isnoop.net blog

From Tuttle SVC

If you would like to try out the One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) system for yourself, follow these simple steps:

1. Download the VMware Player installer and run it;
2. Download the VMWare Image file: (Bittorrent, original, mirror) and unzip it somewhere handy;
3. Navigate to the unzipped files and double click on the ‘olpc’ VMware Configuration File;
4. Tell the player it is ok to change the system’s UUID and click through the error messages;
5. You should have a fresh simulated XO laptop. Have fun messing with it.

I’ve mirrored the 136MB image here, but I strongly suggest downloading the bittorrent if you can.

Every light fixture in my home, with the exception of those in the bathroom, is on a dimmer circuit. I’m not sure who’s idea it was, but it is kinda nice if you want to set a romantic mood by the coat closet.

Most CFL (Compact FLuorescent) bulbs come with a warning indicating that they should not be used in dimmer circuits, among other things. Always interested in saving a watt or two, I’ve kept my eyes open for dimmer-compatible CFL bulbs every time I visit the lighting section of my local hardware store.

On my most recent trip, I found and purchased two 26W (100W equivalent) dimmable CFLs at the dandy price of $10 each. I installed them a week ago tonight and they worked fantastically. They don’t dim out fully like incandescent bulbs, merely reducing to about 25% brightness at the lowest level, but they produce a pleasant white light and don’t emit any noise.

That is, until tonight.

After one full week of regular nightly use, one of the bulbs began to “click” every few minutes. This went on for only a few hours until it clicked one last time, blinked, and then went out for good. As it turns out, I may have gotten a bum bulb and I will exchange it for another to make sure. However, my hopes are fading for this early crop of dimmable CFL bulbs. With a price point around that of 20 incandescent bulbs or 5 similar non-dimmable CFLs, one should expect much better results.

Ah well. As with all new things, one should expect some flaws. I just hope these bulbs won’t burn down my home like this company’s other models were said to. Only time will tell.

My Tivo just shut down while I was watching late-night election coverage. When the machine came back online several minutes later, I was prompted with a notice about the update I’d just received. As it turns out, my Series 2 Tivo now supports WPA security (with Tivo Wireless Network Adapter).

For the sake of those who downgraded their network security due to lack of WPA support on a few lagging devices such as Tivo, I’m very glad they have rolled out this update. After begging Tivo to release this feature, I chose to buy an overpriced wireless access point and hook the Tivo up to that.

Thank you, Tivo, for coming out to support your users’ security, even if it is several years late.