You might want to check out Slim Devices (acquired by Logitech now) - http://www.logitechsqueezebox.com/how-it-works/overview.html.
I'm usually not a big fan of all-in-one solutions from vendors like Logitech - but this is a no-brainer. If you have a NAS, you can hook it up, and control it from any web-enabled device (computer, android phone, iphone, netbook, maemo,...) throughout the whole house over wireless. There are remote controls that work over a wireless network (Duet controller), and they also got speaker+player combo's.
The software is free, and available for Linux and Windows (no Mac I think?) - and it scans your library you point it to, indexes pretty neatly, and sports a good search, shows new music added... Also - same system streams internet radio, and there are a lot of plugins and small apps available (alarm, multiroom vs. synced audio stream,...).
In my setup, I hooked 5 players up over cable in the rack closet, which are connected over audio cable to separate amplifiers. Speakers in the ceilings are connected to those amplifiers. My rooms stay clean and uncluttered, and I control the whole thing through my HTC Hero phone, and the misses through her Iphone. The navigation and lookup on all devices (webinterface, phone apps, duet controller, Nokia 770) is pretty quick - given that I run an MP3 library of around 60Gb.
To pass the wife test - you can try and set up one of the products they have, and expand later on.
Total cost, without amps or speakers - 5 rooms, 5 different streams --- 5 players, 1 Duet controller - around 750Euros (around 1000$, approx). However - if you'd only need one room to be connected to the NAS over wireless - you'd be set with about 400$, I guess (Duet controller + player).
When clients or friends are curious about the setup - I just give them the Duet controller or the Maemo tablet, put them in one of the rooms that are kitted out - and let them have a go at it. Even the n00bs or the laymen understand it without any info, and are quickly listening to their own stuff...
I was looking for precisely a tablet like this, to use as a remote control for my domotics and home automation.
Every inhabitant in my house will be getting a Nokia 770 - which can then run Flash apps on the 770, thus controlling the whole house as such. This gives me the ability to code my own apps in Flash - store them on a centralized server, which can then be used by each family member.
I use Vantage [vantagecontrols.com] devices - as they have an IP enabler that allows to match a local IP to each button, sensor, or whatever thing you incorporate. The frontend is Flash - enabling me to use any computer or flash capable device to run the show.
Now - if I would have wanted touchscreens in each room, that would have set me back around 1000 euros per screen - which I thought was ridicully expensive.
The Nokia 770 enables me to do all this however - and a ton more --- browse, read, etc.
I think the 770 has a bright future, albeit not for the sales drones and their ilk - more for the DIY homeowner or traveller...
while I sometimes cringe at the way flash is being used on the internet and whatnot, I do think that it can be put to good use as well
now - don't get me started on the UI to create Flash ; it's precisely why I hate to do Flash work as a job, Macromedia really screwed up royally there, me thinks
But - where it can come in handy -- domotics ! I was checking to install domotics in my new house - and apparently there is only one company that uses standard input from touchscreens over Macromedia Flash interfaces, amongst others
The company is Vantage (vantage-emea.com), and apparently they also use IP integration in their whole setup.
Now - this truly enables me - and others - to quickly learn how to program these pretty interfaces (Touchpoint) myself, without need of pesky operators that are paid by the hour...
I have got to admit > I've experienced it two times now, and I don't want to sound to pessimistic or anything - but here is my view of the situation where you're in
1. the overall morale is bad, and personally I don't think there is anything that will be able to change that - as long as one person remains in the company that has experienced the bad time and bad morale ; someone will always refer to the other times...
2. once people are giving up, there is almost nothing, that can change that, except the people themselves ; there will be events from management to boost morale, there will be team meeetings and whatever other things managers will come up with - it will not help, unless the people themselves are ready for it
3. after some time, management changes will start happening - since upper management does not see a lot of changes in attitude settling in Sadly enough - this will only add to the frustration and wondering of the cublicle dwellers - since they will most probably not be informed about the changes and the reasons thereof...
4. because of all frustrations getting the upperhand - more people will leave - and less work will be done because of employers talking to each other etc etc...
I think what I'm referring to is a spiral > I'm afraid there is nothing much that can be done about it, especially with so many people involved - you talk about a company with 500 people in the past, and 200 remaining... I don't think there is a way people can be motivated enough, to make them forget what happened in the past...
Dilbert comics come to mind by the way...
In the two times I experienced this - I remained until the end - until the complete demise : I got fired, and the company went bankrupt both times, in some way...
What I learned from this - jump ship when you can, especially if yout got some serious qualities, unless it is a small firm and you got a really innovating product or service worth losing your own motivation for...
I live in Belgium, Europe - and I tried calling every - Toshiba, Sony, Compaq, Dell, Mac, Acer, Siemens,... - laptop manufacturer, and only Dell was willing to sell me one without a payment for the OS.
