ruX's blog

Setting up Transparent TCP Proxifier (aka VPN) in Linux Can't Be Easier

Just wow, you never stop learning about Linux. You can wrap all TCP traffic transparently via an SSH channel just like that:

Install proxychains-ng (alternatives include torsocks or tsocks).
Set up a background persistent connection to the jump box:
```
ssh -D 1080 -N -f -o ServerAliveInterval=30 user@jump.box
```

Create a proxychains configuration file in ~/.proxychains/proxychains.conf:

strict_chain
proxy_dns
tcp_read_time_out 15000
tcp_connect_time_out 8000
[ProxyList]
socks5 127.0.0.1 1080

Done. Seriously.

TIL: Oct 2024

03/11/2024 by ruX

Classy Ubuntu's snap

Snaps were invented to ~~break down the system and annoy users~~ make software easy to upgrade, mitigate dependency hell, and add some sort of ~~placebo~~ security layer.

This comment in the geth repo highlights one of the reasons why I hate Ubuntu Snap and why I switched from Ubuntu to Pop!OS and never looked back. Unfortunately, I'm still using Ubuntu at work, and these Snap issues persist, though to a lesser degree.

Don’t mess with ASUS “AiMesh”

06/10/2024 by ruX

You’ve probably heard of AI, the thing that probably does very useful things, even if it’s just part of a product title.

So, ASUS, of course, has AI Mesh technology. It’s not your average WDS or mesh, but one with AI.

TIL: Apr 2024

03/05/2024 by ruX

I'm starting a new regular monthly postly theme - TIL ${MONTH}. Although I've mostly disappeared from the social networks I still have a strong urge to share some curous discovery throughout the month.

Google Workspace admin can restore data removed by user

It was switched on by default, I guess it won't be very suprising that admin has these level of intervention but still, huh.

Wrapping Up 2023

17/02/202403/01/2024 by ruX

It's been a long time since I shared something from my personal life, and generally, not much has been written on the blog in the last few years. Changes in lifestyle, health, and priorities have had a significant impact on how I process things and what I want to share.

Health

The health state is worrying me more than before, which is gradually worsening.

Project: PhrasesHub introduction

16/12/202311/12/2023 by ruX

Even when one thinks in English, it doesn't guarantee fluency or that one will sound like a native speaker. To me, one of the most expressive ways to communicate is through the use of phrases and idioms, as they convey rich meanings in just a few words, somewhat acting as memes.

Since I got quite fed up with crypto, I decided to jump on the hype train and try to make use of democratized AI, particularly locally deployed LLMs and StableDiffusion.

Much like how I missed the Ethereum "smart contract" revolution, I soon realized I was late to the AI party. But I suppose it's all relative; for some, Kotlin is still a new language, and for others, crypto is synonymous with drugs and money laundering.

Introducing My New Project: PhrasesHub.com

Solidity is NOT JavaScript

12/06/202312/06/2023 by ruX

As blockchains are expanding their influence, it's quite evident for an ordinary developer that Solidity has almost nothing to do with JavaScript.

I'm very particular about compile-time checks and runtime safety when it comes to writing software, and it becomes apparent if you read my other posts. In 2018, when I first came across Ethereum, also known as the 'world computer,' I knew nothing about the technologies behind it except that I'd need to use Solidity for this computer. The Solidity language website v2.2.0 stated, "Solidity is a high-level language whose syntax is similar to that of JavaScript, and it is designed to compile to code for the Ethereum Virtual Machine."

The reference to JavaScript alarmed me. How come someone use a potentially risky language like JavaScript to manage money? I know it mentioned only the syntax, but the reference was strong enough to discourage further exploration in that area, given at that time it didn't look something worth attention.

Think twice before using term “traditional medicine”

10/06/202321/05/2023 by ruX

It couldn't be more helpful.

If you see this page likely you mentioned about how great traditional medicine is so please research this chart thoroughly.

(this meme was on my mind for too long, now it's offloaded to the blog)

DeFi: your tokens aren’t in your wallet

25/12/2022 by ruX

Crypto and in particular DeFi can be technically very complex, and the general audience often might oversee the importance of understanding the technical implementation.

In colloquial language, people often say something like "I've got 10 USDT in my wallet" or "my wallet has 1M Shibu Dogs". It sounds normal and assuring; we all have experience of having money in our pocket. As usual, it's not that simple after looking into the details.

Without the fundamental understanding of where tokens are actually stored there is increasing risk of losing money. It's a DeFi 101.

That was a long gap

18/12/2022 by ruX

Whoa, that's been a long 1.5 years without me creating any content. That's how much MacBook burned me out[pun intended].
Jokes aside - I do need to restart blogging at least occationally. These days I've got so much to share from my day work observations and even more from my personal projects.

The suspect is usual - "I have no time for that", and I don't have it indeed. Newborn baby, failing projects with money involved, personal challanges and of course the Putin's war.

That all makes me think it's not the best time to put something out and I'd rather focus on small projects just to keep myselves away from the outter world. Post-COVID world along with bustle caused by first time parenting makes it very easy to do so.