It just made us feel so 'Texas-friendly' that we had to call Lynne and John and tell them all about it.
Ok, so maybe it was the wine that got me feelin' artsy-fartsy-tipsy.
Monday, October 31, 2005
Texas Wine Country
y'know ... I've decided I kinda like Texas! Check it out, there is a major wine region in these Texas hills.
On our way back from Kerrville to Austin, we stopped at Torre di Pietra winery. They even provide a beautiful courtyard where you can enjoy a bottle of their finest, while taking in the beautiful surroundings ... and delightful weather too!
It just made us feel so 'Texas-friendly' that we had to call Lynne and John and tell them all about it.
Ok, so maybe it was the wine that got me feelin' artsy-fartsy-tipsy.
It just made us feel so 'Texas-friendly' that we had to call Lynne and John and tell them all about it.
Ok, so maybe it was the wine that got me feelin' artsy-fartsy-tipsy.
Thursday, October 27, 2005
More Rally
Today was my day giving seminars. Well, halfway anyway. I partnered with Gypsy John to give a seminar for beginners on building websites. And, I partnered with Jim to give our seminar on 'Safe Computing'.
Jim and I also visited a few other folks at the rally to help with some computer questions. When we'd say "Ok, just tell me which motorhome is yours." They'd respond, "The one with the Datastorm on top!"
uhhhh ... ok ...
All in all it was a great rally, we learned a lot, met some great new people, and got reacquainted with some folks we met at the first rally.
Jim and I also visited a few other folks at the rally to help with some computer questions. When we'd say "Ok, just tell me which motorhome is yours." They'd respond, "The one with the Datastorm on top!"
uhhhh ... ok ...
All in all it was a great rally, we learned a lot, met some great new people, and got reacquainted with some folks we met at the first rally.
Wednesday, October 26, 2005
WiFi tip: changing channels
Jim and Don presented a session yesterday, here at the Datastorm Rally, on networking issues ... Wireless Networking ... WiFi.
One of the topics of discussion was what channel should you be on. Here at the rally there are 50 RVs, all with their own Internet connection thru the Datastorms. Most of those RVs have more than one computer inside - so they use wireless networking to enable both computers to use the Internet. Jim pulled up his "View Available Wireless Networks" screen and counted 32! And, his netstumbler software reported that most of them were on channel 11 or 6. Here's just one screeful:
So, what does that mean? Is it important?
Maybe yes, and maybe no.
Think of radio stations. If you're trying to listen to a radio station on frequency 91.3 and you're driving down the road, it's going to get weaker and weaker. If another radio station that's closer and stronger is at 91.1 it may start interfering with yours. A closer station at 91.3 will definitely take over. Distance, strength, and frequency all combine to produce your listening experience. You will never have two radio stations, close together, broadcasting on the same frequency because the FCC doesn't allow it. Before the radio station can open their doors, they must apply for a license and the FCC tells them what frequency they can use. The FCC has specified that WiFi can use the *unlicensed* frequency of 2.4GHz which includes channels 1 thru 11. These channels overlap. Only 1, 6 and 11 are far enough apart to be distinct from each other.
Add to the radio station analogy the fact that WiFi is *2-way* transmissions and you see lots of possibility for interference. Don told the audience that whenever he pulls into an RV park that has their own WiFi, he asks at the office "What channel are you using?" So, he can put his WiFi network on a different channel. (they usually don't know) He said that he has never experienced another network interfering with his, but he wants to be a 'good neighbor' and try not to interfere with theirs. His network is pretty powerful (surprise, surprise) and might easily overwhelm a neighbor's attempt to connect to the park's WiFi.
So, how do you change your channel? It depends on your equipment, of course, but every wireless network is served by a Wireless Access Point (sometimes it's part of your router) and every Wireless Access Point has a configuration utility with an option for selecting the channel. Usually the utility is reached by typing the IP address of your router/Access Point. So, for our settings, I go to a browser window and type in 192.168.0.99, fill in the username and password and I get the following screen. You can see the option for the channel.
If you want to read more on this subject ... I'm sure everyone does :-)
http://www.wi-fiplanet.com/tutorials/article.php/972261
or
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/802.11
or
http://computer.howstuffworks.com/wireless-network.htm
One of the topics of discussion was what channel should you be on. Here at the rally there are 50 RVs, all with their own Internet connection thru the Datastorms. Most of those RVs have more than one computer inside - so they use wireless networking to enable both computers to use the Internet. Jim pulled up his "View Available Wireless Networks" screen and counted 32! And, his netstumbler software reported that most of them were on channel 11 or 6. Here's just one screeful:
So, what does that mean? Is it important?
Maybe yes, and maybe no.
