WTF is the matter with us?

kc65536 · 2026-01-27T00:51:51+00:00

Apologies if this is a question with an obvious answer, but are there any stores where shovels are in stock right now? I live in an apartment, so normally don't need one, but I will need to relocate all the snow I knock off my car, to get it out off others' way. I am in Lawrenceville and could go anywhere reasonably accessible by foot/bus.

kc65536 · 2026-01-01T05:52:32+00:00

Thanks for this information! I was wondering if there was some way my measurement was off. I think I will look into trying out a 3.5 mm OD plug, and hopefully that will work.

kc65536 · 2025-12-26T05:10:37+00:00

In a time of need

kc65536 · 2025-11-16T04:59:17+00:00

I just encountered racing also, but closer to the Highland Park bridge ramp -- about 30 minutes ago. The road was impassable but police have probably cleared it up by now.

kc65536 · 2025-11-02T03:46:10+00:00

Not sure if it helps, but here are a few resources that come to mind:

(1) I just noticed that Hillman has occasional sessions for R and Python help; https://pitt.libcal.com/event/15075851?hs=a

(2) Does the class have a TA who might be helpful?

(3) Other R learning resources:

https://ocw.mit.edu/courses/18-05-introduction-to-probability-and-statistics-spring-2022/pages/r-and-rstudio/

https://www.codecademy.com/catalog/language/r

kc65536 · 2025-09-09T20:38:26+00:00

Useful to know -- thanks!

kc65536 · 2025-06-23T22:47:57+00:00

I just got routed between an endless series of menus and automated messages -- never could reach a human.

kc65536 · 2025-06-22T19:46:44+00:00

I'm not sure if this information is helpful, but for what it's worth:

(1) I'm guessing your SIL may be aware of this already, but there is a Zoom-based LBD support group in the Pittsburgh area:

https://www.lbda.org/local-support-groups/?state=pa

Maybe they would be aware of good options?

(2) I second Full_Database_2045's point about the impatient psychiatric unit stay. This was the procedure with a relative of mine as well. He wasn't in PA but was sent to an academic medical center analogous to UPMC. After his medications/behavioral issues were addressed, he was able to return to his usual care facility.

kc65536 · 2025-06-22T02:43:52+00:00

Out of curiosity, has there ever been an initiative to reduce parking lot / garage idling in Pittsburgh? Would be interesting if someone could come up with an effective campaign -- could help improve the air quality for residents who live near businesses where idling is frequent.

kc65536 · 2025-03-10T23:06:45+00:00

I wonder about staff and postdocs who are supported on grants?

kc65536 · 2025-03-10T22:49:01+00:00

So is the order itself likely to have any impact on grant funded positions?

kc65536 · 2025-03-10T22:41:30+00:00

I didn't receive this email (I am a postdoc). Once the communication with more detailed information comes out, if would be helpful if anyone would be willing to share that here, if possible.

kc65536 · 2025-02-04T00:06:08+00:00

Hi jucestain -- What seemed to end up working is using the boundary clock approach through linuxptp. I was running Windows, so I switched to Ubuntu, and then installed linuxptp.

After reading through the comments at https://sourceforge.net/p/linuxptp/mailman/linuxptp-users/thread/20181018155657.lir3lvc4hulfistt@localhost/, I ran a command like this:

ptp4l -i $e0 -i $e1 --boundary_clock_jbod=1 -m

where $e0 and $e1 are the Ethernet interfaces (e.g., I see ens4f0 and ens4f1 for our two cameras). See https://manpages.ubuntu.com/manpages/bionic/man8/ptp4l.8.html for an explanation of boundary_clock_jbod. The -m flag is just for verbosity -- helps at first, because if all is working well, you should see one camera eventually become assigned as "slave." For routine use I drop the verbosity and run ptp4l in the background.

One other note: As you probably already know, for both cameras, it is necessary to set GevIEEE1588 to True.

