Period domestic computer networking

[LadyArowana]

That's good news, especially for the pelicans.

If you've not already done so then now would be a good time to copy all data from the phone because the water may cause internal corrosion that could shorten its life. Hopefully not, but when it comes to data you can't have too many copies.

Yes, I did take the precaution of extracting the pictures while it was in co operative mood. However they seem to consist of things like an advert for happy hour from the powder room of a bar, unflattering "selfies", shoes I have bought, and where I live. Apart from a couple of rather nice scenes from Japan, which I in any case have a zillion versions of in actual albums ( I know, so last century ), the pelicans are about the best :lol:

 

[Penners]

Pelican poo is just about the stinkiest thing on earth (as we discovered when a pelican opened its bomb-bay doors above us on a beach in California). :x

 

[LadyArowana]

Pelican poo is just about the stinkiest thing on earth (as we discovered when a pelican opened its bomb-bay doors above us on a beach in California). :x

I didn't notice, but that may have had something to do with being on the dock where the catch was unloaded, perhaps the pelican you "met" had been poorly :lol:

 

[Penners]

Nah - I think he was just unloading (what remained of) his catch, too.

The stench of rotting fish was quite excrutiating.

 

[worms]

From computers to Pelican poo in only 3 pages!

 

[Penners]

Nothing like a PPUK record, but not a bad effort.

 

[LadyArowana]

Nothing like a PPUK record, but not a bad effort.

As a matter of interest, do you remember which one went completely off track and did pages and pages?

 

[Penners]

It would be quicker to ask which thread didn't do that!

But no, I'm afraid I can't remember the specific one you're referring to.

 

[Dave W]

Personally I've found powerline adopters to be a godsend for sharing internet access around a house

http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/test-centre/network-wifi/3490638/best-powerline-adapters-2014/


I've 4 of these and have worked a treat over the last 12 months http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/WD-Livewire-Powerline-AV-Network-KIT-4-Ports-Twin-Pack-SEALED-FREE-P-P-/251616217399?pt=UK_Computing_Powerline_Networking&hash=item3a957ec937

That price is a bargain by the way, so please someone buy them before I add to my collection.

Dave

 

[a twig]

If you're doing powerline, make sure none of your neighbours are radio hams, or you will prove yourself very unpopular very quickly with them.

 

[Flyfisher]

Is radio interference really a problem these days? I remember all the controversy when the powerline standards were being developed but I assumed things were sorted out by the time the final standard was ratified.

 

[Feltwell]

Not quite domestic networking in the usual sense, but I've come across something quite new to technophobe me.

I'm currently down in Devon with Mrs Feltwell and all the little Feltwells, camping. T'interweb is very useful when camping - BBC weather especially, plus finding out opening times for attractions etc. I don't have a smartphone, and whilst we embraced the modern age and bought an Ipad a while ago (couldn't get near the computer for kids or Mrs F on Facebook.... :roll: ) I foolishly didn't buy a 3G one.

I came across a little gizmo on Amazon - a "mi-fi" wireless router thingy, basically a little fag-packet sized device that holds a mobile phone battery and a 3G SIM card - it receives t'interweb and broadcasts out a secure wi-fi connection for IPads etc. I was amazed to find that not only was it stupidly simple to set up, with no need for Mrs F to tell the children to ignore any unfamiliar words from Dad whilst he was setting it up, it's also amazingly quick - almost as good as my fibre broadband at home, and that's just with a cheap pay as you go 3G card from three mobile.

 

[Flyfisher]

I've always been wary of those devices because of the data charges - the same reason why I only use wifi when (rarely) browsing via my smartphone. I must be getting stingy in my old age but I really don't use my mobile enough to justify an unlimited package, so it means I have to seek out a coffee shop or pub with wifi and use my iPad when out and about . . . which is not such a bad thing :wink:

 

[Penners]

Me too. I'm particularly wary of data roaming, when I'm abroad*. It's frighteningly easy to clock up many tens of pounds (or more) in charges.

* My favourite quote about travel, attributed to I've-no-idea-who:
"Abroad? Went there once. Didn't like it."

 

[a twig]

Is radio interference really a problem these days? I remember all the controversy when the powerline standards were being developed but I assumed things were sorted out by the time the final standard was ratified.

There are standards, but even standards compliant ones cause interference, and as the frequency is increased to push data rates higher it is now starting to affect DAB and FM signals, with effects measured up to a 100m radius in some cases. And that's for compliant devices - you'd be amazed how many devices on the market don't actually fully comply...

Effectively with the use of powerline your house mains circuit functions as an antenna for the powerline signals, as there is little/no EMC shielding on your T + E cables!

From a May 2012 IET fluff piece for thems what don't like reading white papers:

The most recent controversy around powerline relates to the interference that it causes for other electrical equipment as powerline signals radiate into the air so have a tendency to interfere with other electrical devices like short wave and medium wave radios that share the same frequency which can interfere with the functioning of these devices. What's more, the faster models have also been shown to interfere with DAB and FM radio and interference levels have also been shown to exceed current EU standards. If a number of households are using powerline devices in the same area the leaked signals can build up. Ofcom has received some complaints - mainly from radio buffs - about this issue of interference which has largely been ignored due to the small number of complaints. More recently however the BBC published a white paper causing the matter to be discussed in parliament.

So from my point of view stay away from powerline unless as a last resort.

 

[LadyArowana]

Radio? you mean like what you stream over the internet?

 

[Feltwell]

I've always been wary of those devices because of the data charges - the same reason why I only use wifi when (rarely) browsing via my smartphone. I must be getting stingy in my old age but I really don't use my mobile enough to justify an unlimited package, so it means I have to seek out a coffee shop or pub with wifi and use my iPad when out and about . . . which is not such a bad thing :wink:

Ahh, but I have a self-imposed limit by sticking to pay as you go. £15 for 3 gb of data once a year is enough to cover 2 weeks worth of web browsing, so long as video is avoided. We've tried the free wifi approach before, and end up driving around trying to find somewhere as we tend to be in very rural locations on holiday - probably spent more than £15 on petrol!

Of course like everybody else we managed for years to holiday without t'interweb, but it is undeniably very useful to have the ability to get an instant, accurate (ish!), location-tailored weather forecast for the day before you set off for the beach with the kids, for example. Same as checking high tide times, opening times, where's the nearest whatever etc etc etc.

 

[Flyfisher]

You managed without the internet? Is that even possible? :wink:

FF junior is currently on a road trip to Slovakia, stopping off at friends in Germany and Austria, all with no map and just a smartphone. I doubt if he even knows where Slovakia is! :lol:

How times change.

 

[Flyfisher]

So from my point of view stay away from powerline unless as a last resort.

Fair point and I can understand the frustration of radio amateurs struggling to pick out weak signals from a background of broadband digital interference, but I suspect the powerline horse has bolted and that all the complaints in the world are only going to close the stable door. The technology is simply too easy and convenient in a world where internet connectivity is becoming essential to our society - if it hasn't become so already.

Perhaps I should return my amateur radio licence in protest?

 

[Penners]

I doubt if he even knows where Slovakia is!

He's not alone. It's abroad isn't it?