When doing DSL installs for customers, my strategy is always to place the DSL modem closest to the point where the telco wiring terminates on the side of the house. I then use ethernet, powerline, or wireless to get the signal to the computers. Also, I've noticed that some DSL modems are much, much more sensitive to line conditions than others. For example, in Florida, Bellsouth offers a base Westel 6xxx series modem, a Versalink 4-port ethernet with WiFi DSL modem/router, and a Netopia 4-port ethernet with WiFi DSL modem/router. The new Netopia seems to be the most resilient in terms of connection drops and line quality tolerance.
I also picked up a SunSet DSL test-set on eBay for just under $100. This is the same equipment that Bellsouth uses to test the line. I've found it to be very, very useful. I unplug all the phones in the house and test jacks until I find one that produces no errors.
The first page of the instructions covers all the beta and backup warnings. All they need to do is place this information somewhere on the product information page:
"Warning: Boot Camp Beta is preview software licensed for use on a trial basis for a limited time. Do not use Boot Camp Beta in a commercial operating environment or with important data. You should back up all of your data before installing this software and regularly back up data while using the software. Your rights to use Boot Camp Beta are subject to acceptance of the terms of the software license agreement that accompanies the software."
Backup is part of daily computer use. Those without an automated backup solution are those who will lose data, whether they're re-partitioning, or they experience a hardware failure. That's just the way it goes.
Yes, you can, but the implication was that he was prepared to stay with his current setup, yet he has no idea what component signal is. In all likelihood, he was going to use a composite signal.
Believe me, if I had the opportunity, I would have pulled the guy aside and explained to him that he doesn't need the overpriced monster cable component cable, but he should use the component hookups.
For the record, I bought my component cables online for $12. Eff Monster Cable and their BS marketing.
IMO, it's not even a matter of boycotting. If my now 5 month old DLP television won't be able to display hi-def content provided by these new media, then what reason do I have to upgrade? I predict a couple of things will happen:
* Consumers who are aware of the limitations won't purchase the equipment until they have displays capable of using them * Consumers who are unaware of the limitations (arguably, the majority) will purchase the equipment, discover that it does not work and then return it * Other consumers will purchase the equipment, it will not work, but they will be too oblivious to notice
On the last comment, I overheard this scenario at Best Buy the other day.
*Customer is getting ready to purchase a 50" Mitsu 1080p DLP TV* Salesman: Does your DVD player have component out? Customer: Uh, what? Salesman: Component, or even better, DVI, gives you a better quality picture. Customer: Probably, I just bought it. What do I need to use it? Salesman: You need this component cable. Customer: How much is it? Salesman: Fifty-five dollars. Customer: Nah, I'll just stick with my RCA cables. They work fine.
Ugh. So the guy just spent $2500 on a high-def television to feed it a lousy composite signal. WTF? We're doomed.
I'd list a lot more cons than that. I've been using Writely for a while also. I experimented with it as a means to document customer networks on the go, but decided that security is too much of a concern for sensitive data. As a word processor, it lacks some very basic elements, such as tab stops. The problem is that this type of functionality can be very difficult to emulate using native browser widgets. The interface is also very buggy. I regularly run into unexpected behavior when editing documents.
I think the idea is really cool, but when Google says that this product is in Beta, they really mean it this time.
I hear what you're saying, I really do, but I disagree.
The published screen size is 7", so at 4:3 aspect ratio, that would put it at around 5.6" x 4.2". I cut out a piece of paper to see just how big that is. Here's a link to a GIF size comparison.
That's a significant size difference. The Origami device looks like it would be a good fit for me. I've printed out a few and played around. It's a pretty good size (for my needs).
Fortunately, someone also posted a link to a great looking Fujitsu LifeBook that's just a little bit larger, but not nearly laptop size. It's $1500, but it's so perfect, I might just spring for it. Since the Origami device won't have instant on capabilities, the difference between the two breaks down to size and price. Not much else.
