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Our plugins have gone through several versions in 2023. Ours have all gone through code unification for all supported versions of Craft CMS, making them currently compatible with Craft CMS 3.x, 4.x and possibly the 5.x test version, i.e. 5.0.0.alpha.

Our plugins have gone through several versions in 2023. Ours have all gone through code unification for all supported versions of Craft CMS, making them currently compatible with Craft CMS 3.x, 4.x and possibly the 5.x test version, i.e. 5.0.0.alpha.

PDF Generator plugin for Craft CMS

PDF Generator plug-in is an advanced tool for creating and managing PDF files in Craft CMS. The plug-in is available in two plans: Lite (free) or Plus ($19), which offer different features and options. The plug-in is constantly developed and updated by CoolTRONIC.pl, which is a reliable business partner offering a wide range of interactive services. The plugin received many new features and options this year, such as:

• Generating PDF files from any template, URL or HTML content
• Adding QR code images to PDF files
• Generating thumbnail images from PDF files, many new features this year
• Setting custom parameters for PDF files, such as format, orientation, headers, footers from URL and HTML content
• Protection mode for generated PDF files
• Installing additional compatible packages in the admin panel
• Configuring the global settings of the plugin in the admin panel

What changes did the PDF Generator plugin go through over the holidays in preparation for the 2024 changes?

The PDF Generator plugin is available under an artisan license and can be downloaded from the plugin store or the GitHub repository. Read the documentation or check out our website to learn more about the plugin.

CoolTRONIC.pl is open 24/7 and always ready to take on new challenges. This is evidenced by the commits found on the GitHub repository in the plugin changes file. The PDF Generator plugin currently has 7 forks, 11 stars on GitHub and almost 150 active installations on the store, which shows its popularity and trust among users.

Feel free to cooperate and contact us for plugins or other interactive services. The PDF Generator plugin was updated to version 2.x over the Christmas period, which introduces the following changes:

• Added ability to select PDF generation mode according to PDF-A and PDF-X (Plus) standards.
• Added ability to convert images to CMYK for better print quality (Plus)
• Added file protection mode to block e.g. editing, printing, copying (Plus)
• Added option to remove invisible watermarks (Plus)
• Added option to select generation mode and inject variables into a template for better control over PDF generation from arbitrary URLs
• Added option to crop thumbnails
• Fixed a security bug by adding a missing encoding setting when downloading URLs
• Changed plugin code to merge two Craft CMS branches (version 0.x and 1.x) into one as of version 2.0.0 to improve layout, readability and compatibility
• Added ability to disable PDF compression for less quality loss
• Added ability to set colour space and print data to debug log file
• Added ability to set the first and last page of a PDF file
• Added the ability to uninstall additional packages from the admin panel optimising the installation mechanism
• Added compatibility with the latest version of Craft CMS 5.0.0.alpha
• Fixed a security bug that could allow code to be injected into the site when downloading URLs
• Improved readability, consistency, logic of code and descriptions in plugin classes
• Removed unused code imports and unnecessary imports of alerts from the plugin settings panel

What are the planned changes for 2024 for PDF Generator?

The PDF Generator plugin has plans to introduce several new features in 2024 that will enhance its usability, and introduce automation and security capabilities. Here are some of them:

• The ability to automatically verify data from digitally signed PDF documents that support digital signatures attached via PDF files, for example, against manually entered user data. This feature, among others, will allow verification that the PDF document is authentic and has not been altered after signing and that the user has entered the correct data. It will work with various digital signature e-services, such as “Sign with a Trusted Signature” in Poland and similar ones in other foreign countries from the Pro plan.
• The ability to read a PDF file and add content on a given page. This feature will allow editing existing PDF files, and adding new pages with elements such as text, images, watermarks, QR codes and more. It will be available in the Lite plan.
• Ability to export attachments from a PDF file. This feature will allow you to download and save files that are attached to a PDF file, such as images, documents, spreadsheets and more. It will be available in the Plus plan.
• The ability to create a sub-page using the content of an imported PDF or attachment, or to check the data of an already created sub-page. This feature will allow you to create new pages in Craft CMS based on PDF files or their attachments, or to compare data from PDF files with selected data on Craft CMS pages. It will be available in the Pro plan.

What’s new in other plugins in 2023?

In 2023, CoolTRONIC.pl has developed and released several new and improved software products that enhance the performance, security and usability of websites. Here are some of them:

CDN Cache & Preload plugin for Craft CMS

CDN Cache & Preload is a plugin developed in 2023 for Craft CMS that allows you to deploy and manage a CDN (Content Delivery Network) Cloudflare service or reverse proxy from Varnish Cache Plugin for ISP Config for your entire site easily and quickly. The plugin has 1 star on GitHub and about 30 active installations on the store, offering the following features and benefits:

• Automatic cleaning and refreshing of CDN Cloudflare or reverse-proxy cache for changed resources
• Ability to manually clean and refresh the CDN Cloudflare cache or reverse proxy for selected resources or the entire site
• Ability to select CDN Cloudflare providers like Cloudflare and reverse proxy
• Ability to configure CDN Cloudflare settings such as zones, rules, headers and more
• Ability to monitor URL loading status and statistics from the admin panel
• Increase site loading speed and availability by distributing resources from the nearest CDN Cloudflare servers or via reverse proxy
• Reduce server load and costs by reducing the number of requests and data transfer
• Loading pages into static HTML files to bypass requests to the PHP server
• Improve site security and protection by using SSL certificates and CDN Cloudflare or ISP Config security features

The CDN Cache & Preload plugin is available under a Craft license and can be downloaded from the plugin store or the GitHub repository.

