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admin — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 09:16:24 +0000

Registration Tue, 02 Mar 2010 11:52:21 GMT posted by Watty

Gmail particularly seems to flag techtir.ie or techtir.com emails erroneously as Spam.

To register you MUST use a real email address and respond to the email by click on the link, otherwise your email is not verified (we assume you are a spammer).

So make sure and check any Spam systems/folders for the Registration Email.

Note: To save bandwidth from spammers, bots, search engines and content scrapers you have to be logged in as a member for attachment Thumbnails to open in Forums or view images at all in Articles. Similar applies to downloads.

The Process:

1) Your IP and email address is checked against a real time Spammer database. This blocks 25 to 50 spammer signup attempts per day.

2) The CATCHPA (awkward text) is tested to see if you did it right. This is ignored if (1) fails. Spambot operators hire cheap 3rd world labour to defeat the CATCHPA.

3) I get told there is a new user and you get Emailed the verification link (automatically).

4) You click on the link on the email and The Admins are told in Control panel a user awaits moderation.

5) We do a final manual lookup on various spam databases and Google of your chosen Username, email and IP. We use our judgement (i.e. if IP is part of a Mobile Network we ignore blacklisting, if email domain is large public one rather than private we ignore blacklisting. If a really weird random Username is all over Internet with spam we delete. ) If all seems OK you get approved. This 2nd Email is manually triggered so may be next day if we are busy.

6) If you finally, manually approved you get an email confirming this. You are now a Member!

7) If you pay money or write a good article/review then you become a subscriber with additional privileges and right to post in Article section directly.

This is all so complex because otherwise we would have 2 to 50 spammers a day spewing nonsense on the Site (depending which step was missed out).

you can use this link to contact us if you don’t get either of the two emails. Put a valid email address on the form!

We won’t ever pass any details to a 3rd party, nor will we add unverified addresses as Members.

Tech News

admin — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 08:36:53 +0000

Updating from the Tech News & Media forum

Sports Rights: BBC 5 Live Loses Premier League Packages Thu, 18 Feb 2010 18:47:02 GMT posted by DMC

The English Premier League has announced that Talk Sport has picked up two packages of live Premier League football at the expense of BBC Radio 5 Live.

The deal, starting for the new season in August and to run for 3 years, also confirms Absolute Radio as a new entrant into the live radio rights to the league.

The packages won are..

BBC Radio 5 Live: Four rights packages (128 matches in total); First-choice Saturday 3pm, Saturday 12.30pm, Sunday 4pm, Monday and Tuesday evenings
Talk Sport: Two rights packages (64 matches); Saturday 5:30pm and Wednesday evenings, Sundays 1:30pm
Absolute Radio: One rights package (32 matches); Second-choice Saturday 3pm.

Broadcast, TV, Radio & Comms.

admin — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 07:48:10 +0000

Updating from Broadcast Category

Firm date (31-10-10) now for Irish DTT PSB Mux launch? Thu, 04 Mar 2010 23:19:53 GMT posted by Mayo Exile

According to Eamonn Ryan speaking in the Dail on 2nd March he wants the PSB Mux up and running to 90% of the population by 31st October 2010. Is this finally the ‘official’ launch of DTT in Ireland? Do people think it will happen? What extra relays I wonder will have to be up and and running to supply 90% coverage. Plus he wants a ‘national’ service by 31st December 2011. What % coverage qualifies as national. Same as current analogue reception?

Quote:

Deputy Eamon Ryan: As I stated recently in response to a previous question on the issue, I am not prepared to speculate on the outcome of the commercial DTT process, which is a matter for the BAI. Nor am I prepared to surmise on the ongoing negotiations between the BAI, RTE and the OneVision consortium. I have, however, made clear my opinion that I would like to see this process concluded as soon as possible. The conclusion of the process is essential to provide certainty for broadcasters, suppliers and the general public with regard to the development of commercial DTT services.

Under section 129 of the Broadcasting Act 2009, RTE is required to ensure that free-to-air DTT is available to approximately 90% of the population on such date as may be specified by the Minister. I signed an order last week specifying this date as being 31 October 2010. The Act also requires RTE to provide a national free-to-air digital service with capacity to carry RTE 1, RTE 2, TG4 and TV3 by the end of 2011 or such later date as I may specify. I have written to RTE informing it that the date for provision of a national service is 31 December 2011.

Link to debate on Oireachtas site: http://debates.oireachtas.ie/DDebate…=1&Ex=267#N267

RTE Terrestrial Decoder Thu, 04 Mar 2010 22:14:20 GMT posted by vsat

RTÉ Free-to-Air DTT Receiver

NorDig Unified ver 2.0. equipment requirements

Minimum Receiver Requirements

“Approved Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) Receivers

RTÉ has appointed Teracom AB to conduct receiver compliance testing for Irish free-to-air (FTA) DTT receivers. Those receivers which pass the tests thereby meeting the Irish DTT specification will be eligible to be licensed to use RTÉ’s “Saorview” logo, which will confirm to consumers that the receiver is Irish FTA DTT compliant. RTÉNL will publish a full list of compliant DTT receivers on its web site.

