Meeting Notes Nov 7 2006

About 7 people showed up.
We had one new person.

Summary:
Talked about modifiying Linksys G routers.
OpenSource software for handheld treos.
Fiber to the home.
Troubleshooting a box with everything installed.
Script lance and indepedant contracting software services.
Troubleshooting when the bugs don’t follow any numerical patterns.

G Lynksys routers are common household routers . The G routers have opensource firmware. With the opensource firmware, a number of modifications to the router can be made. More specifically, common open source software can be loaded on the router. Snort, an OpenSource IDS, can be loaded. Here is nifty article on how to hack your G router.

At least 2 members in the lug have Treo PDA smartphones . Treo’s use Palm OS. The Treo has a bunch of opensource software, according to Patrick. More specifically, there is even a Kismit client for the phone. As for the phone, I think Blackberry devices work better. But, I perfer the Treo over the Blackberry for the PDA features. From use of the Treo, it appears the smartphone has some issues when in areas where cell towers are sparce or inside buildings. Part of the reason the Treo has issues is the frequency it uses. Treo’s typically use high frequencies which does not work well inside buildings. In urban areas the Treo is great. However, I use mine mostly in rural areas so I experience more dropped calls then I would with a phone that uses lower frequencies like the Blackberry.

Verizon is still offering Fiber to the home. Two members in the Lug now have Fiber connections.
Fiber is the fasted connection anyone can get in their home. Here is a link to news on the verizon’s fiber.

Category: Info