Myside's Spew - Blog of Spontaneous Combustible Spew

Silvernail Apartments: Broadband Internet - Not Interested in an Open Internet (all about the money)

05 November, 2010 14:09 CST6CDT

La Crosse, Wisconsin has three broadband Internet service providers available for residential customers:  Charter Communications, Centurylink, and Airborne Data Link (wireless).

I was visiting the rental offices at Silvernail Apartments and sat through a lease signing by a new tenant while I waited to question my current lease in regards to a monetary rental increase, during which I experienced the management sell, by literal definition (to sell) Charter Internet services.

Silvernail Apartments has their own personal installation technician for Charter whom handles the complexes that this agency owns.  The customer was quite convinced by the management sales person, or rather the apartment manager for the apartment complex to use Charter, and my small injunction into the conversation mentioning an alternative was ignored after this masterful presentation.  I assume Silvernail Apartments (ADELPHOI, L.L.C.) receives a commission for their effort.

Just a couple of months ago I had to allow Charter in my apartment for a mandatory Charter Cable coax replacement.  I was very hesitant in doing so.  However, they did not try to sell any services, but were instead more interested in getting that mess of wiring project completed.

I use Centurylink for my ISP.  I know the primary DSL network administrator for Centurylink.  Centurylink has full knowledge of these type of incidents.  Because the rental agency pushes Charter Communications so violently, Centurylink will absolutely not put any monetary resources into these rental complexes, indefinitely.  I was also told that if Silvernail would have allowed personal choice of ISP by no persuasion, they would have most certainly have run Fiber (fibre) Optics into the Silvernail complexes providing 30mbit and higher reliable Internet Access.

Centurylink also provides full HD television services that not only competes with Charter Communications, it can also save you up to 30% per month for Internet and Cable.

Centurylink has no Internet restrictions.  All TCP and UDP ports are open to your personal use.  The reliability of Centurylink surpasses any of Charter's provides resources.  For example, I receive 10mbit down, 890kb up; Charter provides 3.5mbit down and ~250kb down.  I believe they do have a 5mbit package, however I assume it is priced outrageously.

Centurylink will not replace wiring for any customer in these apartments.  I had to switch through 4 pairs of wire, terminate a thick copper connection not bridged at the box, and replace a faceplate at my expense.  The result: a very happy and smiling Centurylink customer under no restrictions,  no latency, and a dedicated (not shared) pipe for $43.00 a month (I do not have a telephonic land-line service).

Shame on you Silvernail Apartments.

Day to Day  Technology  Bullshit  Article & Comments (2)

LG Rumor (LX260) Reviewed - is this device worth holding on to?

08 July, 2010 12:03 CST6CDT

I will be renewing my Sprint contract in October.  I plan on taking advantage of the phone upgrade credit but find myself thinking that I may hold off until sometime after tax season.  The reason is that I have a fully functional phone that does most of the tasks I need performed.

Out of the box, I have to announce that the device is crippled.  It takes a bit of time and trouble to get your MSL code (root access ID) to enable the ability to install 3rd party Java midlet applications.  If you need to have file-system access, you will need a data cable and BitPIM to access the Java policy file.

After the above is accomplished, the phone performs amazingly proficient with most anything you may push to the LG Rumor core to do.  I use Opera Mini 5 successfully with dozens of open web page tabs.  I have Skype installed for instant messaging.  Mobile GMAPS is a wonderful tool for GPS navigation with routing and multiple street and land views.  I take great advantage of an application called MTvIRC for IRC communications.  All these applications are available free once the initial pain of rooting your phone wears off.

My cons at this time:

  1. The location API is GPSONE and is A-GPS.  Note that you are able to use Qualcomm's location services.
  2. Yes, you can put your running Java midlets in the background for multitasking.  The bad news is that I do not know how.  While randomly swiping the QWERTY keypad in and out a couple times, it will perform this operation.  Both Sprint and LG claim that this is not possible.  Shame on you both.
  3. I use a Windows Mobile smart-phone for several purposes.  I would like a one do-it-all device.
  4. It feels as though all the new and cool applications being developed are for the Android.

