Adding AD integration for NAS4Free
April 25th, 2013
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Nice forum topic on getting NAS4Free to talk to your Windows AD: http://forums.nas4free.org/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=92
Categories: Computer Stuff
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Review of the Phorus PR1 Receiver
March 30th, 2013
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I don’t normally do these sorts of things because there are usually plenty of good reviews by actual review companies or tech companies, but there don’t seem to be a lot of them out there for this product right now.
Admittedly, I’m not very good at this. I will try my best though.
First of all, the device is a little on the pricey side, compared to crapple’s airplay express thing. The price at this moment is $149 and is available directly through Phorus’s website (while it is shipped and processed by Amazon’s store http://www.phorus.com/pr1-receiver). The image above shows the Phorus PR-1 (on left) plugged into some sort of speaker.
The build quality is good, and it comes with two sets of audio cables (use whichever you need or prefer) and it is nice and compact.
This is what comes in the box:
PR1 Receiver
Power adapter
Audio cable (mini jack to mini jack, 6′)
Y-adapter (mini jack to 2 RCA)
USB-A to USB micro cable
Warranty and Quick Start Guide
Read more…
Categories: Computer Stuff
On the road a lot? Use hotel wireless for connectivity to multiple devices?
February 15th, 2013
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Then this device might be for you. (From Tom’s Hardware)
Satechi Intros Multifunction Mini Router
Here’s a good way to connect multiple devices to a hotel’s Internet connection without having to shell out insanely hefty per-device-per-24-hour fees.
Satechi introduced on Wednesday a handy little multifunction mini-router geared for the “professional on the go”. It’s small enough to seat within a single electrical outlet, and can fit within a purse or briefcase for easy transport. The gadget is available now for a mere $39.99 on Amazon and Satechi’s website.
Called the Satechi Multifunction Mini Router, this device provides five modes of connectivity: access mode, router mode, universal repeater mode, client mode, and bridge mode. Two Ethernet ports at the bottom provide one connection to an existing broadband connection, and the other to a PC. A WPS button is on the front as well as five LEDs for LAN, WAN, WPS, WLAN and Power notifications.
Router mode should be fairly obvious: connect the device directly to an Internet connection provided by an ISP. A wired desktop or laptop joins the network via the Ethernet port while the router serves as an access point for wireless devices. This is the ideal mode for setting up a new, small network consisting only of a few devices.
In Universal Repeater Mode, the mini-router can connect to a network’s wireless router and extend the signal to portions of a house or office that are out of the router’s range. In Client mode, the user can wirelessly connect the router to an existing wireless network as a makeshift firewall, keeping the user’s MAC address and personal information private.
Finally there’s the Bridge Mode. This allows two or more wireless access points to communicate with each other to join multiple LANs. The router supports the newest 802.11n wireless standard and is backwards compatible with older 802.11b/g standards, supporting a wide range of devices. However it’s only single-band, offering up to 300 Mbps via the 2.4 GHz band.
“The Wireless Multifunction Mini Router has enough speed and wireless range to power a complex assortment of devices, enabling you to create a highly efficient mobile office or entertainment network in no time,” the company said. “Small enough to fit in your pocket, the Wireless Multifunction Mini Router is capable of providing robust wireless network solutions to travelers, students, or anyone looking to expand their network.”
Considering we had to shell out $14 per device per 24 hours at the hotel in Las Vegas during CES 2013, this would have been handy in sharing one connection to multiple devices. For more information about the Satechi Multifunction Mini Router, head here.
Categories: Computer Stuff
Two great posts about wireless
January 21st, 2013
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Saw two good articles on wireless and decided to share them. One is about the new Wireless 802.11 AC protocol which promises gigabit connection speeds.
