the bus blog

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!

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!