Had a special Warhammer 40K last weekend where I had to use 3000 points of Imperial Guard against a random selection of 3 stompas. So I took pictures just for the sake of taking pictures.
Just because I took some pretty pictures
It’s been awhile
Yeah, haven’t felt much about posting. Mostly because I’ve been down from my job going away and my laptop dying and other crap.
I miss my old job. I mean really miss it. Some people say they have great jobs but really a job where you get paid a nice amount, can “goof off” listening to whatever, yet still truthfully say you were very productive AND served “the people” (it was a government job) and had free time and family time? Not to mention (most of) the people I worked with being Da Awesome? Someone find me something like this (but I don’t think it exists)
So also, we’re down to 1 computer now. This thing is (I think) a little older than Gwen, who just turned 6. In computer years, this is past retirement. Actually looked at a setup from a big chain that had a desktop+laptop+netbook for about $1200, but need that job first…
Also been spending more time on facebook and twitter than is healthy. my twitter is @gwensdad and is up to date and sometimes NSFW (or just weird)
So, that’s it for now. Maybe I’ll be posting again before Christmas. Don’t know if I want to repost the “mailing to Santa” from last year.
camera+telescope=fail(?)
My attempts tonight to take telescope photos:
My (or Gwen’s) Galileoscope unboxing and assembly
Today I received the galileoscope I ordered back in April. For those that don’t know the galileoscope is a project of UNESCO and the IAU (United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Exchange and the International Astronomical Union) for the International Year of Astronomy 2009 in order to provide low-cost telescopes to whoever wants one. The website is http://www.galileoscope.org and a single unit costs about $15 plus shipping.
Anyway-to the unboxing!
The box
First thing after opening the box-the assembly directions and a package with a nut and washers.
Next layer down, lots of plastic bits. Note the white package in the center containing the lenses.
Bottom layer containing the 2 halves of the main body.
Assembly starts. Note the large lens on the tissue paper.
Fitting the eyepiece end. Instructions were a little vague but I figured it out.
The eyepiece lenses assemblies. Note the tiny lens (hard to see) on the left that go into the eyepieces.
Completed telescope with 2 lenspieces (for 25X and 18X) and adapter for 50X.
Only drawback-I’ll need to get a tripod for it, but I’ve already tested it and things can be seen though it.
Pictures from last nights Tincaps game
Pictures from Gwen’s trip to last nights tipcaps game are up now. It was “Superhero Night” and she’d been looking forward to this for awhile.
It’s been awhile, but here’s an update
Starting sending out resumes, since as some of you know by following me on twitter (you’re not? What’s wrong with you?) my job is going away in a few months and they’ve already started cutting back on hours. The problem is I just had to re-do the resume almost from scratch and I’ve had nobody to look it over before sending it into the world. I’ll find someplace to post it for others soon-ish.
Gwen is going well (as many can tell by the pictures I sometimes post) and has finished her pre-k. Swimming lessons start this week (via grandma) so hopefully that will tire her out 
Otherwise, life it blaaah. Seems like I can’t do anything either from lack of baby sitter or I’m working when things happen. Or I have no money. That’s more frequent. Where’s this “summer fun” I’m supposed to be hearing about? 
My netgear “experience”
So, I had a problem with my network attached storage unit from netgear, and had to use their tech support. So to blow of steam in my otherwise crappy life, I’m sharing with the rest of you the “experience”:
12/21/2008 2:47:00 PM
Worked fine until a 2 day power outage. After outage green led blinks constantly if both drives are pluggged in. If only right drive is in the red led also blinks. Drives are detected by BIOS and readable by 3rd party apps (Spinright(tm)) when plugged into PC.
12/21/2008 3:10:00 PM
Agent ID: 1528Dear Kent,
Thank you for choosing NETGEAR. My name is Shiva and I will be your support engineer.
We will be working to assist you in resolving the issue you described. We are doing this online it may require a few mail exchanges before we can resolve the issue. We will do our best to help resolve your case at the least possible time.
1. Power off the SC101/SC101T, the modem and router, if you have them, and the computers.
2. Power on the SC101/SC101T.
3. Power on the modem.
4. Power on the router.
5. Power on the computers.
– Please check the light status
6. If you still get the error message: No Storage Central device was found, see Using the UT Command and the SC101/SC101T Command Line Interface to confirm that your SC101/SC101T got an IP address from the DHCP server.Thanks again for choosing NETGEAR. Have a great day!
