Server:Server Status

Guide – Using Canvas Data v2 to download exports of tables using Powershell

This was originally posted Here but I'm cross-posting it to my site for preservation and self-reliance.

We, at California Northstate University, are implementing canvas data v2, but we are finding that unless you use the python client library (which is not an option for us, we have no python developers or anyone to maintain a python environment) the documentation is extremely inadequate. We are attempting to communicate with the API using powershell to download selected data exports for import into Microsoft SQL using other methods. You probably don't want to do this, but as a non-developer, there was no sample code out there and it was a MASSIVE struggle. I want to share what we came up with so other people aren't starting from scratch, because the official documentation is woefully inadequate.

Read more »

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Automated import of selected Canvas tables into Microsoft SQL Server using only canvas-data-cli (via node) and SQL Server Agent.

This was originally posted Here but I'm cross-posting it to my site for preservation and self-reliance.

We wanted a way to import selected data from selected Canvas tables into a Microsoft SQL Server instance in a way that can be scheduled for automation and required the smallest number of dependencies and tools. Using canvas-data-cli, we were able to accomplish this on a windows server with only node, Powershell, and the SQL Server Agent. There are many other solutions out there for this, but we wanted to share ours because of its maintenance simplicity. There is a bit of setup the first time you want to grab a new table, but overall it is extremely simple and can be managed with very little DB knowledge, making it maintainable even by new admins.

Read more »

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Hacking the HiWonder MasterPi!

For Lucas' birthday, he got a HiWonder MasterPi robotic arm. He wanted to learn to code and wanted a robotic arm, so this is the one I found. It's a VERY cool product, however out of the box it had a LOT of issues. We did NOT get the included RaspberryPi, meaning we had to get and provision one ourselves (we got a 4b, and I strongly recommend this over a 5 as a python package is not yet built for the 5), and it was a mess out of the box. I googled a lot, but didn't find a lot of resources about this product, so I figured I would make a guide to help other people who want to go on this journey.

IMPORTANT NOTE: it's impossible to get to the sdcard of the pi once it's assembled, so do all the pi provisioning first. At least get it onto the internet so you can ssh/vnc into it later.

Read more »

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

My D&D Character Results

I Am A: Chaotic Neutral Human Sorcerer (5th Level)

Ability Scores:
Strength-15
Dexterity-13
Constitution-12
Intelligence-18
Wisdom-15
Charisma-15

Alignment:
Chaotic Neutral A chaotic neutral character follows his whims. He is an individualist first and last. He values his own liberty but doesn't strive to protect others' freedom. He avoids authority, resents restrictions, and challenges traditions. A chaotic neutral character does not intentionally disrupt organizations as part of a campaign of anarchy. To do so, he would have to be motivated either by good (and a desire to liberate others) or evil (and a desire to make those different from himself suffer). A chaotic neutral character may be unpredictable, but his behavior is not totally random. He is not as likely to jump off a bridge as to cross it. Chaotic neutral is the best alignment you can be because it represents true freedom from both society's restrictions and a do-gooder's zeal. However, chaotic neutral can be a dangerous alignment when it seeks to eliminate all authority, harmony, and order in society.

Race:
Humans are the most adaptable of the common races. Short generations and a penchant for migration and conquest have made them physically diverse as well. Humans are often unorthodox in their dress, sporting unusual hairstyles, fanciful clothes, tattoos, and the like.

Class:
Sorcerers are arcane spellcasters who manipulate magic energy with imagination and talent rather than studious discipline. They have no books, no mentors, no theories just raw power that they direct at will. Sorcerers know fewer spells than wizards do and acquire them more slowly, but they can cast individual spells more often and have no need to prepare their incantations ahead of time. Also unlike wizards, sorcerers cannot specialize in a school of magic. Since sorcerers gain their powers without undergoing the years of rigorous study that wizards go through, they have more time to learn fighting skills and are proficient with simple weapons. Charisma is very important for sorcerers; the higher their value in this ability, the higher the spell level they can cast.

Find out What Kind of Dungeons and Dragons Character Would You Be?, courtesy of Easydamus (e-mail)

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

The Hair Length/Crazy Theory.

I have developed a new theory. I believe you can use hair length as a judge of how crazy a girl is. Allow me to explain.

There is an appropriate hair length for each age in your life, as a girl. Not to say you can't deviate, but there's an age-appropriate connection. It's not my own theory, read here. I also conducted my own informal poll where these biases were confirmed. Here's a brief guideline I am proposing on my own:

  • Appropriate Age: 15-25
  • Appropriate Age: 25-35
  • Appropriate Age: 30-40
  • Appropriate Age: 40-50
  • Appropriate Age: 50+

Ok. Look at those 5 groups. Look at the approximate age, and the approximate hair LENGTH (not style). Here's my theory: For each hair-length group outside of your age range you are, add a point. Then, add a bonus point if the hair color is OBVIOUSLY dyed unnaturally (19 year old with pink hair. 87 year old with bright orange hair, etc.) If you have 2 or more points...You're nuts, or a pain in the ass. It's an "avoid" flag. If you're 23 and have spiky short hair...proceed with caution. If you're 67 and have a ponytail down to your lower back...you're selling pet squirrels and turquoise jewelry on the side of the freeway. If you're just 1 away...that's fine, maybe a tiny warning, but it's a safe-zone.

This is my own opinion and my own theory, but I'm interested in feedback. And experiences. I call it the "Gullo Hair Length/Craziness" theory. DISCUSS!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -