Gordon's Tech: Finding your computer's Bonjour name
This worked rather well! I installed Bonjour for Windows, attached my Canon PIXMA iP4000 to my Apple Airport Extreme (latest firmware, etc), and clicked on the Bonjour Printer Wizard. (NOTE: I'd previously installed the iP4000 on both the XP and OS X machines using a local USB port -- I think that's probably essential). The printer appeared immediately. It installed just as though it were on the local USB port. So far works perfectly.
The Port information is interesting: IP_1661well.local.9100 with a RAW data format. Reminds me of all my attempts to get various ink jet printers to work on the Hawking print server or the AirPort. I could always get something to work somewhere using a variant of the TCP/IP lp print protocols, but nothing ever worked well for the PC on an AirPort.
Interestingly the Pixma on the AirPort now works a bit better with my XP machine than with my iBook. Canon's OS X printer utility doesn't work with Rendezvous connections; it only supports USB connections. On the XP machine the printer utility works. I suspect XP does a better job than OS X 10.3 of abstracting the printer's connection.
Sunday, July 10, 2005
Finding your computer's Bonjour name
Finding your computer's Bonjour name
Bonjour (formerly known as 'Rendezvous') is a feature that automatically configures and detects certain network services on your local network you can use, such as printers, iChat AV, and various types of sharing. Your computer's Bonjour name identifies your computer to Bonjour-compatible applications and services.I'm trying Bonjour for Windows to see if I can print to a Canon printer attached to an Airport Extreme device.
1. Open System Preferences and click Sharing.
2. Find your computer name. Your computer's Bonjour name is displayed beneath your computer name. It is your computer name appended with '.local.'
For example, if your computer name is 'bbms' and you enable Personal Web Sharing, then other local computers can view your shared webpages by entering 'bbms.local' in a web browser's URL field.
If your computer name is not recognized by Bonjour, the name will be Macintosh.local.
To use Bonjour, computers must have Mac OS X 10.2 or later.
Saturday, July 09, 2005
Google Earth Hacks
Google Earth Hacks - Lots of downloads, information and hacks for Google Earth.
via Phil Greenspun. Resource page for extending Google Earth. I'm signing up for the Plus account now.
via Phil Greenspun. Resource page for extending Google Earth. I'm signing up for the Plus account now.
iPod battery replacement: now it's worth keeping old iPods
The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)
Once an iPod gets to 2-3 years old it's outlived its original LiOn battery. On average, an LiOn battery is good for two years of heavy use (I'm now on my 3rd iBook battery).
When a new battery costs $100 plus shipping, and a new iPod is $200, it's not worth bothering with a replacement battery. Keep the old iPod as an external hard drive and buy a new device. Now that the replacement prices are considerably less, however, it's worth doing the swap.
BTW, Apple has an awful reputation for mangling iPods sent for a battery swap. The NewerTech batteries mentioned here are installed by the end-user. That's not entirely a bad idea.
Once an iPod gets to 2-3 years old it's outlived its original LiOn battery. On average, an LiOn battery is good for two years of heavy use (I'm now on my 3rd iBook battery).
When a new battery costs $100 plus shipping, and a new iPod is $200, it's not worth bothering with a replacement battery. Keep the old iPod as an external hard drive and buy a new device. Now that the replacement prices are considerably less, however, it's worth doing the swap.
BTW, Apple has an awful reputation for mangling iPods sent for a battery swap. The NewerTech batteries mentioned here are installed by the end-user. That's not entirely a bad idea.
Friday, July 08, 2005
Very nice higher end drive enclosure for Mac.
NewerTech miniStack FireWire/USB2 Storage Solution with Integrate FW/USB at OtherWorldComputing.com
In addition to the drive it comes with an integrated firewire/usb hub, a decent heat sink, and temperature dependent fan. It connects to the Mac (or PC) via Firewire or USB 2.0. Costs $100.
This is very interesting! I'd love to know how loud it is.
In addition to the drive it comes with an integrated firewire/usb hub, a decent heat sink, and temperature dependent fan. It connects to the Mac (or PC) via Firewire or USB 2.0. Costs $100.
This is very interesting! I'd love to know how loud it is.
Mac headphones for Skype and VOIP
Voice over IP (VoIP) - [Part 2]
A very good discussion! Logitech USB headphones ...
Update: I bought the SONY branded Logitech Play Station II headset Page Thomas recommended, it worked very well on my G3 iBook with Skype/Mac. Twenty bucks at Target, Walmart, etc.
After I configured the system audio preferences it worked well with my iBook, but with Skype/Mac there was no audio in. I opened the Skype audio prefs and the audio appeared the moment the dialog appeared. Minor Skype buglet.
The downside of this cheap and effective headset is the very long cord. It's designed for a PS2 user, who's far from the TV console. Not great for laptop use and especially not for travel. Skype is most useful to me for foreign travel, so I'm still looking for something better suited to travel.
What I want is a compact device that would plug into a USB port with a volume control, and standard mobile phone mini-jack (mute button would be nice). I'd carry the small box/cable combination and just use the earbud I use with my cell phone.
Logitech could cut the long cable/headphone off this device, insert the jack for the mobile phone headset, and have a real winner.
A very good discussion! Logitech USB headphones ...
Update: I bought the SONY branded Logitech Play Station II headset Page Thomas recommended, it worked very well on my G3 iBook with Skype/Mac. Twenty bucks at Target, Walmart, etc.
After I configured the system audio preferences it worked well with my iBook, but with Skype/Mac there was no audio in. I opened the Skype audio prefs and the audio appeared the moment the dialog appeared. Minor Skype buglet.
The downside of this cheap and effective headset is the very long cord. It's designed for a PS2 user, who's far from the TV console. Not great for laptop use and especially not for travel. Skype is most useful to me for foreign travel, so I'm still looking for something better suited to travel.
What I want is a compact device that would plug into a USB port with a volume control, and standard mobile phone mini-jack (mute button would be nice). I'd carry the small box/cable combination and just use the earbud I use with my cell phone.
Logitech could cut the long cable/headphone off this device, insert the jack for the mobile phone headset, and have a real winner.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)