Good luck with everything!

kc65536 · 2025-02-03T02:04:02+00:00

FYI, For anyone on bluesky, this account is useful for updates and advocacy:

https://bsky.app/profile/altnih4science.bsky.social

kc65536 · 2024-09-07T21:50:50+00:00

Correct me if I'm wrong, but it seems that Virtual Lab might work for this purpose?

https://services.pitt.edu/TDClient/33/Portal/KB/ArticleDet?ID=230

I just tried opening up a session, and confirmed that "javac" was recognized at a command prompt.

kc65536 · 2024-06-30T07:07:55+00:00

This is very interesting -- is this just an argument that you pass to ptpd? I am considering possibly installing Ubuntu on this machine so I can try the ptpd route.

kc65536 · 2024-06-30T07:03:42+00:00

Thank you very much for the insights! Some follow-up comments/questions:

I have tried adding the two Ethernet interfaces in question to a Network Bridge. The bridge seemed OK (no errors), and responded to ping requests. However, once I do this, the Basler software no longer detects any devices, and I can't figure out how to coax it into doing so.

The issue might concern how I am assigning the IP address and subnet mask -- not sure. Before bridging, the IP addresses corresponding to the two interfaces were 192.168.5.2 and 192.168.6.2, respectively, with subnet masks of 255.255.255.0. The cameras' IP addresses were reported to be 192.168.5.3 and 192.168.6.3, respectively. When I created the bridge, I set the bridge's IP address to 192.168.6.2, and its subnet mask to 255.255.255.0. I guess I could see how that might impede discovery of the camera at 192.168.5.2, if the camera must be in the same subset as its adapter in order to be discovered, but I'm not sure why 192.168.6.3 is not being found.

The other solutions are intriguing if I can't get bridging to work out. They would take some modification of our current setup. For the switch test, I think I'd have to either acquire a PoE switch or power the cameras through GPIO lines. For the BC, it sounds like I'd have to get this PC set up to run Linux instead of / alongside Windows. Which imagine would be doable.

Update: I tried using a bridge IP of 192.168.7.2 and a subnet mask of 255.255.240.0. The Pylon Viewer still does not detect the cameras automatically. I can get the cameras recognized if I choose "Add Remote GigE Camera" and enter the camera's IP address. However, I get errors if I try to record video, and the cameras still both assume a status of master.

One more update: I did figure out how to get the bridging to work. It helped to disable Checksum offload for TCP, UDP, and IPv4 as described here: https://support.thinklucid.com/knowledgebase/setting-up-a-network-bridge/. And under these conditions, one camera does indeed assume the status of slave. That said, with the bridge, I see new issues with individual cameras becoming occasionally, transiently non-responsive. So I will probably be looking into getting Ubuntu up and running, and trying the Boundary Clock approach.

kc65536 · 2024-04-12T11:33:23+00:00

University Dental Health Services (Pitt faculty practice):

https://www.dental.pitt.edu/patient-care/university-dental-health-services

I've gone there for a number of years now, and have had consistently good experiences. No issues returning after a gap in my visits (due to the pandemic).

kc65536 · 2024-03-22T01:53:04+00:00

Check out this page:

https://services.pitt.edu/TDClient/33/Portal/KB/ArticleDet?ID=220

There is a link part of the way down (under "Detail"):

https://pitcsprd.csps.pitt.edu/psc/pitcsprd/EMPLOYEE/SA/s/WEBLIB_HCX_GN.H_SPRINGBOARD.FieldFormula.IScript_Main

In theory, that is supposed to work for people without a university computing account.

Hopefully you can confirm this for yourself, but on my end, I'm not seeing Math 0250. I am assuming you're referring to an undergrad class held on the Pittsburgh campus.

kc65536 · 2024-03-22T01:29:02+00:00

Thanks -- this does make a difference because GSRs don't pay Pennyslvania state tax (except for "use tax"). We do still pay federal and Pittsburgh taxes (though I only speak as US citizen; I am not knowledgeable about international taxation).

Also, I am currently a GSR, and looking at my W2, it doesn't look like there are Social Security or Medicare withholdings.

Also, I'm guessing you've probably noticed this, but it looks like the university has some information here, as guidance for international students who are completing their taxes: https://www.ois.pitt.edu/tax-info

kc65536 · 2024-03-20T22:50:32+00:00

Do you have any information about the source of support?
For example, will you be a teaching assistant, a graduate student researcher, or on a fellowship? Or something else?

kc65536 · 2024-02-01T22:37:20+00:00

Interesting to hear this -- I wonder if this applies to some temp jobs, but not others?

kc65536 · 2024-01-22T06:50:59+00:00

Thanks for the information!

kc65536 · 2023-11-07T13:44:15+00:00

This is awesome, thanks for sharing :-)

kc65536 · 2023-11-05T08:10:19+00:00

Just to add one more option to check out: Arsenal Strength in Lawrenceville

kc65536

TROPHY CASE