> Hi Ky!
KM> WHO? <g>
Um, Rez? I think I've always called you Ky.
> KM> I have one that right-angles immediately, so you'd have to
> KM> snuggle up to the PC to kick it.
> That should help reduce the Smack Factor. Of course some of us wonder
> as the case is metal how come it doesn't block or at least severely attenuate
> the signal.
KM> Or why internal wifi cards have an external antenna... once it's
KM> outside the case, apparently there's enough signal bouncing
KM> around. Tho have noticed unobstructed line of sight gets more
KM> important with distance.
It seems only a very minute signal is needed, or at least according to
the standard measurement of a volt. 'Microvolt' is a millionth of a
volt. Then add to the fun with all those signals out there: dozens of
radio and TV stations, neighbours' WiFi, Iot (Internet of Things, like wireless
thermometers). And don't forget the non-consumer stuff like
business communications. And so the lil' ol' receiver not only has to
receive the signal, it also has to single it out out of the hundreds if
not thousands out there.
> KM> Video "5 motherboards that shouldn't exist" -- one had like 25
> KM> USB ports. Supposedly for industrial control circuits, but sure
> KM> looked odd.
> And then they still had to use a hub! <g>
KM> LOL, probably.
> Years ago I was getting towards that 25 number with the USB devices up
> here. A motherboard with two dozen USB ports wouldn't quite work, but a
> few USB hubs would: hang one to the left side of the desk, two to the
> right. On the left side was the scanner, printer, a USB-powered light I
> got as a gift, thumbdrive I used as a scratchpad. Also temporary
> plug-in of various USB devices.
KM> Oh yeah... I've had hubs stuck to hubs... right now it's
KM> positively vacant, having only filled up all the working ports
KM> (some of Cash's have quit, likely the southbridge capacitor
KM> problem) and one hub. No longer need flash drives for overflow
KM> storage, which freed up about half of 'em! I'm not even sure what
KM> all of these are, but when I unplug one, something stops working. <g>
Right: in the old days (a few years ago <g>) I had a couple of permantly
attached external hard drives, and IIRC the internal was 500 GB.
...Seems a lot of the USB stuff became unneed, but not recalling what it
was. I do recall planning for a 'big remodel'to upgrade to USB 3: I
have a large corner computer desk so stuff to my left and stuff to my
right. Have a hub on the left for the printer, scanner, etc. The right another
hub for (other stuff) and that was going to extend to another
hub for the area where I assemble and repair.
Well, today I do have a hub on the left. The scanner is plugged into
it. Plus a decorative light I was given. Glanced over and thought
something else: looked like another cable was plugged in but just
happened to line up and from where I sit half of the plug is covered up
by a small monitor. The cable just happened to line up as it looped
behind.
> > Yup!! ...And how come is 'route' as in "Route 66" can be pronounced
> > 'root' or 'r-ow-t' but I've not heard 'router' as "root-er"?!
> KM> So they wouldn't start singing about getting their kicks??
> If only the Rockettes could sing!
KM> That's what the backup chorus is for!
Not another lip-sync scandal!
> KM> Oh, THAT little problem. I need to pick and process tomatoes.
> KM> Vines already froze. There are a LOT of tomatoes. Maybe tomorrow! Well,
> guess you won't have to worry about crushing if the tomato is
> frozen too! Won't be any frost and freeze warnings here for probably a
> month, though doesn't seem like that will happen that soon from how it's been
> lately. Has been in the upper 80's; today only the low 70's
> because of last night's storm. By the weekend back into the 80's.
KM> 32 that night, 85 next day... make up my mind, is it long
KM> underwear or shorts? Anyway it frosted all the leaves off, and
KM> damaged a couple of the more-exposed fruits, but ... yesterday I
KM> picked around 30 pounds, including 4 gallons of cherry tomatoes,
KM> from just three plants. And that was just what was primo ripe;
KM> there's half again more that much a-comin' next week. Boxful on
KM> the porch for the neighbor too. Dunno why people can't get a
KM> tomato crop, I get more than I can possibly use. This year's keys
KM> seem to be peat moss and neglect.
I like the 'neglect' part! Had some tomato plants here years ago; did
well but was easier to be the grateful recipient to co-workers who
brought in their crop - plus get a variety that way! Retired, so now
now break room table of goodies to bring home. Various excuses and
half-plans and nothing edible has been planted.
KM> Need bigger freezer. Also a cook, since I hate cooking. For some
KM> reason preservable garden stuff needs cooking!
Something about the heat killing off the little bad things one can't see
but definitely know are there if gain the upper hand.
