A Drupal backup program

So, I still need to release my backup module for Drupal 5. But I haven't had a chance to sit down and actually read the documentation.

But, awhile back, I developed my own command-line utility for backing up my own Drupal websites. Since it was quicker to clean that up and release it instead of waiting for me to Finish the Drupal 5 version of the module, I figured I would do that.

The program can be downloaded from here.

It needs to be run from the root directory of DOCUMENT_ROOT from the command line. It will automatically read in your default settings.php file to get the database credentials and create its own backup of the database. Then it will backup the webserver's filesystem and store both database backup and filesystem into a nice little tarball, ready for download via your web browser.

For those of you who are worried because the file is essentially world-readable, there is a random number appended to the database dump and the final backup to prevent an attacker from guessing the name of the file. (your webserver would fall over from the 404s before someone successfully guessed a filename)

Enjoy!

Warning: Hitchhikers May Be Escaping Convicts

Someone was nice enough to capture the last 6 minutes of the last level in Halo, plus the ending. The quality of the capture is pretty good (as is the bass response) and lets you view/listen to the "mini-cinemas" in the level as well.

Watch on YouTube

MagFest 5 pictures

I finally put up my pictures from MagFest 5, held back in January. The Dorsai Irregulars were contracted to work this convention, and myself and several other furs were drafted to work with the DI. The pictures can be found over here.

Here are a few selected pics:






And what con is complete without things that give electrical engineers nightmares?



The full archive.

Minor fire at 16th and Chestnut Streets in Philadelphia

Earlier tonight, around 8 PM I was on my way to the train station in Center City Philadelphia. Imagine my surprise when after one fire engine races by me, so did another, and another after that, and then stopped at the end of the street. It turned out that there was quite a bit of fire department activity at the 1600 Lofts on Chestnut Street.

The units stayed there for about half an hour, and then some of them began departing. I left at that point and went to catch my train. I did not see any evidence of injuries or fatalities.

omnibahumut reports from his blog that the 1600 lofts is occupied by AIPH students and received reports that the "second floor was filled with smoke". It is unclear at this time whether any AIPH students were involved. (He also ventured closer than I did has pictures taken of the actual building)












( 7 more pictures behind the cut )