Weekend Update 4/16/23

[chuck geiger]

Source for the sheets? i.e. Hobby Lobby, Michaels, on line?

[Pomperaugrr]

Source for the sheets? i.e. Hobby Lobby, Michaels, on line?

I got a roll on Amazon.  Search for:  "self adhesive foam sheet 1/16 inch."  There are a number of options.  That's what I used for the New Milford downtown area on my layout.  The adhesive is strong and unforgiving, so carefully peel the backing paper while laying the foam.  It takes pan pastels very well for aging and coloring the asphalt.  The 1/16" leaves plenty of clearance on "paved" crossings too.

[chuck geiger]

Dualplex Neoprene Sponge Foam Rubber Roll Adhesive, 15 X 60 Inches X 1/16" Thick, Perfect Cosplay Padding, DIY Project Sheet - Easy Cut Adhesive Multi-Function Soundproof Rubber Foam Sheet

[craigolio1]

I think that last query was directed at me.

I got the "logs" from my back yard in North Vancouver BC.  I don't know what plant species, (I've even forgotten which plant!) but I'm about to harvest some more and if they look as good I will make a note of what they came from and pass it along.

Michael

Indeed, I’d like to know the source plant for the logs as well.

Craig

[wazzou]

Indeed, I’d like to know the source plant for the logs as well.

Craig

I’ve got a pretty decent supply of cut logs that I’ve had for more than 25 years.
I’m almost certain I cut them from Lilacs. 
I’ll post a pic when I get a chance.

@craigolio1 @nkalanaga

[nkalanaga]

Unfortunately the lilacs we have here in northeast Kentucky don't have long enough straight sections for Western logs, which can be over 40 feet long, 3 inches in N scale.

My current logs are from a tree in Seattle's Woodland Park, in the early 1980s.  Some kind of conifer, it was already dead, and waiting to be removed, so I cut a bunch twigs.  They don't look bad, but Dayliner's look better, and two varieties would be prototypical.

[nscalbitz]

I'm not spending one red cent for https. I don't need it and will happily just shut down my website if it ever becomes a widespread requirement. I waste enough money on all this nonsense as it is.

-Mark

Mark,
I come out of the dark to tell you, that is a very poor response to what is an evolutionary step in internet security, even if just a little step.

 That you willfully ignore the potential harm, and the 4 ppl who upvoted you, shows a degree of contempt for anyones security.
I don't like Chrome either (I use Macs) BUT you cannot ignore the obvious- sites get hacked, corrupted and taken over by malicious ppl and organisations who's only premise is to abuse anywhere they can.

I'd respectfully suggest reconsidering your stance- but as I'm no longer active in the hobby, I'm unlikely to be visiting any time soon, either way. Wouldn't stop me recommending your site for the excellence that your encyclopaedic subjects cover...
Regards Dw

[John]

Mark,
I come out of the dark to tell you, that is a very poor response to what is an evolutionary step in internet security, even if just a little step.

 That you willfully ignore the potential harm, and the 4 ppl who upvoted you, shows a degree of contempt for anyones security.
I don't like Chrome either (I use Macs) BUT you cannot ignore the obvious- sites get hacked, corrupted and taken over by malicious ppl and organisations who's only premise is to abuse anywhere they can.

I'd respectfully suggest reconsidering your stance- but as I'm no longer active in the hobby, I'm unlikely to be visiting any time soon, either way. Wouldn't stop me recommending your site for the excellence that your encyclopaedic subjects cover...
Regards Dw

There are good reasons to increase the security of websites by encrypting the traffic between point A and B to prevent a Man In The Middle attack.   Cloudfare gives a good treatment https://www.cloudflare.com/learning/ssl/why-use-https/  - BUT -

Mark is probably the only "admin user" of his site - and the content isn't sensitive.  The risk is his to accept. Not having a certificate on a website is but one of the potential vulnerabilities that could be exploited.  The others can be much more serious.

If your personal risk calculation is such that visiting a site without encryption is a bridge too far, then that is an individual choice. 

JB

[nkalanaga]

Many Cloudflare sites also refuse to allow older browsers to even try to connect.  All one gets is a page saying the browser needs to be updated.

If the potential user can't, or doesn't want, to upgrade their system, they're out of luck.  That's the admin's choice, but in the case of a business, it doesn't seem like a good way to attract customers.  "Sorry, you can't do business with us unless you buy a new computer!"

[John]

All I'm trying to say is that the lack of a certificate is not a show stopper for a site such as this where the content is mostly static and no e-commerce is performed -  I think we get too carried away at times with this stuff - I would much rather that the service provider patch their software and configure the machines correctly .. It would be a tragedy if this information source went away because of the lack of encryption on a picture of an AtlasGP38.

[spookshow]

I come out of the dark to tell you, that is a very poor response to what is an evolutionary step in internet security, even if just a little step.

Like most people, I get crabby when forced to do things I don't want to do. But who knows, maybe I'll eventually relent and pony up.

The www has moved way on from what it was in the 90s, whereas my website certainly has not. I was hoping to keep it that way and soldier on, but given the way the wind is blowing I suspect that simple "one guy and a computer" amateur websites like mine will eventually be pushed out (or rendered mute).

-Mark

[C855B]

I'm with Mark. I see no reason to upgrade what is a read-only repository of images to HTTPS. What user data is there to be encrypted? None.

But I'm not blind to what's being shoved down our throats. I have been playing around with HTTPS and no-cost certificates on another server I'm building (half-heartedly, at that). My current server is running under an OS that's long-in-the-tooth and I really need to upgrade.

Many Cloudflare sites also refuse to allow older browsers to even try to connect.  All one gets is a page saying the browser needs to be updated.

If the potential user can't, or doesn't want, to upgrade their system, they're out of luck.  That's the admin's choice, but in the case of a business, it doesn't seem like a good way to attract customers.  "Sorry, you can't do business with us unless you buy a new computer!"

Yeah, I'm getting really tired of the Cloudflare gatekeepers. When I see the "verifying the security of your connection" BS I click away because it looks dicey as hell, with the page behavior acting like they're downloading malware or something like that. Their loss, not mine.

[peteski]

I'm with John and Mike on this unreasonable need to secure static contents websites where no user data is being exchanged.  Now I'm just waiting for Ed K. to chime in.   

[craigolio1]

I’ve got a pretty decent supply of cut logs that I’ve had for more than 25 years.
I’m almost certain I cut them from Lilacs. 
I’ll post a pic when I get a chance.

@craigolio1 @nkalanaga

I missed this and wanted to be sure I thanked you for your response to my question. I wonder if the wild lilac that’s invading my lawn in the back yard could be a source?!

[nkalanaga]

The only way to find out is to cut some and see!  The biggest problem is that, even if they look good fresh, some woody plants warp as the dry.  The nice straight logs might not be in a year or so.