ORG-tech-vols IRC meeting log 2014 03 05

(19:36:39) graphiclunarkid: Anyway, we should talk about the project for a bit, not Norway ;-)
(19:36:58) graphiclunarkid: Seems quiet tonight so we'll probably be quite quick.
(19:37:25) korikisulda: Welp, I need to stop being lazy and put the GCM support in
(19:37:35) korikisulda: Not sure what to make of the config bit of the API though..
(19:37:35) graphiclunarkid: I have news from our friends at AAISP, but I think dantheta and korikisulda should kick off, as I want to see if vasilis shows up to hear it!
(19:38:18) korikisulda: if ($version != 'latest' && !is_numeric($version))
(19:38:27) korikisulda: I'm not an expert in PHP at all
(19:38:28) dantheta: I was thinking that after JonRibbens was designing a config file to contain rules to allow a probe to determine if a URL was blocked on a particular ISP, the API could probably do with a way to deliver said config file
(19:38:33) korikisulda: But won't that always be false?
(19:38:54) korikisulda: Yeah, fair enough
(19:39:06) korikisulda: No, I get that, just not the bit of code comparing it
(19:39:10) dantheta: Yeah, I probably got that bit slightly wrong and will need to fix it
(19:39:23) korikisulda: Ah, okay, I thought I was going mad ^.^
(19:39:27) dantheta: It's intended to allow /api/config/2014022801 or /api/config/latest
(19:39:44) korikisulda: Oh, I see
(19:39:53) dantheta: I used to be pretty fluent in PHP, but it's dropped down to my second or third language now
(19:40:11) korikisulda: Worryingly enough, it's the second one I use after Java
(19:40:14) dantheta: And since my superpower is productive insomnia the results are sometimes strange
(19:41:00) dantheta: Thanks for the heads-up!
(19:41:00) graphiclunarkid: dantheta: That's a pretty awesome superpower ;)
(19:41:45) dantheta: Occasionally ... That's why I need a good pipeline of projects!
(19:41:50) graphiclunarkid: Heh
(19:41:51) graphiclunarkid: :)
(19:42:50) graphiclunarkid: dantheta: Did you get a copy of my mail to Lee about an account on dev-censor-1?
(19:43:08) dantheta: graphiclunarkid: I don't think I did ...
(19:43:36) dantheta: Nope, can't see one I'm afraid.
(19:43:50) graphiclunarkid: Hmmm. It *was* you who asked for one, wasn't it?
(19:44:07) dantheta: Yep, that was me. I sent a static IP and an SSH pubkey
(19:44:27) graphiclunarkid: OK - there's a nonzero chance the email didn't make it out of the system from which I was sending it.
(19:44:39) graphiclunarkid: Though I can see it in my sent folder on the server.
(19:44:55) graphiclunarkid: I just forwarded your request to Lee and asked him to action it.
(19:45:12) graphiclunarkid: Lee only works Fridays for ORG though. I'll chase it up with him in person on Friday and make sure he got the message.
(19:45:44) graphiclunarkid: I assumed you wanted it so you can set up endpoints serving the new version of the API you've been working on?
(19:45:58) dantheta: Yep - and also to see what we've gathered in the DB from v1.1
(19:47:29) dantheta: That will aso mean that people can use the canonical URL for probe development
(19:47:39) graphiclunarkid: Yep yep. That'll be cool :)
(19:48:14) graphiclunarkid: Do we need to ask Lee to set up something like api.blocked.org.uk in DNS - or are we planning to use blocked.org.uk/api?
(19:48:42) dantheta: I'd prefer the former - it'll work better with https too
(19:49:00) dantheta: so that sounds good
(19:51:01) dantheta: As in api.blocked.org.uk sounds best.
(19:51:11) dantheta: (sorry, bit vague there for a moment)
(19:51:42) graphiclunarkid: Yep OK. Will drop Lee a line and ask him to make the appropriate DNS entry.
(19:53:46) graphiclunarkid: OK, just done that ^^, and copied it to you dantheta. Let me know if you receive it - I might have typo'd your email address the first time.
(19:54:00) dantheta: yep, got it.