Manufacturers/distributors wishing to use the Saorview logo should contact Teracom (irdtest@teracom.se) to arrange testing. When a receiver passes the tests, it will then be eligible to be licensed by RTÉ to carry the Saorview logo.”

http://www.teracom.se/?page=5422

Non-Slim PS3’s suffer problem. Mon, 01 Mar 2010 19:28:06 GMT posted by byte

For any of you out there who have the original size PlayStation 3…

Quote:

Originally Posted by SCEE

Due to a technical problem, some PS3 owners cannot access PlayStation Network at present.

Sony Computer Entertainment Europe is aware that some users have been unable to connect to PlayStation Network. This problem affects PlayStation 3 systems other than the new slim PS3.

We believe we have identified that this problem is being caused by a bug in the clock functionality incorporated in the system.

Errors that you may experience include:

* The date of the PS3 system may be reset to Jan 1, 2000.
* When signing in to PlayStation Network, the following message appears on the screen: "An error has occurred. You have been signed out of PlayStation Network (8001050F)".
* When launching a game, the following error message appears on the screen and the trophy data may disappear: “Failed to install trophies. Please exit your game.”
* When setting the time and date of the system via the Internet, the following message appears on the screen: “The current date and time could not be obtained. (8001050F)”
* You may not be able to play back certain rental video downloaded from PlayStation Store before the expiry date.

We hope to resolve this problem within the next 24 hours. In the meantime, if you have a model other than the new slim PS3, we advise that you do not use your PS3 system, as doing so may result in errors in some functionality, such as recording obtained trophies, and not being able to restore certain data.

As mentioned above, please be advised that the new slim PS3 is not affected with this error. We are doing our best to resolve the issue and do apologise for any inconvenience caused.

For the latest status on this situation please visit the PlayStation Blog at blog.eu.playstation.com or check back on eu.playstation.com.

Limerick Rally, Sun 7th March Mon, 01 Mar 2010 08:08:36 GMT posted by Watty

Limerick Radio Club Radio, Electronics & Hobbies Fair

The Radio, Electronics & Hobbies Fair takes place on Sunday 7th March 2010 at the Radisson SAS Hotel, Ennis Road, Limerick.

Doors Open at 11:00 AM. Admission is 5 Euro. No charge for children when accompanied by an adult. There will be the usual traders attending the Fair. A Bring & Buy Sale will also take place.

For further Rally info and contact details please check out the IRTS Website at
http://www.irts.ie/cgi/rallies.cgi

BBC 6Music to get the chop? Fri, 26 Feb 2010 22:07:37 GMT posted by byte

It appears that BBC 6 Music and Asian Network are to get the chop. Their website is to be halved too, whatever that means.

Still, back to 6 Music, surely that’s one of BBC’s better radio stations?

http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2010…ternet-website

FT817 external supply Thu, 25 Feb 2010 11:23:23 GMT posted by Watty

The 12V to 13.8V (max 16V) is only needed for charging. Though the power icon flashes, more than 9.5V or so will give full 5W power. 10V definitely. Thus the best external battery solution for weight versus run time is about 10V, not 12V, so 5 x 2V gel cells or 9.6V NiMh more efficient than 12V Gel cell.

If using LiPoly, a single cell is safest for charging, and use a 2V to 6V input range inverter to 10V to power FT817. Charge then from 5V USB to 13.8V car via LiPoly charger. LiPoly are very difficult to use safely, and multicells need each cell monitored. Fully charged they are about 4.3V and you must disconnect around 2V (both voltages vary according to model datasheet). If the LiPoly is discharged to minimum or less it must be trickle charged at first. Once it is fully charged you must not even trickle charge, unlike Lead, NiMH and NiCd where you can maintain a low trickle/float charge.

This only reduces heat generated in the FT817 and adds protection:
http://www.wulfden.org/TheShoppe/ft817/index.shtml

Computer Related

admin — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 07:34:33 +0000

Updating from Computer Related Category

New format Hard drives Tue, 09 Mar 2010 18:46:58 GMT posted by John Mac

4k format hard drives.
from bbc

Quote:

By early 2011 all hard drives will use an "advanced format" that changes how they go about saving the data people store on them.

The move to the advanced format will make it easier for hard drive makers to produce bigger drives that use less power and are more reliable.

However, it might mean problems for Windows XP users who swap an old drive for one using the changed format.

So will existing Hard drives be able to run in tandem with the new format?

like fat32 and ntfs ?

GLCD Analogue Clock Thu, 04 Mar 2010 11:05:11 GMT posted by Watty

Assume you have a LCD_write_pixel (x, y, ink)
where ink is on/black or off/white

Analogue Clock is centred in a 128×64 GLCD panel. Top left is 0, 0
bottom right is 127,63

to position any place from 32 to 95, subtract 31 off the x co-ordinates and have a constant added of the X-Offset.

