We have to be six feet apart in space but so far there are no rules on time.
The photograph titled "Social Undistancing" captures a candid street scene from an elevated viewpoint. The composition reveals a busy pavement where pedestrians stroll, their varied attire suggesting the layers of human stories coexisting. Parallel to the pedestrians, a street hosts vehicles gliding along, interspersed with cyclists, adding a dynamic flow to the image. The focal point seems unanchored, evoking an everyday tapestry of life's unscripted moments. The small slices of red foliage peeping from the edges add a subtle touch of natural contrast to the urban landscape. The image is bustling yet serene, an intersection of motion and stillness, people and machines, all cohabiting a single frame.
The photograph embraces an overhead angle that imparts a sense of surveillance, a reminder of the connected yet disjointed nature of urban life. The composition follows a horizontal alignment that harmonizes with the planes of the street, creating layers of interest from foreground sidewalk to background architecture. This perspective works well to encapsulate the title's theme—people moving closer, despite societal constraints. The symmetry between the moving vehicles and pedestrians underscores the undercurrent of constant human momentum. However, the presence of utility poles in the middle can act as visual barriers, somewhat interrupting the fluidity and unity of the scene. While the photograph effectively captures the essence of communal bustle, a slight adjustment in angle or depth of field might streamline the viewing experience by minimizing such distractions. Overall, the image cleverly encapsulates urban life's choreography, inviting the viewer into a world that is ever-evolving yet comfortingly familiar.
(Published to the Fediverse as: Social Undistancing #photo #coronavirus Composite photograph of many people and cars walking past my house during the Coronavirus lockdown. )
This post describes how to get metrics (in this case average response time) from an Azure App Service into a Google Sheet. I’m doing this so I can go from the sheet to a Data Studio dashboard. I already have a report in Data Studio that pulls from Ads, Analytics and other sources. I’d rather spend hours adding Azure there than be forced to have one more tab open. You might have different reasons. Read on.
| // script settings | |
| var ClientID = ''; | |
| var TennantID = ''; | |
| var ClientSecret = ''; | |
| var ResourceID = ''; | |
| var AuthBaseUrl = 'https://login.microsoftonline.com/' + TennantID + '/oauth2/v2.0/authorize'; | |
| var AuthTokenUrl = 'https://login.microsoftonline.com/' + TennantID + '/oauth2/v2.0/token'; | |
| var AuthScope = 'https://management.azure.com/user_impersonation offline_access'; | |
| function onOpen() { | |
| var ui = SpreadsheetApp.getUi(); | |
| ui.createMenu('Azure Monitor') | |
| .addItem('Authorize if needed (does nothing if already authorized)', 'showSidebar') | |
| .addItem('Fetch Data', 'fetchData') | |
| .addItem('Reset Settings', 'clearProps') | |
| .addToUi(); | |
| } | |
| function fetchData() { | |
| var azure = getAzureService(); | |
| var MILLIS_PER_DAY = 1000 * 60 * 60 * 24; | |
| var now = new Date(); | |
| var yesterday = new Date(now.getTime() - MILLIS_PER_DAY); | |
| var timespan = Utilities.formatDate(yesterday, "GMT", "yyyy-MM-dd'T'00:00:00'Z'/yyyy-MM-dd'T'23:59:59'Z'"); | |
| // see https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/rest/api/monitor/metrics/list | |
| var metricUrl = 'https://management.azure.com/' | |
| + ResourceID | |
| + '/providers/microsoft.insights/metrics?timespan=' | |
| + timespan | |
| + '&interval=P1D&metricnames=AverageResponseTime&aggregation=Average&api-version=2018-01-01'; | |
| var response = UrlFetchApp.fetch(metricUrl, { | |
| headers: { | |
| Authorization: 'Bearer ' + azure.getAccessToken() | |
| }, | |
| 'method' : 'get' | |
| }); | |
| var json = JSON.parse(response.getContentText()); | |
| var avgResponseTime = json.value[0].timeseries[0].data[0].average; | |
| var spreadsheet = SpreadsheetApp.getActiveSpreadsheet(); | |
| var sheet = spreadsheet.getSheetByName('AvgResponseTime'); | |
| sheet.appendRow([Utilities.formatDate(yesterday, "GMT", "yyyy-MM-dd"), avgResponseTime]); | |
| } | |
| // functions below adapted from Google OAuth example at https://github.com/googlesamples/apps-script-oauth2 | |
| function getAzureService() { | |
| // Create a new service with the given name. The name will be used when | |
| // persisting the authorized token, so ensure it is unique within the | |
| // scope of the property store. | |
| return OAuth2.createService('azure') | |
| // Set the endpoint URLs, which are the same for all Google services. | |
| .setAuthorizationBaseUrl(AuthBaseUrl) | |
| .setTokenUrl(AuthTokenUrl) | |
