Ubuntu VS. HP omnibook

Recently a friend came to me with a problem, they had a HP omnibook XE3 that was running windows XP pro, but could not seem to connect to networks. After a little bit of looking around it seemed that this has been caused by a reinstall without the appropriate drivers. Seemed simple to fix so I downloaded the drivers and I tried to install them. From here on in the problem deepened.

The driver installer installed the driver happily, but when you placed in the wireless adaptor the new hardware wizard was unable to find the “file specified� to install the driver. After a bit of digging about online, I found an answer to the problem. The HP omnibook has some custom hardware, which is not included in the standard Windows XP install disk that had been used to restore the laptop a while before I got involved.

I looked online to see if I could find an original HP install disk, but no luck, so I started thinking outside of the box.

This laptop was only needed for checking e-mail, and a little bit of web browsing. This was a job fro ubuntu.

After popping into a local computer shop I walked away with the shiny install disks for ubuntu 5.10 “breezy badger�. However, I already knew that this version would not natively support the belkin wireless adaptor so I sought to upgrade.

After borrowing a friends Internet connection I downloaded the ISO for ubuntu 6.06 dapper drake (which I knew supported the adaptor) and I then burnt it to a disk. But sadly this did not go right. In hindsight I think I know why, I was using Very cheap disks which kept having errors when burnt to.

So the next step is to find some better quality disks, and to burn the ISO successfully. Then hopefully we will have a functioning, all but virus proof email and internet machine.

Watch this space….

Published: 16 April 2007 | Categories: , Permalink

Little Steps

The bad news came in late last week; due to funding I would not be able to return to oxford in the near future. Dammit.

Well as they say, when one door close’s another opens, so I have been doing a little research into Courses and training in the web development industry.

Since I have been with pentangle I have learnt a lot. By working with the company and Alun I have seen the inside workings of an ethical web development company. I have the skills now to deliver the high quality sites and I have the knowledge to go on and develop more.

Interestingly, the web industry is not qualification led. It is portfolio led, and in recent months and years i have been amassing quite a large and strong portfolio.

With the recent sites like merritts lotus and only organic I have been building a very technically, and visually strong portfolio. It seemed like the time was right to formalise this.

This far ahead nothing is guaranteed but the signs predominantly seem good. I am hoping to start a Course in September with Sae UK which will give me the official qualification, and form there I can continue on and add to my degree study with the Open University.

So that the plan, lets see what happens.

Published: 5 April 2007 | Categories: , Permalink

Web Access (ability)

In recent weeks i have been away from an internet connection where i am staying. This has forced me to use publicly available WiFi and to research solutions for a wire free connection in my room.

Naturally the first option i looked at was the conventional phone line options, this was quickly vetoed by the people who own the building. damn it.

Looking into my finances i relised i could afford a maximum of around £25 for the internet connection per month. So i went looking for some more options.

Thought My Phone

When thinking about my options, i identified some possibilities and methods. The first on my list was the option of using the 3G network with my mobile phone for an internet connection.

Looking around the various providers i found that t-mobile offered the best option with its web ‘n’ walk system. This offered laptop G3 modem though a new phone with a 3GB monthly data cap for £12.50, however a phone plan had to be purchased to work with this method and the cheapest plan was £20 bringing the total cost to £32.50.

The cost of £32.50 could be met, however, the 12 contract was not at all appealing. Next Method..

The Alpha Network

Across the road from where i am living, there is a company named Alpha trophies. and they have a Wifi network. I could connect to this network in my room but after speaking to them i was not able to come to an agreement over the use of their network So i Had to loo for another method.

On Cloud 9?

After a walk around town leaning with my PSP and leaning against buildings, i found several hot spots in the town, including the one i am using now in a cafe, although this hot spots are free, they are only free after you have brought a drink, which turns out expesive over the course of a month.

However, there is a collection of hot spots called “the cloud” which allows unlimited accsess to all for £11.99 a month. So this is a Method i am currently using.

Look for an update soon, and a review of “The Cloud”

Update

Earlier today i got confomation that i was going to be able to install a wireless router where i am staying for web accsess. So the issue is soon to be solved. Great.

Published: 11 March 2007 | Categories: , Permalink