Blog Archives
Open Source Free Geocodes US Zipcodes Cities
Data is provided “as is” without warranty or any representation of accuracy, timeliness or completeness. Licensing information and data provided by http://www.geonames.org. Enjoy. 🙂
Plain text is too large to simply paste into WIP. Files are in compressed zip folders containing plain text. Right click and “save as” to download (don’t open in your browser pdf) then rename file extension from PDF to .zip and it should then open. This is only temporary until I move them off WP.
United States
Cities: https://ronniediaz.files.wordpress.com/2012/07/zip_geocodes-zip1.pdf
Zipcodes: https://ronniediaz.files.wordpress.com/2012/07/city_geocodes-zip.pdf
References
http://www.geonames.org
Burn Hybrid CDs using Free Tools
CD Burning in general is supported in most operating systems right out of the box.
However, if you’re looking for a free alternative to features which are otherwise considered “premium”, like burning hybrid CD’s that work on Windows and Mac there are freely available tools licensed under GNU which have everything you need.
Consider the steps below. Simple (if you follow the steps and don’t have hiccups), free (as long as GNU stands) and error proof (so long as you use the precompiled binaries of stable versions and don’t stray to bleeding edge BETAs or compiling your own :P).
Step 1
For Windows:
Download and install Cygwin.
During install process, towards the end where you select packages, select cdrtools/cdrecord/mkisofs
For Mac:
Download cdrtools from their website or freshmeat.
For (Redhat) Linux:
su
yum install cdrtools OR yum install cdrecord THEN
yum install mkisofs
For (Debian) Linux:
su
apt-get install cdrtools OR apt-get install cdrecord THEN
apt-get install mkisofs
Step 2
Prep a folder that will be burned to the disc. Make sure the contents will fit and verify the file structure is correct.
If you want to literally burn the folder itself, don’t “cd” into that directory. If you are burning the contents of the folder, you will “cd” into the directory and specify “.” as the target name instead of the folder name.
Step 3
In Windows start up Cygwin, on Mac open the darwin terminal window, on linux open your terminal window.
Run:
cdrecord -scanbus
Note the numerical identifier for your burner drive. This is what you will specify for the “dev” parameter later.
“cd” into the directory containing the files to burn then run:
mkisofs -o isoname.iso -r -J -hfs .
Then from within the same directory, burn the iso that you created:
cdrecord dev=4,0,0 -v isoname.iso
That’s it! Let ‘er rip! 😉
Note: genisoimage is similar to mkisofs, but I have not used it extensively and cannot verify if functionality is exactly the same.
References
Cygwin, http://www.cygwin.com/
CDRTools, http://cdrecord.berlios.de
Freshmeat, http://freshmeat.net
Howto-Pages.org, http://howto-pages.org/cdwriting/07.php
G-Loaded.eu, http://www.g-loaded.eu/2007/04/25/how-to-create-a-windows-bootable-cd-with-mkisofs/
Brandonhutchinson.com, http://www.brandonhutchinson.com/Burning_CDs_with_cdrecord.html
genisoimage, http://linux.die.net/man/1/genisoimage
Hints.Macword, http://hints.macworld.com/article.php?story=20020520083853834
Thoughts on Wikileaks
Prior to the recent major events surrounding the release of 250k classified documents by Wikileaks on Julian Assange authority, I had browsed Wikileaks and discovered rarely any information that provided anything more than “tabloid style” unverified references as proof of their authenticity.
With the release of these recent government documents, based on the international reaction, it is now clear at least some, if not all of these documents are in fact valid and not tabloids or conspiracy theories after all.
Assange has made many statements regarding his reasons behind releasing these documents, but overall, in my opinion, the manner in which these documents have been released is of malicious intent, and if “free speech” and “free information” was the goal, the information should have been made available in timed released spurts in accordance with government and/or traditional press.
Aside from the implications of the content released, this establishes a dangerous precedence in which other groups of mass whistle-blowers and spies may attempt to leak sensitive information. This is already apparent with the recent launch of a similar site – “Indo Leaks”.
The question that poses itself now is how the government should handle the situation both locally and internationally; not just with the WikiLeaks situation, but also with proposed policies on future international electronic leaks of similar nature.
Ultimately, the way Assange is handled may be the determining factor in these policies, but the procedures that dictate justice in this instance are complex and not necessarily straight forward. I’m sure many minds with legal experience greater than mine will speculate on this, but aside from humanist values to consider, there are also technological factors which should go under careful and thorough investigation to avoid accidentally implementing regulations that could impact technological growth.
As the internet fades the lines between nations there will be many difficulties to face, as a nation and as an individual. With every technology, there is potential misuse and regulation. However, we should use our behavior historically as a civilization to remember that extreme regulation on technology only limits growth.
Out of Office Reply 