We run a SaaS service, when a customer creates an instance, we use terraform to create an EC2 instance and relevant cloud infrastructures. This EC2 is created with a prebuilt AMI, with our software installed. This software will be referred to as codename sinatra. After the EC2 is created, a script setup.sh will run to configure sinatra, and it will restart sinatra a few times with Systemctl.

We noticed one of the customers has a possibility to fail when creating an instance, with the error message below(non-relevant messages are omitted):

...Warning! D-Bus connection Terminated. Failed to wait for response: Connection reset by peer...

The post Understanding Systemd Timer: Troubleshooting `D-Bus connection terminated` Error appeared first on Frank's Weblog.

我们的服务是一个SaaS服务，每当客户创建一个实例时，我们会使用terraform在云环境中创建一个EC2实例以及相关的基础设施。这个EC2使用一个预先构建的AMI创建，这个AMI当中已经安装了我们所维护的软件，这个软件在本文中将使用代号sinatra指代。在EC2被创建后，会自动运行一个脚本setup.sh来配置sinatra，期间会使用systemctl重启sinatra几次。

我们发现一位客户在创建实例时有一定几率会失败，错误信息如下（一些无关信息已经被省略）：

...Warning! D-Bus connection Terminated. Failed to wait for response: Connection reset by peer...

The post 理解Systemd Timer：一次`D-Bus connection terminated`错误排查 appeared first on Frank's Weblog.

As mentioned earlier, I started learning French from scratch and achieved CLB/NCLC 7 (equivalent to CEFR B2-C1) in 10 months. This is a very difficult task to accomplish, and I believe Anki played a crucial role in this process.

Throughout the entire learning process, I did not attend any traditional courses. At the beginning, I followed the A1 and A2 online courses from NLF Academy | Real French Classes - YouTube, using the Edito textbook. I spent two months completing A1. Later, because of the time pressure, after halfway through A2, I abandoned the courses and switched to self-study and exam preparation. During this process, I intensively used Anki to learn grammar, vocabulary, expressions, and other language knowledge, with the maximum number of cards reviewed per day reaching over 500. Although the process was very painful, the results were very significant.

This post will describe how I used Anki for learning language for exam and hobby.

The post Learning Languages Effectively with Anki appeared first on Frank's Weblog.

前文提到，我为了加拿大移民在从零开始学习法语，并且在10个月内考出了CLB/NCLC 7（相当于于欧标B2-C1）的成绩。这是一个非常难以完成的任务，我认为在这个过程中，Anki功不可没。

我在整个学习过程中没有上过传统意义上的课程。在入门阶段入门的课程我使用了NLF Academy | Real French Classes - YouTube的A1和A2网课，使用的是Edito教材。我用了两个月时间学完了A1。之后又因为急于赶进度，在A2学到一半之后即放弃了跟随课程，转而自学及备考。在这个过程中，我高强度使用Anki学习语法，单词，语句，等语言知识点，最多的时候每天复习的卡片数量达到了500+之多。虽然过程非常痛苦，但是效果也非常显著。

本文将讲述我如何使用Anki以应试和兴趣目的学习语言的过程。

The post 使用Anki高效学习语言 appeared first on Frank's Weblog.

In late 2023, I began considering Canada’s Express Entry after failing the H1B lottery three times. After a challenging two-year journey, I finally became a Canadian Permanent Resident in 2025. This article details the entire process of applying for and receiving Canadian PR from abroad through the French language category.

This article serves only as a sharing of personal experience and does not constitute legal advice. My application took place in mid-2025, and the information may become inaccurate over time. If you have questions regarding your application, please refer to the official websites of relevant departments or hire a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) for consultation.

Express Entry (EE) is the most mainstream, convenient, and efficient pathway for skilled immigration to Canada. The way it works is to score applicants via the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). The main metrics include age, education, language, and work experience. Typically, every two weeks, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducts draws. A cutoff score is determined based on the score of candidates in the pool and the number of profiles they intend to invite. Applicants meeting this score receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) and submit their application. Most EE applications receive a decision within 6 months.

The post Say Goodbye to H1B Anxiety – A Complete Guide for Immigration to Canada via Express Entry appeared first on Frank's Weblog.

