aprigliano.org

Pano of Buckhead, Atlanta, Georgia, USA

2009-06-27T00:14:00.006-04:00

Made from 10 separate images taken with the iPhone.

The ViewSonic WAPBR-100 - Revisited.

2009-06-15T22:34:00.007-04:00

This post is a response to a post I put up a year and some months ago about the The ViewSonic WAPBR-100 along with the discussion that has occurred over time in the post's comments. I think it is interesting as to the Google juice and the conversation this little lark has created. And if it were not for the conversation, I would not have instantly had a solution to... oh, first a story.

I have a server. Not the most powerful, but it has real RAID and a 64 bit Linux and heaps of memory and half a terabyte of storage. My baby is strong and has good bones. My baby is also loud and hot - so much for 24/7 operation. Then it hit me, I could plug my baby monster into a wi-fi access point and run it in the basement where it is cool and dry and I would not have to worry about the noise. So I did. And in doing so I brought my ViewSonic WAPBR-100 out of mothballs to hook the server into the network remotely.

But WPA2 encryption did not work in bridge mode with the replacement Linksys firmware. This was an odd little quirk because it had WPA2 available in other modes. Time to pull the trigger on the discussion about DD-WRT that was happening on my old post.

My friends, lets not quibble here anymore - just load DD-WRT. It works. It works well. It is beautiful. And adds yet more functionality to the once annoying paper weight that Viewsonic brought to the world.

Get it here (I'm using the "dd-wrt.v24_micro_generic.bin") - http://www.dd-wrt.com/dd-wrtv3/dd-wrt/downloads.html

Good Day, Sir. Harrumph.

Are we done being called "idiots" and "dummies" yet?

2009-05-21T23:06:00.000-04:00

North Miami Autostitch Panoramic

2009-05-20T18:39:00.001-04:00

One cheapskate's stupid guide to getting programs off your Tivo (Macintosh)

2009-04-19T17:04:00.017-04:00

Too often the world just passes me by while my head is somewhere in the sand. I did not know until recently that there exists two programs for the Macintosh that stuffs all the brilliance of $26 Tivo-To-Go program into two programs that, to my mind, are more stable and MORE feature rich than Tivo's own product.

You have held you breath long enough, iTivo and Pytovox are just two of the most beautiful free apps I have seen - simple, kind of pretty, and self explanatory. Both programs were wonderfly cobbled together by Yoav Yerushalmi and, frankly, I love this guy!

iTivo is THE app for getting programs off your Tivo Series 2, Series 3 or Tivo HD and re-encoding them for another device or backup. Amazingly, the list of the types of re-encoding it will do is long and comprehensive. And, as a bonus, this program has some commercial skip smarts that will remove the ads during the re-encode.

The only bits of information you need for this is the ip address of your Tivo and your MAK number - both of which I tell you how to get to easily.

The only weirdness I found with this program is on OS X, version 10.4.11, the program complained that it needed Growl but besides that - runs like a champ.

PyTivoX is ultimately a simple way to serve up video files to your Tivo. And it just plain works. Though it did not work on OS X 10.4.11 for me, it is still quite a brilliant little program for the latest OS X version. All you do is pick your video directories to share and hit apply. Then, on your Tivo, go to the 'Now playing' menu and pull in the video. There is also a 'StreamBaby' streaming function that works well for 4:3 content on Series 3 or HD Tivos, just browse 'Music, Photos, Showcases.'

One cheapskate's stupid guide to getting programs off your Tivo (Windows)

One cheapskate's stupid guide to getting programs off your Tivo (Macintosh)

Shots of Spring.

2009-04-12T14:17:00.002-04:00

No heavy content here... just pretty pictures.

One cheapskate's stupid guide to getting programs off your Tivo (Windows)

2009-04-02T15:31:00.024-04:00

I have never been satisfied with the quality of video that $26 and the hours of re-compression that TiVo Desktop brings to me. The video is small, crunchy, and frankly, the automation features have not worked very well, at least for me, since version 2.7 came out.

Can one just pull the programs off the box on to a computer and watch it? For free? Without the crunchiness - just dot for dot what is on the damn box. And simply? Yes.

Here is the list of things that you are going to need for the task:

A network connected Tivo and a Windows computer connected to the same network;
The ip number of your box (write it down) - in your Tivo menu Messages & Settings -> Settings -> Phone & Network -> IP addr: < your ip address>;
Your media access key (write it down) - Messages & Settings -> Account & System Information -> Media Access Key ;
A copy of Tivo Decoder GUI ;
A copy of VLC for playback.

