Simon Vogt

My Tumblr site, just to add to the many other web 2.0 gizmos I already have
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Following a power cut some time ago, I came home to find my Linksys router had died :( A budget restraint led me to a new Netgear WRN2000 which turned out to be nothing but misery so for 2012 I decided to invest more heavily and get some cutting edge networking router tech in the form of the Linksys E4200. Good reviews although not 100% across the board, the Linksys had an appeal. From past experiences, Linksys generally tend to run the DD-WRT hacked firmware, providing geek features to the max, so the brand was a pull. After getting it home and setup, my initial response was .. of shit what have I just blown all that cash on? But after some tweaking and researching, it is now up and running at full speed. Some of the features I like are: Able to create a separate Guest Wifi log in Dual band running at both 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz USB port with DNLA server built in (aka Network Attached Storage) Looks very slick I did think it had a Bit Torrent client built in but that is not the case. Also, I had BIG problems getting USB drives to register on the USB port, but if you re-mount the affected drive on your Mac/PC then delete the TwonkyMedia files, then start again, this should fix those issues. Now I can keep my Mac/PC HDD free from media and stream all my content to my devices around the house. Finally, with regard to DD-WRT, the firmware is only Work In Progress at this stage, to I will stick with the stock firmware at present - why fix it if it isn’t broke :D

Following a power cut some time ago, I came home to find my Linksys router had died :(

A budget restraint led me to a new Netgear WRN2000 which turned out to be nothing but misery so for 2012 I decided to invest more heavily and get some cutting edge networking router tech in the form of the Linksys E4200.

Good reviews although not 100% across the board, the Linksys had an appeal. From past experiences, Linksys generally tend to run the DD-WRT hacked firmware, providing geek features to the max, so the brand was a pull.

After getting it home and setup, my initial response was .. of shit what have I just blown all that cash on? But after some tweaking and researching, it is now up and running at full speed.

Some of the features I like are:

Able to create a separate Guest Wifi log in

Dual band running at both 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz

USB port with DNLA server built in (aka Network Attached Storage)

Looks very slick

I did think it had a Bit Torrent client built in but that is not the case. Also, I had BIG problems getting USB drives to register on the USB port, but if you re-mount the affected drive on your Mac/PC then delete the TwonkyMedia files, then start again, this should fix those issues.

Now I can keep my Mac/PC HDD free from media and stream all my content to my devices around the house.

Finally, with regard to DD-WRT, the firmware is only Work In Progress at this stage, to I will stick with the stock firmware at present - why fix it if it isn’t broke :D

From Mac to Win

I often get bored easily with tech, and have surprised my self just how long I have stuck with my Mac Mini on OS X.

My first Mac Mini sat on a shelf gathering dust for almost a year, because after one quick dip in the world of Mac, I just didn’t get it.

Then, when bored with my XP PC and it’s continual needs for re-installs and spring cleans, I got the Mac back out and said - I’m gonna give this Mac 2 weeks and then I’ll decided.

That was alsmost 3 years ago and one New Mac Mini later - I loved it (once I got it). No temptation to keep buying new hardware - no abundance of crappy shareware to install just to bork my system - just pure raw computer usage.

Thing is - my Mac seems troubled - either getting croaky, some new settings change causing a conflict, or just a sign, but I’ve got itchy feet again.

Now I am hearing myself saying - I’m going to leave my Mac Mini boot camped into Windows 7 for a few weeks, and see how I find the experience.

I have the main software I need - Bit Torrent, AirVideo (runs on Windows as well) and now my new media server that centralises my media needs - I should be good to go.

I wonder ………

Cute little cup cake almost too good to eat D

Cute little cup cake almost too good to eat D

Never knew Ladybirds swarm and are so cheeky :D

Never knew Ladybirds swarm and are so cheeky :D

Love this

My little photography site 

Total blatant self promotion, but have set up a little photoblog - just to be decedent :P

No, Google doesn’t have a virus again

Remeber the Google PacMan banner from the other week? Well someone at work actually thought they had a virus on their PC when they saw it :P and I read a post on The Next Web where someone even rang tech support about the same problem.

Well those users, please don’t be alarmed if you see an image/photo background next time you go to Google.com.

It is supposed to be that way - it will be a love hate thing I’m sure (based on the Tweets I’ve read today) but remember - you can remove it if you want to :D

I kinda like it

HTC Desire coming to my house soon, maybe

Monday is the day that I can, if I want to, buy out of my iPhone contract and into the world of HTC Desire aka Android OS.

I have mixed views regarding my iPhone 3G. I miss some basic camera options such as focus and exposure control. I find the sometimes laggy interface down right annoying. And sometimes, I just find Apples/Jobs attitude arrogant and presumptuous.

Don’t get me wrong, having the iPhone has been a fantastic experience. I cannot imagine NOT having a portable internet connected device about my person. It is a big part of my life, as is having my always on Mac Mini - just could not NOT have it. You see, I am not a Mac hater :P

Basically, I just get bored with gadgets and I’ve had my iPhone for over a year now. The thought of upgrading to an iPhone 3Gs which would basically be just the same phone, for another TWO years is out of the question.

The main thing stopping me from switching handsets was the potential lack of iTunes syncing - I really like my Podcasts as was worried about how I could keep up that seamless integration that you get from Apple products. Well I have found the Missing Link application that does, wait for it, SYNC over WiFi - OMG how cool would that be :D

Ill blog back on Monday - if I have made that final step and swapped phones :P

Google SSL Search 

whoa - never knew you could do SSL searches over Google.com. Could be useful I guess :D

Poor Cumbria

Wow - Cumbria have been through the mill the past few years. What with the floods then that bus crash and now this f@@ked up gunman.

12 dead and 25 injured!! That’s quite a count - hope he died slowly and painfully :0(

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