H1B三抽不中后，我从2023年底开始考虑加拿大Express Entry。经过两年的各种折腾，终于在2025年底正式成为加拿大永久居民。本文将讲述通过法语定向在境外申请并获批加拿大PR的全过程。

本文仅作为个人经验的分享，不构成法律建议。我的申请发生在2025年中，文中内容可能会随时间变化而不再准确。如果在申请过程中有疑问，请查询相关部门的官方网站或雇佣持牌移民顾问(Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants, RCIC)咨询。

Express Entry（下文简称EE）是加拿大的最主流且方便快捷的技术移民途径。Express Entry的运作方式是为申请者通过Comprehensive Ranking System(CRS)打分，打分的主要指标包括年龄，学历，语言，工作经验等。通常每两周，加拿大移民、难民和公民部(Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, IRCC)会执行若干项目的抽取(draw)，每次抽取会根据池中人数和邀请人数确定一个分数线，达到分数线的申请者会收到邀请(Invitation to Apply, ITA)并提交申请。Express Entry的绝大多数申请会在6个月内收到决定。

The post 告别H1B焦虑 – 加拿大Express Entry技术移民全流程指南 appeared first on Frank's Weblog.

I recently replaced the brake rotors and pads on my Miata. Although neither the rotors nor the pads were worn down to the point of needing replacement, I was experiencing vibration when braking at high speeds, likely due to rusted or warped rotors. So, I decided to replace all the rotors and pads on the car.

The post Project Miata – The Problematic Brake Job appeared first on Frank's Weblog.

最近我更换了Miata上的刹车盘和刹车片。虽然刹车盘和刹车片都没有磨损到需要更换的程度，但是可能由于刹车盘生锈或变形，在高速踩刹车的时候会出现震动的问题，于是我决定更换全车的刹车盘和片。

The post Project Miata – 问题百出的刹车维护 appeared first on Frank's Weblog.

Recently, we are approved Canadian permanent residency through Express Entry, we received a passport request letter requesting us to send the passport to Ottawa for visa stamping.
In the vast majority of countries, passport submission for visa stamping is typically handled through a local VFS Visa Application Center (VAC). For applicants in the United States, some may be required to go through VFS, while others may be instructed to mail their passports to the Case Processing Center (CPCO) in Ottawa. This guide does not apply if your Passport Request letter instructs you to submit via VFS/VAC. Please read your Passport Request letter carefully. If there is any conflict between the instructions in your letter and this guide, follow the instructions in the letter.

The post Sending Passport from USA to Ottawa for Canadian PR Visa Stamping appeared first on Frank's Weblog.

近期通过Express Entry获批了加拿大PR，收到贴签信要求寄护照到渥太华贴签。

在绝大多数国家，贴签通常是通过当地的VFS签证中心，美国的申请者一部分会被要求通过VFS贴签，也有可能会被要求直接寄到渥太华的Case Processing Center(CPCO)。如果你的贴签信指示你通过VFS/VAC贴签，则本文不适用。请仔细阅读贴签信中的每一句话，如果贴签信中的指示和本文冲突，以贴签信为准。

The post 加拿大PR贴签：从美国寄护照到渥太华 appeared first on Frank's Weblog.

My Synology DS221j I bought in 2021 is outdated today. As Synology's most entry-level NAS, its performance today is barely able to support any applications beyond the Samba service, and it doesn't support Docker. Therefore, I decided to buy a new NAS.

I had considered buying the Synology DS925+, but Synology's new 2025 models introduced a restriction that only allows the use of their own branded hard drives. So Synology was ruled out as an option. I also considered the UGREEN NAS and install a third-party OS. However, the UGREEN NASync DXP4800 Plus is priced at $699, and even with a Prime Day discount, it's still $519, which isn't a great value. After some research, I decided to build a NAS myself.

The post Building NAS and Installing Unraid appeared first on Frank's Weblog.

