Slurpr - The Ultimate in WiFi and Wardriving
Posted on April 23, 2008
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Now this isn’t new, I saw it a long time ago but though I’d post on it now that the project has matured a bit. You can’t buy them off the street just yet but it is pretty kick ass none-the-less.
What is Slurpr? Basically a Frankenstein mini-PC packed with 6 WiFi cards/antenna’s in one tiny box that aggregates multiple open (or closed) WiFi signals into one big bandwidth pipe. Or according to the site:
“A big, fat access point with a large antenna and a bunch of Wi-Fi cards that automatically connect to the strongest signals it can pick up. Then it would combine all these signals into one FreeLoading Broadband Canal for me to use”
Nice.
It can easily crack easy WEP passwords on the fly. Being that I used to do lots of WiFi when I lived in San Fran I would have loved to have one of these. Using maybe 6 x high-gain 15dbi antenna’s and the right arial placement we could be talking about some major bandwidth and great for war driving. I’ll take one. 
Find more here: http://geektechnique.org/projectlab/781/slurpr-the-mother-of-all-wardrive-boxes
Tags: Amsterdam, Antenna Antenna, Geektechnique.org, Slurpr, Wardriving, WiFi.
Posted on April 23, 2008
Filed Under Hardware, Mobile Tech, Tech, Travel
Macbook Pro Upgrades, Bags and Accessories
Posted on March 11, 2008
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So with the almost $600 savings I got with getting a refurb previous gen MBP model I decided to get some niceties to accompany my new best friend:
4GB Macbook Pro Ram
$97 including shipping from Newegg.com. Simply the best thing you can do to increase performance. I got 2 of these and they’ve been working great: http://www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx?Item=N82E16820208323
Booq Bag Vyper XM Ballistic Nylon Sleeve
$49 – http://www.booqbags.com/s.nl/it.A/id.74/.f?sc=13&category=-113. I’ve been using it for a few days and it is really solid. Fits very snug and the laptop is well protected in it. Will prevent damage from much harding impacts as it isn’t soft neoprene but instead is semi-rigid ballistic woven nylon. Booq bag is just the top quality when it comes to laptop cases and bags.
Some pics: http://www.flickr.com/photos/malffred/2324468959/
mStand All Aluminum MBP Stand
$49 – http://www.raindesigninc.com/mstand.html – If you’re working on a laptop for more than a few hours a day, a laptop stand is something you should really invest in. I chose the mStand form RainDesign simply because it is beautiful and matches the MBP perfectly. It also acts as to improve ergonomics by raising the screen to eye-level (6 inches) and helps to dissipate heat with its all aluminum design acting like a heat-sink. I picked mine up off Amazon.
Booq or InCase backpack
$89-$215 – Verdict is still out on this as I’m still deciding. But i’ll need a new bag for my MBP. I’ve just been using a regular backpack and throwing my MBP in it with the Vyper sleeve. I’ve always been 100% Booq, but the InCase style is growing on me (I really didn’t like it at first). I’ve got it down to 3 choices:
- Booq Bag Mamba Backpack – http://www.booqbags.com/s.nl/it.A/id.285/.f?sc=11&category=-111
- InCase Slim Nylon Backpack – http://www.goincase.com/products/detail/nylon-slim-backpack-cl55028
- Booq Bag Boa 3 Backpack – http://www.booqbags.com/s.nl/it.A/id.297/.f?sc=11&category=-111
While Sling bags look better, I’ve had a lot on the past and they really do a number on your back/spine after extended use (Any doctor will confirm this). I want the bag to be slim but also good as a day pack for outings wherever.
My initial urge was the Booq Bag Boa 2 but it is not in production anymore, so I thought about the Boa 3 that just came out. Looking at it though, it is a SERIOUS bag and quite heavy at that (4.4lbs). While it would be great for traveling and airplanes, I don’t think it is something I’d want for a light day pack.
Next up was the Booq Mamba Backpack, I’ve had a Mamba sling in the past and it was top quality. But when comparing it with the InCase Slim Backpack it just looks a little dull (Even though the InCase bag is as square as can be). So after all the research thus far I’m leaning towards the InCase bag which is $89. I’ll be checking it out in person at the Apple Store to make a final decision.
Tags: 4GB Transcend SO-DIMM, Booq Bag, Booq Bag Vyper M2 Sleeve, InCase Slim Nylon Backpack, Macbook Pro Upgrade, mStand, NewEgg.com, RainDesign.
Posted on March 11, 2008
Filed Under Apple, Art & Design, Hardware, Mobile Tech, Productivity, Tech, Travel
Macbook Pro 2.2Ghz Santa Rosa Review
Posted on March 10, 2008
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Having worked and played on my new MBP SR for a bit over a week this is what I’ve experienced so far.
Why Santa Rosa and not Penryn
The release of the new Penryn was actually what set off this purchase and what I (and a lot of others) had been waiting for. Unfortunately it wasn’t the MBP upgrade I was hoping for though it was quite nice upgrade in general.
