I will have to second that. The Professor and the Madman by Simon Winchester is a great read. Fairly short (~270p) and large typeface, so it buzzes past pretty quick, but it is a great "history" of the origins of the O.E.D. and the people that made it possible.
Just goes to prove that once they lock you up in an institute for the mentally insane, that you can still be productive. Hmmm... I wonder if they have broadband...
I can be rather a news junkie at times, and am looking into SatRadio for that.
Sure you can carry a ton of MP3's with you and get all of the music you need. But, pre-recording a bunch of news shows doesn't get you too far. (They tend to get old after you hear them a few times.)
Of course the two things I would want to listen to, NPR and FoxNews (I like to hear differnt sides of the same stories) are each on the competing SatRadio service. That's kinda screwed.
But, I can't tell you how great this is for long drives. Even driving through SoCal for an hour, and I have to change radio stations, usually in the middle of somethign interesting. And that is just on an hour drive.
It gets worse the further you get from a big market. On time, some years ago, driving thru a state that will remain nameless, I was able to pick up 5 different sations in the middle of nowhere (which was a fairly high number). 4 out of the 5 stations, I kid you not on this, were playing that Achy-Breaky Heart crap. I'm sure the 5th DJ was just queuing up the record.
will be cold and dead before I spend $400 for a 60gb hard drive, a RISC processor and a MPEG2 decoder.
Why would this even be an option for you? Do what every other self-respecting geek does and find a discontinued or refurbed one for about 90-150$US.
You *ARE* just going to take the thing apart the minute you get it, right?? Since you are going to hack it, it doesn't matter that you get the latest/greatest. You will void the warranty anyway, so it doesn't matter. Just fire it up once to test it, then slap 2 100GB HD inside of it, add a NIC, and whatever else you feel like fiddling with, and you have a cheap solution. (The only thing that adds to the cost are the HD's, but you would have bought those anyway. Or slap the new HDs in your computer and swap/use the older drives in the TiVo.)
Re:I must be missing something
on
Review: SliMP3
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· Score: 1
Wrong. 100MHz ethernet over Cat5 tops out at, what, ~100 meters?
A) Do you even need that much bandwidth for this application?
From the FAQ:
How fast does my network need to be to use SliMP3? Is 10Mbps enough, or do I need 10/100?
An inexpensive 10Mbps hub has about 25 times the capacity needed to stream MP3 audio at the highest quality (384Kbps). Typically, MP3s are encoded at 128Kbps to 192Kbps. You do not need 10/100 Ethernet - SliMP3 is compatible with fast Ethernet LANS, as long as your hub/switch also supports 10Mbps (most do).
B. Are there runs in your house that are more than 100M?
Balanced signals. For the price of this box, one can have balanced line drivers for every room in the house, which can consist of as little as an op amp, or a transformer, or a somewhat more-expensive pre-fab box.
Interesting. Can you suggest some links?
(Of course, going this route means that you have to run more cable in the walls. (I presume every geek here *already* has Cat5 or 802.11 in the house.))
There probably is a Web interface for Winamp...why do you care?
For those rooms where there *is* a computer, it would be nice to have some control over the server. Web is just the easiest. (Presuming a mixed user/computer environment.)
The remote is a nice touch. And if you'd studied your X10 popups like a good boy
I have one of these. (I used to buy stuff from them BEFORE they did all the popup stuff.) But the slimdevices has a display on it. Something just a remote won't.
And, it's vastly easier to install audio wiring to multiple points than computer networks.
Keep in mind the audience here. We aren't talking about our grandmothers. We are talking NERDS. I suspect that the majority of us *already* have ethernet run through the house. To install audio wiring means getting back into the walls all over again.
And either way, I think it is easier to run ethernet.
No need for a hub,
What geek here doesn't allready have *at least* one?
or expensive termination tools
are you talking 10-base-2 here? Or do you mean things like crimpers?
though I prefer Belden 2200...and can withstand a lot of abuse during installation
Hmmmm... sounds interesting. Thanks for the tip.
Especially when it doesn't even match the rest of the stereo - did you even read the review?
I not only read the review, I also have read the site and seen the pictures. I don't need to have everything in the same size box. (Out of the 10 boxes I do have, they are not all the same size anyway.) I think it looks just fine sitting on top of the amp. Like a little high-tech object d'art. (But once again we are talking about geeks here.)
