Linux

I have recently started messing with Linux. I have to say that I have had an extremely good impression of it so far. While many things won't run on Linux, it is far faster than Windows will ever hope to be.

I recommend Ubuntu, which comes in several flavors. I have tried Ubuntu Desktop and Xubuntu, but there are several more including a server edition and an educational edition (I'll be checking that out soon for my kids...)

I have also finally done the dual-boot thing. It's very handy, but a utility is needed for Windows so it can read the Linux partition.

www.ubuntu.com
www.fs-driver.org

Windows Vista

I recently got a new Dell Inspiron e1705 which came with Windows Vista. After my last Dell (Inspiron 6000d) I swore that I wouldn't buy a Dell next time (the 6000 wasn't bad, it just didn't live up to expectations). After reading some reviews on the 1705 and seeing the options available and a $400 coupon, I changed my mind.

I have to say that this time I was right. The 1705 is a wonderful machine. Too bad Windows Vista was the only option.

After XP came out, I stuck with Windows 2000 for a long time. It's a good thing I did too, because by the time I got my first copy of XP (SP2), it was a pretty good operating system. I should have done the same when it came to Vista... I would have but XP wasn't an option from Dell.

Don't get me wrong, Vista has a lot of potential. I see a wonderful operating system in Vista's future- at about Service Pack 12 or 13. Vista has been a constant daily struggle to get my computer to do what I want. Usually the reason behind the problems has something to do with either security from viruses/spyware, or anti-piracy (usually music and video).

I could go on and on about all the problems that I have had so far, but I'll stick to just a few.

First, and the one that probably got me the most upset- MP3 file transfers are not allowed. Both my brother and I write, record, and edit our own music- in today's age it's the only way to legally use music for absolutely anything (including just listening to it is most cases). Windows Vista however, decides that MP3's transferred over MSN are "potentially unsafe." And it doesn't tell you this before the transfer, it waits until you have waited for the transfer to complete. Then when you try to open the file, not only does it not let you, but it DELETES THE FILE. Yes, you heard me right, it decides that your data MIGHT be unsafe, so it DELETES IT. Windows completely automatically deleted MY DATA, INTENTIONALLY. Absolutely unbelievable. Even my virus scanner verifies with me whether or not it should delete a file that it has determined IS infected. Windows didn't even detect a virus. The file name just ended in ".MP3". Somehow I get the feeling that the RIAA was involved in keeping me safe from MP3's...

Second, a couple days ago I was trying to figure out why a buddy of mine was unable to connect with my Neverwinter Nights server. Just a few days before, everyone was playing on the server. So I figured the issue was on his end. We messed with it for hours and finally gave up. Then earlier today I tried to start a LAN game. No luck. I rebooted computers, tried different computers, tried an Internet game, no luck. But it worked before, and I didn't change anything! Why isn't it working? I finally began to just shut down and flopped down on my bed. Laying there, I began to get a sense of clarity - VISTA WAS PROTECTING ME AGAIN. There was no other reason for all this. So I opened the firewall settings and sure enough, Windows had un-checked Neverwinter Nights Server from the "allowed" list. Thanks Windows.

Third. Remember how I said I write music? I have several thousand dollars invested in equipment to make music. It's incompatible with Vista because the driver structure has changed. Thankfully Tascam is writing new drivers that will be out in May. In the mean time, I was just going to use my internal sound card. But Windows had other plans... No, you can't record from your Stereo Mix. Why? Because it's an analog loop-back and Windows can't monitor the volume level, so the volume meter won't work. This is "too confusing" for the "common user" so MS in their wisdom simply disabled it. Somehow I get a feeling the RIAA offered their opinion on this one too, as this also apparently makes recording streaming audio much more difficult. IT ALSO MAKES MY EDITING MORE DIFFICULT. Thanks for watching out for music writers and copyright holders. Now I can't even hold my own copyrights because I can't edit my own music any more- at least without investing the rest of my wallet in new equipment.

UN-BEE-LEEV-AH-BUL.

Wicked Lasers

This is a pretty cool site, if you have a LOT of money to blow.

http://www.wickedlasers.com/

Transfer Hotmail to Gmail!!!

This looks great. I will review it after I give it a try. I have some sorting to do before I try it...

http://www.gtransfer.com/

Samsung i730 WiFi

I found a most excellent file for the i730! It removes the crippling of the WiFi, allowing it to be used while the phone is on.

The file can be found here:

http://pdaphonehome.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=58613

Simply unzip the file and copy it into the \windows directory, overwriting the old file. Soft reset, and there you go...

Read further into the forum if you have problems accessing the WiFi icons when your phone is on.

