Author: basicmaterials

today spent a couple of hours working on the website configuration.

got nowhere.

trying to solve this mysterious error 500 and correctly configure the MySQL workbench tool.

beginning to drag on now and taking away from basic activities like making music and doing audio and post.

there seems to be an issue here which is why I’m definitely looking at getting into windows server instead because it just doesn’t seem to work.

one last work around before I quit

I will get Ubuntu desktop on the laptop and try using that instead see if that will help us progress.

So basically the situation is this.

everything works fine up to a point, about 75% say.

The MySql works great, from comandline, from the tool, i can do about 75 percent of the stuff needed, the WordPress is working fine aswell.

we actually upgraded the whole thing today every now and then you have to do the basic Linux upgrades and updates.

spent about 4 hours today on all of this.

wound getting a bit better knowledge of MySQL and have discovered that the MySQL user in ubuntu has to have a few key settings configured via ubuntu server (! ) AND there is some configuration files missing which is stopping this SSL thing from working properly.

Everything mostly works but the point is there feels like there is some invisible line that is stopping us from putting up a strong show of force on the website front which is in effect actively retarding progress because we cant the website we actually want.

So today we got into the MySQL a lot from both the commandline and the MySQL workbench tool as well as some performance testing. However still didn’t resolve the fundamental stumbling block.

it looks there is a triple layer sandwich going on.

the Ubuntu operating system isn’t letting the MySQL read and write to configuration files, and that is stopping MySQL from loading SSL certificates, which in its turn is knocking about 25% off the mysql workbench tool.

At the same time, ubuntu, Apache, PHP, and MySQL, outside of the WordPress thing IS NOT allowing my own code to work when it is live on the webserver, so effectively I’m stuck with WordPress.

Cant figure this out today will get back to making some music and doing some other creative stuff. Will get back to this when I feel like it.

to see wether recent modification of the mysql conf files has tanked the build

Again a test post to see if the CHMOD 644 hasnt tanked everything

this is a test post to see if the recent CHMOD hasnt crashed everything!

my laptop is too slow to use this software ! doh!

We are using a Canon 1300dslr which is connected to the mobile phone using a cannon app. this allows us to take photos with the camera, and bring them into mobile phone and then open adobe lightroom which installed into the mobile phone.

We can use adobe lightroom from the mobile phone or we can bring in the photos onto the laptop.

Using the canon application from the mobile phone we can connect using NFC, so we tap the canon dlsr with the mobile phone while using the canon app and then the two devices will pair.

Alternatively, we can set up the canon dslr to act a wifi router, and we can log into the canon dslr using our mobile phone. when this is connected successfully we can then go onto the cannon app and operate the dslr via the mobile phone app.

We can later connect the mobile phone to the laptop and bring in the photos. During this process, the original camera format, which is called RAW, is transformed into JPEG.

Alternativity we can take the memory card out of the cannon dslr and put the memory card into the laptop and transfer that way instead. this will maintain the original RAW format.

There is a lot to the field of photography, there are lots of different cameras, different types and kinds of lenses, and there are loads of different modes you can set the camera to.

Some are good for taking photographs which are fast paced and action packed, others great for portraits, some for photographing things like food or little insects.

Alternatively, you can ignore the rules and find out which settings work best. Obviously its learned skill so the more you practice the better you get.

Adobe Lightroom is a great bit of kit. Here you can make up for small mistakes and slight errors during the phot shoot. There are an overwhelming bundle of options and configurations settings.

You can even select your camera model inside of lightroom to apply custom settings and configurations for that particular camera, which is cool and can save a lot of time.

There aren’t really any rules when it comes to post production in photography, just like in music, or film, you kind of write your own.

Obviously you can also argue that there are loads of rules and a good few tricks of the trade, but the more you practice, the better you get and sometimes figuring things out for yourself is better for your development as an artist, other times its good to take advice from someone with a bit more experience.

