For almost a year I have struggled with VPN on my macbook pro. The problem is that when my laptop goes to sleep while VPN is on (like when I shut the lid) I can no longer connect to VPN again when I open the lid. The error is the less than helpful, “Configuration error. Check settings and try to reconnect.” See the thread on discussions.apple.com for more angst on that topic.

The normal work-a-round are these two commands which restart the racoon subsystem.

> launchctl stop com.apple.racoon

> launchctl start com.apple.racoon

I have now found a better way.

There is a program called sleepwatcher written by Bernhard Baehr. While it’s install is very manual, it works very well. I now have a file in my home dir called .sleep and it runs a few commands when my laptop goes to sleep. One of them shuts off VPN and the other unmounts and external disks.

The script to disconnect VPN is a variation on the one published at Drinking the Apple Juice. The unmount command was from Mac OS X Hints.

It would all be simpler if I had init levels, but at least I have a solution.

To the moon!, originally uploaded by timbu.

This amuses me. Apparently I’m a third of the way to the moon according to Google Latitude.

• What! C.W. McCall wasn't really a trucker? He was an ad campaign for bread that took off? #fallenhero http://bit.ly/9VhlFy #

Powered by Twitter Tools.

• All the states recount laws in one handy place – how many have auto- recount? http://j.mp/cyitWm #

Powered by Twitter Tools.

• I love home science http://j.mp/ctFHPP #
• Just like normal, Minnesotan's are much better than the national average with a 58% voter turnout for the mid-term election. #
• 42 percent of registered voters cast ballots – that means that the actual election story is "Majority of Americans still don't care" #
• The polls are open – don't forget to vote, if you are eligible to vote in the US . #
• Today is the first day to give up on your nanowrimo commitment. #
• I appreciate the moms and dads who put on costumes to give out candy. #
• Time to start looking for the Great Pumpkin. #
• Go Pack Go! #

Powered by Twitter Tools.

• I'll definitely have the toro — I don't care if it makes me mercurial! #

Powered by Twitter Tools.

• Wishing I lived in a regime that values individual privacy over. State and corp interests. #

Powered by Twitter Tools.

• What is your nightmare Jeopardy category? Mine would be Contemporary Celebrity Opera. #
• It is on thing to not win a game, but another altogether to not win against the Chicago Bears. #
• Is it still a win if you beat a team that hasn't won on the road in three years? #
• Paper on Contrastive Reduplication http://bit.ly/91yqLu – why did people make fun of me for suggesting the work unredundification at work? #

Powered by Twitter Tools.

• Sushi always cheers me up, eating it while they play awesome music that sounds like I picked the soundtrack is a great way to end the day. #

Powered by Twitter Tools.

• Best original use of a newspaper I've seen in a while – http://bit.ly/bKh96o #
• Los 33 is such a captivating story – I can't wait to see them on the surface http://bit.ly/bzDQOY #
• Really enjoyed Ramona & Beezus movie today. #
• I was wondering if there was a way to use a bookmark-let on an iPhone or iPad http://bit.ly/a2RTtK #
• Adding Bookmarklets on iPad and iPhone http://bit.ly/a2RTtK #
• Speed texting doesn't impress me, although combining it with car races would be cool. #
• I can't wait for the IOS4 release for the iPad. App organization/folder would be an awesome upgrade for me. Multi-tasking would be cool too. #

Powered by Twitter Tools.