Marks Techno Blog

AT&T UVerse

2010-04-17T09:03:00.001-05:00

Well, they finally got the other HD TV in HD (component YPbR is a standard...) and phone, internet and wireless are working. The wireless coverage is NOT up to par so I'll be revisiting that on my own with some additional hardware. That is totally an issue of them choosing to mount the main unit in an out-of-the-way location. So I cancelled Dish and will call the UVerse switch a win. For less money I have more channels, more features and more bandwidth (with more to come as they continue to expand the infrastructure--100 MB is their goal) I think we are currently at 12. They are continuing to expand the backbone and range.

I *love* the way the phone and TV work (together) and the way the recorder works. Everything is stored dentrally and streamed to ***whatever*** device you want too watch it on AND the streams can move (on the fly) from one device to another (yes computers can work in this mix too). Their cable/TV pricing is much more aggressive than Dish and they are far friendlier in how they bundle channels making it cheaper to get the more popular ones.

A few notes:
(1) The installers vary wildly in experience/knowledge of non-ATT stuff. If you already have a network, be prepared to deal with that. We ended up going through 3 different ones. All smart, all professional, but not all with the same level of skill.
(2) You probably need to have newer HD TV equipment (HDMI preferred). Although their equipment supports component and may work.
(3) Keep after them if you have issues. DO not accept something not working.
(4) If you have your own network, you will need to be there to help with the install. The more complicated you existing network, the more likely you are to have issues. Their equipment only supports wireless G, not N so just be aware of that.

How to build your resume with Open Source

2009-10-19T10:11:00.003-05:00

Worked on an Open Source project?
Learn how to include that :)

Mad Packet bug returns

2009-09-09T11:10:00.001-05:00

Unfreaking real

tomlinson-web.net

2009-09-08T15:10:00.002-05:00

So I finally shutdown the old compuserve account (from 1980) and the tomlinson-web.net homepage that was staged there. It had the CLIPS DLL and ActiveX stuff on there, which was all old naturally (Athena is no longer around to source it from).

I'll get it back up again on another server at some point, in the mean while I just wanted to not have the pages redirect to nowhere...

Ariel: post-apocalyptic sword-and-sorcery adventure that rocked my world - Boing Boing

2009-08-25T08:40:00.000-05:00

Ariel: post-apocalyptic sword-and-sorcery adventure that rocked my world - Boing Boing

Yeah, I been distracted by other crud for a while :)

Father's Day

2009-06-21T07:53:00.004-05:00

As I was browsing the internet this past week I saw several articles that bemoaned how poorly Dad's do in comparing Father's Day to Mothers day in terms of gifts. There was even a front page article with the same song-and-dance in the Sunday paper, but you know what? They are dead wrong. The rewards we get from being fathers are not counted in the number of presents we get or the value of same, but rather in the number of times someone comments on how well behaved your child is, how many times they come to you for help with that school project and thousands of other joys that make being a father so much more than getting a present once a year. Life is filled with opportunities to spend time with our children, you just need to reach out and grab them. I wouldn't trade the time spent with my family doing things together for any number of presents. Even so I think the true measure of success will be in seeing if somehow, in the midst of all my faults and failures, my child has learned how to be an adult and perhaps one day a father too.

The New Atlantis » Why Minds Are Not Like Computers

2009-04-20T10:22:00.000-05:00

The New Atlantis » Why Minds Are Not Like Computers

A dissertation on my favorite topic

Oracle buys Sun for $7.4 Billion - The Inquirer

2009-04-20T09:49:00.000-05:00

Oracle buys Sun for $7.4 Billion - The Inquirer

What’s the Real Risk of Deflation? - Real Time Economics - WSJ

2009-04-06T07:00:00.001-05:00

What’s the Real Risk of Deflation? - Real Time Economics - WSJ

Been a while since I posted (I know). I have been updating regularly at other venues (Facebook and MySpace). I still try to get back here occasionally though.

This article does make me ponder this: if you maintain employment throughout, a deflationary cycle is good since your money will go further.