Its a pain to build freecad on windows. you literally have to install 50 gb of downloads to get it to work.

libpack, QT, visual studio community edition, CMake, then there is python, and a good few python modules. Add to that one two other tools needed in the build and then your going to have to figure it all out. So, why bother ?

Why? Its good practice to see how a popular contemporary software tool like freecad is built maintained, and iproved over time.

the build style is continuous integration, continuous development, with multiple build targets. the conceptualisation is a good one, however we want to build a specialist build using intel oneAPI to exploit the fact that there are millions upon millions of intel igpu cpus, if that makes sense. the reason for a specialist build is performance, and security.

We are going to try and build a specialist version of freecad, using intel one api. the expertise we will create by succeeding at this challenge will be important going forward. If we successfully build , it means that we will have done the opposite. So basically the software only work exclusively on intel cpus with intel graphics cards, however it will be the most compact, most powerful version. we estimate by doing this we will speed the maths up a lot.

Its a difference of opinion. the freecad and the various bundles that come with it, are available for pretty much all platforms, due to this Multiple build targets , this is were the complexity in the building process comes in.

This also brings in loads of possible faults and “security in software” considerations.

There are basically two differences of opinion, build for everyone, in which case that’s were we are at, or preform a specialist build in which case it will only work for a particular target platform.

Basically its another form of compile for platform, in which case we exploit all of the often hidden underlying features that general purpose builds can not include due to the differences have to be over mapped with general purpose stuff.

There is a whole world of difference when it comes to understanding, performance, security, complexity, size and scale, some around the table statistics that software engineers and computer programmers might otherwise not take into consideration.

Yes, if we perform a specialist build, we reduce our user base to only those that have the particular platform, however we increase performance and security or those users. So it is a trade-off, most people actually go the other way round, and build for multiple target platforms using multiple compilers and have to deal with the extra complexities and difficulties that come with that.

So on the one hand a specialist build reduces, reduces the potential user base, reduces the size of the repo, reduces the complexity and reduces the security footprint, reduces the compilation and build time, and reduces the time the software take to perform its various functions and procedures.

Forthcoming : A quick break down how you can use the software plugins and tools mentioned to get amazing different varities and kinds of sounds for your music or audio work flow.

The whole process is divided into two parts. Front End, and Back End.

However these days the desirability is all about artificial intelligence so its not the cutting edge any more.

It is the same with software engineering, C++, C#, Python, all are being augmented with artificial intelligence.

So the industry is moving into artificial intelligence.

But in the mean time so if you want to spend the time learning how to build websites perhaps its best to understand all of the activities involved.

Front end development, is essentially what it looks like to the end user of the website, whether that is on mobile phone, desktop, laptop, console, 4k television or even smart watch !

The back end is usually business services. and infrastructure services. This is were all of the essential products and services is kept. On the server.

SO throughout the evolution of the whole computers and networks we historically arrive at the now, which is ai, robots, drones, 3d printing, cryptos, nfts.

This are is very very very hard.

Its probably the most difficult part of the whole thing.

Basically the computers and the mobile phones and the internet and the cash machines and the CCTV, drones, cars and just about everything in the world is connected to the internet.

This naturally brings security considerations.

Therefore mathematicians and hackers are engaged in an adversarial relationship , with each side trying to do better than the other.

Cybercriminals, lone wolf predators, and hacker groups are all engaged on the internet, as well as criminals freaks and weirdos.

Criminal gangs use the internet and so do the police with spyware and bugs, as again, they are engaged in an adversarial relationship.

This dysfunctional relationship escalates into state level actors, like government spy’s for example or special branch police units.

Of course there are also master level super arch criminals that are also using computers and network technologies, such as apps or mobile phones.

Above this level there is the master level of artificial intelligences. Somebody could build an artificial intelligence that was more clever than anybody else and thus would be king of the jungle and ultimately, because artificial intelligence can figure everybody out then it will be clever than anyone and therefore be above them in the scale of things, commonly known as the pecking order.

