Wireless Networking

Get Your 802.11 Media Fix From SeattleWireless TV 81

Posted by timothy from the what-about-divx;) dept.
Michael Pierce writes "SeattleWireless TV brings you the latest information on Community, Corporate, and Home Wireless applications, hardware, security, and innovators in the field. July 2003 Show Summary: On this month's show, Peter and Michael report on the wireless project called 'SnowNet,' a project where Casey Halverson plans to use mountain tops to connect communities via a 802.11b backbone. We then check out the first link connected to SnowNet. TacomaNode,' located in Tacoma, Wa. It will connect to Seattle via a wireless backbone through SnowNet. Scott Kennedy, the owner of the Drinkmore Café, tells us why he has decided to provide free WiFi to his customers while other places charge. And finally we had a chance to try out a new Linux embedded product called the Prismiq MediaPlayer. Using this device, you no longer have to watch your media files on your small computer monitor. Using a wireless card, it can hook up to your network anywhere! You can view by choosing your player: Windows MediaPlayer or RealPlayer. If for some reason they don't stream there are some download links on the site. Also, if the stream links get messed up for any reason they are on the site, too." SnowNet is too cool to ignore.
Programming

SQL: Visual QuickStart Guide 198

Posted by timothy from the bingo dept.
objectboy writes with a review of Chris Fehily's SQL: Visual QuickStart Guide, writing "This book teaches ANSI SQL-92 programming to database beginners and intermediates. The publisher, Peachpit Press, publishes mostly end-user and novice titles that usually go unnoticed by professional programmers. Its Perl and PHP books, for example, are of little practical or tutorial use to an experienced developer. In fact, I noticed this SQL book only because a junior developer was using it for a course. The book's table of contents, index, and a sample chapter are posted on Amazon.com. The book's official web site contains errata and other information." Objectboy's review continues below.
GNU is Not Unix

Linksys and the GPL, Again 443

Posted by michael from the unclear-on-the-concept dept.
Rob Flickenger writes "While poking around on the Linksys WRT54G (one of the new Linux 2.4.5 based APs) at a SeattleWireless Hack Night session, we noticed a number of binaries in their firmware (including Zebra, PPP 2.4.1, and iptables to name three) that are released under the GPL, some of which are obviously modified. The question is, where is the source code to Linksys' modifications? Their "GPL Code Center" has the packages, but they are the pristine distributions, without any changes whatsoever. I've asked Linksys for clarification, but given Linksys' customer service reputation, I highly encourage other interested parties to ask them as well. More details are up on my weblog on oreillynet.com."
Toys

Airborne Video With an R/C helicopter 162

Posted by Hemos from the you-can-see-the-world dept.
PerryResearch writes "MacGyver would be jealous - here are the plans for a complete 2.4 ghz wireless video transmission system, mounted on a Mikado Logo 20 R/C helicopter, with realtime video overlay showing wireless signal strength, GPS coordinates, and support for videoglasses. Make sure you check out some of their in-flight videos."
The Courts

Australian Federal Court Overturns Legal Modchip Sales 177

Posted by timothy from the in-their-infinite-wisdom dept.
An anonymous reader writes "Yesterday, the Australian Federal Court overruled the previous ruling on modchips in Australia. I am pretty sure the overruled case is the mainstay for the 'legal' use of modchips in Australia (predominantly Linux on the Xbox). Haven't seen this hit the media yet, with the exception of the Australian Financial Review referring to it in the Free Trade Agreement context. The ruling can be found here. Although not a lawyer, it appears the original judgement was made on the basis that Sony did not provide a copy protection system. Also noted is that there is limited commercial use for the mod other than circumvention. Wonder what will happen to modchips for the Xbox, given that it can be argued that running Linux could easily be seen as commercial."
Portables (Games)

Palm OS Based Gaming Device Nears Release 141

Posted by Hemos from the going-after-the-sp dept.
Sokie writes "During the past few weeks Tapwave, a startup founded by a couple former Palm employees, has been slowly unveiling the features of their upcoming Helix (Flash heavy link) handheld gaming device. So far, the specs include a 480x320 16-bit color display, dual Secure Digital (SD) slots, Bluetooth connectivity for wireless multiplayer (Wi-Fi available through SDIO), multiple analog controls including triggers, ATI Imageon graphics, and dual rechargable lithium ion batteries (no word yet on battery life). In addition to some cool sounding hardware, several prominent game companies are already signed on to develop games for the Helix, including Activision and Midway. It will also run traditional Palm apps like Calendar and Address Book. Tapwave will continue to unveil a new feature each week for the next few weeks, and the product is supposed to launch in September or October and retail for about $299. PC World has some additional info."
It's funny. Laugh.

