free the bird - Part 34

My newest computer, the Toyota Pruis

This thing is extremely hackable, but since I have a very expensive warranty I will take my time voiding it. I’ve updated the built-in bluetooth headset functionality (the Prius uses the stereo speakers and a mike built in to the roof near your head) with my entire address book from my Treo 700p – just set the Prius to import, select a category to export on the Treo, and it will upload all contacts, ready to be dialed from the dashboard. I’ve added a few commands to the voice-activation system. The remaining wishlist:

Add an EV button to force the Pruis into electric-only mode
Enable dashboard controls while in motion
Gain video access to the dashboard screen

This stuff is all very doable, and demonstrated in many places online. The 2007 Pruis is still a bit “undiscovered” though, so I will bide my time and proceed with caution…

Comments (2) | Tuesday, February 6, 2007

Duelling Wireless Routers

From the “better than banjos” department… (continued…)

Comments | Tuesday, December 19, 2006 [ hardware * lan ]

Keeping Gentoo Humming

Knocked out my mythtv box with a hasty half-finished emerge, making the whole family disappointed in the loss of movies and TV. Here’s how to stage an upgrade properly. (continued…)

Comments | Sunday, December 17, 2006

boost update

Time to update boost to version 1.35 under linux, now that I’ve updated it under Windoze. (continued…)

Comments | Wednesday, November 29, 2006

Moving to VC++ 8

I used to use all the beta Microsoft products, now I find it more efficient to move up when I’m ready – and when things have matured. However, a look at the boost regression tests shows that VC7.1 support is getting a bit lean, at least for the serialization library I use. So… time to move on up. Here is how the upgrade from 7.1 to 8.0 went for my HangTheDJ project… (continued…)