Sincerely,
Shiva
Technical Support
NETGEAR, Inc.
http://my.netgear.com***Please be aware that your case will auto-close after 7 days of inactivity***
Did you know that NETGEAR provides support for your home networking devices and PCs? One-stop solution! No need to call multiple vendors* for support. If you would like to learn more about the NETGEAR GearHead services please click here: http://kbserver.netgear.com/kb_web_files/gearhead/Home.html
12/22/2008 3:16:00 AM
Power Cylcing on unit and router did not fix problem. Command line program was not in the directory specified, although there appears to be evidence that an IP address is being assigned.
12/22/2008 5:27:00 AM
Agent ID: 1131Dear Kent,
My name is Mohan and I am following up on your support case.
Thank you for writing back.I understand after power cycling the SC101 you still have the same issue.
So I would request you to check the given link below to know what steps can be done when there is change in the light status.
http://kbserver.netgear.com/kb_web_files/n101576.asp
Also It would be great if you could mention the details like
- What is the Make and Model of the Modem and router you use ?
- How many Wired & Wireless Computers you have ?
- What is the Operating System you have on all the computers ?
- What hard drive(s) are you using in the SC101 (manufacturer name, model number, DMA/ATA type and size)?
- What is the status of the lights on the front of the sc101?
- What is operating system of the PC the Storage Central Manager software is installed on ?
- Have you enabled Mirroring on Disk?. If yes what is size of it?
- How many Partitions have you enabled on hard driveThanks again for choosing NETGEAR. Have a great day!
Sincerely,
Mohan
Technical Support
NETGEAR, Inc.
http://my.netgear.com***Please be aware that your case will auto-close after 7 days of inactivity***
Did you know that NETGEAR provides support for your home networking devices and PCs? One-stop solution! No need to call multiple vendors* for support. If you would like to learn more about the NETGEAR GearHead services please click here: http://kbserver.netgear.com/kb_web_files/gearhead/GearHeadSupport.html
12/22/2008 2:32:00 PM
- What is the Make and Model of the Modem and router you use ?
The modem is a verizon FIOS modem (model unknown), router is a Linksys WRT54GC
- How many Wired & Wireless Computers you have ?
1 laptop (wireless), 1 computer (wired)
- What is the Operating System you have on all the computers ?
XP Home, all current patches installed (as of 12/21)
- What hard drive(s) are you using in the SC101 (manufacturer name, model number, DMA/ATA type and size)?
both are: Seagate, Barracuda 7200, Ultra ATA, 300 gbyte
- What is the status of the lights on the front of the sc101?
With only disk 1 plugged in: blinking red light and blinking green light
With only disk 2 or both plugged in: blinking green light- What is operating system of the PC the Storage Central Manager software is installed on ?
XP Home
- Have you enabled Mirroring on Disk?. If yes what is size of it?
No
- How many Partitions have you enabled on hard drive
disk 1: 2 partitions
disk 2: 1 partition
12/22/2008 4:56:00 PM
Agent ID: 1528Dear Kent,
Thank you for choosing NETGEAR. My name is Shiva and I will be your support engineer.
We will be working to assist you in resolving the issue you described. We are doing this online it may require a few mail exchanges before we can resolve the issue. We will do our best to help resolve your case at the least possible time.
Refer to your concern
Please try swapping the hard drives and check the connection and light status.
At this time we are unable to isolate the exact issue wheather the problem is with hard drives or the SC101, hence please try swapping the hard drives and check the connection and light status.
Please get back to us with results to assist you better.
Thanks again for choosing NETGEAR. Have a great day!
Sincerely,
Shiva
Technical Support
NETGEAR, Inc.
http://my.netgear.com***Please be aware that your case will auto-close after 7 days of inactivity***
Did you know that NETGEAR provides support for your home networking devices and PCs? One-stop solution! No need to call multiple vendors* for support. If you would like to learn more about the NETGEAR GearHead services please click here: http://kbserver.netgear.com/kb_web_files/gearhead/home.html
12/23/2008 4:11:00 AM
An old drive was plugged in by itself and the result was the same-a constantly blinking green light.
