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Other

Substance Designer SBSPRS/SBSAR file format notes

I have never used Substance Designer, so I’m basing this off of looking at example files.

The SBSPRS files are XML that appear to specify the list and type of parameters used in the SBSAR substance.

The SBSAR file is just a 7-zip file. It expands to:
./assemblies
./assemblies/content
./assemblies/content/0000
./assemblies/content/0000/icon1234567890.png
./assemblies/content/0000/Example.xml
./assemblies/content/0000/Example.sbsasm

The Example.xml file appears to describe the inputs of the node, the outputs of the node, gui layout for the node, and presets to choose for the node.

The Example.sbsasm file starts with the magic word 5342 414d, which are the ASCII values for SBAM. Beyond that, I haven’t figured anything else out about it.

I was hoping that this would be compressed formats, XML, JSON, and/or IFF all the way down.

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Other

Kid proofing USB charging

In case anyone is interested in making USB connectors a bit more kid proof, I recently bought these magnetic USB cables: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B074TB8XTL
For the kid’s tablet, I super glue the micro-usb adapter in place. It sticks out about 1/8 in. No more kid destroying USB ports.
It’s like Apples MagSafe for tablets.
For their claim that it will prevent “tripping over cable resulting in smashed phones”, the magnetic pull is strong enough to yank at least some phones off a table when the cord is accidentally pulled (say by tripping on it).

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Other

Makita Reciprocating Saw cord replacement

I was planning to nicely document this, but on review, some photos don’t really show what is needed, then I got caught up in finishing it and didn’t take appropriate finishing photos. Oh well, here is what I got.

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Other

Just built new shelves for games in closet. Turned out I still needed the old shelves.
Categories
Reviews

Logitech K780 and M720 mini review

I rather like the K780 keyboard and M720 mouse from Logitech (alas, not sold as combo). Just picked it up a week ago, so I can’t say about longevity yet, but they feel solid. The key shape on the keyboard is odd, but I’m already used to it from a K380 elsewhere.

I had 2 wireless keyboards and mice. One of each plugged into my KVM and one of each plugged into my windows PC on a separate monitor. Both of the K780 and M720 support connecting to 3 machines. Those three connections can be via Logitech’s unifying receiver (what you get in all cheap Logitech wireless mice) or bluetooth. Each device came with one receiver, and their software will let you re-pair their devices (unlike other brands of cheap USB wireless, I’m looking at you Anker). Thus, I stuck one receiver into the KVM, one into the windows PC, and re-paired both devices to talk to both receivers so now I have one keyboard and one mouse and I can easily toggle them between 3 computers (while still having an open slot on both devices for a tablet, Raspberry Pi, or something else).

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We had a guest today.

A post shared by Joshua Boyd (@joshua_d_boyd) on

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Probably her most serious picture face every.

A post shared by Joshua Boyd (@joshua_d_boyd) on

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Theory: Raspberry Pi is the closest thing to a meaningful new Amiga.

Categories
Cooking

Improve recipe heat directions.

I think that recipes should replace phrases like medium high heat or simmer with temperatures. I interpret medium high heat to mean about 350-370 degrees Fahrenheit (175-190 C). Likewise, I call a simmer about 200 degrees (about 95 C).

For measuring pan tempuratures, I use a point and shoot infrared thermometer like this model on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DMI632G/.

Categories
Cooking

Recipes

For several years I’ve kept a WordPress instance running in my basement for storing my recipes. I recently uploaded the data to wordpress.com. I may move to a custom domain, but for now it is on a free WordPress sub-domain. Visit it at: https://boydrecipes.wordpress.com/.

When it was in the basement, I didn’t add pictures or worry much about nicely formatting the recipes, sold old entries will likely to revised as I make them again.