Upgrades complete...check out the specs...

I've finished migrating junk from the old server to the new, and have taken some storage space and moved it to the new system. I moved 2 120gb drives.

It has added some needed space for nightly backups etc.

Have a look at the complete system specs here

The Hog: My new Ride... (OMX-600)

I bought some new wheels. Check them out, in all their glory.

Behold the Omni OMX-600

It is so choice. If you have the means, I highly recommend picking one up.

After a few weeks riding it, I can say that it's fun and cheap. I filled up the 1.3 Gallon tank yesterday and did some calculations. So far, I'm getting about 102 miles per gallon. That's about 5 times what I get car or truck. A few more calculations later, I figure we'll save about $40-$50 per month by driving the scooter to and from work.

I usually go anywhere between 30 and 40 miles per hour, with an occasional 45 if I'm going straight down a 90 degree cliff. I'd say my average speed is probably 35. I take the back roads (mostly) to work, so I don't have to deal with much traffic.

I wear a helmet and a reflect/day-glow orange vest for safety. People seem to respect that.

Here are a few more pictures, as well as some specs from the dealers website:











A profile shot.


The boy and the hog.











The Helm. (I added the clock. Ya...Pimp my scooter material. )

Model # OMX-600
Colors: Candy Apple Red, Raven Black
Engine: 49.5cc 2 stroke
Economy: Up to 125 mpg
Starter: Electric with Kick Lever Backup
Top Speed: 45 mph (75 Kmph)
Safety: Mirrors, Reflectors, Brake lights, Turn Signal Lights, Head Lights
Anti Theft: Keyed Ignition, Steering Lock, VIN, 2 Locked Storage Compartments
Fuel Tank: 5.0 liters
Gauges: Speedometer, Odometer, and Fuel Level
Weight: 180 lbs. (82 kg)
Maximum Load: 250 lbs. (113 kg)
Tires: 10 x 3.50 front and rear 4 Ply Rated
Brakes: Drum brakes front and rear
Wheelbase: 47.25 inches (1200 mm)
Suspension: Telescopic Front Forks / Rear Mono Shock

Anyone else drive a scooter? Drop me a line.

Tiny Fuse...Huge Problem.

Installing this fuse took me 20 hours.

Last night around 8pm, I tried to install a new thermostat. Every time I think I know what I'm doing...I realize that I have a lot to learn.

After the first few hours, my wife finally found an obscure blurb in the troubleshooting section of the thermostat companies website that told us that our particular AC unit might not be supported by this digital thermostat.

So, I tried to put on the old one. No good. No power and no cold air coming out. :(

The next day, I went to buy the "supported" thermostat. After following the install instructions, I found that it didn't work either. I spend the rest of the next day talking to service guys, guying fuses and replacing peices. In the end, it was this tiny fuse. It took me 5 stores to find someone to sold these little fuses.

I can't tell you how awesome it was to hear that fan kick on once I got this thin installed, and the new thermostat wired correctly.

Phew.

New Machine...New Weblog... and RIP TAC

So, themdg.org is now on better hardware. Huzzah. It as upgraded from the old PII 450 (Or was it a PIII?) gateway compy with 256MB ram to the PIII 750 with nearly 1GB of ram. The new system is really a solid peice of work. It's been our main desktop for about 6 years. I purchased it from Totally Awesome Computers in Salt Lake City, UT and it's been the best computer I've ever owned. A few upgrades here and there (started with a 15gb hdd and 128MB ram), but the core system is the same.

We welcome the TAC to it's new home hosting all the sites that themdg has to offer.




Edit: Sadly, it looks like Totally Awesome Computer of Salt Lake City, UT is now out of business. It's a bit sordid actually, but you can read the tale by following these links:

http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,635189251,00.html
http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=171274
http://www.slweekly.com/editorial/2005/feature_2005-08-04.cfm

Too bad he let his gun-nuttiness get out of control. He had a great thing going. Just look at my system! 6 years running, and now reborn.

RIP TAC.

MBNA Credit Card Security?

Today I called MBNA to ask why my credit card no longer works. I use it for online purchases because it has one of those services that lets you generate a new card number with a small limit...just enough for your purchase.

They told me that they disabled the card because I made a purchase through google.com checkout service, and they wanted to make sure it was actually me using the card. I told them it was, and the promised to "turn my card back on" within 15 minutes.

However, the card has been "off" for more than a week, and I haven't heard one word from them. When I asked if they plan on alerting their users, she replied that they "Sometimes mail out a notification." No...they wait for you to call.

Give me a break.

M$ Planning IPod Killer - allowing free download of itunes songs.

An interesting article about rumors of the "Ipod Killer" by microsoft.  I love the idea of them allowing us to download songs that only work on the ipod...but I bet they have their OWN version of DRM.  No way they'll be free and clear audio files.

Microsoft planning WiFi-enabled portable media player, working on MVNO for next year - Engadget:

"But it gets better. To attract current iPod users Microsoft is going to let you download for free any songs you've already bought from the iTunes Music Store. They'll actually scan iTunes for purchased tracks and then automatically add those to your account. Microsoft will still have to pay the rights-holders for the songs, but they believe it'll be worth it to acquire converts to their new player."    

DCI on the Big Screen - Summer 2006

You can watch DCI quarter finals live in the movie theater.

Check to find a theater near you.

Drum Corps International (DCI) -- The World's Top Drum and Bugle Corps - 95

New Post on New Weblog

See...now, I didn't know you could get these things to publish straight to my own website. That's perfect. Seems that there are a lot of way to get blogger content in. Maybe I can migrate the junk from my current site into blogger.

I wonder how I get pictures in here.

Okay, I see how to get pictures here. With this "Add Image" button.

This might be more fun than my current system.