12/23/2008 7:01:00 AM
Agent ID: 1131Dear Kent,
My name is Mohan and I am following up on your support case.
Thank you for writing back.
Please do check the following factors listed below:
STEP 1:
Plug the working hard drive in SC101 and check the status of the power light.
STEP 2:
If still the same issue then try plugging the SC101 with the different power adapter and also with the different power socket and check the status.
Thanks again for choosing NETGEAR. Have a great day!
Sincerely,
Mohan
Technical Support
NETGEAR, Inc.
http://my.netgear.com***Please be aware that your case will auto-close after 7 days of inactivity***
Did you know that NETGEAR provides support for your home networking devices and PCs? One-stop solution! No need to call multiple vendors* for support. If you would like to learn more about the NETGEAR GearHead services please click here: http://kbserver.netgear.com/kb_web_files/gearhead/GearHeadSupport.html
12/23/2008 2:55:00 PM
Step 1 led to the same as before.What power supply should I use for step 2? I only have the original. I have access to a generic power adapter that con provide 12v but only 300ma
12/23/2008 5:20:00 PM
Agent ID: 1664Dear Kent,
Thank you for writing us back. My name is Pragyananda and I am following up on your support case.
After reviewing the information you have provided I think I have a better understanding of your case.
In the initial submission you had mentioned that drives are detected by BIOS and readable by 3rd party apps (Spinright(tm).
hence I believe that you have used the hard drives in computer and other applications.
if a hard drive is already used in computer SC101 will not be able to read it and it results in green led blinks constantly.
Please make sure that you are using a new working hard drive with SC101 and also insert or remove hard drive when sc101 unit is powered off.
Thanks again for choosing NETGEAR. Have a great day!
Sincerely,
Pragyananda
Technical Support
NETGEAR, Inc.
http://my.netgear.com***Please be aware that your case will auto-close after 7 days of inactivity***
Did you know that NETGEAR provides support for your home networking devices and PCs? One-stop solution! No need to call multiple vendors* for support. If you would like to learn more about the NETGEAR GearHead services please click here: http://kbserver.netgear.com/kb_web_files/gearhead/home.html
12/23/2008 5:51:00 PM
I don”t believe the previous response has read the situation fully.
This is the timeline of events:
Thursday: SC-101 worked fine
Friday: Ice storm knocks out power
Satuday: Power restored, SC-101 will not read drives
Late Saturday night: 1 drive plugged into PC to see if bios detects. Spinright run on drive.
Sunday: technical support submition sent12/23/2008 9:23:00 PM
From AGENT ID: 1648
Case ID: 8436155Dear Kent,
Thank you for choosing NETGEAR, my name is Chaitanya and I will be your support engineer.
Based on the complexity of this case, it may be appropriate for me to seek additional resources. I am escalating your case to the next level for further review and response. Please allow them 24 hours to respond to you.
This message is for your information only. There is no additional action needed from you at this time. The next level support engineer will update the case and you will be notified.
Again, thanks for choosing NETGEAR and we appreciate your continued patience. We will get back with you very shortly.
Regards,
Chaitanya
NETGEAR Support
12/25/2008 6:08:00 AM
Notes added by 4039
Hello Kent,This is Owen from NETGEAR Level 2 Support. I am reviewing your online case.
From your description of the issue it sound as though your SC101 is no longer functional. Unfortunately, you are outside of your hardware warranty so we cannot replace your unit. However, if your drives are in fact functional then you could purchase a replacement SC101 and access your data after inserting the drives.
If you do decide to purchase a replacement SC101 then I would recommend making another backup copy of your data as this would not limit your data to being located on a single point-of-failure.
Thank you for choosing NETGEAR.
Best Regards,
Owen
Second Level Escalation
NETGEAR, Inc.NETGEAR Support Contact Information:
Call (Toll Free) 888-NETGEAR or with email support cases, update your case through the portal by visiting our web site at
http://my.netgear.com/myNETGEAR/support.aspFor the latest updates to our manuals, drivers, and software, visit our web site at http://www.kbserver.netgear.com
So anyway, I’ve got a replacement coming and fingers crossed that everything should work. But take this for whatever it’s worth.
Ice Storm 2008
Here’s some pictures from the last 2 days-just stepping outside and clicking.