My gut tells me we will need to go through another inflationary cycle at some point in order to correct.

U.S. Could Use Crisis to Wage 'Financial Warfare' | Danger Room from Wired.com

2009-03-16T09:50:00.000-05:00

U.S. Could Use Crisis to Wage 'Financial Warfare' | Danger Room from Wired.com

Steven Levy's Ode to Vintage Ports

2009-03-16T09:02:00.000-05:00

Steven Levy's Ode to Vintage Ports

Slideshow - Science & Technology - The 12-foot orc and wolf sculpture was created by the Weta Workshop, the same Australian film-effects company behind "The Lord

2009-03-16T08:42:00.000-05:00

Slideshow - Science & Technology - The 12-foot orc and wolf sculpture was created by the Weta Workshop, the same Australian film-effects company behind "The Lord

Borger: Helping the bad guys to save ourselves - CNN.com

2009-03-10T18:25:00.000-05:00

Borger: Helping the bad guys to save ourselves - CNN.com: "In other words, we can't bury the banks and Wall Street without burying ourselves at the same time."

WTF? Are we just NOW figuring this out? Crap, been inevitable for almost 2 decades.

Economy worst since Great Depression, World Bank says - Mar. 9, 2009

2009-03-09T07:35:00.000-05:00

Economy worst since Great Depression, World Bank says - Mar. 9, 2009

World_War_Two__Simple_Version_by_AngusMcLeod.jpg (JPEG Image, 1275x11277 pixels)

2009-03-04T08:38:00.000-05:00

World_War_Two__Simple_Version_by_AngusMcLeod.jpg (JPEG Image, 1275x11277 pixels)

WhattheDuck.net

2009-03-04T08:30:00.000-05:00

WhattheDuck.net

Shock! O'Connor hints at more Master Chief

2009-03-04T07:46:00.000-05:00

Shock! O'Connor hints at more Master Chief

You Spent How Much On That? - Picture Story - Tom's Hardware

2009-03-03T10:11:00.000-05:00

You Spent *How* Much On That? - Picture Story - Tom's Hardware

Holeeee crap batman!

New Airport Extreme and Time Capsule juggle two networks simultaneously

2009-03-03T10:10:00.000-05:00

New Airport Extreme and Time Capsule juggle two networks simultaneously

Good to see Apple innovating in non-OS specific ways.

Tool makes web sites mobile in a flash - The Inquirer

2009-02-17T10:35:00.000-05:00

Tool makes web sites mobile in a flash - The Inquirer

Smart approach really.

Flashbake: Free version-control for writers using git - Boing Boing

2009-02-15T21:55:00.000-05:00

Flashbake: Free version-control for writers using git - Boing Boing

AMD plays five-card draw - The Inquirer

2009-02-10T10:27:00.000-05:00

AMD plays five-card draw - The Inquirer

AM3 Phenom IIs listed - The Inquirer

2009-02-02T08:59:00.000-05:00

AM3 Phenom IIs listed - The Inquirer

Readers build vivid mental simulations of narrative situations, brain scans suggest

2009-01-29T10:11:00.000-05:00

Readers build vivid mental simulations of narrative situations, brain scans suggest

How memories form, fade, and persist over time - CNN.com

2009-01-29T08:46:00.000-05:00

How memories form, fade, and persist over time - CNN.com

Cognitive science has always been a pet project of mine. Mostly (I imagine) due to the AI influences and background.

Robots at War: The New Battlefield

2009-01-26T08:58:00.000-05:00

Robots at War: The New Battlefield: "It sounds like science fiction, but it is fact: On the battlefields of Iraq and Afghanistan, robots are killing America’s enemies and saving American lives. But today’s PackBots, Predators, and Ravens are relatively primitive machines. The coming generation of “war-bots” will be immensely more sophisticated, and their development raises troubling new questions about how and when we wage war."

Warbots....ummm

Torvalds warns of Windows 7 threat - The Inquirer

2009-01-26T08:50:00.000-05:00

Torvalds warns of Windows 7 threat - The Inquirer

No crap.

