So, if anybody out there has an iPhone that they want unlocked, let me know. I am equipped with the hardware and the know-how to do it. Now if only i had a carrier that used sim cards and $500 for an iPhone...
The process is quite straight forward: you just need to gain access to your primary iPhone directory, and then copy some files to it, edit out some code, type a few commands, run the unlocker while connecting the 1.8v power source and its top most run, and hit enter. I would say that the hardest part should be taking the damn thing apart.
Anyways, if anyone wants to sponsor me or wants to unlock their phone, give me a jingle.
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Windows and OS X: a no brainer
I have been an exclusive windows XP user since my induction in the the world of jumpers, fans, video cards, and BSOD's. For about 5 years I battled with the most bloated piece of software ever written and got by pretty decently. But then, on that magical day, apple proclaimed its devotion to the mother of all processing gods, intel.
That day planted the seed in my head, and the summer before UCLA, i threw down and bought a MacBook Pro. I needed a lightweight computer to take with me across the campus and to class, and my bajillion kilogram dell XPS Gen 2 was not going to cut it, especially with its 20 minutes of battery life.
Needless to say, it was the best technological decision that i ever made and I'm so much happier because of it.
The switch was painless, i connected to the XP machines from the mac with no IP addressing (whilst the XP machines had no clue that there was a predatory feline on the network). I got all my files and they all worked without needing third party software, even pdf's (!!!). The apple file system is a little different with / instead of C:\\, but i got the hang of it right away. Also, the bundled software was much better and fully functional, and there were no AOheLl installations to be found.
On the mac I feel like I spend all my time doing the things i intend to do and, for the first time ever in history, I walked away from the computer having nothing further to do on it at the moment (and with time before class to boot). Its completely opposite on windows XP, i spend all my time trying to get it to do things faster, better, at all. I never have enough time on the machine because there is always one more thing to do, on more harddrive to defrag, one more virus to purge.
Unix is amazing, mac is amazing, windows sucks, but i still keep it around for games. But with the advent of bootcamp, i can finally turn that windows machine into the BackTrack computer for good.
What about Windows Vista you say?
We have several Vista machines at my workplace, and they are POS to say the least. A simple ipconfig /release is not even allowed in the administrator account!!!! How the heck can you do ANYTHING? They tried to make it so that you never saw any technical data, and had to activate help programs in order to access admin areas of the control panel. And the Allow or Deny crap was absolutely horrendous. I even got my experienced bosses who thrive on M$ office and think of mac's as toys, to ask me about it!
So take my word for it, get a mac and you wont go back.
That day planted the seed in my head, and the summer before UCLA, i threw down and bought a MacBook Pro. I needed a lightweight computer to take with me across the campus and to class, and my bajillion kilogram dell XPS Gen 2 was not going to cut it, especially with its 20 minutes of battery life.
Needless to say, it was the best technological decision that i ever made and I'm so much happier because of it.
The switch was painless, i connected to the XP machines from the mac with no IP addressing (whilst the XP machines had no clue that there was a predatory feline on the network). I got all my files and they all worked without needing third party software, even pdf's (!!!). The apple file system is a little different with / instead of C:\\, but i got the hang of it right away. Also, the bundled software was much better and fully functional, and there were no AOheLl installations to be found.
On the mac I feel like I spend all my time doing the things i intend to do and, for the first time ever in history, I walked away from the computer having nothing further to do on it at the moment (and with time before class to boot). Its completely opposite on windows XP, i spend all my time trying to get it to do things faster, better, at all. I never have enough time on the machine because there is always one more thing to do, on more harddrive to defrag, one more virus to purge.
Unix is amazing, mac is amazing, windows sucks, but i still keep it around for games. But with the advent of bootcamp, i can finally turn that windows machine into the BackTrack computer for good.
What about Windows Vista you say?
We have several Vista machines at my workplace, and they are POS to say the least. A simple ipconfig /release is not even allowed in the administrator account!!!! How the heck can you do ANYTHING? They tried to make it so that you never saw any technical data, and had to activate help programs in order to access admin areas of the control panel. And the Allow or Deny crap was absolutely horrendous. I even got my experienced bosses who thrive on M$ office and think of mac's as toys, to ask me about it!
