Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Windows 7 - Shortcut to lock screen

Was missing the ability to click on an icon and lock the screen.   

Found this on the internet (http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows/create-a-shortcut-for-locking-your-computer-screen-in-windows-vista/) :

  1.  Right Click on desktop
  2. New -> Shortcut
  3. Location: "rundll32.exe user32.dll, LockWorkStation"
  4. Name: "Lock Screen"
Done!

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Bridge Mode on the Timer Warner DOCSIS Broadband Extreme UBEE router

As the title suggests, I have recently switched internet providers to Time Warner and received their new DOCSIS wireless router manufactured by UBEE.   In its out of the box experience, this router will try to be your; A) Modem B) Router C) Wireless Access Point D) Firewall.

TW gives you a "user" account on the device to configure various end-user options.  Network security has been a hobby of mine for many decades and the thought of having a network device that someone else has admin and having access to my private subnet is not tolerable ;)

To disable all of the functionality of the UBEE modem/router and use your own equipment you need to do two things:

  • Disable the Wireless
    • http://192.168.0.1
    • user: user  password: user
    • Navigate To: Wireless -> Primary Network
    • Primary Network = Disable
  • Put the device into Bridge Mode (Hidden Menu)
    • http://192.168.0.1/TlModeChange.asp  ** Please note, others below have been seeing different IP addresses depending on what area you are in such as http://192.168.100.1/TlModeChange.asp
    • user: user  password: user
    • Tools - Operation Mode
    • Select "Bridge mode"
    • click "Apply"
    • Enjoy - The UBEE device will now have a 192.168.100.1 IP address and be out of your way.
  • ** From an Anonymous Source below:
    • The hidden menu has a "secret" admin username and password. The username is the last 8 digits of the Ubee's mac address, and the password is c0nf1gur3m3
    • So log out of the user account and log back in using the master password. Be careful what you do in that mode!


Thursday, August 18, 2011

Android Device / Phone Recovery Mode Access Buttons

Been mod'ing a bunch of Android devices lately and am having a hard time keeping track of how to enter the recovery mode on each. ;) Thought Id list it here for yours and my benefit.


Samsung Galaxy 2 SkyRocket (SGH I727)

  1. Phone off
  2. Hold Vol-UP & Vol-DOWN & Power buttons until the "Samsung" Logo appears.
HTC EVO 3D (Shooter):
  1. Ensure Phone is completely off (fastboot is turned off) or simply do a battery pull before proceeding
  2. Hold "Vol Down" + "Power" until white HBOOT screen appears

LG Optimus S (LS670):

  1. Hold "Vol Down" + "Home" + "Power" until LG Slash screen appears


HTC EVO 4G (Super Sonic):

  1. Hold "Vol Down" + "Power" until white HBOOT screen appears


HTC Hero (cdma):

  1. Hold "Home" + "Power" (red button) until recovery appears


B&N Nook Touch 2nd Edition (N2E):

  1. Press "Power" until screen changes
  2. Immediately Hold "Bottom Left" + "Bottom Right" buttons until wipe screen appears



Wednesday, June 22, 2011

New Type of Aircraft has great potential - D-Dalus

Uses four mechanically linked turbines to produce propulsion at any angle.   Probably not going to be the fastest moving aircraft, however, it should prove to be the most versatile for maneuvering.



http://www.gizmag.com/d-dalus-uav-design/18972/

Thursday, May 26, 2011

View Kindle Books on Ubuntu Linux 10.10 (Remove Kindle DRM)

I have had an Amazon Kindle for a year or so now and enjoy reading using the device.   However, sometimes I forget to bring along the kindle and would like to read them on my Ubuntu 10.10 Laptop.

As is seemingly the trend, media distributors put DRM (Digital Right Management) onto the files in a vain attempt to stop them from being copied.   This interferes with the ability to Ubuntu to simply read these files without going through some hoops.

Here is how to do it:

Go to Amazon Website->Digital Library->Manage Kindle->Select Book for Transfer via PC
Save book file (xxxx.azw) to /tmp

Install "Calibre":
sudo apt-get install calibre

Obtain "DRM" removing software (Author Page):
http://www.datafilehost.com/download-8210f840.html (click download)
http://www.datafilehost.com/download-c263696f.html


Extract ->  /tools/Calibre_Plugins/K4MobiDeDRMxx.zip to /tmp

Open Calibre (go through wizard if youd like):
Applications-> Office -> Calibre

Add plugin:
Preferences->Plugins->(Browse for file Button)
Select: /tmp/K4MobiDeDRMxxx.zip
Click Add
Select: File Plugins
Select: Configure
Enter your Kindle Serial Number (Found in settings menu)
Click OK
Click Apply


Select Calibre->Import Book

Select your download book (xxxx.azw) file

 Title should appear in your list of books
Right-click on the book title and select "view"

Enjoy your DRM free book on Ubuntu!

Friday, April 15, 2011

MAME Simultaneous 2 thru 4 player Games

I built myself a nice 4-player Arcade cabinet at home that runs MAME with Ubuntu and just thought Id make a list of MAME Simultaneous 2 thru 4 player Games: (From various sources on the net) http://mame32.livejournal.com/12853.html http://www.0x61.com/forum/post2352293.html http://groups.google.com/group/rec.games.video.arcade/msg/3405642328d2e007?dmode=source&hl=en

Two Player - Action
1943
Aero Fighters
Aliens vs. Predator
Arabian Magic
Armor Attack
Atari Football
Basketbrawl
Bubble Bobble
Crime City
Contra
Cotton 2
Dead Connection
Dragon Breed
Dodon Pachi
Don Doko Don
Double DragonD&D Shadow over Mystara.
D&D Tower of Doom
Elevator Action Returns
Giga Wing
Gun Bird
Joust
Karate Champ
Klax
Marble Madness
Mario Bros
Metal Slug
Millipede
N.A.R.C.
Ninja Gaiden
Ninja Kids
Penguin Brothers
Puzzle Bobble
Qix
Robocop 2
Smash TV
Space Duel
Space Invaders 2000
Space War
Tetris
The Combatribes
Time Soldiers
Two Tigers
Victory Road
Vindicator
Wizard of Wor
Xybots

Sunday, April 3, 2011

Agile Carolinas Event: "War Stories from the Trenches of Scrum"

"War Stories from the Trenches of Scrum"

Join me for an open discussion on the stories of success and challenges faced over 5 years with the implementation of Scrum for a mid-sized software development company.   Click here for more info and free sign-up

When:
Tuesday, April 12, 2011 from 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM (ET)

Where:
CPCC Harris Campus
3210 CPCC West Campus Dr.
H2 Building, Room 2132
Charlotte, NC 28208
View Map