Here’s where things get a little buzzwordy: You might know that every computer needs a way to translate domain names (like “selfamusementpark.com”) into network addresses (like “192.168.1.5″); the Domain Name System does this (hence its catchy name, DNS).

When my computer wants to use a public network, it gets assigned a network address by the wireless base station, using something called Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol – DHCP. As part of this assignment, my computer also gets the address of a local DNS server address to use for name lookups. When I open my VPN connection, my computer automatically starts using my DNS server at home, to be able to look up the names of computers at home that aren’t on the public internet. (Yeah, I know: it’s weird that I leave the house to work on computers at home, huh?)

Here’s the catch: periodically, the base station requires my computer to “renew” its address, and when it does, my computer gets switched back to use the coffee shop’s DNS server (even though my VPN connection is still open). This is annoying, and I finally decided to look for a fix.

I found one in this Ubuntu bug. It’s a one-line change to a system script that prevents the DNS server switch if it’s happening because of an address renewal.

(Finding this took 30 seconds because I picked good search words, and applying the fix took 30 more because I understood what was going on at this level of the system. I’m blogging this because someone less technical than me might have more trouble with each; if this is something that bugs you and you have trouble with this fix, add a comment.)

I took my new camera along, and shot a few photos of my coworkers at lunch, and more just walking around the city — mostly during an evening walk with Ted Leung, who I’m learning a lot from. (Those are links to my new Flickr account – you can get to all my pictures using the new link over there in the sidebar.)

• I can’t believe we waited so long to switch to a thermal-pot coffee maker. The coffee doesn’t taste cooked anymore, and is still almost hot enough to drink eight hours after brewing (and microwaves fine, too).
• I picked this model because it was less than $100 (after BB&B’s 20% postcard discount), holds 10 cups, has a timer, and I could fit my hand into the pot (with a sponge) for cleaning.
• I’d heard horror stories about overflowing problems with several thermal coffeemakers; yes, it’s happened to me once, so I’ve learned to be extra-careful about positioning the pot and making sure the lid’s snapped down.
• About that lid: It’s huge: the whole top (along with that Daliesque melty-looking silver flap) hinges up at the back. This means the whole coffeemaker has to be pulled out to the edge of the counter for filling, to clear the cabinet above.
• The water reservoir has a line marked on a tube inside to show the don’t-go-past-here level; no intermediate levels are marked.
• The thing beeps at the start and end of brewing, whether you pushed the button to start it or used the self-timer. I could do without the beep when I use the self-timer (I’m still asleep!) but there’s no way to shut it off.
• None of these complaints amount to much: it’s really great.

(Tip o’ the hat to Too Much Coffee Man.)