Photo Restorations by Tim G.

‘Webtrees’ on a Home Server: Installing the Webtrees Software

July 17, 2020 / tim / 0 Comments

⬅️ Previous post: Getting online with LAMP and No-IP

Installing Webtrees • Installing ‘intl’ and preparing the data folder • Creating the MariaDB database • Tweaking the default PHP configuration • Troubleshooting SELinux errors • What’s next for the server?

Now that I have a server machine running Linux and a LAMP stack accessible via the internet, I’m ready to install the Webtrees software. Debugging the SELinux permission errors took some time, and got much easier once I learned how properly troubleshoot. Here’s what I went through to get it running. Continue reading

‘Webtrees’ on a Home Server: Getting online with LAMP and No-IP

July 1, 2020 / tim / 0 Comments

⬅ Previous Post: My Machine and Operating System

Installing and Configuring the LAMP stack • What about a firewall? • Opening the router to web traffic • Launching the site for free with No-IP • Visiting my new server for the first time

My laptop server is wedged discretely between my desk and my tower. Lights at the bottom show that it is on.

When last we left my Webtrees project, I had installed Gentoo Linux on an old 2005 HP Compaq nc6230, and hardened it for security with SELinux. This formed the foundation of my server machine. Since then, I’ve installed OpenSSH, which allows me to access the server laptop from other machines, over the network, without opening the laptop lid. All work on the server will now ideally be done over an SSH connection.

On today’s episode, I install the LAMP web server software and have it go live to the public. Compared to the work of installing the Gentoo system, this part is really a piece of cake. Even so, I’m still a noob when it comes to web servers. This series can not be read as a full how-to. It can only be a general inspiration and a nudge in the right direction. Continue reading

‘Webtrees’ on a Home Server: My machine and Operating System

June 21, 2020 / tim / 0 Comments

⬅ Previous Post: 2020 Summer Project #1: ‘Webtrees’ on a Home Server

My server computer • The Gentoo Linux operating system • Installing Gentoo • Hardening Gentoo with SELinux • Hardening other Linux distros • Next on the agenda

Of course the first step in running Webtrees on a home server is to choose the machine and operating system. While it is certainly possible to launch a web server from my regular desktop (and I have in fact done this), a better idea is to set up a machine dedicated to this purpose.

2020 Summer Project #1: ‘Webtrees’ on a Home Server

June 20, 2020 / tim / 0 Comments

The summer of 2020 is upon us. I just wrapped up my second year of teaching math full time for the School District of Philadelphia. In the wake of nationwide coronavirus business closures, I find myself without summer employment for the first time in about a quarter-century. ? That means it’s GeNeALoGy TiMe once again!!! ??

One project I’ve had on the back burner for the last decade or so is re-launching a family history website on a home server.

52 Ancestors, No. 31: Charles J. Butera, Tribute to A Fallen Soldier

May 28, 2018 / tim / 0 Comments

CharlesButera

I’ve let my 52 Ancestors series lapse. Hard to believe I left off four whole years ago, but here we are. I ought to pick it up again. I’ve received messages from at least three distant relatives who contacted me after finding mutual relatives on my blog. Continue reading

GPD Pocket Keyboard Replacement and Reassembly

May 15, 2018 / tim

A warm thank you to my new subscribers who continue to sign up, even though it’s been a long time since I’ve posted anything genealogy-related. I’ve been quite busy at work with the School District of Philadelphia, working on my teacher’s certificate, and a master’s next year. Continue reading

Fedora Linux on the GPD Pocket: Six Months On

January 15, 2018 / tim / 0 Comments

It’s been about six months since I first installed Fedora on my GPD Pocket. I’ve updated my original July 2017 post twice since then to keep you all updated. So much has changed since those early days that a new post is in order. The old post still has a lot of useful information, so I will be referring to it often, but a lot of it is outdated. Here’s what’s new: Continue reading

Playing with Toys: Fedora Linux on the GPD Pocket [Final Update: 1/15/2017]

July 10, 2017 / tim / 0 Comments

The GPD Pocket, with hot dog and Strongbow shown for size reference.

[Update (12/4/2017): DO NOT run a “sudo dnf autoremove” command until you’ve read the update at the bottom of this post!]

[Update (12/4/2017): There have been some wonderful updates over the past month. I now consider this post to be deprecated and a new post is available here!]

I bought a new netbook computer a couple weeks ago, and it’s the cutest thing you ever did see. It’s called the GPD Pocket, and it is a full Windows 10 laptop about the size of a 7-inch tablet. The specs are impressive for the devices size: quad core processor, 8GB RAM, 128GB solid state hard drive, and as the name implies, it will literally fit in the pocket of one’s cargo shorts. Continue reading

The Hiatus Continues … 2017 Update

February 26, 2017 / tim / 0 Comments

The grand Ben Franklin statue, in the main hall of the Franklin Public School.

I’d like to thank you, dear readers, for continuing to find this site and to inquire about the services that I once provided. Unfortunately, I have not been able to do any restoration work lately in light of my new job substitute teaching long-term at the Benjamin Franklin Public School in Philadelphia.

The hiatus therefore continues, although a recent change in the school’s method grading of student work might free up enough time in my evenings to pursue some restoration work. No promises, but do check this space in the upcoming weeks for a possible announcement to that effect.

Until then, thanks again for the continued interest, and enjoy my other content!

‘Photo Restorations by Tim G.’ Has Gone on Hiatus

June 26, 2016 / tim / 0 Comments

Pursuits As you may have noticed, I haven’t been posting a lot lately. This is due to my pursuing other ventures in the winter and spring that have reduced my productivity with regard to photo restorations. These have mainly been substitute teaching jobs in the School District of Philadelphia at such fine educational establishments as the U School in North Philadelphia, The Fitzpatrick School, and Swenson Arts and Technology High School in the northeast.

For the summer, I have accepted a position as a computer aide at the Avalon Free Public Library at Avalon, New Jersey. This will be a great opportunity for me to share my computer knowledge with the public every weekday. The Avalon library also has a subscription to Ancestry.com, so I hope the patrons come with plenty of questions about researching their family’s history!

With these other ventures going on, I unfortunately will not be accepting photo restoration requests, at least for the summer and perhaps longer depending on the teaching work I arrange for the fall.

Thinking of what I might to with the proceeds of all this work, a more powerful computer and a wider format printer might be in my future? Well see about that. Until then, thank you to all who have stopped by the site and requested restorations. It has been my pleasure to work for you, and I look forward to the time when I will be able to do this again! In the meantime, stay tuned occasional updates and tutorials on my passing genealogical interests. I hope to stay somewhat active with those.