The co-ordinates minutes and hours dots and the end points of the clock hands are created in a spreadsheet using
R * cos (minutes * 6 -90) and
R *sin (minutes * 6 -90)
as 1 minute is 6 degrees and 12 o’clock is 0 minutes = -90 degrees.
You’ll need to convert to radians.

Assume you have a regular interrupt to count with:

first draw the clock face

Code:

              if  lastkey == "*" then

                    DrawClockFace()

                    clock_on = true

in some initialisation or menu code

Main "tick" driven code fragment:

counter somehow gets incremented every 2ms in this example

Code:

    

     if (counter == 0) then

                 counter = 500

          

             if clock_on then

                DrawSecondHand (seconds, off)

                DrawMinuteHand (minutes,off)

                DrawHourHand (hours, off)

             end if

             seconds = seconds +1

             if seconds > 59 then

                seconds = 0

                minutes = minutes +1

                if minutes > 59 then

                    minutes =0

                    hours = hours +1

                    if hours > 23 then

                       hours = 0

                    end if

                end if

             end if

             if clock_on then

                DrawHourHand (hours, on)

                DrawMinuteHand (minutes,on)

                DrawSecondHand (seconds, on)

             end if

         end if

The supporting cast:

Code:

procedure LCD_Line(byte in x0, byte in y0, byte in x1, byte in y1, bit in ink) is

var bit steep, yinc

var sword deltax, deltay, err

var byte px, py

    deltax = sword(x1)-sword(x0)

    deltay = sword(y1)-sword(y0)

    if (deltax < 0) then

       deltax = -deltax

    end if

    if (deltay < 0) then

       deltay = -deltay

    end if

    steep = (deltay > deltax)

    if steep then   -- swap(x0,y0) swap(x1,y1)

       px = x0

       x0 = y0

       y0 = px

       

       px = x1

       x1 = y1

       y1 = px

    end if

    if (x0 > x1) then  -- swap(x0,x1) swap(y0,y1)

       px = x0

       x0 = x1

       x1 = px

       

       py = y0

       y0 = y1

       y1 = py

    end if

    deltax = sword(x1)-sword(x0)               -- we might have swapped

    err = deltax / 2              -- assume the compiler does a shift

    yinc =  (y1 > y0)

    py = y0

    deltay = sword(y1)-sword(y0)    -- we might have swapped

     if (deltay < 0) then

       deltay = -deltay

    end if

    for deltax using px loop

       if steep then

           lcd_write_pixel (py, x0+px, ink)

       else

           lcd_write_pixel (x0+px, py, ink)

       end if

       err = err - deltay

       if (err < 0) then

           if yinc then

              py = py + 1

           else

              py = py -1

           end if

           err = err + deltax

       end if

    end loop

end procedure
procedure Lcd_DrawRectangle (byte in x0 , byte in y0 , byte in x1 , byte in y1, bit in ink ) is

   x1 = x0 + x1 - 1

   y1 = y0 + y1 - 1

   lcd_orth_line ( x0,y0, x1,y0 )

   lcd_orth_line ( x1,y0, x1,y1 )

   lcd_orth_line ( x1,y1, x0,y1 )

   lcd_orth_line ( x0,y1, x0,y0 )

end procedure

procedure lcd_orth_line(byte in x0, byte in y0, byte in x1, byte in y1) is

 var byte xi,yi , xfark,yfark, fark , xx
   xi = x0

   yi = y0

   if x1 >= x0  then  xfark = x1 - x0 else  xfark = x0 - x1 end if

   if y1 >= y0  then  yfark = y1 - y0 else  yfark = y0 - y1 end if

if xfark >= yfark then fark = xfark else fark = yfark end if xx = 0 for fark loop lcd_write_pixel ( xi, yi ,1) if xx < xfark then if x1 >= x0 then xi = xi + 1 else xi = xi - 1 end if end if if xx < yfark then if y1 >= y0 then yi = yi + 1 else yi = yi - 1 end if end if xx = xx + 1 end loop end procedure

Code:

-- Title: graphic_utils

procedure DrawClockFace() is

    lcd_fill(0)

    LCD_DrawRectangle (62, 31, 2, 2, True)