Typically - the salesperson or manager would go like "your computer will not work without Win XP" or something like that ; I confronted them that I would never be using the installed XP OS and so on, and every time when I stated that I wanted to run Linux on it, or eventually - that I already had a legal copy of Win 2000 that was just fine for me to install - they would switch me to another operator higher in the "chain of command"... There - I learnt that because of OEMs with MS, they were not allowed to sell a laptop without an MS license, unless the quantity would be > 1000 pieces.
So - I figured that Dell would be the nicest of them, considering their ads state they uncercut competition:)
I kept calling there, and after four times hearing the same song that my computer is useless without Windows OS (go figure), I got connected to this person who was willing to send and sell me a laptop without OS - meaning I got a +/- 150$ discount on the machine.
So - I called back all the other companies - being a pain in the ass that I normally am in such situations - and tell them about Dell doing this favour for me. While before, they were stating to me that absolutely "NO" company whatsoever would be giving me a discount -some companies ( Toshiba, Compaq) stated that there were plans for doing so within six months, and talks were ongoing, since apparently I was not the only one to call in with questions like this...
One fun detail though : when I received my shipment with my shiny Inspiron 8200 - Win XP was installed, and !!! the official DELL CD with the OS backup thing to reinstall, was included as well, meaning I got an official copy so to speak. All the same - on my invoice - there was clearly a mention of the fact that I got a 150$ discount for not wanting the OS installed on it:)
So - apparently, from what I heard from the salesperson when I contacted him again on the matter of the included CD - they are obliged at Dell to send the laptop with the Windows installed, because that is their check to see if all the hardware is performing right... And it probably would have costed them more even in manhours to remove it again, once installed.
It is strange though - that they were still sending the CD along:?
My recommendation - bug every company as much as you can to sell you one without OS. Then - if they don't want to - tell them that they leave you no other choice than buying with the competition (be sure to mention the model you wanted to buy from them - I used to think I heard the salesperson's hair getting up from shrinking profits:))
If nothing works- go to Dell.com - tell them explicitly you don't want an OS installed, and try several times until you get a person who is willing to help you...
BTW - I did this not so long ago for a company as well, and they got a discount too, for not installing the OS ; this one was blank however, no Win installed, and no CD's either ; there was a DOS disk included though - which also struck me as weird, but hey - another 150$ discount made it a good day:)
I think that real life could use some more of the open source mind... It comes very close to real democracy, in contrary to what most governments try to make of it...
Slashdot Mirror
You might want to check out Slim Devices (acquired by Logitech now) - http://www.logitechsqueezebox.com/how-it-works/overview.html.
I'm usually not a big fan of all-in-one solutions from vendors like Logitech - but this is a no-brainer. If you have a NAS, you can hook it up, and control it from any web-enabled device (computer, android phone, iphone, netbook, maemo, ...) throughout the whole house over wireless. There are remote controls that work over a wireless network (Duet controller), and they also got speaker+player combo's.
The software is free, and available for Linux and Windows (no Mac I think?) - and it scans your library you point it to, indexes pretty neatly, and sports a good search, shows new music added ... ...).
Also - same system streams internet radio, and there are a lot of plugins and small apps available (alarm, multiroom vs. synced audio stream,
In my setup, I hooked 5 players up over cable in the rack closet, which are connected over audio cable to separate amplifiers. Speakers in the ceilings are connected to those amplifiers.
My rooms stay clean and uncluttered, and I control the whole thing through my HTC Hero phone, and the misses through her Iphone. The navigation and lookup on all devices (webinterface, phone apps, duet controller, Nokia 770) is pretty quick - given that I run an MP3 library of around 60Gb.
To pass the wife test - you can try and set up one of the products they have, and expand later on.
Total cost, without amps or speakers - 5 rooms, 5 different streams --- 5 players, 1 Duet controller - around 750Euros (around 1000$, approx).
However - if you'd only need one room to be connected to the NAS over wireless - you'd be set with about 400$, I guess (Duet controller + player).
When clients or friends are curious about the setup - I just give them the Duet controller or the Maemo tablet, put them in one of the rooms that are kitted out - and let them have a go at it. Even the n00bs or the laymen understand it without any info, and are quickly listening to their own stuff ...
Just my 2 cents ...
I was looking for precisely a tablet like this, to use as a remote control for my domotics and home automation.
...
Every inhabitant in my house will be getting a Nokia 770 - which can then run Flash apps on the 770, thus controlling the whole house as such. This gives me the ability to code my own apps in Flash - store them on a centralized server, which can then be used by each family member.
I use Vantage [vantagecontrols.com] devices - as they have an IP enabler that allows to match a local IP to each button, sensor, or whatever thing you incorporate. The frontend is Flash - enabling me to use any computer or flash capable device to run the show.
Now - if I would have wanted touchscreens in each room, that would have set me back around 1000 euros per screen - which I thought was ridicully expensive.
The Nokia 770 enables me to do all this however - and a ton more --- browse, read, etc.
