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  • SteveO 11:39 pm on January 18, 2009 Permalink | Reply  

    USBModem + Centro + SERO + PHS300 = wireless bliss 

    Hi all,
    I posted last year on getting my eee online using my Centro, but since then I’ve acquired more gadgets, many of which can benefit with wireless. These gadgets include a first and second gen iPod Touch, Android G1, and a Samsung NC10 notebook. All these work fine when at home or work as I can easily access a wireless signal. However, when I’m out and about, it’s rare I’d find an open wireless signal (yes, even here in silicon valley). Since I already have a Sprint Centro on the SERO plan (Sprint Employee Referral Option) and pay only $29/month for everything I need, I did not want to switch plans to add a “phone as a modem” option – which would run something like $30 for the full data plan plus $15 on top of that to use my phone as modem. I even considered adding a separate Sprint line with only a usb wireless adapter and get the $49.99 5GB data plan, but couldn’t see myself using the data THAT much as I simply wanted something while on the road to check prices, upload tweets, etc.

    I’ve had PDAnet and USBmodem in the past, but both didn’t work with my Cradlepoint PHS300 (this is a personal hotspot that using any wireless USB adapter). Today, I decided to give them another try and downloaded the latest trial versions. To my surprise, after I plugged in my Centro to the PHS300, started USBModem, and about 35 seconds later all lights were green meaning I was connected!! I was shocked. I turned on my iTouch, went to wireless settings, and sure enough, my PHS-FREE wireless was listed. I switched to that, and opened Safari. Sweet, I was surfing! Next, I turned on my G1 (no data with T-mobile, just a pre-paid SIM), changed to PHS-FREE, then opened CompareEverywhere. Scanned a barcode and within seconds had a list of local and online stores offering that product!!!

    I’m so glad I decided to try this tonight! No more searching for “pay as you go” wireless plans. I’ll stick with my SERO plan and USBmodem. I do have a ScottEVest jacket so I don’t mind loading it up (worried about the spring-summertime, though. Manbag in my future?). Anyway, just wanted to post this (to keep my 1 post per week goal).

    SteveO (in wireless bliss)

     

    • llflex 9:50 pm on May 26, 2009 Permalink | Reply

      What's your PHS300 Firmware version and USBmodem version? Didi you set the PPP user name and password in the PHS300's WAN setting? Thanks!

    • okamotos 10:38 pm on May 26, 2009 Permalink | Reply

      I didn't do any updates to the firmware so it's what came with it (about a year ago). As for the USBmodem version, my Centro froze this weekend so I can't even power up. Yes, I set the user/password in the WAN settings.

  • SteveO 1:35 am on January 6, 2009 Permalink | Reply  

    Some 2009 goals 

    Well, it’s not a review, but I thought I’d write these down to make them more official. I’m not calling them resolutions, but goals instead (but they’re very similar).
    1. Eat better. My goal is to reduce my waist size to 32.5, which is calculated by dividing my height (in inches) + 1 by 2. I just came across Jorge Cruise and will try his 15/6 method of trying to eat only 15 grams of sugar and 6 carbo servings per day. This is way more extreme than Atkins (from the carbo perspective). LoseIt and WeightBot on my iPod Touch should be able to help me (although it doesn’t track sugar grams).
    2. Post more on my blog. When driving to work, I often think about things I can write about, but don’t seem to find the time to do it. A goal of everyday is not going to happen, so let’s aim for once a week. Anything better is a bonus.
    3. Read more on my Kindle. I bought it several months ago and really got into it, but haven’t read much in the last several weeks. This may have been due to the hectic holiday schedule, but my goal is at least a book a month. I’m current finishing up William O’neil’s excellent book “how to make money in stocks”.
    4. Continue to play with the kids. I have the best two kids in the world (most of the time) and they’re a ton of fun.
    5. Spend more time taking photos. I recently purchased a Canon 5d MkII (5d2 for short) and haven’t had much time to put it thru its paces. I plan to read the manual cover to cover (too bad there’s no Kindle version) and will learn and test every feature.
    6. Make more money in stocks. Plain and simple. A stretch goal is to surpass my salary. If 2009 is anything like 2008, this may be hard, but not impossible.
    7. Try new recipes at least once a month.
    8. Build a playhouse this spring. I’ve already laid out the footprint, now all I need to do is wait till it’s warmer and buy some lumber. Along the same lines, I plan to do Habitat for Humanity for some days this year.
    9. Better documentation at work. Sure, it’s a work goal, but I need to keep this in mind and get it done.
    10. Do something green. I’m thinking solar, or better hypermiling, but I plan to do something to help reduce my carbon footprint.

    Well, that’s all for now. I’m sure I’ll think of more and will add to this list as necessary.
    SteveO

     

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