Technology on MarkJacobsen.net

Handing secrets in PHP Docker Compose site

Tue, 24 Jun 2025 12:50:00 +0000

If you’re using a single instance server (not Docker Swarm) and Docker Compose, but want to keep your secrets out of source control it’s not too bad. First, make sure you’re excluding “.env” in your .gitignore…

.env

Then, add your secrets to a .env file (file name must be exactly .env) in the same folder as your docker-compose.yml…

SEC_1=Something SEC_2=SomethingElse 
Then, be sure to expose your secrets in the “environment:” section of your docker-compose…

environment: SEC_1: ${SEC_1} SEC_2: ${SEC_2} 
Upload both the .env and docker-compose.yml to the server, and restart docker to pick up the env vars…

docker compose down docker compose up -d 
And finally, use the values in your PHP…

getenv('SEC_1')

Oh yeah, and since your .env won’t be in source control I’d still recommend finding a secure place to save it like a password manager.

Browser Switch

Sat, 01 Mar 2025 13:12:00 +0000

In the continued march towards divesting usage of the tech oligarchs toys, today let’s focus on the tool used most often… the simple browser.

Just a few years ago there weren’t many players (besides the oligarchs: Chrome, Edge, Safari, and to a lesser extent Firefox) in the browser game, but recently there’s been a proliferation including: Vivaldi, Duck, Brave, and more.

After trying a few out, I’ve come around Vivaldi. To be fair, I tried it out a few years ago and it wasn’t cutting it, but recent updates seem to be really solid. So much so that it’s become my default browser.

Just a few of the things I like about it include:

E2EE sync
Notes
RSS reader
Customizable

There are a number of other features built in as well that I haven’t found much need for, but includes:

Email client
Web calendars
Workspaces
Reading list

…and more.

Whatever your choice, I’d encourage you to try out a new browser, and feel better about yourself for supporting the little guys.

Using an AI Chatbot for Browser Search Engine

Tue, 04 Feb 2025 12:36:00 +0000

Most searches I run I just want an answer, and don’t want to have to sift through ads or multiple websites. So, here’s how you can use perplexity.ai as your default search engine in Vivaldi (it’s a similar process on other browsers as well). Maybe ask perplexity.ai how to do it on your browser of choice!

Open Vivaldi “Settings” and go to “Search”
Click the “+” to add a “Search Engine”
Add Perplexity. The “URL” is https://www.perplexity.ai?q=%s

That’s it! Feel free to make it your “Default Search Engine”

Communication is Key

Wed, 22 Jan 2025 11:38:00 +0000

Now that we’ve discussed E2EE and FOSS, let’s start with probably the most important thing you want E2E Encrypted… your communication!

Did you know that most text messages sent from your phone or chat/IM messages sent through social media companies can be seen, read, or processed in a number of ways?

How gross is that??

Very!

So what to do? Use an end to end encrypted messaging service like [Signal][1]. Signal is cross platform (no blue/green bubble shaming) so works on iOS and Android, but also has desktop apps that work on Windows, Mac, and Linux! Add in rich media (photo/video support) as well as calling (including video calling), and you shouldn’t need any other communication tool (other than email – which we’ll get to)

Note: Please don’t be fooled by the titans saying they have E2EE too. It may be “technically” true, but usually there are manual steps or other “gotchas” involved, and often the titan has a copy of the key to read your messages. Save yourself the research and just use [Signal][1].

Think Apple’s iMessage is special? [Think again][2].[1]: https://signal.org [2]: https://www.forbes.com/sites/zakdoffman/2024/12/15/fbi-iphone-warning-why-you-should-stop-using-imessage/

On E2EE and FOSS

Tue, 21 Jan 2025 23:40:00 +0000

Building on yesterday’s rant about Sellouts and Hypocrites, one of the 1st things you need to understand in order to extract yourself from the tech titans are the concepts of:

End to End Encryption (E2EE)

With E2EE you own your data. Not the software creator. They just own or maintain the software that makes it possible for you to work with your data. Here’s a good [primer][1] if you’re really interested, but the point is E2EE is what keeps the titan (FB, X, Goog, etc) from reading/using your data. Believe it or not, there are E2EE services for just about anything.

Free and Open Source Software (FOSS)

FOSS (aka FLOSS) takes things one step further to prevent vendor lock-in from any 1 titan. This is usually enhanced by the FOSS taking advantage of a [protocol][2]. The web and email are two of the best examples of what FOSS has enabled. With a little bit of know how anyone can run a website and send or receive email without being forced through a single provider (be it Gmail, Outlook.com, etc). There are even FOSS social media networks!