So take my word for it, get a mac and you wont go back.
RAZR HACKZOR
The RAZR is the shit. Everyone wants one and everyone gets one. They can do 1.3mp pictures and good enough video to catch some social officers DOING THEIR JOB. All these media options are awesome unless you are stymied by the heinous bull-hockey that is VERIZON WIRELESS!!!!! They intentionaly strip the object push component out of their software.
It's true, i have a verizon RAZR and with them, i have to pay $2 for a ringtone that cant carry over to my next phone, and have to pay, per media file, to email my pix and flix. I had had enough and put in about a years worth of research and hunting untill i FREED MY RAZR.
The funny thing is that version 1.2 verizon RAZRs had the correct protocols. But all the other versions don't, and they wont back-flash your software at the store. So i took matters into my own hands...
I collected all the necessary software versions, RSD flashing programs, Drivers, and cables that i needed and finally bit the bullet and risked bricking my phone.
The hardest part of the quest was the tedious hunting for the correct files and programs over various illicit channels. (don't)ask me if you (don't) want help finding the right stuff.
The flashing worked, and i now have all the correct permissions on my phone, my own ring tones, and can get my pix and flix. Thank the lord and may he smite verizon.
Of course, now that the iPhone is out, i WANT IT and have to convince my parents and family to not sign up for another 2 years for a shinier piece of plastic so we can switch to a REAL carrier.
It's true, i have a verizon RAZR and with them, i have to pay $2 for a ringtone that cant carry over to my next phone, and have to pay, per media file, to email my pix and flix. I had had enough and put in about a years worth of research and hunting untill i FREED MY RAZR.
The funny thing is that version 1.2 verizon RAZRs had the correct protocols. But all the other versions don't, and they wont back-flash your software at the store. So i took matters into my own hands...
I collected all the necessary software versions, RSD flashing programs, Drivers, and cables that i needed and finally bit the bullet and risked bricking my phone.
The hardest part of the quest was the tedious hunting for the correct files and programs over various illicit channels. (don't)ask me if you (don't) want help finding the right stuff.
The flashing worked, and i now have all the correct permissions on my phone, my own ring tones, and can get my pix and flix. Thank the lord and may he smite verizon.
Of course, now that the iPhone is out, i WANT IT and have to convince my parents and family to not sign up for another 2 years for a shinier piece of plastic so we can switch to a REAL carrier.
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Wireless Router Mayhem part 1
So,
when i found out that my dorm internet connection was strictly wireless for this coming year, i did a little research. My problem was that i have several LAN dependent devices that need internet connections so that i can access them from afar. I have an Xbox 360 for one (and don't want to spend $100 on the silly wireless adapter), a few window and linux based machines (acting as FTP hosts, servers, etc...), and a NAS harddrive with backups of all my movies and music as well as personal files. I am used to having all these devices on an ultra fast and low latency gigabit network, and did not want to settle for anything less. I also needed to be able to access them (for school work and music across campus and the world) when my MacBook Pro was not there to seamlessly share the wireless connection through its Ethernet port. So all in all, i thought i was toast because routers that had the functionality i needed (to act as a client bridge) were over $600. YIKES!!!
Luckly i found a handy little website where i could download the open source software "DD-WRT" for the $50 wireless router that i already had. (a linksys WRT54G). I was lucky enough to have a router that was the correct version, and promptly repossessed it from my parents and got them something with less potential that would serve them just as well at home.
The flashing process was easy except for the fact that there is differing information on the internet about the default passwords for the router. (It is, by the way, root and admin and its default IP is 192.168.1.1). After logging in i went to "Upgrade Firmware" and selected the DD-WRT package i downloaded (V23). It took about 2 minuted and when i rebooted the thing it was strange and complex looking, but VERY COOL.
With the new software (which is actually a small linux build), i can now have my router act as anything from a client to a gateway, and I have endless configuration options such as which antenna is Tx and which is Rx. I can change the Xmit power of the adapter for better S/N ratios and i can even install third party linux apps on it to do my evil bidding. I was also able to switch the routers uplink port to an Ethernet port (for my bastard 10/100 Ethernet devices) and all the REAL networking devices were plugged into my 5 port netgear 10/100/1000 switch.