--draw minutes dots

    lcd_write_pixel (65, 0, True)   -- 1

    lcd_write_pixel (68, 1, True)   -- 2

    lcd_write_pixel (72, 2, True)   -- 3

    lcd_write_pixel (75, 3, True)   -- 4

    lcd_write_pixel (78, 4, True)   -- 5

    lcd_write_pixel (80, 6, True)   -- 6

    lcd_write_pixel (83, 8, True)   -- 7

    lcd_write_pixel (85, 10, True)   -- 8

    lcd_write_pixel (87, 13, True)   -- 9

    lcd_write_pixel (89, 15, True)   -- 10

    lcd_write_pixel (90, 18, True)   -- 11

    lcd_write_pixel (91, 21, True)   -- 12

    lcd_write_pixel (92, 25, True)   -- 13

    lcd_write_pixel (93, 28, True)   -- 14

    lcd_write_pixel (93, 31, True)   -- 15

    lcd_write_pixel (93, 34, True)   -- 16

    lcd_write_pixel (92, 37, True)   -- 17

    lcd_write_pixel (91, 41, True)   -- 18

    lcd_write_pixel (90, 44, True)   -- 19

    lcd_write_pixel (89, 47, True)   -- 20

    lcd_write_pixel (87, 49, True)   -- 21

    lcd_write_pixel (85, 52, True)   -- 22

    lcd_write_pixel (83, 54, True)   -- 23

    lcd_write_pixel (80, 56, True)   -- 24

    lcd_write_pixel (78, 58, True)   -- 25

    lcd_write_pixel (75, 59, True)   -- 26

    lcd_write_pixel (72, 60, True)   -- 27

    lcd_write_pixel (68, 61, True)   -- 28

    lcd_write_pixel (65, 62, True)   -- 29

    lcd_write_pixel (62, 62, True)   -- 30

    lcd_write_pixel (59, 62, True)   -- 31

    lcd_write_pixel (56, 61, True)   -- 32

    lcd_write_pixel (52, 60, True)   -- 33

    lcd_write_pixel (49, 59, True)   -- 34

    lcd_write_pixel (46, 58, True)   -- 35

    lcd_write_pixel (44, 56, True)   -- 36

    lcd_write_pixel (41, 54, True)   -- 37

    lcd_write_pixel (39, 52, True)   -- 38

    lcd_write_pixel (37, 49, True)   -- 39

    lcd_write_pixel (35, 47, True)   -- 40

    lcd_write_pixel (34, 44, True)   -- 41

    lcd_write_pixel (33, 41, True)   -- 42

    lcd_write_pixel (32, 37, True)   -- 43

    lcd_write_pixel (31, 34, True)   -- 44

    lcd_write_pixel (31, 31, True)   -- 45

    lcd_write_pixel (31, 28, True)   -- 46

    lcd_write_pixel (32, 25, True)   -- 47

    lcd_write_pixel (33, 21, True)   -- 48

    lcd_write_pixel (34, 18, True)   -- 49

    lcd_write_pixel (35, 15, True)   -- 50

    lcd_write_pixel (37, 13, True)   -- 51

    lcd_write_pixel (39, 10, True)   -- 52

    lcd_write_pixel (41, 8, True)   -- 53

    lcd_write_pixel (44, 6, True)   -- 54

    lcd_write_pixel (46, 4, True)   -- 55

    lcd_write_pixel (49, 3, True)   -- 56

    lcd_write_pixel (52, 2, True)   -- 57

    lcd_write_pixel (56, 1, True)   -- 58

    lcd_write_pixel (59, 0, True)   -- 59

    lcd_write_pixel (62, 0, True)   -- 60
 --draw hours dots
    LCD_DrawRectangle (78, 4, 2, 2, True )

    LCD_DrawRectangle (89, 15, 2, 2, True )

    LCD_DrawRectangle (93, 31, 2, 2, True )

    LCD_DrawRectangle (89, 47, 2, 2, True)

    LCD_DrawRectangle (78, 58, 2, 2, True )

    LCD_DrawRectangle (62, 62, 2, 2, True )

    LCD_DrawRectangle (46, 58, 2, 2, True )

    LCD_DrawRectangle (35, 47, 2, 2, True )

    LCD_DrawRectangle (31, 31, 2, 2, True )

    LCD_DrawRectangle (35, 15, 2, 2, True )

    LCD_DrawRectangle (46, 4, 2, 2, True )

    LCD_DrawRectangle (62, 0, 2, 2, True )

End procedure

procedure DrawMinuteHand(byte in minutes, bit in ink) is

    case minutes of

     1  :

        LCD_line (62, 31, 65, 7, ink)   --  1

     2  :

        LCD_line (62, 31, 67, 8, ink)   --  2

     3  :

        LCD_line (62, 31, 69, 8, ink)   --  3

     4  :

        LCD_line (62, 31, 72, 9, ink)   --  4

     5  :

        LCD_line (62, 31, 74, 10, ink)   --  5

     6  :

        LCD_line (62, 31, 76, 12, ink)   --  6

     7  :

        LCD_line (62, 31, 78, 13, ink)   --  7

     8  :

        LCD_line (62, 31, 80, 15, ink)   --  8

     9  :

        LCD_line (62, 31, 81, 17, ink)   --  9

     10 :

        LCD_line (62, 31, 83, 19, ink)   --  10

     11 :

        LCD_line (62, 31, 84, 21, ink)   --  11

     12 :

        LCD_line (62, 31, 85, 24, ink)   --  12

     13 :

        LCD_line (62, 31, 85, 26, ink)   --  13

     14 :

        LCD_line (62, 31, 86, 28, ink)   --  14

     15 :

        LCD_line (62, 31, 86, 31, ink)   --  15

     16 :

        LCD_line (62, 31, 86, 34, ink)   --  16

     17 :

        LCD_line (62, 31, 85, 36, ink)   --  17

     18 :

        LCD_line (62, 31, 85, 38, ink)   --  18

     19 :

        LCD_line (62, 31, 84, 41, ink)   --  19

     20 :

