Recent Posts

10026

Living Room / Re: The Apollo onboard computer

« Last post by 40hz on July 22, 2009, 03:07 PM »

Here's NASA's little "puter" in situ aboard the LEM!

(Can you say: analogue control surfaces? That cockpit looks more like a modular Moog synthesizer than a spacecraft.)



Also check out the schematic and article on the Apollo touchdown indicator over at Make Online:

http://blog.makezine...CMP=OTC-0D6B48984890

 

10027

General Software Discussion / Re: Hannah Montana Linux -- about time!

« Last post by 40hz on July 21, 2009, 01:34 PM »

So what's the actual license that they are distributing this with?
Last I checked (never) Disney hadn't open sourced the Hannah Montana trademark and image.

-TheQwerty (July 21, 2009, 11:46 AM)

It's basically Kubuntu with a Hannah Montana theme. The legality is questionable. Nothing on the website about permissions or clearances. (The torrent-only download is a bit of a giveaway.) Best grab a copy while you can if you're interested. Sure to be a bit of nix lore someday.

10028

Living Room / Re: The Apollo onboard computer

« Last post by 40hz on July 21, 2009, 01:27 PM »

Build an AGC in your basement:

-Innuendo (July 21, 2009, 10:48 AM)

I'm not THAT interested in authenticity.

When it comes to chips, wirewrapping, and boards - been there/done that.

And believe me - the thrill is long gone.

10029

Living Room / The Apollo onboard computer

« Last post by 40hz on July 21, 2009, 05:26 AM »

It's often been said: It ain't what ya got. It's how you use it that counts. I don't think there's ever been a better example of that than the onboard guidance computer used on the Apollo moon missions.

Think your aging Pentium laptop is too slow to get any real work done? Read on:

http://www.downloads...-apollo-11-computer/

How powerful was the Apollo 11 computer?

by Grant Robertson Jul 20th 2009 at 8:30PM

With all the buzz about the 40th anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon landing I got to thinking, how powerful were the computers that "took us to the Moon?" It turns out, they were nothing short of amazing. If you've never had a nerdy bone in your body, feel free to skip this post. But, if you ever laid on your back under the stars and thought about Mercury, Gemini, Apollo or the Space Shuttle, read on and see if you're as geek-struck as I was researching this.

And if you're an ubergeek, you can download a working simulator of the Apollo Guidance Computer to get a feel for what it was like to use a bleeding edge real-time computer - back in 1969.

Virtual AGC and AGS

The purpose of this project is to provide a computer simulation of the onboard guidance computers used in the Apollo Program's lunar missions, and to generally allow you to learn about these guidance computers.

Link: http://www.ibiblio.o...html#What_Is_An_AGC_



 

10030

General Software Discussion / Re: Hannah Montana Linux -- about time!

« Last post by 40hz on July 20, 2009, 04:31 PM »

AAAUUUGH!!!! MY EYES!!! THE GOGGLES, THEY DO NOTHING!!!

-Edvard (July 20, 2009, 10:58 AM)

That came as a surprise. From the first photo I would have thought it would have been "easier on the eyes" as the saying goes.

[BTW: It would be nice if somebody gave Ms. Cyrus a few lessons in deportment. Pleasant enough looking young lady, but the pose (and those shoes) really need rethinking.]

10031

Living Room / Re: RIAA Says DRM is Dead

« Last post by 40hz on July 20, 2009, 04:23 PM »

Well...

In the wake of the Kindle debacle, now that certain media playback devices seem to be able to delete things without the "owner's" consent, I guess DRM is moot.

Why bother suing when you can just go in and zap anything you don't believe belongs there?

10032

Found Deals and Discounts / Re: Corel PaintShop Pro X - 4 Free

« Last post by 40hz on July 19, 2009, 11:06 AM »

The above method I posted works.  I am running my it without the Protexis service.

-y0himba (July 19, 2009, 10:23 AM)

+1 with y0himba on this.

I've killed Protexis, and the copy of PSPx I downloaded courtesy of this offer is working just fine for me.

Go figure.


(FWIW: I still have a copy of PSP version 7 loaded on my machine. And despite some of the very nice features found in the newer versions, I still prefer the older sibling. It's a lot easier to work with IMHO. Sometimes more = less. At least as far as I'm concerned.)

10033

Living Room / Re: linux network question

« Last post by 40hz on July 19, 2009, 11:01 AM »

I have noticed that Ubuntu has a server version.  I wonder how well that would work with Edbuntu??

-techidave (July 18, 2009, 06:51 PM)

If you take all the desktop features and applications out of any version of Ubuntu (i.e. Kubuntu, Xubuntu, Edubuntu, "Christian Edition", etc.), you have a copy Ubuntu Server.

Basically, the server edition is just a baseline installation minus all the GUI and productivity enhancements of all the regular versions.

