I'm trying another broadband card for my laptop, this time I'm using the AT&T Option GT Express 3.6. Option refers to the manufacturer, Express refers to this being an Express Card - not a PC card and 3.6 means it works on the AT&T UMTS/HSDPA network and can sustain a max speed of 3.6mbit. I've also learned that this card will have a firmware upgrade to support HSUPA which doubles the speed to 7.2mbit.
I have not seen 3.6mbit, but I have peaked at 2.0mbit in the Columbus, OH area. In some spots it drops into UMTS mode which measure out around 1mbit and can fall back to EDGE support which I have measured using speedtest.net at 230kps consistently.
I'm very pleased with the card in both my Asus Z96JS laptop running Windows XP and my Macbook Pro running OS X 10.4 - hopefully the drivers will work with Leapord.
So far I've been able to use Skype without problems as well as all normal internet functions. I did download a large file a couple days ago and averaged 180k per sec on the download - I was impressed.
Sunday, November 11, 2007
Friday, November 9, 2007
UK Wimps - 7c
The Times Online from the UK wrote that:
" A hardened core of Apple fanatics braved temperatures of 7C (45F) overnight in order to be the lay their hands on their iPhone when it goes on sale this evening."
Since when is 7c life threatening and people have to brave those temps?
http://technology.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/tech_and_web/article2840618.ece
" A hardened core of Apple fanatics braved temperatures of 7C (45F) overnight in order to be the lay their hands on their iPhone when it goes on sale this evening."
Since when is 7c life threatening and people have to brave those temps?
http://technology.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/tech_and_web/article2840618.ece
ASUS Eee 701 PC - first looks
I've been on the waiting list for one of these little PC's for at least 3 months. Last week I got from newegg.com and I couldn't be happier.
The configuration I got was the 4gb with WebCam model, there is suppose to be an 8gb model coming out later this month. Many people think that 4gb is nothing, well - it is small, but look at the intended purpose of an Ultra Mobile or Mid Size PC - it's not to be your primary computer, it is to be a convenient and capable computer for quick edits, presentations and email. The Eee PC assumes you will use a USB Flash Drive for your storage, which many of us do - I just ordered a 4gb flash drive.
Back to the Eee PC. The screen is 7 inches and bright, very sharp and colors are very good. The keyboard is very good for as small as it is - you will have to adjust your typing style though. The touchpad is great and as far as ports, here is the list
VGA Output
Microphone and Headphone
3 powered USB 2.0 ports
10/100 Ethernet
Modem - I haven't used a modem in 5 years...
SD slot
The AC adapter is small, very welcome since the PC is so small.
The 4gb storage is the hard drive, but it's not mechanical - it's solid state. With the default Xandros Linux installed, there was about 1.5-1.8gb free for storage. The base install has Firefox, Thunderbird and Open Office 2.something installed. I installed XP from an external DVD drive, patched it and set my swap file to 256mb and I've got 1.5gb free.
As far as performance, the 900MHz Celeron does very well with Internet Explorer, Firefox and basic video chats with Yahoo and MSN messengers. I attribute the performance to the solid state hard drive - very low seek times. This thing makes virtually no noise, occasionally there is a small fan. The battery life does run about 3.5 - 4 hours.
I tethered the Eee PC with my T-Mobile Dash via USB cable and it works great under XP, same under Linux (I used USB Modem from mobile-stream.com to do this under Linux). I also connected a USB Bluetooth dongle from Ambicon - worked great with a Kensington bluetooth mouse.
I needed a case for it and I could find anything, so I went to the portable DVD player aisle at Target and found a great case for a DVD player that worked great.
I was very close to buying a Fujitsu U810 UMPC for $900, but at $400 this was much better deal even though there was no built-in bluetooth. This is a better deal than the Nokia N810, even though they are different classes of devices.
I've ordered a USB Express Card adapter so I hope to be able to connect my broadband wireless card.
My Macbook Pro is still my primary computer, I use it for running VMWare and developing solutions - but if I need to run out and need a PC or just need to check email or be able to work on a plane - the Eee PC is my solution. Yes - the Eee PC will actually fit on an airline tray and allow you to work.
The configuration I got was the 4gb with WebCam model, there is suppose to be an 8gb model coming out later this month. Many people think that 4gb is nothing, well - it is small, but look at the intended purpose of an Ultra Mobile or Mid Size PC - it's not to be your primary computer, it is to be a convenient and capable computer for quick edits, presentations and email. The Eee PC assumes you will use a USB Flash Drive for your storage, which many of us do - I just ordered a 4gb flash drive.
Back to the Eee PC. The screen is 7 inches and bright, very sharp and colors are very good. The keyboard is very good for as small as it is - you will have to adjust your typing style though. The touchpad is great and as far as ports, here is the list
VGA Output
Microphone and Headphone
3 powered USB 2.0 ports
10/100 Ethernet
Modem - I haven't used a modem in 5 years...
SD slot
The AC adapter is small, very welcome since the PC is so small.