| // Set the client ID and secret, from the Google Developers Console. | |
| .setClientId(ClientID) | |
| .setClientSecret(ClientSecret) | |
| // Set the name of the callback function in the script referenced | |
| // above that should be invoked to complete the OAuth flow. | |
| .setCallbackFunction('authCallback') | |
| // Set the property store where authorized tokens should be persisted. | |
| .setPropertyStore(PropertiesService.getUserProperties()) | |
| // Set the scopes to request (space-separated for Google services). | |
| .setScope(AuthScope) | |
| // Below are Google-specific OAuth2 parameters. | |
| // Sets the login hint, which will prevent the account chooser screen | |
| // from being shown to users logged in with multiple accounts. | |
| .setParam('login_hint', Session.getActiveUser().getEmail()) | |
| // Requests offline access. | |
| .setParam('access_type', 'offline') | |
| // Forces the approval prompt every time. This is useful for testing, | |
| // but not desirable in a production application. | |
| //.setParam('approval_prompt', 'force'); | |
| } | |
| function showSidebar() { | |
| var azure = getAzureService(); | |
| if (!azure.hasAccess()) { | |
| var authorizationUrl = azure.getAuthorizationUrl(); | |
| var template = HtmlService.createTemplate( | |
| '<a href="<?= authorizationUrl ?>" target="_blank">Authorize</a>. ' + | |
| 'Close this after you have finished.'); | |
| template.authorizationUrl = authorizationUrl; | |
| var page = template.evaluate(); | |
| SpreadsheetApp.getUi().showSidebar(page); | |
| } else { | |
| // ... | |
| } | |
| } | |
| function authCallback(request) { | |
| var azure = getAzureService(); | |
| var isAuthorized = azure.handleCallback(request); | |
| if (isAuthorized) { | |
| return HtmlService.createHtmlOutput('Success! You can close this tab.'); | |
| } else { | |
| return HtmlService.createHtmlOutput('Denied. You can close this tab'); | |
| } | |
| } | |
| function clearProps() { | |
| PropertiesService.getUserProperties().deleteAllProperties(); | |
| } |
(Published to the Fediverse as: Using the Azure Monitor REST API from Google Apps Script #code #azure #appsscript #gas #google #microsoft How to call the Azure Monitor REST API via OAuth from Google Apps Script. Worked example shows how to log average response time for an Azure App Service. )
5/5
Mostly read this in a deserted nightclub on the roof of a hotel in India with a warm but dirty breeze and some trippy chilled out music. It's the only way to read this strange book. Anywhere else I might not have enjoyed it quite a much after the first few chapters, but in the setting it was transcendental.
More Bangalore: Timelapse featuring Tipu Sultan's Summer Palace, Lalbagh Botanical Garden, KR flower market, Bangalore Palace and Cubbon Park.
Coastal: an abstract timelapse of the California coast.
Jesse Wegman has written a book, Let the People Pick the President: The Case for Abolishing the Electoral College (review) and a NYT op-ed on switching to a more rational way of electing the President. If you support this idea I have a page on the topic with four concrete things you can do to help.
Hike to Kirby Cove Beach (Marin Headlands near San Francisco).
Tool to backup locked files on Windows 10 - great for XCOPY backups or just grabbing a locked file.
Previously:
Several photos of Great Blue Herons at Crissy Field in San Francisco.
Updated 2020-05-04 19:32:
Updated 2023-10-01 23:40:
Great Blue Heron and two turtles at Stow Lake in the Golden Gate Park
The photograph captures the serene elegance of a Great Blue Heron, its poised figure set against a soft green backdrop. The heron stands with graceful composure, its long, slender neck arching delicately as it gazes intently into the distance. The bird’s striking plumage, a harmonious blend of slate blue, soft gray, and hints of rust, is highlighted against the blurred greens and subtle sky tones that fill the background. Long, fine head plumes add a touch of whimsical elegance to its dignified presence, while the golden eye of the heron serves as a focal point, drawing the viewer into the intimate world of this solitary creature.
The photographer employs a shallow depth of field to create an artful separation between the subject and its natural habitat, allowing for a focused and intimate portrayal of the Great Blue Heron. The choice of composition is classical, with the heron placed off-center, directed towards the expanse of negative space, invoking a sense of tranquility and open possibilities. The image is rich in texture and detail, effectively capturing the bird's intricate feathers and sharp beak. However, the muted background, while serving to emphasize the heron, might be perceived as lacking in dynamic interest. Overall, the photograph succeeds in delivering a serene yet powerful moment in nature, encapsulating both the beauty and solitude of the majestic heron.
