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Category Archives: fyi

stuff ppl ought to know

how to teather blackberry and linux via bluetooth

15-Aug-08

this entry outlines the steps I took to successfully get my sprint blackberry pearl (8130 II) to share its data connection with my ubuntu 8.04 laptop by using the phone as a bluetooth modem.

note/disclaimer:
you must have a data plan and it is highly recommended that it be unlimited. additionally, it is my understanding that this is gray area as far as sprint’s acceptable use (AUP) is concerned - chances are strong that this is against it.

a false start, or learning the hard way:
at first I figured bluetooth was most likely more trouble than it’s worth, so I went with this solution that uses a usb cable. after spending literally days figuring out how to hack the various source packages into compiling, the journey ended with this lovely and rather uninformative message:
XmBlackBerry.c:OptionPopupCallback(998) - GPRS modem device Not available

after all that, I was feeling distraught and demotivated - near giving up. then a miracle: I stumbled upon a simple, straight-foward and *functional* bluetooth modem solution .

the polished procedure:
- support in the linux kernel (or modules) for bluetooth, rfcomm protocol, ppp and ppp async connections

- enable bluetooth discovery mode on the blackberry, then get its MAC address and channel using command: hcitool scan

- edit /etc/bluetooth/rfcomm.conf

rfcomm0 {
bind yes;
device MAC-address-goes-here;
channel 3;
}

- add /etc/ppp/peers/blackberry file with the following contents:

debug debug debug
nodetach
/dev/rfcomm0
115200
connect “/usr/sbin/chat -f /etc/chatscripts/blackberry”
nomultilink
defaultroute
noipdefault
ipcp-restart 7
ipcp-accept-local
ipcp-accept-remote
# need lcp-echo turned off, at least for t-mobile
# disconnects after few mn of inactivity.
# thanks to ‘loon’ for this info
lcp-echo-interval 0
lcp-echo-failure 999
modem
noauth
nocrtscts
noipdefault
novj # refused anyway, no point in trying every time
usepeerdns
user “”
password “”

- add /etc/chatscripts/blackberry file with the following contents:

ABORT BUSY ABORT ‘NO CARRIER’ ABORT VOICE ABORT ‘NO DIALTONE’ ABORT ‘NO DIAL TONE’ ABORT ‘NO ANSWER’ ABORT DELAYED ABORT ERROR
SAY “Initializing\n”
” ATZ
OK-AT-OK ATDT#777
CONNECT \d\c

- if all is setup correctly and BB bluetooth is on, you should now be able to initiate ppp with the following command: pppd call blackberry

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painting of television icon

10-Aug-08

I [my Dad, J. Vogel] created this piece in 2003, during the build-up to the Iraq War. It is a portrait of my T.V. the day after President Bush’s State of the Union Address. In this speech, the President delivered the infamous “16 Words”. My painting depicts Ari Fleisher at the White House press conference.

real ari

via travels with vanny

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v-strom preload info & insight

27-Jul-08

vstrom preload dial

general info:

all it does is change your ride height and your sag
it has no effect on suspension stiffness - use a stiffer spring and/or heavier fork oil up front to stiffen

adjustment:

stock vstrom 650 is 16 clicks from minimum, which is generally sprung too lightly, especially for the average american
check the lines scribed around the barrel under the shock top to see how many are showing
40 clicks total
there are five lines total, approximately 8 clicks per line
check the lines scribed around the barrel under the shock top to see how many are showing
all five is probably the best choice for two-up with luggage, depending on overall weight

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v-strom 650 mpg - wee mileage - op. bus commute update

23-Jul-08

whist riding my my v-strom six fiddy (’08) over the past 2k miles (that’s all of them by the by, including break in and a majority of commuter miles) I have averaged 54 mpg. my fill up habits tend not to push the envelope - as it can potentially cause fuel pump failure - the liquid gas cools the pump! this means I get between 220 and 250 miles per tank - then dump between 3.5 and 4.5 gallons of petroleum based black gold.