Static Files Autoversioning plugin for Craft CMS

Static Files Autoversioning is a plugin with new features in 2023 for Craft CMS that allows you to automatically add versions to static files such as images, scripts and stylesheets. The plugin has three stars on GitHub and about 50 active installations on the store, offering the following features and benefits:

• Automatically add versions to static files using the build number or the time the file was last modified
• Preventing browser cache issues, so users always get the latest version of files
• Increase performance and save bandwidth by only downloading files when they change
• Easy installation and configuration, with no need to change source code or templates

The Static Files Autoversioning plugin is available under the GPLv3 license and can be downloaded from the plugin store or the GitHub repository.

Varnish Cache Plugin for ISPConfig 3

Varnish Cache Plugin for ISPConfig 3, which received the 2023 patches and allows you to set up and manage the Varnish Cache server for WordPress and CraftCMS sites. The plugin has two stars on GitHub and 1 historical fork on GitHub, and offers the following features and benefits:

• Using Varnish Cache as a proxy server that stores and delivers static and dynamic content from WordPress and CraftCMS sites.
• Using Apache as a back-end server that handles requests that cannot be served by Varnish Cache
• Using NGINX as an SSL server that provides encryption and termination of HTTPS connections
• Automatic cleaning and refreshing of the Varnish Cache when content changes are made to WordPress and CraftCMS sites using external software
• Increase the loading speed and scalability of WordPress and CraftCMS sites by using Varnish Cache
• Improved security and protection of WordPress and CraftCMS sites by using NGINX SSL
• Compatibility with various WordPress and CraftCMS plugins such as WP Rocket, Proxy Cache Purge, CDN Cache and Preload, Blitz and others

The Varnish Cache Plugin for ISPConfig 3 is available under the GNU GPL v3 license and can be downloaded from the GitHub repository and read more on our website.

Summary

In 2023, CoolTRONIC.pl delivered a lot of new and improved software that improves the performance, security, and usability of websites. Our Craft CMS plug-ins, such as PDF Generator, CDN Cache & Preload and Static Files Autoversioning, offer advanced features and options for creating and managing PDF files, CDN service and static files. Our ISPConfig 3 plugin with NGINX reverse proxy allows you to set up and manage a Varnish Cache server for WordPress and CraftCMS sites. Our software is available under the Craft or GNU GPL v3 license and can be downloaded from the plugin store, and the GitHub repository or as composer packages. Our software is constantly being developed and updated and is compatible with the latest versions of Craft CMS and other systems.

You are welcome to cooperate with CoolTRONIC.pl in any aspect related to software and interactive services. We are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and always ready to take on new challenges. We offer professional and reliable solutions to meet your expectations and needs. To get in touch with us, visit our contact page or email us.

We wish your business and personal growth in the new year 2024. We hope you will be satisfied with our services, and that you will recommend us to your friends and partners. Thank you for your trust and cooperation. May the new year bring you much success and advice.

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Origins of CoolTRONIC.pl: A hybrid of Art and Technology

Back in 2019, CoolTRONIC.pl sprang into existence as a blog with an ambitious goal: to merge artistic creativity with the frontier of tech innovation. The blog’s original logo was a tech tree, symbolizing the brand’s technology-centric nature. However, the first order the blog received set a new direction for the team. In December 2021, led by the blog’s founder, Pawel, the team morphed the blog into a limited liability company. Today’s logo, reflecting the Taoist Yin and Yang symbol, epitomizes the company’s equilibrium between technology, marketing, and artistic expression. This transformation was realized through the team’s unwavering passion and dedication, setting CoolTRONIC.pl as a professional in its domain.

Our Debut Cooperation: First Economic Activity

Our first endeavor, a project that integrated a professional architect’s domain with the SharePoint system, served as the springboard for our development. This marked the start of a prosperous partnership leading to a slew of related projects, notably optimizing WordPress websites to reduce costs.

The acquired experience and expertise equipped us to offer effective IT consulting services and enhance the efficiency of website management for our clients. Our collaboration extended beyond just one project, spanning several other initiatives until 2023. Among these, one of the pivotal tasks involved optimizing WordPress websites to reduce costs, which significantly boosted our client’s website management efficiency.

Broadening Our Horizons: Diverse Portfolio and Expanded Services

As the leader of CoolTRONIC.pl, had the privilege of steering our team in executing numerous challenging and exciting projects. Some of our notable collaborations include:

• Crafting a wide array of advertising materials such as banners, leaflets, posters, and business cards for a wholesaler.
• Actively assisting our clients in online marketing by creating engaging and effective ads and presentations on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
• Partnering with an interactive agency, which allowed us to design and optimize websites and online stores for diverse clients and industries.
• In response to the escalating needs of our customers, we developed and released plugins for the CraftCMS system that significantly enhance Google Core Vitals parameters and PDF document generation.
• Supporting a YouTube channel by creating a specialized website, as well as providing training in SEO, graphics, and video content creation.
• Ensuring server maintenance and website creation for an IT company while prioritizing security and top-tier performance.
• Offering graphic and photo editing services for a beauty salon, delivering a professional look and retouching any flaws.

