Eck! It\’s the keystone cops, and their in my \’puter!

Benjamin Schollnick2 Comments

I ran across this today…  And was very suprised…

1/21/10 10:10:04 AM	com.apple.launchd[1]	(com.google.keystone.daemon[36803]) bootstrap_register() erroneously called instead of bootstrap_check_in(). Mach service: com.google.Keystone.Daemon
1/21/10 10:10:04 AM	com.apple.launchd[1]	(com.google.keystone.daemon[36803]) Exited with exit code: 1
1/21/10 10:10:04 AM	com.apple.launchd[1]	(com.google.keystone.daemon) Throttling respawn: Will start in 10 seconds
1/21/10 10:10:14 AM	com.apple.launchd[1]	(com.google.keystone.daemon[36804]) bootstrap_register() erroneously called instead of bootstrap_check_in(). Mach service: com.google.Keystone.Daemon
1/21/10 10:10:14 AM	com.apple.launchd[1]	(com.google.keystone.daemon[36804]) Exited with exit code: 1
1/21/10 10:10:14 AM	com.apple.launchd[1]	(com.google.keystone.daemon) Throttling respawn: Will start in 10 seconds

With some research, I found out that this is caused by the Google updater application attempting to run in the background…
One option is to remove all of the Google background updater applications…

  • \”Google Updater Helper\” – Firstly started by /Library/Preferences/loginwindow.plist  and subsequently by launchd – (seen by running launchctl list | grep com.google.Updater.helper)
    • Removal: edit/remove the google item in that file using property editor/textedit/Pacifist
  • \”googleml-modwatch\” – Started by launchd from: /Library/LaunchDaemons/com.google.GoogleML.plist.
    • Removal: rename com.google.GoogleML.plist to com.google.GoogleML.plist e.g.:
      sudo mv /Library/LaunchDaemons/com.google.GoogleML.plist
      /Library/LaunchDaemons/com.google.GoogleML.plist.off
  • \”GoogleSoftwareUpdateDaemon\” – another launchd startup
    • Removal: sudo mv /Library/LaunchDaemons/com.google.keystone.daemon.plist /Library/LaunchDaemons/com.google.keystone.daemon.plist.off
  • \”GoogleSoftwareUpdateAgent\” – another launchd startup
    • Removal: sudo mv /Library/LaunchAgents/com.google.keystone.agent.plist /Library/LaunchAgents/com.google.keystone.agent.plist.off

Then Restart and they should all be gone…. You can still manually run the updates when you want to by running:
\”/Library/Google/Google Updater/Google Updater.app\”.

But this really is throwing out the baby with the bathwater.  Google officially gives us the information to disable update checking, or to change the interval in which is checked…

Update Frequency

To change how frequently Google Software Update checks for updates, execute the following in the Terminal application:
$ defaults write com.google.Keystone.Agent checkInterval <frequency>
where <frequency> is the elapsed time in seconds between update checks.
To disable Google Software Update from checking for updates, execute the following in the Terminal application:
$ defaults write com.google.Keystone.Agent checkInterval 0

Manual Updates

Google Software Update also provides a way to manually update all Google software on a user\’s Mac. Here\’s how:

  1. In Finder, select Go > Go to Folder.
  2. In the window that appears, enter one of the following locations. It\’s expected that one of these folders won\’t be found:
    • /Library/Google/GoogleSoftwareUpdate/GoogleSoftwareUpdate.bundle/Contents/Resources/
    • ~/Library/Google/GoogleSoftwareUpdate/GoogleSoftwareUpdate.bundle/Contents/Resources/
  3. In the folder that opens, double click the file named \’CheckForUpdatesNow.command\’.

Terminal will open to run the file. When you see the message \'[Process completed]\’ you can close Terminal. Once this is done, your Google programs will be up to date.

Sleep Deprivation…. Sneaking up on you?