(19:54:13) graphiclunarkid: Cool
(19:54:36) graphiclunarkid: Has anyone had a look at the HTML proofs Alex has pushed for the website redesign?
(19:54:53) dantheta: yep, they look good on iOS (mini)
(19:55:18) graphiclunarkid: Oh cool - I don't have any iDevices so thanks for checking that out :)
(19:55:35) dantheta: My one concession to the iEmpire
(19:55:54) graphiclunarkid: I think I need to poke people in the ORG office and get them to do a review.
(19:56:27) graphiclunarkid: dantheta: My wife worships at the altars of the cult of the glowing fruit. I'm more of a Debian guy ;)
(19:57:42) dantheta: Same here - apart from the tablet, that is ...
(19:58:26) graphiclunarkid: So I have some progress to report from AAISP (noddiing towards plett_ as I do so in case he wants to take over the explanation)
(19:58:55) graphiclunarkid: They have sorted out a HP Microserver for the project. They have also installed a telecoms cabinet on a wall in a spare office ready to take the routers sent by the various broadband providers.
(19:59:14) dantheta: that's very cool.
(19:59:18) graphiclunarkid: They have also placed orders with six ISPs: Sky, Talktalk, Plusnet, BT, VirginMedia and AAISP (the last for comparison purposes).
(19:59:32) graphiclunarkid: Installation is happening during the week starting 7 April!
(20:00:51) graphiclunarkid: They're staggering the installs over the whole week. Alex from A&A was suggesting the OpenReach engineer might have a severe case of deja-vu by the Friday!
(20:01:13) dantheta: hehe!
(20:01:38) dantheta: So, four weeks to get the API up and a probe working!
(20:01:56) graphiclunarkid: That's what I was thinking.
(20:02:24) graphiclunarkid: We should aim to get all the components ready to coincide with the lines becoming available.
(20:02:53) graphiclunarkid: And I don't know what you folks think but to me that seems pretty achievable :)
(20:03:01) korikisulda: It's possible
(20:03:44) dantheta: Yep.
(20:03:50) graphiclunarkid: I feel like we need a list of things we need to do between now and then.
(20:03:58) graphiclunarkid: What about using github issues for that?
(20:04:43) dantheta: I'm happy with that.
(20:05:12) graphiclunarkid: Cool. I do think they work rather well.
(20:05:52) graphiclunarkid: We can raise issues against the "specification" repository for anything generic like getting access to accounts, installing software on servers, testing, etc.
(20:06:14) graphiclunarkid: Or just raise issues against your own repos - as long as they're visible somewhere we'll know where we are.
(20:06:25) graphiclunarkid: I'll see if I can contribute what I think I know during tomorrow.
(20:06:54) graphiclunarkid: You can then all tell me I'm an idiot in the comments and point out the actual things that need doing ;-)
(20:07:17) dantheta: 'tis all good.
(20:08:00) graphiclunarkid: By the way, A&A reckon they've committed about £1500 - £2000 to this project (including line rental over the next year or so) - funds ORG would really struggle to commit itself - so thanks very much plett_ and everyone at A&A!!
(20:10:25) dantheta: That is very cool. Looking forward to putting the lines to good use!
(20:10:39) graphiclunarkid: Indeed.
(20:11:42) dantheta: I did get a RaspPi image URL from Vasilis, but haven't had a chance to put it all together yet.
(20:11:59) dantheta: Should happen at the weekend.
(20:12:15) graphiclunarkid: dantheta: Did you say you had a vodafone connection you were going to attach it to - or did I misremember?
(20:12:47) dantheta: Yep, that's right. Hopefully the RaspPi image will support the HuaWei dongle that it sits in.
(20:13:55) graphiclunarkid: Do let us know how you get on with that. We've got a bid for funding out at the moment, and if we win it part of the cash will go on set-ups like yours for each of the UK mobile networks, so advance testing would be very valuable.
(20:14:26) graphiclunarkid: Sadly I have to report we were also turned down for funding by one of the bodies to which we applied :(
(20:14:44) dantheta: Oh, that's sad.
(20:14:54) graphiclunarkid: We span the bid wrongly - failed to expand adequately on the academic side of things.
