How To: Fix a voicemail that goes directly to scam/ads/robocaller messages *86

I got a call form an unrecognized number, so I let it go to voicemail. I later tried to delete the message but the voicemail kept calling the scammer/robocall/ads phone number as opposed to accessing my voicemail. I kept getting a answering machine with a prompt to “connect with local singles”. As much as I am interested in connecting with local singles, I am more interested in deleting this message and access my voicemail.

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Random: Useful Tasker Android Application Profiles and Tasks

Tasker is an awesome app for android devices… if you know how to use it… otherwise it’s a nightmare!! Here is a list of Tasker settings and profiles I find most useful.

Enable Auto-Rotate Display on Certain Apps

  • Create new profile, select application then choose your desired app.
  • Create a New task and tap the “+” icon. Select “Display” then set “Display Autorotate” to ON.

 

How To: Fix kernel panic-not syncing: VFS: unable to mount root fs on unknown block(0,0)

I ran into this issue while booting up my server. Luckily it was easy to fix after doing a bit of research 🙂

Problem: kernel panic-not syncing: VFS: unable to mount root fs on unknown block(0,0)

Solution: remove old linux kernels, your /boot drive is out of space

  • boot to grub and click on “Advanced options”
  • Select a previous kernel (should boot fine)
  • login and enter command
    • $ df
  • See if your /boot directory is 100% used
  • Remove old linux kernels
    • $ sudo apt-get autoremove

Sources:

How to: Replace and/or Upgrade a Flowtron Starter Bulb

Being in Wisconsin, mosquitos a merciless, they will suck all your blood. I bought a Flowtron mosquito repellent lamp off Amazon BK-15D 1/2 acre coverage, unfortunately we used it twice and it stopped working. Bought new bulbs and soon realized that it was the starter. I looked all over the internet and realized that the company was the only one who sold those types of starters anymore. They also weren’t returning my calls to get a new starter bulb or light bulb to see what the problem was.

Doing a bit of research I realized that I could upgrade the starter to use newer fluorescent starters, it would save money and hassle in the future, and hopefully last much longer.

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How to: Sync iTunes with Android phone – doubleTwist

Unlike most people, I still have a local library of music on my computer, and I don’t like streaming music over 3G/LTE because it uses precious data! Therefore I wanted to find a way to create playlists on my computer and put them on my phone. Unfortunately It wasn’t as straight forward as I hoped, manually copying and pasting music between devices was cumbersome and not idea. Until I found doubleTwist!

So here is my workflow :

  1. Install doubleTwist Sync on your Windows computer!
  2. Create a smart playlist in iTunes that aggregates all songs with 5 stars
  3. Inside doubleTwist ONLY sync this playlist to your phone.

Now whenever you want to add new songs to your Android device, go to itunes, 5 star any new songs you want to add, sync with doubleTwist!

 

How To: Ninja your Google Searches

Google is great, but with a few tips it can be awesome!! These are the tips I found most helpful to memorize.

Noob Ninja

  • Ignore Spelling (google will correct you)
  • Only unique, descriptive keywords
  • Use quotes for exact match
    • “Pirates are awesome!” 
  • Case insensitive
    • Cats == cats
  • Ignore Special Characters
    • Wont be in the search: @#%^*()=[]\
  • Omit common words
    • a, the i
    • Put them in quotes if they are important: “a”, “the”, “i”

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Review: Donating Plasma

Donating Plasma seems like a way to make easy money. The first five times you get $50 dollars, then it goes down to $25 or $35 depending on how much you weigh and how much plasma they can get out of you. Employees in the front desk are often undergraduate students who are pre-med, have in interest in medical field or want to make money. There are also like 3-4 nurses present as well as phlebotomist’s. From my conversations the younger adults working there (20’s/30’s), are there for the money, are there while they pay for school, or in the process of applying to schools. Overall the staff was very friendly and fun to talk to.

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