After I learned that my Dell PowerEdge server only allowed two SATA drives in its large case I desperately needed a quick solution to get 400GB database back drive back online for daily backups. Some quick Googling revealed that there were very few options for an external SATA hard drive enclosure. So I went for the Cool Drives “External Sata hard Drive Case with USB 2.0 Mini Size with Built-In-Power Supply”
It seemed to be a pretty sleek option with a slim case and USB as well as SATA external inputs. Well after just one month of operating the drive the cooling fan began to make an unbearable amount of noise. I guess they are using the cheapy-cheap fans. So I contacted CoolDrives and they recommended that I return the product to the warehouse for repair under the return policy. This means that I’m without a backup drive for who knows how long and I’m guessing I’m just going to get the device back with a new cheap-cheap fan. I replied and asked if they could just point me in the direction of the fan I need for the drive enclosure and I will just replace it myself. Cool Drives support responded saying they couldn’t tell me that information. Crap! I don’t normally take the time to write poor reviews but this pushed my buttons.
If anyone knows where I can get a fan like this PLEASE let me know. I’m going crazy with this noise!
September 14th, 2005
Tony
Just this past weekend at the SEO Roadshow gathering in Edinburgh Scotland, Mike and I were discussing the lack of a good PHP IDE. To date I’ve only used the PHP plugin for Eclipse. If only there were a powerful editor that was written in native code for speed. I googled for Php IDE yesterday and discovered PhpED.
This php editor is beautifully designed and so intuitive that haven’t even glanced in the direction of the help menu. PhpED also includes a php function reference, a full function database client, a ssh client, and rapid deploy via SFTP. But certainly the best feature is its speed. It loads 5 times faster than Eclipse and there is never a delay in scrolling, opening windows, or loading php projects. We bought the license after just 30 minutes of using the trial version.
The magazine FHM had a few of us over for dinner last night since PartyPoker.com advertises with them. These lucky guys have an amazing flat just for entertaining people that overlooks Parliment and Big Ben. Thanks FHM for the good food and the best view I’ve seen in London!
Full Set
After many hours of struggling with various issues I’m finally able to get an internet connection on my laptop by connecting to the Treo 650 through bluetooth dial-up networking (AKA – BT DUN).
The first issue that you’ll encounter is that Cingular (along with Sprint) has manually disabled BT DUN on the Treo 650. However, they very recently release a firmware upgrade that does unlock the feature. WARNING : This firmware upgrade is for Cingular only and it will destroy any data or apps you have on the phone so be sure to backup first. Once I installed the new firmware, sure enough the dial-up networking feature appeared:
The next issue I encountered was with my USB bluetooth adapter. D-Link’s installer is not quick enough and its impossible to avoid the Windows XP driver from taking over the device and the XP driver is uncapable of properly managing DUN. So you need to delete the Windows hardware and manually select the D-Link driver.
Once you have the bluetooth device sorted out you must pair the phone with the laptop. If all is successful you should then be able to right-click on your bluetooth icon in the system tray, choose ‘Quick Connect’, then ‘Dial-up Networking’, and finally your device.
The hardest part of all was finding the correct settings for Cingular as there are many people out there reporting many different settings that didn’t work for me. I finally landed on the following beautiful settings through trial and error and it works flawlessly for me:
Username: WAP@CINGULARGPRS.COM
Password: CINGULAR1
Phone Number: *99***1#
Some folks have also mentioned that you must set an initialization command string but mine seems to work without it.
When connected I’m getting about 100kbps downstream and 30kbps upstream via the Cingular EDGE GPRS. Not too bad! Just make sure you have paid for the unlimited data plan or else you’ll be getting a hefty bill next month.
There were rumors last week that Palm had created a new model known as the Treo 670 that actually runs Windows Mobile. Many were skeptical as there were only images for proof that could have been doctored.
Well, now it looks like it might actually be for real as engadget now has videos of the phone running the Windows OS.
I want they! I want they!
