A New Blog, and a BBQ
I know I’ve not updated this site in ages. I’ve been busy, but thats not an excuse. To be honest I got bored with it, and was never motivated to write. I have, however, recently been thinking about getting into blogging properly. So this is my start, and I’ve got a fair few ideas on what I’d like to blog about.
I’m going to stick with the original geeky stuff, and in addition to this I’d like to include my endeavors in the Kitchen, as well as on the BBQ. I might also add in smatterings of info on management I pick up at work, or on my course.
So to start, I’ve got some foodie news! I’ve just bought a BBQ, and I’m really keen to do some ground breaking experimentation on that!
The BBQ I plumped for in the end is the original, and hopefully the best! The Weber “One Touch Silver” 57 cm. 
The main reason for my choice was the fact that this seems to be the most popular BBQ of all time, and therefore there are loads of accessories you can get to expand the functionality of the BBQ. The accessory that sold me on the Weber is the Smokenator, which allows you to hot smoke food on the BBQ. I’m definitely going to get one – just not yet, I’ll be sure to post it, and some results, when I do.
I’m not entirely sure what food smoked on a BBQ will be like, but it sounds great, and just up my street!
Until then I’ve got a few off the shelf BBQ sauces to try out, ultimately I’d like to create my own. I love experimenting with food, and the BBQ is perfect for it, and there is the bonus of less mess! I’ve found it hard living without one for the last eight months, but tonight that will end! A simple combo of chicken and Reggae Reggae sauce, I’m so excited I can’t believe it!
iPhone 2.1 Update
I’ve been reading around on the net and there doesn’t seem to be any information on the 2.1 firmware update based on actual results. By this I mean people who have installed the 2.1 update and written about it.
So, here goes! The only fix I’ve noticed is the reduction in lag, in almost everything. It was particularly noticeable when sending text messages or opening a standard app (ipod / contacts / phone / settings).
This is a great fix, and I’m pleased Apple did fix it before they released new features – it now works as a phone as well as any other phone out there.
I’ve never had any problems with calls dropping, and I charge it every night so I doubt I’ll see any improvement in these areas. I am going to do the recommended monthly total de-charge this weekend though.
In the last few weeks I’ve found some great apps, which I’m going to list here. But in the mean time I’ve got an assignment to be working on.
Good work Apple on the update, lets see some cool new features in 2.2!
HP ML110 G5 Power Consumption
As mentioned in a previous post I’ve been looking into a solution for maintaining an iTunes server, to stream music across my apartment to various AirPort Express units. Instead of going out and buying something, I thought I’d see if a HP server I’ve got would be cost effective to leave on 24/7. I’ve only used it for Xen testing before and never in a place where I pay the bills!
I hacked together a rig to measure the current being drawn and plugged it in, the results were totally shocking.
The Server has a dual core Xeon 2.4 Ghz CPU, 2GB of RAM and 4 hard disks so I wasn’t expecting the power usage to be low, and I was right. It averaged out at 440mA during almost everything from peak load to idle.
This calculates to roughly 100 Watts (230volts * 0.440 amps = 101.2 Watts). Where I live this would cost £2.27 a week running 24/7. This is about what I’d expect – about a pint a week – affordable but certainly not green. What really surprised me was the current when the unit was switched off – 140mA!
That equates to 32.2 Watts or £0.72 a week – switched off. When I say switched off I don’t mean in standby or hibernating, I really mean off. This, I expect, will be the same for most ATX based PC’s (that means nearly all). I think its absolutely disgusting that this device has such a high power requirement when off.
Imagine an office of 50 PC’s – 1.6kW and £25 a week (based on average office opening hours 9 – 5). A figure of over £1000 a year for powering devices which are thought to be switched off soon emerges.
Because of these findings I’ve gone all anal about this and I’m making an improved device for measuring a mix of devices. My hacked together one wasn’t really what you’d call safe to have around the home & was hard wired to a IEC connector.
Back to the iTunes server, I’m going to try out FireFly Media Server on the ML110 – under Xen. More on low power PC’s another time!
iPhone Amazingness
A week ago I took the next plunge into geekdom and got an iPhone. My overall impression is that its great, even though there are still a few flaws with the software (it hangs and its slow). The best use I’ve got for it – other than the standard email / web / blah – is the Remote application (Link – will open iTunes). Remote allows the iPhone to control iTunes, which in itself is pretty spectacular, however adding an AirPort Express to the mix makes it the best thing ever. Seriously.
The AirPort Express allows you to play music from iTunes wirelessly. This results in the ability to play your entire music collection on the stereo you connect the AirPort Express to – while controlling it with your iPhone.
There is a decent setup guide at LifeHacker which tells you everything you need to know to set this up. One thing that LifeHacker didn’t get entirely correct is the part regarding the access point – you only need WDS support if you want the AirPort Express to extend the range of your network. I’m using the router Sky sent me (some Sky branded Netgear thing) with no configuration changes and its working fine.
The next part of the challenge is scrubbing my MP3 collection and finding a decent low power device to stream it.
Awesome NASA Photos
I know this doesn’t fit with what I said yesterday but I couldn’t resist!
That blows my mind!
Check out more here.
On the can
That’s going to be the new title of this blog, for a number of reasons:
- I think I’m going to have to sell my bus;
- I talk crap most of the time;
- I work in the metal packaging (can making) industry.
I’ve actually registered the domain, but wont be moving the blog there just yet, I’ve not actually decided if I’ll move it at all. If I do I’ll be sure to do it correctly this time!
So, what am I going to write on this blog? Well, I think the best way for me to stick to it and convey something marginally meaningfully is to have a strict-ish topic list that my posts must fall into:
- Travel, writing about places I’ve been to. I’m travelling quite a lot so it would be nice to record something about it and the places;
- Technology – PHP/VB.NET/Linux – what I’m interested in, this is a loose one but I’ve got some projects in the pipeline…
I’m also going to be working on a new design for the site – I don’t really like the default WordPress layout so that’s something that will hopefully appear soon.
As promised – where I’ve been
Here we go – it doesn’t look too impressive now I look at it. But remember that’s only 5 months in the job. Maybe next time I’ll have to zoom out a bit!
I’ve been at home for the last two weeks so I’ve had a chance to sort out a few things that have been building up. I’ve also figured out Xen, just in time as it turns out – but that’s another post!
5 months on…
I’ve been a bit remiss when this blog is concerned – I always have been. Even though I keep telling myself I should post more often I never seem to ‘have time’. And looking back at the last 5 months that’s partially excusable – I’ve been on 12 trips in total, 6 of them overseas. That doesn’t sound like much but when 8 of them have been in the last 10 weeks it makes more sense.
So what is it like, all that travelling? Well, its interesting for a start. Its great to see new Countries and ‘ways of life’. Its good meeting new people and trying to find common ground. Its also horrible being away from home – even if it is only for a few days at a time.
There are, however, perks that come with the job. Apparently I’ve been paid (partially expenses) a decent sum of money for my 12 trips, where that extra money has gone I have no idea! I’ve managed to get a ‘flights only’ holiday for my girlfriend in Italy – and a pretty good few days away for myself! So all in, after 5 months I’m feeling a lot better about the job than I was in January. Only time will tell if I can keep up for the next 19ish months!
I’m playing with Google Earth – adding the places I’ve visited to a map, so I’ll take a screen shot of that and post it. It would be nice to have some sort of dynamic way of accessing that kind of information – ‘Places I’ve been’ – it probably does exist somewhere, I just cant find it.
Unfortunately while I was away this week my home computer (with Google Earth on) seems to have died 
. So that’s the first order of business now I’m back.
Anyway – I’m going to try to update this more often, so here goes!
Heathrow Airport Info Terminals
Posted by rcraddock in Uncategorized on February 12th, 2008
This was the state of a whole bank of information/news terminals in Terminal two at Heathrow last week. I’m not sure if they belong to the BBC but that red bit looks familiar. Made me chuckle.
New Years Update
Posted by rcraddock in Uncategorized on February 1st, 2008
Its been a busy month! I’ve started a new job (for the same company) under the title of ‘Product Engineer’. Basically it involves installing, servicing and repairing products. So far I’ve been on 4 jobs; Rugby, Leicester, Carlisle and Agoncillo (about 20km from Lagrono – in the heart of the Rioja region of span). I’m writing this from Bilbao airport while I wait for my flight back home. The landscape between Bilbao and Lagrono is absolutely fantastic, I’ve taken some photos from the car so I’ll put any decent ones up in a few days.
I’m not overly excited about the prospects of spending a lot of time away from home, but I should get so see some new places so maybe I’ll get used to it. At the moment I definitely don’t like it. Seeing new cities and meeting new people is great – but it doesn’t compensate for being away from the people and places that really matter.
I’m not sure what’s going to happen in the coming months but I’m sure there will be plenty of it! I’ll try to take some interesting photos and record the events here, for my benefit as much as anyone else’s.