        LCD_line (62, 31, 83, 43, ink)   --  20

     21 :

        LCD_line (62, 31, 81, 45, ink)   --  21

     22 :

        LCD_line (62, 31, 80, 47, ink)   --  22

     23 :

        LCD_line (62, 31, 78, 49, ink)   --  23

     24  :

        LCD_line (62, 31, 76, 50, ink)   --  24

     25 :

        LCD_line (62, 31, 74, 52, ink)   --  25

     26 :

        LCD_line (62, 31, 72, 53, ink)   --  26

     27 :

        LCD_line (62, 31, 69, 54, ink)   --  27

     28 :

        LCD_line (62, 31, 67, 54, ink)   --  28

     29 :

        LCD_line (62, 31, 65, 55, ink)   --  29

     30 :

        LCD_line (62, 31, 62, 55, ink)   --  30

     31 :

        LCD_line (62, 31, 59, 55, ink)   --  31

     32 :

        LCD_line (62, 31, 57, 54, ink)   --  32

     33 :

        LCD_line (62, 31, 55, 54, ink)   --  33

     34 :

        LCD_line (62, 31, 52, 53, ink)   --  34

     35 :

        LCD_line (62, 31, 50, 52, ink)   --  35

     36 :

        LCD_line (62, 31, 48, 50, ink)   --  36

     37 :

        LCD_line (62, 31, 46, 49, ink)   --  37

     38 :

        LCD_line (62, 31, 44, 47, ink)   --  38

     39 :

        LCD_line (62, 31, 43, 45, ink)   --  39

     40 :

        LCD_line (62, 31, 41, 43, ink)   --  40

     41 :

        LCD_line (62, 31, 40, 41, ink)   --  41

     42 :

        LCD_line (62, 31, 39, 38, ink)   --  42

     43 :

        LCD_line (62, 31, 39, 36, ink)   --  43

     44 :

        LCD_line (62, 31, 38, 34, ink)   --  44

     45 :

        LCD_line (62, 31, 38, 31, ink)   --  45

     46 :

        LCD_line (62, 31, 38, 28, ink)   --  46

     47 :

        LCD_line (62, 31, 39, 26, ink)   --  47

     48 :

        LCD_line (62, 31, 39, 24, ink)   --  48

     49 :

        LCD_line (62, 31, 40, 21, ink)   --  49

     50 :

        LCD_line (62, 31, 41, 19, ink)   --  50

     51 :

        LCD_line (62, 31, 43, 17, ink)   --  51

     52  :

        LCD_line (62, 31, 44, 15, ink)   --  52

     53 :

        LCD_line (62, 31, 46, 13, ink)   --  53

     54  :

        LCD_line (62, 31, 48, 12, ink)   --  54

     55 :

        LCD_line (62, 31, 50, 10, ink)   --  55

     56 :

        LCD_line (62, 31, 52, 9, ink)   --  56

     57 :

        LCD_line (62, 31, 55, 8, ink)   --  57

     58 :

        LCD_line (62, 31, 57, 8, ink)   --  58

     59 :

        LCD_line (62, 31, 59, 7, ink)   --  59

     0 :

        LCD_line (62, 31, 62, 7, ink)   --  0

    End case

End procedure
procedure DrawSecondHand(byte in seconds, bit in ink ) is

    case seconds of

    0 :

        LCD_line (62, 31, 62, 3, ink)    --  0

    1 :

        LCD_line (62, 31, 65, 3, ink)    --  1

    2 :

        LCD_line (62, 31, 68, 4, ink)    --  2

    3 :

        LCD_line (62, 31, 71, 4, ink)    --  3

    4 :

        LCD_line (62, 31, 73, 5, ink)    --  4

    5 :

        LCD_line (62, 31, 76, 7, ink)    --  5

    6 :

        LCD_line (62, 31, 78, 8, ink)    --  6

    7 :

        LCD_line (62, 31, 81, 10, ink)    --  7

    8 :

        LCD_line (62, 31, 83, 12, ink)    --  8

    9 :

        LCD_line (62, 31, 85, 15, ink)    --  9

    10 :

        LCD_line (62, 31, 86, 17, ink)    --  10

    11 :

        LCD_line (62, 31, 88, 20, ink)    --  11

    12 :

        LCD_line (62, 31, 89, 22, ink)    --  12

    13 :

        LCD_line (62, 31, 89, 25, ink)    --  13

    14 :

        LCD_line (62, 31, 90, 28, ink)    --  14

    15 :

        LCD_line (62, 31, 90, 31, ink)    --  15

    16 :

        LCD_line (62, 31, 90, 34, ink)    --  16

    17 :

        LCD_line (62, 31, 89, 37, ink)    --  17

    18 :

        LCD_line (62, 31, 89, 40, ink)    --  18

    19 :

        LCD_line (62, 31, 88, 42, ink)    --  19

    20 :

        LCD_line (62, 31, 86, 45, ink)    --  20

    21 :

        LCD_line (62, 31, 85, 47, ink)    --  21

    22 :

        LCD_line (62, 31, 83, 50, ink)    --  22

    23 :