FWIW, it's harder for a beginner to work with UbuServ since it doesn't have a GUI to fall back on. Which is also exactly why the power users and wonks prefer it.

If you're going to play with Ubuntu server, you'll probably want to do an apt-get and install Webmin too. Webmin is a handy thing to have until you get some familiarity with the command line and 'discover' where the various config files are located.

10034

General Software Discussion / Re: Hannah Montana Linux -- about time!

« Last post by 40hz on July 18, 2009, 12:49 PM »

I was thinking maybe I'd wait for the CIA Congressional Briefing Edition also known as Black Hat.

That's the one where you feed in your foregone conclusion and it returns 700+ pages of 'facts' and 'data' to support it.


CCBE-Linux would probably fit on a 128mb USB key. But, in keeping with the grand traditions of federal spending, it would still cost the taxpayers $1.2 million per copy. CCBE users, however, would still be able to order as many copies as they want for free.


Includes: free ski mask and waterboarding kit.

10035

Living Room / Re: Send Yourself To Mars!

« Last post by 40hz on July 18, 2009, 12:37 PM »

Well, in this case you'll get a personal visit from one of the Martian tripods.  

-4wd (July 17, 2009, 01:23 PM)

Great! I could use a new tripod.




BTW: The digits sum to the number 23! So now I have proof the Illuminatus is behind this...[FNORD]

10036

Living Room / Re: linux network question

« Last post by 40hz on July 18, 2009, 09:54 AM »

Holy cow!  I had no idea there were going to be so many options. 

-techidave (July 17, 2009, 08:12 PM)

Noticed that didja? 

Welcome to the world of Linux and FOSS.


FOSS is the only 'free buffet' in the world where you could starve to death while trying to decide what to eat first.

 

10037

Living Room / Re: DRM hits a new low as Amazon hits the delete key

« Last post by 40hz on July 18, 2009, 09:38 AM »

Makes me wonder what will happen down the road when governments decide they want to yank certain ebooks books off electronic shelves without any warning.

We sure seem to be giving up a lot of personal freedom just to have the 'freedom' of walking around with 100 books in our pocket.

Like the song says: Freedom's just another word for 'nothing left to loose.'*

If that's true, then I'd say we're well on our way to becoming free.

Welcome to the real Brave New World, brought to you courtesy of Amazon, Google, Microsoft, and all those other US companies - who bend over backwards to cooperate with repressive regimes and legislation - while incessantly denying they do so.
----

*( Hope that quote from Kris Kristofferson's Me & Bobby McGee falls within the doctrine of Fair Use!)

10038

General Software Discussion / Re: Hannah Montana Linux -- about time!

« Last post by 40hz on July 17, 2009, 07:32 PM »

Awesome!

I'm adding HML to my wish list along with the USB Chainsaw that was mentioned in another DC thread. Maybe a loved one will gift me one next Pluterday.

10039

Living Room / Re: linux network question

« Last post by 40hz on July 17, 2009, 07:04 PM »

LAMP in and of itself won't give you everything you're looking to do. Think of it more as framework on which to build.

If you're new to the role of server administrator under Linux you'll definitely want to tale a look at eBox.

Link: http://trac.ebox-platform.com/

eBox Platform



eBox Platform is a unified network server that offers easy and efficient computer network administration for SMBs. It can act as a Gateway, an Infrastructure Manager, a Unified Threat Manager, an Office Server, a Unified Communication Server or a combination of them. These functionalities are tightly integrated, automating most tasks, avoiding mistakes and saving time for system administrators.

eBox Platform is released under the GNU General Public License (GPL) and runs on top of Ubuntu GNU/Linux.

eBox Technologies S.L. is the company behind eBox Platform and all the technologies and services related to them, providing a comprehensive set of deployment, support and managed services for the Global eBox Partner Network.

Like Karoshi, eBox can greatly simplify getting your server up and running since all the module integration has been done for you. Download and install it and you're ready to start configuring.

You could accomplish the same thing by starting with a LAMP server configuration and then adding additional software. But if you go this route you'll have to handle integrating everything yourself. It's not a super difficult task, but you'll need to be fairly knowledgeable about Linux (and comfortable editing config settings) to make it all work correctly. Best save that for a future project if you need to get something up and running fairly quickly.

eBox has very comprehensive "office server " features. Details at this link: http://www.ebox-tech...com/products/office/


 

(Note: The eBox ISO is free for the download. Paid training and support packages are also available.)

10040

Living Room / Re: What have I done!?

« Last post by 40hz on July 16, 2009, 07:16 PM »

I am just getting that jittery feeling

-steeladept (July 16, 2009, 02:13 PM)

Yup. It is scary. It's also a sign that you're growing as a person.