Now finally, the argument becomes this, if artificial intelligence does indeed finally happen, and as this event occurs, which is commonly called the singularity, which means that computers and robots would be cleverer than human beings, then it is discussed amongst the community whether it is fare or not.

What are your thoughts on the subject ? Do you thing that ai will bring everybody up to the same level and help make things more equal amongst one another ? or does yon think that some people will secretly build an big ai and keep it all for themselves ?

User name and password, text message code, or passkey are just some common everyday ways of staying safe online.

Nowadays it feels like the whole world is online. Computers also crash sometimes and have internet down, and occasionally the software programs themselves have inbuilt errors, called bugs!

There is also online frauds and scams aplenty so please stay safe online.

Here in the UK there are law such as the data protection act, online safety bill, and the information and data protection agencies aswell.

Cookies are a big concern, and also storage of bank details which could later lead to a hack or later be used to commit fraud.

In the UK websites hosted inside of the UK are legally obligated to register with the data protection commission. This is called the data protection registration.

Cookies are a kind of left over technology from the history of the internet and are necessary to make the website work. If a website does not collect information, then it does not need a cookie.

If a website users a log on with user name and password, passkey, mobile phone text code, then cookies will need to be enabled, and if the website is storing your personally identifiable information then this website needs to be registered with the data commission office. Usually, for small traders, and entrepreneurs that have a small website, this registrational usually only costs about 45 pounds per year, IF , they collect more information that the basic information needed to make the internet work.

The smallest websites that do not collect data usually do NOT require an information certificate from the information commission office.

Just something to be aware of going forward.

this is a test post to show mysql admin working

This is the software that comes from Nvidia, you will need an Nvidia GPU on the computer your using the Nvidia Omniverse. A great alternative to the adobe creative cloud toolset, as it does a lot of same stuff. You can even deep dive into 3d modelling, robots, building your own Artificial Intelligence, the list goes on.

Nvidia Omniverse connectors also allow interaction between all of the major software toolsets in this space out there. You can connect into Unreal engine, adobe, etc , and move work throughout the toolchain.

There is also included a livestream, similar to OBS streamer called Nvidia Broadcast.

Once you’ve covered the initial purchase price of an up to date NVidia graphics Card, the Nvidia Omniverse Software bundle is a great value proposition.

As regards music production, there are a good few AI or Neural Plugins that can take advantage of the NVidia graphics cards. We always noticed that Izotope plug in bundle always worked a bit better on a computer or laptop with an Nvidia gpu on board, maybe its just us, but it definitely is a bit of a boost.

Finally, if you like computer programming, and fancy building your own gpu accelerated apps, or even artificial intelligence, the NVidia developer stuff is second to none, you can register as an NVidia developer and gain access to all of the latest and greatest developer examples, programs, toolkits, and example source codes for you to try yourself. At this end of the spectrum we are talking cutting edge.

The Nvidia social / community presence is fantastic, however one or two more essential deep dive stuff is a behind a paywall, but as regards getting started cutting edge you cant really do better elsewhere.

This is a cool bit of software for recording and live streaming. relatively simple and straight forward. Used to live stream onto platforms like youtube, mixcloud. Takes a little bit of configuration and setup.

Used by millions of people all over the internet.

Expensive, but kind of inescapable. By the time you’ve paid for all of the alternatives it adds up to about the same price.

The adobe software tool set is incredible and state of the art. There is also amazing generative AI built in.

There are like 50+ adobe apps as part of the adobe creative cloud subscription software. With the other second half contributed to 3d modelling and 3d creativity.

The tools set is industry standard and does pretty much everything and is used everywhere. From graphic design, photography, magazines, films, special effects, animations, comic books, print, business cards, merchandise, the list go on and on.