Very cool idea, but a couple of things bug me about it -- at least for my situation. When I'm out of the office (arguably when a mobile device is used most), I'll need a way to connect. If I use my cell phone, it will be A) slow as hell, and B) I'll have to pay for the data I'm transferring. I've used VNC over dial up. It sucks. It'll work in a pinch, but it's not the way I'd prefer to work. Connecting use WiFi on location is an option, but WiFi isn't always available, plus you have to manage all the network keys. Also, working on a remote system involves latency. I've used RDP, X tunneling over SSH, and Citrix, but none of them provide the tight interaction that you get from a terminal running locally.
It's definitely not perfect, but it's a step in the right direction. The most disappointing aspect is the boot time. Pen and paper has no boot time. That's one of the primary reasons that it continues to win over devices like tablet PCs. At least in my use case.
Take a playing card, and try to draw a small network schema on it. Draw out a small web app flow chart. Draw a hypothetical database schema for a small app. There simply isn't enough room. These are the types of tasks I do daily.
I'm your typical self-employed small business IT consultant. I have many clients with 5-15 workstations. I get new clients all the time and I deliver a service that most of them have never received. I document their network, complete with layout, device settings, and username/password information. The vast majority of these customers had an IT guy before me that flew by the seat of his pants. He had all their information memorized, but they never had access to it. Now he's gone, they're screwed, and I'm picking up the pieces. When I perform service or upgrades, I provide a record of that action. The customer has an ongoing record of their IT expenditures, and where that money is going. Owners use that information to decide when it makes sense to replace equipment. The appreciation I receive for delivering this level of documentation is incredible. Right now, it's a heavy burden, because the work is two-fold: write it down on location, go home (or boot my laptop) to key the information into my records.
Right now, I print this documentation out and carry it in folders for each of my clients. Update the documentation? Gotta print another copy. I keep the information on my key drive, but I have to have access to a computer to use it. I have my laptop, but it takes too long to boot. Most customers have as many employees as they do computers. Pulling a user off of their computer usually means that they can't work.
Any way, my needs are pretty specific, but the application is broad when you think about it. The tablet PC was the first step in the right direction, and I believe that this new device is the next step. It won't be perfect (like boot time and battery life), but it will be a step in the right direction. I hope it takes off, and I hope that other companies answer with similar products. Are you listening, Apple? Update the Newton. I'm already standing in line.
I've been crying for something just a little larger for a long time. PDAs are great for IT professionals, but they're too small to be practical in many situations. I have a small form factor laptop, but it's just too big and cumbersome to use on the go, like at a client when they're walking around their office explaining what they want done.
Currently I use a pencil and paper, but I like to archive any documents related to customer service and change requests, so I end up either A) typing up my notes, or B) scanning in pencil drawings. Neither is much fun. I've toyed with OneNote, but it's an application looking for a home. I think this device will be it.
I could buy a tablet PC, but they're all large-ish, expensive, and get pretty hot. I need something smaller, with instant on, and decent battery life. I have a DC/AC inverter in my car that's always plugged in, so charging on the go isn't really a problem. I just need a device that fits these criteria.
Anyone else out there in my position?
PS - I'm also hoping that this has the option to run in portrait mode, as well as landscape. Any word on that?
"I already created the database schema, wrote all the SQL to get the information I want, have a lot of HTML written for the general template, and was looking at abandoning much of it for controllers, models, automagic foreign key relationships, automagic methods popping out of thin air.. I wanted more control I guess."
So, you wrote most of the app, then started looking at frameworks, then you were dissapointed when the framework didn't mesh with the work you'd already done.
I'm not looking to be the great defender of rails, but I'm very surprised that your post was modded +4, Interesting. Rails is meant to eliminate a lot of the work you had already done (mostly the SQL stuff). Their mantra is convention over configuration. If you prefer control of course rails isn't going to be for you.
Dude, have you seen the size of a quality porn video lately? Need I mention how much more porn you can download over 100/1000 mbps than you can over a 3-6 mbps cable/dsl connection?
Working in bankruptcy, I've had the opportunity to break into a larger number of buildings and rooms. The reality is that locks are for honest people. Short of a vault, the vast majority of door lock mechanisms can be defeated with a crowbar, bolt cutters, or leverage bar. Our arsenal includes:
* 25 lb, 66" pinch point crowbar * 44" bolt cutters * Standard crowbar
The pinch point crowbar has a knock-knock that no door can resist.
