Ever wonder how Windows remembers (read: doesn't need to install drivers every time you connect it) your USB drive, external monitor(s), DVD-ROM drive, etc? It keeps track of everything that it ever detected (through Plug and Play or otherwise).
Forever.
While researching VMware physical-to-virtual (P2V) and virtual-to-physical (V2P) conversion, I couldn't figure out why I kept receiving error messages about an IP address configured on an interface that was no longer in the system. I did some digging, and found this Microsoft KB article, which outlines the two-step process to finding all these hidden devices (which can cause some unintended conflicts).
Have a look at your system, and see just how much old junk you can pull out of there!
18 September 2008
01 June 2008
Wired VoIP... wirelessly?
My current position requires me to travel internationally quite a bit. Using a mobile phone abroad is not cheap - and Skype is not always practical. Instead of spending US$ 0.99/min on my ATT mobile phone, I have a separate Vonage-based home office line that I carry with me when the mobile will not be cost-effective.
I have been a Vonage subscriber since 2004, and find its portability to be of tremendous value. Not only does it allow me to make calls from anywhere there is sufficient broadband (>64 Kbit symmetric), but also receive calls - in exactly the same manner as if I were at home.
Admittedly, I'm geeky about it. This means I don't use my PC with a headset. I like walking around when I'm on the phone, so I bring a Uniden 5.8GHz cordless handset and base with me (which normally is running in my office). This phone attaches to the Vonage ATA (the hardware device that connects back to Vonage HQ to give me a dial tone), so that also goes into the bag, along with its power supply. Needless to say, the setup contains a lot of wires and power plugs, but since it goes (typically) into checked luggage, I don't worry too much about the space.
Trouble is, I always had wired (ethernet) connectivity at the hotels where I typically stay. The Vonage ATA doesn't use wireless to connect outbound. On a recent trip to Scotland, however, the B&B where we stayed offered wireless connectivity only, so I had to improvise a bit to make it work. I had not planned for this, so that I could hack a solution together was extremely gratifiying!
My Windows XP-based laptop could connect to the wireless network without trouble, so I connected the Vonage ATA to my laptop's ethernet port. I then made use of a feature I'd never tried before - the "Bridge Connections" feature. I selected my wireless and wired interfaces, right-clicked and selected "Bridge Connections" and after a minute (and a reboot of the Vonage ATA), I had a dial tone!
I was not expecting it to work that easily, and indeed, later in the trip, it did not. At our last B&B, the same trick did not want to work. Not sure if it was because the first was a Linksys AP/router and the second was a Belkin AP/router, but needless to say, I went with Plan B - Internet Connection Sharing. I removed the bridge from the laptop's network configuration, and proceeded to share my wireless connectivity with my ethernet - and (after a reboot of the Vonage ATA), I had a dial tone again!
Not a solution for everyone, but it is nice to be able to make and receive calls exactly as you would from home!
I have been a Vonage subscriber since 2004, and find its portability to be of tremendous value. Not only does it allow me to make calls from anywhere there is sufficient broadband (>64 Kbit symmetric), but also receive calls - in exactly the same manner as if I were at home.
Admittedly, I'm geeky about it. This means I don't use my PC with a headset. I like walking around when I'm on the phone, so I bring a Uniden 5.8GHz cordless handset and base with me (which normally is running in my office). This phone attaches to the Vonage ATA (the hardware device that connects back to Vonage HQ to give me a dial tone), so that also goes into the bag, along with its power supply. Needless to say, the setup contains a lot of wires and power plugs, but since it goes (typically) into checked luggage, I don't worry too much about the space.
Trouble is, I always had wired (ethernet) connectivity at the hotels where I typically stay. The Vonage ATA doesn't use wireless to connect outbound. On a recent trip to Scotland, however, the B&B where we stayed offered wireless connectivity only, so I had to improvise a bit to make it work. I had not planned for this, so that I could hack a solution together was extremely gratifiying!
My Windows XP-based laptop could connect to the wireless network without trouble, so I connected the Vonage ATA to my laptop's ethernet port. I then made use of a feature I'd never tried before - the "Bridge Connections" feature. I selected my wireless and wired interfaces, right-clicked and selected "Bridge Connections" and after a minute (and a reboot of the Vonage ATA), I had a dial tone!
