July 2004

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Bootleg DVD Drive-In Theater

July 31, 2004

Currently, I'm 33 years old, so unfortunately due to my age, I have only gone to a drive-in theater maybe 4 times my entire life before they pretty much disappeared - but not before making an impact on my psyche. I remember the terrible quality mono speakers that you rested on your car window sill. In fact, I remember my parents having to drive to 3 different parking spots once just to find one that actually worked. I remember intermissions and the opportunity to get a refill of my drink or popcorn and hanging out with friends.

As few times as i went, I still have fond memories of the times I went.

Posted in Technology and Science

Tagged: bootleg, dvd : Related Tags: technology circuits, drive theaters, remote control, digital brigadoon, drive theater, drive

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HP h6315 GSM GPRS Wi Fi and Bluetooth enabled iPaq

July 29, 2004

HP recently announced a really cool GSM/GPRS-enabled iPaq that also supports WiFi and Bluetooth, making it one of the first to support all 3 wireless protocols.

The iPaq h6315 was developed in partnership with T-Mobile USA Inc. and allows users to make phone calls over T-Mobile's GSM/GPRS (Global System for Mobile Communications/General Packet Radio Service) network.

Most importantly, it can switch between those wide-area network technologies and LAN connections provided by Wi-Fi or Bluetooth chips.

What does this mean? Well, in theory this means I can use a VoIP softphone client on this PDA, such as Xten's SIP-based softphone. The HP PDA should use my home wireless Wi-Fi connection when I'm home (free calling using SIP or reduced calling rate via a SIP service provider), then it will "roam" to the cell phone carrier's wireless network (GSM/GPRS) when I leave the vicinity of a WiFi or Bluetooth connection.

I doubt it will seamlessly switch a live VoIP call between a WiFi connection and GSM/GPRS.

Posted in Gadgets

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Pac Manhattan - Pacman on the streets of Manhattan

July 29, 2004

I've been meaning to blog "Pac Manhattan" for some time now. Since i grew up in the 80's, Pacman was one of my favorite video games. No other video game (in my opinion) has matched the hype and has had the cultural impact that Pacman had. (Yes, that includes Legend of Zelda)

This game was played by kids and parents alike.

Posted in Technology and Science

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Packet8 firmware download with new features

July 28, 2004

I saw this posting yesterday on the VoIP Forums about Packet8's new firmware.
VoIP Forum and other Technology Forums: Latest Packet8 firmware for download

(Just click the link above to found out where to download the latest Packet8 firmware.)

Then just today I got the press release attached below from Packet8 talking about the same new firmware! Looks like this forum poster scooped me! Bastard. Maybe I should ban him from our VoIP forums? ; )

______________________________

8x8 ANNOUNCES NEW FEATURES FOR PACKET8 VOICE OVER IP TELEPHONE AND VIDEOPHONE SERVICES

SANTA CLARA, Calif., July 27, 2004 -- 8x8, Inc. (Nasdaq: EGHT) the Packet8 broadband voice over internet protocol (VoIP) and videophone communications service provider, today announced the availability of popular new features for its residential broadband telephone and videophone service.
The new features are provided at no additional cost to all Packet8 subscribers and work on both the standard residential telephone service as well as the new videophone service.

Posted in Packet8

Tagged: firmware, packet8 : Related Tags: service allows, packet firmware, telephone videophone, telephone service, latest packet, packet

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Shunra network tools and Sony Playstation 2

July 28, 2004

I love Shunra’s emulator and network tools! In fact, we have Shunra\Cloud 4.0 in TMC Labs which we use to inject latency and packet loss when testing VoIP products. They also have another product called Shunra/Storm which enables users to emulate any network behavior including latency, jitter, packet loss, duplication, fragmentation, bit error rate, frame relay flow control, and more, giving users a true picture of application functionality under any network condition.

Apparently Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE) has also learned about Shunra’s powerful network emulator tools and is using Shunra\Storm to proactively ensure that multi-player PlayStation 2 games are optimized for network gaming, including the Internet.

SCEE uses Shunra\Storm to test its internally developed PlayStation 2 games as well as those of licensed independent PlayStation 2 game developers. Shunra\Storm emulates a typical Internet environment, including the real-world network and remote-end-user conditions, particularly upstream bandwidth limitations and irregular periods of high latency.

Posted in Technology and Science

Ken Jennings Jeopardy run

July 28, 2004

I just thought I would share a couple of links about Ken Jennings amazing run on Jeopardy. This man's trivia knowledge is incredible and he has puts my trivia knowledge to shame.