Gizmodo UK : Windows 7 Caught On Torrent Site, First Impressions Given

2008-12-30T10:25:00.000-05:00

Gizmodo UK : Windows 7 Caught On Torrent Site, First Impressions Given

RIAA loses Jammie appeal - The Inquirer

2008-12-30T09:49:00.000-05:00

RIAA loses Jammie appeal - The Inquirer

The holidays are always a slow blogging time for me. I couldn't pass up the opportunity to
point out (again) that these guys are (still) full of FAIL.

The Many Faces of Arduino | OpenLogic Blogs

2008-12-15T19:13:00.000-05:00

The Many Faces of Arduino | OpenLogic Blogs

Wine64 hello world app runs!

2008-12-15T10:43:00.000-05:00

Wine64 hello world app runs!

EXCLUSIVE: Bob Orci Explains How The New Star Trek Movie Fits With Trek Canon (and Real Science) | TrekMovie.com

2008-12-15T09:39:00.000-05:00

EXCLUSIVE: Bob Orci Explains How The New Star Trek Movie Fits With Trek Canon (and Real Science) | TrekMovie.com

mmmm.. more trek.

Cold Sore Virus Linked To Alzheimer's Disease: New Treatment, Or Even Vaccine Possible

2008-12-08T12:31:00.000-05:00

Cold Sore Virus Linked To Alzheimer's Disease: New Treatment, Or Even Vaccine Possible

Phenom II available ‘fore Yule - The INQUIRER

2008-12-08T11:07:00.000-05:00

Phenom II available ‘fore Yule - The INQUIRER

HP and ASU demo bendable, unbreakable electronic displays - Engadget

2008-12-08T10:57:00.000-05:00

HP and ASU demo bendable, unbreakable electronic displays - Engadget

Herman Miller Embody Chair | Wired.com Product Reviews

2008-12-02T09:06:00.000-05:00

Herman Miller Embody Chair | Wired.com Product Reviews

I must be missing something. I have looked (carefully) and I still don't see 1600 bucks worth of anything there.

SageTV launches HD Theater (HD200) media streamer - Engadget

2008-12-01T10:31:00.000-05:00

SageTV launches HD Theater (HD200) media streamer - Engadget

Government warned of mortgage meltdown - Dec. 1, 2008

2008-12-01T10:06:00.000-05:00

Government warned of mortgage meltdown - Dec. 1, 2008: "Countrywide Financial Corp., at the time the nation's largest mortgage lender, agreed. The proposal 'appears excessive and will inhibit future innovation in the marketplace,' said Mary Jane Seebach, managing director of public affairs."

Well, we can see how well their 'innovative' future turned out to be.

Linux hits the iPhone! - Engadget

2008-11-29T09:30:00.000-05:00

Linux hits the iPhone! - Engadget

Princeton University - Evolution's new wrinkle: Proteins with cruise control provide new perspective

2008-11-13T14:18:00.000-05:00

Princeton University - Evolution's new wrinkle: Proteins with cruise control provide new perspective

Robot ticketer greets amusement park visitors, offers frightening glimpse of the future - Engadget

2008-11-13T08:27:00.000-05:00

Robot ticketer greets amusement park visitors, offers frightening glimpse of the future - Engadget

Side sleeping pillow reduces snoring

2008-11-12T14:56:00.000-05:00

Side sleeping pillow reduces snoring

Microsoft patches ancient bug - The INQUIRER

2008-11-12T13:42:00.000-05:00

Microsoft patches ancient bug - The INQUIRER

SuperSpeed USB: FireWire's Replacement? | Gadget Lab from Wired.com

2008-11-06T09:26:00.000-05:00

SuperSpeed USB: FireWire's Replacement? | Gadget Lab from Wired.com

P.S. If you are wondering about the lack of posts lately, it is simply that I have been using the facebook blog/wall to post most of these tech tidbits. Since I usually don't have a lot of dialog to add it seemed more apropos.

