Tag: Gadgets

Categories
Life

Disappointment

I had 130$ in gift cards at Best Buy, and it was burning a hold in my pocket. So today I decided to spend it. I purchased this Fast Track USB Recording device (100$), which has the ability to take 1/4 inch input, XLR Input, and then output to RCA or 1/8th inch, or just to the pc. It is a small package, and it says it comes with some basic recording software.

Currently I use Cakewalk Music Creator 2003 and it just isn’t working for me, so I have been eyeing up Sony ACID Music Studio (70$). I decided to purchase that, and with another certificate I had, I only paid 30$ total.

So I get home and get it all set up.

#1 – I cant get my acoustic/electric guitar to record in stereo (not a huge deal – but it sucks).
#2 – Fast Track USB Takes over my sound settings when it is plugged in so it is a debacle to try to configure things.
#3 – ACID Music Studio – on the back of the package one of the features is “Live Recording” – well once you install it, that is like not even apparent. I looked it the help and it is like “it is a small feature that has minimal ability to record”, etc – what BS!!
#4 – so I decide to install the Lite recorder that came with the USB Device. All in all this has the post potential but it is alot of bells and whistles to configure.

Bottom line – I have 70 dollar ACID software which is pretty much worthless, hopefully I can find a use for it. Hopefully also when I get some more patience I will figure out the USB recording device.

Categories
Life

Dood! I'm getting a Dell

Hopefully it will be here this week. Here are the general specs:

* Intel Pentium D 820 (2.8GHz) w/Dual Core Technology
* 2GB DDR2 SDRAM at 533MHz
* 19 in (19 in viewable) E193FP Flat Panel Display
* 256MB ATI Hyper Memory PCI-Express X16 (DVI/VGA/TV out) Radeon X600 SE
* 160GB Serial ATA Hard Drive (7200RPM)
* Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005, English
* Integrated 10/100/1000 Ethernet
* 16X DVD-ROM and 16X DVD+/-RW
* Remote Control for Media Center

Categories
Geeky/Programming

Linksys WRV54G Wireless VPN Router

For xmas, I got a Linksys WRV54G Wireless VPN Router. I set it up and it worked good, wireless worked, wired work, etc. You are supposed to be able to use it as a VPN endpoint, so I decided to try it.

First thing I did, was upgrade the firmware. I was running 2.10. I downloaded the latest version (2.37) and upgraded it. Once I logged back in, I saw new options for VPN Clients, etc, so I figured I was going in the right direction. I could still get on the net, so hopefully it worked. Then I tried to VPN in to my connection from an outside connection, using the Linksys QuickConnect Client. No Luck. I figured what the hey, I have some setting wrong. Then I tried to VPN out to a remote location (which worked before the firmware upgrade) using a Cisco VPN Client. No Luck. WTF? So after a few hours of fiddling with settings and it still not working, I put firmware 2.10 back on. Lo and behold I could VPN Out again, but something else broke. My website I run wasnt working (port forwarding in the router). Darn it!!! So I upgrade firmware to 2.25 – nothing. My last resort. Firmware 2.36. Once I loaded that, I could get on the net, I could VPN to the remote location, and my website worked. Ok, one last thing to test, VPN in to my connection from a remote location. I added a VPN user and the router prompted me to change my internal network to 10.x.x.x network instead of 192.168.1.x network. I figured something must be working. I had to change the static ip of my server to the 10.x.x that i got, and then I could connect to everything internall. I connected to a remote connection, and tried VPN in to my apt. Wow, it actually worked. I could map a drive to my server.

After searching numerous KB’s and website, here is what I have seen.

1) People dont understand the differnce between VPN’ing out, and VPN’ing in. Routers have VPN Passthrough on them so you can VPN out. VPN Passthrough is like one setting to open many ports for you, just so VPN works.

2) VPN Endpoint on this router is configured by default, you just need right firmware and to add a user. You DO NOT need to set up VPN Tunnels! The page in the Admin area for VPN Tunnel and VPN passthrough is misleading. They shouldn’t be on the same page!! If you are going to set up a tunnel, the other end of the tunnel needs to know about you, and you will be connected 24/7. It isn’t like connecting with a VPN client and disconnecting!!

I hope someone out there who is having problems with their WRV54G reads this. Before I got it to work, I figured it was a piece of junk. Now it works great. You just need to have patience. If anyone needs help, just let me know and I can give advice on how to get it rolling.

Categories
Geeky/Programming

FM Transmitter – MP3 Player

I have Rio Nitrus (1.5 GB) and I have been using it a lot lately. I just purchased a FM Transmitter from Best Buy so I can use it in my vehicle. It is pretty cool, but doesn’t work as good as I would expect. You tune your radio to 88.1, 88.3, 88.5, or 88.7 and then set the switch on the transmitter to match. In Saint Cloud, 88.1 is KVSC, so that setting doesn’t work at all. 88.3 also picks up some of KVSC, so that is out too 88.5 and 88.7 work, but crackly. Sometime it works ok, but sometimes it doesn’t. I guess it works good enough to listen to songs. I might need to make a mount for it and the player, so I can get it in a good position and it will stay clear.

Categories
Geeky/Programming

Audiovox 6601

Woah man, I just got my Audiovox 6601 today. I am like in geek heaven. Pocket PC 2003 mobile edition, Sprint Phone…Always connected…

I was in the salon getting my hair cut/highlighted and i was under the dryer…chatting with two friends on MSN Messenger. What a trip!!!

Wireless activesync with outlook web/exchange server!!

Windows Media Player, IE – this thing is like a laptop in the palm of your hand!!!

128 MB of ram! Wow I am just out of my gourd here….

So …I am wondering, what is the best RSS reader for pocket pc (Scoble help me out please!)? Anybody know about a good vpn client (cisco vpn?)??
I need to get a wi-fi card for this thing too, I will be livin and rockin..

If i could install visual studio and sql server on this i wouldnt need a laptop!

I am literally dancin around my desk on this one…

Flip out keyboard underneath…check it out-

Sprint PCS – Audiovox 6601

Categories
Geeky/Programming

Sprint PCS Aircards

Sprint PCS has something called an “Aircard” that you can buy. It isn’t a phone, but it is a PCIMCA card that you can use in your laptop. Anywhere you can get Sprint coverage, you can connect to the internet at decent speeds (60-120k). It is a an awesome tool if you are traveling with people and you need to connect to the net, or if you are somewhere out and you need to get connected. I use it to connect to VPN and do work from restaurants, etc. It is such a timesaver. I think unlimited usage is like 80 dollars a month. If you haven’t checked out these aircards, I would suggest you do. There are some different brands, Novatel has worked great for me, there is Yiso and and some others. I take that and my wi-fi card with me and I am set. You can also use it with a cradle with a pocket pc and you are connected, using MSN Messenger, Internet, etc. It is awesome!

Check it out

Sprint PCS Aircards