Author Archives: Robert

My Experience with Carbonite Home and CrashPlan+

Posted on January 10, 2012 by Robert

I don’t like losing data, and I’m guessing that you don’t, either. I already do local backups, but not only can it a little cumbersome and easy to forget (not to mention drive failures), fire or theft could result in … Continue reading →

Posted in Personal Technology | 11 Comments

OpenVPN over DSL with PPPoE

Posted on October 26, 2011 by Robert

I work remotely and use OpenVPN to access development services such as SVN and our file server, both of which are at our colocation facility. While at a new location, I first encountered a problem trying to do any SVN … Continue reading →

Posted in Networking | 2 Comments

Logging Levels

Posted on September 22, 2011 by Robert

Trace/Verbose Use this logging level to help you develop or find bugs in something you’re currently working on, and when the information being logged is not useful once the current task is done. So, trace logging should usually be removed … Continue reading →

Posted in Software Development | Leave a comment

A system for getting the most out of “TODO” comments in code

Posted on September 22, 2011 by Robert

Annotating code with “TODO” can help remind us what code needs attention. It’s easy, however, for them to build up, get out of hand, and no longer be useful. Below is a system I came up with to keep TODOs … Continue reading →

Posted in Software Development | 1 Comment

Fixing the Google Android USB driver to work with the NOOK Color ADB on Windows

Posted on August 11, 2011 by Robert

Symptoms When attaching a Barnes & Noble NOOK Color to a Windows computer for app development, Windows is not able to automatically install a device driver that allows ADB to communicate with the NOOK Color. You may see a message … Continue reading →

Posted in Software Development | 1 Comment

GSmartControl for Hard Disk S.M.A.R.T. Information and Tests

Posted on January 28, 2011 by Robert

It’s surprising how few good tools there are for Windows for hard drive Self-Monitoring, Analysis and Reporting Technology System (S.M.A.R.T.) functionality. In addition to providing basic attributes like ‘Power-on Hours’ or ‘Temperature’, SMART can also include self-test ability and logs … Continue reading →

Posted in Windows Tech Support | Leave a comment

Error 1327 “Invalid Drive” while installing or updating applications in Windows

Posted on January 21, 2011 by Robert

Symptoms When trying to install or update an application, you receive an error message similar to the following: Error 1327. Invalid Drive: Z: I’ve encountered this error installing Google Earth and another application, and it also apparently happens with many … Continue reading →

Posted in Windows Tech Support | 24 Comments

AT&T U-verse for the Curious Consumer – The Residential Gateway and Wiring Options

Posted on January 16, 2011 by Robert

AT&T U-verse is an Internet, TV (IPTV), and phone (VOIP) service delivered primarily by fiber and existing copper. This article is targeted at consumers who would like a little bit of light shed on the in-home hardware (what it does, … Continue reading →

Posted in Personal Technology | 8 Comments

bebooper

Posted on October 19, 2010 by Robert

bebooper [bee-boo-per]: beep + boop + computer -noun Those things in movies that look like computers, but beep or boop every time something is clicked on, whir whenever there’s a progress bar, or ever show an “ACCESS DENIED” message in … Continue reading →

Posted in portmanteau | 1 Comment

View Your Google Apps Calendar in Outlook 2007/2010

Posted on August 1, 2010 by Robert

Microsoft Outlook (2007 and 2010) and Google calendar both support the iCalendar format, which means you can view your Google calendars in Outlook. This is great if you, for example, want to be able to see your Google Apps personal … Continue reading →

Posted in Personal Technology, Web Technology | 19 Comments