My overall experience with DD-WRT has been a good one. While the interface is EXTREMELY complex with multiple options under each tab and multiple things that make me go ASDF, there is a great help menu that stays with you on ever page to explain what things are. I still, however, go hunting around for things quite often.
The first thing i did to my new router was to assign it a new IP address and install the firefox plugin "Router Status" that integrates with DD-WRT and, if nothing else, allows me to reboot, access the control panel, and generally know that it is still working.
One really cool feature on the router is the QoS (Quality of Service) function that allows me to add programs and applications to a list so that the router will give them latency and bandwidth preference. I added the Xbox Live protocol but wish there was an iChat protocol of some type for better video chatting.
I'm still experimenting with things in the software and hope to install some linux apps and see what the baby can do. Its already an FTP host and can mound SMB disks for secure hosting which is great.
If you can't tell, i love hacking pretty much everything to make it perform better. If i had the money i would try to integrate an airport express airtunes features with the airport extreme for the ultimate airport, but that will have to wait until I'm a millionaire.
More hacking stories to come and a part 2 after I get to UCLA and test this sucker out!
If you want any help doing this yourself, please give me a ring and ill help you out.
when i found out that my dorm internet connection was strictly wireless for this coming year, i did a little research. My problem was that i have several LAN dependent devices that need internet connections so that i can access them from afar. I have an Xbox 360 for one (and don't want to spend $100 on the silly wireless adapter), a few window and linux based machines (acting as FTP hosts, servers, etc...), and a NAS harddrive with backups of all my movies and music as well as personal files. I am used to having all these devices on an ultra fast and low latency gigabit network, and did not want to settle for anything less. I also needed to be able to access them (for school work and music across campus and the world) when my MacBook Pro was not there to seamlessly share the wireless connection through its Ethernet port. So all in all, i thought i was toast because routers that had the functionality i needed (to act as a client bridge) were over $600. YIKES!!!
Luckly i found a handy little website where i could download the open source software "DD-WRT" for the $50 wireless router that i already had. (a linksys WRT54G). I was lucky enough to have a router that was the correct version, and promptly repossessed it from my parents and got them something with less potential that would serve them just as well at home.
The flashing process was easy except for the fact that there is differing information on the internet about the default passwords for the router. (It is, by the way, root and admin and its default IP is 192.168.1.1). After logging in i went to "Upgrade Firmware" and selected the DD-WRT package i downloaded (V23). It took about 2 minuted and when i rebooted the thing it was strange and complex looking, but VERY COOL.
With the new software (which is actually a small linux build), i can now have my router act as anything from a client to a gateway, and I have endless configuration options such as which antenna is Tx and which is Rx. I can change the Xmit power of the adapter for better S/N ratios and i can even install third party linux apps on it to do my evil bidding. I was also able to switch the routers uplink port to an Ethernet port (for my bastard 10/100 Ethernet devices) and all the REAL networking devices were plugged into my 5 port netgear 10/100/1000 switch.
My overall experience with DD-WRT has been a good one. While the interface is EXTREMELY complex with multiple options under each tab and multiple things that make me go ASDF, there is a great help menu that stays with you on ever page to explain what things are. I still, however, go hunting around for things quite often.
The first thing i did to my new router was to assign it a new IP address and install the firefox plugin "Router Status" that integrates with DD-WRT and, if nothing else, allows me to reboot, access the control panel, and generally know that it is still working.
One really cool feature on the router is the QoS (Quality of Service) function that allows me to add programs and applications to a list so that the router will give them latency and bandwidth preference. I added the Xbox Live protocol but wish there was an iChat protocol of some type for better video chatting.
I'm still experimenting with things in the software and hope to install some linux apps and see what the baby can do. Its already an FTP host and can mound SMB disks for secure hosting which is great.
If you can't tell, i love hacking pretty much everything to make it perform better. If i had the money i would try to integrate an airport express airtunes features with the airport extreme for the ultimate airport, but that will have to wait until I'm a millionaire.