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/wi-fi-802.11ac-router,3386.html
The other is “Why your Wi-Fi sucks, and what to do about it” which details common connection and speed problems, why they’re happening and what you can attempt to do to fix it.
http://www.tomshardware.com/picturestory/571-wi-fi-beamforming-networking.html
Categories: Computer Stuff
Seven Things You Didn’t Know About Google Apps
May 15th, 2012
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Categories: Computer Stuff
Google’s Home Entertainment System
February 10th, 2012
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An FCC filing by Google has brought Project Tungsten back into the spotlight after nearly a year.
ZoomNews of Google’s plans for a home entertainment system isn’t really new — the company demonstrated its hopes and dreams last year at Google I/O 2011 during the Day One Keynote. Essentially the company wants consumers to have a network of accessories with Android baked right in — aka the Android@Home Framework — which will talk to each other, and to non-Android devices.
For instance, Google Calendar could control when the lights in the house turn on and off through an Android-based device. A music CD could be swiped next to a special NFC-packed gadget and unlock the digital version to be played from the cloud to connected speakers. Last year Google even demonstrated an Android-based hub that streamed music to a set of Wi-Fi speakers, or to a stereo system in the next room.
Nearly one year later, news has surfaced that Google is still working on the hinted “Project Tungsten” entertainment system thanks to the Wall Street Journal. Sources close to the project say that, as seen last year with the reference designs, the system’s hub will stream music wirelessly throughout the home to Wi-Fi speakers or other Web-connected devices. And unsurprisingly, the system will be marketed under the company’s own brand.
“[The hub] is both a stand-alone Music Beta end-point and a bridge to the Android@Home network”said project head Joe Britt last year. “It’s always powered on, and it’s always connected to the cloud.”
This week the unnamed sources also claimed that Google’s entertainment system may stream more than just music — possibly movies rented from Android Market. Even more, Google will supposedly unveil the new system later this year — perhaps at Google I/O 2012?
The Wall Street Journal’s story probably stems from news released on Monday that an FCC application shows Google developing a home entertainment system. The application describes a device that connects to a Wi-Fi network and communicates with other devices within the home via Bluetooth. The filing asks the FCC to grant 252 employees permission to test the device (hub) in their own homes between January and July (which kills any kind of Google I/O launch).
Unfortunately, the filing doesn’t mention anything about the 900 MHz based radio system that Google chose for its Android@Home system. “The device utilizes a standard WiFi/Bluetooth module, and the planned testing is not directed at evaluating the radio frequency characteristics of the module (which are known), but rather at the throughput and stability of the home WiFi networks that will support the device, as well as the basic functionality of the device,” the filing reads.
Naturally Google isn’t manufacturing its own devices, but will likely rely on hardware partners to produce Android@Home compatible accessories and hubs. We expect to hear more about Google’s upcoming entertainment system this June at Google I/O 2012.
Categories: Computer Stuff, Tech News
Die, VPN! We’re all “telecommuters” now—and IT must adjust
January 30th, 2012
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Categories: Computer Stuff
[AskVG Apps] Download Free and Useful System Utilities, Windows Tweaking Software and Customization Tools
January 3rd, 2012
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Nice group of freeware Win Customization programs here:
Categories: Computer Stuff
How To Create Customizable Multiboot System Rescue Disk
January 2nd, 2012
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Categories: Computer Stuff
Media Center Software / Hardware
November 28th, 2011
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Popcorn Hour: http://www.popcornhour.com/onlinestore/
XBMC: http://xbmc.org/
PLEX: http://www.plexapp.com/
TVersity: http://tversity.com/
CinemaTube Mini: http://www.brite-view.com/cinemago.php
Logitech Revue: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0040QE98O/ref=olp_product_details?ie=UTF8&me=&seller=
Boxee: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0038JE07O
And of course there’s always the PS3, Xbox, and many others. These are just the most popular right now.
There’s also apps like iMediaShare for Android that allow you to play media on your smartphone from any DLNA media server (I like http://code.google.com/p/ps3mediaserver/ personally).
I’ll be adding to this list eventually as I find more products.
Categories: Computer Stuff
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