, counties, and states have laws, ordinances, regulations, resolutions, policies, or other practices that obstruct immigration enforcement and shield criminals from ICE — either by refusing to or prohibiting agencies from complying with ICE detainers, imposing unreasonable conditions on detainer acceptance, denying ICE access to interview incarcerated aliens, or otherwise impeding communication or information exchanges between their personnel and federal immigration officers.
Initially this appeared to be well intentioned but stupid. Berkeley, California was the first to pass a resolution designation as a Sanctuary City
in 1971. More cities passed similar resolutions in the 1980's. No thanks to our now open borders, things are out of control. Criminals are ransacking these cities and not being held accountable. Or the commit felonies elsewhere and flee to these cities. We are in a crisis thanks to the Biden administration. It is a out of control travesty nationwide.
Truckers Boycott New York City
[Mon Feb 19 10:07:23 AM CST 2024] Led by spokes person,Chicago Ray
Ray claimed that some of his colleagues have decided to stop making deliveries to New York City. The boycott voiced by Chicago Ray, is in response to New York judge Engoron who ordered the former president Donald Trump, to pay nearly $355 million in penalties in a civil fraud case. Chicago Ray, a conservative is clearly outraged by Judge Arthur Engoron, who banned Trump from serving as a company director. Trump has also been banned from taking out loans. I certainly back this boycott.
In a quote from Chicago Ray, “Do you know how f—king hard it is to get into New York City with one of these motherf—ckers?” he said, referring to his truck. “Man, f—k that. “ Ray went on to suggest that 95% of truckers support Trump. I can totally relate to that statement on all counts. I also believe Trump will appeal this ridiculous sum and the ruling will be reversed. How can anyone be guilty of fraud when noone has been hurt, monetarily or otherwise. Just more anti-Trump bull shit.
New York City Gives Immigrants Debit Cards
[Sun Feb 11 11:22:50 AM CST 2024] The Mayor of New York City is giving the 500 migrant families debit cards with $1000.00 dollars on them and to be replenished monthly. Meantime we have thousands of veterans living on the streets who get nothing. The plan will cost $53 million dollars. The city plans to give ungrateful and parasitic migrants free $1,000 prepaid credit cards. Free to them, but not to the taxpayers who have to pick up the tab, according to Newsweek. This amount which is debated will be replenished every month. I'm not saying ALL migrants are bad, but it's been shown many are.
Navy Seals MIA
[Tue Jan 23 12:19:56 PM CST 2024] A pair of Navy SEALs who went missing during a night mission off the coast of Somalia on Jan. 11 are dead, U.S. Central Command announced Sunday. The SEALs were climbing onto the side of a vessel as part of an interdiction mission when one fell into the water. The second SEAL dove in after him. They were never found. Their mission was interdict a dhow carrying Iranian weapons and missile parts. The dhow was sunk. Navy Special Warfare Operator 1st Class Christopher J. Chambers and Navy Special Warfare Operator 2nd Class Nathan G. Ingram were considered dead after a ten day search. Prayers to the families.
US Forces Slap Houthis
[Fri Jan 12 11:36:41 AM CST 2024] For those who don't know, Iran backed Houthis is a Shia Islamist political and military organization that emerged from Yemen in the 1990s. They have been firing on US ships in the Red Sea, along with other ships, including pirating and seizing other ships. Missiles fired from Yemen aimed at Israel have been shot down. In accordance with International Maritime law, blocking a major shipping lane is alone an egregious violation. I'm referring to the Red Sea and the Suez Canal. Firing on US ships will not be tolerated. Iran is behind all of this, they bankroll Hamas, Yemen Houthis all due to Israeli attacks on Hamas. I feel for Palestine, but Hamas deserves and needs to be eradicated. That is my opinion.Warning - Keyless Start Vehicles Can Be Hacked
[Sun Jan 7 03:48:25 PM CST 2024] The AAA released a statement this week, warning of the new ways thieves are getting into and stealing cars. If your vehicle is operated by a key fob, the signal on it, can be hacked, allowing thieves to access your vehicle, and drive away in your car. With simple equipment thieves can stand near your house window or a door and pick up wirelessly your key fob electronic RFID (Radio Frequency IDentification) relay the signal to a helper standing next next to your car, unlock it and push to start and the vehicle is gone. About a 30 second hack. The key fob continously emits this signal. Using a Faraday Pouch will block any RF signal from being picked up.
Michael Faraday was an English scientist who contributed to the study of electromagnetism and electrochemistry. A Faraday cage is used by governments and others to block radio signals. Use a Faraday cage or if possible turn the key fob off. Click For More Information.
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