More hacking stories to come and a part 2 after I get to UCLA and test this sucker out!
If you want any help doing this yourself, please give me a ring and ill help you out.
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Quotes
This is my collection of quotes as posted on my facebook page. Let me know what you think of them. I have added some personal remarks about each one. There should and will be a blog entry for each.
"I think of art and science as sight and insight. Art concieves and science reveals" -Paul Maxwell
I really like this quote, it pretty much embodies my view on education (but thats for anther blog entry).
"If it be right, do it boldly, if it be wrong leave it undone."
Author: Bernard Gilpin
This one is simply great, its what we are taught to do in music, its what we should always do.
A great many people think they are thinking when they are really rearranging their prejudices.
Edward R. Murrow
Too true in todays society. Just learn a little and think about it people, thats all.
"Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited to all we now know and understand, while imagination embraces the entire world, and all there ever will be to know and understand." -Einstein
Also very true. Academic institutions are overlooking this hardcore with their sink-or-swim educations and lack of art integration into academics. Imagination is how we got from stones to space stations, don't forget that!
"It's better to reach for the stars and fall on your face than to not reach at all" - Roy Eldridge
This is pretty much my motto. You gotta shoot for your goals, whatever they may be. If you never try you will never know if you had what it took.
“Religion is the frozen thought of men, out of which they build temples” - Krishnamurti
Well put.
"If all else fails, immortality can always be assured by spectacular error."
- John Kenneth Galbraith
Humore is always good, it can make your day!
"With or without religion, you would have good people doing good things and evil people doing evil things. But for good people to do evil things, that takes religion."
- Steven Weinberg
This is possibly the most important and moving quote i have come accross. Its so deep, and so true. Religion is in the hearts of those with faith, not for the power hungry to control the mob. (more on this in a later blog)
"I think of art and science as sight and insight. Art concieves and science reveals" -Paul Maxwell
I really like this quote, it pretty much embodies my view on education (but thats for anther blog entry).
"If it be right, do it boldly, if it be wrong leave it undone."
Author: Bernard Gilpin
This one is simply great, its what we are taught to do in music, its what we should always do.
A great many people think they are thinking when they are really rearranging their prejudices.
Edward R. Murrow
Too true in todays society. Just learn a little and think about it people, thats all.
"Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited to all we now know and understand, while imagination embraces the entire world, and all there ever will be to know and understand." -Einstein
Also very true. Academic institutions are overlooking this hardcore with their sink-or-swim educations and lack of art integration into academics. Imagination is how we got from stones to space stations, don't forget that!
"It's better to reach for the stars and fall on your face than to not reach at all" - Roy Eldridge
This is pretty much my motto. You gotta shoot for your goals, whatever they may be. If you never try you will never know if you had what it took.
“Religion is the frozen thought of men, out of which they build temples” - Krishnamurti
Well put.
"If all else fails, immortality can always be assured by spectacular error."
- John Kenneth Galbraith
Humore is always good, it can make your day!
"With or without religion, you would have good people doing good things and evil people doing evil things. But for good people to do evil things, that takes religion."
- Steven Weinberg
This is possibly the most important and moving quote i have come accross. Its so deep, and so true. Religion is in the hearts of those with faith, not for the power hungry to control the mob. (more on this in a later blog)
Summer 2007
What a craz y summer
I spent this summer as an AV tech working for the company: "Elite AVs" on the Resort at Squaw Creek property. It was fun, but was boring at times because of lack of techie stuff to do. I learned alot but I also discovered that I need to be more on the IT sides of things. I liked working with the laptops, sound systems, and projectors but i could do without the easels, flip-charts, and lighting. The pay was good and alot of the people were cool, but I don't really see myself as an AV tech. It was good experience and will look good on my resume.
The other half of my summer was spent with the trumpet. I was all set up with my effects pedal and recording apparatus, but most of everything was for practice, not too many recordings, let me know if you want to hear some stuff.
