WRT160N v2

Way to go, you Cisco F-tards. If you are having problems with your WRT160N v2 router timing out with DNS issues, then you are not alone. Seems the asshats at Cisco skimped on the RAM in this unit, and it’s causing serious issues with build 11 of the firmware. What’s more, is they are being OH so responsive with their help.

Once again, we’ve been left to our own devices to “fix” this issue. Basically the fix is to downgrade to build 8, which of course is not something Linksys is assisting with. I’ve included a link to the thread where everyone is bitching about the problem below, and a link to an awesome tutorial provided by a concerned netizen. :) Well done, Paul!! Thanks much!

Linksys Thread: http://forums.linksysbycisco.com/linksys/board/message?board.id=Wireless_Routers&thread.id=119107

Paul’s Awesome Tutorial: http://audipages.com/router/

Today was the first day of my C# class. C# is a .NET programming language, and something I’ve been concentrating on lately. As much as I tout the virtues of Open Source, the easy money is in .NET, and I see no reason to close those doors. Besides, I really like what I am finding in .NET (imagine that).

The class is going well. There are only four students! So, we get to really shape the class direction which is nice. I was worried this would be way above my head since it was an “Advanced C#” class, but so far it’s right on target. Not far above my head, and I’m not bored out of my mind either. I tell ya, one major perk for Corporate America is the training you often get to participate in.

In other news, my back feels like it’s broken! It’s probably because I’m an out of shape fat ass, but nonetheless the pain is wicking my sanity away at a nice steady pace. During a training week! YAY! So, we’ll see how it goes. So far, I’m still in good spirits. How did my back break, you ask? Well, it’s “about that time”. My back gets thrown out about once or five times a year. Usually right in sync with me being out of shape. So, time to get back in shape — not pear shape.

Lastly, I sold my iPod and just wiped that wicked iTunes off my computer. OMG that felt so good. iTunes was programmed by the devil! I swear, it’s like Apple purposely makes their software suck ass on Windows machines. I can hear you Apple fanboys, “so get a MAC!” Yeah, no thanks. I don’t want to pay twice the worthy rate for a computer. Windows suits me fine, thanks. Perhaps Apple should think about making iTunes not suck on Windows since most of the iPod owners are Windows users!!! Yeah, stick that in your pipe, and smoke it, you Apple Hippy Freaks. :D hahahah Kidding of course, you know I love you all!!

Ok, Brenda! I’m downloading it now! :) I speak of course about the Sauerbraten Game Engine. Brenda has recommended this twice, and the first time I just let it slip into the comment void. I’m downloading it now. What did it for me this time was the map in the picture. That’s FACES!!! You old school Unrealers out there know what I’m talking about. HOURS of fun on that map. So, I will have to check it out. If you miss old school Quake, Unreal, or have a machine that can’t run Crysis (I so have to get that game), then give this one a shot. Or give it a shot even if you don’t meet those criteria. It’s free for shit sake!

Congratulations KDE Team on their Beta 1 announcement! I’ve been a fan of KDE since way back when. I don’t recall what version they were on when I first found them. I’ve tried many Desktop Environments and Window Managers and I always find myself coming back to KDE. It was always a toss up between Fluxbox and KDE for me. I finally ended up staying in KDE for my desktops and using Flux on my servers.

Recently I switched my main desktop back to Windows Vista (pausing for sighs of dismay). Right before KDE 4. Right before the beauty of Plasma. Right before KDE went to the next level! I will definitely be trying it out to see what Plasma is like. I just have to ask, WHY CAN’T WINDOWS LEARN FROM THIS!? I mean, Aero has the ability to do all of this stuff, but they don’t. Hate that.

I miss my Kontact, aKregator, and most of all amaroK! Well, anyway, I just wanted to give my congratulations to the KDE Team! I may not being in KDE anymore, but I still think of it fondly. :) Keep up the good work, guys and gals, and keep showing the world what Open Source projects can do!

Hello there my faithful readers! It’s been forever and a day, and I wanted to just drop a line to say we’re still alive and kicking… The running theme these days seems to be sickness. Rhys has a cough right now, but he just got over (or is getting over) a real nasty stomach bug. It turned him into a human lawn sprinkler if you catch my drift. Poor kid just can’t seem to catch a break! On top of that, Heidi was diagnosed with Bronchitis! YAY! So much for riding this out until we get back on insurance. Chalk that up to another one of my brilliant foresights… I have remained sickness free, which is important when you have a new job.

I’m still working on websites on the side, and have been working with a local politician. A friend of mine and I are thinking of marketing to the local political scene to see if we can drum up some beer money. The market is ripe, and we have the skills. Might as well try capitalizing on it. At the worst it’s a learning experience — such is life.

Not too long ago, Rhys when #2 on the big boy potty for the very first time! So, he got himself a brand new red bicycle! He’s so excited about it. Even in his weakened condition, he insists on riding his bike outside a little bit each day. He gets about two good pedals in and then has to rest to catch his breath and drink some Gatorade! LOL  He’s a trooper! Of course, we don’t let him take it too far! What’s more, with me concentrating on studies, mom seems to be the one taking him out most of the time. I swear I will do more here soon, but studies take priority right now.

Speaking of studies, I’m studying up on .NET programming. Both the Win32 side and the Web App side. It’s so good to be back in Visual Studio, even for my Open Source projects. I have to hand it to Microsoft with Visual Studio, it’s just some bad ass shit. I gave my old copy of Studio to the neighbor kid who has shown an interest in programming — my good deed for the month. Hopefully he doesn’t squander the opportunity to take the free time in his life right now, and get a leg up on the working world.

That’s about it. Nothing too interesting, and I’m sure I am forgetting quite a bit of shit, but I’ll write more in here, I promise. Even if it is fluff, like this. :)

Yep, I’m installing Windows at home again… Fret not, it’s just for gaming. I mean, that’s what winders is for, right? I need some gaming fix and I need Windows in order to do it in a non-stressful fashion. So, here we go.

First XP CD I found produced a blue screen when trying to start the Windows GUI for installation. Not a good start. Though, I thought it an appropriate welcome back to the neighborhood.

The second CD I found installed just fine. But, look at this, no video driver, no ethernet, no SM Bus, no “PCI Device”, no “USB Device”, and no 3D video controller… So much for plug and play. But again, I imagine it would be much the same as returning to Korea after all these years and smelling the wonderful open sewer system again. Oh yes… I remember that…

Ok, now we’re in driver hell. Yes, folks, no matter what Billy-boy would have you believe you do need to fetch drivers for XP most of the time. Kinda sad that it didn’t have the network driver built in, however. That little bit of fun makes it particularly difficult. So, I use my trusty laptop to download the necessary drivers. I installed the video, network, and chipset drivers. I was installing the video drivers lastly and when it came time to be done it asked me as per usual, “Restart Now?”. To which I was going to say yes. But, no… USB had died. No PS2 ports for keyboards, or and don’t you love how there is no CLI (especially a remote CLI) to enable a graceful shutdown. Looks like this reboot will be medieval style.

Well, FINALLY all the drivers are good. Had to step back the nVidia driver because the newer one was borking up. Other than that, we’re good. Doing the Update – Reboot dance now. Rhys is begging me to install the Sims…. I can’t wait to install some Counter-Strike tho. ;)