In Summary

Yes, I know these are overly simplified descriptions, but the point isn’t to get dragged into holy wars over the pedantic differences between FOSS and FLOSS, or encryption at rest vs in transit… it’s to understand what you’re looking for and, more importantly, why!

One last point before I go… Not all FOSS includes E2EE, nor does E2EE mean the software is FOSS (we software developers have to make a living after all). No one ever said freedom comes free.[1]: https://www.howtogeek.com/711656/what-is-end-to-end-encryption-and-why-does-it-matter/ [2]: https://www.cloudflare.com/learning/network-layer/what-is-a-protocol/

Sellouts and Hypocrites

Tue, 21 Jan 2025 01:37:00 +0000

Well, if you look at which sellouts and hypocrites were at the felon’s coronation it is obvious we’re surrounded by them, and that’s just part of why you’re reading this here. If you feel the same way I suggest you start extracting yourself from the clutches of the oligarchs. But how?…

We’ll start with the basics and delve into some specifics in future posts, but in summary… STOP SUPPORTING THE TITANS.

And supporting means using their services or buying anything from them.

Don’t be a “user”.

You’re just being “used”.

You want to keep your account for periodic check ins while you extract yourself or to spread the word that others should get out too? Go for it. Hell, I haven’t figured out how to extract myself from all of them yet.

But if you’re with me I’d encourage you to follow along and share any tips you have!

WFH Setup

Tue, 15 Nov 2022 18:35:00 +0000

Now that I’m officially working remotely, and have had some questions about my setup, I figured I’d do a write up so everything was in 1 place. So, let’s start with a picture…

… and I’ll tell you that my setup consists of a Desktop (not shown) and the Laptop you see in the photo. Also included in the photo are the microphone and camera. The Stream Deck shown in the lower right (as well as shells, rings, and baseball) is optional 😊.

Now, how it all works together… The main monitor (with the rings at the base), keyboard, and mouse are controlled by the computer KVM which determines if I’m working off the Laptop or the Desktop. Essentially, the computer KVM takes “in” the keyboard, mouse, and HDMI from both the Laptop and Desktop, and sends “out” to the shared keyboard, mouse, and main monitor. A simple double tap on “Scroll Lock” + either “1” or “2” switches between them.

I also use a USB Switch to toggle peripherals between the Laptop and Desktop. This allows me to switch between the computers but make the camera and microphone potentially “stick” to the backgrounded computer (i.e. be on a call/meeting on one computer, but switch to the other briefly as needed). Setup is as simple as the USB Switch taking a USB “input” from each computer, and having the peripherals tied into it. Switching between does take a press of the button on the USB Switch.

So, what about the other monitor and laptop monitor you may ask? The full monitor (upper left) is tied into the Desktop using a DVI output on my graphics card (but could be tied into whatever additional output you may have) so that when the Desktop is active I’ll have the 2 monitors. When I switch to the Laptop, the laptop and main monitor act as my 2 monitors.

And finally, you may be asking, how do you tie all that stuff to the laptop if it only has a USB C and maybe a standard USB? For that, I use a USB Dock. The dock allows me to connect to my wired network (better reliability and throughput of signal), the computer KVM, USB Switch, and a few other USB peripherals (mostly for charging things). All that junk stays connect to the dock, and I simply need to unplug or connect the 1 USB C connector!

Of course, if you don’t need to switch between multiple computers and just want to connect multiple monitors and an external keyboard and mouse the USB Dock is sufficient (and is how my wife’s work setup is configured).

As to the Stream Deck, that’s probably a post for a different day, but suffice it to say when the Laptop is active the aux monitor (upper left) is rotating through a number of browser tabs running on the Desktop and I can use the Stream Deck to control that (refresh, volume, mute, etc).

Did you know? CAPTCHA

Sun, 03 Apr 2022 19:43:00 +0000

Do you know where the first commercial use of a CAPTCHA was? PayPal

Do you know CAPTCHA stands for Completely Automated Public Turing Test to Tell Computers and Humans Apart? I didn’t, but now you do!

Inside Mark Zuckerberg’s Lost Notebook

Fri, 21 Feb 2020 14:35:34 +0000

Love him or hate him it’s an interesting little history lesson…

“Even as hundreds of thousands of users expressed their disapproval of News Feed, their behavior indicated the opposite.”

“I just think I take more chances, and that means I get more things wrong,”

https://www.wired.com/story/facebook-mark-zuckerberg-lost-notebook/

NeverSSL

Fri, 13 Dec 2019 15:13:59 +0000

Ever connect to a wi-fi hotspot only to have nothing happen? Enter NeverSSL. After connecting to the hotspot, enter the URL (web address) http://neverssl.com into your browser of choice and watch magic happen.