David Tennant quits Who • The Register

2008-10-30T09:40:00.000-05:00

David Tennant quits Who • The Register: "Hugh Laurie"? God yes, he would be ideal.

Repair, reuse, recycle - 21 sites to help you survive the coming equipment crunch - The Red Ferret Journal

2008-10-30T09:25:00.000-05:00

Repair, reuse, recycle - 21 sites to help you survive the coming equipment crunch - The Red Ferret Journal

Thecus debuts N3200 Pro NAS: now with more AMD Geode CPU - Engadget

2008-10-29T08:35:00.000-05:00

Thecus debuts N3200 Pro NAS: now with more AMD Geode CPU - Engadget

CNNMoney.com Pre-Market Report - Oct. 22, 2008

2008-10-22T10:09:00.000-05:00

Stocks slump on recession fears

So let me get this straight... if oil prices go up, then stocks go down and if oil prices go down, stocks go...down?

Gizmodo UK : Samsung To Offer DivX Compatible TVs In 2009

2008-10-22T09:46:00.000-05:00

Gizmodo UK : Samsung To Offer DivX Compatible TVs In 2009

Logical progression. Most of the sub-50 dollar DVD players already offer this. It makes ense to push it back one layer...

Like I say, always buy the cheapo DVD players, they have the best compatibility features.

SentrySafe Fireproof Databox - no fire in this hole - The Red Ferret Journal

2008-10-22T09:43:00.000-05:00

SentrySafe Fireproof Databox - no fire in this hole - The Red Ferret Journal

Also something with a solid use. I could subscribe to one of the many off-site services via the intarwebs, but this is a decent alternative (and likely cheaper in the short run too).

Clipdiary - the free clipboard manager with history - The Red Ferret Journal

2008-10-22T09:40:00.000-05:00

Clipdiary - the free clipboard manager with history - The Red Ferret Journal

Sweet. I think I can find a use for this (at least at work).

Waves iGTR Portable Amplifier - rock out in private and spare the neighbours. Please… - The Red Ferret Journal

2008-10-22T09:15:00.000-05:00

Waves iGTR Portable Amplifier - rock out in private and spare the neighbours. Please… - The Red Ferret Journal

Why RAID 5 stops working in 2009 | Storage Bits | ZDNet.com

2008-10-22T06:31:00.000-05:00

Why RAID 5 stops working in 2009 | Storage Bits | ZDNet.com

Xbox 360 will dominate Christmas sales - The INQUIRER

2008-10-20T09:59:00.000-05:00

Xbox 360 will dominate Christmas sales - The INQUIRER

As prices fall, push for alternatives may ease - Washington Post- msnbc.com

2008-10-20T06:07:00.000-05:00

As prices fall, push for alternatives may ease - Washington Post- msnbc.com

While this seems shortsighted, it is very true. Years ago I read a study that claimed gas would need to approach 5 dollars a gallon in order for sufficient demand to be created for alternative fuels and cars. It seems they were not much off of the mark.