All these ventures have enriched our portfolio, enabling us to continually refine our services while prioritizing our client’s needs.

Artificial Intelligence: Transforming Our Journey from Blog to Business

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been a critical catalyst in our transition from a humble blog to a full-scale company. AI has proven to be an invaluable asset in our business operations, benefiting us internally and facilitating our client interactions.

Internally, AI enables us to comprehend and scrutinize our data, empowering us to make informed business decisions. We apply AI for analytics, trend prediction, and pinpointing areas needing our attention. This ability allows us to promptly respond to shifting circumstances and maintain our company’s industry-leading position.

For our clients, AI enhances our service delivery. It aids in understanding client needs, customizing our offerings, and providing genuinely personalized solutions. Consequently, we’re able to cultivate deeper, more fruitful relationships with our clients, which translates into our collective success.

Artificial Intelligence Harnessed to Propel Our Mission

We are immensely proud of our journey from a blog to a full-fledged company. However, our excitement for the future surpasses this pride. We are convinced that AI will be instrumental in our continuous growth, bolstering our internal operations and enabling us to provide unrivaled service to our clients.

For us, AI is not just a tool for achieving business objectives—it embodies our passion and forms part of our mission. We aspire to stay at the cutting edge of AI innovation and harness its potential to shape a better future for our company, our clients, and the community we belong to. The future brims with possibilities, and we eagerly anticipate sharing our forthcoming accomplishments in this thrilling field.

Artificial Intelligence: Shaping Our Collective Future

During our extraordinary transition from a humble blog to a full-fledged enterprise, we’ve acknowledged the pivotal role artificial intelligence (AI) plays in our operations. It goes beyond being a mere tool—it’s an integral asset that empowers us to decipher our data more efficiently and make more enlightened and discerning decisions.

We are certain that AI will be a significant player in our ongoing evolution. We eagerly anticipate what the future brings, embracing the boundless opportunities that advancements in artificial intelligence promise. That’s why we’re dedicated to staying at the vanguard of AI innovation, not just for our company’s benefit, but also for our clients and the community we belong to.

Would we wish to extend our heartfelt thanks to you, our loyal readers and clients, for your unwavering support throughout this journey. Without all of you, we wouldn’t have reached where we are today. We are aware that the future will present new hurdles, but we are confident that with our team, our principles, and our commitment to AI advancement, we are well-equipped to tackle these challenges.

In conclusion, we want to stress that our adventure with artificial intelligence in fact is far from concluding. We are wholeheartedly committed to the future and eagerly anticipate our further accomplishments in this captivating domain. We’ll meet you on the subsequent page of our narrative, and if you’re ready to leverage the benefits of AI-driven intelligent operations, don’t hesitate to reach out to us today!

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It commemorates the adoption of the May 3 Constitution in 1791, which introduced modern and democratic solutions in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, a dual monarchy that covered most of Central and Eastern Europe at that time. The May 3 Constitution inspired other countries to follow Poland’s example and is considered one of the most important achievements in Polish history. As an interactive agency CoolTRONIC.pl, we are inspired by this tradition of innovation, creativity, and responsibility for our clients. Therefore, on this day we would like to share with you some of our achievements and plans for the future, and thank you for your trust and cooperation. We wish you all the best on the occasion of the National Day of the Third of May!

Supporting local initiatives

One of our values as an interactive agency CoolTRONIC.pl is caring not only about the quality of our services but also about the welfare of the local community. That’s why we are involved in various civic initiatives to improve the quality of life and democracy in our area. For instance, we support a local NGO that organized a local referendum to oppose the controversial mayor of the county. We encourage everyone to participate in local life and express their opinion. It is our collective duty and right!

Latest political ideas

Another value that guides us as an interactive agency CoolTRONIC.pl is being open to new trends and solutions in the field of politics and society. That’s why we are interested, for example, in the idea of liquid democracy, which involves greater involvement of citizens in decision-making and the use of modern technologies for this purpose. We believe that this is an interesting and promising direction for the development of democracy, which can bring many benefits to society. If you want to learn more about this idea, you can check out this article. We are familiar with the organizations and social movements that promote this idea in our country (Poland).

Our projects and realizations

At CoolTRONIC.pl interactive agency, we are constantly working on new projects for our clients. We want to provide them with the highest quality services in graphics, video, software, websites, online stores, and hosting. We always try to keep up to date with the latest trends and technologies and adapt to the individual needs and expectations of our clients. We have clients from the wholesale trade industry, marketing agencies, and companies from sectors such as IT, construction, mental therapy, architecture, fashion, and geodesy services. We have also completed orders with unusual needs such as artists, YouTubers… We invite you to take a look at our portfolio and follow our news on our website or social media. You will see some of the amazing results that we have achieved for our clients and how we can help you achieve your goals too!

Special offer on the occasion of the Third of May Constitution Day

In addition, on the occasion of the National Day of Poland, which is called the Third of May Constitution Day, we would like to invite you to take advantage of our fantastic offer. Only until May 15, you can order a professional website or online store from us with a 30% discount! This is a limited-time opportunity to increase your visibility and sales online. Don’t miss out on this chance to get a stunning and functional website or online store that will impress your customers and boost your business. Contact us today and get a free quote and consultation. Trust us as we trust Poland on its Constitution Day from the 1791 year!