I was not expecting it to work that easily, and indeed, later in the trip, it did not. At our last B&B, the same trick did not want to work. Not sure if it was because the first was a Linksys AP/router and the second was a Belkin AP/router, but needless to say, I went with Plan B - Internet Connection Sharing. I removed the bridge from the laptop's network configuration, and proceeded to share my wireless connectivity with my ethernet - and (after a reboot of the Vonage ATA), I had a dial tone again!
Not a solution for everyone, but it is nice to be able to make and receive calls exactly as you would from home!
27 March 2008
The history of the "Amen break"
Ok, I get a lot of email. No, really, a LOT of email. So it is no surprise that I found a message from a friend of mine that he sent me in July 2006 that I had overlooked, much to my dismay.
What he had sent however, was golden. I had no idea about the rich and varied history involved with this 6-second sample from 1968, but had enjoyed the fruits of the manipulation of that track, from favorite trance tracks to current advertisements on radio and television.
Set aside 20 minutes and be as astounded as I was by this video.
YouTube: The History of the Amen Break
What he had sent however, was golden. I had no idea about the rich and varied history involved with this 6-second sample from 1968, but had enjoyed the fruits of the manipulation of that track, from favorite trance tracks to current advertisements on radio and television.
Set aside 20 minutes and be as astounded as I was by this video.
YouTube: The History of the Amen Break
01 March 2008
Quotes for the day...
Some very good quotes from my personalized Google page:
The man of knowledge must be able not only to love his enemies but also to hate his friends.
- Friedrich Nietzsche
In science, 'fact' can only mean 'confirmed to such a degree that it would be perverse to withhold provisional assent.' I suppose that apples might start to rise tomorrow, but the possibility does not merit equal time in physics classrooms.
- Stephen Jay Gould
Cogito cogito ergo cogito sum (I think that I think, therefore I think that I am.)
- Ambrose Bierce
The man of knowledge must be able not only to love his enemies but also to hate his friends.
- Friedrich Nietzsche
In science, 'fact' can only mean 'confirmed to such a degree that it would be perverse to withhold provisional assent.' I suppose that apples might start to rise tomorrow, but the possibility does not merit equal time in physics classrooms.
- Stephen Jay Gould
Cogito cogito ergo cogito sum (I think that I think, therefore I think that I am.)
- Ambrose Bierce
23 January 2008
Stem the tide, and protect yourself!
We're all faced with two related problems. One is an overflowing number of offers for new credit cards, and concern about protecting your identity (and credit) from theft.
Stop that flood of inviting credit card offers with the help of the (generally not-so-helpful) big three credit reporting agencies. A link on the Federal Trade Commission website has some very helpful information on ways to stem the flow of offers. They also have links to the National Do-Not-Call Registry which should keep any legitimate commercial entities (with which you do not already have an existing relationship) from contacting you unbidden.
Not only does this keep junk out of your mailbox, it also provides fewer opportunities for those who might slip one out of your mailbox for untoward purposes.
Keeping a regular eye on your credit details and score can help you discover earlier any discrepancies in your record. Another link on the FTC website explains how you can receive (for free, annually) your credit report from each of the big three credit reporting agencies.
Also, for those who still pay regular bills via regular post, consider this reason for going online with your bill-paying. Those stamped envelopes you place in your mailbox (to await your letter carrier) are easy prey for those who can then empty out your checking account writing forged, duplicated checks. Pay electronically, or take those outgoing paper payments directly to the post office (or to wherever they'll be safely picked up by the post), not in your mailbox by the street.
Stop that flood of inviting credit card offers with the help of the (generally not-so-helpful) big three credit reporting agencies. A link on the Federal Trade Commission website has some very helpful information on ways to stem the flow of offers. They also have links to the National Do-Not-Call Registry which should keep any legitimate commercial entities (with which you do not already have an existing relationship) from contacting you unbidden.
Not only does this keep junk out of your mailbox, it also provides fewer opportunities for those who might slip one out of your mailbox for untoward purposes.
Keeping a regular eye on your credit details and score can help you discover earlier any discrepancies in your record. Another link on the FTC website explains how you can receive (for free, annually) your credit report from each of the big three credit reporting agencies.
Also, for those who still pay regular bills via regular post, consider this reason for going online with your bill-paying. Those stamped envelopes you place in your mailbox (to await your letter carrier) are easy prey for those who can then empty out your checking account writing forged, duplicated checks. Pay electronically, or take those outgoing paper payments directly to the post office (or to wherever they'll be safely picked up by the post), not in your mailbox by the street.