I can proudly say that I did buzzing basics at least once a day 97% of the summer. There was an occasional day off (like when i flew down to LA to see KIM! whee). I also did alot of improvisation work and transcribed a few solos by Nick Payton and Freddie Hubbard. I really want to get my hands on another Bb trumpet and a C trumpet, but i don't think the funds will allow for that as of now. About half way through July i found out that i was selected for the Kenny Burrell Scholarship at UCLA, so it looks like ill be staying a Jazz major for as long as i can!
As much as I looked forward to having a summer vacation, I miss school. Its probably because of work. At school, all i had to worry about was classes and my chops and this summer i've had to go to work almost every day. Its a shame, I would rather be in LA than in beautiful Lake Tahoe.
Among my technological shenanigans this summer were the successful hacking of my Xbox 360 to be a media server on my network, installing OSX via an iPod, editing the source code on my RAZR so that i could get my pictures off and ring-tones on, creating a remote-assistance empire out of the windows machines in my close and extended family, repairing a pair of JBL Century L100 speakers i got from a neighbor, and flashing my Linksys router with a linux build called DD-WRT to use as a client bridge among other things. The one thing i really wish i could have laid my hands on was an iPhone. All the fame that Hotz kid got for a simple little hack was crazy! If i knew i would get a new 350Z and 2 iPhones out of the deal i would have laid down the cash on day 1!
The most fun I had this summer was having my beautiful girlfrient Kim come up to see me on my birthday, and getting to fly down to see her in LA a few weeks later. Kim is AWESOME and I love her so much. She recently won the English Horn and second Oboe position in the El Paso Symphony and she's only 19!!!! CRAZY YOU GO GIRL!
Yes we went sailing and it was AWESOME!
Anyways, thats all for now. Good, productive summer. I just didn't get everything done i wanted to, but then again, who does?
I spent this summer as an AV tech working for the company: "Elite AVs" on the Resort at Squaw Creek property. It was fun, but was boring at times because of lack of techie stuff to do. I learned alot but I also discovered that I need to be more on the IT sides of things. I liked working with the laptops, sound systems, and projectors but i could do without the easels, flip-charts, and lighting. The pay was good and alot of the people were cool, but I don't really see myself as an AV tech. It was good experience and will look good on my resume.
The other half of my summer was spent with the trumpet. I was all set up with my effects pedal and recording apparatus, but most of everything was for practice, not too many recordings, let me know if you want to hear some stuff.
I can proudly say that I did buzzing basics at least once a day 97% of the summer. There was an occasional day off (like when i flew down to LA to see KIM! whee). I also did alot of improvisation work and transcribed a few solos by Nick Payton and Freddie Hubbard. I really want to get my hands on another Bb trumpet and a C trumpet, but i don't think the funds will allow for that as of now. About half way through July i found out that i was selected for the Kenny Burrell Scholarship at UCLA, so it looks like ill be staying a Jazz major for as long as i can!As much as I looked forward to having a summer vacation, I miss school. Its probably because of work. At school, all i had to worry about was classes and my chops and this summer i've had to go to work almost every day. Its a shame, I would rather be in LA than in beautiful Lake Tahoe.
Among my technological shenanigans this summer were the successful hacking of my Xbox 360 to be a media server on my network, installing OSX via an iPod, editing the source code on my RAZR so that i could get my pictures off and ring-tones on, creating a remote-assistance empire out of the windows machines in my close and extended family, repairing a pair of JBL Century L100 speakers i got from a neighbor, and flashing my Linksys router with a linux build called DD-WRT to use as a client bridge among other things. The one thing i really wish i could have laid my hands on was an iPhone. All the fame that Hotz kid got for a simple little hack was crazy! If i knew i would get a new 350Z and 2 iPhones out of the deal i would have laid down the cash on day 1!
The most fun I had this summer was having my beautiful girlfrient Kim come up to see me on my birthday, and getting to fly down to see her in LA a few weeks later. Kim is AWESOME and I love her so much. She recently won the English Horn and second Oboe position in the El Paso Symphony and she's only 19!!!! CRAZY YOU GO GIRL!
Yes we went sailing and it was AWESOME!Anyways, thats all for now. Good, productive summer. I just didn't get everything done i wanted to, but then again, who does?
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