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Moving at 128kbps

During my last AT&T billing cycle, I exceeded my shared data plan limit and got this warning.

128kbps

Luckily, my plan has no overage costs (like before), but mobility at 128kbps (G2-speeds) would be unbearable right?

Well, it wasn’t that bad. It was sufferable but tolerable. Of course, jumping onto available wifi was the first priority but otherwise data at 128kbps was doable for a short duration. Instead of upping my data plan up a tier, I’m gonna try another month and see what happens. I’ve tuned my phone to perform less checks and updates while using mobile data, and personally, I’ve been cutting back on frivolous use of my phone when bored.

Unplanned Wifi Bridge Comparison

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Well, I surely hadn’t planned this and really, didn’t want this. But I spent a few days doing an unplanned comparison of wifi bridges. Now, these devices are reaching legacy status since many devices now have wireless networking built-in. But for those devices that only have wired Ethernet, they need a bridge to change from wired to wireless networking.

wifi-bridge-shootout

NetGear WNCE2001-100NAS

Initially, I had been using the NetGear WNCE2001-100NAS without issue. Okay, there was that one time I needed to reflash one unit, but after that, it’s been dependable. Setup is easy if not too basic. But once set, these worked (and continue to work). I can’t complain about wifi speed and range. Would like to have the power adapter use some kind of USB connection (to the device) rather than that tiny connector. But, but, but NetGear no longer makes these, and old stock online is super duper expensive.

So I went looking for a replacement…

IOGear GWU627

First up was IOGear’s GWU627. Easy to setup but too unreliable. Sometimes I can’t ping the device, sometimes, I can’t connect to its web interface. Speaking of its web management interface, it’s horrible. It’s overly simplified, geared for a single purpose bridge configuration without any options unless you find its secret menu at:

192.168.1.252/menu.asp

From this link with a minimal UI, you can change some settings including the hardcoded IP address of 192.168.1.252. I’ll give the GWU627 credit though, once configured it booted up quickly and got to work. But then it didn’t work so good. Ping tests were all over the place – less than 10 ms, greater than 100 ms, timeouts. Wow. When actually used in its use case, this bridge just couldn’t handle the network demands and stalled out, never allowing the bridged wired device to finish its updates. Not good.

TP-Link TL-WR802N

tp-link-tl-wr802Next up, a coworker had a TP-Link Nanorouter, the TL-WR802N. This inexpensive, tiny white box is very flexible can can function in many networking scenarios like a traditional wireless router, a hotspot router, a range extender, and as a client (client mode is essentially a wifi bridge). The web interface of the WR802N is very thorough with all the options exposed. It took me an extra try to set up Client mode with a static IP, not the default DHCP setting. But then the WR802N didn’t bridge. I could ping the static IP given to the bridge but could not ping or connect to the bridged device. I tried and tried. I even saw posts online describing similar issues but with a fix in the form of beta firmware. After contacting technical support, I was sent an updated beta firmware the next day. Sadly, this didn’t fix my problem. I’m pretty sure I’m configuring the WR802N correctly also testing DHCP settings and connecting to different wifi networks, but no matter what, I couldn’t connect through the device’s wired Ethernet.

Apple AirPort Express

Lastly, I brought in my second generation Apple AirPort Express. To cut this short, it worked. The wired device connected wirelessly. The wifi connection was reliable and performance was consistent and stable. Unfortunately, the AirPort Express is the most expensive device out of the three.

So where does that leave me? I probably need a few of these wireless bridges and while the NetGear WNCE2001-100NAS fits my needs perfectly with respect to cost, performance, and setup, this device is simply too hard to get at a good price. So barring any other discoveries, the Apple AirPort Express is it.

 

 

Dozy iOS 11?

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Anyone else experience a “very sleepy” iPhone after installing iOS 11? I’ve encountered at least three times that my iPhone 7 doesn’t want to wake up right away. It’s usually after I put my phone to sleep then try to wake it immediately. The screen stays black. I know the iPhone is still on since the home button still provides haptic feedback (the “button” doesn’t do anything when the iPhone is off).

After a long delay, the iPhone wakes up but in the meantime, the dozy iPhone feels like it’s not working.

Configure an Old Apple AirPort Express

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Still got a working Apple AirPort Express and want to configure it using a newer macOS such as 10.12 aka Sierra? Follow these helpful instructions.

The biggest gotcha is joining the correct wifi network name. For me, my reset AirPort Express was advertising a network of “Apple Network”. But if you follow steps 6 and 7, you have to change the name to “Apple Network” and append the last 6 characters of the AirPortID to “Apple Network” so it looks something like “Apple Network 1a2b3c”. Once that’s done, your Mac should be talking with the AirPort Express.

Now fire up the AirPort Utility 5.6.1 Launcher (skip the update notification) and you should see your AirPort Express available for configuration. Made a mistake? Reset the AirPort Express and start over.