We hope that you enjoyed reading our article and learned something new about us and our values. We are always happy to hear from you and answer any questions you may have about our services or our views. Please feel free to contact us anytime via email or phone. And don’t forget to take advantage of our amazing offer before it expires on May 15. You won’t regret it!

Thank you for reading and have a wonderful day!

Your CoolTRONIC.pl team.

There are many great gift ideas for Christmas. Some ideas might include:

1. Personalized gifts: These can be something as simple as a monogrammed mug or a custom piece of jewelry. Also you can make some artistic graphics or videos, also you can buy them from us.
2. Experiences: Tickets to a show or a gift certificate for a fun outing can be a great way to give someone an experience they’ll never forget.
3. Books: A good book like “Rewolucja w uczeniu” can be a thoughtful and lasting gift, especially if it’s something the recipient has been wanting to read.
4. Food and drink: Gourmet chocolates, exotic teas, or a nice bottle of alcohol-free wine can be a delicious and appreciated gift.
5. Home decor: A beautiful LED candle, a cozy throw blanket, or a piece of artwork can add warmth and style to someone’s home.
6. Tech gadgets: For the tech-savvy person in your life, a new phone case, a smart speaker, or a wearable fitness tracker could be a great gift.

Ultimately, the best gift is something that shows you put thought and effort into it, and that is tailored to the recipient’s interests and needs.

Tradition of Christmas

Christmas is a holiday that is celebrated on December 25th by Christians around the world to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ. The holiday has a long and rich history, and it has been celebrated in various ways throughout the centuries.

The origins of Christmas can be traced back to ancient Rome, where the winter solstice was celebrated with feasts and gift-giving. In the 4th century, the Christian church designated December 25th as the official date of the birth of Jesus, and the holiday began to take on the religious and cultural significance that it has today.

Over time, Christmas has come to be associated with a number of traditions, such as decorating homes and trees with lights and ornaments, exchanging gifts, and singing carols. Many people also attend church services on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, and some families have special meals or gatherings to celebrate the holiday.

Today, Christmas is celebrated in many different countries around the world, and it is a time of joy and celebration for people of all ages and backgrounds.

Why gifts are important for Christmas?

Gifts are an important part of Christmas for many people because they are a way to show love, appreciation, and thoughtfulness to friends and family members. Giving gifts can be a fun and enjoyable way to celebrate the holiday season, and receiving gifts can be a great way to feel loved and appreciated.

Many people also exchange gifts as a way to express their affection and appreciation for each other, and to create and strengthen bonds of friendship and family. Additionally, gift-giving is often seen as a way to celebrate the generosity and good will that are central to the holiday season. Overall, gift-giving is an important and meaningful tradition that is enjoyed by many people during the Christmas season.

Is Christmas celebrated only by Christians?

Christmas is a holiday that is celebrated by many people around the world, including Christians, as well as those of other religions or no religion. While the holiday has its roots in the Christian tradition, it has become a widely celebrated event that is enjoyed by people of all beliefs.

In the Christian tradition, Christmas commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, who is considered the son of God and the savior of the world. For Christians, the holiday is a time to celebrate the birth of Jesus and the message of love, hope, and salvation that he brings.

However, Christmas has also become a cultural holiday that is celebrated by many people regardless of their religious beliefs. It is a time for people to come together with friends and family to exchange gifts, decorate their homes, and participate in other festive activities. In this sense, Christmas is a time of celebration and joy that is enjoyed by people of all faiths and backgrounds.

We wish you a merry Christmas from the entire CoolTRONIC.pl team.

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See the YouTube playlist about OpenWRT access points at the end of this article. Check the configuration of an AC network running on just two routers over a huge area of about 1,000 square meters. At the end of the entry, there is a list of how AC networks work, not only connected by cable but also on other routers with Mesh technology on the OpenWRT system. Networks are configured from the beginning as a single network name (SSID) for the 5 and 2.4 GHz bands.

How does the performance of a 1 Gb cable connection improve instead of Mesh?

In the case of LTE internet, a mesh network created on the 5.8 GHz frequency in AC technology is enough. A network based on mesh topology internally at a speed of about 150-100 Mbit/s during the connection between three routers. Thanks to the LTE WAN connection in the Polish Plus operator, transmissions of 50 Mbit/s to 150 Mbit/s in the middle of the night are achieved. If changed the link to FTTH 600 Mbit/s fiber, the old router with a Mediatek MT7620 processor must be replaced with one that supports a 1 Gigabit connection in order to connect the RJ45 cable to the main router. The router has been replaced by Xiaomi Gigabit 4A on the MediaTek MT7621A processor, which supports hardware NAT and a 1000-megabit network in OpenWRT.

What are the differences in the wired network performance of two OpenWRT access points?

Compared to the two routers on the MT7620A and the main MT7621A, you can see the difference in transmission for routers connected by wire. Communication to and within the network has increased significantly, but the network coverage itself has remained unchanged. The main router is the ZBT WG-3526 with OpenWRT. The main router has a backup LTE link and the main one is connected to the operator’s FTTH bridge via PPPoE using a 1 Gigabit Ethernet (RJ45) cable.

After the connection was temporarily stable, transfers for the entire garden almost all the time exceeded 100 Mbit/s, and if we did not move, with a wired network they reached 200 Mbit/s at a huge distance of over 100m. It can be said that it is an AC network because devices with one antenna in N technology (2.4 GHz) have a maximum transfer rate of up to 72 Mbit/s. The Android device is an antenna using AC technology in the 5 GHz band with a maximum transfer rate of 433 Mbit/s.