        LCD_line (62, 31, 81, 52, ink)    --  23

    24 :

        LCD_line (62, 31, 78, 54, ink)    --  24

    25 :

        LCD_line (62, 31, 76, 55, ink)    --  25

    26 :

        LCD_line (62, 31, 73, 57, ink)    --  26

    27 :

        LCD_line (62, 31, 71, 58, ink)    --  27

    28 :

        LCD_line (62, 31, 68, 58, ink)    --  28

    29 :

        LCD_line (62, 31, 65, 59, ink)    --  29

    30 :

        LCD_line (62, 31, 62, 59, ink)    --  30

    31 :

        LCD_line (62, 31, 59, 59, ink)    --  31

    32 :

        LCD_line (62, 31, 56, 58, ink)    --  32

    33 :

        LCD_line (62, 31, 53, 58, ink)    --  33

    34 :

        LCD_line (62, 31, 51, 57, ink)    --  34

    35 :

        LCD_line (62, 31, 48, 55, ink)    --  35

    36 :

        LCD_line (62, 31, 46, 54, ink)    --  36

    37 :

        LCD_line (62, 31, 43, 52, ink)    --  37

    38 :

        LCD_line (62, 31, 41, 50, ink)    --  38

    39 :

        LCD_line (62, 31, 39, 47, ink)    --  39

    40 :

        LCD_line (62, 31, 38, 45, ink)    --  40

    41 :

        LCD_line (62, 31, 36, 42, ink)    --  41

    42 :

        LCD_line (62, 31, 35, 40, ink)    --  42

    43 :

        LCD_line (62, 31, 35, 37, ink)    --  43

    44 :

        LCD_line (62, 31, 34, 34, ink)    --  44

    45 :

        LCD_line (62, 31, 34, 31, ink)    --  45

    46 :

        LCD_line (62, 31, 34, 28, ink)    --  46

    47 :

        LCD_line (62, 31, 35, 25, ink)    --  47

    48 :

        LCD_line (62, 31, 35, 22, ink)    --  48

    49 :

        LCD_line (62, 31, 36, 20, ink)    --  49

    50 :

        LCD_line (62, 31, 38, 17, ink)    --  50

    51 :

        LCD_line (62, 31, 39, 15, ink)    --  51

    52 :

        LCD_line (62, 31, 41, 12, ink)    --  52

    53 :

        LCD_line (62, 31, 43, 10, ink)    --  53

    54 :

        LCD_line (62, 31, 46, 8, ink)    --  54

    55 :

        LCD_line (62, 31, 48, 7, ink)    --  55

    56 :

        LCD_line (62, 31, 51, 5, ink)    --  56

    57 :

        LCD_line (62, 31, 53, 4, ink)    --  57

    58 :

        LCD_line (62, 31, 56, 4, ink)    --  58

    59 :

        LCD_line (62, 31, 59, 3, ink)    --  59

    end case

    LCD_DrawRectangle (62, 31, 2, 2, on) --centre

end procedure
procedure DrawHourHand(byte in hours, bit in ink) is

   case hours of

   1, 13:

    LCD_line (62, 31, 70, 17, ink)

   2, 14:

    LCD_line (62, 31, 76, 23, ink)

   3, 15 :

    LCD_line (62, 31, 78, 31, ink)

   4, 16 :

    LCD_line (62, 31, 76, 39, ink)

   5, 17 :

    LCD_line (62, 31, 70, 45, ink)

   6, 18 :

    LCD_line (62, 31, 62, 47, ink)

   7, 19 :

    LCD_line (62, 31, 54, 45, ink)

   8, 20 :

    LCD_line (62, 31, 48, 39, ink)

   9, 21 :

    LCD_line (62, 31, 46, 31, ink)

   10, 22 :

    LCD_line (62, 31, 48, 23, ink)

   11, 23 :

    LCD_line (62, 31, 54, 17, ink)

   12, 0, 24 :

    LCD_line (62, 31, 62, 15, ink)

    end case
end Procedure

procedure LCD_DrawButton(byte in px , byte in py , byte in wx , byte in wy, bit in ink ) is var byte ind For wx using ind loop lcd_write_pixel ( ind+wx, py, ink) lcd_write_pixel ( ind+wx, py + wy - 1, ink) lcd_write_pixel ( ind+wx + 1, py + wy, ink) end loop For wy using ind loop lcd_write_pixel ( px, ind+py, ink) lcd_write_pixel ( px + wx - 1, ind+py, ink) lcd_write_pixel ( px + wx, ind +py + 1, ink) end loop end procedure

video not playing Fri, 26 Feb 2010 18:45:20 GMT posted by John Mac

Hi all
I have an old dell laptop (latitude d600) running ubuntu 9.1

1.2mb ram (upped from 512)
cpu is pentium m 1.4

Should this system be capable of showing youtube videos?

or showing video streamed from the pc, playback (using vlc)

what happens is it starts fine but about 4 or 5 seconds into it the video stops.
Would it be the cpu thats causing the prob or something else?
thanks
J

Top 25 programming risks? Wed, 17 Feb 2010 10:36:43 GMT posted by Watty

http://cwe.mitre.org/top25/

Many are related to Internet Applications.