I think the 770 has a bright future, albeit not for the sales drones and their ilk - more for the DIY homeowner or traveller
Just my 2 euros.
while I sometimes cringe at the way flash is being used on the internet and whatnot, I do think that it can be put to good use as well
...
now - don't get me started on the UI to create Flash ; it's precisely why I hate to do Flash work as a job, Macromedia really screwed up royally there, me thinks
But - where it can come in handy -- domotics !
I was checking to install domotics in my new house - and apparently there is only one company that uses standard input from touchscreens over Macromedia Flash interfaces, amongst others
The company is Vantage (vantage-emea.com), and apparently they also use IP integration in their whole setup.
Now - this truly enables me - and others - to quickly learn how to program these pretty interfaces (Touchpoint) myself, without need of pesky operators that are paid by the hour
Vantage even created a Designer's Toolbox - (vantagecontrols.com
hey,
...
...
...
... I don't think there is a way people can be motivated enough, to make them forget what happened in the past ...
...
...
...
I have got to admit > I've experienced it two times now, and I don't want to sound to pessimistic or anything - but here is my view of the situation where you're in
1. the overall morale is bad, and personally I don't think there is anything that will be able to change that - as long as one person remains in the company that has experienced the bad time and bad morale ; someone will always refer to the other times
2. once people are giving up, there is almost nothing, that can change that, except the people themselves ; there will be events from management to boost morale, there will be team meeetings and whatever other things managers will come up with - it will not help, unless the people themselves are ready for it
3. after some time, management changes will start happening - since upper management does not see a lot of changes in attitude settling in
Sadly enough - this will only add to the frustration and wondering of the cublicle dwellers - since they will most probably not be informed about the changes and the reasons thereof
4. because of all frustrations getting the upperhand - more people will leave - and less work will be done because of employers talking to each other etc etc
I think what I'm referring to is a spiral > I'm afraid there is nothing much that can be done about it, especially with so many people involved - you talk about a company with 500 people in the past, and 200 remaining
Dilbert comics come to mind by the way
In the two times I experienced this - I remained until the end - until the complete demise : I got fired, and the company went bankrupt both times, in some way
What I learned from this - jump ship when you can, especially if yout got some serious qualities, unless it is a small firm and you got a really innovating product or service worth losing your own motivation for
good luck !
mentor
Hi,
... - laptop manufacturer, and only Dell was willing to sell me one without a payment for the OS.
...
:)
...
:)
...
:?
:))
...
:)
:P
I live in Belgium, Europe - and I tried calling every - Toshiba, Sony, Compaq, Dell, Mac, Acer, Siemens,
Typically - the salesperson or manager would go like "your computer will not work without Win XP" or something like that ; I confronted them that I would never be using the installed XP OS and so on, and every time when I stated that I wanted to run Linux on it, or eventually - that I already had a legal copy of Win 2000 that was just fine for me to install - they would switch me to another operator higher in the "chain of command"
There - I learnt that because of OEMs with MS, they were not allowed to sell a laptop without an MS license, unless the quantity would be > 1000 pieces.
So - I figured that Dell would be the nicest of them, considering their ads state they uncercut competition
I kept calling there, and after four times hearing the same song that my computer is useless without Windows OS (go figure), I got connected to this person who was willing to send and sell me a laptop without OS - meaning I got a +/- 150$ discount on the machine.
So - I called back all the other companies - being a pain in the ass that I normally am in such situations - and tell them about Dell doing this favour for me. While before, they were stating to me that absolutely "NO" company whatsoever would be giving me a discount -some companies ( Toshiba, Compaq) stated that there were plans for doing so within six months, and talks were ongoing, since apparently I was not the only one to call in with questions like this
One fun detail though : when I received my shipment with my shiny Inspiron 8200 - Win XP was installed, and !!! the official DELL CD with the OS backup thing to reinstall, was included as well, meaning I got an official copy so to speak.
All the same - on my invoice - there was clearly a mention of the fact that I got a 150$ discount for not wanting the OS installed on it
So - apparently, from what I heard from the salesperson when I contacted him again on the matter of the included CD - they are obliged at Dell to send the laptop with the Windows installed, because that is their check to see if all the hardware is performing right
And it probably would have costed them more even in manhours to remove it again, once installed.
It is strange though - that they were still sending the CD along
My recommendation - bug every company as much as you can to sell you one without OS. Then - if they don't want to - tell them that they leave you no other choice than buying with the competition (be sure to mention the model you wanted to buy from them - I used to think I heard the salesperson's hair getting up from shrinking profits
If nothing works- go to Dell.com - tell them explicitly you don't want an OS installed, and try several times until you get a person who is willing to help you
BTW - I did this not so long ago for a company as well, and they got a discount too, for not installing the OS ; this one was blank however, no Win installed, and no CD's either ; there was a DOS disk included though - which also struck me as weird, but hey - another 150$ discount made it a good day
Good luck
from the Boeing press release Boeing has the right of first refusal on this new technology for aerospace applications.
Euh - probably legaleese for saying "it's ours, we refuse to give it others from now on"
I think that real life could use some more of the open source mind ... It comes very close to real democracy, in contrary to what most governments try to make of it ...