> Haven't had the greatest luck with solar only because of positioning: if good
> for the morning would be in the shade in the afternoon, etc.
KM> That's why you use a battery! Two AA should be enough to go
KM> through the Dark Times.
Yes and no. I'm thinking more 'solar lights' just because more
experience. Of course they generally have the cheapest battery to keep
costs down and profits up but I had replaced a bunch after a few years
with higher capacity (mA) batteries and better but still only so-so
results. Those in the sun more did last longer (interesting way to see
where the shade is at night!). Of course another part of the equation
is the input: a 1" solar cell only generates so much electricity to
charge the battery.
OTOH do have a couple which are almost off the chart on the chart and
last into the morning. One is rusted inside, used to have the colour- changing
LED but something happened and so I replaced the LED (single
colour) and connecting wire. I think it's on all the time -- or at
least when I water after dinner it's already on. Of course a LED
doesn't take much current but it lasts, rust and all, whereas the others didn't.
> KM> You can probably block the light with a suitably placed bit of
> KM> dangly, or an overhang -- place camera high and point camera more
> I'd probably have to go with something to block the light as the peak of
> the shed is probbaly only 4' above the light, and have to run the camera view
> pretty much through (so 'at') the light. Easiest way is to put
> some sort of light blocker on the shed side of the light globes.
KM> Something smaller than your finger and close to the camera might
KM> suffice, without blocking too much of its view. Just enough to
KM> keep the light out of its eyes, so to speak.
Right. First will have to see if the WiFi signal is usable back there
-- should. OTOH the original position in the house didn't connect.
Placement of the camera requires almost a direct stare into the light,
so a light block at the camera probably won't work so I'm thinking some
sort of filter on the light fixture. ...We'll see!
> KM> ExplainingComputers did a Howto on that recently, with a PiCheap
> KM> and whatever camera they sell. But I don't need to keep the
> KM> pics....
> Should be able to configure to have just the live stream. Here I keep
> the videos for 35 days and then delete with a script. Nothing special
> about 35 days, just seems like a little over a month made sense.
KM> Just want to see what bad dogs are up to, don't care about
KM> posterity!
Live streaming only it is! Maybe even an old baby monitor -- security
is rather poor on the old-old ones but if just the dogs and if the
neighbours are far enough away doesn't matter.
> KM> Now that I mention it.... I suppose I could just use the
> KM> cellphone's camera. It's a 3G phone so will be permanently
> KM> obsoleted end of 2022. But it has great wireless range and
> KM> connects painlessly, and takes tolerably decent video, so...
> Seems if the phone can connect to your WiFi that part's set. As you
KM> Yeah, that it does easily enough. Gets a good signal that far,
KM> tho haven't tested from inside the barn. I do have a range
KM> extender but could never get the durn thing to work!
<Fiddle-fiddle> Was set for the wrong country!
> said, the streaming part could be interesting, but there are probably
> steaming apps out there -- and as you said hopefully not going through
> the Cloud.
KM> Probably are, would need to find for old Android (this phone is
KM> about 8 years old and is already updated as far as it goes). Not
KM> going to pay for cloud for ephemera, plus dislike the anybody's
KM> business aspect.
I also disliked if my Internet connect went down then I couldn't see my
own cameras!
> One potential problem is the battery. Here I played with an old tablet
> - was going to use it as a small monitor. Plugged in to a wall wart so
> external power all the time. Noticed the battery level eventually going down
> to zero; still working but a couple days later it died and had to recharge.
> Did try a few different wall warts, well over the mA draw,
> with the same issue. I don't recall if I tried just chargers or actual power
> supplies.
KM> Some will work on just a wart, some need a good battery... my
KM> everyday retard phone doesn't care so long as juice comes from
KM> somewhere.
Right; I'd test before permanent installation. My old tablet lasted
around a week. And I also found the Pi's seem to need a weekly reboot
else they'll lock up. ...More the ones with cameras as I have some
other Pi's which have run continuously.
> .. It's probably my age that tricks people into thinking I'm an adult.
KM> I figure mine missed a decimal point. <g>
Young in mind, the body's trying to keep up!
» BarryMartin3@ «
» @MyMetronet.NET «
... You were expecting still another smartaleck message here today?
--- MultiMail/Win32 v0.47
■ wcECHO 4.2 ≈ ILink: The Safe BBS ■ Bettendorf, IA
--- QScan/PCB v1.20a / 01-0462
* Origin: ILink: CFBBS | cfbbs.no-ip.com | 856-933-7096 (454:1/1)
|
