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Python Automation – Locked out users

August 6, 2016 by Alan R Leave a Comment

Repetitive tasks present a problem. Not only do you have to do the task, but you have to remember to do the task. Wouldn’t it be great if we could get our computer to do that repetitive task and alert us if we need to do something. With Python programming, you can do just that.

python-oig-websiteLast time, we looked at how to automate the OIG and GSA checks that are required for any medical companies. That program saves over 3 hours of time each month (minor, unless you are the one spending 3 hours running the checks) and just keeps saving more and more time as the number of employees increase.  This time, we are looking at accounts, users, and passwords.

If you have an account online, chances are good that you have been locked out of that account. You may have entered the wrong password too many times or changed your password (and forgot what you changed it to…). Your caps lock may have been on or your computer keyboard could be malfunctioning. No matter what the issues was, the immediate problem is that your account is locked. How do you get it unlocked?

Many services have automated systems to unlock accounts. If you forget your iTunes password, you can go to iForgot.apple.com and have your password reset. For smaller systems or systems without automated account unlocking procedures, someone has to go in and enable your account. It is this instance that we are concerned with today.

python-logoAutomating with Python

To automate a task, you must define the task. It helps if those tasks can be completed in a variety of ways, but you have to know what you are doing before you can get a computer to do it. Our task today is to:

  • Check for locked accounts
  • If there are any locked account, notify me via email

[Read more…]

Filed Under: General

Python Automation – Monthly OIG and GSA checks

June 17, 2016 by Alan R Leave a Comment

Repetitive tasks are boring. Let’s face it; if you don’t have to sit in front of  a compute, click a link and type something in to a field, why do it? Computers are amazing tools that are capable of doing all sorts of boring tasks if we just knew how to setup the task. Although there are many different ways to do this, today we are going to focus on the Python programming language.

Why Python?

Python programming languageThere are a multitude of programming languages out there. I’ve personally programmed at least a little bit in the following languages: BASIC, Fortran, Visual Basic, C/C++, JavaScript, Perl, PHP, Pascal, SQL, and Python. According to CodingDojo.com and Tiobe.com, Python is at #5 for the most in-demand programming languages in 2016. Topping the list are languages like Java and C# but Python is ranked pretty high. And not just on these two sites; if you do a search for the most popular or in-demand programming languages, chances are really good that you will see Python in the top 10 if not in the top 5.

If you are going to learn a new skill and spend the time to get pretty good at it, it would be nice if that skill was fun, helpful, or valuable in some way. Sure, underwater basket weaving may be challenging, but is it really valuable? Not to me. [Read more…]

Filed Under: How-To

Where’s Alan Reeves? – One Year Later

June 23, 2015 by Alan R Leave a Comment

Where’s Alan Reeves? – The Final Post - Reaching #1Welcome back to my journey to being 1st on Google.  This is the one year anniversary of the finale, the final update for my attempt to rank this site first on Google for my name, Alan Reeves.  If you missed any of the posts, you can find the first one here and the last one here.

Way back on 6/22/14, this site hit #1.  It started at #91 and after 126 LONG weeks, reach the goal of being #1 on Google.

So, where am I now?  Well, I’m glad you asked… Here are the results from Monday, June 22, 2015

  • #17 – About me on this site, BlueCapra
  • #23 – Can You Etch It – Social media refrigerator magnets
  • #30 – Alan Reeves on Scan This Guide
  • #31 – Alan Reeves on Vimeo – Laser engraving videos
  • #39 – Alan Reeves on Foursquare
  • #44 – Alan Reeves’s Profile – Moz
  • #46 – My Goodreads profile
  • #65 – Alan Reeves – Dailymotion – Laser engraving videos

This week I’m at #17 on Google.  Overall, my top 5 results decreased 81 spots with 2 of the top 5 results occurring in the first 25 places.  As a whole, I showed up 8 times in the top 100 search results.  Hey, what do you expect after a year of not working toward a goal? [Read more…]

Filed Under: General

Everlast Pro Style Training Gloves Review

May 18, 2015 by Alan R Leave a Comment

If you are training in Krav Maga or a variety of other martial arts, there’s a good chance you will find yourself sparring or hitting the heavy bag at some time.  There’s no better way to refine your techniques than through practice and hitting the heavy bag is a great way to practice your punching and kicking technique.  Today, let’s talk about training gloves.  Although you can use these for sparring (so you can put your training partner’s headgear to good use) we’ll be talking about how you can use the Everlast Pro Style Training Gloves to help with your conditioning training and bag work.

Overview

everlast-pro-style-training-glovesThe Everlast Pro Style Training Gloves are a great addition to your training equipment.  They come in a variety of weights (mine are 12 oz) and include an attached thumb for safety and a mesh palm for quicker drying.  The wrist wraps are a little short, making it a little tough to put on the gloves yourself but overall, these training gloves do a great job.

Pros

  • Good quality and inexpensive
  • Mesh palm for quick drying
  • Attached thumb

Cons

  • Wrist strap is short, making it a little difficult to put on the gloves yourself
  • Made from vinyl, not leather

Ready to get your own Everlast Pro Style Training Gloves?

buy_at_amazon
For more details, continue reading for a full review…

Everlast Pro Style Training Gloves – Full Review

Let’s face it; hitting someone with big, cushy gloves can be great fun.  That is, until they start hitting back.  The right gloves can be the difference between a challenging sparring match or a down right beating.  The bigger you or your partners are, the bigger your gloves need to be.  Although they come in a variety of weights, most men will use 16 oz gloves for sparring and either 12 oz or 14 oz for bag work.  Women will often use 12 oz or 14 oz for sparring and either the same or a little lighter for bag work.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Reviews Tagged With: Krav Maga

Title Pro Full Face Training Headgear Review

April 13, 2015 by Alan R Leave a Comment

If you are training in Krav Maga or a variety of other martial arts, there’s a good chance you will find yourself sparring at some time.  There is no better way to refine your techniques than through practice and sparring is a great way to practice.  Since you will be punching and kicking someone else and having the same done to you, safety gear is important.  Today, we’ll look at a very important bit of gear, your headgear.  We all need to protect the part of our body that runs all the other part and for me, I rely on the Title Pro Full Face Training Headgear.

Title Pro Full Face Training Headgear Review - Front of the headgear

Overview

The Title Pro Full Face Training Headgear is just the thing to keep your head safe from the abuse of punching and kicks.  It provide good cheek protection while still letting you see the attacks coming at you.  It’s easy and quick to put on and stays put as you are sparring.  If you are looking for a good quality piece of equipment, the Title Pro Full Face Training Headgear is a great choice.

Pros

  • Made from durable leather
  • Padded cheek protection
  • Fully adjustable for just the right fit

Cons

  • Feels like it gets tighter the longer you wear it

Ready to get your own Title Pro Full Face Training Headgear?

buy_at_amazon
If you are looking for more details, continue reading for a full review…

Title Pro Full Face Training Headgear – Full Review

Sparring in Krav Maga can be extremely challenging, great fun, and at times, dangerous.  We wear safety gear, such as 16oz boxing gloves, shin pads, mouth pieces, and headgear.  There are many options for headgear in the market but the one I decided on was the Title Pro Full Face Training Headgear.  For more specifics about this headgear, head over to Amazon or check out the Title MMA/Title Boxing website.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Reviews Tagged With: Krav Maga

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