Think of radio stations. If you're trying to listen to a radio station on frequency 91.3 and you're driving down the road, it's going to get weaker and weaker. If another radio station that's closer and stronger is at 91.1 it may start interfering with yours. A closer station at 91.3 will definitely take over. Distance, strength, and frequency all combine to produce your listening experience. You will never have two radio stations, close together, broadcasting on the same frequency because the FCC doesn't allow it. Before the radio station can open their doors, they must apply for a license and the FCC tells them what frequency they can use. The FCC has specified that WiFi can use the *unlicensed* frequency of 2.4GHz which includes channels 1 thru 11. These channels overlap. Only 1, 6 and 11 are far enough apart to be distinct from each other.
Add to the radio station analogy the fact that WiFi is *2-way* transmissions and you see lots of possibility for interference. Don told the audience that whenever he pulls into an RV park that has their own WiFi, he asks at the office "What channel are you using?" So, he can put his WiFi network on a different channel. (they usually don't know) He said that he has never experienced another network interfering with his, but he wants to be a 'good neighbor' and try not to interfere with theirs. His network is pretty powerful (surprise, surprise) and might easily overwhelm a neighbor's attempt to connect to the park's WiFi.
So, how do you change your channel? It depends on your equipment, of course, but every wireless network is served by a Wireless Access Point (sometimes it's part of your router) and every Wireless Access Point has a configuration utility with an option for selecting the channel. Usually the utility is reached by typing the IP address of your router/Access Point. So, for our settings, I go to a browser window and type in 192.168.0.99, fill in the username and password and I get the following screen. You can see the option for the channel.
If you want to read more on this subject ... I'm sure everyone does :-)
http://www.wi-fiplanet.com/tutorials/article.php/972261
or
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/802.11
or
http://computer.howstuffworks.com/wireless-network.htm
Tuesday, October 25, 2005
Installing 'The Big One'
When you come to a Motosat/Datastorm rally, you get to see the latest and greatest technology. This time they brought their new dish ... the XF2. The X is supposed to stand for 'Commercial' - but, right now, we say it stands for Xperimental.
Not only did we get to see it, but Jim got to help install it! Here's the really cool contraption they used to get it on top of the motorhome:
That's Scott who is setting it up and who owns this cool tool. Scott is also known as "Dustyfoot" and he is one of the highly respected installers who are attending the rally. Jim is so excited to be able to learn from these guys.
Jim breaks thru a barrier! Here he is actually putting screws into someone else's motorhome!
And, what better motorhome to start with than Don's!? You see, Don is the guru of all things Datastorm. He created and maintains the Datastorm Users website and forum. He is also the first one to get any new toy. That's him in the middle of this next photo.
The only one to get the technology before Don would be the president of MotoSAT! Aha, speak of the devil - here he is, Jim Pendleton, just checking in on the guys, making sure they're doing it right!
During this rally we've had the privilege and the pleasure of hearing from the President, the VP of Engineering (Ed Travis) and the VP of Sales (Royal Lamb). And I do mean a pleasure! When they talk you know you're getting the straight scoop. They have a great product - attested to by all the attendees - and they obviously love what they do. The only thing missing from their presentations was a group hug!
That's Scott who is setting it up and who owns this cool tool. Scott is also known as "Dustyfoot" and he is one of the highly respected installers who are attending the rally. Jim is so excited to be able to learn from these guys.
Jim breaks thru a barrier! Here he is actually putting screws into someone else's motorhome!
And, what better motorhome to start with than Don's!? You see, Don is the guru of all things Datastorm. He created and maintains the Datastorm Users website and forum. He is also the first one to get any new toy. That's him in the middle of this next photo.
The only one to get the technology before Don would be the president of MotoSAT! Aha, speak of the devil - here he is, Jim Pendleton, just checking in on the guys, making sure they're doing it right!
During this rally we've had the privilege and the pleasure of hearing from the President, the VP of Engineering (Ed Travis) and the VP of Sales (Royal Lamb). And I do mean a pleasure! When they talk you know you're getting the straight scoop. They have a great product - attested to by all the attendees - and they obviously love what they do. The only thing missing from their presentations was a group hug!
Monday, October 24, 2005
Winter Hurricane
Winter arrived overnight. We woke up to 48 degrees this morning and went scrambling to find our winter clothes. We also woke up to the news that hurricane Wilma is hitting South Florida. I thought this was the least likely storm to damage our hometown - so late in the season, starting so far away, coming from the west. It had all indications of a storm that Fort Lauderdale wouldn't need to really worry about. But, it's slamming into Broward County with category 3 winds. Ouch.
We also woke up to a beautiful sunrise here at Buckhorn Lake RV resort in Kerrville.
There are over 50 RVs with Datastorms here at the rally. Usually, we're the only ones! Normally, when we see even one other Datastorm in an RV park, that's reason enough to go introduce ourselves. hmmm, I guess that's what Rallies are all about huh? Gathering those with something in common. It's still amazing to see every site filled with a Datastorm-topped RV!
There are over 50 RVs with Datastorms here at the rally. Usually, we're the only ones! Normally, when we see even one other Datastorm in an RV park, that's reason enough to go introduce ourselves. hmmm, I guess that's what Rallies are all about huh? Gathering those with something in common. It's still amazing to see every site filled with a Datastorm-topped RV!
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