Category: Updates

Krew, A Helpful Kubernetes Plugin discovery tool

Posted on by Jason Gulledge

I recently stumbled onto Krew, a SIG CLI project. It helps you discover plugins from your machine. It works on MacOS, Linux, and windows. They have an active community and they collaborate in #sig-cli in the kubernetes slack. Here are just a few of the 207 (as of Oct 2022) plugins that are useful:

  • ctx – This provides a faster way to switch between clusters and namespaces in kubectl
  • who-can – If you use RBAC for access controls, this will show who has RBAC permissions to perform actions on different resources in Kubernetes.
  • ns – Provides a faster way to switch between clusters and namespaces

Unrelated to Krew, but if you like to color code things (like color coding production vs non-production) take a look at kubecolor


TikTok Tech Roundup – Part 1

Posted on by Jason Gulledge

This is the first installment of what I’m calling the Tikok Tech Roundup, where I share videos from TikTok that I found interesting.

First up is Anerdguy. Here he shows how to create a Pi-hole Docker container to block ads on your entire home network. This is where infra/tech and at-home network security intersect.

@anerdguynow

Replying to @bigpanda161 Create a Pi-hole Docker container to block ads on your entire home network. #pihole #docker #softwareengineer #techtok #tech #ubiquiti

♬ Lo-fi hip hop – NAO-K

Next is @tamsininnit with a video about a free (as in beer) open-source alternative to Zapier. Use this to automate workflows, and you can host it locally or at your cloud provider. Perfect if you don’t trust Zapier with your secrets.

@tamsininnit

Such a great #opensource #automation tool to run locally in #docker #techtok #productivity #opensourcesoftware #digitaltiktok #digitaltips #n8n

♬ Pieces (Solo Piano Version) – Danilo Stankovic

Next is @viciswho explaining on how to setup high definition video for streaming, office meetings, etc.

@viciswho

(Part one) Getting HQ iPhone Front Camera Video #cinematography #contentcreatortips #filmmaking101 #videographytips

♬ Hip Hop with impressive piano sound(793766) – Dusty Sky

Next up is @ChiefGyk3D with a solution for backing up your icloud data to your synology NAS using icouldpd in case apple loses files. Also features docker. (Commenters have noted that you can also install Synology Photos on your iOS devices, and that it provides automatic backups just like iCloud). If you have your very own telco closet at home or are a datacenter mole person like me, this you might appreciate this tutorial.

@chiefgyk3d

Now I’m no longer captive to #Apple or #Microsoft for my data too #NAS #icloud #iphone #mac #macos #linux #office365 #synology #IT #computer

♬ Funk Rave – Don´t Let Me Down 140 Bpm – kirtap

On the art of sign making & glass gilding

Posted on by Jason Gulledge

Artists are creating amazing works of art like this still today. Traditional sign painting, ornamental drawing, and ephemera techniques have a rich history. Often the artists who worked for these companies were not always credited so researching these old works of art to find the original artist can often be difficult.

These skills can be seen on glass as well. Embossing, gilding, brilliant cutting, and silvering are just some of the techniques that traditional ornamental glass artists use. I first discovered this type of art on glass as a child in my father’s glass shop. There was an attached art gallery with lots of old books with art like this featured. It wasn’t until 2013 that I became really interested in it again, when I stumbled on a video by Danny Cooke highlighting the work of David A Smith as he worked to design the cover art of one of John Mayer’s albums. The way this video captures the art, and the way David works rekindled my love of the style. His dedication to the art, the craft, and the workshops he teaches will hopefully ensure that it stays around for generations to come. Do yourself a favor and check out David’s portfolio.

One of David A Smiths sketches. Prior to creating it on glass, he always makes a sketch first.
The finished product. Click here for closeups.



Finally, here is the original mini-documentary I saw that pulled me back into this world.