Can we make a list of?
1) Desktop GUI programming issues
2) Embedded system programming issues

Code:

Rank        Score        ID        Name

[1]        346        CWE-79         Failure to Preserve Web Page Structure ('Cross-site Scripting')

[2]        330        CWE-89         Improper Sanitization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command ('SQL Injection')

[3]        273        CWE-120         Buffer Copy without Checking Size of Input ('Classic Buffer Overflow')

[4]        261        CWE-352         Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF)

[5]        219        CWE-285         Improper Access Control (Authorization)

[6]        202        CWE-807         Reliance on Untrusted Inputs in a Security Decision

[7]        197        CWE-22         Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal')

[8]        194        CWE-434         Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type

[9]        188        CWE-78         Improper Sanitization of Special Elements used in an OS Command ('OS Command Injection')

[10]        188        CWE-311         Missing Encryption of Sensitive Data

[11]        176        CWE-798         Use of Hard-coded Credentials

[12]        158        CWE-805         Buffer Access with Incorrect Length Value

[13]        157        CWE-98         Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP File Inclusion')

[14]        156        CWE-129         Improper Validation of Array Index

[15]        155        CWE-754         Improper Check for Unusual or Exceptional Conditions

[16]        154        CWE-209         Information Exposure Through an Error Message

[17]        154        CWE-190         Integer Overflow or Wraparound

[18]        153        CWE-131         Incorrect Calculation of Buffer Size

[19]        147        CWE-306         Missing Authentication for Critical Function

[20]        146        CWE-494         Download of Code Without Integrity Check

[21]        145        CWE-732         Incorrect Permission Assignment for Critical Resource

[22]        145        CWE-770         Allocation of Resources Without Limits or Throttling

[23]        142        CWE-601         URL Redirection to Untrusted Site ('Open Redirect')

[24]        141        CWE-327         Use of a Broken or Risky Cryptographic Algorithm

[25]        138        CWE-362         Race Condition

My non-web selection from this list for embedded systems :
Rank Score ID Name

[3] 273 CWE-120 Buffer Copy without Checking Size of Input (‘Classic Buffer Overflow’)

[10] 188 CWE-311 Missing Encryption of Sensitive Data

[12] 158 CWE-805 Buffer Access with Incorrect Length Value

[14] 156 CWE-129 Improper Validation of Array Index
[15] 155 CWE-754 Improper Check for Unusual or Exceptional Conditions

[17] 154 CWE-190 Integer Overflow or Wraparound
[18] 153 CWE-131 Incorrect Calculation of Buffer Size
[19] 147 CWE-306 Missing Authentication for Critical Function

[24] 141 CWE-327 Use of a Broken or Risky Cryptographic Algorithm
[25] 138 CWE-362 Race Condition

Electronics and Gadgets

admin — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 07:02:47 +0000

Updating from Electronics and Gadgets

The future isn’t Armless Wed, 24 Feb 2010 23:38:23 GMT posted by Watty

ARM cores power about 98% of phones
About 90% of gadgety stuff.
but only 5% of embedded Microcontroller applications (8051, microchip PIC, Atmel ATmega etc…)

New Flash based, incircuit programmed ARMs are aimed at the traditional 8bit/16bit microcontroller market

Quote:

Key Features:

* ARM Cortex-M0 Processor
* 50-MHz Operation
* Nested Vectored Interrupt Controller for Fast Deterministic Interrupts
* Wakeup Interrupt Controller Allows Automatic Wake from Any Priority Interrupt
* Three Reduced Power Modes: Sleep, Deep-Sleep, and Deep Power-Down
* Up to 32K Flash Memory and 8K RAM on board
* Single chip solution with GPIO, UART, ADC etc.

Built around the new Cortex-M0 architecture, the smallest, lowest-power, and most energy-efficient ARM core ever developed, these MCUs are ideally-equipped for use in battery-powered consumer devices, smart meters, motor control, and more. The Cortex-M0 processor-based LPC1100 series will begin availability in December 2009.

http://ics.nxp.com/products/lpc1000/…C1114/#LPC1114

http://ics.nxp.com/products/lpc1000/…13.lpc1114.pdf

Archos A605WiFi: Console Emulators Mon, 22 Feb 2010 23:00:14 GMT posted by Watty

ARM based PMP running linux and 20G to 160Gbyte HDD
800 x 480 screen
Opera Browser with Flash 8?

Absolutely locked from installing your own apps apart from Opera Widgets.

Till now. http://www.techtir.ie/forums/showthread.php?t=3353

Updated with link to news about NES and Atari800 emulators.

This player could have been more successful than ipod Touch and Zune HD. But Archos has had a narrow view of application support.

The "plugins" sold by archos are in fact keys to unlock existing firmware features. They designed no method of Application installing or distribution other than complete replacement of the firmware!

