Author: Kelly Adams

I have been working with computers for a lot of years. And I believed, until today, that I had achieved a level of mastery in the art of computer destruction…

My friend Chris was out visiting this past week (he just went home yesterday). While he was here, in addition to several movies and a dozen hours or so of computer gaming, we went to the Abbotsford Airshow.

I planned on taking a bunch of pictures, but unfortunately I hadn't properly charged my camera. As a result, I only got a few. I've included a bunch of Chris's pictures to round out the selection. Here is a nice picture of a couple of "aggressor" camouflaged F-5 Tiger jets: click on the picture to go to the gallery folder with the airshow pictures.

What is it about military hardware that interests me? I'm not a violent person. I certainly don't support the use of military force unnecessarily, although I respect the men and women who stand in harms way when it becomes necessary.

Whatever it is, I like to walk up close to something that can travel at supersonic speeds...or fire thousands of rounds per minute of depleted uranium shells into any unfortunate tank or other target that gets in the way. Or that can hover safely over rough seas to lower rescuers and pull survivors to safety.

The unique sound of a jet approaching the sound barrier as it roars in from behind the viewing line is one of those things that lives on in memory for quite some time. The Voodoo had its own unique "song", quite different from an F18 or Harrier. But aside from all the hardware, its interesting to note that the people who fly and maintain these aircraft are, after all, real people. Young folks with a bit of swagger fresh out of intensive training, old pilots with thousands of hours of flight experience and combat experience, people with greasy hands and smashed fingers from handling heavy parts under tight schedules. All "just people", who'll talk if you catch them when they can. Even the one's who've flown in space.

I enjoyed the air show, rain and all. I'll be happy to go back again next time!

I have a wireless network at home. I don't like its limited range. And I've been thinking about buying an "official" range extender from my access point's manufacturer.

But when I saw this range extending antenna, I nearly jumped right in and ordered it.

The idea of an antenna based upon a hacker's toy (using a Pringles or similar can to get extra WI/FI range) strikes me as very intriguing. And the Cantenna seems, on the surface at least, to be based on some reasonably sound antenna principles.

I might still buy one, even if I'm not sure whether it really works. The concept appeals to me, and its not outrageously priced ;)

I came across this rather crude-looking home-brew CD changer mechanism in a Slashdot article. It takes me back to my days in High school, when guys built computers with wooden cases. Except this is a wooden mechanical device interfaced to a computer… (more…)