Recently, on a roadtrip, my family and I exchanged location sharing data on Google Maps, so we could track each other’s progress.
Example of the interface
After we got home from vacation, we kept up the location sharing because it was fun and useful. For example, before I called my brother I could check if we was working, because his work at the hospital has random shift times. Or, when my parents went on a trip to New Zealand, we could track their progress.
My parents in particular adored this feature. My mom would, every morning, check on her children to make sure that we were all OK and to see what we were up to. I got a lot of very specific questions about my activities: “I saw you were at XXX store for an hour yesterday, how was that?” Also, for me and my wife, it was pretty typical locations in general. We were at work, at home, or somewhere in-between. Really, to avoid the privacy breaches but still inform my parents, I would love to have something that just told them what category of place we were in. Also, with their 50th wedding anniversary coming up in a couple years(crazy, right?), it seemed like the perfect project.
The Inspiration
If you’re on this website, you’ve probably noticed my rampant nerdiness. Thus my inspiration: the Weasley clock, featured in the Harry Potter films and books. This magic clock tracked all the Weasley family members and identified their locations. While I don’t think we will use the “Quidditch” or “Mortal Peril” categories, this seemed to be the exact answer to my question. Now I just had to develop the software and mechanics to support it.
The Tech
Fortunately, we all walk around with microcomputers in our pockets that constantly spy on us while addicting us. So I knew if the NSA had this data, I could probably convince my siblings to give it to me as well, if I could just figure out how. Ideally I’d find a lightweight solution that would somehow convey latitude/longitude to some network location that my clock would eventually access.
Enter OwnTracks. The exact solution. This is an open source, lightweight location sharing app available on both Android and iPhone. All location data is private. It uses MQTT, a machine data transfer protocol, to send the data to a server. Also, it supports Regions, areas on the map that you can label and the app will indicate if it is inside that area. This is perfect to denote home and work locations.
However, OwnTracks needs to connect to an MQTT broker, software that will collect and distribute the messages typically run on a server. You can rent these servers very cheaply, but you know what is even cheaper? An IT buddy with a server in his basement. Thus enters Mosquitto, another open source software that acts as an MQTT broker.
The Plan
Thus we have our software picture all filled in. Owntracks will be installed on the phones, sending location data to the MQTT broker Mosquitto on my buddy’s server, and then my hardware will connect to this server to download the data. I just have to put it all together and pair it with the mechanics.
This is Kevin’s Cradle Series review. Cradle, by Will Wight, is one of my favorite series to read for exciting action without much overhead. The author himself says he is very strict on every scene that doesn’t advance the plot. Some may find this writing style lacks depth or rushes the plot but I think it reflects the story genre and keeps the pace exciting.
Cradle is a series in the xianxia/wuxia/cultivation genre. With roots in Asian martial arts, these stories typically involve endless training and meditation to gain physical and often magical power. The hero, Lindon, starts in Unsouled as the scum of his village. However, after a life-altering event, he is set on a path of training and combat that leads him to becoming the strongest person on the planet.
Most of Cradle is a fantasy, magical, martial arts action series. Lindon will have an opponent or obstacle. He will train and practice, make new allies, and at the end of the book or arc overcome this opponent or obstacle. From a top level this may seem formulaic, but then a hero’s journey often is, and the exact mechanisms are kept fresh enough to be entirely enjoyable.
The series is also carried by its characters. Lindon assembles a team of compatriots who are all marvelously distinct, even in their speaking styles, all of whom are my favorite. His chief companion and eventual love interest, Yerin, is a joy to read about. Even the character who speaks like Chewbacca, Little Blue, a spirit, has great moments in the story.
Final Thoughts
Overall, this story does not have any particular depth but is incredibly satisfying and enjoyable to read. The books are all individually short, the pacing is tight, and the plot and characters are quite fun. Highly recommend, 9/10.
(Also, the series is wrapping up this summer and Will Wight’s new series is coming out in April. Great time to get into it)
Dad’s Thanksgiving Birthday Dinner, with Lindsey’s Dessert
Flatbreads from the Pizza Oven
Chicken bacon ranch, barbeque chicken, and Margherita flatbreads. I did a relatively quick pizza dough (6 hours bulk, 2 hour proof) with 125g dough balls stretched into ovals. Used my sister’s Ooni Koda pizza oven which is the same one I own. I think they work great, though we had some trouble getting up to temp with charcoal today.
I topped the barbeque chicken pizza with just chicken and pickled red onion, though my dad asked for bacon as well on it. The pickled red onion was a perfect acidic contribution.
My favorite was the chicken bacon ranch which is just delicious. The Margherita also turned out well but I’ve made those many times before.
Brownie Sundae
Lindsey requested a brownie sundae bar. I used Brian Lagerstrom’s Best Fudgy Brownies recipe, though I struggled with my sister’s oven so it was a little underbaked. Still delicious, and I had a variety of toppings lined up to finish off the plate. Simple and yummy!
This chapter was extremely short, mostly serving as a way to shepherd in the Volume 1 rewrite that got posted simultaneously. I’ll be reading through it and I may post about it, but for this chapter:
Mrsha is a central character, spending time with Kenva, Watch Captain Venim’s daughter, as he interviews with Liscor’s council for the new Watch Commander position. Apparently, Captain Zevara doesn’t think she’s the right fit for the role. I agree with the cast of characters, if she isn’t give the job, riot.
A quick note is that Tyrion is now allowed to use the portal door and room to get to and from the Haven and Invrisil. Interesting but I guess it’s pragmatic.
The central part of the chapter is newcomers to the inn trying to get the story of the inn straight and learn all the major events that have occurred. I love the look back at the tumultuous history of the inn, but I could have done without the almost 4th wall break (not Rhir, more Deadpool) that was written. It was almost “Haha wouldn’t it be funny if someone wrote a story about the stuff that happens here? You could call it The Wandering Inn and post chapters twice a week on a story sharing network”
So many people being called to the inn just to listen to Erin tell its story was nice. I love the Antinium and their not-quite worship of Erin.
I don’t recall Ysara meeting or saving Ryoka at all, but I guess I’ll catch it in the reread.
Teriarch/Demsleth briefly censors the word Dragon from Erin’s story, which was comical.
The chapter cuts off right as Erin gets started. Kind of a bummer, I would love a Cliffnotes or in-universe story summary so far, though it’d be near impossible to condense to a reasonable chapter.