我在2021年购买的群晖DS221j已经有些过时了，并且221j作为群晖最入门级的NAS，其性能在今天基本无法支持除了Samba服务之外的其他应用，而且它本身也不支持Docker。于是我准备更换一台新的NAS。

我本考虑购买群晖的DS925+，然而群晖在2025年新品中加入了仅支持群晖自家硬盘的限制，于是我直接排除了群晖的选项。我也考虑过购买绿联NAS并安装第三方系统，但是绿联UGREEN NASync DXP4800 Plus原价$699，即使是Prime Day打折也需要$519，性价比并不高。经过研究之后，我决定自己组装一台NAS。

The post 组装NAS及配置Unraid OS appeared first on Frank's Weblog.

I repainted the fender on my Miata. The outcome was great, but there were all kinds of problems throughout the process.

There are all kinds of automotive paints on the market, the marketing strategies of the manufacturers make it even more complicated. Beginners can easily get confused and choose the wrong product or the wrong method of application. Furthermore, unlike mechanical repairs, painting doesn't have a strict procedure to follow, each tutorial on the web has it's own style. The material, the application process, and even environment can make the outcome drastically different.

In this article, I will use the fender on my Miata as an example, to illustrate the basics of paint, the different types of paint, application process and common problems. This article will focus on using aerosol cans and common household tools to achieve the best results possible. Professional application and equipments are not in the scope of this article.

This article is based on my personal research and experience, and is not a professional tutorial, the content may be mistaken. When using paint product with toxic contents, please use proper personal protective equipment (PPE) and follow the guidelines of recycling and disposal.

The post Complete Guide for Automotive Paint at Home with Spray Can appeared first on Frank's Weblog.

我重新喷涂了我的Miata上的一块翼子板。最终的效果非常不错，但期间遇到了不少问题。

市面上有各种类型和品牌的油漆可供选择，再加上厂商的市场营销策略，让类目更加纷繁复杂。这让新手很容易迷失，造成选用了错误的产品或错误的施工方式。另外，喷漆不像修理机械那样有严格的步骤和流程可供参考，网络上的教程都有自己的风格和习惯。选用的材料，施工工艺，甚至环境都会造成结果的不同。

本文中我将以我的Miata的前翼子板为例，来讲述汽车油漆的基础知识，油漆的分类和选择，施工过程，以及常见问题。本文会集中在使用喷漆罐(Aerosol)和家用工具和来实现尽可能好的效果。专业设备和材料不在本文的讨论范围内。

本文是基于个人经验的总结，而非专业教学，内容可能会存在错误。在使用含有有毒有害物质的涂料时，请注意个人保护以及遵循适当的废弃或回收流程。

The post 使用喷漆罐实现最佳DIY汽车喷漆效果的完整指南 appeared first on Frank's Weblog.

Today, Cloudflare announced Cloudflare Containers: a serverless container runtime in Cloudflare Workers. I will use httpbin as an example, to illustrate how to deploy a simple application to Cloudflare Containers.

The post Deploy Containers with Cloudflare Containers appeared first on Frank's Weblog.

今天，Cloudflare 宣布推出 Cloudflare Containers：其在 Cloudflare Workers 中的无服务器容器运行时。我将以 httpbin 为例，说明如何将一个简单的应用程序部署到 Cloudflare Containers。

The post 使用 Cloudflare Containers 部署容器应用 appeared first on Frank's Weblog.

作者详细记录了对一台Miata进行软顶更换和内饰恢复的过程。工作包括更换破损的软顶，清洗座椅和地毯，修复生锈的座椅底盘和车体其他部分。作者遇到了许多挑战，如座椅金属部分的严重生锈和断裂的螺栓，但通过创造性的解决方案，成功恢复了车辆的内饰，使其焕然一新。

The post Project Miata – 软顶更换及内饰修复 appeared first on Frank's Weblog.

作者在Craigslist上购得了一辆1995年的Miata，虽然车辆存在一些问题，如受损的车翼板、破裂的后部塑料窗户、以及不工作的里程表和油表等，但由于这些问题相对较小，而且车辆价格适中，易于修复，因此被视为理想的翻新项目。最终，作者以2000美元的价格完成了交易，计划对车辆进行修复，使其适用于日常驾驶和偶尔的汽车运动。这标志着“Project Miata”正式启动。

The post Project Miata – $2000玩具车 appeared first on Frank's Weblog.