LINBPQ

LINBPQ is the latest Linux version of BPQ32. John Wiseman G8BPQ/GM8BPQ, has done it again! This looks to be a good direction to go. I was dreading to change my BPQ node from XP to a newer version of Windows. Now I can just use a linux version and not worry. I have a computer with the latest Ubuntu on it so I will give this a try. I will keep you posted on how it goes.


https://dl.dropbox.com/u/31910649/InstallingLINBPQ.htm

cubieboard a neat little computer

Here is an interesting new sub $100 ARM board. I may have to order one to play with! It has many good features, the one I like is that it can run the full Ubuntu desktop.

From their Web site:

The features of the cubieboard:

    1G ARM cortex-A8 processor, NEON, VFPv3, 256KB L2 cache
    Mali400, OpenGL ES GPU
    512M/1GB DDR3
    HDMI 1080p Output
    100M Ethernet
    4GB Nand Flash
    2 USB Host, 1 MMC slot, 1 SATA, 1 ir
    96 extend pin including i2c, spi, lvds, sensors, ..
    Running Android, Ubuntu and other Linux distributions

There is a nice simple case for the board. Look here  http://cubieboard.org/2012/09/10/a-simple-case/

http://cubieboard.org/

Windows XP Dying?

Every where I look I see an article talking about Windows XP dying. Could this be true? How could it be true? I have been working with Ubuntu and Windows 7 lately, but I still have some machines running XP. These computers will probably run XP till I can no longer keep the computer alive. This is because they are not really fast enough to use windows 7. These machines are also running radios and radio software, thus I do not have to worry to much about them getting sick with a virus or even a cold. So I guess until I get some faster machines to run the other day to day computing Windows XP will live on in my shack. So I guess Windows XP is not really dying, but a group of people are trying to help it die faster.

Introduction to Data Communications An Interesting Book

 Introduction to Data Communications is a very interesting read by Eugene Blanchard. This online book does a very good job at explaining many mysteries in networking. He does a good job at explaining things in a not to difficult to understand way. If you want to learn more please check the book out. 

 http://learnat.sait.ab.ca/ict/txt_information/Intro2dcRev2/index.html

Acer Aspire One D250-1842 10.1" Netbook

I just recently bought a used  Acer Aspire One Netbook. My first impressions with this netbook is that it is small and compact but still powerful enough to run the software I need to. The keyboard is of course on the small side for my big hands but as long as I do not type to fast it works fine. It has Windows 7 Starter which will give me some experience with the newer Windows operating system. I am not impressed so far. It is so different from any of the other operating systems I have used. I am used to XP which is probably my favorite Windows system. Linix Ubuntu is starting to be my favorite now. It would be nice to be able to change the look and feel to an XP look, but I am not sure that will be possible. I think it will be a good additional laptop for HSMM and other digital modes. I did have it on the air and ran FLdigi last night without any problems. All in all it will be an interesting learning experience.

Some specifications for the netbook:

Screen Size 10.1"
Display Screen Type Active Matrix TFT Color LCD
Memory 1 GB
Lithium Ion Battery
Wi-Fi Standard IEEE 802.11b/g
Ethernet Technology Fast Ethernet
Weight (Approximate) 2.80 lb
Height 1"
Width 10.17"
Depth 7.24"
Hard Drive Capacity 250 GB
Processor Speed 1.60 GHz
Processor Type Atom
Processor Model N270
Processor Manufacturer Intel
Operating System Windows 7 Starter

Memories from a box

I had a flashback in time last night when I took the trash to the curb. My wife had been in the attic and emptied an old box and then set the box out for me to get rid of. This box was from the first PC computer I ever bought that ran Windows. I bought this computer when I was stationed in Fulda Germany in the early 90's. What is hard to believe is that it has been nearly 20 years ago and only seems like it was just yesterday! Wow does time fly! But of course if I stop and think about it my kids have kids now so I guess I qualify as an old timer. This computer was the fastest one I ever had, it had to of had lightning in it!

AST Advantage! Plus
486DX/33 Model 348
-340 MB Hard Drive - 4 MB RAM
-1.2MB and 1.44MB Floppy Disk Drives
-Local Bus VGA 1 MB Memory
-AST Enhanced Keyboard - AST Two-Button Mouse
-Lotus 1-2-3 for Windows and Ami Pro
-Prodigy - American OnLine
-Fax Modem - WinFax

This is the computer that got me hooked to Windows, of course it was a different animal back then. Only lately have I veered away and started using Linux. What memories a box will bring to you.

Microsoft Windows 25 Years

Microsoft Windows turned 25 on November 20th. It has been a good and bad history. It has been a good thing for computers but I have had some "issues" with some of the practises of late that I have already Blog about. Windows has also helped move Ham radio forward with digital communications. So checkout this brief history of Microsoft Windows.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows/history

Overo Series Computer-on-Module

This is an interesting item little computer from Gumstix. Could this be a future HSMM computer? Could it have other uses for a mobile system for APRS? Check it out.





http://www.gumstix.com/