2025

In the past, I have followed a method of updating OpenWrt devices with an option to restore all installed packages and their configurations without needing to spend hours on reconfiguring and testing everything.

This method uses a simple script run in the terminal to generate a list of installed packages, followed by a web interface to generate a backup file used to restore everything.

As long as the backup file is generated correctly, the restoration process works well, but the problem arises when it isn’t!

On several routers with OpenWrt (24.10.x) that I worked with over recent weeks, I experienced a strange issue that caused me to rethink how I generate a backup file to later use to restore all packages and settings after updating OpenWrt to the latest version.

I discovered this issue the hard way when I wanted to extract a backup to retrieve some configuration from individual files. I noticed that the backup failed to extract correctly.

Back in 2023, I have looked at how to add relevant hreflang tags to my personal website, which considered adding self-reference to the current language, reference to a translated page (if available), and falling back with x-default to a page that is designed as a language switcher page.

Since then, I thought that this approach was correct, but found out that this solution, on my website, where not all content is 100% translated, is not good for sites fully translated by default.

Here is how I learned from it and how I optimised hreflang and x-default on websites built with Hugo.

The day has come when my £25pm Toob Fibre 900/900Mbps, via CityFibre infrastructure, was finally installed.

After all the wiring was done, the new Toob router was connected, and I started testing.

To my surprise, Toob switched to a different Linksys Velop model than I initially expected. I have been supplied with Linksys SPNMX56 (SPNMX56TB to be exact), which, by default, comes with a 2.5 Gbps WAN port.

From my previous post, where I chose £40 Linksys MX4200 as my next router, I did an analysis of my needs, and I concluded that I am fine with a 1Gbps WAN port. Toob’s approach to go with 2.5Gbit is more future-proof thinking. If they want to offer higher plans, they will not need to replace hardware. For my needs and 900Mbps connection, the 1Gbps (1000Mbps) port is more value for money.

In my previous post, In search of the perfect OpenWrt router, I discussed my potential future router. When I started researching it more thoroughly, I paused purchasing the Brume 2 and tried to think of what would be better.

I looked into the Brume 2 when I began researching a potential change of broadband provider from Virgin Media to a full (synchronous) fibre connection (CityFibre).

With the provider (reseller) that I am currently considering (Toob), a 900/900Mbps connection offered the best value for money (£25 per month with no price increases over the whole contract period). However, to achieve that speed, they need to provide me with the right hardware.

I’ve noticed that most resellers of CityFibre services utilise Linksys devices, particularly the MX4200 in its second version (v2). This model is sometimes branded as the Linksys Velop MX4200 (AX4200) or ISP-branded as the Linksys SPNMX42, which is simply a v2 in disguise. However, Linksys has already discontinued this device.

At the beginning of 2021, I wrote on my site about how I manage software madness on macOS.

The problem with software on macOS, but also in Windows, is that there is no central way from which software is installed and updated.

Not like on Android with Google Play and iOS/iPadOS where installations and updates are managed through App Store. On macOS, there is App Store, but the majority of apps are downloaded and installed from other sources. Same as Windows. Windows has Microsoft Store; however, still, there are plenty of things done outside of it.

With Windows Microsoft Store, developers can list their products, which are not directly installing through Microsoft Store, but are just links to installers. Even so, it’s a great way to keep apps always up to date.

With macOS, I have been using MacUpdater. I even purchased a licence, as it was good value for money.

Sadly, without warning, and only discovering it by accident, by the end of 2025, the MacUpdater will be no more.

Ok, “will be no more” is a bit of too much, as software will still be working, but the developer does not guarantee that it will function as required.

MacUpdater, the popular software update utility for macOS, has been discontinued by its developer, CoreCode, and will no longer be actively developed after January 1, 2026. However, all existing MacUpdater 3 licences will continue to be supported until that date. The developers are looking for potential buyers for the software’s code and technology.

Recently, I faced an issue with mwan3, a package on OpenWrt routers that is designed to manage multiple internet connections, either for load balancing or a failover.

At work, we have two fibre connections, where the main one is used primarily and the second is online, but only activated when the first goes down – typical failover approach.

First connection (lets call it fibre) is with metric 10 wheras second connection (fibre2) is with metric 20.

For tech guys, first fibre is uncontended with static IP, whereas our backup fibre is contended over PPPoE.

My main policy in mwan3 is fibre_fibre2.

fibre_fibre2 policy contain fibre_m1_w3 (Metric 1, Weight 3) and fibre2_m2_w2 (Metric 2, Weight 2) member.

When fibre is down, the fibre2 takes over and all traffic flows through nicely, almost.

There’s been a lot going on recently with Google Chrome (and Microsoft Edge) browser extensions.

Things really heated up when new requirements were introduced, dictating how Chrome extensions are built and what they can do – Manifest V3.

Think of Manifest V3 as a blueprint or set of guidelines for extension developers, with a strong focus on boosting security, privacy, and performance.

While the shift to Manifest V3 is a whole other story, the PayPal Honey scandal prompted Google to take a much closer look at how Chrome extensions behave, especially those involved in affiliate marketing.

I recently upgraded my work computer from i5 8th Generation to i7 11th Generation. In the opposite of installing OS from scratch and setting it all up again, as I haven’t got time, I decided to use Rescuezilla and simply clone my system from the old hard drive to the new computer.

All goes well.

After the first run, some drivers needed to be updated. I needed to detach the Windows 11 license from the old computer and pair it with one that had been delivered (embedded) with it.

All seems to be working really well until I start putting a bit of a stressful task into it.

With very short notice, Microsoft finally made a move to kill Skype altogether and concentrate on something that, by default, is integrated with Windows 11 – Teams.

I personally tried to move a few people out of Skype to Teams years back, but now there are no ifs or buts, as Microsoft is pulling the plug. There is no going back.

As much as I am happy, I quickly started feeling that removing Skype is putting some users back.

If you are not paying anything extra to Microsoft, you will quickly notice that you are missing some crucial features in Teams that have been available in Skype for years.

Update 01/07/2025
Because Gmailify.com was just too spicy for the trademark police, the owner of the service been forced to rename it to Gomailify. Apart of the nothing change, Same trusted service, same mission to supercharge your Gmail, just with a dash more go!

After years of using a free Google Workspace account, and after ups and downs with it, due to Google’s decision to kill it and then keep it alive, I decided to move my emails and other files back to my personal Gmail account.

My main reason for using Google Workspace was the ability to use my domain across Google services, mainly concentrating on the ability to send and receive emails within my domain, but still using the Gmail interface.

After extensive work I had done to move my data from Google Workspace back to my Gmail account, I set up an option for me to receive and send emails within my domain.