Networked Devices at Home

I have marveled at how many devices I have on my network at the house. Beyond the usual smartphones, tablets, printers, game consoles, and even laptops; I now have my thermostat on my wireless. I can control the HVAC from anywhere via a webpage or app. It was pretty cool (no pun intended) to be on vacation and remotely change the heating/cooling schedule to save a few pennies since we were out of town. (I ended up not getting a Nest even though I still think it is neat.)

I had to get a new controller for my irrigation system - it was only as I was checking the thermostats program that I realized I should have asked about one with network connectivity. It would have saved a lot of running around the house - start zone 1, walk to check it, walk back to start zone 2, etc.

If I ever have to replace the cipher lock on my front door, maybe I need to upgrade to an August lock.

Mars

Mars... not MARS...

We can't get people to Mars yet, but if we do, hams are already wondering what propagation would be like and one speculates about how things might work.

Leixen VV-808: Alpha Display

Found this picture showing the alpha display here.

Tek Recon-Soft

A NERF-like, Laser Tag-like, Call of Duty-like game - a real virtual 3D first person shooter. Kickstarter project is here.

Leixen VV-808: Software and Company Site

The VV-808 product page is here. And thanks to Steve, here is a link to the software download for the VV-808.

Leixen company profile (via Google Translate):

"Ray Line Electronics Co., Ltd. Quanzhou was founded in 2008, is a professional wireless intercom development, production and sales of high-tech enterprises. Company is located in radio communications developed coastal cities - Quanzhou, Fujian Province. Has developed a full range of "LEIXEN" series radios. Widely used in construction, telecommunications, public security, security, flood control, restaurants, residential property management and other departments and areas.

Since its inception, has been focusing on product quality and after-sales service, product appearance, performance and quality to invest a lot of technology to consolidate and development. Team of engineers with years of experience to provide a strong technical support."

"ICOM" Radios for everyone

Not really... a variety of fakes via a story by Hans about how to make your own ICOM.

Barter

My wife would agree...

LoneNutVolFan After the apocalypse, the remaining Trader Joe's dark chocolate peanut butter cups will be the $1,000 bill in the barter currency.Sat, May 25 17:10:08 from web

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Name: Lone Nut

Location: Big Orange Country

Web: http://t.co/Wti80QS0N2

Bio: Chuck Norris wears Chris Lofton pajamas.

Following: 1588 Followers: 951 Updates: 10717

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Cross-over

So I post a little about ham radio and recently posted about the Ready Player One book that includes a lot of references to 80's video games and Easter Eggs.

Today, I read about this game that has a hidden message from one of its programmers: "DE JN1KTJ K."

Childhood's End

Finished another one... apologies to whoever recommended it. I added it to my wish list some time ago and don't recall who suggested it. Now I'm suggesting it... After reading Ender's Game, I didn't intentionally pick another book that had a mysterious alien race as the center of the story. Deeper than Ender's, this read was more thought provoking - in some ways, it simply felt like I was reading a thriller and was trying to figure out who done it. The themes, despite being written in 1953, still hold interesting questions for today. As usual, I don't do a lot of plot summary, but just post as a general recommendation for your queue if you haven't read this classic.

Buy it using my Amazon link at no extra cost to you and I can afford my next Ferrari.

Leixen VV-808: More pictures

More pictures via Taobao.com and again: