Category Archives: Nerdy Stuff

Getting CLEARer?

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Another support call to Clear this weekend. This time because I was getting a signal, but still couldn’t get anywhere online. The tech support guy was actually helpful and was genuinely confused that I was somehow managing to be online and yet not online at the same time.

They’re sending me a new modem to replace my current one. The new one is a newer model, not just a duplicate of the one I have. The tech promised me that this one has a better internal antenna and should improve the ability to hold the signal. Failing that, he said that while Clear can’t officially condone this sort of thing, some of the hacks out there that help you attach an external antenna to the modem do actually work and help. Another option is to build a weatherproof box and put the modem outside.

This was my Speedtest result on the 11th of October:
speedtest result = fail

We’ll see how things improve.

Sherlock

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I know I watch a lot of British television and I know there are people out there who don’t have BBC America and so they haven’t really ever seen any of the things that I love so much. But now everyone, even those of you without cable, can finally see something that is absolutely fantastic and that I love very much.

The new version of Sherlock Holmes will be broadcast on PBS.

Yes, that’s right. Good ol’ lovely, sweet, free (please support public television!) PBS.

Here’s the official page: Sherlock on Masterpiece.

Two men who couldn’t be more different — united by ADVENTURE! Blowing away the fog of the Victorian era, the world’s most famous detective enters the 21st century. Starring Benedict Cumberbatch (Atonement, The Last Enemy) in the title role, Martin Freeman (The Office, UK) as Dr. John Watson and Rupert Graves (God on Trial, The Forsyte Saga) as Inspector Lestrade, Sherlock premieres on Masterpiece mystery! on Sundays, October 24, 31, and November 7, 2010 at 9pm ET on PBS (check local listings).

In with three criminally clever whodunits, A Study in Pink (October 24), The Blind Banker (October 31) and The Great Game (November 7), consulting detective Sherlock Holmes teams up with former army doctor John Watson to solve a dizzying array of crimes with his signature deductive reasoning. From the writers of Doctor Who, Sherlock is co-created and written by Mark Gatiss and Steven Moffat.

If you already like Sherlock Holmes you really need to give this a try. If you like smart, funny dialog, you need to give this a try. If you like well-written television, you need to give this a try. If you like tense mysteries… I think you know where I’m going.

Please. Watch this. It’s rare that something like this isn’t just on cable. It’s smart and funny and the update is handled incredibly well.

Cellphones

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My contract with AT&T is up at the end of August. The contract for Kitti’s phone is up at the end of December. I’m in a quandary about what to do. Do I stay with AT&T and upgrade my phone? Do I wait until December and move us both to another carrier? Is Verizon seriously offering Netbooks for $20.00?

I’m sort of leaning toward Verizon because they have a phone that’s essentially what I’m looking for — phone, camera, and text capabilities. Although I suppose what I really need is something that just lets me send/receive texts only, since I don’t actually call anyone and use my phone just for quick texts.. and Verizon offers a text/web only package for a reasonable price.

Hm…

How I Spent My Weekend

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Aside from being hot and miserable through most of it, at least.

Accomplished the knitting of a heel in a toe-up sock. Apparently the 37th time is the charm. Actually, it’s still not perfect. The picking-up of stitches didn’t go so well, so there are gaps. Also, maybe using size 1 needles wasn’t the best idea. The foot of the sock is fine, but it stretches pretty thin across the heel (and I didn’t do a narrow heel at all). But the important thing is that it worked, and I made it a few rounds into the start of the leg of the sock. I think I’ll get it eventually.

Killed my TomTom again. I think this time it’s because I have this habit of leaving it in the car and it’s been so insanely hot that the poor thing got overheated. I thought it was the adapter at first, because the light didn’t seem to be on (and the light for my cellphone adapter came on, proving that it wasn’t the plug that was faulty). It’s been replaced once before because it got fried (apparently if you plug the adapter into the car before you attach the adapter to the TomTom, it can short out the device). So I just bought a new one. Exact same kind (Amazon even told me so). It’s been exactly what I’ve needed, so I didn’t see a reason to consider anything else. I just have to remember to not leave it in the car all the time.

NOT having the TomTom made getting to Downs Park fun. We’ve only been there once before and I only had recall of about half the route. I got the directions from Google Maps and handed the iTouch to Kitti and let him navigate. Unfortunately the Google Maps directions didn’t give things like exit numbers, so we got lost. But I got things sorted out pretty quick and we had plenty of time to let Cardiff go mental. There are a lot of pictures over on Flickr.

We left almost in time to avoid the rain. I had to pull over at one point and wait out the worst of it because on 695, with traffic and pouring rain, the windshield wipers were essentially useless.

Cardiff got a bath at Dogma before we went home. Then Kitti and I got cleaned up and went to see Interpol. Really great show. I’m looking forward to the next CD. The new stuff they played really got my attention.

And now it’s Monday and back to work and all that jazz.

Clearly Going Onward

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Last night I got my “Clearspot” — the device that turns my USB connection into a hotspot, or for using Clear for things what ain’t got no USB connection (like the iTouch). After the Spot was charged I plugged in the USB and started wandering the house looking for a signal — sort of the non-Stargate version of a lifesigns detector.

My house is dead, Jim.

Seriously, out in the back yard I get a decent signal. Out front, the third step down from the porch, I get a fantastic signal.

Daffydd suggested I get an antenna, but they’re kind of pricey. I’m also not sure if it would really do any good. Somehow I don’t see myself attaching it to the telephone pole on my street and running several hundred feet of cable to my house. Okay. I do, but what I don’t see is me getting up the telephone pole.

I think what I really need to do is clean up the computer room and get the nest of wires straightened out. Then I can figure out of there’s a better position for the modem. Closer to the window and maybe the ceiling, perhaps?

Edit: the modem is a Motorola CPEi 25150

A Clear Mystery

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I’ve had Clear since it was XOHM. Even with XOHM the signal wasn’t fantastic, but it was better than DSL. Even after it became Clear there are times when the connectivity just plain sucks. My USB connection fails to work in my house, and the desktop connection… let’s just say that Skype is shite, you still need to buffer before trying to watch a video on YouTube, and Netflix or Hulu are out of the question. I figured it was Just One Of Those Things caused by being in a city. It’s still better than DSL and I’ve been happy with it.

Until my mom got Clear a few days ago. Her connection if magnificent — fast, steady … all lights lit. Both her desktop and USB connections are amazing. The difference between her house and my house as far as connection speed and reliability is measurable.

WHY!?

Here’s a handy map for reference — locations are approximate, you stalkers, you. I’m Point A. Mom is Point B. There’s just over one mile between us, no matter what route you take. I think our elevations are about the same.

Approximate Locations

I’ve ordered the Clear plugs which will hopefully allow me to plug the modem in somewhere it gets a better signal, but considering that I’m only getting a shabby connection now (with the modem on the second floor, against an outside wall, near a window) and the USB doesn’t work anywhere in the house or yard, I’m not exactly hopeful.

What’s causing the blockage? Is it the hospital? Is it the highway? Are my walls coated in lead? (okay, that’s actually possible)

Insight. PLEASE.

(First person to say “get FiOS” gets a boot to the head. I’m in Baltimore City. Verizon doesn’t like us.)