Looking for the perfect gift for that geek in your life? Look no further.  The linksys NSLU2, aka the Slug, is a device that allows you to attach two USB devices from the factory, and that can be upped to basically the USB hardware limits any linux box would be subjected to with some hacking. This little device uses 10 watts of power and comes equipped with a 133MHz processor, that can also be “overclocked” to 266MHz with a pair of toe nail clippers. This thing has as much processing power, actually more, than the first Dell computer I bought back in the day for over $3,000.  All of this comes in a case that is smaller than most home routers.

From the factory, the NSLU2 is setup to support two USB hard drives. While this is “ok” for many people looking for a cheap NAS device, it is not enough for the average geek. If you spend $20 and a few hours, you can have a full blown Debian install on a flash drive and have a linux box that uses 10W and takes up no space….incredible. There are detailed instructions on how to install Debain on an NSLU2 and they work like a charm. Currently the Debian installer, they have official Debian support for the NSLU2 (crazy), but there are detailed directions on how to install it manual style.

If you don’t want to go that far, you can install any number of different pieces of software created by users for the NSLU2, by visiting NSLU2 Linux. New firmwares and other pieces of software enable the NSLU2 to do just about anything you can think up, without much work.

Conclusion? The NSLU2 by Linksys is the best piece of hardware a geek can own for under $100.

tags: geek, gift, linksys, nas, nslu2

I just got done writing up a nice review of NewsHosting’s binary newsgroup server packages.  I have been using them on and off for the past few years and amazingly, they have really provided nothing but great service. Imagine that.

tags: binary, hosting, newsgroups, review, usenet

Just noticed that Xincom has finally released a firmware update for the DPG-502 Twin WAN router. The upgrade went as smooth as silk via my web browser after downloading the file and backing up the existing setup.  I love it when that happens. The new upgrade seems to have a number of different enhancements and revisions to the GUI interface.  Thanks for finally releasing the update Xincom.

tags: dpg-502, router, twin wan, xincom

Anyone have a good, entry-level, Digital, auto-ranging multi-meter they can recommend? I am in the market for something with as many features that can be packed into a decent quality unit with auto-ranging for around $50.

tags: digital, electronics, multi-meter, recommendation

So, I have been a tinkerer all of my life. I have always had a fascination with electronics and the gadgets that people have created. It is time that I actually learn the real ins and outs of electronics and have started my studies. I will list the books I have bought and read on eletricity, electronics theory, circuit design once I have a second to read all of them. =P  For now, take a look at the Evil Genius electronics kit for the “Electronics Circuits for the Evil Genius” book and the Evil Genius downloads at McGraw-Hill. BTW, there is a free multi-meter (non-auto-ranging) that you can get from ABRA electronics when you make a purchase over $50.

tags: circuits, education, electronics, evil genius, kit, projects

So, I think a lot these days about electricity, alternative power generation methods and storing that electricity. It seems that we (man that is) has been pretty complacent when it comes to finding new ways to store electricity. Seems pretty counter intuitive to me when you consider that the items we are integrating into our daily lives more and more require a power cord to be connected to them at some point.  Some of the things that I have thought quite a bit about are things like pumping water into a tower to be used to push a turbine later when power is needed.  It turns out this is probably the most widely used, large-scale, power storage method in use today. They don’t pump water into a tower, rather water is pumped into large cavities like mines or resevoirs.  But, the coolest thing I have seen is using a flywheel to store electricity.  Apparently it is one of the most efficient methods of storing large amounts of electricity for short or long term applications.  I somehow stumbled upon this today while thinking about storing electricity.  Beacon Power has a test flywheel array at PG&E’s San Ramon, CA testing facility. I may have to go over there and check this thing out. A low power motor is used to spool up the flywheel slowly (as there is no need to do it quickly) and maintain the high speed that it spins at. A vacum surrounds the flywheel to help reduce friction from air and magnet bearings reduce friction allowing for a more efficient design, less maintenance and a longer useful life.

Pretty damn cool.

tags: batteries, beacon power, electricity, flywheels, pg&e, storing electricity

Not sure why these things are so friggin’ hard to find. I am also not sure if it is hands free or handsfree. Either way, you can find a good selection of hands free faucets at handsfreefaucets.net.

tags: disabled, faucets, hands free, handsfree

Is your CPU fan screaming these days and you can’t understand why? Well, crack open your case and see if the fins on the CPU heatsink are covered in dust.

For the past couple of weeks, my CPU fan has been screaming and I was too lazy to pull the box out and open it up. I figured there was too much television recording going or that the newer configuration under the desk was preventing enough cool air to get down there. Of course, the latter should really have dictated that I do something quickly, but of course I did not. So, yesterday afternoon I decided to open up the case and make sure the fans were all plugged into the correct places on my motherboard. My ASUS board has some great features for controlling the CPU, chasis and power fans if they allow for mobo control.  The first thing that I noticed was that the fins on my stock P4 heatsink were completely clogged up with dust.  I got out the pressurized air and blasted away.  Then I made sure there was nothing clogging the chasis fans or the power supply fans, made the rounds inside the case and buttoned it back up.  Wouldn’t you know it, the computer is now whisper quiet. I am an idiot.

tags: computer help, cooling, cpu, maintenance

Saw this little bad boy on the plane tonight and thought I would post it here so I don’t forget about it. I don’t really have a need for it right now, well of course I do, but apparently you can’t get one anyway. Belkin has made a wireless USB hub so that you can connect up to four USB devices in a remote location (up to 30 feet away). Pretty cool if you want to put an array of USB drives in a hide-away location so that you can keep them from getting ripped off or to free up some desk space. Pretty spendy at $200, but I am sure that will change in the near future.

By the way, I sold my Tivo Series 2 with a lifetime subscription for $375 plus shipping.

For those of you who don’t know, Speakeasy is the best kept secret in broadband access since…well, they are the best thing going by far. Not only do they offer DSL packages that make sense (what is included in the bundles), they offer rock solid service at great prices.  But, even better is that they are based here in the US and you can actually get a real, English speaking person who knows what they are talking about, when you call their tech support department. I have nothing but great things to say about all of the guys I have spoken to and dealt with at Speakeasy.  They are truly a class act.

With that said, I have to say that I am happy and sad at the news this morning that Best Buy has acquired Speakeasy. I received an email that started like this:

I am pleased to announce that Speakeasy has been acquired by Best Buy, an innovative and growing Fortune 100 company and the top consumer electronics retailer in North America. This is a significant milestone for our company as our new relationship will help us realize our goals of becoming the No. 1 provider of voice and data solutions to small businesses. It is important to note that though Speakeasy will now be a wholly owned subsidiary of Best Buy, we will continue to operate as a standalone, independent operating division with headquarters in Seattle.

I am happy for all of the people at Speakeasy and that they have probably been able to put some well deserved cash into their pockets. However, I fear that this may mean that over time, things will change…but, maybe not. So, we will have to see how that goes. For now, congrats to the Speakeasy team and good luck going forward.

tags: acquisition, best buy, dsl, speakeasy