(20:15:00) graphiclunarkid: Lesson learnt for next time.
(20:15:38) graphiclunarkid: In other news, I'll be travelling to Manchester and Edinburgh later this month to give talks about this project, and try to recruit some more volunteers to our cause :)
(20:16:05) dantheta: Well, I'd better add some comments in to the code in good time !
(20:16:17) graphiclunarkid: Heh!
(20:16:27) dantheta: (mocking my bad habits)
(20:16:41) graphiclunarkid: I'll be in Edinburgh on 19 March and Manchester on, um... *checks diary*
(20:17:09) graphiclunarkid: The day before - 18 March!
(20:18:07) ***graphiclunarkid wonders if he should catch the sleeper up from Manchester to Glasgow rather than returning to Sheffield after the Manchester talk...
(20:19:26) graphiclunarkid: Anyway - that's all my news :)
(20:19:29) dantheta: That's going to be a busy couple of days
(20:19:42) graphiclunarkid: Yeah! At least it's the same talk twice.
(20:20:01) dantheta: Hehe. Recycling is good.
(20:20:18) graphiclunarkid: LOL!
(20:21:08) dantheta: So yeah, I think I'm up-to-date and out of news. Getting the docs for the new endpoints finished, and writing them in.
(20:21:24) dantheta: korikisulda: Anything you need me to add or do?
(20:21:26) graphiclunarkid: Awesome sauce.
(20:21:37) korikisulda: I can't think of anything
(20:21:45) graphiclunarkid: Anything either of you need from me?
(20:21:54) korikisulda: Two functions and I;
(20:22:03) korikisulda: *I'm back up to date afaik
(20:22:07) korikisulda: Accursed keyboards
(20:23:03) dantheta: Yep, that sounds about right. I've got an open invite on the list for any of the web folk to suggest or specify admin functions that they'll need.
(20:23:59) graphiclunarkid: I think _46bit_ is the go-to person for the javascript stuff that'll be talking between the website and the API - maybe a quick email in his direction might be useful to see if there's anything he needs?
(20:24:16) dantheta: OK, that sounds good. We can also get back in touch with JonRibbens about the config file, and see if people want to contribute config for spotting blockedness.
(20:24:53) graphiclunarkid: I should really make time to read through your docs, dantheta, and familiarise myself with the nuts and bolts.
(20:24:58) graphiclunarkid: I'll try to do that tomorrow.
(20:25:23) korikisulda: And if anyone wants to have a play around with the client library, please feel free
(20:25:25) graphiclunarkid: I will also drop a line to NetworkString and see how he's doing. It's been a while.
(20:25:51) dantheta: I hope he doesn't mind what I've done to the place ...
(20:25:59) graphiclunarkid: korikisulda: I keep getting tempted to look at NetworkString's Android client with a view to hacking it to use your library... and then I remember I'm not a coder, dammit!
(20:26:19) korikisulda: Ahhh, I had problems getting the Android probe to compile
(20:26:29) graphiclunarkid: dantheta: If I were him I'd be happy to see people contributing :)
(20:26:31) korikisulda: I might try to do hackish things to modify it...
(20:26:57) graphiclunarkid: korikisulda: Knock yourself out - you can always do it on a branch and see what happens. That's what I was going to try. In my "spare time"!
(20:28:40) graphiclunarkid: Right - I need to call it a night I'm afraid. Good talking to you both!
(20:28:44) dantheta: Well, there's always the flight to Norway to give you time to read the android developer guide!
(20:29:15) graphiclunarkid: dantheta: Yes indeed! Especially the 5+ hour layover in Oslo that I had to endure last time!
(20:29:15) dantheta: Yep, I'm about ready to head out. Good to catch you both again.
(20:29:44) graphiclunarkid: I'll drop the logs onto the wiki as usual in case people who couldn't make it want to read.
(20:29:56) graphiclunarkid: Take care korikisulda, dantheta :)
(20:30:08) korikisulda: おやすみいいいいいい～
(20:30:09) dantheta: You too. Many thanks!
(20:30:55) graphiclunarkid: korikisulda: おやすみなさい
(20:31:29) dantheta: Until next time!