My solution to the above cons is enough incentive to buy a full fledged smartphone when my contract is up and after I receive my tax returns.

I would absolutely - surely tell anyone interested in the LG Rumor (LX260) or Rumor 2 to not waste your time and money.  The cons are greater than my list and span multiple phone specific utilities.  However, if you find one on e-bay for 10 dollars and 20 shipping, it may be worth the purchase price for a young text messaging friend of yours.  Believe me, it will not make them popular however.

Day to Day  Technology  Article & Comments (2)

Nao Robots Dance

21 June, 2010 18:01 CST6CDT

"Here's a sneak peek at the soon to be famous dancing Nao robots, the technological mascot of the France Pavilion. The robots are "rehearsing" before their first public appearance on June 21, on the day of France Pavilion Day, which coincides with Music Day in France. The performance showcases Nao's range of smooth yet agile and rhythmic movements to a 3-part music compilation including the famous orchestral masterpiece Bolero by French composer Maurice Ravel. This also marks the first time robots have supported an artistic field evoking emotions. Nao is a humanoid, autonomous, interactive and completely programmable robot created by Aldebaran Robotics (www.aldebaran-robotics.com/en), the worldwide leader in humanoid robotics." - [shanghaiexpoinsights]

This video takes geek on a spiritual journey.  The movements of these [Nao robots] seem not to display interpretative coded motions for a single human being, but rather display feeling and response to Bolero, by a French composer Maurice Ravel on their own coherence.

I do try not to post too many YouTube videos here.  You could spend all day doing this.  However, every so often as I found with the Flashmob content, their are several that deserve attention.  These Nao Robotics dancing fit that quota.

Technology  Article & Comments

Enhanced Graphics Adapter (EGA) - Pixels by patrick Jean - Invasion pixels : geek tetris pacman !

11 April, 2010 14:49 CST6CDT

This video is no longer available due to a copyright claim by One More Productions.
 
RSS Viewers:  Click on post for video... (not any longer)
 
Edited: 2010-04-12..  fasten your seat belt for modified content..  copyright is the law!
 
EGA Video Modes

Mode Number  Text Res.  Graphics Res.   Description  Adapters  Max. Pages
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
0h      40×25         ------   B&W Text     CGA+                    8
1h      80×25         ------   B&W Text     MDPA+                   8
2h      40×25         ------   Color Text   CGA+                    4 or 8
3h      80×25         ------   Color Text   (MDPA?)/CGA+            4 or 8
4h      40×25        320×200   4 colors     CGA+                    1
5h      40×25        320×200   2 colors     CGA+                    1
6h      80×25        640×200   2 colors     CGA+                    1
7h      80×25         ------   B&W          MDPA (CGA+?)            1
8h to Ch -- PCjr or other adapters; no longer used
Dh      40×25        320×200   16 colors    EGA+                    8
Eh      80×25        640×200   16 colors    EGA+                    4
Fh      80×25        640×350   2 colors     EGA+                    2
10h     80×25        640×350   16 colors    EGA+                    2

source [theodor.lauppert]

Technology  Article & Comments

VOICE Your Net Neutrality

14 January, 2010 15:13 CST6CDT

I have placed an audio interview held in Madison, Wisconsin in front of Senator Kohl's office containing many reasons why we need to fight for net neutrality from small business owners and home web surfers.

We must act fast to send our comments about net neutrality making solid assurance that our Internet freedom to have a fair and just Internet network will be here for our future!

The deadline is tonight, midnight, to send your comments to the FCC and have your strong voice for personal freedom be noticed.

-> SAVE THE INTERNET<-

Day to Day  Technology  Software  Article & Comments

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