Let the clock start. steeladept should disappear from the forum for a period of six months starting in about 18 months. That will be about the time we'll hear something to the effect of "I really really really need to start my thesis".

-tinjaw (July 16, 2009, 02:21 PM)

He'd never say that.

However, he very well might say: "I really really really need to start my dissertation..."

10041

Living Room / Re: linux network question

« Last post by 40hz on July 16, 2009, 06:56 PM »

OK DC 'Penguin People' - let's help TechiDave out with this one. I'll start the ball rolling.

@TD:

Are you primarily interested in setting up something like a "school system" installation or are you thinking in more general terms.

If you're doing a school type project, there are some interesting quasi-configured alternatives (i.e Edubuntu + LTSP and Karoshi Linux) to take a look at. Karoshi might be exactly what you're looking for on the server side. Excellent documentation too! There is a demo available at their website if you want to check it out. Very nice system with a lot of the details already addressed. Although Karoshi was developed by educators, it's also good for use as a general purpose server.

For desktop use, I'd need a little more information as to who and what before I could make a responsible recommendation. Could you start feeding us the details as you get them? Let's turn the DoCo Linux crowd loose on this and get you and your friend up and running.

Links:

Karoshi: http://karoshi.linuxgfx.co.uk/

Edubuntu: www.edubuntu.org/

10042

Living Room / Re: What have I done!?

« Last post by 40hz on July 16, 2009, 01:31 PM »

Bravo!! Go for it Doctor Steel!

If you get a chance, pick up a copy of this book:

Getting What You Came For: The Smart Student's Guide to Earning an M.A. or a Ph.D.

Worth it's weight in gold.

 

10043

Living Room / Re: Is online access a right or a privilege?

« Last post by 40hz on July 16, 2009, 12:52 PM »

I think they used to call that: "The Right Thing to Do" 

-40hz (July 16, 2009, 10:13 AM)

Having since being renamed to "The Right Thing To Do So Long As It Doesn't Cost Too Much Time, Effort, And/Or Money And Doesn't Cause Any Controversy Or Alienate Any Campaign Contributors" 

-Innuendo (July 16, 2009, 11:05 AM)

Some years ago, during the Q&A at a public meeting in my hometown, I asked the (then) govenor of our state the following question:

How do you personally decide on a course of action when you're confronted with the choice of doing what is right versus doing what is politically expedient? What criteria do you apply when you make such a decision?

It got me a laugh, a smattering of applause - and a one way ticket out of the auditorium with police escort.

Free speech! Gotta love it.

10044

Living Room / Re: Is online access a right or a privilege?

« Last post by 40hz on July 16, 2009, 10:13 AM »

I guess i feel a little bit hesitant to call it a "right"..

However, i do feel like there should be something in between on one side a "right" vs. on the other side, a commercial item to be left to the private sector regardless of the social costs.

-mouser (July 13, 2009, 12:11 PM)

I think they used to call that: "The Right Thing to Do"  

10045

Living Room / Re: A Problem for A Real Expert - the Haunted Router(s)

« Last post by 40hz on July 16, 2009, 10:04 AM »

Personally, I wish they'd get rid off the freakin' need for the plugpacks - I'll generally try to buy equipment that doesn't require them now, direct mains powered is so much easier.

-4wd (July 16, 2009, 08:33 AM)

+1 on that. But the decision to use external PSUs is more a matter of economics than engineering.

I don't know how it works where you are, but in the USA, all devices that plug directly into AC mains require certification from the Underwriter's Laboratory before they can be legally sold. If you power your device with a plug-type PSU - and don't have an AC line coming into your device - only the PSU needs to be certified as opposed to the entire device. So manufactureres can just stock up on pre-certified external power supplies and be done with it. Saves them a huge amount of money since getting UL approval is time consuming and expensive. Also reduces their liability in the event the PSU burns.

10046

Living Room / Re: A Problem for A Real Expert - the Haunted Router(s)

« Last post by 40hz on July 16, 2009, 07:39 AM »

If your device requires 12V DC there will typically be a 7812 regulator connected to it's input power socket - it's relying on the normally unregulated voltage provided by the transformer plugpack of around 16V DC allowing it regulate correctly.

If you build the circuit as described and set its output to 12V DC and then plug that into your device, where does the internal regulator get its required voltage drop in order to regulate?

-4wd (July 15, 2009, 10:02 PM)

That question is addressed in the article. Look under the Selecting an Appropriate Wall Wart heading. You might miss it if you're just looking at the scematic.

...

Within the range of regulated supplies requiring 100 to 150 milliamperes or less, the primary concern in selecting a wall wart is to make sure that it will supply power at least 3 volts DC in excess of the desired final controlled voltage, when the circuit is running at the designed load. This "3 volts in excess" comes from the basic needs of the voltage regulator itself. The most straight-forward approach to selecting a wall wart for your project would be to select one with an amperage rating that matches your needs and a voltage rating that is 3 or 4 volts higher. Thus, if you need a 5 VDC, 100 ma. regulated supply, you might select a used "9 VDC" wall wart rated at 100 or 150 ma. If you need a 9 volt regulated supply at 70 ma., you might select a small "12 VDC" wall wart rated at 100 ma.