The photograph captures a serene landscape at Crissy Field, where a Great Blue Heron stands gracefully amidst the wild grasses and brush. The heron, poised and contemplative, is nestled in the foreground, almost camouflaged by the earth tones of the foliage. In the horizon, the iconic red expanse of the Golden Gate Bridge proudly spans across the azure waters of the bay. The bridge serves as a stark contrast to the natural elements, with the undulating hills forming a gentle backdrop against a clear, expansive sky. The scene conveys a harmonious blend of the natural and the man-made, inviting the viewer into a tranquil moment in the midst of an urban marvel.
The composition employs a balanced use of foreground and background, creating depth and intrigue. The placement of the heron in the right foreground draws the eye initially, while leading lines formed by the bridge and its reflection guide the gaze across the expanse. The rule of thirds is effectively applied, with the bridge and horizon line sitting near the upper third, and the heron attracting interest in the lower right third. The vibrant colors of the bridge and the calm blues of the water and sky establish a soothing yet dynamic color palette. While the photograph beautifully captures the coexistence of nature and architecture, the busy foreground foliage could distract slightly from the focal point, making the heron’s presence more understated than it might be. Overall, the image succeeds in evoking a peaceful coexistence and invites contemplation on the interplay between natural and urban environments.
(Published to the Fediverse as: Great Blue Heron #photo #heron #ggb #stowlake #crissyfield #goldengatepark Photos of Great Blue Heron at Crissy Field (GGNRA) in San Francisco, California. )
The Volume Shadow Copy Service (VSS) can be used to mount a copy of a drive in a crash consistent state (like you just unplugged your computer) as a different drive letter. My shadow task command line tool makes it easy to do this. Here's an example:
ShadowTask64 C V test.bat
This creates a shadow copy of the C: drive, mounts it as V: and then runs test.bat. When test.bat completes the shadow V: drive is removed.
What can you do with this?
The simple case is grabbing a copy of a locked file. In this case test.bat could just run pause and then grab the file you need from V:.
It's also a great way to run a backup. In this case the batch file can run XCOPY (to a network share or portable drive) and you'll get all your files including anything locked like running executables or Outlook PST files.
Grab the latest from GitHub: abfo/shadow/releases. You'll find a ZIP file and source code if you want to use/extend this. There are 32 and 64-bit binaries - you need to use the right one for your computer and you also need to run the tool with administrative privileges. This only works with NTFS drives.
(Published to the Fediverse as: Backup locked files on Windows 10: Volume Shadow Copy Update #code #vss #backup Command line tool that mounts a shadow copy of any NTFS drive in Windows 10 so you can grab a locked file or run a complete crash-consistent XCOPY backup. )
Spring starts right now in the Northern Hemisphere (Autumn if you find yourself south of the Equator). Rendered in Catfood Earth.
"Please be careful not to update while in riding on vehicles, such as trains, or in environments where 2.4 GHz band radio waves such as Wi-Fi, microwave ovens, cordless phones and many other radio waves are intermingled."
It looks like I need to travel to the United States National Radio Quiet Zone in West Virginia to update the firmware in my headphones, and I don't think that's on the cards for several months so I hope the update isn't important.
Nice touch that they gave an example of a vehicle though, that really helps.
Maybe use a checksum Sony?
(Published to the Fediverse as: Firmware #etc #sony What is the worst thing that could happen if you updated your headphone firmware on a train? Possibly Sony should invest in checksums. )
A short two mile out and back from the Battery Spencer parking area on Conzelman Road to Kirby Cove.
The Marin Headlands have had a bit of a traffic management change recently so you need to go through the tunnel to get in and Conzelman Road is now one way back to highway 101. The advantage is that there is way more parking then there used to be. I think I've only ever managed to park near Battery Spencer once in 20 years.
The walk is my least favorite profile, downhill to start and uphill on the way back and also not a loop. It's worth it though because it's short and Kirby Cove beach is quiet and has wonderful views of San Francisco through the Golden Gate Bridge. You can also visit Battery Wagner and Battery Kirby on the way back up.
Hike starts at: 37.829459, -122.48401. View in Google Earth.
(Hike Map)
(Published to the Fediverse as: Kirby Cove #hike #sanfrancisco #ggb #map Two mile hike to Kirby Cove Beach in the Marin Headlands with outstanding views of San Francisco through the Golden Gate Bridge. )
We May Be Living in a Simulation, but the Truth Still Matters
I like this article because Kara Swisher actually gets the history right. Read my series on this starting with Can I move to a Better Simulation Please?.
Download a Sharepoint File with GraphServiceClient (Microsoft Graph API)
Accessing Printer Press ESC to cancel
Export Google Fit Daily Steps, Weight and Distance to a Google Sheet
Which PG&E rate plan works best for EV charging?
Monitor page index status with Google Sheets, Apps Script and the Google Search Console API
Bringing Sanity to Window Replacement in San Francisco
Enable GZIP compression for Amazon S3 hosted website in CloudFront