1) Patch the OS religiously. 2) Remove/shutdown everything that is not being used. As others have noted, worms and viruses attack applications, not ports. If there's nothing listening on a port, you're pretty safe... assuming the attack isn't against the stack itself, but those types of worms aren't very common. 3) 80 through 9999 is a shitload of ports. I'd suspect that not all are being used by the DVR app, as there are ports between 80 and 9999 that are used for other services. Here's a list:
I'd close everything that isn't absolutely being used and complain to the vendor about the lose recommendation. 80-999 open is asinine. 4) Disallow any use of the system for purposes other than recording. Period. 5) I suspect that the no-anti-virus requirement is a consequence of processing overhead. With a sufficiently powerful server, I can't imagine why you can't run anti-virus software and still record. Multi-processor would be a great idea. 6) Does the vendor have a usergroup or message board? Surely you're not the first person to encounter this type of problem. Ask the people who know. 7) Don't be too discouraged by the responses you receive here:) It's easy to be condescending when you're staring at a computer screen.
If replacing the system is a possibility, I'm a huge fan of Axis cameras:
I have several clients running a range of their IP cameras, and they work fantastic. All you need to receive video from the camera is port 80 open and directed at the camera.
Yeah, but do you ever get the feeling that some people are just bashing it because they want to seem like and outsider... er... something like that? No matter what it's called, why can't the discussion be about the interesting bits, rather than the buzzword bits?
"There is a level of cowardice lower than that of the conformist: the fashionable non-conformist." - Ayn Rand
Slashdot Mirror
When doing DSL installs for customers, my strategy is always to place the DSL modem closest to the point where the telco wiring terminates on the side of the house. I then use ethernet, powerline, or wireless to get the signal to the computers. Also, I've noticed that some DSL modems are much, much more sensitive to line conditions than others. For example, in Florida, Bellsouth offers a base Westel 6xxx series modem, a Versalink 4-port ethernet with WiFi DSL modem/router, and a Netopia 4-port ethernet with WiFi DSL modem/router. The new Netopia seems to be the most resilient in terms of connection drops and line quality tolerance.
I also picked up a SunSet DSL test-set on eBay for just under $100. This is the same equipment that Bellsouth uses to test the line. I've found it to be very, very useful. I unplug all the phones in the house and test jacks until I find one that produces no errors.
The first page of the instructions covers all the beta and backup warnings. All they need to do is place this information somewhere on the product information page:
"Warning: Boot Camp Beta is preview software licensed for use on a trial basis for a limited time. Do not use Boot Camp Beta in a commercial operating environment or with important data. You should back up all of your data before installing this software and regularly back up data while using the software. Your rights to use Boot Camp Beta are subject to acceptance of the terms of the software license agreement that accompanies the software."
Backup is part of daily computer use. Those without an automated backup solution are those who will lose data, whether they're re-partitioning, or they experience a hardware failure. That's just the way it goes.
When you plug a standard Windows keyboard into a Mac, the Windows key acts as the cmd/Apple key :)
WTF? Is this some kind of Ruby on Rails tie in?
I kid, I kid!
...corporate America exploiting them with our lovely subscription model (read, recurrent revenue) way of life.
I have another term for them. Leeches.
Am I the only one wishing this story were true?
Dreamhost is running their 777 deal again, so they can get web hosting with unlimited email accounts for just $7 a year!!! Yippieeeeeeeeeee!
Yes, you can, but the implication was that he was prepared to stay with his current setup, yet he has no idea what component signal is. In all likelihood, he was going to use a composite signal.
Believe me, if I had the opportunity, I would have pulled the guy aside and explained to him that he doesn't need the overpriced monster cable component cable, but he should use the component hookups.
For the record, I bought my component cables online for $12. Eff Monster Cable and their BS marketing.
IMO, it's not even a matter of boycotting. If my now 5 month old DLP television won't be able to display hi-def content provided by these new media, then what reason do I have to upgrade? I predict a couple of things will happen:
* Consumers who are aware of the limitations won't purchase the equipment until they have displays capable of using them
* Consumers who are unaware of the limitations (arguably, the majority) will purchase the equipment, discover that it does not work and then return it
* Other consumers will purchase the equipment, it will not work, but they will be too oblivious to notice
On the last comment, I overheard this scenario at Best Buy the other day.
