Tag archive for: system administration

How to use a Python 3 virtual environment in Windows 10

When you need each Python 3 application that you are building to run in its own isolated environment, you can turn to virtual environments.

Since Python is available on Windows 10, you can also use virtual environments on Windows 10.

Typically, using a Python 3 virtual environment in Windows 10 involves the following steps:

1. Installing Python 3 with pip and several features.
2. Creating a Python 3 virtual environment with Python 3 venv module.
3. Activating the Python 3 virtual environment.
4. Installing Python 3 packages that your Python application is using into the virtual environment.
5. Running your Python 3 application within the Python 3 virtual environment.
6. Deactivating the Python 3 virtual environment.

How to install python3-venv on Ubuntu 16.04

Since Ubuntu 16.04 is a very popular operating system, it is one operating system that you will likely come across when you are building software with Python 3. For example, if you want to get a Nvidia Jetson TX2 developer kit today, you will find yourself dabbling with Ubuntu 16.04.

On the other hand, the venv module of Python 3 is one recommended way to create virtual environments for our Python 3 projects.

In case you need it, this post describes how to install python3-venv on Ubuntu 16.04.

How to host a static website on your Raspberry Pi 3 with Raspbian Stretch Lite and Nginx

When you want to host a static website as your personal portfolio, you can consider using a Raspberry Pi 3. In addition to having a small form factor, a Raspberry Pi 3 is a single board computer that does not take up too much energy to run 24-7.

In order to host a static website on Raspberry Pi 3, you will need an operating system and a web server. Given these points, this is how to host a static website on your Raspberry Pi 3 with Raspbian Stretch Lite as the operating system and Nginx as the web server.

How to get your Raspberry Pi 3 to use Namecheap dynamic DNS to update your domain when your home’s public IP address changes

When you do not leave your modem and router on 24-7, chances are that your public IP address will change. As I had noted in how to host multiple website at home, a public IP address is needed for HTTP clients to reach your HTTP servers at home.

On the other hand, a domain name allows us to map some meaningful English characters to that public IP address. Therefore, it is easier to access our servers with a domain name rather than an IP address.

Although you can get a free subdomain from a dynamic DNS provider, getting your own domain name from a domain registrar like Namecheap can be better. On one hand, you get your own online branding for establishing yourself or your business on the Internet. On the other hand, you are resilient to having your domain shutdown by the dynamic DNS provider for any reasons that is beyond your control.

Previously, I shared why Namecheap is the best domain name registrar for hosting your web server at home. One of the reasons is that Namecheap provides dynamic DNS for us to update the host records of our domain whenever our public IP address changes. Since Raspberry Pi 3 is an affordable, small and energy efficient single board computer, you can get it to use Namecheap Dynamic DNS service to update your domain when your home’s public IP address changes.

In case you need it, this post shows how to get your Raspberry Pi 3 to use Namecheap dynamic DNS to update your domain when your home’s public IP address changes.

Why Namecheap is the best domain name registrar for hosting your web server at home

Basically, a HTTP client contacts a HTTP server with an IP address. For example, when you access google.com, your web browser could be using 74.125.24.100 as the IP address to contact one of Google’s web servers. Although an IP address is what HTTP clients used for contacting HTTP servers, a domain name is easier to remember.

So if you want to host a web server at home, it is recommended that you get a domain name to make accessing your web server easier. In case you are looking for a domain name registrar to purchase a domain for your home server, this post discusses why you may want to buy from Namecheap.

How I use my Raspberry Pis to help me work on with my side projects

Undeniably, Raspberry Pi has revolutionised the way we use computing technology in our lives. In addition to being energy efficient, a Raspberry Pi is a single board computer that does not take up too much space.

Given these points, a Raspberry Pi is an ideal programmer gift and one of the things that you should buy if you are a computer programmer.

On the other hand, pursuing side projects help me explore technologies that I may not be able to explore at work. For example, through Techcoil, I got to know more about:

• web development with the LEMP stack,
• building and deploying solutions based on Raspberry Pi,
• using Python for building things,
• running a blog as a programmer

In case you are wondering how to use Raspberry Pis to help you work on your side projects, read on to find out more.

Why buy Synology DS418 NAS?

Since my adoption of digital imaging and other content creation, I had gathered huge amount of digital artefacts in my laptop. Finally, there came a day when my data was going to outgrow the hard disk on my laptop. Hence, I took the decision to invest in a Synology DS418 NAS to help me keep my data.

In case you are deciding whether to buy a Synology DS418 NAS, here are some reasons why I bought the Synology DS418 NAS.

How to setup Python Imaging Library, Pillow, on Raspbian Stretch Lite for processing images on your Raspberry Pi

When you are building a Raspberry Pi project that deals with images, the Python Imaging Library, Pillow can be very useful. For example, if you connect a camera to your Raspberry Pi 2 or 3 and took a picture, you may want to resize the picture before sending it to a server endpoint.

In case you have trouble setting up Pillow on Raspbian Stretch Lite, this post is for your reference.

How to connect your Raspberry Pi to your iPhone WiFi hotspot via Raspbian Stretch Lite

Raspberry Pis with WiFi are very useful for building prototypes that connect to services on the Internet.

In case you need a Raspberry Pi with in-built WiFi, you can get one of these:

• Raspberry Pi 3 B+
• Raspberry Pi 3 B
• Raspberry Pi Zero W

An operating system is needed for running your Raspberry Pi and Raspbian Stretch Lite is an ideal choice for server based applications.

Although Raspbian Stretch Lite does not have a graphical user interface, it is not difficult to get it to connect to a WiFi hotspot.

If you wish to use your iPhone as a WiFi hotspot for your Raspberry Pi prototype, read this post to find out how to connect Raspbian Stretch Lite to your iPhone hotspot.