On a related note, the original 802.11g version of the AirPort Express does not support bridge (aka client) mode according to Apple.

Yeti Tumbler Spillproof Lid

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Liking my new Yeti 20 oz tumbler that I picked up from Costco. This cup keeps hot things hot and cold drinks cold. The one thing that I’m missing is a sealable lid. It doesn’t have to be completely leakproof but being able to seal it enough so liquids don’t leak out while being schlossed around is welcomed.

There are a few types of spillproof lids available on Amazon, but I’m looking at this Yeti-branded magnetic version. The main draw for me is the ease of cleaning the sliding cover. Kinda pricey since you can find two sealable lids for about the same cost. But some of these pop open lids touch your nose when drinking. And this is really irritating. Really.

poke-bowl-eating-2

Champion from Watermelon to Poke

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It simply don’t matter. From watermelon to poke, the results are the same – winner.

Let’s set the stage. Ricefest 2017. Third annual poke bowl eating contest sponsored by Paina Cafe. Two bowls. One bottle POG. No palu allowed. Three minutes. Ten contestants. The most poke eaten determines the winner. Utensils optional. From what I understand, the first to sign up is the most intense…

Here’s coverage thanks to Channel808.TV.

Okay, okay, kinda funky editing of the video that jumps past the eating action. Let’s try this one instead. Are you hungry?

Thanks to Linda for the video and pics.

Still hungry? How about some watermelon from 2009 and 2014? Want more poke? Look no further than April at the Hawaiian Ocean Expo.

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Preoccupied

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Preoccupied with all kinds of stuff and in my spare time, blogging has fallen in priority. Instead I’m still playing Hearthstone and getting into the Marvel series on Netflix. Thanks to the Defenders, I started watching Daredevil. I had watched the first episode when it first aired but didn’t get hooked. But after learning of Daredevil’s ninja background and his encounters with the Hand, I’m liking how the various storylines of the different heroes intertwine and crossover.

Preoccupied…

Buzzed by a Starbucks Nitro Cold Brew

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The new Starbucks location in Nuuanu (in the former Hungry Lion spot) is open for business and is the second third store on Oahu to serve Starbucks’ Nitro Cold Brew. Cold brewed for hours, infused with nitrogen, and served from a tap, this is an interesting drink. Because there’s no ice, the drink isn’t super cold, but it feels like you get more drink for your dollar.

It’s foamy on top, and it doesn’t come sweetened or with any kind of milk or cream. According to the barista, it’s the most caffeinated drink on their menu, and I believe it. After a few sips, I started getting a headache that I tend to encounter after too much caffeine throughout the day. But did I feel more awake and alert.

The Nuuanu Shopping Plaza has gotten a resurgence with the arrival of Starbucks. Before whenever I would drive by, the parking lot had some cars, but the smallish lot is now packed with Starbucks patrons I’m guessing. The lot was completely full yesterday afternoon with several cars jockeying for an open stall. But as one of the few Starbucks serving Nitro Cold Brew, you gotta go and make a visit.

Today I Am Defeated

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Today I am defeated although it started last night with the surprise release of the SNES Classic Edition. So if you recall, I had one of these pre-ordered through Walmart but this “accidental” release was cancelled. Last night Best Buy released their pre-orders, accidentally or not. I didn’t see the release in time so missed out on their pre-order. I felt close a few times but could never complete the deal.

This morning, I find out that Walmart did their release (legit this time) along with Gamestop and Target. Again I was late and one hour behind the release, there was no way I was getting one. Target.com inventory came and went a few times, but I could never complete the checkout.

Now bummed, I get notified that my computer is running out-of-date software that I believe I had to install a long time ago to be in compliance. Either that software version is now old or unnecessary. So I gotta figure out what to do because really the service desk isn’t servicing.

Also dealing with Windows file and folder permission issues and trying to manage them without the use of groups. Not fun at all.

I think I’ll just blame yesterday’s eclipse for all of this. Here’s my view of the eclipse.

Mauna Kea Mist, the Newest Instagram Hotspot

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The next hotspot for viral Instagram pics has to be Mauna Kea Mist inside of the Shirokiya Village Walk, Ala Moana. What’s all the fuss about? It starts with the frozen colorful balls that’s like cereal, not ice.

Then you pop one in your mouth and watch the mists of Mauna Kea arise.

The fun of @maunakeamist

A post shared by Greg Yamane (@geewhy) on

In the Shirokiya Village Walk, head towards the back wall and look for space #32. You’ll probably find customers waiting in line or in front of the location, exhausting frozen mist for all of social media to see.

Mauna Kea Mist serves other cold goodies like mochi ice cream, F’real shakes, and my favorite, the Hawaiian Honey Cane. Like the Jipangyi that I missed out in Korea, this corn pop tasting tube is filled with vanilla soft serve for a crunchy yet soft experience.

One last word of warning – do not drink the liquid nitrogen.

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