The cult of Ken Jennings (kottke.org)

How I defeated the seemingly unbeatable Ken Jennings

First we had Michael Jordan who was a cut above anyone else. Sure I could thow on my sneakers and have a playground game with some friends, but I had no illusions of being in the same league as MJ.

This year we had Lance Armstrong, once again, a cut above every one else.

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Great Blogging tip for bloggers

July 27, 2004

Here's my great blogging tip of the day. It seems to me that pinging weblogs.com fails more often than not, which means people won't find my new blog posts as easily. I recently learned about a better site to ping.

Here's a link to a suggested "ping aggregator". It pings several of the top blog ping sites.
Ping-o-Matic! » MetaPinging
(exact link: http://rpc.pingomatic.com/)

Some other important blog tips to live by...

Top 10 11 Blog Tips
1) Be opinionated.
2) More is less - don't be wordy
3) Link like crazy.

Posted in Technology and Science

Tagged: blog, bloggers, blogging, tips : Related Tags: great blogging, lists

Cisco Anti-spam breakthrough rumors

July 27, 2004

I've seen a few news stories claiming that Cisco in on the verge of a breakthrough to block spam at the router level. You know, for the technically unsavvy, it's the place where all the IP packets get routed across the Internet? For those even less technically inclined, it's those magical little boxes that send & deliver data across the Internet. Ok, for the really technically challenged stone-agers who still pay their bills with envelopes and stamps (and not online like any sane person), think of routers as kind of like the postman that routes mail to you.

Imagine if the postman had the ability to automatically throw away junk mail for you before it reached your mailbox. Hey, wait a minute, that's a great idea! Unfortunately, the postal service makes a lot of money on those junk flyers.

Posted in Technology and Science

Tagged: cisco : Related Tags: router level, cisco verge, cisco, technically, breakthrough, router

Verizon to battle Vonage for VoIP broadband supremacy

July 26, 2004

Well, first it was AT&T, now another major carrier is jumping on the broadband VoIP bandwagon. Verizon has announced residential VoIP over broadband to compete with Vonage and AT&T's offerings (amongst others, i.e. Packet8, VoicePulse, etc.).

Vonage still reigns as king, and Vonage has a much more flexible pricing structure than either AT&T or Verizon (which is more expensive @ $39.95 per month or $34.95/month if you have Verizon DSL). Vonage offers $29.99/month unlimited as well as $24.99 Unlimited Llocal + 500 long distance, as well as a Basic 500 plan for 500 Anywhere minutes at $14.99/month.

Posted in VoIP

Tagged: verizon : Related Tags: customer service, deltathree provide, verizon, vonage, broadband, month

Voiceglo eDonkey Partner to Offer VoIP phone Service to Millions

July 26, 2004

I just got some interesting news this morning. Apparently, Voiceglo and eDonkey have partnered to offer Internet Phone service to millions of eDonkey network users. Personally, I'm a fan of the open-source eMule client called eMule Plus.

Looking at the press release (pasted below) it's unclear if VoiceGlo actually leverages the eDonkey P2P network or if VoiceGlo simply bundles their software client with the eDonkey program. If it does use the P2P eDonkey network, then VoiceGlo has "one upped" Skype, which uses its own proprietary P2P network of users.

Unfortunately, it looks to me that VoiceGlo is simply a client download on the eDonkey network and not integrated into the eDonkey network in any fashion.

Tagged: voiceglo : Related Tags: edonkey network, phone service, voiceglo edonkey, voiceglo simply, service millions, edonkey

VoIP Developer Conference around the corner...

July 26, 2004

VoIP is hotter than ever with everyone and his brother looking to get a piece of the action. So just how do you get into VoIP? Most likely you are going to need to hire VoIP developers or become one yourself.

Well I have some good news for you if you are looking to educate yourself on developing VoIP applications. The VoIP Developer Conference is just around the corner (Aug 3-4th). This is the first time anyone has had a VoIP show strictly for developers.

It's located in San Jose, CA. (Silicon Valley) so there should be plenty of tech-heads filling the classrooms. If you haven't checked out this show, you should do so now.
VoIP Developer Conference

Posted in VoIP

Skype a security risk?

July 23, 2004

This article says that the ever-popular Skype has a security risk. Essentially, Dmitry Goroshevsky, founder-CEO of Popular Telephony, which has a server-less peer-to-peer VoIP software called Peerio, stated that Skype is a big security risk for corporate networks.

I'll have to investigate this some more, but for now, check out the article.

Om Malik on Broadband » Skype, a security risk for corporate networks?