Bizarre Honda V4 concept bike has us scratching our heads

2008-10-15T08:45:00.000-05:00

Bizarre Honda V4 concept bike has us scratching our heads

Peugeot's 3-wheel hybrid scooter concept puts a roof over your head

2008-10-15T08:36:00.000-05:00

Peugeot's 3-wheel hybrid scooter concept puts a roof over your head

LeapFrog's Crammer makes flash cards antiquated, is perfectly named - Engadget

2008-10-14T07:36:00.000-05:00

LeapFrog's Crammer makes flash cards antiquated, is perfectly named - Engadget

Gizmodo UK : Blu-ray Coming To the Xbox 360 - Again

2008-10-09T09:31:00.000-05:00

Gizmodo UK : Blu-ray Coming To the Xbox 360 - Again

New Xbox 360 dashboard coming November 19th - Engadget

2008-10-09T09:21:00.000-05:00

New Xbox 360 dashboard coming November 19th - Engadget

Eyes-on with Vuzix's iWear AV310 Widescreen wearable display - Engadget

2008-10-09T09:19:00.000-05:00

Eyes-on with Vuzix's iWear AV310 Widescreen wearable display - Engadget

HAL robotic suit rental is ready for Tony Stark wannabes, the elderly - Engadget

2008-10-08T07:14:00.000-05:00

HAL robotic suit rental is ready for Tony Stark wannabes, the elderly - Engadget

Peugeot HYmotion3 Compressor concept is high tech, low risk - Engadget

2008-10-08T07:11:00.000-05:00

Peugeot HYmotion3 Compressor concept is high tech, low risk - Engadget

obstcp - Google Code

2008-10-08T06:58:00.000-05:00

obstcp - Google Code

Economists getting gloomier about outlook - Eye on the Economy- msnbc.com

2008-10-06T16:37:00.000-05:00

Economists getting gloomier about outlook - Eye on the Economy- msnbc.com: "Until recently, about 90 percent of customers with good credit were approved for a loan; that rate has fallen to about 60 percent, said Jackson. For customers with a poor credit record, the approvals rate has fallen from 50 percent to about 10 percent, he said."

Yes, it is tightening up all over. Good time to be as debt free and credit full as possible.

Gizmodo UK : The World's Coolest Fire Extinguisher

2008-10-06T08:31:00.000-05:00

Gizmodo UK : The World's Coolest Fire Extinguisher

Rocket Launcher Alarm Clock - may your zoom be fruitful and your splashdown light - The Red Ferret Journal

2008-10-06T08:28:00.000-05:00

Rocket Launcher Alarm Clock - may your zoom be fruitful and your splashdown light - The Red Ferret Journal

Foldable computer screens coming soon - The INQUIRER

2008-10-06T08:21:00.000-05:00

Foldable computer screens coming soon - The INQUIRER

Hippus' HandshoeMouse makes pointing, clicking less strenuous - Engadget

2008-10-06T07:50:00.000-05:00

Hippus' HandshoeMouse makes pointing, clicking less strenuous - Engadget

Personally, I am a trackball fan (too many close bouts with carpal tunnel).

Hungry Scientist: nerdy cookbook for kitchen hackers - Boing Boing

2008-10-02T10:09:00.000-05:00

Hungry Scientist: nerdy cookbook for kitchen hackers - Boing Boing

Inverted Bookshelf

2008-10-02T08:45:00.000-05:00

Inverted Bookshelf

PlayOn Media Server streams Netflix to PS3 / Xbox 360 today - Engadget

2008-10-02T07:37:00.000-05:00

PlayOn Media Server streams Netflix to PS3 / Xbox 360 today - Engadget

SpaceX slated to transport cargo and crew on Falcon 9 - Engadget

2008-10-02T07:36:00.000-05:00

SpaceX slated to transport cargo and crew on Falcon 9 - Engadget

Private industry will eventually conquer space. It was inevitable really. If it has the potential to make money (duh) then industry will show up hat in hand sooner or late.

Acer Aspire Predator and matching G24 LCD hit the States - Engadget

2008-10-02T07:33:00.000-05:00

Acer Aspire Predator and matching G24 LCD hit the States - Engadget

News | Element Four

2008-10-02T07:31:00.000-05:00

News | Element Four

Nero LiquidTV / TiVo PC brings TiVo interface to the PC - Engadget HD

2008-09-29T07:38:00.000-05:00

Nero LiquidTV / TiVo PC brings TiVo interface to the PC - Engadget HD

Sharp's cellphone prototype unlocks, starts your Nissan - Engadget

2008-09-24T07:46:00.000-05:00

Sharp's cellphone prototype unlocks, starts your Nissan - Engadget

Lexar introduces Shoot-n-Sync Wi-Fi Memory card

2008-09-22T08:50:00.000-05:00

Lexar introduces Shoot-n-Sync Wi-Fi Memory card
Indeed, some changes to technology just seem self-evident in hindsight.
Take this for example, why even bother with the hassle of swapping the memory card?

