Please help

Victorian bushfire appeal 2009

I just bought an EeePC 901

I’m posting this on my new EeePC 901.

I had a bit of trouble deciding between the 1000H and the 901, mostly because I prefer the larger keyboard on the 1000H – but I really wanted something tiny that I could carry around easily, and the 1000H isn’t actually that much smaller (or lighter) than my ancient old Portege. So I went for the 901, which was nearly $200 cheaper, and I’m glad I did. I expected that the tiny keyboard on the 901 would be a bit fiddly to use, and it is – but I’m slowly getting used to it, and as long I remember to avoid using the misplaced right shift key (which could easily be ‘fixed’ by remapping it), my typing is around 80% the speed and accuracy as it is on a full size keyboard. I’m also very happy with the 901’s trackpad – two finger scrolling, three finger right click, etc… I’ve almost stopped reaching for the mouse that isn’t there. For the first time in my life, I think I’ll be able to get used to working without a mouse.

R.I.P 1Up Yours, long live Rebel FM!

With the sad passing of what we all came to know and love as 1Up Yours, comes a phoenix from the flames…

Goodbye 1UP Yours

Goodbye 1UP Yours, it was a wild ride – we’ll miss you.

I’m on Google Street View

That’s me in the red 306. I didn’t realize I was following the Street View car until it was too late, otherwise I would have followed them all over the neighbourhood.

Running audio over CAT5

Today I spent a few hours reading about how using CAT5 to send analog audio around my house was a bad idea, so I thought I’d try it anyway. I bought a $1 network cable and cut in half, I then used the two halves to make two RJ45(8P8C)>RCA adapters. I untwisted and re-paired the CAT5 (see below) and then soldered them to some RCA connectors.

I’m way too lazy to make a graphical diagram, so this will have to do:
Blue/Orange > Left RCA tip
Blue+White/Orange+White > Left RCA shield
Green/Brown > Right RCA tip
Green+White/Brown+White > Right RCA shield

Then I plugged it all in. And it fkn works!

I’ve now got my Delta-66 running an unbalanced line level stereo signal via CAT5 to my hifi in another room. Both ends terminate with my DIY adapters. No noise, no fuzz, just good old fashioned analog audio running over wires like it’s supposed to.

I’m buying an air rifle

I’ve wanted an air rifle since I was a kid, but I was never allowed to have one – which is probably why I really want one now.

The Best Of 2600

Finally there’s a 2600 book coming out. “The Best Of 2600 – A Hacker Odyssey” is a collection of articles from the last quarter century of 2600, hand picked by Emmanuel Goldstein and the 2600 team. There’s currently no mention of it on 2600.com, but that’s not exactly a surprise.

I love feathercuts

Always have, always will.

Kate Pierson

As much as I passionately hate the B-52s, I can’t help but love Kate Pierson. Must be the red hair…