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I blogged last Friday bout how I was getting slow download speeds, and how – after talking for nearly an hour with some arrogant customer support representative – he said they were going to report it. Well, I called monday to see what had happened, and there was no report made, not even a record of my call with them! So – again I had to go through a zillion tests, and another arrogant customer representative that treated me like an idiot. Until doing all the tests and one hour later the report was submitted. So now I have to wait another (possibly) 2 days before I get it to work ok.
Telmex / Prodigy sucks. Especially if you put in context the amount they charge for the service. Jeeez.

Since we recently moved, we had our ADSL connection moved as well. It was supposed to be the quickest ADSL in Mexico (except for the ridiculously high priced corporate ADSL), at 1380 kbps downstream / 384 kbps upstream. This cost me around 100 USD / month. This connection worked really well at the other house. A normal transfer rate of around 1100-1200 kbps. A totally different story when we moved.
The fee to change addresses was around 25 USD. No problem there. The time it took was an acceptable 1-2 weeks. No problem there either.
The speed, was – however – something to complain about. I would get maximum 600-700 kbps. So I called Telmex to complain. It seemed they eliminated the type of ADSL account I had. It is now impossible to buy a 1380 kbps service. They duplicated the speed on the 512kbps and 1024kbps accounts (the 1024 kbps account cost around 70 USD, but was really unreliable regarding downstream speed, and upstream it offered only 128 kbps. I need more to be able to use VOIP).
So I was suddenly moved down to the 1024 kbps account, thus getting 600-700 kbps… as they advertise their speeds, they say “up to 1024 kbps”, so as not to be liable for any slow connection speeds.
So they lowered my speed, but kept charging me 100 USD. When asking them how they could do that, nobody had a good answer. After a few angry calls, they duplicated my speed to 2048 / 256. It worked so, so. I thought it was a problem with the cabling of the house. I would get good transfer speeds (around 1600-1700 kbps) every now and then, but most of the time, speeds would linger in the low 400′s. Totally unacceptable. Until the whole thing stopped working 2 days ago. My ADSL router wouldn’t find any connection. So there I go calling Telmex again. They said it would take between 24 and 72 hours to fix the problem. Meanwhile I was offered their dial-up service. Jerks.
Got it fixed after some 40 hours. It seems a card in the phone central blew up. Again I was fighting speeds of 0.2-0.6 mbps. So I bought a long phone extension cord (the main jack is in the living room, on the street level floor), and did a connection from that jack to the main bedroom (one floor below). There is already an extension, but I thought it might be oxidated, so I thought I’d better do a new extension. Thinking that would fix the problem, I sat down at my computer to see I had the exact same speed problems as before.
To eliminate possible causes for error (I might have done the extension in a bad fashion or so), I went upstairs, and connected the ADSL router to the main jack, where I’m sitting right now. Speed? 0.2-0.6 mpbs. Seems the problem wasn’t the cabling in the house.
45 minutes later, after doing a number of tests (over the phone with a not so good support tech from Telmex), he solemnly declared that I will have to wait another 24-72 hours while they check this out….
Pretty damn tiresome.

..it’s not anything I’ve done, but I read an article recently in Wired (Sim City: Terrortown ) about a guy (Chris Suellentrop) who did. The simulation took place in a small New England town called Harbortown, and he sat down with the real life police chief, fire chief, etc. They were supposed to try to keep the city and it’s population safe from the cyberterrorists. They couldn’t.
Now, I guess doing these kinds of simulations are good. But has anybody asked himself the question WHY would there be cyberterrorism against the US? Isn’t that a better way to go?
Let’s say you know that somebody is really angry with you, for whatever reason. So angry this person might want to cause you harm. Do you sit still, barricade yourself somewhere and wait for that someone to come and try to kill you? Or do you try to find a solution to the problem (NO, preemptive strikes are NOT allowed)? Try to see what you can do for this guy so that he doesn’t want to kill you? Talk? Maybe?
Big time politics aren’t as monochromatic as pictured above. It may not be as easy as just saying “let’s talk to the terrorists”, but the hatred against the US isn’t new. I think it’s time to take care of two points:
1) What can the US do to “calm” down anti-US sentiment? It’s as easy as going back throughout the US foreign policy to understand why they are hated in some parts of the world (and not quite as hated in other).
2) What can the US do to improve pro-US sentiment? It’s not the same as 1), since 1) implies accepting having failed and doing wrong.

So, instead of sitting down waiting for someone to strike against you, it’s better to defuse the situation… at least I think so…

I once had an Asus Pundit computer, excellent buy a couple of years ago. 1GB RAM, 250 GB HDD, 3.06 GHz P4. Two years ago that was a pretty darn cool computer. Now it’s only so-so. But I’m looking to buy a new SFF PC, maybe a Pundit? I want something with 2GB RAM. HDD size is not really important. 160 GB would do well. And then there’s the processor. Maybe a P4 3.4 GHz? Paybe an Intel Core Duo? Don’t know yet.

I am a happy owner of a Linksys WRT54G router. Happy? Yes. This unit has worked flawlessly throughout the years, it’s approximately 2 or 3 years now. I have upgraded the firmware, not using Linksys’ own firmware but rather one called Satori. This firmware lets me tweak several features of the router, for instance output power, QoS features, etc.

Since moving into the new house, I keep the router in my office (the house is built on a slope, so the office and all the bedrooms are below the main living areas). I have, however, noticed that I don’t get any access when I’m in the living room, kitchen etc. Only on the big terrace. This calls for one of three solutions:

1. I move the router upstairs (and do the ethernet cabling needed)
2. I move the router to a high place, preferably outside but close to my office so that the signal reaches all the corners of the house.
3. I buy a range extender / access point and install it upstairs. This calls (again) for network cabling, which I’m not particularly fond of.

