Posted by curt on March 31st, 2006
My beloved Linksys WRT54G (version 1.0) wireless router gave up the ghost this past week (I think because of a power issue). I attempted to debrick it, but no dice.
I went out to Wally World (Wal-Mart) and picked up the latest model without doing too much research. Mistake. Version 5 is piece of junk! It keeps dropping my SSH connections every few minutes and sometimes completely freezes up and I have to unplug and re-plug to fix it. Apparently, version 5 of the WRT54G contains vxWorks firmware instead of the Linux firmware found on older models.
The solution is to buy the Linux enthusiast's version of the router, the WRT54GL, at a premium cost: ~$10 more. I can't work with version 5, so I've ordered a WRT54GL and it should be here today or tomorrow.
Linksys: Did you really save that much more money by switching to vxWorks (+ less RAM)? What has this move cost you in terms of reputation and support costs on such a piece of junk?
UPDATE 04/05/06:I got the WRT54GL, and as expected, it ROCKS! I swiftly voided my warranty by putting DD-WRT on it. If you decide to do this, read the DD-WRT documentation carefully.
Posted by curt on March 20th, 2006
Today is a new beginning. It is my first full work day working for myself, and I couldn't be more excited.
Back in October I had an idea for a business I'd like to start, and I began coding in the early mornings, evenings, and on weekends around my other full-time job. I actually made quite a lot of progress this way, but I also knew that these were not my best working hours. If I were to have the actual work day, progress would come much more quickly. Also heavy on my heart was the fact that we were in Michigan and my girls were growing up so far away from our families in Texas. So, in January, with much thought and prayer, my wife and I made the decision to "just do it": I'd quit my well-paying job, we'd move to Texas, and I'd work full-time on my new business.
Better get to work…
Posted by curt on March 16th, 2006
After a long trip and a few days of travelling around to see family, we docked at our new home yesterday evening. It's good to be home.
Of particular note is a new play corner for Abby containing a play kitchen set (fridge, oven, sink, and pie counter) that she got from G-G-ma for Christmas but we couldn't take to Michigan. And, despite us arriving after her bedtime last night, she managed to squeeze in a Dora the Explorer go-cart ride around the house. (This will soon become an outside toy.) She's in heaven.
The trip went very smoothly with the exception of a guy in a Denali that side-swiped the rental truck on I-70 between Terre Haute, IN and St. Louis, MO. The rental truck was fine with just a scratch. The Denali had a broken side mirror and a fresh coat of tire rubber painted onto it's side. The guy in the Denali was a little miffed with himself.
Posted by curt on March 10th, 2006
Well, I've waited as long as I can. The cable modem needs to go back to the cable company, so I'm beginning my internet silence after this post until next Tuesday. Our 26' truck is completely packed full from top to bottom and side to side. The girls fly tomorrow, and the long drive starts early Sunday morning. Our long awaited return to Texas is upon us! It's a happy day!
Posted by curt on March 3rd, 2006
Today was my last day working for Eastern Michigan University. I had a nice send off from everyone in the office, and I'll always appreciate the time I spent at Eastern. It is the close of a chapter in my life and the beginning of a new one.
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