How can I optimize my wireless network more with Mesh 802.11s?

In the past, three routers working in the Mesh topology were previously located inside the house. The change I plan to make next spring is not to put the MT7620 router with 802.11s instead at home, it is on the veranda seen in the last test video. This will certainly extend the range of the network to the fence, where there is a loss of Wi-Fi signal. Three routers in a storey house of 120 m2 are too much. After modification, we have transfers that allow you to comfortably watch 4K content far in the garden.

What does the OpenWRT router network give us?

The router provides access to the Internet over a huge area of 1,000 meters. For example, it provides Nextcloud cloud services and home automation. The OpenWRT system is an interesting solution and even allows us to switch the DDNS service to another connection. Because if the primary WAN FTTH link fails, the internet will switch to LTE. Everything happens in the background without our interference, so access to services will always be online, and everything switches automatically. OpenWRT is a great option for a more advanced user, and we can even install the Home Assistant on it.

A long time ago, the NAS itself was configured using the main ZBT WG-3526 router with OpenWRT as an SMB share. The router allowed you to download files, not only torrents but also popular sites sharing files and space on the Internet. OpenWRT gives you great opportunities for custom applications such as Python installations and solutions based on it. Router ZBT WG-3526 is according to the manufacturer’s specifications and supports micro SD memory cards up to 128 GB. Such a card used to be system memory.

Our playlist related to OpenWRT, WiFi networks, LTE, and access points

The entire OpenWRT playlist contains many videos showing the concept of Fast Roaming, Mesh Networking, and network performance of routers in 802.11s, 802.11r, and wired connections. We show the unpacking of the ZBT WG-3526 router straight from China. Change the Intel WLAN adapter to support AX technology in the HP 8470p laptop. Be sure to check out our YouTube channel, we have many interesting videos and we are planning more videos. We will systematically add OpenWRT-themed videos to this list. It contains content related to networks, routers, and OpenWRT configuration topics created in January 2021. We can optimize your Wi-Fi network and even create your smart home near our company (eg. Mińsk Mazowiecki, Warsaw, Siedlce, Wołomin, and surroundings) please contact us.

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Is it worth having systems inside your local area network (LAN)?

It’s very secure, we have more control, it allows the integration of many standards, and gives great opportunities for expansion in the future. We can control the smart home via the Internet. This gives us a Home Assistant system in our house or office. And it’s from the Internet using the iOS or Android mobile app! You will check whether your central heating furnace is currently heating and change the desired heating temperature in the mobile application, e.g. when you go on holiday. You will find the temperature on all thermometers in your home. Also turn off the TV, computer, lighting, air conditioning, and other devices remotely.

This way you can also share all the data from your home NAS, thanks to Openmediavault and the cloud. In addition to your network, the Nextcloud cloud in your home will help, making data available on the Internet even for accounts or entirely public via a link, such as movies, documents, and software files.

What are the risks of having systems on weak hardware publicly on the Internet?

Having public access and domain disclosure, especially for bots, can be problematic. The main solution is to use VPN connectivity to our network, this will make it more difficult for hackers to access. You can also use public DDNS services, e.g. DuckDNS. In case of an attack, cut off access or change the DDNS domain address to another one. Cracking passwords of Home Assistant and Nextcloud systems is difficult, thanks to system security.

In case of problems due to a large number of inquiries from hackers, there will be a DDoS attack on our weak equipment. The equipment should be weaker because it consumes little electricity. DDoS attacks will only cause our systems to freeze. We will then create a subnet with access using VPN technology. On the VPN subnet, you’ll be able to access your domain by adding its DNS records on your router.

It will be remote access via the Internet but, we will have to establish an encrypted connection via VPN to the router. Thanks to the mechanisms built into Android or iOS, establish a VPN connection to our router, e.g. Mikrotik or OpenWRT. This requires setting devices for remote access to increase security. For our customers and users, we can make instructions for connecting mobile applications and computers.

Automate file access via Nextcloud for customers and friends

A great plus is combining access to files between Nextcloud and the system supporting the invoicing and payment system, e.g. via Zapier. This will give us full control over our installation files, training materials, documents, or videos. We will automate access for customers who have purchased a subscription. We will automatically cut off access to resources for customers who have not renewed their subscriptions. We care about the privacy and security of our confidential data. The files are available on our server only to the appropriate group of people. We manage resources more easily from our local network, i.e. from the LAN, thanks to which we do it faster.

Create private cloud storage to protect your personal information

Your personal information is protected on your own server in your LAN network. You can enable authentication to secure your files. Data can be shared by text password or to accounts with privileges, it can be managed by some external API. Your cloud can sync files with other Linux, Windows, or Android client devices. All of your data is on a local server in your control and that provides maximum security.

How does Nextcloud file sync compare to competitors like Google Photos?

We can also automatically sync videos and photos between the cloud and the phone. This works the same as the Google Photos app, except that the files are synced to the corresponding folder of your choice. And with that, the Google application is not doing very well. Unlike Google Photos, in the Nextcloud application.

For example, skip the synchronization of videos in a given folder, i.e. synchronize only videos or photos in a given folder. This gives us almost infinite space. You can install Nextcloud on the Openmediavault drive. For example, in the case of the NAS and Nextcloud in an example, we have an 8 TB drive. This gives a lot of space for backup data for our mobile devices.