I’m ok with this, because even though I live in California, which has the highest gas prices in all the land by far, I still pay just ~$20 per fillup. and while it’s cheaper than public transport, I am trying my darnest to keep on the goin’-green-goal for the month of july/august and possibly beyond. now if only they’d hook me up with a bus seat suite… or at least let me drink my fucking coffee!

photo update 8/1/08:

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Suzuki SV650 vs DL650

10-Jul-08

I thought this was an interesting topic, since many find they must choose one over the other (including myself.) because each bike has essentially the same *heart* (engine,) how best to distinguish them? I came across this stromtrooper thread discussing the very subject.

** technical spec comparisons:

SV650:

1/4 mile: 11.99 sec. @ 107.64 mph
0-60: 3.5 sec
0-100: 9.94 sec
(Dry weight) 412 lbs
Power: 67.2 hp @ 8930 rpm
Torque: 42.6 ft.-lb. @ 7200 rpm
* updated these specs from 2008 sv650 cycleworld review, found here.

DL650:

1/4 mile: 12.54 sec @ 101.00 mph
0-60: 3.98 sec
217 kg (479 lbs)
Power 67 hp (50 kW)
Torque 44.3 ft.lbf (60 Nm) @ 6400 rpm

** visual comparison:

SV650:

DL650:

** anecdotal comparison:

Stromtrooper user Xavier6162 summed it up best in saying:

“The SV is more like a Fighter plane. Very light, more flickable and maneuverable in a shorter amount of space because it is always on the verge of instability. Manuvers like a bicycle at very slow speeds.

Compared to the DL it is twichy (short wheelbase), not very forgiving and very easy to get yourself into trouble. Great track bike, great street fighter or great for an aggressive rider……and young foolish squids. Poor highway bike. Very uncomfortable over a 30 minute ride. Very Painful after an hour. Dead numb-paralyzed butt after 1.5 hours even with a seat upgrade. Very cramp riding position compared to the DL. Very cheap to buy (Dime a Dozen) and easy to find. Twice the insurance cost of the DL.

The DL is more of a Cesena. Very stable and forgiving.”

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one year review of web host nearlyfreespeech.net

07-Jul-08

(almost) one year ago I switched from dreamhost to nearlyfreespeech for my primary web hosting needs.

in a word: great! in one year I can count the issues I’ve had on one hand. I’ve spent about $15 on hosting for the year and only had downtime a couple times. their business mantra cannot be beat. it’s a bit like supporting a grass roots cause.

on a nitpicky note, nearlyfreespeech latency leaves a bit to be desired. the point click … load is not instant. I’d say about “a” second for most pages, sometimes two or three…. but always less than ten. :) this is via this website, naraku a wordpress blog, and my pet project Tastes Like Happy which is entirely isolated from any potential mysql db related latency (if there is any, I haven’t noticed.)

Also filed in naraku, thinking | | Comments (0) »

California’s ambiguous Lane Splitting law

02-Jul-08

after an extended lane splitting adventure past multiple accidents on Northbound highway 101 yesterday, including a brief inconsequential encounter with a CHP biker, I figured I should find out exactly what the law states.

(as ignorance is never a valid excuse)

California Highway Patrol’s website states:

Can motorcycle riders “split” lanes and ride between other vehicles?

Lane splitting by motorcycles is permissible but must be done in a safe and prudent manner.

so it is entirely up to the officer to judge your technique. just hope you don’t split past an officer having a bad day, because they can make up anything to smack it to ya.

Also filed in motorcycle, thinking | | Comments (1) »

blackberry freeware apps!

27-Jun-08

big time wasters here free blackberry games. going to have to add some of these games and other apps to my bb pearl.

[via my fav and least fav site, slickdeals.net.]

related: be sure to check out my review of the blackberry pearl 2 where I posted some more links to great free BB apps.

