Wireless Hobo

Corralling Media: Networking

Perhaps there is a better device out there. So, I won’t espouse that the Apple Extreme Base Station (AEBS) is an absolute requirement to get this working, but I am going to layout my case for it and talk about the other Apple networking options very, very briefly.

I have liked this router so much, that I made sure Michelle has one at her house. I used to be pretty high on the Linksys WRT54GL routers reloaded with custom software (firmwares); however, this router is worth 3x the price, in my opinion.  

(Note that I am not publishing the full articles on the front page any longer.  I think the presentation is a bit better by adding the “More” link below if you want more info.)

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Tags: aebs, apple, ethernet, extreme base station, networking, router, Wireless

Little Big Planet

I have a PS3.  Yes, I know I swore off Sony products, but after HDDVD lost to Blu-Ray, I waited…and waited…and waited until Netflix stopped getting new HDDVD releases.  I bought the PS3 only for high definition movies until Uncharted went on sale from Amazon.  Yeah, it was awesome.  Nothing else grabbed my attention because my XBox 360 is my favorite piece of tech.  Period.

Until I got a look at Little Big Planet.  You should really check out their site to get a feel for the ambitiously novel and cool concept.  First, there are sock puppets.  Points just for that.  Second, you can make your own “levels.”  Lastly, you can share those levels.  It seems to me that the title is kid friendly.  Did I mention sock puppets?!  You can pre-order it at Amazon.

I would post some screen shots for you, but that simply doesn’t do it justice.  Go watch the trailer on the official site.  For a comprehensive article on what the game is about, head over to Wikipedia.

I can’t wait to see what my son does with this game.  Can he stump his old man?

Software Essentials: Free Antivirus for Home

Are you using Windows?  For my non-business computers, I like Avast! for home or non-commercial usage.  I love the interface and the speed of the product.  A lot of Internet sites review AVG extremely well as well.  Pay attention to the licensing and capabilities.  Yes, they provide the basics.  Yes, they are better than nothing.  Note that they are not for your work computers!  For those, contact your IT department or look for one of the myriad of antivirus shootouts.  Commercially, I prefer Kapsersky.

Updates to Wireless Hobo

Sorry for the lack of updates for those that do read this blog.  I have been working on another blog in what little spare time I have aimed at helping the parents stay up to date on what is going on at The Academy of Arts and Sciences, my son’s school.  The photo library is still updated regularly and I have quite a few photos in the 2008 folder.  I should be back in about a month to talk about movies I don’t like, games I do like, or vice-versa, as well as geeky things that I find uber-cool.

Lots Going On

Yes.  There are several new photo albums put up from the last month covering birthdays we attended, California Christmas, and a new addition to our household, Ms. Sandy.  Check out 2007 and 2008 albums via the link above.

Still Alive…

…but super busy.  Wee.  No, really, wee.

Cult of Mac

There are a heck of a lot of good reasons I switched over to Mac three years (?) ago and haven’t really looked back.

http://bc.tech.coop/blog/071118.html

When my CD failed this summer and I finally managed to part with my laptop, the APP took care me by replacing my laptop entirely.  Lots of efficiency reasons why they may have done so, but it was still nice getting a fresh box.  So when you look at getting your next laptop or desktop, you really should add iMac, Mac Mini, or Macbook to your list.

• Educational Discount
• Many applications just come with the box.  Don’t forget to factor in these applications when comparing to that sexy Sony laptop you are eyeballing.
• Interoperability between said applications.  Good luck on Windows.
• Subtract the cost of Norton or McAfee because you just don’t need them.  No viruses.  “But Mac is a smaller target?”   BULL.  It is based on three decades plus of UNIX.
• I need a specific Windows application?  Like what?  More often than not this doesn’t hold up.  Hey, did you know that a another better looking copy of Microsoft Office is coming… for the Mac.  Educational version should be about $150 and can be loaded on three Macs…should you go hog wild on an Apple spending spree.
• Resale.

Am I really a part of the cult of mac?  No.  I think the Mac stinks as a server product if you need to do anything outsite of generic server work.  Do I hate Windows or Microsoft?  No!  Their media products are awesome!  The Zune has made great strides competing with iPod — not there quite yet, but their progress is so encouraging.  Media Center is awesome.  My absolute favorite piece of technology is the XBox 360.  Just saying.

Vampire D

I got a little carried away messing with Photoshop tonight.  I hope D gets a kick out of how Dad does Halloween dress up.2456