blog.arithm

Gettting TCP connections to work on an AT&T BlackBerry

nurikabe — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 03:42:04 +0000

If you’re trying to run an app that requires TCP connectivity and find it to be mysteriously failing, then probably your BlackBerry is missing it’s APN settings. See Options -> Advanced Options -> TCP.

There are four recommendations floating around the net. So far, this works for me:

APN: wap.cingular
Username for APN:
Password for APN:

Other allegedly successful access patterns, eg:

APN:
Username for APN:
Password for APN:

APN: proxy
Username for APN:
Password for APN:

APN: isp.cingular
Username for APN:
Password for APN:

would appear to be lies and damned lies.

On the backend, bad APN’s will fail with “Invalid tunnel name” if the device can’t figure out what type of network connection you’re trying to use, otherwise “Open tunnel - failure” if it thinks it can connect but authentication fails.

…

Oh BlackBerry people, why have you made basic networking so complex? We’re starting to think we can’t afford to support network-enabled apps on your devices. Life is so much easier on the iPhone…

Epo and Layla

nurikabe — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 00:59:45 +0000

Today Epo-chan stopped-by for a visit.

It was a lot of fun. Did we finally find our babysitter?

Good luck Epo! We’re going to Jamaica!!

“Cat with Bow Golf”, and other addicting Flash distractions

nurikabe — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 20:18:53 +0000

Just discovered at me via Facebook, the ultimate time sink.

DOFI-BLOG, a blog about games, life. Simple yet addicting Flash games. Try “Cat with Bow Golf” and “Slug Slayer”. Genius! Now somebody please confiscate my mouse.

じいじ馬鹿

nurikabe — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 19:51:43 +0000

Got a note from Japanese Grand Papa (”Jiiji”) in Nagoya. He and “Baaba” have been obsessed with getting clothes for Layla. A couple of days ago he apparently spotted a cute little Santa outfit and, without a second thought, whipped out his wallet and snapped it up.

Walking proudly out of the store he noticed that a number of people shopping with dogs in tow. Looking around he also noticed that the store mannequins were… dog shaped. He made his way back to the sales counter and asked, tentatively, “This wouldn’t happen to be a dog outfit, would it?”

“Of course” replied the confused sales clerk.

Fortunately Jiiji returned the outfit.

Bulk Rename Utility: The Missing Link of Utility Software Awesomeness

nurikabe — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 00:12:45 +0000

The Bulk Rename Utility is a free Windows app from the makers of ViceVersa.

And it is awesome.

Of course, this is something only a true geek like myself can get excited about… but in all honesty it is the single most welcome addition to my arsenal of software tools in many years.

Every so often (or, as seems to be the case lately, every freaking day) I need to rename a large number of files from pattern X to pattern Y. Usually this involves firing up Cygwin and working out some kind of rename script snippet. Not rocket science this, but enough to make me groan inwardly.

I’ve tried a couple of rename utilities over the years; none powerful enough to replace script writing.

BRU is different. You can see from the screenshot that it has intuitive (well, kind of) filters for just about any possible renaming combination. Best of all it gives you a preview of how your files will be renamed… before you accidentally mung that entire directory tree. BRU includes many, many more features, including exotic transformations such as renaming photos from EXIF extensions as well as renaming MP3 files using ID3 tags.

Anyway, enough gushing of the geekery. It’s a nice tool. Recommended.

Epiphany

nurikabe — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 18:19:54 +0000

“Only websites with over 100,000 daily page views across user pages are eligible to participate in the Google AdSense API program…”

nurikabe — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 23:37:21 +0000

What the.. This is annoying. And all I wanted to do was write a hack to see my AdSense pittance from within WordPress.

Bunny Layla

nurikabe — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 05:01:02 +0000

Bump

nurikabe — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 12:00:43 +0000

Remember when Fox called this a “Terrorist Fist Jab”?

Whatever the future may hold, today is a good day.

For the fear of taxes…

nurikabe — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 03:59:13 +0000

This whole Obama tax misquote propaganda thing is getting out of hand.

As seen on Facebook:

McCain Supporter changes status to “thinks she better run and buy her new ride today before all her money is taken by taxes after tomorrow”
Obama Supporter changes status to “ is wondering if the is making over 250k a year, and if so, can he get a bit of the action. Hook a brother up!”
at 1:24pm November 3
Apparently you don’t watch the news, you only need to make $120K to get screwed now.
at 2:03pm November 3
Hmmm… haven’t heard that on the stations I watch. Send me a link.
at 2:09pm November 3
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G88ebXY2uaI
Bill Richardson stumping for Obama
at 2:20pm November 3
That clip says if you make <120k, you’ll get a tax cut. It does not say that if you make over it, you’ll get a tax increase, which is what I’m assuming you’re referring to. Are you defining getting screwed as not getting a tax cut, or by having your taxes raised?
at 2:24pm November 3
It’s only a matter of time.

Moment of Zen
at 2:26pm November 3
In 5 billion years, the sun will turn into a Red Giant. After a few million years, it will become a White Dwarf. Then, after tens of billions of years, it will burn out. It’s only a matter of time.

The Obama guy was honest enough to follow the McCain-ite’s bulletproof logic through to it’s natural and inevitable conclusion: If Barack Obama is elected to the Presidency of the United States of America, the sun will cease to shine. He’ll get your money… AND YOUR SUNLIGHT.
BOOGAH BOOGAH BOOGAH!

Oy vey. Go Obama.