Re:I must be missing something
on
Review: SliMP3
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· Score: 1
All a web interface means is you can run it from a browser. Fancy, certainly. Buzzword compliant, definitely. The best of all interfaces, nope.
I agree with you here. But, like it or not, that may be the easiest interface to use in a mixed user environment (roommates, co-workers, etc. -- all of which are not the ubergeek you are) with a mixed platform/OS situation (with no additional software to install.)
...Streamsicle...and listen to it from that computer, or any other computer for that matter.
Well, part of what is cool about the device is that it ISN'T a computer. In other rooms in the house I do have a computer, but some rooms it would be nice to have music w/o having to have a computer A) there and B) on. So I would like control where/when I have a computer, and control without one too.
I don't even think its feasible to control my mp3 collection with a remote, unless the remote came with an LCD for scrolling through songs
The unit has a pretty nice display on it. Another advantage when you don't have a computer in the room. Otherwise, if you are pumping just audio in, there is nothing to display.
True, but not worth nearly $300.
Agreed. But that price is for the hand-manufactured device. If the can get production up (automated) then the cost will drop (the site says as much). I can wait...
5. It can serve mulitple devices.
So can Streamsicle.
But this depend on having a computer at every location you want music. If that were the case, I would just put an old craptop in every room, and open up the MP3 drive as shared. This way every machine can create and play its own playlists.
Re:I must be missing something
on
Review: SliMP3
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· Score: 1
But thats mixing apples and oranges. Audio cable is for audio sounds. Cat5 is for data.
We are talking about the distribution of a signal here. Sure it is data at some point and "audio sounds" at another. Just where do you make that conversion? My point is that it is better to convert the singal from data to audio at the end point, not the distribution point.
Re:Haven't we had this discussion before?
on
Review: SliMP3
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· Score: 2
one device on the network
*ONE* device?!? You can think of only one device to hook up in that room?
And you call yourself a geek! HA!   )
Re:Haven't we had this discussion before?
on
Review: SliMP3
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· Score: 2
Running CAT5 cable from my back bedroom to my living room would be more of a pain that it is worth.
802.11
Re:I must be missing something
on
Review: SliMP3
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· Score: 5, Informative
From what I understand: wouldn't it be cheaper to just run audio cable 1. Audio cable runs can only be so long with out degradation of signal. Cat5 has longer run length.
Why not use WinAmp
2. Web interface. Is there client control for WinAmp?
3. The device has an IR remote. Much better than running upstairs (or downstairs) to switch tracks on a server in another room.
4.It is designed as an audio component. It can sit with the rest of your stereo. And can be operated as such by people that don't need to be messing around on your computer.
5. It can serve mulitple devices. You can serve your 80GB audio collection throughout the house to multiple locations. It is much more difficult to split line level audio output across 4 locations.
I have a bit over 500 myself. Don't think that is too unusual. Plus I have 700+ albums from back in the day before these new-fangled CD things. But I was in radio back then. (And basically one of the guys from _High Fidelity_ but I have reformed since.)
there's no way that "3000" figure could even be 128 kb/s for a 10 GB drive... it must be something lower like 96 kb/s
Interesting. I noticed that Apple was using a standard file rate of 192 kb/s for their marketing figures. Looks like they expect people to use the highest quality, while other companies marketing dept.s expect people to use the crappiest quality.
I bet this bites Apple on the ass.
Rather like when the used to measure all of their monitors by the *viewable/useable* space, NOT the size of the glass. Every other company used the (misleading) size of the glass, and that left them trying to explain that their 13.3" was the same as a 14 or 15" monitor.
To me it is more honest to measure the storage size in terms of "real world" quality or monitors in terms of the actual viewable space you get. But the marketing droids take over, streching the truth as much as they can, which means every one has to also in order to compete.
And to confuse things, Firewire 2 should be shipping on some machines in Q1 02. If this is the case, it might "leapfrog" Firewire and become the default install of the two.
Someone check my figures here:
USB 1.5MB/s
Firewire 50MB/s
USB2 60MB/s
Firewire2 100MB/s
Yeah, I noticed people selling copies at DefCon. I wondered why *that* state out of all the ones to choose from.
Didn't realize that the state helped out in this case.
But aside from whatever original copies were distributed in 1997, people have been selling them ever since. I am half suprised I haven't gotten spam offering to sell me a copy. (Perhaps I have and just trashed it without looking.)
