Travel, Tech, Thoughts…

  • Linux: Batch Convert .avi files to .mp4/.mkv

    I’ve been trying to clean up my video library since building my latest NAS. In the process, I found a number of .avi files, which is an older file format that isn’t widely used these days. While every time a file is converted it loses some of its quality, I was willing to risk the…

  • HandBrake – H.265 NVEnc 1080p Ripping Chart and Guidelines

    HandBrake – H.265 NVEnc 1080p Ripping Chart and Guidelines

    With a Plex server, I want my collection of movies backed up digitally so I can watch them when and where I want to. This involves a two-step process. First, I have to rip the video from Blu Ray, which I do using MakeMKV. Since that process is pretty straightforward, I’m not going to cover…

  • Hillsborough County, FL – 2020 General Election

    Hillsborough County, FL – 2020 General Election

    Below is the information I found on the various candidates and constitutional amendments for the 2020 general election in Hillsborough County, Florida for my district. You can find your own sample ballot here. I’m politically an independent but registered as a Democrat so I can vote in Florida’s primaries. I generally try not to endorse…

  • How to Export Garmin Tracks/Activities to Google Maps

    How to Export Garmin Tracks/Activities to Google Maps

    While it’s possible to share your Garmin tracks or activities with people through the Garmin website, I like exporting my tracks to Google Maps so I can embed them on my website. Here’s how I do that. First, log in to your Garmin Connect account. Once you have logged in, click on the Activities tab.…

  • Teaching with a Mask – Headset Solution on Linux

    My university, the University of Tampa, is doing what it can to continue teaching in-person classes (many are hybrid) during the COVID-19 pandemic. To facilitate that, our IT folks installed webcams and microphones in all of our classrooms. Unfortunately, the classrooms all have Windows-based desktops that don’t include all the software I need for educating…

  • Pickens, SC – Hiking Trip – Day 7 – movie marathon

    It was supposed to rain on our last day of our trip to South Carolina. Our plan was to spend the day inside playing games and watching movies. It took us all day, but we managed to finish all of the extended versions of The Lord of the Rings trilogy, which is close to 12…

  • Pickens, SC – Hiking Trip – Day 6 – Table Rock

    We saved our longest hike for last. Perhaps the most well-known and scenic hike in the area near our cabin is Table Rock Trail. This leads to the top of a mountain and then, just past the summit, to a beautiful overlook. Despite the trail being well-worn and marked with red blazes, we actually lost…

  • Pickens, SC – Hiking Trip – Day 5 – Falls Creek Waterfalls

    Our friends left early in the morning so it was just the three of us again. We opted for a hike to another waterfall – Falls Creek Waterfalls. It’s not the best name, but the waterfalls were, again, quite beautiful. Some of the trip reports for this hike suggested the trail was quite steep and…

  • Pickens, SC – Hiking Trip – Day 4 – Rainbow Falls

    Following the same pattern, we got up fairly early to do another hike – Rainbow Falls. This one was in the Jones Gap State Park, which does require a $6 parking fee per person (kids and seniors are less). The hike was to Rainbow Falls. Here’s the route: Per my watch, the route was 5.01…

  • Pickens, SC – Hiking Trip – Day 3 – Twin Falls Trail

    With our friends from North Carolina joining us, we headed out for our second hike – Twin Falls Trail on Reedy Cove Creek. This one was a little weird as it isn’t part of a state park, so the parking for the beginning of the trail was really just a pull out on the side…