PhoneBlast for Asterisk: Because Sharing is Caring

by philrw
3224 words - 16 min read
Tech

(Update: Now find this project on PhilRW/phoneblast-asterisk.)

I recently wrote a few small Perl scripts to create an Asterisk AGI Application called PhoneBlast. It allows callers to add themselves to, remove themselves from, and send messages to an automated voice message broadcasting (PhoneBlast) list. I got the idea from Nerd Vittles and Ward’s TeleYapper applications, but I wanted users to have control of whether they were on the list or not through a double opt-in method.

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Awesome Home Automation, Beer-Drinking-American Style

by philrw
84 words - 1 min read
Tech

I’ve been programming my phone system to do some pretty cool things, but eventually I want to be able to make my house do some pretty cool things, too. I found ioBridge and I’m sold, especially after finding all sorts of projects that people have made with their stuff. Here’s a great example: the Beer Cannon. Why get off the couch when you can have your beer fridge shoot one at you?!

ioBridge News and Projects» Network and iPhone Controlled Mini Fridge, Drink Cannon.

Deal With It

by philrw
579 words - 3 min read
Personal Rants and Raves

I know the feeling. Drowning in emails, inundated with work, not enough time for personal matters, getting that feeling like it’s all you can do just to keep your head above water. What happened to those quiet, reflective days of youth?

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Dammit, People!

by philrw
99 words - 1 min read
Personal Rants and Raves Tech
Dammit, people! Secure your damm email accounts with better passwords! And change them once in a while! You’re all getting hacked and then they steal your address book and then impersonate you and then my email address is on spammer’s lists forever! AOL email seems to be particularly vulnerable. Howabout not using an email service that is almost as old as the Internet itself? Just a thought. Also you may want to avoid using third-party sites that save your email username/password combo as your risk of being hacked increases exponentially the more of those kind of sites you use.
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‘The Book of Mormon’ at Eugene O’Neill Theater - Review - NYTimes.com

by philrw
191 words - 1 min read
Film/TV/Theater
Hmm. Ben certainly likes the show. I have neither heard nor seen anything of the show, but combining the overtly childish melodies of Avenue Q with the irreverent sensibilities of South Park can certainly make for a hilariously entertaining time. I worry that in this era of post-postmodernist self-referential musicals, the references to musicals past these shows evoke – nay, rely upon – may be lost on those who are unfamiliar with the historical lexicography and stylistic taxonomy of the genre. Much like a theatergoer who is unfamiliar with The Glass Menagerie and who goes to see the Chris Durang one act “For Whom the Southern Belle Tolls,” I fear that the deeper jokes can be lost on the vox populace and, while entertaining on the surface, these shows may not stand the test of time.
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