But just goes to prove that you can't unring a bell. Once the information is out, it is out.
Slashdot Mirror
I've had a patch for IE bugs from a small Norwegian company: It's called "Opera."
Just goes to prove that once they lock you up in an institute for the mentally insane, that you can still be productive.
Hmmm... I wonder if they have broadband...
I can be rather a news junkie at times, and am looking into SatRadio for that.
Sure you can carry a ton of MP3's with you and get all of the music you need. But, pre-recording a bunch of news shows doesn't get you too far. (They tend to get old after you hear them a few times.)
Of course the two things I would want to listen to, NPR and FoxNews (I like to hear differnt sides of the same stories) are each on the competing SatRadio service. That's kinda screwed.
But, I can't tell you how great this is for long drives. Even driving through SoCal for an hour, and I have to change radio stations, usually in the middle of somethign interesting. And that is just on an hour drive.
It gets worse the further you get from a big market. On time, some years ago, driving thru a state that will remain nameless, I was able to pick up 5 different sations in the middle of nowhere (which was a fairly high number). 4 out of the 5 stations, I kid you not on this, were playing that Achy-Breaky Heart crap. I'm sure the 5th DJ was just queuing up the record.
SatRadio would be perfect for avoiding this.
Yeah, and where can I send my resume?
You are right. My mistake.
http://www.onstream.com/news/index.html#200301
http://www.onstream.com/news/index.html#20072001
Can't find the details right now, but essentially they just closed the US offices.
Tapes are 113$US (shipped) for a 4 pack.
For those of you following along at home, that is ~300$US for 120GB of backup.
400$US for two sets of 120GB.
Not bad, and it is a DAMN FAST drive...
Why would this even be an option for you? Do what every other self-respecting geek does and find a discontinued or refurbed one for about 90-150$US.
You *ARE* just going to take the thing apart the minute you get it, right??
Since you are going to hack it, it doesn't matter that you get the latest/greatest. You will void the warranty anyway, so it doesn't matter. Just fire it up once to test it, then slap 2 100GB HD inside of it, add a NIC, and whatever else you feel like fiddling with, and you have a cheap solution.
(The only thing that adds to the cost are the HD's, but you would have bought those anyway. Or slap the new HDs in your computer and swap/use the older drives in the TiVo.)
A) Do you even need that much bandwidth for this application?
From the FAQ:
How fast does my network need to be to use SliMP3? Is 10Mbps enough, or do I need 10/100?
An inexpensive 10Mbps hub has about 25 times the capacity needed to stream MP3 audio at the highest quality (384Kbps). Typically, MP3s are encoded at 128Kbps to 192Kbps. You do not need 10/100 Ethernet - SliMP3 is compatible with fast Ethernet LANS, as long as your hub/switch also supports 10Mbps (most do).
B. Are there runs in your house that are more than 100M?
Balanced signals. For the price of this box, one can have balanced line drivers for every room in the house, which can consist of as little as an op amp, or a transformer, or a somewhat more-expensive pre-fab box.
Interesting. Can you suggest some links?
(Of course, going this route means that you have to run more cable in the walls. (I presume every geek here *already* has Cat5 or 802.11 in the house.))
There probably is a Web interface for Winamp...why do you care?
For those rooms where there *is* a computer, it would be nice to have some control over the server. Web is just the easiest. (Presuming a mixed user/computer environment.)
The remote is a nice touch. And if you'd studied your X10 popups like a good boy
I have one of these. (I used to buy stuff from them BEFORE they did all the popup stuff.)
But the slimdevices has a display on it. Something just a remote won't.
And, it's vastly easier to install audio wiring to multiple points than computer networks.
Keep in mind the audience here. We aren't talking about our grandmothers. We are talking NERDS. I suspect that the majority of us *already* have ethernet run through the house. To install audio wiring means getting back into the walls all over again.
And either way, I think it is easier to run ethernet.
No need for a hub,
What geek here doesn't allready have *at least* one?
or expensive termination tools
are you talking 10-base-2 here? Or do you mean things like crimpers?
though I prefer Belden 2200...and can withstand a lot of abuse during installation
Hmmmm... sounds interesting. Thanks for the tip.
Especially when it doesn't even match the rest of the stereo - did you even read the review?
I not only read the review, I also have read the site and seen the pictures.
I don't need to have everything in the same size box. (Out of the 10 boxes I do have, they are not all the same size anyway.) I think it looks just fine sitting on top of the amp.