*Customer is getting ready to purchase a 50" Mitsu 1080p DLP TV*
Salesman: Does your DVD player have component out?
Customer: Uh, what?
Salesman: Component, or even better, DVI, gives you a better quality picture.
Customer: Probably, I just bought it. What do I need to use it?
Salesman: You need this component cable.
Customer: How much is it?
Salesman: Fifty-five dollars.
Customer: Nah, I'll just stick with my RCA cables. They work fine.
Ugh. So the guy just spent $2500 on a high-def television to feed it a lousy composite signal. WTF? We're doomed.
I'd list a lot more cons than that. I've been using Writely for a while also. I experimented with it as a means to document customer networks on the go, but decided that security is too much of a concern for sensitive data. As a word processor, it lacks some very basic elements, such as tab stops. The problem is that this type of functionality can be very difficult to emulate using native browser widgets. The interface is also very buggy. I regularly run into unexpected behavior when editing documents.
I think the idea is really cool, but when Google says that this product is in Beta, they really mean it this time.
I hear what you're saying, I really do, but I disagree.
o .gif
The published screen size is 7", so at 4:3 aspect ratio, that would put it at around 5.6" x 4.2". I cut out a piece of paper to see just how big that is. Here's a link to a GIF size comparison.
http://static.flickr.com/55/110212782_2d07bb5d21_
That's a significant size difference. The Origami device looks like it would be a good fit for me. I've printed out a few and played around. It's a pretty good size (for my needs).
Fortunately, someone also posted a link to a great looking Fujitsu LifeBook that's just a little bit larger, but not nearly laptop size. It's $1500, but it's so perfect, I might just spring for it. Since the Origami device won't have instant on capabilities, the difference between the two breaks down to size and price. Not much else.
Very cool idea, but a couple of things bug me about it -- at least for my situation. When I'm out of the office (arguably when a mobile device is used most), I'll need a way to connect. If I use my cell phone, it will be A) slow as hell, and B) I'll have to pay for the data I'm transferring. I've used VNC over dial up. It sucks. It'll work in a pinch, but it's not the way I'd prefer to work. Connecting use WiFi on location is an option, but WiFi isn't always available, plus you have to manage all the network keys. Also, working on a remote system involves latency. I've used RDP, X tunneling over SSH, and Citrix, but none of them provide the tight interaction that you get from a terminal running locally.
It's definitely not perfect, but it's a step in the right direction. The most disappointing aspect is the boot time. Pen and paper has no boot time. That's one of the primary reasons that it continues to win over devices like tablet PCs. At least in my use case.
Take a playing card, and try to draw a small network schema on it. Draw out a small web app flow chart. Draw a hypothetical database schema for a small app. There simply isn't enough room. These are the types of tasks I do daily.
I'm your typical self-employed small business IT consultant. I have many clients with 5-15 workstations. I get new clients all the time and I deliver a service that most of them have never received. I document their network, complete with layout, device settings, and username/password information. The vast majority of these customers had an IT guy before me that flew by the seat of his pants. He had all their information memorized, but they never had access to it. Now he's gone, they're screwed, and I'm picking up the pieces. When I perform service or upgrades, I provide a record of that action. The customer has an ongoing record of their IT expenditures, and where that money is going. Owners use that information to decide when it makes sense to replace equipment. The appreciation I receive for delivering this level of documentation is incredible. Right now, it's a heavy burden, because the work is two-fold: write it down on location, go home (or boot my laptop) to key the information into my records.
Right now, I print this documentation out and carry it in folders for each of my clients. Update the documentation? Gotta print another copy. I keep the information on my key drive, but I have to have access to a computer to use it. I have my laptop, but it takes too long to boot. Most customers have as many employees as they do computers. Pulling a user off of their computer usually means that they can't work.
Any way, my needs are pretty specific, but the application is broad when you think about it. The tablet PC was the first step in the right direction, and I believe that this new device is the next step. It won't be perfect (like boot time and battery life), but it will be a step in the right direction. I hope it takes off, and I hope that other companies answer with similar products. Are you listening, Apple? Update the Newton. I'm already standing in line.