Posted in Skype

Tagged: skype : Related Tags: corporate networks, skype, security

Voiceglo sweepstakes to win "one of this year’s hottest cars"

July 22, 2004

I just received a press release from Voiceglo that states: "Voiceglo... is encouraging people to ‘Talk It Up’ with friends and family this summer using Voiceglo’s free Internet phone, the GloPhone, and possibly win one of this year’s hottest cars in the process.

Hmmm, wonder what kind of car they're talking about? Is it a Dodge Viper? A Lamborghini Murcielago? A Bugatti 16/4 Veyron?

Alas, the grand prizes include the winners’ choice of a PT Cruiser, a Mini Cooper, Volkswagen Beetle convertible, a Chevy SSR convertible, or a Jeep Wrangler Sport convertible.

It's no Viper or Lamborghini, but it's still pretty cool though. I see iPods listed as a prize as well.

Posted in Skype

Tagged: voiceglo : Related Tags: friends family, year’s hottest, ‘talk up’, internet phone, up’ friends, glophone

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Hilarious Bush Kerry "This Land" Shockwave video from JibJab

July 20, 2004

I was watching NBC News and heard about JibJab's hilarious political cartoon that makes some really funny jabs at both of them. So whether you are in the Bush camp or Kerry camp, you'll find this pretty fun due to it's even-handed ribbing of both.

I could not stop laughing. Good stuff!

Still image of the video

The cartoon is located here:
JibJab Home Page
Unfortunately, the site is down due to tremendous bandwidth hits. It's sweeping the Internet right now - lots of people are forwarding emails discussing this video.

So I have a few solutions for you to view the JibJab Bush-Kerry shockwave file.
1) Use Google's cache and go here: (UPDATE: Google updated their cache, so now this just redirects to Atomfilms.

Posted in Technology and Science

Tagged: bush, kerry : Related Tags: jibjab, video, google, kerry

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My Favorite Disney GPS Coordinates

July 20, 2004

I promised awhile back (this Disney World blog entry), that I would post some GPS coordinates that I captured while down in Orlando, Florida. Someone trackbacked to my blog entry and reminded me that I hadn't posted the GPS coordinates as promised. Well, the time has come!

Disney World's Mission Space Ride

Before I give the GPS coordinates, check out this video I captured of EPCOT Mission Space. It's a centrifigal spinning ride (causes strong G-forces) with a high-resolution screen that displays the simulated rocket ride to Mars.

Posted in Gadgets

Tagged: disney, disney gps, gps : Related Tags: disney world, mission space, using gpsbabel, pocket streets, microsoft pocket, coordinates

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SS8 Networks Best Guess Algorithm

July 20, 2004

This press release gave me a chuckle. It uses a "best guess" technique to figure out where the call should be routed. Computer: "Hmmmm, I think this VoIP call should go here. Oh wait...

Posted in VoIP

Tagged: networks, ss8, ss8 networks : Related Tags: guess location, associated subscriber, answer attempted, numbers associated, remaining numbers, subscriber

iPod Nation article

July 20, 2004

I'm a huge fan of iPod. I've been dreaming about getting one for two Christmas's. Unfortunately, Santa (my wife) didn't fill my stocking with an iPod. : ( (She did buy me some cool accessories for my Viper though.)

Of course, I could just go out and buy one myself, but I decided to blow my cash on a Viper upgrades instead.

Posted in Gadgets

Tagged: ipod : Related Tags: viper payment, viper, payment, ipods, nation, article

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The War on Terror (and spam and viruses)

July 19, 2004

We all know that terrorists make money via drug trafficking, prostitution and other shady dealings. I now have to wonder if terrorists are using the Internet to make money. There is a lot of money to be had on the Internet and the anonymity that it provides is the perfect shield for terrorists.

I have no doubt that they are making money on the Internet. In fact, I would not be surprised if some of the major spammers have ties to terrorists.

Posted in Technology and Science

Tagged: terrorism, tteror, war : Related Tags: making money, identity theft, crack working, microsoft office, virus, viruses

TV Remote Jammer

July 17, 2004

I was just reminiscing with some old friends and we talked about how this one time we played a prank on a friend when we were teenagers. One night, a couple friends and I snuck into the back yard of another friend of ours and we carried a TV remote control with us to attempt to change channels while the friend was watching TV.

Our friend was indeed watching TV and as luck would have it, we had a clear light of sight to the cable box. Ready! Aim Fire! (good thing CableVision standardized on the same remote control!)

The friend was befuddled as we kept changing channels and we even turned the TV off from time to time while trying not to laugh or give ourselves away. Not an easy task as three immature 16 year olds, I tell you!

Well, I was surfing the web for interesting gadgets and came across this little gem - a TV remote control jammer.

