3G Router with Usage Allowance control

Following a recent horror story with my 3G Broadband operator, I started to look for a router with a securityfeature that would warn me when I reach the data usage limit and, if possible, disconnect the modem.NetGear introduced the "Traffic Meter" in its DGN range, but this is only for ADSL, and even if I plan to stop switch to ADSL soon, it is convenient to have both in one box.The...

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Firmware updates for FI8908W and FI8918W

The download links are currently active at Foscam Download Center with distincts new Firmwares (complete with both System and WebUI) for models FI8908W and FI8918W.What's new ?FI8908W (the old one)System 11.14.2.28+ WebUI 2.4.8.151) A button allows now to prevent the folder where the videos are saved from popping-up all the time.2) Control for up to 8 PTZ positions.Important:...

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Anti-Frustration Freeware

I came across this new system optimization software aimed at reducing the boot time of a Windows computer.It first needs to add itself to the boot sequence in order to analyse how long each application take to launch at boot.The program will then interact with an online database and retrieve the most common users practice for each application: pause it (don't load), delay it (load...

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Does that toy look familiar to you ?

From time to time, we see a re-edition of an electronic toy from the eighties, and this always makes me nostalgic: the Merlin (see also Yahoo! Merlin widget) , Simon , the Atari VCS ... and now it's the comeback time for BigTrak!It is now a while ago, but the souvenir of my first programming experience with this electronic tank is still so fresh, ... and the frequency at which...

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A neat little add-on for Firefox and IP camera users

If you're an exclusive Firefox user like me, and also happen to own an IP camera (Foscam or other brand), you may also find IP Cam PTZ 1.2 (by DRZ400S) interesting.  It is not yet listed in the Firefox Add-ons browser, but it can be downloaded here.Once installed, it will add some controls on the Navigation Toolbar, but before using them you'll need to go to...

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FI8908W old and new...

In addition to the new FI8918W, Foscam is now also producing a different generation of FI8908W.If you buy it today, it's likely to be the one you'll receive. These two lines of products follow their own separate branch for firmwares, and you cannot flash a "non-logo" camera with a branded camera.The oem product branch has no marking on the box, to leave the option to resellers...

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A quick look at the Foscam FI8918W

My FI8918W has arrived and I had a quick look at its most noticeable differences with the previous model...The package transited quite quickly from China to Ireland, taking just 4 days. But once in Dublin, it's not yet in your hands...Customs sat on it for 5 days: the time for me to receive by mail a VAT notification from the Tax Office (applied on any import over €22). ...

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Creating an Android application without a line of code

Believe it or not, not all geeks do Java Programming. When it comes to language, many are happy enough to speak some Klingon already. But this doesn't  help much to create your own application for Android... Google understood this by launching the beta program of its AppInventor: A very simple set of applications to allow people with ideas but not Java programming skills...

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Synology NAS just got even better ... DSM 3.0

One of my best purchase in 2010, the Synology DS109 (and family) is getting even better with the release of Disk Station Manager 3.0. The huge quantity of features added over time during the DSM evolution resulted in a revamped and multi-tasking user interface to make the server configuration even more intuitive than before.Difficult to tell which AJAX web interface from QNAP...

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A point regarding the Foscam recovery files

I published my post, Bring your paperweight back to life, in December 2009 with recovery files received from Foscam at that time.This worked fine for all users of FI8908W (and FI8904W) until some hardware revision that occurred in Foscam's produced during 2010. The initial files didn't work any more for these newer cameras.I have updated my post with files (+ mirror) that Foscam...

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Foscam FI8918W out soon

This September month should see some new things out from Foscam. The most obvious is the FI8918W, a natural evolution of the good old FI8908W. hands-on review here The picture and description from foscam.com don't give much clue about the changes but, thanks to the information from foscam.us on their pre-order page, it looks like Foscam has been listening to users suggestions:The...

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About the Download Section on Foscam web site

If you have visited the Foscam Download Page lately, you may have noticed that the firmwares files are now composed of a WebUI firmware, an explanation.txt and another notice.txt file, but no system firmware!The explanation.txt says:Dear customer:there may be lose of data when you download the file because of the network, and if there is data lose of system fimware, it will cause...

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Rovio with a Chinese twist

Well, the comparison is presumptuous and a bit insulting to Rovio, but reading about its numerous criticisms , this might well be one of the alternative left (aside Spykee). Too bad Woowee abandoned the Spyball project !An early version of Roomba vacuum cleaner with a Pan and Tilt wireless IP Camera mounted on it.The CVOA-G182 from Chinavasion.com (€382.92) should make everybody...

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Foscam Firmware: 11.14.2.17 once again!

There is a newer firmware on Foscam web site.It will still show versions 11.14.2.17 and 2.4.8.14 but the time stamps of these files are from June and July 2010! (The last 11.14.2.17 was from May)The main change is in the Web-UI that now includes PTZ settings for controling the patrol speed...

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Big fingers friendly app

I recently got totally converted to Swype for Android. This is by far the best Android keyboard alternative and obviously will be found standard on many upcoming phone models.By default the Android keyboard is just a bit too small for fat fingers, and the alternatives I tried, although nicer-looking, did not help much.So I was prepared to install, test, and un-install this one...

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Eclair: Update finally available for Irish Spica owners!

After a long wait that drove most O2 GT-I5700 owners mad, there's at last an official update to Android  2.1 "éclair" available through NP...

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