Gizmodo UK : VIDEO: New Xbox 360 Avatars

2008-09-22T08:40:00.000-05:00

Gizmodo UK : VIDEO: New Xbox 360 Avatars

Cell Ranger PORT - USB powered cellular signal booster - The Red Ferret Journal

2008-09-22T08:35:00.000-05:00

Cell Ranger PORT - USB powered cellular signal booster - The Red Ferret Journal

FormatFactory - File format convert tools (http://www.formatoz.com)

2008-09-22T08:33:00.000-05:00

FormatFactory - File format convert tools (http://www.formatoz.com)

Dell teases with 17-inch quad-core laptop sporting 16GB of memory - Engadget

2008-09-22T07:52:00.000-05:00

Dell teases with 17-inch quad-core laptop sporting 16GB of memory - Engadget

WowWee's patrolling Rovio gets unboxed - Engadget

2008-09-22T07:50:00.000-05:00

WowWee's patrolling Rovio gets unboxed - Engadget

Antec.com - Skeleton

2008-09-18T09:09:00.000-05:00

Antec.com - Skeleton

holy crap

Sony's PlayStation Home gets seriously previewed - Engadget

2008-09-18T06:59:00.000-05:00

Sony's PlayStation Home gets seriously previewed - Engadget

The Wyzo Bittorrent Browser - free Firefox offshoot offers integrated Bittorrent downloading - The Red Ferret Journal

2008-09-17T11:47:00.000-05:00

The Wyzo Bittorrent Browser - free Firefox offshoot offers integrated Bittorrent downloading - The Red Ferret Journal

Compushade Laptop Visor - ’cause the future’s so bright… - The Red Ferret Journal

2008-09-17T11:46:00.000-05:00

Compushade Laptop Visor - ’cause the future’s so bright… - The Red Ferret Journal

Vuzix rolls out first widescreen HMD - Engadget

2008-09-17T07:53:00.000-05:00

Vuzix rolls out first widescreen HMD - Engadget

PicardTagger - MusicBrainz

2008-09-10T08:31:00.000-05:00

PicardTagger - MusicBrainz

Circle Dock: Download Circle Dock

2008-09-10T08:28:00.000-05:00

Circle Dock: Download Circle Dock

Equaliser for stolen mobile phones - The INQUIRER

2008-09-10T07:57:00.000-05:00

Equaliser for stolen mobile phones - The INQUIRER

I wonder how many stolen phones try to keep the dodgy SIMM? Would you just chuck that and keep the phone?

Leviton gives the gift of extra outlets - a third at every wallplate - Boing Boing

2008-09-09T09:56:00.000-05:00

Leviton gives the gift of extra outlets - a third at every wallplate - Boing Boing

A perfect example of seeing everyday things in a new way--implementing inspiration.

P.S. I may just rewire my house with these.

First pics: Honda's 2009 Fireblade and CBR600RR launched with Combined ABS

2008-09-08T10:15:00.000-05:00

First pics: Honda's 2009 Fireblade and CBR600RR launched with Combined ABS

Avidemux - Main Page

2008-09-08T10:11:00.000-05:00

Avidemux - Main Page

Daniel's base

2008-09-08T09:53:00.000-05:00

Daniel's base

Sun adds 64-bit guest, OS X GUI to virtualisation freebie - The INQUIRER

2008-09-08T09:40:00.000-05:00

Sun adds 64-bit guest, OS X GUI to virtualisation freebie - The INQUIRER

VMware's ESX validated by Microsoft - The INQUIRER

2008-09-05T09:18:00.000-05:00

VMware's ESX validated by Microsoft - The INQUIRER

Bowing to the inevitable is more like it.

As an aside: my hat is off to the VMWare Worstation folks The new 6.5 release is AWESOME.

Xbox 360 now cheapest console in the US -- game on Santa - Engadget

2008-09-05T08:09:00.000-05:00

Xbox 360 now cheapest console in the US -- game on Santa - Engadget

Luxul Wireless Pro-WAV™ Systems - PW100-24-500, PW100-24-1000

2008-09-03T11:03:00.000-05:00

Luxul Wireless Pro-WAV™ Systems - PW100-24-500, PW100-24-1000