So I chose option 2. This makes me need to weatherproof the WRT54G. The router itself would be shielded from direct rain and direct sun, since it would be placed under a roof, but still outside. I have looked at several (bought) options with die cast housings, etc. It seems a bit overkill for my taste. So I will try to do it my own way. Bought a fusebox (outside casing for 60A fuses) and will try do do an installation where I can use the existing antennaes on the WRT54G and not need to buy an external antenna. I will keep you posted on my findings and my (probable) mistakes.

I recently bought a Viewsat receiver and set up a 1.8 m dish antenna. I’m just a beginner regarding FTA (Free to Air – free channels transmitted through satellite), but found Viewsat easy enough to use and set up. Then I saw that the Viewsat can be used to pull down Dish Network feeds, and that there are quite a few websites that cater to these needs, they give users a .bin file with which they can upgrade their receivers and that decodes the Nagra signal. According to what I’ve read, not all receivers have enough power to decode in realtime the encrypted signal and in software “emulate” the existence of a card. Only Viewsat, and maybe Dreambox (although I haven’t seen any .bin’s for that one yet)

Now, I suffer a moral dilemma here. Should I download the .bin, upgrade my Viewsat and watch Dish Network, even though I don’t pay for it? Many may think that yes, other may think that no. Dish Network doesn’t exist here in Mexico. Even though I would be willing to pay for it, I can’t since they don’t accept non-US addresses or credit cards. The pirate satellite business is pretty big in the US and Canada (and Mexico as well, as far as I can see)…

How about this for a cool gadget?

6-in x 7-out audio/video matrix capable of routing HD signals over Cat 5 cable to multiple remote locations – The AVAtrix is a matrix configuration of HD component video, digital audio and stereo audio signals. Any of six sources may be routed to multiple remote Wallplates or to the main output at any time. Each of the AVAtrix’s Cat 5 outputs is terminated at a Model 9878 Wallplate which provides a connection point for component video, digital audio, and stereo analog audio. Aspecial cable length compensation circuitry, allows the signal to be transmitted up to 1,000 feet while preserving high definition signal clarity and vibrancy. Audio and video signals are carried on two Cat 5 cables to each Wallplate. A return pathway for an IR receiver* is also included in the Cat 5 cable run. This pathway allows the desired source to be selected remotely via IR. The Wallplates also have a convenient F-connector as a pass-through for an antenna connection which allows terrestrial HD content from the Wallplate (a coaxial cable must be run for antenna functionality)…

Seamlessly Integrate Digital and Analog Video HD Sources
The AVAtrix makes it easy to view both YPbPr component and DVI (or HDMI) video sources on a high definition TV with a digital video input. Both DVI and YPbPr video signals are routed to the unit’s main outputs; however, a special circuit converts YPbPr signals to DVI, so both analog and digital signals are available on the DVI main output. So, if you have a display with a digital video input, you can select all connected sources without changing the video input to the display, simplifying the entertainment experience.

Integrator Solutions
The AVAtrix is easy to install right out of the box, and loaded with all the features and options that custom installers need for integrated applications. It ships with its own IR remote control, but it can learn IR commands from other brand remotes or operate via RS-232 commands from a 3rd party remote control system. Each source input can be given a custom name that is displayed on the vacuum fluorescent display. A flash memory slot allows easy firmware upgrades and provides a way for installers to quickly perform setup tasks using a PC to configure the AVAtrix.

Price? A cool USD $ 3500.00

General Information

* 6-in x 7-out matrix router; any of six component video sources may be routed to any remote output, or the local output
* Local DVI output also delivers converted content from component video inputs (analog YPbPr is converted to digital DVI-D)
* System is expandable up to 36 remote Wallplate outputs

Quick Specifications:

Resolutions: Any, up to 1080p.
Max. Distribution Range: 1000 feet over Cat-5e
Source Inputs: Six, component video, digital audio (coaxial and optical) and analog stereo audio
Outputs:
* Local Output: DVI, component video, digital audio (coaxial and optical) and analog stereo audio
* Six Cat-5 outputs (two Cat 5 cables each) for matrix distribution to Wallplates
* Six Model 9878 Wallplates feature component video, digital coaxial audio, stereo analog audio, and IR minijack connection
Homeowners – The AVAtrix is perfect for sending your favorite media from a central location to anywhere around your home. Simply plug your sources into the AVAtrix, run the Cat-5 cables to where you want to watch TV, connect the Wallplates, and select what you’d like to watch! It keeps electronic clutter out of sight while delivering pristine High Definition anywhere you want it.

Integrators – This is your ticket to quicker, simpler, headache-free installations. Two Cat-5 cables are all you need – they do the work of six coaxial cable runs plus provide an IR pathway for source control. Balanced line technology allows for superior noise rejection and excellent picture quality.

The AVX-661 is perfectly suited for home use, restaurant television distribution, digital signage, even retail demonstrations of HDTV!
Resolutions (DVI and Component Video)

* High definition (720p, 1080i, 1080p)
* Standard definitions (480i, 480p, 576i, 576p)
Signal Formats

* DVI inputs (or HDMI with adapter)
* Source inputs include DVI, YPbPr, digital audio (optical and coaxial) and analog audio
* Local outputs include DVI, YPbPr, digital audio (optical and coaxial) and analog audio
* Component video source signals available as YPbPr and DVI on local outputs
* Remote Wallplate outputs include component video, digital audio and analog audio
Routing Control Methods

* Front panel controls
* Front panel IR
* IR input on rear panel
* RS-232 connection on rear panel
* IR receivers connected to remote Wallplates (IR receivers not included)

Enough about politics… now for something completely different… how about washing your hands in a blue LED light streaming water? The coolest, but probably the most useless gadget ever…THINKGEEK.COM