The selection becomes a bit more complex, if you desire a 12 volt regulated supply. One way to go is, as discussed above, to use a 14, 15 or 16 VDC wall wart rated at least as large as your design load in milliamperes...

10047

Living Room / Re: A Problem for A Real Expert - the Haunted Router(s)

« Last post by 40hz on July 15, 2009, 09:32 PM »

It would be easier to replace the PSU with a known working one.

-4wd (July 15, 2009, 08:09 PM)

True. You could add a dummy load, but that really wouldn't be all that accurate either. Still, a 20Ω @5W or 10W resistor in parallel with the output should provide enough of a load that you could do a quick & dirty multimeter check to see if you're at least in the ballpark.

Then again, it would be easiest to just try a different PSU.

-------------

Sean (one of my hardware tech buddies) pointed me towards this article, which discusses wall warts in detail, along with a project to safely add voltage regulation and filtering to an inexpensive plug-in power module.

So, since we usually want to power an auxiliary device at a steady specified voltage and since we usually need a very clean power supply, what I wanted Bill’s help on was in creating a filtered, regulated power DC supply. We accomplished this by adding a module between the wall wart and its DC output plug that contained a fixed or adjustable voltage regulator and a network of filter capacitors.

Link to article: http://www.dxing.inf...wall_warts_bryant.dx

The circuit and construction are well within a hobbyist's abilities. Sean swears by the fixed voltage version of this project. He's used it to get solid performance out of otherwise flaky consumer-grade router/switch products.

Might be worth a read.

(I'm going wire one up and give it a try on an RVS4000 that's been giving me some intermittent 'attitude.'  I figure it's got to be cheaper than taking a hammer to the little bugger. Which is something I've been tempted to do lately.  )

10048

Living Room / Recent web sightings: A Guide To Linux Audio Comm Channels

« Last post by 40hz on July 15, 2009, 08:47 PM »

"And your bird can sing..."

Very nice article recently posted on the Linux Journal website for all musicians (and other odd types) who are interested in working with Linux audio and music applications. Something for everyone.

Keeping In Touch: A Guide To Linux Audio Comm Channels
July 10th, 2009 by Dave Phillips in


Recently I asked readers for suggestions regarding Linux audio topics they'd like to read about in my articles. One response suggested a survey of the various Internet communications channels for Linux-based musicians. I liked the idea, so I considered my traditionally preferred channels, searched for and found interesting new connections, and wrote this guide to lead you on a tour of notable communications channels focused on Linux sound and music topics.

Link: http://www.linuxjour...-audio-comm-channels

10049

Living Room / Re: From the BBC science desk: Cats 'exploit' humans by purring

« Last post by 40hz on July 15, 2009, 02:02 PM »

Microsoft will release a patch on tuesday for this latest exploit affecting windows owners.

-justice (July 15, 2009, 07:59 AM)

Cat owners using Mac OS or Linux are unaffected, I presume

-Lashiec (July 15, 2009, 08:43 AM)

Well...most versions of Linux are.

But that's more thanks to the fact that Pulse Audio delivers such poor sound quality, assuming you can get it to work at all. All those sub and harmonic overtones just get distorted to the point that The Cat Wave no longer effects humans.
 
It's my understanding that there has been some discussion as to whether or not this should be viewed as a "feature."
 

10050

Living Room / Re: A Problem for A Real Expert - the Haunted Router(s)

« Last post by 40hz on July 15, 2009, 07:03 AM »

I'm going to have to cast my vote for gradual heat damage being the primary culprit.

Power surges to the actual router shouldn't be too much the issue since your devices all use "wall warts" for their power supply. Although these devices aren't surge suppressors or line voltage conditioners, they do provide a fair amount of protection to the devices they power. So unless they've been damaged, I'd look elsewhere.

If you check the output coming off your router's power supply with a multimeter you should be able to see if the correct voltage is being supplied. I'd be especially on the lookout for specs that read lower rather than higher. Low voltage can often cause a device to run hotter than it should.

The situation could also be brought on purely by environmental heat factors. Either the router is getting too warm by being where it is; or the power adapter is providing the wrong (likely low) voltage since many power devices will produce lower supply voltages when they overheat.

Suggestion: if you do test your adapter, try running it in its normal environment for an hour or two and then try to test it immediately after you disconnect it from the router. If there's a bad voltage condition, brought on by environmental or runtime factors, this will help you catch it.

So either way, I guess I'm going with heat damage as my answer.

Luck!