Posted in Gadgets

Tagged: jammer, remote, tv : Related Tags: remote control, remote jammer, freqency jammer, remote, jammer, control

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Motorola MPx-Cell phone, PDA, MP3 Player, Camera, all-in-one

July 15, 2004

View Large Image

View Large Image

The Motorola MPx is one sweet device! I say device, because it can't be classified in one category, although "cell phone" category is the most critical feature. I guess "smart phone" device is the most applicable.

In any event, this smart phone features a large dual-hinge landscape and portrait color display (2.8” 240x320 TFT touch screen) with a built-in 1.2 megapixel camera, Windows Mobile software (PocketPC apps), a QWERTY keyboard, and continuous connectivity using Wi-Fi and Bluetooth technology. It also supports GSM and GPRS technology for high-speed Internet access when WiFi isn't available.

The MPx is 2.4 inches wide by 3.9 inches long, and about.95 inches thick (61.2 x 99.7 x 24 mm). It will weigh 6.15 ounces (174 g).

Posted in Gadgets

Tagged: motorola : Related Tags: smart phone, color display, qwerty keyboard, converged devices, western union, phone

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PCTEL WiFi Seeker review

July 13, 2004

PCTEL’S WiFi Seeker
http://www.pctel.com

I love Wi-Fi. I know have serious problems when I can be walking in a mall, down a street, a hotel lobby, an airport terminal, or in a store and wonder to myself “Hmmm, I wonder if I can get a WiFi connection here?” I could of course attempt to boot-up my laptop only to be crushed by lack of any WiFi signals. I reviewed Kensington’s WiFi Finder and SmartID WiFi Detector products in the past. Kensington’s WiFi Finder was terrible, it just plain did not work well if at all.

Posted in Gadgets

Tagged: wifi : Related Tags: seeker pctel, signal strength, seeker, signal, pctel, strength

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Geolocation data - Good for Internet or Satan incarnate?

July 13, 2004

I was reading this CNN article about geolocation data and found it very intriguing for both the good and evil it can spawn.

Google and other search engines are getting more creative with the way their search engines work. Many are now using geolocation data (based on IP address) to determine your approximate whereabouts to tailor search results to your location. For example, if you do a search on "dentist" on Google, you'll probably see some ad results that are tailored to your location. To quote yesterdays blog "Do you see what I see, a star a star dancing in the night" - well with geolocation you may see a dancing star and I may see a dancing baby.

There are several good applications for geolocation.

Posted in Technology and Science

Tagged: geolocation : Related Tags: another country, freedom distinguishes, distinguishes country, search engines, gambling outfit, geolocation

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Do you see what I see? A star, a star, dancing in the night...

July 12, 2004

Why the Christmas carol? Well, researchers have come up with a way to use a camera to capture the image in your eye to see what you you are looking at. Useful applications could include: Seeing if your husband is indeed checking out the woman walking past, security applications, and more.

Currently, it involves using a high-resolution digital camera to snap a close-up of a face, though with optical and digital zoom capabilities getting better all the time, one day it is possible that cameras from a distance can determine what you are looking at.

Certainly, this has "Big Brother" written all over it, but it's an interesting technology nonetheless.

Check out the full story below, and make sure to launch the video to see the demo.

MSNBC - Meet the Eye Cam

Posted in Technology and Science

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A fast hydrogen-powered Viper, a really fast hot dog-eater, and a not-so fast Segway

July 8, 2004

There are many new forms of transportation technologies and alternative fuels being invented. Unfortunately, not fast enough for me considering my Dodge Viper eats ridiculously priced $2.49/gallon premium fuel faster than Takeru Kobayashi eats hot dogs.

In case you haven't heard about Kobayashi, the dimunitive Japanese citizen ate 53 ½ hot dogs and buns in 12 minutes breaking his own world record at the annual Nathan's Famous hot dog eating contest. Not only did he win his forth consecutive time in a row, but he won these four times on July 4th, Independence Day no less! A Japanese citizen winning a hot dog eating contest on an American holiday? That would be like an American flying to Japan and winning a sushi eating contest! That's just wrong!

Kobayashi Posing with 53 1/2 Hot Dogs

Now where was I? Oh yes, I was talking about transportation technologies. A couple of monthy ago, I got to try out the Segway in Disney World and take a tour of EPCOT while riding on one of these cool devices.

Posted in Technology and Science

Tagged: dodge, hot dogs, viper : Related Tags: hydrogen powered, eating contest, disney world, segway disney, powered viper, hydrogen

VoIP & Gadgets Blog

July 2004