Slashdot: News for nerds, stuff that matters: "Roger Ryder writes 'D-Link announced the AirPlus G DWL-G730AP Wireless Pocket Router/AP, a pocket Access Point for travelers. It can be powered by a USB cable and works as an 802.11g access point, client or router. A 3-way configuration switch on the bottom of the unit changes the mode of operation. In AP mode, the DWL-G730AP can be used to create a wireless network in a room where a single Ethernet port is provided. In Router mode, it can be used to share a single broadband Internet connection. The internal DHCP server automatically assigns IP addresses to ensure everyone in the room can connect to the Internet. It supports VPN Pass-through and firewall features including Network Address Translation (NAT) and MAC filtering to protect your wireless network from malicious attacks. When set in Wireless Client mode, the device allows connection to an existing wireless network, without having to install complicated drivers or additional software. For added mobility, the DWL-G730AP can be powered over USB if power outlets are not available. Similar devices are available from ASUS, SMC, Apple's AirPort Express and Netgear.'"
Fascinating! This is an area of complex innovation.
Wednesday, August 18, 2004
When AppleCare doesn't work -- go to Customer Relations
Macintouch: Technical Support Issues
Antony Widoff's problems with AppleCare: The AppleCare people (even the supervisors) have very limited powers. Instead, call Apple's Customer Relations department (AppleCare should be able to provide the number for that). Their supervisors have essentially limitless powers, and can arrange things (replacement machines, refunds, on-site repairs, other compensation) that AppleCare cannot.
When my then-new week-old blue and white G3 started crashing constantly, I took it to a local Apple authorized service provider (AASP) who held it for two weeks and then did nothing to it because "MacTest Pro said it was fine". (Even AppleCare's own tests failed, but he didn't do those, relying solely on MTP.) Since I didn't have a car at the time, getting the machine to and from an AASP was a hassle, so I called Apple and demanded that something be done.
AppleCare could only advise me to take it in to an AASP again. I went through all the AppleCare supervisors and got nowhere. Finally, I called customer relations and politely but firmly pled my case, and by that afternoon, the customer relations representative had arranged for on-site repair by a different AASP, plus sent a free upgrade to Mac OS 9 for my troubles.
VNC for OS X
VNC
VNC is growing in the OS X world. It's been blessed by Apple as part of their remote control software. This seems to be the preferred server.
VNC is growing in the OS X world. It's been blessed by Apple as part of their remote control software. This seems to be the preferred server.
Tuesday, August 17, 2004
Life in the wild wild web -- the unpatched XP machine has 20 minutes to live?
Slashdot - survival of unpatched systems
This seems a bit extreme. Did they mean a machine running a server? I find it hard to believe a unpatched Win 98 machine would die that fast. I'll have to run a test someday.
It does explain why Microsoft is pushing XP SP2.
Buy a Mac.
The Internet Storm Center published a graph showing historic trends for the "Survival Time" of unpatched, unprotected (windows) computers connected to the internet. Turns out, this number dropped from about 40 minutes last year, to 20 minutes this year. The survival time is calculated as the average time between reports for an average target IP address. If you are assuming that most of these reports are generated by worms that attempt to propagate, an unpatched system would be infected by such a probe. The data is collected from a large number of networks with different types of upstream protection. So if you are on an unprotected cable/DSL line, you may see probes much more frequently. Either way, 20 minutes is not long enough to download patches. The Honeynet Project did publish a paper with some stats back in 2001.
This seems a bit extreme. Did they mean a machine running a server? I find it hard to believe a unpatched Win 98 machine would die that fast. I'll have to run a test someday.
It does explain why Microsoft is pushing XP SP2.
Buy a Mac.
Monday, August 16, 2004
Dan's flash recommendations
Dan's Data letters #122 (page 2): "Can't get a 550EX? Consider a 420EX. Can't afford that? Consider a Vivitar 850AF, or Sigma EF 500 DG, or Promaster 5550DX, or something. Anything you can angle up to bounce off the ceiling (assuming the ceiling isn't 30 feet up and dark brown...) is better than on-camera flash, provided it integrates with your camera's auto-exposure, or you've got your exposure act very thoroughly together and can set things up manuall"
Sunday, August 15, 2004
USB powered speakers: save a cord on your PC speakers!
usb powered speakers - compare prices, reviews and buy at NexTag - Price - Review
Great idea, esp for a laptop. Whether sound is better than laptop analog depends on the DAC. SONY SRS-T100PC travel speakers look great, but Amazon user had them die just after the warranty expired. Also, their sound seems less good than the SONY battery powered analog travel speakers.
Great idea, esp for a laptop. Whether sound is better than laptop analog depends on the DAC. SONY SRS-T100PC travel speakers look great, but Amazon user had them die just after the warranty expired. Also, their sound seems less good than the SONY battery powered analog travel speakers.
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