Canmore's Blog

Let's start with something easy: A null modem cable is definitely not an RJ45 network cable. Furthermore, it won't work when plugged into a VGA connector.

Now it's becoming more advanced: If your IP address is 10.0.0.1 and the IP address of another device that is connected via a cross-over network cable to your computer is 192.168.0.1, you should change your IP address. No, it won't work if you use 192.168.0.1, too. And no, the device will not change its IP address on its own.

And a last one (at least for now): File names are very sensitive. They get angry if you do not use their real name. Keep in mind that these involves the case and the file extension. For example: ID10t is not equal to iD10T. The file extension is sometimes not shown by Windows. You might consider using a real operating system. However, true IT pros know an amazing trick: They are able to tell Windows to permanently show the file extension!

We all know that some people boast about their virtually non-existant skills. "Project Epsilon" tries to teach them at least a very small part of the subject involved. Hence, it is called epsilon, just like the mathematical epsilon that is used to describe small numbers.

Please keep in mind that the events described in "Project Epsilon" actually happened. Sad, but true.

You are able to participate: Either send me your own stories, which I will publish, or start your own "Project Epsilon". I am looking forward to hearing from you.

It is now official. My ISP is stupid: They installed two separate lines for Intarweb access. Everybody has been issued a public IP address, which is OK for me. But the WTF is slowly approaching: Furthermore, two NAT gateways with two different IP addresses were enabled.

This meant: Packets from our public IP addresses were changed so that they originated from one of the NAT gateways. Since the...let's call it "load balancing" was quite random, TCP/IP packets from one stream had two different source addresses. Most servers did not like this. In addition, since there was no port forwarding, SIP/STP did not work, either. Too bad for this ISP, which prides itself with 'VoIP-ready' connections...

The above may look like a rant. It is, in fact, just a comical relief, trying to enhance the (ahem) content of this blog.

My software practical is finished. The task was quite interesting: Develop a software remote control that allows people to control RCX robots over the local network (or the Intarweb).

I did this project with two of my friends: Carlos and Lutz. Although we worked hard, it was overall a very fun experience. Project data is available at the IWR (Institut für Wissenschaftliches Rechnen).