Is it time to quit social media?

Sun, 21 Oct 2018 18:45:00 +0000

As I read this article what was running through the back of my mind was, “is it time to quit social media?”, and to be honest… but for being involved in real estate and a large bulk of that requiring being “engaged” I’m not sure I have much use for it. Never before has it been easier for marketers to target and connect with their “target audience”. You do realize that’s what social media has become right? The proverbial barrel where the fish are to shoot.

So, is it possible to take back the social networks? I’m not sure it is – at least with the current companies. Built from the ground up, or under a completely different model – maybe. But as the article linked to above points out it would be to the detriment of the “bottom line”.

Would I like a feed where I only see posts from my family, and maybe some other groups at my leisure? Of course, but unless I’m paying for that the only recourse I have is to a platform that has the resources to provide it based on the party that is willing to pay for it – the marketers.

So what would this “social media” service of the future look like? Number one, it should be built on a privacy, no-advertising first model. Second, I believe it should be decentralized, but speak a standard protocol – just like how email service is provided. Then, organizations like companies, teams, or even families could manage their own little groups and individuals could determine what they want to see or who they want to connect with…

And yet, as I sit here writing this, I wonder if it’s even possible or needed. After all, I’m able to run my own little blog right here. You can share it on social media if you so choose. In fact, I’ll probably post it to my account – and try not to look at the “likes” or “comments” that fuel the FB “engagement” engine.

So, while I may have just rambled for a number of paragraphs, let me finish by encouraging you to consider your use of social media, and at a minimum strongly consider turning off your notifications and moving the app to a sub-folder on your phone (just those two things alone have made a huge difference in my life). I would also encourage you to look into downloading and using Signal Messenger in place of text messaging and especially in favor of the social media messaging platforms.

Until we figure something out, you can always find me right here.

This Week in Tech 663 Reasonably Miserable

Tue, 08 May 2018 12:15:00 +0000

You need to listen to this Twit episode.

This Week in Tech 663 Reasonably Miserable | TWiT.TV

What’s it like to be a robot?

Thu, 03 May 2018 10:50:00 +0000

Super interesting talk on how to adapt tech using robotics and the consequences of little design choices.

How to Delete Your Phone Contacts from Facebook

Mon, 23 Apr 2018 14:36:00 +0000

If you’re not going to delete your FB account completely then at least look into how to not throw your friends under the bus.

How to Delete Your Phone Contacts from Facebook

Beyond #DeleteFacebook: More Thoughts on Embracing the Social Internet Over Social Media

Mon, 16 Apr 2018 11:59:00 +0000

I “like” 🙂 almost all the ideas here…

Beyond #DeleteFacebook: More Thoughts on Embracing the Social Internet Over Social Media

The Matador Defense – TWiT

Thu, 12 Apr 2018 11:14:00 +0000

I would strongly recommend listening to the segment on Facebook

This Week in Tech 658 The Matador Defense | TWiT.TV

A Funny Look at the Unintended Consequences of Technology

Tue, 20 Mar 2018 11:55:00 +0000

Funny and scary at the same time…

The Most Dangerous Thing You Can Do While “Multitasking”

Sun, 19 Nov 2017 13:18:00 +0000

So true. Please enable “DND while driving” on your phone! Both the iPhone and Android have the feature. I’ve been using it since I updated to iOS 11, and it works well. Just getting the notifications I found was a distraction, and since I can still get calls from my “favorites” it’s been a huge help.

OPTIMIZE with Brian Johnson | More Wisdom in Less Time: +1 #52: The Most Dangerous Thing You Can Do While “Multitasking”

Billionaire ex-Facebook president Sean Parker unloads on Mark Zuckerberg and admits he helped build a monster

Fri, 10 Nov 2017 22:57:00 +0000

Yes, I realize the irony of posting this to FB, but it will also be on my blog which is where I’d like to see a lot of what goes on SM now distributed to.
Billionaire ex-Facebook president Sean Parker unloads on Mark Zuckerberg and admits he helped build a monster

_You can find all my shares on my Facebook Page

This Week in Tech 639 Anywhere but Albany

Tue, 07 Nov 2017 22:55:00 +0000

Good discussion on Facebook and Twitter in This Week in Tech (TWiT 639: Anywhere but Albany):
This Week in Tech 639 Anywhere but Albany | TWiT.TV

_You can find all my shares on my Facebook Page

What intelligent machines can learn from a school of fish

Sun, 29 Oct 2017 11:03:00 +0000

Wow!

What intelligent machines can learn from a school of fish

_You can find all my shares on my Facebook Page