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2009 suzuki v-strom changes

24-Jun-08

the 2009 models have just started appearing on suzuki’s product website.

here’s the scoop:

colors:
- 2009 V-Strom 650 ABS comes only in gray, 2008 is flat black (here’s mine!)
- ‘09 WeeStrom non-ABS comes in orange and gray, ‘08 in flat black and wasp yellow.

cosmetic changes:
- gray version has matching gray rims.
- all have clear signals. (might have to pick these up an’ stick em on my ‘08..)

cost:
- 2009 models are universally MSRP $300 USD higher than the 2008 models.

spec changes:
- no technical changes (!)
I compared the ‘08 vs. ‘09 specs side by side both ABS and non, and the only differences are how weight and dimensions are listed :

2008 (both): Bore Stroke: 81.0 x 62.6mm
2009 (both): Bore Stroke: 81.0 mm (3.189 in) x 62.6 mm (2.465 in)

2008 (ABS): Dry Weight: 197 kg (434 lbs)
(no ABS): Dry Weight: 194 kg (427 lbs)
2009 (ABS): Curb Weight: 220 kg (485 lbs)
(no ABS): Curb Weight: 217 kg (479 lbs)

lastly, the 2009 v-strom DL1000 has not (yet?) been announced..

>> be sure to check out the rest of my v-strom / motorcycle posts, in the motorcycle category.

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fitness todo - one hundred pushups

18-Jun-08

I’ve always had an issue sticking to doing push ups regularly due to my bum elbow (it’s like arthritus/tennis-elbow/nerve damage but not.) it’s always been something I’d like to accomplish - that is, being able to do a shitload and reap all the benefits (superficial and otherwise.) I’ve seen firsthand how effective they are as one of my best buds has immaculate pecs and push ups are basically all he does (for exercise.)

onehundredpushups is a fitness plan of that sort.

so first “fix” the bum elbow, then invest six weeks in pushup training.
yeeah!

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hoot hoot I need an owl nap

18-Jun-08

If you’re a lark, apt to wake as early as 6am, and go to sleep around 9 or 10 pm, you’re going to feel your nap need around 1 or 1:30 pm. If you’re an owl, preferring to go to bed after midnight or 1am, and to wake around 8 or 9am, your afternoon “sleep gate” will open later, closer to 2:30 or 3pm.

I am an owl. larks are weird, imo.

view the entire nap graphicy goodness at boston.com

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first long ride on the Suzuki DL650 V-Strom

09-Jun-08

quick-background:
I finally got my brand-spankin’ new 2008 DL650 last week (after writing about only one final contender and two months of waiting for it to arrive from the factory.)

I broke in the first ~50 miles (proper engine break-in is super important) using a combination of techniques found here, here, and the user’s manual (though not really.)

I changed my oil & filter yesterday, accidentally overfilled it then promptly drained the excess (very irritating thing to do..) I’m using a stock suzuki oil filter and valvoline 10w-40 oil for the next ~500 miles - until my 600 mile service which I expect will be by the mid-end of this month.

pros summary:
fucking fun. a very different experience than riding my ‘87 Yamaha Virago (a 700cc.) the handling is very tight and I generally always feel safe on my Wee. the breaks are astounding: I’m much more likely to fly off the bike by breaking than accelerating.

a few cons:
I can confirm that there is a lot of ‘helmet buffeting’ that is pretty headache inducing in large doses. I plan on tweaking to kingdom-come in efforts to fix but at this point, the issue is not so bad reducing the fun I am having is lessened any. milage during break in is crap. there is a lot of vacuum’y sounds from the bike at all rpms that I’m a little leary of. the dealership I purchased from is pretty shitty; also, I didn’t get a great deal on the bike.

my ride to work - through the woods, over the hills and straddle the cliffs overlooking the shore.
absolutely awesome ride for twisties:

link to googlemaps route

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babelfish

28-May-08

for years an’ years, my go-to for translations has always been babelfish.altavista.com … today, on my way to look up “va te faire foutre” I am redirected! oh my, no more Altavista.

when did babelfish.altavista.com become babelfish.yahoo.com?

according to ye’ ol’ wikipedia:

1.) “…AltaVista (part of Yahoo! since May 9, 2008)…”
2.) “After a long sojourn at babelfish.altavista.com [since 1995!], the site was moved in May 2008 to babelfish.yahoo.com.”

babel fish