Like a little high-tech object d'art. (But once again we are talking about geeks here.)
I agree with you here. But, like it or not, that may be the easiest interface to use in a mixed user environment (roommates, co-workers, etc. -- all of which are not the ubergeek you are) with a mixed platform/OS situation (with no additional software to install.)
Well, part of what is cool about the device is that it ISN'T a computer. In other rooms in the house I do have a computer, but some rooms it would be nice to have music w/o having to have a computer A) there and B) on. So I would like control where/when I have a computer, and control without one too.
I don't even think its feasible to control my mp3 collection with a remote, unless the remote came with an LCD for scrolling through songs
The unit has a pretty nice display on it. Another advantage when you don't have a computer in the room. Otherwise, if you are pumping just audio in, there is nothing to display.
True, but not worth nearly $300.
Agreed. But that price is for the hand-manufactured device. If the can get production up (automated) then the cost will drop (the site says as much). I can wait...
5. It can serve mulitple devices.
So can Streamsicle.
But this depend on having a computer at every location you want music. If that were the case, I would just put an old craptop in every room, and open up the MP3 drive as shared. This way every machine can create and play its own playlists.
We are talking about the distribution of a signal here. Sure it is data at some point and "audio sounds" at another. Just where do you make that conversion? My point is that it is better to convert the singal from data to audio at the end point, not the distribution point.
*ONE* device?!? You can think of only one device to hook up in that room? ;)
And you call yourself a geek! HA!    
802.11
wouldn't it be cheaper to just run audio cable
1. Audio cable runs can only be so long with out degradation of signal. Cat5 has longer run length.
Why not use WinAmp
2. Web interface. Is there client control for WinAmp?
3. The device has an IR remote. Much better than running upstairs (or downstairs) to switch tracks on a server in another room.
4.It is designed as an audio component. It can sit with the rest of your stereo. And can be operated as such by people that don't need to be messing around on your computer.
5. It can serve mulitple devices. You can serve your 80GB audio collection throughout the house to multiple locations. It is much more difficult to split line level audio output across 4 locations.
So, with so much of our past now logged, will this be the "I didn't inhale" of the Teens and '20s?
"Why yes, I did occasionally scan alt.pictures.binaries.bestiality, but I didn't *download* anything..."
Yeah you can. Just add a couple o' 120TB drive arrays to your system and start caching everything on the internet...
;)
Simple.
That should be more than enough p0rn to keep you busy for a while.
Not a hack. As long as your machine will boot of off 1394, then it works.
Got a spare slot? Firewire cards can be found for about 30$US.
I have a bit over 500 myself. Don't think that is too unusual.
Plus I have 700+ albums from back in the day before these new-fangled CD things. But I was in radio back then. (And basically one of the guys from _High Fidelity_ but I have reformed since.)
Interesting.
I noticed that Apple was using a standard file rate of 192 kb/s for their marketing figures. Looks like they expect people to use the highest quality, while other companies marketing dept.s expect people to use the crappiest quality.
I bet this bites Apple on the ass.
Rather like when the used to measure all of their monitors by the *viewable/useable* space, NOT the size of the glass. Every other company used the (misleading) size of the glass, and that left them trying to explain that their 13.3" was the same as a 14 or 15" monitor.
To me it is more honest to measure the storage size in terms of "real world" quality or monitors in terms of the actual viewable space you get.
But the marketing droids take over, streching the truth as much as they can, which means every one has to also in order to compete.
And to confuse things, Firewire 2 should be shipping on some machines in Q1 02. If this is the case, it might "leapfrog" Firewire and become the default install of the two.
Someone check my figures here:
USB 1.5MB/s
Firewire 50MB/s
USB2 60MB/s
Firewire2 100MB/s
Look, the judge didn't let you get away with it last time and he sure as hell ain't gonna buy your new excuse *this* time.
;)
Didn't realize that the state helped out in this case.
But aside from whatever original copies were distributed in 1997, people have been selling them ever since. I am half suprised I haven't gotten spam offering to sell me a copy. (Perhaps I have and just trashed it without looking.)
But just goes to prove that you can't unring a bell. Once the information is out, it is out.
Scroll down.
There are links to the windows (if you have to) app coming out soon.
And there was mention of some limited luck so far with Linux.
Give it a little time.
All it is a firewire drive w/ a HSF+ partition. Should be easy to deal with.