Ready? Good. In a browser, type in the address box 'https://<yourip address> . You are going to have to manually add the security certificate to your browser. Don't worry, it is OK.

The page will ask you for a user name and password -
User Name: tivo
Password: <your media access key>

If your browser asks you to remember the login say "yes" - it will make life easier.

You should now see a neat little list of all the programs currently on your Tivo - on the right are the download links - click on the program you want to download. Downloading will take a while because you are tying to move a few or more gigs of data - be patient.

After it is downloaded you have an encrypted '.tivo' file that is mostly unplayable on your computer unless you paid the bucks for TiVo Desktop. And that is why you downloaded Tivo Decoder GUI.

Tivo Decoder GUI has a pretty simple interface. To add files click "Add Files." To set your Output path, where the decoded files will be written, click "Locate" and choose a directory. Simple so far.

And the key to all this working for you is, well, the Media Access Key. Click on 'Preferences' and put your Media Access Key in the field. You will only have to do this the first time you use the program. I also select "Delete Original Tivo Files After Converting" because I have no use for the file after the process is finished.

Click 'OK' - then click 'Decode.'

There you have it - you now have every last drop of program data that was on your Tivo and these files can be easily played in VLC.

Addendum: These files can be easily further processed with HandBrake - the most easy to use, free transcoder. In HandBrake, Click 'Source' and select the file you just created, select your paropriate preset in the right pane, select a destination then click 'Start.' Wait awhile for the video to process. Simple, eh?

This is the beginning of a series of articles I am planning for aprigliano.org, because you can do 'stuff' with these files. I will be keep this article up to date with links to forthcoming articles on converting video, using virtualization to make this easier on a Macintosh and making DVDs. I promise to keep it all cheap and simple.

One cheapskate's stupid guide to getting programs off your Tivo (Windows)

One cheapskate's stupid guide to getting programs off your Tivo (Macintosh)

YouTube Geniuses

2009-03-07T11:33:00.003-05:00

I realize that I have already started out with an unlikely title. "YouTube Geniuses? Really?" you ask. As the last 4 or so years have droned on along with acquisition by Google, YouTube has slowly become the place to find low quality video of teenagers staring into a camera, teenage boys being kicked in the privates, and a great place for teenagers to pirate commercial video clips. And then I saw the following videos and the YouTube world suddenly became a place where young and upcoming talent put forth some interesting ideas and hard work. I mean really hard work. You don't just wake up one day and decide "I am going to be an animator." What I am seeing in these videos is years of honing skills - I hope you do as well.

The following two videos are from YouTube user HarryPartridge. Considering that the following were made for fun by and individual and you clearly see a love and understanding of the content (Watchmen) as well as the work involved in bringing something like this to life, I am, and you should be, in awe.

I have had my own copy of Akira for about 15 years now in one form or another, so the idea of an Americanized live action version coming in 2011 bothers me. The following is in HarryPartridge's response to this notion - absolute genius.

This last video is from OtaKing77077. I have been watching Doctor Who in one form or another for the last 25 years or so, so, when I see something like this and realize that it was made by an individual with extreme levels of talent and skill, I want to spend the hard cash to buy this video - only the video does not exist. Just beautiful work.

If you have some notions of some other works of genius, pass them along in the comments and I will update the article - but you have to make a good case because, after all we are talking about "genius" here.

Is it Windows 7 or KDE 4?

2009-02-06T12:59:00.002-05:00

Just proof that our monkey brains release endorphins when confronted with something new and novel.

What to do with a Comcast DMCA takedown notice (especially when you are innocent)

2009-01-01T12:04:00.012-05:00

Last Monday, waiting in my snail mail box for me was an unassuming letter from your favorite cable provider, and mine, Comcast. Contained in this letter was information pertaining to an alleged torrent download called "Cadillac Records." I have come to learn that "Cadillac Records" is a movie with Adrien Brody and that their marketing for this movie must have really sucked because with what ever thousands or millions of dollars they used to promote this movie, I have never heard of it - even once. Maybe my head is in the sand. Maybe I spent too much time at work and not watching Oprah. But, whatever the case, Adrian and his film were lost on me.

Now we cheat and cut to the end - after 4 phone calls, three separate employees, and about 1 hour of total hold time, the conclusion was ascertained that the individual(s) who are in possession of my old cable modem, one that was replaced when we move to our current abode, belonged to the offending parties with a love of Adrian Brody, and not our household.

Here is the break down of the calls (paraphrased because writing about mouth breathing tech support with 5 minutes between each sentence is not compelling writing.)...