I've been crying for something just a little larger for a long time. PDAs are great for IT professionals, but they're too small to be practical in many situations. I have a small form factor laptop, but it's just too big and cumbersome to use on the go, like at a client when they're walking around their office explaining what they want done.
Currently I use a pencil and paper, but I like to archive any documents related to customer service and change requests, so I end up either A) typing up my notes, or B) scanning in pencil drawings. Neither is much fun. I've toyed with OneNote, but it's an application looking for a home. I think this device will be it.
I could buy a tablet PC, but they're all large-ish, expensive, and get pretty hot. I need something smaller, with instant on, and decent battery life. I have a DC/AC inverter in my car that's always plugged in, so charging on the go isn't really a problem. I just need a device that fits these criteria.
Anyone else out there in my position?
PS - I'm also hoping that this has the option to run in portrait mode, as well as landscape. Any word on that?
"I already created the database schema, wrote all the SQL to get the information I want, have a lot of HTML written for the general template, and was looking at abandoning much of it for controllers, models, automagic foreign key relationships, automagic methods popping out of thin air.. I wanted more control I guess."
So, you wrote most of the app, then started looking at frameworks, then you were dissapointed when the framework didn't mesh with the work you'd already done.
I'm not looking to be the great defender of rails, but I'm very surprised that your post was modded +4, Interesting. Rails is meant to eliminate a lot of the work you had already done (mostly the SQL stuff). Their mantra is convention over configuration. If you prefer control of course rails isn't going to be for you.
Dude, have you seen the size of a quality porn video lately? Need I mention how much more porn you can download over 100/1000 mbps than you can over a 3-6 mbps cable/dsl connection?
LAN parties... not just gaming.
But I've got a Honduran named Rick that will get me into 99.9% of all houses in America with zero effort (on my part) ;)
Seriously though, thanks for the recommendation.
Working in bankruptcy, I've had the opportunity to break into a larger number of buildings and rooms. The reality is that locks are for honest people. Short of a vault, the vast majority of door lock mechanisms can be defeated with a crowbar, bolt cutters, or leverage bar. Our arsenal includes:
* 25 lb, 66" pinch point crowbar
* 44" bolt cutters
* Standard crowbar
The pinch point crowbar has a knock-knock that no door can resist.
Clearly you've spent time with Dell tech support as well :)
Why not? It can't be that hard to train technicians on how to remove temporary internet files and delete cookies in Linux.
1) Patch the OS religiously.
m l
:) It's easy to be condescending when you're staring at a computer screen.
2) Remove/shutdown everything that is not being used. As others have noted, worms and viruses attack applications, not ports. If there's nothing listening on a port, you're pretty safe... assuming the attack isn't against the stack itself, but those types of worms aren't very common.
3) 80 through 9999 is a shitload of ports. I'd suspect that not all are being used by the DVR app, as there are ports between 80 and 9999 that are used for other services. Here's a list:
http://www.chebucto.ns.ca/~rakerman/port-table.ht
I'd close everything that isn't absolutely being used and complain to the vendor about the lose recommendation. 80-999 open is asinine.
4) Disallow any use of the system for purposes other than recording. Period.
5) I suspect that the no-anti-virus requirement is a consequence of processing overhead. With a sufficiently powerful server, I can't imagine why you can't run anti-virus software and still record. Multi-processor would be a great idea.
6) Does the vendor have a usergroup or message board? Surely you're not the first person to encounter this type of problem. Ask the people who know.
7) Don't be too discouraged by the responses you receive here
If replacing the system is a possibility, I'm a huge fan of Axis cameras:
http://www.axis.com/
I have several clients running a range of their IP cameras, and they work fantastic. All you need to receive video from the camera is port 80 open and directed at the camera.
Yeah, but do you ever get the feeling that some people are just bashing it because they want to seem like and outsider... er... something like that? No matter what it's called, why can't the discussion be about the interesting bits, rather than the buzzword bits?
"There is a level of cowardice lower than that of the conformist: the fashionable non-conformist." - Ayn Rand
I was wondering how hard it must have been for the submitter to write that summary without mentioning Rails at least once. It feels almost like bait.
bloop bloop
Lies, damned lies, and statistics. - Samuel Clemens