The 4gb storage is the hard drive, but it's not mechanical - it's solid state. With the default Xandros Linux installed, there was about 1.5-1.8gb free for storage. The base install has Firefox, Thunderbird and Open Office 2.something installed. I installed XP from an external DVD drive, patched it and set my swap file to 256mb and I've got 1.5gb free.
As far as performance, the 900MHz Celeron does very well with Internet Explorer, Firefox and basic video chats with Yahoo and MSN messengers. I attribute the performance to the solid state hard drive - very low seek times. This thing makes virtually no noise, occasionally there is a small fan. The battery life does run about 3.5 - 4 hours.
I tethered the Eee PC with my T-Mobile Dash via USB cable and it works great under XP, same under Linux (I used USB Modem from mobile-stream.com to do this under Linux). I also connected a USB Bluetooth dongle from Ambicon - worked great with a Kensington bluetooth mouse.
I needed a case for it and I could find anything, so I went to the portable DVD player aisle at Target and found a great case for a DVD player that worked great.
I was very close to buying a Fujitsu U810 UMPC for $900, but at $400 this was much better deal even though there was no built-in bluetooth. This is a better deal than the Nokia N810, even though they are different classes of devices.
I've ordered a USB Express Card adapter so I hope to be able to connect my broadband wireless card.
My Macbook Pro is still my primary computer, I use it for running VMWare and developing solutions - but if I need to run out and need a PC or just need to check email or be able to work on a plane - the Eee PC is my solution. Yes - the Eee PC will actually fit on an airline tray and allow you to work.
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
These iPhone commercials are stupid...
So, according to the iPhone commercials, you can blog from the iPhone - check weather on your iPhone and many other remarkable tasks.
Hello people, this capability has been around for years. When it started exactly, I can't say. However, the Treo 600 and 650 have been around for years - these offer Web browsing, Cameras , email and much more. Camera phones have been in existence for years.
The only innovative thing about the iPhone is the design, there is nothing else innovative about the functionality. Did they implement the functionality better, maybe - that's subjective.
Hello people, this capability has been around for years. When it started exactly, I can't say. However, the Treo 600 and 650 have been around for years - these offer Web browsing, Cameras , email and much more. Camera phones have been in existence for years.
The only innovative thing about the iPhone is the design, there is nothing else innovative about the functionality. Did they implement the functionality better, maybe - that's subjective.
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Why college football does NOT need a playoff.
Now that the BCS rankings are out and people are saying it's bad and college football needs a playoff system - I have to share my 2 cents.
College Football doesn't a playoff system to prove which games are important. It's a one and done system that puts importance on EVERY game, whether it's Appalachian State - Kent State or USC. Every game is as important as the last. The unbeaten teams are #1, the beaten teams are lower. It's not that simple, there are things like strength of schedule that I agree should be considered - but strength of schedule compared to who, the same division (Big 10, PAC 10, SEC)? That's a hard one to judge. Should only conference games count in the strength of schedule? Suppose #4 loses to #10, and later the then #10 (now #5) gets beat by the new #6 - should the strength of schedule be recaclulated and give the old #4 more points because the team they lost to got beat?
It's very confusing and there is no perfect system. But remember, I know these kids are trying to get NFL careers - however they are in college to gain a degree, a playoff system keeps them on the field longer with more risk of injury and less time for education.
College Football doesn't a playoff system to prove which games are important. It's a one and done system that puts importance on EVERY game, whether it's Appalachian State - Kent State or USC. Every game is as important as the last. The unbeaten teams are #1, the beaten teams are lower. It's not that simple, there are things like strength of schedule that I agree should be considered - but strength of schedule compared to who, the same division (Big 10, PAC 10, SEC)? That's a hard one to judge. Should only conference games count in the strength of schedule? Suppose #4 loses to #10, and later the then #10 (now #5) gets beat by the new #6 - should the strength of schedule be recaclulated and give the old #4 more points because the team they lost to got beat?
It's very confusing and there is no perfect system. But remember, I know these kids are trying to get NFL careers - however they are in college to gain a degree, a playoff system keeps them on the field longer with more risk of injury and less time for education.
HSUPA-It's coming to the states!!!
Shortly after Ericsson announced they had firmware updates for HSPDA devices - AT&T has announced their rollout of HSUPA across the United States -
http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/03/29/atandt-to-add-hsupa-this-year/
While not yet practical, the upper limits of HSUPA are 7.2mbits - if this can gain ground in the US - WiMax may be too late.
http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/03/29/atandt-to-add-hsupa-this-year/
While not yet practical, the upper limits of HSUPA are 7.2mbits - if this can gain ground in the US - WiMax may be too late.
Why I hate Sprint...
I tried another mobile device from Sprint, the Treo 755p. The Treo is great, or was great... Sprint customer service and tech support could not setup a simple business account without major problems and delays. First - if you call them, plan to wait at least 20 minutes before getting to speak to someone. Second, plan to be hold for 30 minutes while "they try stuff".
I had account problems where the minutes and plans were expiring at weird intervals, my phone kept re-provisioning itself and all of this stuff kept me from having a good experience and has ruined me for Sprint.
I had account problems where the minutes and plans were expiring at weird intervals, my phone kept re-provisioning itself and all of this stuff kept me from having a good experience and has ruined me for Sprint.
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