Tech Refresh
PeerTube
Finally took the time to upgrade my PeerTube Instance from Version 4.x to 5.x.
As always, this took a bit of fiddling. My setup is running inside Docker Containers and I had to add a new configuration item into the .env as a new Security Key was introduced in this version.
While the service did start with the new version of the software and videos were still served, I couldn’t get to the admin section of the UI anymore. There where a whole bunch of JavaScript errors in the console.
I ended up deleting the docker volume that the PeerTube container had created for assets. Apparently it was safe to delete that volume and the app would recreate and repopulate upon restart. This solved the problems and now my instance is running PeerTube 5.
Portainer
A friend contacted my as he came across Portainer to maintain his local docker setup. While I had heard the name before, I have played around with it.
Installed the Server (as a container) on my host and also the agent (also as a container) on a remote host to have a look. Turns out it’s a convenience tool to set up and maintainer Container Stacks. Boerge confirmed it’s a good entrance into the container world.
I personally don’t see a need for me, as I’m quicker on the commandline to do the setups. But if one wants to have a web UI to get a quick overview of whats running where and also be able to stop, start, update, edit Containers then Portainer might be worth a look.
Portainer also provides a bunch of readymade stack templates for well knows apps. This might be a good start for newbies.
Disk failure
My little home server, an old DELL optiplex desktop, had a disk failure on Friday. Apparently the HDD disconnected temporarily from the SATA bus and left the filesystem inconsistent. Since it’s a headless system and upon reboot it required manual intervention for the forced filesystem check, I had to pull it out of its cave and connect to monitor and keyboard. Disk seem to be still working, but I started to do more frequent backups and are going to prepare to replace the disk eventually the next days. Maybe I will even find some more old memory modules to upgrade the RAM.
Food
On monday I was invited to a now rare company dinner. One of y superiors from the US was visiting us for the first time in years. And since there are practically not formal restrictions anymore around COVID, we were able to have a joint dinner at the Zollpackhof in Berlin Mitte.
Given that just a few years ago we would have these gathering on a regular basis and around the globe, this was now a really rare occasion to see people from other offices in person again.

Sport
Only managed to get one time running done this week. My running partner catched COVID, so I had to run alone. Also didn’t manage to get to the Office Gym this week. Next week the gym will have no shower due to construction works. So no gym I guess. Will have to do the running for myself as my partner probably will not yet have recovered enough.
Sunday swimming was good. The weather was fantastic on Saturday with about 7cm of snow in the Uckermark and lots of sunshine. Which we were hoping for for Sunday as well. But unfortunately if was slightly overcast but at least no ice on the like. Managed to do 65m at about 4:30 min at chilly 2°C water and air.