Benjamin SchollnickNo Comments

I have a issue with Sleep Apnea, I was diagnosed around 2002 or so…  For those, unfamiliar with Sleep Apnea, Sleep apnea (or Sleep apnoea) is sleep disorder that causes issues with the Airway closing.  So they may stop breathing for short periods, often for 10 seconds or more. This means that 3-4 breaths are missed and as a result of this, those affected are often tired during the day.
I highly recommend that if you use a CPAP machine, and you are unhappy with your mask.  Don\’t suffer through continuing to use the mask…  Check out a replacement.  For the two months or so, I\’ve been quite tired but I attributed it to the colds that have been running through the house…  But I just had my CPAP device checked out, and swapped out for a better mask, and I am feeling a heck of a lot better….
I believe that the mask that I changed to last year, was not as sturdy as my previous one, and the airseal has been steadily degrading…  Since a CPAP device (Constant Positive Air Pressure), uses this air pressure to keep the airway open, if the airseal was sealing properly then I would not have been getting the full benefit of the treatment..
Why is this a concern?  Well, it leads to Sleep deprivation…  Sounds innocent, doesn\’t it?  But Sleep deprivation can be devasting:

  • aching muscles
  • dizziness and nausea
  • dry mouth
  • hallucinations
  • hand tremors
  • headaches
  • increased blood pressure
  • increased risk for diabetes
  • increased risk of fibromyalgia
  • irritability
  • memory lapses or loss
  • nystagmus (rapid involuntary rhythmic eye movement)
  • obesity
  • slowed word recall
  • temper tantrums in children
  • yawning
  • symptoms similar to Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder(ADHD) and psychosis

So please pay attention if you feel tired, and don\’t believe that being tired is okay…  It\’s not…

Going Long for Wifi

Benjamin SchollnickNo Comments

One question that keeps persisting with Wifi technology, is what does the A, B, G, and/or N really mean…  Well, quite simply, it is an identifier of what \”model\” wireless transmitter you have…
But for the average user, realistically, it\’s a starting point on the range of a Wifi installation could have.

  • A – indoor 35m (outdoor 120m)        Speed ~ 20 Mbit/s
  • B – indoor 38m (outdoor 140m)        Speed ~ 5 Mbit/s
  • G – indoor 38m (outdoor 140m)        Speed ~ 22 Mbit/s
  • N – indoor ~70m (outdoor ~250m)  Speed ~ 50-144 Mbit/s

There is very little difference between A, B and G and it is likely that you will find transmitter/receiver quality will play a far bigger role in the range you can actually achieve.
N however, specifically added features that increased the potential range and speed.  For any new installation, I would suggest Wireless-N technology to be used.

Yay! Primeval\’s not extinct anymore; it\’s coming back soon

Benjamin SchollnickNo Comments

Ending abruptly on a cliffhanger, the British sci-fi series Primeval looked like it was as dead as the dinosaurs because producer ITV was too strapped to pay a fourth season of the visual-effects-intensive series.

But series creator Adrian Hodges managed to secure financing elsewhere, and international networks airing the show—including BBC America—are contributing the budget for a fourth season. (Possible spoilers ahead!) That means we get to learn the fate of the characters, who were last seen in the past.

eyeTv v3.3 Build 5851, not updating?

Benjamin SchollnickNo Comments

For some reason, the latest build of EyeTV v3.3 (5851) is not being detected by some earlier builds of v3.3 (eg. 5848).  Build 5851 was just announced on MacUpdate, but you can force an update from El Gato, by entering this into a web browser:

    eyetv://checkforupdates?build=5851

EyeTV will then auto-launch and prompt you to OK downloading/applying the update.

Sophos fixes Retrospect 8 Scanning time issue?

Benjamin SchollnickNo Comments

Well, it appears that Sophos may have resolved a problem with their On-Access Scanning & Retrospect 8.  While I have not had a chance to test this yet, Version 7.1.3 of Sophos has this in it\’s release notes:
Sophos Anti-Virus 7.1.3
Threat detection engine 3.04.1
Threat data 4.50, February 2010
New in this version
This version includes fixes for the following problems:

  • DEF 47375: On-access scanning causes increased scanning time with EMC Retrospect.
  • DEF 52975: Scans started from the Sophos Anti-Virus Mac OS X GUI attempt to scan Stuffit archives, although scanning for this format is not supported.

See Sophos Anti-Virus for Mac OS X release notes for more details.

Sarah Jane Adventures, Series 4 confirmed — almost

Benjamin SchollnickNo Comments

In what amounts to conformation that Series Four of The Sarah Jane Adventures has been commissioned, the BBC are recruiting a new producer to take over production of the series. The successful applicant will be based in Cardiff, and assumes responsibility for the programme which begins shooting in March. The series will once again consist of twelve, thirty minute episodes.