Samsung i730 Review

I have had my Samsung i730 for some time now. All in all I would give it a A-. Keep in mind however that I doubt there is a Pocket PC Phone out there that would get an A+.

Windows Mobile 2003 is alright. I have had few problems with it, but I can't say I have not had any. I lost all my data one day when the device crashed (OS related from what I can tell, I can't blame the phone itself). Not a problem though, I had everything backed up! Or did I? Nope, somehow the ActiveSync's auto backup had not been working for the previous two months. I lost everything. I must reluctantly assume (but not admit) that part of this could have been user error, so I will only drop the grade from A+ to A for this one.

Bluetooth works alright. It's plenty fast and low power, but you can only sync with one Bluetooth computer. The partnership must be set up in advance as well, so no "Guest" partnerships over Bluetooth. Again this is an OS issue. A down to A-.

WiFi works alright, but is intentionally crippled by Verizon. WiFi cannot be on at the same time as the phone. Speed is fine but range is a bit lacking. Gotta take the grade down two clicks from A- all the way to B.

Web browsing has been better than I expected due to Picsel browser. It works similar to Adobe Acrobat allowing web pages to be viewed in much higher resolution than the screen. While I would have given points for that, the fact that the screen is 240x320 and that Flash doesn't work break even. Grade stays at B.

There are many other basic features that I would expect in a pocket PC (such as voice recording, MP3 capability, processor speed, etc.). This phone at least meets them all. Grade stays at B.

I would liked to have seen a 480x640 screen. However I understand that is a lot to ask. That coupled with the Picsel browser I will keep the grade the same at B.

Small! Grade increases to a B+.

Battery life is relatively short, but not horrible. Would drop a grade, but because a standard battery and an extended battery are included with the phone the grade remains at a B+.

The phone is easy enough to use. It's definitely a Pocket PC first, but that's what I wanted. B+

It has enough RAM to operate well (No increase or decrease in the grade). However I do like the fact that there is almost 100MB of flash built into the phone. An SD Slot is provided for a lot more if needed. Increase to A-.

No Camera. I don't care. No grade change (I am not sure I would add grade if there were a camera either). A-.

FINAL ANSWER: If I were to rate the phone overall I would give it an A- anyway. Since that agrees with my "in-depth" rating, I am going to have to rate this phone at A-. All in all a pretty good phone, I am glad a got it.

Samsung i730

Well, since I am in the market for both a new phone and a new PDA, I have been looking for a device that is both. Mostly because I want to be carrying only one device instead of two. I want something with Bluetooth and WI-FI. I would absolutely love a 480x640 screen, but no one makes one with a phone yet. Unfortunately my life depends on Windows, so I have been looking into the PocketPC's.

I found a great little phone, the Samsung i703. Rumor has it that it is going to be released July 7 from Verizon, my current carrier. It has a 530 MHz processor, 128MB internal memory, and is TINY for a PocketPC.

For those of you who think I am beginning to sound like an AD, there is a dark side to this phone of otherwise pure good. Please understand that these are only rumors, but I don't like what I hear. Samsung designed the phone with 802.11b, and a new wide-area network called EV-DO. Great news? I thought so too, but then the rumor hit that Verizon has required Samsung to disable the WI-FI in order to promote the EV-DO. I specifically asked Verizon about this but got no reply. IF this ends up being true, I am going to Cingular and get an SX66, which doesn't look all that bad either. Otherwise, I can't wait to get my hands on one of these i730's.

Mini Solid State Computer

I almost posted this in my bike section, because this is a project for my motorcycle. I am working on a very tiny 100% solid state computer. It will be at least 1GHz, have no moving parts, and run Windows XP. I will keep it in the tail of my bike. It will be used for voice interface, music, engine monitoring, GPS and security.

I will use a 1GB CompactFlash for the hard drive. I will likely have to replace this every year to keep the system reliable. Here is a great article on how this will be accomplished:

http://www.ehomeupgrade.com/entry/425/how-to_boot_windows

Now the entire computer has to fit in the tail of my bike. I am looking at two different motherboards right now. The first is a dual processor Mini-ITX, only 17mm x 17mm.

http://www.viaembedded.com/product/epia_dp_spec.jsp?motherboardId=321

The second is a single processor board in Nano-ITX form factor, only 12mm x 12mm.

http://www.digit-life.com/articles2/via-epia-n/via-epia-n.html

There is a chance I will decide on a different Mini-ITX board depending on cost.

Most devices attached will be USB allowing them to be tucked into any little nook or cranny I can find- there isn't much space in the tail of a sportbike. The only external drive will be a USB card reader for MP3 storage.