Live and Recorded TV on the EEE PC

After getting over the excitement of getting a mini laptop for free I've moved on to suping it up and integrating it into services my local network has to offer. Probably the best feature of my local network is the server in the closet hooked up to the cable running Mythbuntu. After reading some entries on EEE forums, which there is a great resource of, I found some simple instructions on how to add a 'Myth' front end to the system using an EEE PC. This is a great feature because you can watch live or recorded TV from anywhere over wifi. Installing the needed packages was pretty basic using the default Xandros operating system with the addition of the Debian package library. The only problem I ran into was having to make my Myth Server MySQL database available to the local network by changing the "bind=127.0.0.1" to my local network address. The bind setting on a Mythbuntu system is in the /etc/mysql/my.cnf file. Before making this change the KDM windows manager would reboot and there was no feedback as to why.
I can now enjoy recorded shows and even live TV anywhere in the house. I can watch my Extreme 4x4 shows without annoying my wife with the hosts loud obnoxious commentating, which I love, but not as much as my wife, read happy wife.

Arrival of the EEE PC

To all you doubters out there, this is actual prood that you will actually receive an EEE PC if you go through the process (see previous blog entry). I am actually using the device to enter in this posting, all-be-it on an external keyboard and mouse.
The system is everything I hoped it would be and the shipping time via Purolator was negligible.

I confirmed my order on Thursday and received my device Monday afternoon.
Here are some shots of the EEE, also known now as Chiclet, coming out of the box.
We had Chiclet up and running in no time. The size promises to be very convenient. These pictures were copied from an SD card that was inserted into memory card slot.

Free EEE PC

Well, it looks like RBC is coming through on their promise. Today (August 21, 2008) I received a letter in the mail from them with a confirmation code to get my ASUS EEE PC. I first applied for this offer two months ago. Here is what I have to look forward to:

Thank you for choosing RBC Royal Bank^®. You should receive your ASUS Eee PC by courier within 5-10 business days depending on your location. We hope you will enjoy all of the benefits that come with your new banking account. And we know you will enjoy your new ASUS Eee PC.

Here's the catch:

• Be an RBC customer
• Pay for their $13.95 a month plan until Dec. 31
• Set up at least two pre-authorized payments
• Set up payroll direct deposit or monthly pension
• Select paperless statement option
• Pay at least one bill through RBC Royal Bank

The math:
The computer sells for $425.91 after tax and shipping from TigerDirect. The plan will cost us $14 a month until the end of the year (6 months to go) for a grand total of $84. I'm sure RBC gets a deal on them but I don't and I will really enjoy having a mini laptop I can take travelling.
If you are interested in getting one of these for < $100 and you already have an RBC account or would like to get one you have until September 12, 2008 to apply. Here is the link.

Volkswagen Jetta Maintenance

Last week my passenger side key lock stopped working. I would turn the key either way and nothing would happen. Something was definitely wrong, but what? What would cause it to break? How hard is going to be to get at the mechanism.
In the past I have opened several door panels in order to get at the locking mechanism. The Jetta seemed to need the same kind of job. Firstly, there were 6 3mm allen key screws to come out, along the bottom and left and right sides. Then the door handel cover has to be popped off with a broad flat screw driver. Then the door latch handle cover also had to be removed in the same way along with the rear view mirror inner cover panel. There are no tricks to this except gentle presuasion with a screwdriver. Some people put masking tape over the blade to prtoect the metal. Next came the windows crank arm. This was the trickiest part. The collar behind the crank arm needs to be pinched on either side and pushed in the opposite direction the crank arm points. Please see the picture and video:

The next item to remove was the speaker grill which was popped off by an access channel underneath the speaker housing, again, best done with a broad flat screwdriver.
Now all the attaching screws were removed. Two from the door handel, one from the door latch assembly and four that mount the speaker. The speakerer was then disconnected. Then the door lock knob was removed. Then the door panel was carefully removed in and upwards and outwards motion.
To get at the lock assembly I needed to first remove the vapor barrier and then unscrew the torque bolt that is right behind the handle that faces the back of the car when the door is shut. The handle was slid towards the front of the car and pulled out.

Once I had my lock assembly out it was clear that it was broken either by someone trying to break into the car or by plain use. I reckon the former. Here is a couple shots at the carnage.

As you may or may not be able to see the shaft is not connected to the key mechanism and there is signs of shearing. If anyone knows why this happened please let me know! Until then I will be heading to the junk yard for a new key assembly.

Fido UNO? try Fido LAMO

Here is a chance for a Canadian Cellular provider to redeem itself. On the surface Fido UNO seems like the perfect marriage between VOIP and GSM. Peel back a few layers and you will find loads of red tape. Cellular providers are scared spitless of wireless VOIP. How many subsidised WiFi enabled devices do you see out there? Exactly, none. Enter Fido UNO. Finally a WiFi handset that lets you use the internet to save money on calls. The possibilities seem endless, right? Wrong! There are some very strict limits to what Fido UNO can do for you. It is designed to and only to replace a landline at home or in the office.
Let's start out with what UNO can do. You can use the Nokia 6301 ($300) and the Fido UNO service ($15-$20/month) on top of a monthly plan (minimum $30/month) to make unlimited local and long distance calls over a wireless network that is 1) in your local calling area and 2) within GSM range. That's pretty much it!
Now let's talk about what Fido UNO cannot do.

• Use the UNO service outside your local calling area
• Use the UNO service outside Canada
  
• Use the Nokia 6301 to browse, stream or download from the internet using your network free of charge
  

Because UNO seemlessly transfers calls from WiFi to GSM network you need to be within GSM range in order to place an UNO call. Once you are out of service or are registered in another calling area, good-bye UNO. The name UNO is seemlying becoming more ironic. Instead of consolidating your all your personal telecom it is tying you down.

What I want out of the service/sevice:

• replace Skype phone - handheld VOIP
• replace Vonage VOIP device - true international portability
  
• replace iPOD Touch - handheld mp3/wifi browsing device, free when on a wireless network
  

If don't have a cheap way to make long distance phone calls (such as a VOIP landline such as Vonage or Primus, a calling card, prefix-dial), don't make calls from outside your local calling area, don't travel, don't want an all-in-one solution then Fido UNO is for you. It would be ideal for people who talk a lot locally or long distance who spend most of their time at home or in the office, given their office is in their local calling area.
As a Vonage customer I pay $20/month for 500 minutes of calls, includes all the features you could every want and I can take my big bulky black box any where in the world and make VOIP calls. There are some definite gaps within my personal telecom that I would definitely invest in given that they existed. For now I will hold out for an unlocked Nokia 6300i. Who knows what VOIP settings or service providers you can use with it? Maybe Skype, Gizmo or even Vonage. Fido is definitely not at my side on this one and dogs with two heads are just plain weird!