Pandora finally out Tue, 09 Feb 2010 17:11:46 GMT posted by Watty

It’s maybe about 3 years too late to be interesting…

http://www.slashgear.com/pandora-gam…ction-0973305/

Inspired by the GP2X http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GP2X which I have hardwired a USB socket on (It has a dock, but you can wire on USB host and Slave sockets) and run VNC to XP over USB networking.

The GP2X was a 320×240 Mediaplayer with SD socket that wanted to be a portable game console.

The Pandora has a lot more built in I/O and I think a 800×480 screen.

Too little too late? I suspect Texas Semi helped them as a Cheap project to test out the Omap ARM SoC.

main market seems to be emulating other consoles.

Tech News

admin — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 21:43:10 +0000

October 2009 Highlights
RTÉ & TG4 seal new rugby deal Mon, 19 Oct 2009 21:09:45 GMT posted by celt

Google “doing exactly what Microsoft did” says angry GPS app dev from Slashgear

PLT, Homeplug and mains Networking etc. Watty, Bminish

Sky Italia offers Terrestrial via SkyHD box Watty, Byte

Broadcast, TV, Radio & Comms.

admin — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 18:13:36 +0000

October Highlights

Thomson Sky+HD box repairs Sun, 01 Nov 2009 14:22:25 GMT posted by byte
So, I bought a faulty Thomson DSI8215 Sky+ HD box on eBay. Problems included only some channels working (some only worked after box had warmed up), and Tuner 2 totally dead.

Reading around, pretty much all Thomson faults fall onto their power supply, and the terrible capacitors therein.

So, I bought a capacitor kit from Satcure. Indeed, just like Satcure state, some of the caps in the power supply were indeed bulging, and two were oozing! (it seems Donberg.ie sell the same kits also). Satcure do claim that the capacitors they use are much superior to the original ones that failed.

So, having taken the HD box apart*, I removed the PS (easily removed) and started removing all the existing capacitors. When you buy the Satcure kit, they email you links to articles on how to remove the existing ones, and also where the new ones should go, which made it very easy for a novice like me. On the Thomson box, there is a circle on hte board where each of the caps go, half of which is shaded. The shaded half represents the negative side of the capacitor (which is usually marked with a stripe and minus symbol). NEVER put a cap in the wrong way around!

To remove the capacitors I used desolder wick which worked well, once I got the hang of it. After the 15 old capacitors were removed, I then proceeded to add the new ones, referring to the Satcure map to see where each different capacitor went. I would say the whole procedure took me an hour, though, would be less than half that time if you’re used to it.

I then returned the PS to my HD box again, though must admit I was worried the HD box would still show faults.

After getting the whole kit back together, I set the HD box up again with signal, power, etc. and gladly, the box is working like it should be! Plenty of signal on both tuners, and no dead LNB states.

*To take the HD box apart, I used this site. This page has plenty of images of what the box looks like when taken apart.

Also, from that same Morlocks link, I replaced the standard 300GB Maxtor HDD that was within my HD box, with a new Western Digital 500GB WD5000AAKS (was about €44 +del. from dabs.ie). I followed everything detailed in the above, and it’s very straight forward. I used Copy+ to retrieve all the recordings and series links from my Sky+ box (I used an external PATA caddy for Sky+ Harddrive and external SATA USB caddy for the new WD harddrive) which took about 45mins as I’d removed alot of stuff I didn’t need before copying. Obviously time will vary depending on the amount of stuff you wish to transfer.

It should be noted that the HD box can take up to 1TB harddrive. However, if you go over 500GB, you cannot use the Full System Reset option on the Sky menu anymore (well you can, but you end up with around 500GB afterwards), so must always use Copy+ for formatting, etc.

As it stands now, I have a perfectly working Thomson HD box, with more than double the recording capacity! Time will tell whether it’ll stay that way!

Computer Related

admin — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 16:01:56 +0000

October Highlights

PLT, Homeplug and mains Networking etc. Tue, 27 Oct 2009 10:44:49 GMT posted by Watty
Some of these claim 200Mbbps or even 1Gbps. BT’s own engineers have found they can interfere with ADSL, but the BT marketing guys selling Homevision don’t want to talk about that.

RSGB has taken Ofcom to court alleging lack of enforcement of standards. Some produce more interference than others. It’s hard to beat Shielded Cat5e along the edge of the skirting board.

Sweden has now taken action: http://www.southgatearc.org/news/oct…_equipment.htm

If installing plugtop mains networking, do check your DSL Modem stats before and after and UK LW & MW Radio. SW too if you use it.

Some Energy saver bulbs completely obliterate R4 LW and others have no effect. Not all Electronic gear is created equal, but PLT/Homeplug etc is inherently a DSL like up toi 30MHz transmitter. DSL is on twisted pair wiring designed to minimise interference. Mains wiring is not, and the lighting and switch circuits particularly can act as aerials as “live” and “neutral” can be in different places in the ceiling or wall rather than side by side. The fuse box does not block the signals and the Electricity meter has only a small effect to block the signal.

User, Installer, Engineer or Designer?

admin — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 08:24:30 +0000

Or maybe just curious.

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