Biola Wireless iPhone Autoconnect

Author: Michael Watson

25 Sep

biolasecureac_configuration_profile Biola Wireless iPhone Autoconnect

If you have an iPhone or an iPod Touch with 2.0 Software or later than you can enjoy the benefits of Biola University’s first configuration profile. This profile, when opened by your unit, will automatically install giving you seamless access to the BiolaSecure.AC network. This means that you ~~will not~~ still will have to log-in to Clean Access or but don’t have to use BiolaGUEST

every time you want to use wifi. In order to install this profile go to the iPhone / Manual Setup page using you iPhone or iPod Touch. Then look on the righthand side where you will see a “Dowloads” box. Click on “login using your NetID“. Log-in using your netid and password and then follow the on screen instructions. It really couldn’t be easier. Way to go Biola! Hopefully they will add more features to the configuration profile like Bubbs e-mail or even create a cool app to access portal.

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access, autoconnect, Biola, BiolaGUEST, BiolaSecure, Bubbs, Clean, configuration profile, feature, iphone, iPod, iPod touch, login, mail, NetID, portal, wifi, Wireless

RapidVPS Now W/ Windows VPS

Author: Michael Watson

25 Jul

Image via Wikipedia

A new feature that RapidVPS has more recently announced is they have started hosting Windows 2003/2008 VPS packages. They have just recently warmed up to Windows hosting but have been hosting Linux servers for many years. Since these packages are new, not all of the features that come with Linux hosting such as automatic OS reloads or backups are available. Still they promise to do their best to give you the best support they can. Which I may add is why I love RapidVPS. They have great support that will help anyone from the more novice blogger to the more advanced programmer. I also love how they have a commitment to great service and reliability and they work hard to release great new features all the time. Thanks Rapid VPS!

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anyone, backup, backups, Hosting, linux, new feature, new features, novice, programmer, Rapid VPS, reliability, reloads, servers, service, Windows

Logitech QuickCam Orbit MP Webcam/Mic - Great Condition

Author: Michael Watson

11 Jun

Selling on eBay: Item # 260250271453

Communicate directly with the world through audio and visually. Face Tracking allows the user to move around the room without re-adjusting the camera’s position. RightLight Technology provides the best lighting settings for a clean and clear picture. Use Logitech’s advanced video effects utilizing animating avatars and accessories all while receiving the latest software updates straight from Logitech.

Condition:
Great Condition w/o Box
I’ve had this webcam for a few years but haven’t used it that much. The item looks perfect with no scratches and the original installation books and CD are included as well as an additional stand that elevates the camera. Unfortunately I threw away the original box. No problems, I just have no need for it anymore.

Advanced Features:

Pan, Tilt, and Zoom
RightLight Technology
Face Tracking
Echo Cancellation
Taking Still Pictures
Software Updates

Includes:

1 Quickcam Orbit MP Ball
1 Stand
1 Base w/ integrated microphone & attached USB cable
1 Installation Booklet
1 Audio Setup Guide
1 Quickcam installation CD

Selling on eBay: Item # 260250271453

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avatars, eBay, echo cancellation, installation cd, latest software, logitech quickcam orbit, Mic, microphone, Orbit, Pan, Quickcam, RightLight, software updates, stand, Tilt, Tracking, USB, video effects, webcam

Delicate Data Centers

Author: Michael Watson

10 Jun

Racks of telecommunications equipment in part of a data center.

Image via Wikipedia

I was just reminded yesterday of how delicate technology is and especially that having to do with date centers and major websites. Yesterday I proceeded to my website’s Statcounter stat service and noticed unique new blog post on their company blog. The reason this post caught my attention is because it read “Outage - Explosion at The Planet“. Talk about an interesting title so I went ahead and checked it out. I learned that one of their various data center providers had an electrical issue which cause an explosion. This led to a fire in the electrical room which forced the fire department to cut power. Without time to spare, someone cut the power and let all of the servers shut off. This of course did not turn out well for a bunch of them, as they were not shut down properly although the data center really had no choice because they had to evacuate and allow the fire department to fight the fire.

The damage was pretty severe. Even though it sounded like it was pretty contained and did not damage any equipment, the fire reportedly damaged power lines inside the data center beyond repair. The Planet decided they would rerun new conduit and lines all the way inside from the curb. During the time they inspected the damage, they also worked hard to get their servers there at the data center back online. This was a difficult and I’m sure humbling task as they had thousands of servers at this data center. This was in an unstable environment with damaged wiring and faulty generators. In the end there were a bunch of servers that were damaged beyond a single reboot. Many of these had to have OS re-installs or had corrupted hardware such as hard drives and boards. There were many companies that lost thousands upon thousands of dollars through this crisis that spanned a few days.

It just makes me think about how dependent we are on not only reliable technology but also in redundancies of systems and their backups in case of catastrophic failures. The frightening thing was that this situation wasn’t even that catastrophic. Just think of what the loss would have been if even a hundred servers caught fire and were destroyed. The loss of a small percentage of servers would have amounted to loss of hundred of websites and a bunch of critical information which would have been a nightmare for an IT specialist to recover. Some of the planet’s customers are experiencing such a loss now as there are corrupted systems which have to be sent to data recovery specialists. Remember that in anything you do, create multiple backups and do it in a safe and secure environment that is in a different location from the computers or servers you are backing up. Even the most cautious technicians will run into these troubling realities.

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backups, catastrophic failures, explosion, fire department, generators, hard drives, reboot, reliable technology, servers, stat service, the planet

Brand New 3G iPhone

Author: Michael Watson

9 Jun

From the Apple Worldwide Developers Conference:

Apple figured out what the next challenges are.

1) 3G network support 2) Enterprise support 3) Third party application support 4) More countries (joking about unlocked iPhones in countries not officially supported) 5) More affordable

Introducing the iPhone 3G.

Apple has learned so much with the first iPhone. They have taken everything they’ve learned and more and created the iPhone 3G. Even thinner, black plastic back, solid metal buttons, same gorgeous display, camera, flush headphone jack, and dramatically improved audio.

How does the iPhone 3G tackle the challenges? 3G = faster data downloads, perfect for Safari and Mail. Comparing download speeds between 3G and EDGE. 3G finished in 21 seconds. EDGE finished in 59 seconds.

2.8X faster. Approaching WiFi speeds (WiFi scored 17 seconds). When compared to other 3G phones (Nokia N95 and Treo 750), the iPhone is 36% faster — and better looking.

3G has great battery life on iPhone. 300 hours of standby, 2G talk-time now has 10 hours (as opposed to 5), 5 hours of 3G talk-time (most phones only have 3 hour 3G talk time), 5 to 6 hours of high-speed browsing, 7 hours of video, 24 hours of audio.

GPS support now integrated into the iPhone.

Checking off 3G from the list of challenges. The second challenge, enterprise support, is fully built-in and can be checked off. The third challenge, third party application support, can also be checked off. The fourth challenge, more countries, can be checked off as it will be available in Canada, Mexico, Norway, Sweden, Netherlands and many others — “It’s a Small World” is playing as countries continue to appear on the map.

Now on to the final challenge — affordability. Started at $599 for an 8GB iPhone, now $399. The iPhone 3G 8GB will sell for… $199.

$299 for the 16GB — a white version of this size will be available too.

The iPhone 3G will be available July 11th in 22 countries. The maximum price around the world is $199 USD. Now showing an ad.