Atlantageek

You have to give it to the russians. They dont mind taking a few Risks.

I was getting “ERROR 1033 (HY000): Incorrect information in file: ‘./realworx_production/analyzers.frm’” whenever I tried to adjust my mysql innodb parameters and run a query.
To adjust this you have do delete or move the ib_logfile0 and ib_logfile1 file in your datadir. Then start the database.
So step-by-step
1. stop mysql
2. modify my.cnf, specifically the changes you want to make to innodb_log_file_size
3. move or delete ib_logfile1 and ib_logfile0
4. start database.

I just got a mini SA board from dunehven.com. My goal was to write a flex UI for a spectrum analyzer. Somr ething I’ve done at work but unable to demo or discuss. So I’ve been looking for a cheap spectrum analyzer to supply the rf data. I’ve been considering a wi-spy but am unable to bring myself to buying a $200 device for this project. Ebay never gave me joy on finding a cheaper model. I’ve bidded on 2 or 3 models bug gave up at 120 dollars.

Then I found the MiniSA for $50 at dunehaven. Just from the specs it looks like it is better than the Wi-spy. However it is a little bit bulkier because in addition to the $50 SA you must buy a open source .Arduino board (~40). I like this solution better because I wanted to get into the AVR microcontrollers anyway.

First impressions of the MINISA is that the software is pretty minimal compared to what I’ve seen Wi-spy does. Wi-spy gives you templates, Spectrum screen, waterfall graphs, statistical displays and all sorts of daemon software.

MiniSA’s windows only client is a minimal Spectrum screen.

The other problem is that minisa’s usb protocol is not documented. I have email out to the designer hoping he will give me some info. Until then I might try my hand at some USB snooping.

Outsourcing the scaffolding is an article from a fellow Atlantian discussing how best to oursource code. His thesis is that you should only outsource the the initial version or core product. Once you get into the details where the problem is nolonger simple you need to bring it in house.

I agree and I think this applies to outsourced development even when it is a division of the same company. When the designers and requirement gathers are far away from the developers you are asking for trouble.

I’ll never buy a dell again. My wife shopped for a computer and chose the Dell M1330 last December. Around Feburary the hard drive failed. After replacing the hard drive and reinstalling Windows Vista the machine was unstable. We’ve had two technicians to come out to repair it. We’ve sent it to the Depot. We’ve spent 20 hours working on this thing. It is still failing. We’ve asked for a new computer. They say that they’ve replaced so much hardware that it is literally a new computer. That’s not the point. Obviously they are missing something. These machines are working fine from the factory but can’t handle a simple Vista reinstall. I’m not the only one with these problems with these machines.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=206587&page=3

I’m sure this is part of the Vista madness that is going on. However If I had purchased a mac that I could dual boot I’m sure that apple would have made things right. They would have refunded my money or given me a different machine. Or at least I could have installed Linux on the machine.

The customer service is horrible. We’ve spent more time repairing, reinstalling, using the computer and then it failing that Dell should have worked with us. But they refused too.

Advice. If you do buy a machine and it starts acting up within 2 months of purchase then suspend the payment on your credit card until its fixed.

A really cool looking design.  Apparently the goal was to create stuff that traditional craftsmen using sustainable materials to create high value products.  Singgih Kartono came up with the Areaware Mango Wooden Radio . I like the idea but I thing a clock design would have carried over better.  I have trouble dedicating that much space to an object I rarely need to look at from afar.  By the way why someone needs to mix a cool wall clock with an mp3 player.  Now that would rock.

ChRoMicro – Cheap Robotic Microhelicopter HOWTO

Found an interesting blog called Google blogscoped . Looks like its all about the google statistics.