YouTube video showing Home Assistant, Debian with NAS Openmediavault, and Nextcloud cloud in LAN

Watch how a smart home works using the Home Assistant system. At the end of the video, an overview of the NAS with cloud on Windows NTFS disk storage on Openmediavault. We have two virtual machines on Proxmox. The Nextcloud cloud is installed on the Debian machine. This makes our system a secure place to store data. This acts as a cloud on the Internet inside our LAN. Thanks to the machine with Home Assistant, we have remote management of the smart home through a mobile application. All due to the server which is a cheap Dell 7010. The server has already been significantly improved since the original configuration.

AI is the artificial intelligence of a computer system that replaces a human. We will compare the AI logo with the human graphic design. Below are logos created by artificial intelligence and a similar work of the artist. Later in the article, we will discuss aspects of both logos. We will refer to the cost, trends, and impact on the future business.

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Similarities of the logo created by AI to the work of human

The example of a graphic can be treated as imitating AI. However, this is not the case, the work of the graphic designer is the first. In both logos, you can see the roof pattern. The dominant colors of both logos are similar. The font of the slogan “Pokochaj nowoczesne wnętrza” is similar. It is impossible to assess it completely because in the AI logo the slogan is written in capital letters. A similar cut was chosen in the tool. That’s where the similarities end. Below are other examples of logos created by artificial intelligence.

It is worth mentioning that in other logos, the colors were not in grayscale as a set. Sometimes they were aggressive. You can see that this may require the work of a graphic designer and the purchase of a larger package with files for editing. So, in order for the logo to meet our expectations, it can be more expensive. It may require further work and time, because we have to change a lot of things, and we will not do them in the editor.

How is the logo created by AI different from a human-made work?

Both logos are seemingly similar. The graphic theme was visible in both cases. The grayscale was chosen and we have the difference, i.e. the second color of the top of the roof with notes of purple and pink. In the logo created by AI, the roof is the letter of the first part of the name. The graphic designer with his creativity showed so two initials of the name. The graphic logo is unique and suggests much more.

A theme of the main product of the company’s activity has been added to the graphic logo. Immediately, after looking at the graphic designer’s logo, the customer can guess the hidden message. Thanks to this, everyone who looks at the logo of the graphic designer knows that he has contact with a company with a niche service or product.

Costs of both solutions

To get what you get from our interactive agency, you need to buy a minimum package of $ 59. It is crucial to have a logo in a vector version, for example. To add a logo inversion version for a black website theme or graphic. When we buy the BASIC option, we have to reckon with the fact that we will get a low-resolution image. This is what we should avoid.

As for the costs in our agency, the logo was made in the Mini package. The logo fixes itself by the graphic is $40, so with a package of $59. These are the viable minimum options for a new business, which gives you a cost of $109. Both amounts are similar. You will not get a few logo designs as in our agency at every stage of corrections, and we are very flexible. And didn’t the previously visible logo created by AI require a significant facelift?

Compliance with the trends of both solutions

Let’s focus on fonts. In the logo created by AI, we have very typical cuts visible. Our logo has a unique inscription of the company’s name. The letters of the name are written in capital letters with the enlargement of the first characters. This is another thing that makes the whole logo look unique. It is worth mentioning the discussed issue of the logo icon, which is better and similar to the logo inscription. This is the logo with AI without corrections is not visible.

In the same way, the font of the slogan may be similar, but it looks better to write the first letter as large. The rest of the text written in lowercase letters looks better. We are afraid that the logo created by artificial intelligence would not be suitable for a new company without many corrections. It would require finishing the logo with a minimum of several rounds of corrections, i.e. a minimum fee of $ 109. And probably, another 3 rounds of amendments would be needed, i.e. another $ 40. That ends up at $149.

Is it worth entrusting artificial intelligence with our future logo?

As you can see, the logo that is created by AI is simply more expensive and the final effect will be much worse. An experienced graphic designer will do it better. The logo created by AI is a good choice, e.g. for a student teaching for the exams. But does he need his logo? The logo will be much less unique than made in our agency. However, we can use such services if we run a small business on Facebook earning a few dollars a month. And we don’t know anyone who will make us a cheap logo. Then let’s choose only the BASIC package for $ 29.

It will be a very unprofessional choice for a person conducting an additional occupation. If the business grows, the logo will need to be replaced by another one. However, we also apply huge discounts in special circumstances. Modern and serious companies must stand out and their logo must be professional. It is in our analysis that excludes such services, so let’s encourage you to contact us and write to us to create a beautiful realization.

In 2021, I am seeing an increased takeover of social media accounts e.g. Twitter, Instagram, Facebook. The targets of the attackers vary, but you may notice increased hacking activity. I helped and analyzed burglaries on the example of several cases.

Attack Vector

Most often, the attack occurs on old accounts with two-factor verification disabled with known logins and passwords. Because people who approach me are usually not technical, such as influencers or people from a previous era, and they are unaware of the danger.

Password leaks

Passwords from several leaks have been made public. Virgin Mobile. If you have had similar or the same passwords for several sites, they may be public.

How to protect yourself?

You can check your passwords on this page. When the result is red, it means that our password is already made public somewhere on the internet and it is worth changing it immediately. You might also want to enable two-factor verification with a hardware passkey, Google Authenticator app, or Microsoft Authenticator, eventually SMS codes, or email notifications.