Call 1...

Tech 1: "After leaving you on hold for 20 minutes, I have discovered that you are the offending party and no mater how much you protest, I want to get off the phone with you because I can't do my job technically.

Call 2...

aprigliano: "What was the MAC address of the offending cable modem?"

Tech 2: "OO:BE:..."

aprigliano: "Hold on! That is not my current MAC address. I have had this cable modem, and IP number, since the end of October."

Tech 2: "IP numbers change."

aprigliano: "MAC addresses don't change."

Tech 2: "Yeah. Um. They don't. Please hold."

10 minutes later...
Tech 2: "I need to look into this further. Can I call you back?"

I then received a message on Grand Central: "This is 'Tech 2' with Comcast Security give me a call back at '###-###-####' regarding you DMCA issue."

Call 3 - I call back ...

aprigliano: "I am returning a call regarding Case number ###########. There were some developments."

Tech 3 (Texas accent): "Nope I am seeing nothing here. All I can tell you that the copyright holder has no information on you and you should not be downloading illegal files"

aprigliano: "But I am RETURNING a call, let me play you the message I received..."

Tech 3: CLICK...

Call 4 - I call back again...

Tech 1: "Oh, I remember you."

aprigliano: "I don't remember you. I received a message from 'Tech 2.' Can you put me through to him? "

Tech 2: "Yes, it seems that there are 2 cable modems (MAC addresses) registered in your name."

aprigliano: "Well I am only paying for one service, not two, so there should only be ONE cable modem under my account."

Tech 2: "(Laughs) That right."

aprigliano: "What can we do about this. Is it possible from where you are to disable the other Cable modem."

Tech 2: "Yes."

aprigliano: "Would you."

Tech 2: "Yes."

aprigliano: "Thank you. I could not ask for anything more."

Lesson: though I have had the same IP number since October, this is not a defense (at least in their minds, because IP addresses change) against you infringing copyright. Your ONLY defense is your MAC address not being in the wrong place at the wrong time. If you did actually did something wrong, take the hit, but NEVER ADMIT IT! EVER! This is along the lines of self-incrimination, you are never compelled to do so, even in a court of law. BUT if the MAC address is wrong, and this could be your only defense, YOU DID NOT DO IT. You could not have.

And where the 'Techs' may not take this seriously, you NEED to, regardless of how many phone calls it takes. This can come back to bite you in the ass.

What are people reading 'round here...

2008-12-18T13:17:00.003-05:00

Honestly, dear reader, I have been lax in putting new posts on this site. I break all the rules about being consistent in getting good content on a blog. Yet, for some reason, the quantity of readers has been on a steady increase for the last 4 months - so say the numbers at Google Analytics. I also got a boost in the amount of time people hang around when I took all the ads off about a year ago. The lesson for me with that was "don't annoy the crap out of readers with ads."

In an effort to demonstrate the extreme levels of geek that are on display, here are the top 5 posts that people hit 'round here.

Build Your Own HDTV Antenna and its sister article How NOT to Build Your Own HDTV Antenna have proven to be the ultimate Google bait for me. And the reason is obvious with the digital transition coming in America on February 17th. I LOVE that people are looking for ways to get free TV and I LOVE that they are willing to do it with coat hangers.

Oh Holy Night From Studio 60 - when NBC put the 'Oh Holy Night' song from the TV show 'Studio 60' as a free MP3 on the web site, they were magnanimous. When they canceled the show and removed the song, they were asses. I found the song and have links.

Inane Bug 2 and a Fix Viewsonic WAPBR - there are times when bad technology leaves you cold, alone, and angry. The Viewsonic WAPBR out of the box was a piece of s**t. I cobbled together some instructions with the help of some info I found on some forums on how to replace the firmware. This post alone has helped a couple hundred people from putting the WAPBR in the landfill.

There is No Oscar the Grouch for OS-X - Sad but true - OS X does not allow the finagling of the trash bin that OS 9 and earlier versions allowed.

On the Generals Orders - Wong Fei Hung Theme -Not one of my finer moments. I take and midi file, dump it in Garage Band, and re-work the song. On the virtue of the rarity of the song I get hits. Again, I am not proud because this is really second rate "Look what I can do mom!" content.

Plus One - Senator Stevens vs The Ninja - Net Neutrality - it is really an inside joke but this one really made ME laugh out loud for a week. I am going to really miss Ted Stevens.

After these links, I hope you have a look around and find something that makes you smile, think, or helps you because that is all I'm really try to accomplish around here.