After lots of googling and research I just found that I probably would not be using the added features in the new revisions. The touchpad with iPhone gestures is neat and all, but I most likely wouldn’t be using them as 80% of the time the MBP will be my desktop replacement and sitting on a laptop stand (The new mStand).
Along the same lines, the Penryn is supposed to run cooler and give better battery life but then again it’ll be on my desk 80% of the time and plugged in. Heat won’t really been an issue (and hasn’t thus far, see below) and the battery life I do get out of it is more than enough.
Other than that the new Penryns have 256MB VRAM standard and bigger hard drives. 128MB would suite my needs just fine and 120GB has been fine for me as well.
To top it all off, the new base model is $1999 and the deal in the Apple Store refurb section for a 2.2Ghz is $1449. DAMN! With that money savings I decided to max out the Ram to 4GB and get some sweet accessories like a quality bag, sleeve, laptop stand, USB hub etc.
Specs and Performance
I got a stellar deal I just couldn’t pass up in the apple store refurb section. It has:
- 2.2Ghz Core 2 Duo (Santa Rosa)
- 4GB RAM (I maxed it out. Have 2×1GB SODIMM’s for sale)
- 120GB 5400RPM HD
- 15’4” Glossy display. LCD Backlit
- Nvidia GeForce 8600M GT w/ 128MB VRAM
- 8x Dual-Layer Superdrive
- Wifi, Bluetooth, Apple Remote, iSight etc
- 1 x FW800, 1x FW400, 2x USB 2.0, Gigabit Ethernet
Of course since moving from a 1.33Ghz G4 to a 2.2Ghz C2D the performance has been amazing.
But in a better comparison, I do have a 24” 2.16Ghz C2D iMac at home and this laptop does feel as fast if not faster than the iMac. Both are running 10.5 Leopard but the iMac has a 7200RPM harddrive.
I run about 9 spaces desktops each filled up with windows and applications. Even doing everything I need to do and having every application I need open, There is usually 75-80% CPU idle and at max I usually have 1GB Ram free. The ample 4GB of RAM definitely makes a HUGE difference and is something I recommend anyone do with any mac, max out the RAM. I got 2×2GB sticks for $100 w/ shipping from Newegg.
At any given time I have the following open on one of my 9 spaces:
- Camino (2 Windows, 10 tabs each. More than 10 it bleeds memory)
- Safari (1 Window, 10-15 tabs)
- Flock (1 Window, 10-15 tabs. Hey, I do a lot of web surfing
) - 10-15 Terminal windows
- Textmate
- iTunes
- CoverSutra
- YoJimbo
- NetBeans 6
- Activity Monitor
- Transmission
- Transmit
- OmniGraffle
- SpeedDownloader
- Things
- Skype
- Preview
- VMWare Fusion. Win XP SP2 Install
Display and Graphics
I would have to say the screen, besides the overall build quality and design, is the most stunning thing about the MBP. The clarity, depth and richness of the screen and the colors I’ve never seen before.
I’m glad I went Glossy instead of Matte, but in general this is a heated topic and you’ll find a different answer from anyone you ask. I can say I see no glare issues and the benefit of having richer and deeper colors is much more worth it in my opinion. Coming from the G4 display it can be nothing except an improvement
The 128MB Nvidia graphics are working great and it has been able to run everything I’ve thrown at it with ease. Though I should say I’m no hardcore gamer and havn’t really tested any heavy games on it. Though since I’ll be replacing my iMac with the MBP and setting up an external display, I’ll see how well it can power a 20” Dell Widescreen over DVI.
Hard Drive
I’ve loaded pretty much everything I can think of on it as well as put my 25GB iTunes library and 10GB iPhoto library on the built in HD and still have 30GB left. It has been more than enough but I do plan on getting a external 500GB RAID enclosure (Choosing between the NewerTech Guardian Maximus and the Lacie 2big Triple) for backups, selected time capsule backups and superduper images.
The speed of the 5400RPM drive has been fine as well, no noticeable lag but then again I never do any swapping as many things are in the 4GB memory.
Heat, Power and Battery Life
I’ve heard a lot about this regarding the MBP’s and a lot of people have complained. But I’ve found it really isn’t that big of a deal unless your converting SD video and having it sit on your bare-skin lap.
Doing non-intensive tasks, the internal temp runs around 40-50C and the aluminum is warm to the touch on the top-back and bottom-back of the laptop. But seriously it was just as warm with my 12” powerbook.
Then one day I was converting a few GB video’s and met with the devils rage and fiery fury. It did get quite hot with internal temps reaching 80-90c and the same area’s of the laptop were quite hot to the touch. Again, same thing would happen with my G4 though. During the video conversion it was only using about 100% of 1 core as well with no noticeable lag to the other 9 spaces screens or any applications I had running.
I haven’t fully tested the battery yet, but it does last a lot longer than the PB G4. I’ve gotten it down to 20% and had been using it just for wifi web browsing for about 3 hours. So I suppose I could get 3 1/2 – 4hrs out of it under normal use and adjusted brightness settings (the LCD can get REALLY bright).