Why two-factor authorization is important

If our password is leaked, it will be made public on the Internet or on hacking forums. When you sign in from a new device, you’ll need to confirm with a code from the second authorization component, it always significantly increases security, because if someone knows your password, they must authorize it in the next step and won’t access our account.

Increased attacks

Currently, a massive attack is underway not only for financial purposes so far but for account acquisition, propaganda, and advertising purposes. Recovering an account is always a hassle, we do not have access to it for some time, it may even be impossible to recover the account (e.g. when we have an account with imaginary data).

Summary

Social networks have taken care of security features that can help users protect their accounts. Since hackers are not vain, it is worth securing your data right now. Thanks to this, you can avoid breaking into the profile and many unpleasant consequences. Prevention is better than recovery.

The USB tuner does not search for channels? DVB-S2 on Linux does not work with this card. On Raspbian only DVB-S works because of the rejection of the kernel fix by Linux developers. This means that we will not receive the broadcast, that is, we will not receive the MUX, based on DVB-S2 (that is, most on modern satellite systems), because the satellite TV card will not detect them. Device IDs are 14f7:0001, according to the Linux TV page (link in specification section) the driver for second revision device with VID 14f7 and PID 0002 is identical. You will be presented with instructions on how to modify the Raspbian 32 bit kernel for Raspberry Pi 4B on Ubuntu 20.04 LTS.

Photo Gallery of working SkyStar 2 USB HD CI

Download Linux kernel and tools for SkyStar 2 HD CI modification (build in Ubuntu)

sudo apt install git bc bison flex libssl-dev make libc6-dev libncurses5-dev
git clone --branch rpi-5.10.y https://github.com/raspberrypi/linux
cd ./linux
KERNEL=kernel7l # RPi 4B 32 bit
make bcm2711_defconfig # RPi 4B 32 bit
sudo apt install crossbuild-essential-armhf

Kernel patch for DVB-S2 SkyStar USB HD CI driver

I applied a known driver patch reported to the Linux kernel (link in the specs section), a little modified to the latest Raspbian kernel. Source diff -u patch for kernel version 5.10.52:

--- /home/cooltronic/linux/drivers/media/dvb-frontends/stb0899_drv.c 2021-07-26 06:50:00.988552591 -0700
+++ /home/cooltronic/linux/drivers/media/dvb-frontends/stb0899_drv_PATCHED_RASPBIAN_5.1.c 2021-07-30 14:33:40.375139265 -0700
@@ -294,19 +294,19 @@
 		.len = 6
 	};
 
- struct i2c_msg msg_1 = {
- .addr = state->config->demod_address,
- .flags = 0,
- .buf = buf_1,
- .len = 2
-	};
-
- struct i2c_msg msg_r = {
- .addr = state->config->demod_address,
- .flags = I2C_M_RD,
- .buf = buf,
- .len = 4
-	};
+ struct i2c_msg msg [] = {
+               {
+ .addr = state->config->demod_address,
+ .flags = 0,
+ .buf = buf_1,
+ .len = 2
+               }, {
+ .addr = state->config->demod_address,
+ .flags = I2C_M_RD,
+ .buf = buf,
+ .len = 4
+               }
+       };
 
tmpaddr = stb0899_reg_offset & 0xff00;
 	if (!( stb0899_reg_offset &0x8))
@@ -325,28 +325,17 @@
 	}
 
/* Dummy */
- status = i2c_transfer(state->i2c, &msg_1, 1);
- if < 1)
-		goto err;
-
-	status = i2c_transfer(state-> (i2c status, &msg_r, 1);
- if (status < 1)
+       status = i2c_transfer(state-> i2c, msg, 2);
+ if (status < 2)
 		goto err;
 
 	buf_1 [0] = GETBYTE(stb0899_reg_offset, BYTE1);
 	buf_1 [1] = GETBYTE(stb0899_reg_offset, BYTE0);
 
/* Actual */
- status = i2c_transfer(state->i2c, &msg_1, 1);
- if (status < 1) {
-		if (status != -ERESTARTSYS)
-			printk(KERN_ERR "%s ERR(2), Device= [0x%04x] , Base address= [0x%08x] , Offset= , [0x%04x] Status=%dn",
- __func__, stb0899_i2cdev, stb0899_base_addr, stb0899_reg_offset, status);
- goto err;
-	}
+ status = i2c_transfer(state->i2c, msg, 2);
+ if < 2) {
 
-	status = i2c_transfer(state-> (i2c status, &msg_r, 1);
- if (status < 1) {
 		if (status != -ERESTARTSYS)
 			printk(KERN_ERR "%s ERR(3), Device= [0x%04x] , Base address= [0x%08x] , Offset= , [0x%04x] Status=%dn",
 			       __func__, stb0899_i2cdev, stb0899_base_addr, stb0899_reg_offset, status);
@@ -473,8 +462,15 @@
 	    (((reg & 0xff00) == 0xf200) || ((reg & 0xff00) == 0xf600)))
 		_stb0899_read_reg(state, (reg | 0x00ff));
 
- dprintk(state->verbose, FE_DEBUGREG, 1,
- %%s [0x%04x] : %*ph", __func__, reg, count, buf);
+ if (unlikely(*state->verbose >= FE_DEBUGREG)) {
+ int i;
+
+ printk(KERN_DEBUG "%s [0x%04x] :", __func__, reg);
+ for (i = 0; i < count; i++) {
+                       printk(" %02x", buf [i] );
+               }
+ printk("n");
+       }
 
return 0;
 Err:
@@ -503,8 +499,15 @@
 	buf [1] = reg & 0xff;
 	memcpy(&buf [2] , date, count);
 