The Sega 32x

2008-12-08T16:21:00.002-05:00

Granted, I have never played any Sega 32x game, though in me lies a nostalgic streak for old video games and systems. I was working in the electronics department of a Wal-Mart and I remember these coming in and collecting dust next to that other brilliant system with all the tech of a ViewMaster, the Nintendo Virtual Boy - which was so awesome that 10 minutes of constant play on this "3D" system, you have a most colossal headache.

I only bring the Sega 32x up because of the following video by the "Angry Video Game Nerd." The presentation is perfect but the language is coarse, so do not hit play if you are easily offended.

Foot

2008-09-25T07:55:00.001-04:00

The girl who put together your iPhone

2008-09-01T12:32:00.004-04:00

You get her image free with AT&T contract (about $1000 + $199 for the phone)...

The Archive

2008-08-31T14:25:00.002-04:00

I saw this featured on Rocketboom last week - being a former "collector" of music that now owns an iPod (ok, two iPods), one does not have to think to hard as to why this guy can't sell his $50 million archives for $3 million. Kind of sad.

The Archive from Sean Dunne on Vimeo.

Megan!

2008-08-15T12:20:00.003-04:00

She is adorable, no? And I get to be the Godfather. And I'm Italian, so it all kind of fits.

Dr. Horrible - How long will this last...

2008-08-06T22:18:00.007-04:00

Hey, I have a great idea. I have bullet-ized the points of this idea because that's what bloggers do.

Make great entertainment for the internets.
Then give it away, practically, but...
Sell a better quality version on the iTunes.
Then take it away the free version.
Then put the free version back out there.
?

Oh, wait, Joss Whedon has already done this. Let's see how long this video lasts...

Free WiFi in Manchester, NH Airport

2008-07-27T15:21:00.002-04:00

Cheese post from the "Live Free (WiFi) or Die" state.

And these kids are awesome!

WTF? Esperanto? Great. Gmail has built-in "smartassiness."

2008-07-15T22:23:00.003-04:00

Savannah - June 2008

2008-07-02T20:43:00.001-04:00

I am still trying to "master" Aiptek HD (720p).

Savannah - June 2008 from aprigliano.org on Vimeo.

More Megan

2008-06-23T21:01:00.001-04:00

She is still new around these parts.

Meet Megan...

2008-06-12T09:05:00.003-04:00

She is new around here. And I am an uncle. Again.

Rhode Island - May 2008

2008-05-25T00:00:00.002-04:00

Rhode Island - May 2008 from aprigliano

The loss (and rediscovery) of 14khz and the folly of compression

2008-05-24T10:11:00.006-04:00

I am older now. We all are, but for some reason, age obviously matters more to me than you or I wouldn't be writing about it. Right? About two weeks ago I found the following short video on Youtube. Please watch.

Needless to say, if you watched it and you are over the age of 30, you are probably quietly lamenting your youth in the back of your head. "Maybe I should have avoided the second The Monkeys reunion tour." Yes, you probably should have, but not because it was loud.

So, I watch this video. I realize that things are going to start failing on me soon enough, but no "14khz?" I love "14khz." My background in audio engineering hinged on my ears and even though it is not how I make a living, it still hurts. The brain started spinning, "What event could I have avoided? What should I have not done? I hate you, Tears for Fears." I was seriously, and literally, at a loss.

So what does a good nerd with and audio background do? I know enough about how audio compression works that there was a possibility that these sounds did not exist in the recording. Digital compression can take away either "unnecessary" frequencies or, for the sake of space, snip the "tops" and "bottoms" off of sound. And that is what I think happened here. 14khz was the upper level of Youtube's audio compressor. At least, I hoped so.

For more proof, go to site in the video, which has compressed and uncompressed sound files of the tones.

http://www.freemosquitoringtones.org/

I can hear them ALL. Your results will probably improve as well. Now we can breathe.

As you cycle up the sounds, you may notice that some get softer as they get higher and that's perfectly normal for this to happen more and more over time. But, depending on your computer sound setup, you should be able to get a better idea as to where you are in the spectrum.

Of course, if you think you have a real problem after going through this, please find a Doctor of Audiology local to you.

So as the book says, "I'm OK, You're OK". Back to the relaxing weekend.

Providence R.I. airport WiFi.

2008-05-20T15:51:00.005-04:00

Let's do the math

9.95 / 1.5 hours = 11 cents per minute for so so WiFi service.

The WiFi service includes a free d-bag talking loudly on his cell phone behind you.

Posting to your blog to bitch about it...

Priceless.