Month: August 2003

Question.  Is there any product out there that serves as a WiFi repeater?  Basically, something that I can plug into a wall socket (or light socket) to relay/boost a signal to an existing wireless hub?  A simple $25-$40 device would sell like hotcakes (I would buy 4).  It probably isn't supported by the existing specs, but… Continue reading Question.  Is there any product out there that serves as a WiFi repeater?  Basically, something that I can plug into a wall socket (or light socket) to relay/boost a signal to an existing wireless hub?  A simple $25-$40 device would sell like hotcakes (I would buy 4).  It probably isn't supported by the existing specs, but I am wondering if some company had built a work-around.  Everyone seems to be looking for this product but it is really hard to find.  Do we really need to wait for “mesh” network tech?

Note:  Back in 1994, I was working with a team that was looking at the economics of high-density digital cellular systems.  One of the biggest factors in the analysis was the size of the footprint.  A device like the above would allow a significant expansion of the footprint of each hub connection for short dollars. [John Robb's Weblog

Microsoft to Change Distribution of Vulnerable Software. Microsoft plans to change the way it distributes Windows XP in response to a malicious software “worm” that has spread over the Internet in recent days. By John Markoff. [New York Times: Technology]

Among the Ivy, a Campus Tour Guide That Beeps. An electronic tour of Cornell University is part of a research project that explores the uses of devices that can orient themselves in the real world. By Jim Carrier. [New York Times: Technology]

Miss Mom? A Hometown Honey? Calls Are On the House. Anyone on the Dartmouth College campus who picks up a phone and makes a long-distance call anywhere within the United States will find that the call is on the house. On July 1, the school stopped charging for all long-distance calls. By Katie Hafner. [New… Continue reading Miss Mom? A Hometown Honey? Calls Are On the House

Worm a Sign of Horrors to Come?. As technicians scramble to deal with the relatively benign MSBlaster, some experts warn that the next bit of malicious code to exploit the same Windows flaw could pack a much more serious punch. [Wired News]

More on Mach II. I have updated my website's Mach II section with some hints & tips on getting started with Mach II as well as some brief explanation of some of the concepts embodied in the framework…. [An Architect's View]

MovableType for Site Management. Over the past few months I've been reading more and more comments about how great MovableType is for managing stuff other than strictly weblogs. It's Perl, it's flexibly, it's hackable, etc. Spend a few minutes on Feedster and I'm sure you'll see some of it. I believe it all. I'm a… Continue reading MovableType for Site Management

An Answer to the Never-ending Bookmark Management Issue?. A reason for optimism in the otherwise desolate wasteland of bookmark/favorites management? With Snippy, from ResearchAgent, I have a bit of hope. [DennisKennedy.blog]

The Realities of Connecting via GPRS. When you have 20MB to spend and you're using your 3650… it seems like plenty. I mean, Wireless IRC rarely climbs above 100k per session (unless you're using it for hours and hours) and since the integrated email leaves a lot to be desired, it's not like you're checking… Continue reading The Realities of Connecting via GPRS

Survey Says . . . Solo and Small Firm Tech. Results of 2002 ABA survey of solo and small firm technology released. No big surprises, but these are some of the better data available and worth a little study, at least to spot trends. [DennisKennedy.blog]