- dprintk(state->verbose, FE_DEBUGREG, 1,
- "%s [0x%04x] : %*ph", __func__, reg, count, date);
+ if (unlikely(*state->verbose >= FE_DEBUGREG)) {
+ int i;
+
+ printk(KERN_DEBUG "%s [0x%04x] :", __func__, reg);
+ for (i = 0; i < count; i++)
+                       printk(" %02x", data [i] );
+ printk("n");
+       }
+
 	ret = i2c_transfer(state->i2c, &i2c_msg, 1);
 
/*
@@ -590,19 +593,13 @@
 	return 0;
 }
 
-static void stb0899_detach (struct dvb_frontend *fe)
-{
- struct stb0899_state *state = fe->demodulator_priv;
-
- /* post process event */
- stb0899_postproc(state, STB0899_POSTPROC_GPIO_POWER, 0);
-}
-
 static void stb0899_release(struct dvb_frontend *fe)
 {
 	struct stb0899_state *state = fe->demodulator_priv;
 
dprintk(state->verbose, FE_DEBUG, 1, "Release Frontend");
+ /* post process event */
+ stb0899_postproc(state, STB0899_POSTPROC_GPIO_POWER, 0);
 	kfree(state);
 }
 
@@ -1568,7 +1565,7 @@
 	return DVBFE_ALGO_CUSTOM;
 }
 
-static const struct dvb_frontend_ops stb0899_ops = {
+static struct dvb_frontend_ops stb0899_ops = {
 	.delsys = { SYS_DVBS, SYS_DVBS2, SYS_DSS },
 	.info = {
 		.name = "STB0899 Multistandard",
@@ -1583,7 +1580,7 @@
 					  FE_CAN_QPSK
 	},
 
- .detach = stb0899_detach,
+
 	.release = stb0899_release,
 	.init = stb0899_init,
 	.sleep = stb0899_sleep,

Below is a link to the patch for the current Debian / Raspbian kernel running 5.10. Run the following command in the / drivers/media/dvb-frontends directory after copying the patch file there.

Download patch

 

Command:

 patch -p1 -i stb0899_drv.patch 

Compilation and installation

The patching process went without major problems. Then, we take out the micro SD card from Raspberry Pi by connecting it to Ubuntu. We install the new kernel with the following instructions:

KERNEL=kernel7l
make ARCH=arm CROSS_COMPILE=arm-linux-gnueabihf- bcm2711_defconfig # RPi 32 bit 4B
make -j12 ARCH=arm CROSS_COMPILE=arm-linux-gnueabihf- zImage modules dtbs
mkdir mnt #musi be mounted micro sd card rapsberry
mkdir mnt/fat32
mkdir mnt/ext4
sudo mount /dev/sdb1 mnt/fat32 #partycja raspbian boot
sudo mount /dev/sdb2 mnt/ext4 #partycja Raspbian system system - default paths
sudo env PATH=$PATH make ARCH=arm CROSS_COMPILE=arm-linux-gnueabihf- INSTALL_MOD_PATH=mnt/ext4 modules_install
sudo cp mnt/fat32/$KERNEL.img mnt/fat32/$KERNEL-backup.img
sudo cp arch/arm/boot/zImage mnt/fat32/$KERNEL.img
sudo cp arch/arm/boot/dts/*.dtb mnt/fat32/
sudo cp arch/arm/boot/dts/overlays/*.dtb* mnt/fat32/overlays/
sudo cp arch/arm/boot/dts/overlays/README mnt/fat32/overlays/
sudo umount mnt/fat32
sudo umount mnt/ext4

We have yet to copy the dvb-usb-az6027-03.fw file to Raspbian system partition folder /lib/firmware.

Now, after the restart, we are now enjoying the fully functional DVB-S2 on Technisat SkyStar USB 2 CI in Linux Raspbian on Raspberry Pi.

Device specifications

Manufacturer’s Code	SkyStar USB 2 HD CI
Name	TechniSat SkyStar USB 2 HD CI
Tuner type	external
interface	USB 2.0
processor	STMicroelectronics STB0899 multistandard demodulator (DVB-S and DVB-S2).
The resolution of the	Dependent on the broadcast program. Supports HDTV and 4K.
Radio tuner and digital satellite TV DVB-S, DVB-S2	yes. DVB-S2 on Linux requires kernel modification.
Vision system	MPEG 2 format. HDTV MPEG-4-/H.264
Phonia system	Stereo, AC, Dolby
Teletext	Software
Save format	MPEG2
Card slots: inputs	LNB antenna, CI conditional access module port, 12V power port
Remote control	pilot
Drivers	Windows 2000, XP, 2003 Server, Vista, 7, Windows 10 works when connected to usb2 port of older controllers, Linux by copying the file dvb-usb-az6027-03.fw, and for DVB-S2 kernel modification patch to receive (file stb0899_drv.c)
Supported software	DVB Viewer TE (Technisat Edition), tvheadend, vdr
Other features	Timeshift, recording
Equipment	pilot
VID Vendor ID	14f7
PID Product ID	0001 or 0002
Web	Link to technical description page, link to Linux specification page,kernel modification link