Smart Growth

Category: Technology

  • Linux Server Upgrade Pain

    Linux Server Upgrade Pain

    There I was, knee-deep in an SSH session, trying to update my server for the 4th or 5th time when I got the last fail message I was willing to accept. It turns out that this isn’t particularly uncommon. When you are trying to execute an upgrade, you’ve got to have all your repo’s correct, as it appears that the errors will cause a failure.

    The craziest and most frustrating part of this battle was the fact that NGINX wasn’t in my source.list, so I couldn’t (still haven’t) figured out why it was so stuck. It wasn’t installed or in existence on my server. (As far as I and the internet could figure out.)

    Below are the 2 threads that helped me resolve the issue.

    https://nginx.org/en/linux_packages.html#Ubuntu
    https://askubuntu.com/questions/1047517/apt-upgrade-error

    The error that got me: 

    A problem occurred during the update. This is usually some sort of 
network problem, please check your network connection and retry.

    I had to look at the syntax above to find the NGINX error, which required updating the NGINX PGP key.
    curl https://nginx.org/keys/nginx_signing.key | gpg –dearmor \
    | sudo tee /usr/share/keyrings/nginx-archive-keyring.gpg >/dev/null

    When you’re looking for your error, look for all the HITs.
    “Hit http:”, then look for the IGN followed by the ERR, that’s where your core problem is.

    If you find an error that isn’t as legit as NGINX, you’ll want to look at this solution, which can be found on the AskUbuntu link above. [Find the files inside /etc/apt/sources.list.d that contains the above repositories. Rename those files so they don’t end with a .list extension (for instance, rename them to filename.list.old).]

    After deeper looking, I was able to [ls | grep -i nginx], which showed me the files causing the issue. As you can tell, I’m not pro-level, just a dude sharing his challenges. If you enjoyed this, feel free to reach out and chat or share your discoveries. The long-term goal for me is to automate as much of my farm as possible and share that setup with others so you too can reduce the amount of work and cost of growing your own food.

  • Learning Technology: Exploring Privacy and Open-Source Technology

    Learning Technology: Exploring Privacy and Open-Source Technology

    In the pursuit of growth and knowledge, educational institutions like Devine ISD and Divine Christian Academy are embracing the drive towards technology and incorporating it into their curriculum. As we delve into the world of technology, one area of focus that has emerged is privacy and open-source technology. While some may believe that Linux has no impact on general learning or that it is immediately intuitive for those with technological knowledge, our experiences with NGINX, Docker, and Ubuntu have proven otherwise. A lot of this software was developed for Windows. When you leave that ecosystem, your software doesn’t work the same, and you end up with novel errors. 

    This week/year’s journey began with the task of removing Podman to make way for Docker. After encountering several challenges, we finally discovered how to force a file to overwrite, successfully removing Podman from our system. This process taught us valuable lessons about the intricacies of managing different technologies on a single system. It also highlighted the importance of understanding the underlying mechanisms of these tools in order to navigate potential conflicts.

    Another valuable lesson we learned was related to the Docker CLI. We discovered that when logging in, it is necessary to specify “docker.io,” a detail often overlooked in online courses and the Docker documentation. Without this crucial information, we found ourselves unable to log in to Docker Hub. However, through perseverance and experimentation over the course of more than half a day, we were able to overcome this obstacle and continue our exploration of Docker.

    Our commitment to learning and growth in the realm of technology extends beyond these initial challenges. We are now diving deeper into the Docker ecosystem, eager to uncover its full potential. Our goal is to develop a Golden Image—a privacy-focused, plug-and-play server solution—by March. This Golden Image will serve as a valuable resource for anyone interested in harnessing the power of open-source technology while prioritizing privacy with anything as cheap as a recycled Goodwill PC.

    As we embark on this educational journey in the new year, we encourage others to join us in exploring the vast possibilities that technology offers. By embracing open-source solutions and focusing on privacy, we can create a more secure and transparent digital landscape. Through our experiences with NGINX, Docker, and Ubuntu, we have come to understand the importance of continuous learning and adaptation in the ever-evolving world of technology.

    As we strive for growth and knowledge in 2024, our focus on technology education has led us to explore privacy and open-source technology. Our experiences with NGINX, Docker, and Ubuntu have provided valuable insights and lessons. We have learned the significance of understanding the intricacies of different technologies and the importance of clear documentation. Moving forward, we are excited to continue our journey into the world of Docker and develop a Golden Image that promotes privacy and ease of use. Here’s to a great and educational year ahead!

  • How Smart Growth Can Help Your Small Business Thrive in Devine, TX

    How Smart Growth Can Help Your Small Business Thrive in Devine, TX

    Bring your business online on a budget

    Welcome to Smart Growth, your trusted partner in helping your small business thrive in Devine, TX, and the surrounding areas through the leverage of internet technology. We understand small business owners’ challenges, and our mission is to provide you with the tools and support you need to succeed. This blog post will explore how Smart Growth can help your business grow and prosper.

    Creating a Strong Online Presence

    In today’s woke digital age, having a strong and autonomous online presence is essential for any business. Even finding a business in our small town can be a serious challenge, let alone a reputable business that won’t rake you over the coals at billing time. We help showcase your business and connect you to Social Media in a smart way to ensure your customers connect with you through your positive reputation. At Smart Growth, we specialize in creating customized websites representing your brand and attracting more customers. We will work closely with you to develop a minimum viable product that showcases your unique offerings and engages your target audience with a low entry cost and safety from cancellation by woke corporations.

    By leveraging our expertise in web design and development, we ensure that your website looks visually appealing and functions seamlessly across different devices. We understand the importance of a responsive and user-friendly website, as it directly impacts your customers’ experience and their decision to engage with your business.

    Ethical and Sustainable Practices

    We are passionate about supporting ethical and sustainable practices at Smart Growth. We can’t stop the wokeness, but we can help you build in parallel with it and mitigate getting canceled.

    We believe in nurturing a sustainable environment, both for our community and the planet. By choosing Smart Growth, you can showcase your commitment to ethical business and attract customers who appreciate businesses that prioritize making the woke go broke.

    Tailored Solutions for Your Business

    Every small business is unique, and we understand that your needs may differ from others in the industry. That’s why we offer tailored solutions to meet your specific requirements at Smart Growth. Whether you need assistance with inventory management, customer relationship management, or marketing strategies, we are here to support you.

    We believe in empowering small business owners like you by giving you the autonomy to make informed decisions. We want you to be in control of your business without being dependent on external platforms or the whims of the woke. Our solutions are designed to ensure you have the tools and knowledge to confidently navigate the ever-changing political landscape.

    Join the Smart Growth Community Today

    By partnering with Smart Growth, you become part of a community dedicated to your success. We believe that working together can create a thriving and sustainable environment for everyone. Whether you’re a small business owner, farmer, individual looking to launch your brand or a charitable organization, we are here to help you thrive and prosper.

    Contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can tailor them to meet your needs. Together, let’s embark on a journey of growth and success!