Tech Update

Things sometimes evolve. After a cute walk along the waterfront in Bordeaux (Hangars 18 to 14) we popped into see the Tourism Expo. On the tram we had been completing the 50% discount form when a fellow passenger offered us tickets for free entry... Thank you Mr Sitting-Opposite-Us-On-Tram (his wife had a stand at the show, hence free tickets).
We passed on our second free ticket to some friends... so these little acts can continue their cycle.

Anyway, nice walk around show followed by a little exercise on the climbing rock that the mountain rescue police had erected just outside. They seemed to be fiddling their thumbs, so I asked to go up - and this seemed to set the necessary precedence for others to follow - there was a queue when I completed my second level climb! We purchased two items from the SEB factory-outlet, that was located almost next door (and which we stumbled upon by chance as we took the tram 1 stop too far earlier in the day) - so took home an electric grill (that my dear lady took a HUGE fancy too at first sight) and an electric hair-cutter - which got first use that evening! I think I got away with a reasonable first attempt with both the new gadget + first hairdresser experience (and no, she is not standing over me watching what I am typing). ;o)

Now for the technology. I mentioned that the opening times of the local cable-telephone shop was now until 7pm, which had result of us jumping into the car with our old cable modem and shifting gear to get there in good time. As chance would have it they were showing Liverpool vs Sunderland on Canal+, so I really didn't mind waiting (the score when we left was 0-0, the game ended 3-0 to Liverpool). We wanted to know if we could have the telephone number associated with our cable set-up, so that we could receive call. Answer = no. We would have to pay 10 euro extra each month for phone to be added, and this would also renew contract for 1 year. Also asked if we could have wireless modem. This was not just to have wireless, but rather to have router capable of sharing the internet connection with several devices (we currently have 1xpc, 1xlaptop - and desire adding more). Were told that there is fixed extra costs of 40 euro for the wireless, which we were not expecting. Given that the unit is on loan against a deposit, this did not seem attractive. However, when I quized my network setup the sales rep (a nice chap we had seen on previous visit) chatted with the other 2 chaps - as he didn't think my setup was feasible (cable modem, single ethernet - attached to basic switch that then shared internet access with other devices, but curiously didn't allow local devices to interact)... and the end of which his boss authorised us to have wireless for only 15 euros. This was more acceptable - even if "free" would have been better. We accepted.

Gadget : NetGear Wireless Cable Voice Gateway CVG834G

So the Tech Update is only to say that now we have encrypted wireless in the small flat. Honestly, we didn't need wireless - I have a long enough ethernet cable to do me. The local network though was more annoying, any time we had a problem it required a reboot of the cable modem - and a prayer. I am much happier with this technology deployment - as it allows me to play

With the new modem setup, thought I might test the Internet speed we are observing:


With the IT complexity reduced, seemingly in conformity with the CIO strategy article, I am set to respond with greater agility to my IT growth...

What next? well I just learned about Dvorak keyboard - thanks to an ubuntu blogger : ubuntu-tutorials.com/dvorak, dvzine.org, The story of the Curse of Qwerty