Its an incredible piece of kit. You can get started for free with either a trail or use the free version of adobe express. It is a powerhouse.

Some of the older tools like adobe XD are falling behind, for example if your just concentrating on websites, then the FIGMA product is a better value for money.

There are lots of free and open source alternatives, also, if you have an up to date NVidia gpu you can do a lot of similar creative production using the NVidia omniverse.

The adobe creative cloud is industry standard, its a heavy weight toolset that can seem overwhelming at first but its firepower in creative terms is second to none.

If you can afford its highly recommended. There really is that much to keep up with within the adobe creative cloud its always a struggle to keep up with the pace of development, but Adobe do a better job than most with social interaction and learning.

Alternatively, if you just want to concentrate on websites then FIGMA is THE go to development tool set.

This is the opposite pair to ‘the front end’ ( html, css, javascript).

Known as ‘the back end’.

PHP and MYSQL exist on the ubuntu server and perform all the tasks that are located at the website.

Remember the front end occurs inside of the end users web browser, whether that be a computer, laptop, mobile phone or even video game console or smart tv.

Therefor the back end occurs at the website. In the case of the basic materials project, via WordPress, the PHP and MYSQL do there thing and combine the results into HTML CSS and JAVASCRIPT which is then sent into the end users web browser.

Connections between the front end and the back end are sometimes called AJAX. The AJAX part combines both the front end and the back end.

So, a developer who does all three parts, both the ‘front end’, the ‘back end’, and the AJAX part which connects the two , is called a full stack developer. That’s a lot of work!

It can get very complicated ! this is traditionally known as a LAMP stack.

Basically, the web site code comes in these three flavours. Each works together to bring websites to the end user. This code triple arrives at the web browser and the web browser in turn creates the website for the end user. Commonly know as ‘the front end’.

An artform unto itself, front end development is built up out of a combination of html, CSS, and javascript.

Often times these three are extended out, for example with javascript libraries, such as REACT, BootStrap, Node,js, three.js , etc . Really is a fantastic area of development and there are plenty of tutorials out there to get more familiar and practice with.

Eventually, as communication occurs between the web browser, interactivity throughout the front end, bounces information and events back and forth to the back end.

We recently upgraded to Ubuntu Server 24.04.

This is the operating system, much like windows or Ios, wich serves the basic materials project website. Very widely used in industry supporting about half the websites out there. A little complicated and a bit archaic, with lots of linux commandlines and various configuration, firewall, and all sorts of crazy command line instructions. A bit more complicated and slightly cryptic way of going about things, but its free and open source, built up out of the famous Linux.

This Ubunut Server is the very foundational base layer which everything is built out on top of. SSl certificate, Apache, MySql, PHP , etc is added on top of this ubuntu server foundation to provide the basic materials project website.

Native Instruments make music software, instruments, plug ins, and a variety of keyboards, drum machines and DJ controllers. This is another great go to place to start making music with computers, software and midi controllers. We use the Traktor DJ software to record the drum and bass show over on Mixcloud.

Although more and more websites these days use a react.js frontend, for a lot of websites out there WordPress is the standard. Helps in making a website , making it easy to post , and keep things up to date. Lots of modules, very widely used in industry and well supported. Has been going a long time, and has been built up by a world wide community of developers. Has lots going for it. Relatively easy to bring up, and makes managing websites pretty easy.

This is another important everyday tool. Use windows powershell to ssl/ssh into a server to build up, upgrade and maintain and restart. This is a handy bit of kit, allowing you to fully remote control a web server.

This is an important process in provisioning a website. The security certificate is important in ensure website traffic is protected. Its quite a big job to get right. More detailed information to follow.

This is a file transfer tool, useful for sending source code into a live production environment. Simple to use. This is used to post source code onto a web server , making it available as a website to users via the web browser.

Used to keep track of source code. Helps coding development by keeping track of changes, and cool to see how work is progressing.

Useful in conjunction, together with visual studio code.