October 2010 - Gadget Update

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 it after the boot sequence when system is idle) or keep in boot). There are safety categories to distinguish the application that can be safely removed from the more sensible ones.

The comparative count of applications in the boot process is updated along with an estimate of the updated boot time. Of course, at the beginning, the Soluto application will itself take its share of the overall boot time.

In its beta phase, the "PC Genome" (application usage database) still needs to be populated but it is already very promising.

Does that toy look familiar to you ?

8:17 AM Unknown

Unknown

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 I had to change the cells as well! Its unforgettable design was directly inspired from Star Wars (like the other contemporary MB toy, the StarBird).

The idea of Bigtrak is to program a suite of action through its keypad, like go forward, distance 2, fire laser, turn left, 45 degrees, go forward, distance 3, activate accessory... once pressing the GO button, the tank will execute the suite of action, ending with its characteristic little music.
Bigtrak came with an accessory port but the only add-on available was a Transport trailer (see this 1979 ad below for a better idea)

So now it's back... and in 2 versions:

- The big 'n bulky classic one (around €40), using 3 x D type batteries (I think the original model needed even more), is a re-production of the 1979 toy. I'd be curious to know if the old "Transport" trailer would still work, and/or any similar accessory will be produced.

- Then a smaller one (around €35): the BigTrak Jr (4 x AA batteries).
Zeon ltd has put a particular effort to make this model more attractive:
While the big brother is typically a respectful copy of the traditional BigTrak from MB (although it now keeps the programmed path after a power off), BigTrak Jr comes with an active port designed for new accessories planned for 2011 and presented on its dedicated website ,

If you're supposedly too old for this, do like me: pretend you bought it for the kids!

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

6:53 AM Unknown

Unknown

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 the plug-in options to configure your IP camera url and, if needed, customize the cgi commands used for each actions. If your camera is a Foscam, there's nothing to do, but you can for instance, include your login or specify the video resolution (Syntax: videostream.cgi[?user=&pwd=&resolution=] )

If your camera is not compatible with the Foscam command set, you should first obtain a CGI reference document from the manufacturer and adapt the options accordingly.

Clicking the camera icon will open the browser's sidebar and display the video streaming from the camera.
The PTZ commands are present as well as a snapshot button which can be set to auto-refresh every given number of seconds!

By far, the easiest way to access your IP cam while browsing away...

Feel free to post your comments and suggestions on the author's page or here.

FI8908W old and new...

4:28 AM Unknown

Unknown

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 to re-brand it easely (for instance the zaapa brand sold once through the Carrefour supermarkets in Europe). It goes from firmware 11.14.1.34 to 11.14.2.17 (at the time of writing).
It is hard to distinguish from the many clones that use completely different firmware, so the best move before flashing such a camera is to check with Foscam first.
This is the camera I've got and files available on this web site are for this generation.

The branded product branch is branded with the Foscam logo on the camera base, and the firmware version starts from 11.14.2.26 onward.

Please also note FI8908W and the newer FI8918W (firmware 11.22.2.23,and for the moment only Foscam branded) are different and don't use compatible firmwares.

A quick look at the Foscam FI8918W

6:20 AM Unknown

Unknown

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).
So the final cost was €90.69 (€69.99 initial price +14.7€ 21% VAT + 6€ bakshish to An Post).

Comparing the FI8918W with my old non-logo-but-Foscam-built FI8908W(yeah, things became a bit complicated over time with the FI8908W's, I'll develop in another post...):

On the left, the new FI8918W has a larger and oval base, which is its most visible difference, but also a microphone hole relocated on the base of the camera (just over the logo) instead of the sphere. The troublesome blinking LED has been relocated to the back and replaced with an extra IR LED.

On the right now, the rear panel of new FI8918W shows a network light (green), a power light (red) and a MIC input jack. The I/O connector is gone, so no more interfacing external alarm equipment.

But there's one subtle difference that is worth noticing: the screw thread on the bottom is no longer standard, so it will only fit the bracket provided and not the usual camera tripods (thanks Randy for the heads up)

My FI8918W came with the Firmware version 11.22.2.23 and WebUI 2.4.18.14. This later is similar to the current WebUI on FI8908W, so I should not expect any difference browsing the interface... but there are some:

For some reason, the option "Go center on boot" is not present, but a simple workaround is to use the CGI command
http://[ipcam]/set_misc.cgi?ptz_center_onstart=0

Update: with the shipping firmware, this settings is not persistent. When powered off, the camera will rotate again. I will inform Foscam of this bug.

In the ActiveX interface, the icons that were controlling the relay in the "For Operator" area, are now used to turn off or turn on the IR LEDS, a feature often requested by FI8908W owners! Also, in the "For Visitor" section there is an option to disable the annoying pop up of an Explorer window each time a video is saved.

I had a quick look at the FTP settings, but there is still no possibility to set a unique file name or a file-naming loop to limit the quantity of pictures being stored. Foscam is aware of that request so it may come in the future.

Picture quality: Sorry, the trees are still pink!
There's no visible change in the picture quality, especially on the colour rendering. No switchable IR-cut filter.

Sound quality: Now we're talking!
Something the engineers realized early was the very poor speaker quality of their FI8908W, and they even added a Speaker output jack in the later generations. However the incoming sound quality was also strongly affected by statics, making the dual-audio function useless.

This all has changed with the FI8918W, and it is the most remarkable improvement: the speaker output is loud and clear and no more distorted! Also, the incoming sound quality is better*, with less noise probably due to the relocation of the microphone. The connectors for auxiliary microphone and speaker are still a welcome addition but it is now thinkable to use the dual-audio function to chat remotely with people using the embedded equipment.

In conclusion:

The FI8918W is a clever evolution of the FI8908W. It is priced in the same area. For the moment it comes exclusively branded with Foscam logo, so no bad surprise when purchasing.

- Network led relocated to the back
- IR LEDs can be turned off
- Remarkable improvement in audio quality IN and OUT

- no improvement in colour rendering
- no more relay control
- cannot be mounted any more on standard camera tripods
- some reports of weak microphone*

* Foscam came up with a procedure to boost the microphone sensitivity. Apparently the early FI8918W have this problem. This requires opening the camera (voiding the warranty...) and should be considered only if returning the camera for exchange is not an option.
I've stored the PDF document with the procedure here (Thanks Michael for providing the file!)