I should also mention that the MBP is very quite and even under load the fan doesn’t get annoyingly loud (which is what happened in my PB G4)
Design and Quality
What do I really need to say here, it is a product form Cupertino. All-in-all, the thing is just stunning. The design, the aluminum, the keyboard and display all combine synergistically together. It really is a work of art.
Other Niceties
The ambient keyboard backlight comes in very handy during low-light situation and serves its purpose nicely. The built in iSight is a must I would say in this day and age and is something I’ve just become used to.
The speakers on it provide pretty good sound but what I found exceptionally good was the digital sound input/outputs and whatever amplification they used. When listening to music on headphones or earbuds, the sounds is exceptionally crisp, clear and loud.
Verdict and Comments
So yeah, overall I couldn’t be happier in this investment. I give it a solid 9 out of 10 if I were to use that measurement system.
I do wish however that it had come with more USB ports, it comes with 2 (which is what my PB G4 had) but 3 would be nice on a 15” laptop (The 17” comes with 3.). Not a big deal, I’ve already ordered a USB 2.0 Hub.
If I had to order again I would have probably gotten the 2.4Ghz model w/ 256MB Nvidia Card and 160GB HD for $1649 but at the time of order it wasn’t available. It showed up again the next day and I did try to switch at the last minute but they told me it was already packaged. Ah well, not a big deal.
So if you’re in the market for a new laptop and don’t need any of the special features in the new Penryn models, definitely pick up a late 2007 Santa Rosa if you get the chance.
Tags: Apple, Apple Review, Macbook Pro Review, Macbook Pro SR, MBP Review, MBP Santa Rosa, MBP SR.
Posted on March 10, 2008
Filed Under Apple, Art & Design, Hardware, Productivity, Startup, Tech, Travel
Upgrades and Updates - New Macbook Pro Santa Rosa
Posted on March 2, 2008
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With the announcement of the new Macbook Pro’s I saw it as a great time to upgrade from my trusty 5 year old 12” 1.33Ghz Powerbook.
My first impressions are: “WOW”. But really, what other reaction can I have coming from a Powerbook?
Basic specs:
- 2.2Ghz Santa Rose (Previous Gen) Core 2 Duo
- 4GB Ram (OH YEAH!)
- 120GB HD
- 128MB Nvidia GeForce 8600M GT
- 15.4” Glossy Display (Sooo glad I didn’t go Matte…)
I’m still loading it up and being download happy but from my initial usage there are no downsides at all. After I’m done setting everything up and get a few more days of usage under my belt I’ll post a more thorough review.
Tags: MacbookPro, Macbook Pro, Apple, OS X 10.5 Leopard,
Tags: 4GB Ram, Macbook, Macbook Pro, Macbook Pro Santa Rosa, New Laptop, OS X 10.5 Leopard.
Posted on March 2, 2008
Filed Under Apple, Business, Hardware, Productivity, Tech, WebDev
Jack Bauer in 1994 on AOL 3.0 - Hilarious
Posted on November 9, 2007
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As a major 24 fan myself as well as someone who used to be on AOL 3.0 on my 9600bps modem, something about this parody rang home.
Ah yes, the good ol’ days of paying for the Internet hour by hour. And wait, huh? Whats that? I get 5 free bonus hours for the month if I sign up with AOL today? Awesome!
I thought I was soooo cool with my 4MB of Ram and 25Mhz CPU which was an upgrade from my 8Mhz Mac Plus with 1MB Ram. ONE MEGABYTE!!!!
But I couldn’t complain because as Bill Gates said:
“640K ought to be enough for anybody!”
Its really funny to see how so much has changed, things were so much simpler then. Though I love technology to death, I really am glad to be able to say “I existed before everyone and their dog had a computer and was online 24/7”.
Back in the day when you actually had to find creative outlets and actually go outside to interact with the real world. The social disconnect back then was still at a minimum. Good times.
Some of my fav quotables from this:
- “He’s got total control of our geocities page”, “god help us”
- “I can see him, he’s hacking into the mainframe”, “But we just installed Windows 3.1, no way!”, “He’s in”, “Bogus!”
- “Gotta go Jack”, “Why?”, “We’re paying for the Internet, BY THE HOUR”.
- “Email him the bomb schematics.”, “It’s 150 Kilobytes!”, “Jesus! Print them out and we’ll send a bike messenger”
Watch it below or find it here: http://www.collegehumor.com/video:1788161
Tags: 24 in 1994, 24 Parody, AOL 3.0, Comedy, Jack Bauer, Parody.
Posted on November 9, 2007
Filed Under Daily Thoughts, Entertainment, Hardware, Quotes, Ranting, Tech, Web
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I'm Marston and here you'll find my rantings, rhetoric and other useful info. I dig tech, photography, quantum physics and organic food. I'm the founder of SugarStats.com and thats my days developing.
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