Clammy Modding 191

Posted by Hemos from the air-that-off dept.
japala writes "Some people tend to have cold hands while they type the keyboard or use the mouse. Equally as many suffer from sweaty palms and that feels really annoying while using the mouse. MetkuMods have made couple of tutorials in true DIY spirit that will try to make your life easier. These devices may have started as a joke but trust me, they do work. See the MouseFan and BreezePad."
Data Storage

Best USB Flash Storage? 77

Posted by Cliff from the portable-bootable-and- >3-meg-capacity dept.
Jennifer asks: "I'm thinking of making the plunge and buying some sort of USB flashdisk. I just migrated to a laptop without a floppy, and want some sort of quick and easy medium, preferably bootable, for moving files around. My idea solution would be a SDcard reader that is small, bootable, Hi-Speed USB and sleek/sexy. SD based means I could have a number of cards ready to go, such as a linux card, a Win98 card, maybe even a Win2k card if I could pare the install down to 256MB, plus other stuff, including compatibility with my Palm. Is booting purely BIOS dependent? What have your experiences been with these things?"
Portables (Apple)

AppleCare for PowerBooks - Worth it or Wasted? 289

Posted by Cliff from the seeking-decent-technical-support dept.
Starquake asks: "I am planning on purchasing a PowerBook in the near future. The choice between models largely depends on whether or not the cost of AppleCare is included. Of course the salesman at the Apple Store suggested I purchase AppleCare, but I am not sure about the cost/benefit ratio. Would the PowerBook owners on Slashdot please advise me on whether or not the AppleCare plan is worth the extra cost? What types of experiences have you had with Powerbook failures and replacements?"
Encryption

ABIT's Secure IDE Motherboard 567

Posted by timothy from the there-are-few-absolutes dept.
Frank Caviggia writes "The Inquirer has a story about ABIT's spiffy new IC7-MAX3 motherboard. Apparently, this motherboard has a feature called 'Secure IDE,' which is marketing-speak for hardware-based encryption ... ABIT goes on to claim that 'Secure IDE' 'will keep government supercomputers busy for weeks and will keep the RIAA away from your Kazaa files.' Pretty bold claims for a motherboard maker ..."
Handhelds

SIM-Based WLAN Authentication for Open Platforms 7

Posted by timothy from the are-you-who-you-say-you-are dept.
An anonymous reader writes "Using SIM for WLAN authentication may have many advantages, but security threats must also be carefully considered. This article by four members of Intel's 'Emerging Platforms Lab' provides a brief overview of the authentication process in a GSM network, and then describes a possible method of WLAN authentication using SIM cards. It also goes through various SIM security issues, and describes an assortment of reader attachments and their advantages and disadvantages."
Handhelds

Open Standards for Cell Phone Components 139

Posted by timothy from the snap-together dept.
PoisonousPhat writes "STMicroelectronics, Texas Instruments, Nokia and ARM have formed the Mobile Industry Processor Interface Alliance (MIPI), who seek to define open standards for cell phone components. Forget that expensive camera phone, just plug in a third-party device." Update: 07/30 18:13 GMT by T : Thanks to Alain Mellan for the link to STMicroelectronics.
Data Storage

Real Time Statistics Feeds for Fantasy Sports? 29

Posted by Cliff from the just-for-fun dept.
Anonymous Coward asks: "I want to develop an applet that will track/sort/rank NFL players using real-time statistical feeds from somewhere. Is there a subscription service or site that offers real time NFL statistical feeds (bonus points given if its a free service)?"
Handhelds

Sharp Zaurus SL-C750 (P)reviewed 156

Posted by timothy from the note-built-in-drool-cup dept.
Bill Kendrick writes "Dynamism loaned the Japan-only 'C750' clamshell model Zaurus Linux PDA to the folks over at BargainPDA.com, and they've put up a mini-review, with the promise of a more in-depth review to come soon. The funniest part is they needed to scale down the screenshots to fit on their site."
Data Storage

Auditing Large Unix File Systems? 21

Posted by Cliff from the getting-the-whole-picture dept.
jstockdale asks: "The recent article on perpendicular recording hard drive technology brought me, as a unix(tm) admin, to reflect on the management of data systems and file servers of capacities >1TB (which exist today and tomorrow will become commonplace). Since Google for once seems useless, what suggestions does the Slashdot crowd have on methods and software to audit changes, visualize file system usage, and in general to determine the qualitative and quantitative nature of the content of large unix file systems?"
Hardware

Rechargeable Batteries - Yes or No? 896

Posted by Cliff from the they-keep-going-and-going-and-going dept.
TheFifthElephant asks: "I currently use quite a few devices that require various size batteries and I feel horrible just tossing them when they die. I saw a recharger at a retail store today and was thinking to myself how much waste it would reduce by using rechargeable ones. Which units have you used happily and/or which units have you heard of/read about satisfying someone else? Are the more expensive units better? What chemical rechargeable batteries last the longest/recharge the most?"
Data Storage

Citizens' Protection in Federal Databases Act Introduced 203

Posted by michael from the won't-go-far dept.
SewersOfRivendell writes "Quote from http://boingboing.net/: 'EFF, EPIC, CDT, ACLU and Free Congress have drafted a bill that's been introduced by Senator Wyden today, for a new law called "The Citizens' Protection in Federal Databases Act." This is a hell of a law. It finds that various species of spooks are making avid use of commercial and governmental databases, merging them and aggregating them, without transparency, accountability, or any real understanding of the danger to civil liberties involved in this practice. Accordingly, it requires any Fed agency using non-Fed databases to cut it out and make a full report to Congress on who they're buying database and database-services from, what they're doing to preserve privacy, why they're doing what they're doing, and whether they actually have a realistic chance of catching any bad guys. And it calls into account Feds who abuse their authority and limits the kind of doomsday hypotheticals that can be used to justify such abuse.' PDF draft of the bill here."

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