13 January 2008
Purge, purge, purge...
As a proper card-carrying technophile, I have collected far more than my fair share of electronics and other computer-related miscellany over the years. Since 1991, I have accumulated so much stuff that I have bins, boxes and drawers full of computer electronics with no current purpose... for anybody. Eventually, one gets to one of the big questions:
Just how many vintage-1995 PCI video cards does one need?
As it turns out, I don't need any.
Nor do I need ISA-bus modems - or, in fact, ANY ISA bus components whatsoever. Nor Socket 7 motherboards. Or that extra Pentium Pro system. Or those 30-pin SIMMs.
You're getting the picture. I need to get rid of a lot of stuff.
The purges have begun, with the shipment (finally!) of almost 50 pounds of cards, cell phones, mice, cables, etc. to Dell as part of their recycling program.
The realization that I needed to get rid of this stuff happened long ago, but it was made more... temporally important... by virtue of the new house (and the need to move all of our stuff from our old place. I didn't want to just toss this stuff out with our regular trash, because isn't the right way to dispose of all the lovely lead, mercury, cadmium and other nasties that lurk within all this gear. In searching around, I stumbled onto Dell's Recycling page and ordered two of their "Consumer Recycling Kit with one airway bill" for US$10.
Over the next 22 months, I collected many cards, motherboards and other not-so-goodies and filled a box - finally ending up with 49 pounds and 14 ounces of electronic junk, and shipped it off this past week.
I had occasion to look around again, and realized that I needed to send more. I had given the other "Recycling Kit" to my similarly-afflicted friend Brad Schutter, so I figured I'd just order up a few more. Returning today to the link I found via Google today resulted in immediate disappointment, however, as I couldn't find any links to that which I'd previously ordered.
Fortunately, despite my tardiness in using them, my order was still within the 2-year window into your order history that Dell allows, so I found the original Dell part number (310-6492) - and lo and behold, I found the page with the actual item.
Take stock of the old electronics you (or your company) have in your posession, and consider this viable (and valuable) option for getting rid of the now-worthless electronic clutter that a) you no longer need to keep around, b) you can't sell on eBay for US$0.01, and c) has no value to charities like The National Cristina Foundation.
Just how many vintage-1995 PCI video cards does one need?
As it turns out, I don't need any.
Nor do I need ISA-bus modems - or, in fact, ANY ISA bus components whatsoever. Nor Socket 7 motherboards. Or that extra Pentium Pro system. Or those 30-pin SIMMs.
You're getting the picture. I need to get rid of a lot of stuff.
The purges have begun, with the shipment (finally!) of almost 50 pounds of cards, cell phones, mice, cables, etc. to Dell as part of their recycling program.
The realization that I needed to get rid of this stuff happened long ago, but it was made more... temporally important... by virtue of the new house (and the need to move all of our stuff from our old place. I didn't want to just toss this stuff out with our regular trash, because isn't the right way to dispose of all the lovely lead, mercury, cadmium and other nasties that lurk within all this gear. In searching around, I stumbled onto Dell's Recycling page and ordered two of their "Consumer Recycling Kit with one airway bill" for US$10.
Over the next 22 months, I collected many cards, motherboards and other not-so-goodies and filled a box - finally ending up with 49 pounds and 14 ounces of electronic junk, and shipped it off this past week.
I had occasion to look around again, and realized that I needed to send more. I had given the other "Recycling Kit" to my similarly-afflicted friend Brad Schutter, so I figured I'd just order up a few more. Returning today to the link I found via Google today resulted in immediate disappointment, however, as I couldn't find any links to that which I'd previously ordered.
Fortunately, despite my tardiness in using them, my order was still within the 2-year window into your order history that Dell allows, so I found the original Dell part number (310-6492) - and lo and behold, I found the page with the actual item.
Take stock of the old electronics you (or your company) have in your posession, and consider this viable (and valuable) option for getting rid of the now-worthless electronic clutter that a) you no longer need to keep around, b) you can't sell on eBay for US$0.01, and c) has no value to charities like The National Cristina Foundation.
02 January 2008
Quote by which I live...
I have described myself as "360 degrees of geek", given my ENTP nature, but never have I read it as well described as this:
---
The whole secret of life is to be interested in one thing profoundly and in a thousand things well.
- Horace Walpole
---
The whole secret of life is to be interested in one thing profoundly and in a thousand things well.
- Horace Walpole
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