Author Archives: jik

Stop & Shop still treating me like a thief, still not training their employees, still not maintaining their equipment

Hey @StopandShop let me tell you why you just lost $350 of business from me. 1/ As I’ve written to you several times before (https://blog.kamens.us/2020/07/11/why-stop-shop-just-lost-500-of-my-business/, https://blog.kamens.us/2017/09/10/please-stop-shop-stop-treating-me-like-a-thief/), it’s bad enough when your Scan-It loss prevention system treats loyal, long-term customers like me as thieves. 2/ It’s even worse when it doesn’t work well. It’s even worse… Read More »

Using DisplayLink with Ubuntu 21.04 (“Hirsute Hippo”)

The DisplayLink installer for Ubuntu currently being distributed by the folks at DisplayLink.com is incompatible with Ubuntu 21.04. I’ve made some minor changes to make it work. You can download my modified version here. To use it: Download the file at the link above. Unpack it with tar xf displaylink-5.3.1.34-hirsuite.tar.gz, which will create a directory… Read More »

Automating TP-Link Archer AX6000 router (and others) from Python

Recently, I was confronted with the problem of automating the activation and deactivation of parental controls on my TP-Link Archer AX6000 router. Specifically, I needed a command-line tool that would allow me to disable or enable internet access for a specific parental controls profile. The router only provides the ability to set separate schedules for… Read More »

“Gearhead Gertie” comic added to comics aggregator

The Comics Kingdom weekly comic “Gearhead Gertie” has been added to the comics aggregator. This comic doesn’t seem to be published on the same day consistently every week, so on days when it’s not published, you’ll see the “Click here to learn how to read Comics Kingdom comics in the aggregator” message. Speaking of which,… Read More »

“Flash Forward” Sunday comic added to comics aggregator

The Comics Kingdom Sundays-only comic “Flash Forward” has been added to the comics aggregator. Note that you have to pay for a subscription to Comics Kingdom to view its comics through the aggregator, and then work with me to get you set up for it, as documented in the aggregator user guide.

Likely scam alert: “United Forward PAC”

I just received a solicitation from yet another organization, “United Forward PAC,” purporting to be a PAC working to elect Democrats up and down the ballot: Let’s talk about all the reasons why this is suspicious: Why do we suddenly need a new PAC working to elect Democrats less than three months before the November… Read More »

How I got Time Machine backups to work with my Synology NAS

I just got a MacBook Pro running macOS Catalina for work, and I wanted to set up Time Machine backups for it to the Synology NAS in my basement so that if the laptop dies or is lost and I need to replace it, I won’t have to redo all of the customizations it took… Read More »

Lowe’s: the next chapter in the ongoing saga of how terrible they are

Lowe’s continues to be unable to ship online orders reliably and unable to provide timely, effective customer service. Also, they promise refunds and then don’t issue them. Zero stars, do not recommend.

Why Stop & Shop just lost $500 of my business

July 11, 2020 Store ManagerStop & Shop60 Everett StreetAllston, MA 02134-1952 To whom it may concern: There are a number of things I like about your establishment. You are close to where I live. You have a decent selection of Kosher foods. You usually have most of the things I need in stock, and when… Read More »

Lowe’s ships wrong product, it’s apparently impossible to reach someone who can fix it

My letter today to the CEO of Lowe’s: June 27, 2020 Marvin Ellison, CEOLowe’s Companies, Inc.1000 Lowe’s BoulevardMooresville, NC 28117 Dear Mr. Ellison, While I understand the challenges businesses face in providing service to customers in the midst of a pandemic, there comes a time when service is so poor that even in these times… Read More »