New Router

I know its been a while since the last post but I've been busy with life, also my router exploded. My classic Linksys WRT54G had been on the fritz requiring constant factory resets and settings tweaks. A power outage sealed its fate last week and with much trial and error I could not get the machine to make a network connection of any kind.

I made a trip to Staples to find a last minute replacement. I was pleased to find they had a nice selection of routers starting around $30 and going upwards of $120. I would have liked to find a Linksys replacement around $30; no such luck. I didn't want to trust my network to a Netgear or Belkin. I came home with the Linksys E1200 (on sale for $50).

The box art claims easy setup and that may be true for some, but not for me.  After much fiddling, setting, resetting, trial & error, research, and twitter suggesting (shout out: @MikeeTeevee) I finally got it up and running. At first I had it set to N-only and having no tech items that work with wireless N networking... FAIL. After adjusting for that, some items could see the network but either couldn't connect or would not work well once connected.  After a little bit more fiddling I required a modem reset from Comcast.  One annoying Comcast tech support phone call later and the internet works great now. The Roku, Xbox, and wifi in general work well now.

In my most recent tech endeavors, I've learned that Staples may be my new favorite tech store.  They may not be as big as Walmart or BestBuy but what they lack in size they make up for in customer service (and not forcing me to roam the store in search of items).  I knew what I was looking for when I went in there, it was just a matter of making a choice based on what they had in stock vs what I wanted to pay.  The rep was very helpful and also gave me some insight on wireless printers.  My next endeavor is replacing this sad Lexmark printer that hates Linux and loves to suck down expensive ink.  I was checking out their selection and I think I will have to make a return trip if I cant find a comparable compatible alternative online. 

I did a little bit of research and found the Open Printing database to be most helpful in finding stats on compatible printers.  It seems HP is the way to go for compatible Linux printing. I'd like to get something that works on a wireless network, works with Linix and Windows, and isn't going to break the bank upfront and with those inevitable ink refills. 

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This time I'm trying something new, im attempting to update this blogger site by exporting from an editor that is a bit more robust.  I signed up to Zoho and am hoping that their included exporter is worthwhile (fingers crossed)​.  I plan to look into LibreOffice and Google Docs for similar functionality, but at first glance google docs doesn't seem to do this.  LibreOffice is my primary editor for offline use, it would be nice if i could post more easily (and consistently).

So anyway... that's about it for this update.  As always, you can find me on the twitters and the gameenthus podcast.

Maybe next time:

• Linux video editing.
• Skype with Linux: the pros and cons vs Windows.
• Laptop living- Natty Narwhal vs Google's Cr-48 

Music:

• Sorry, no specific music post this time... you'll have to follow me on twitter for my #musicmonday posts. 
• Jamendo is still my first stop for new and interesting indie artists and good (free) music. 

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Official Bloggr app for Android

I can post while mobile now, yay! Its a great idea but why wasn't this built and released sooner? I assume there will be more to come but as a basic app that links your phone to your email and blog it seems a little late to the game... especially being a Google product.
Earlier today I couldn't link my accounts but it loaded up fine just now, I think it was a network/wifi issue. That was my only issue with it really. I planned to write a bit and save to post later but why wait? Here it is, Bloggr App on Android, posted from my mytouch 3g slide: Day 1.

still not on froyo, but thank the Lord for swype!

Google's Cr-48: First Impressions

Happy belated new years to all my readers. I know its been a while since I last posted anything here. I haven't been doing much tech stuff lately, so I haven't really had much to talk about. Mostly my focus has been on gaming, I officially joined up with the gameenthus podcast crew and have been helping out with that. I speak to the masses about general gaming news, write game reviews, and am the unofficial general hypeman for the site. How was everyone's holiday? Good? Good. I bought my wife a memory upgrade for her Dell Mini 10 for Christmas, I am still quite intimidated over that install, so it hasn't been installed yet... but when it gets done, it will get properly documented, pictured and posted here. Well anyway, I'm sure you aren't reading this for the background stuff, you're here for my most recent tech endeavor.

Friday January 28th, 2010

I came home from work to see an unmarked ups package on the doorstep. I opened the box to find the fabled exploded-view mouse powered rocket box within. I instantly knew what it was, the Google Cr-48 Netbook. So anyway... after a couple days I am sure that receiving one this late in the game, there have been quite a few updates. Using this new OS/form-factor style netbook is definitely something I could get used to. Its slightly bigger than my wife's Dell Mini 10, but it is flatter and closer to the thin & light style of a Dell Vostro or Macbook Air. The keys are deliberately spaced, square chicklet style... so far pretty easy to adjust to, and very quiet as well. I'm not one to get stabby over the click-clacky of an older style keyboard but the ultra sensitive touch pad grinds my gears. I have long clumsy fingers and I find myself constantly moving the cursor by accident and having to edit/retype things. I suppose I will have to get used to that, not a huge deal.

So far as long as the wifi is there, it runs like a champ and has great battery life. I am curious to know how much they want to price this thing at because its quite stylish but the trade-off for only being usable on wifi is major. The specs are great even if it only has one usb port and no mic-in jack, so it seems like it could be pricey especially with this battery but usability value outside of wifi isn't high. It does have this search button instead of the caps lock key... and I have yet to use it. I know you can change it, but I wish i could change it to a Delete key, because it doesn't have one of those either*. The only other issue i have is that the sound is weird, the speakers are great for its size but I get weird buzzing/squealing when changing audio sources. If I pause the feed and then close and open the lid after a second or two the Cr-48 resets and the sound is fine again. I'm not sure what thats about, it could be a Linux thing, but it seems like something that would be fixed in an update.

I've vented my immediate cons, but overall its stuff that aren't deal-breakers. And outside of that I love my Cr-48, its like a belated Christmas gift from Google. I'm sure all my base are belong to them now, but its an awesome unexpected tech gift.

As always, stay tuned for more (hopefully more frequently).

Be sure to follow me on twitter.

Check me out on the gameenthus podcast.

If you are interested, check this out.

*Update: Apparently you can hit Alt-Backspace to pull a Delete key move... I tried it, it does in fact work. Big ups to jeremiah_h for pointing that one out, good lookin bro :)