Kelkhoff.com

apple

Stream of Consciousness

kelkhoff.com Migration Complete

When I got my new M4 Mac Mini last month, I knew right away I wanted to use it for more than just a backup and file server.

So as of last night, I’ve completed the migration of this site, kelkhoff.com, to be running on my mac mini.

Here’s the full stack:

hover for kelkhoff.com DNS →

linode for load balancing, and TLS →

linode running an nginx docker image, doing a reverse proxy →

erro Dynamic DNS and port forwarding →

mac mini running wordpress and mysql under docker compose.

Hopefully that doesn’t give away too much infosec 😉

From a different point of view, here’s a different view of the full stack. Yes, I am using my Apple Vision Pro box as a rack, while I’m pending the purchase of a new 3D printer…

Anyway, I think the site’s performance is improved – but, I still do see some initial-connection delays when wordpress wants to download 50 images at the same time, or 100 javascript files. So, hopefully I can tune that, either at the linode or nginx side. Or, I might try to simplify the stack some. I do like having the internet hitting the linode balancer instead of coming DIRECTLY into my house, but at this point, I’m probably over-paying linode for what I’m getting from them, so I might be searching out a new cloud whatever-you-call that provider (like a cloudflare?)

  • 2024-12-03
Stream of Consciousness

So you’re saying bigger things are easier to see…

I’ve been near-sighted since I was about ten years old. But here in my mid 40s, now my up-close vision is starting to falter too. I tried progressive lenses a few years ago, but didn’t really like them.

Anyway, one of the main things I have to hold farther away from my face to see all the time, is my iPhone. So, a couple days ago I activated the text-size setting, bumping it up just one level (110%), and boy, it’s a really nice quality of life improvement. So glad I’ve done it. Time to do the Apple Watch next.

  • 2024-11-28
M4 Pro Mac Mini
Stream of Consciousness

My M4 Mac Mini (that’s 4M’s)

On Friday, 2024-11-08, I got a new M4 Pro Mac Mini 🙂

My intention was to use this machine as a home server, primarily for backups, but also for, idk, any servers I might want/need to run – such as Home Assistant, Octoprint, and/or any personal apps I build.

I recently picked up a 4TB Samsung T9 SSD, which is plenty big (by almost 2x) for my current backup needs.

I had been backing everything up to a Synology, and then from there, offsite via Backblaze B2… but my bill for that service keeps growing (as it does), and just past $40/month! By switching to this Mac Mini based approach, I can use Backblaze’s single-computer = $99/year plan, and … eventually the Mini + SSD will pay for themselves 😉

And in the mean time, I do have a suuuper fast new Mac here. I’m trying hard not to switch my daily-usage to be on the Mini… Build times for my main work app were about 50% of what they are on my M1 Max MacBook Pro — not that it’s ever felt slow to me. I think I’ll stay here for now, and try to just let the mini do the job it was bought for.

  • 2024-11-11