Jim's Depository

20 years of rewriting the same code
coding category
Avoid PNG’s larger payloads when photos need irregular transparency: this browser-side technique pairs JPEG color data with an alpha mask using JavaScript and canvas, with a possible FlashCanvas path for legacy IE.
linux category
A tiny firmware timeout can turn routine server activity into premature disk wear and a painful recovery. Learn how Debian users can inspect S.M.A.R.T. counters and build a bootable DOS USB to apply Western Digital’s otherwise inaccessible fix.
coding category
See how a few browser-specific fixes and smarter asset choices can turn a canvas-heavy dashboard into a lightweight interface that stays sharp, loads quickly, and behaves consistently beyond a single browser.
linux category
Avoid misaligned partitions that quietly cripple 4K-drive performance on older Debian systems, and sidestep Squeeze-era fdisk and LVM-over-USB boot-time traps.
linux category
Avoid losing early-warning disk health data when moving SATA storage off the motherboard: this tested JMicron enclosure works with Linux smartmontools, with a practical warning about the unreliable power-supply variant.
Uncategorized category
HTML5 localStorage can outlast cookie clearing while remaining invisible in browser settings, creating a quiet tracking surface. Better storage inspection, deletion controls, and type-aware APIs would help users and developers catch what’s being retained.
coding category
A consumer Wi‑Fi frame could become a low-cost remote display—if you can work around cloud APIs, polling behavior, and opaque SSL traffic. The early network traces and captured firmware offer a starting point for turning a locked-down gadget into an ownable endpoint.
linux category
Avoid outdated package dead ends and opaque FastCGI failures when serving Lua through nginx. The working dependency list, WSAPI example, and process checks give Debian Squeeze admins a quick path to a testable deployment.
Uncategorized category
A tiny production mystery—part timekeeping, part runaway automation—shows how daylight-saving edge cases can turn a quiet night into an audible incident.
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