Disqus - Latest Comments for funchords

Re: WA1FSC - Yarmouth Port Weather | Personal Weather Station: KMAYARMO19 by Wunderground.com | Weather Underground

Robb Topolski — Thu, 17 Oct 2019 07:58:24 -0000

Thank you for this service to our neighborhood! 73 de KE1MO

Re: Willow Street Weather | Personal Weather Station: KMAYARMO3 by Wunderground.com | Weather Underground

Robb Topolski — Sat, 30 Mar 2019 16:20:19 -0000

I think your station is stuck on 42F ... it's 60F right now...

Re: How the Universe Remembers Information - Issue 69: Patterns - Nautilus

Robb Topolski — Sun, 03 Mar 2019 05:57:37 -0000

This is some very nice writing. Tough subject to describe to the layperson like me, but made real and sensible to me by your job. You have a gift of bringing the incomprehensible higher physics news to the common man.

Re: Arduino Tutorial: S.O.S distress signal

Robb Topolski — Thu, 28 Feb 2019 17:50:43 -0000

I just did this project and I am really enjoying my 2nd Arduino project.

In good Morse code, the intervals are all the same, or tripled.

If your short 'dits' are 150ms, then your spaces between dits and dahs are also 150ms. Not 150ms then 100ms, but all are alike at 150ms.

Also interesting to this project is that spaces between letters are three times the length of the dits, so 450ms. So to send S then O it sould be dit-dit-dit (space) dah-dah-dah where the dits and spaces between them are 150ms. The space between letters is 450ms. The dahs are 450ms and the spaces between the dahs are 150ms.

However, SOS is a Morse Code prosign and there are no spaces in prosigns. So you wouldn't SOS as dit-dit-dit (space) dah-dah-dah (space) dit-dit-dit. Instead, with prosigns, you run them together dit-dit-dit-dah-dah-dah-dit-dit-dit.

Now, you can use a declaration in the beginning to make this very nice.

/* SOS Beacon */ int ledPin = 10; int interval = 150; // set your 150ms or whatever interval you want here void setup() { pinMode(ledPin, OUTPUT); } void loop() { // S (...) three dot represents "S". for(int x=0;x<3;x++){ digitalWrite(ledPin,HIGH); // turn the LED on (HIGH is the voltage level) delay(interval); // wait for interval digitalWrite(ledPin,LOW); // turn the LED off by making the voltage LOW delay(interval); // wait for interval } /* bug - don't wait because SOS is a prosign // wait for 100ms delay(interval); */ //O(---) three dash represents "O". for(int x=0;x<3;x++){ digitalWrite(ledPin,HIGH); // turn the LED on (HIGH is the voltage level) delay(3*interval); // wait for 3*interval digitalWrite(ledPin,LOW); // turn the LED off by making the voltage LOW delay(interval); // wait for interval } /* bug - don't wait because SOS is a prosign // wait for 100ms delay(interval); */ // S (...) three dot represents "S". for(int x=0;x<3;x++){ digitalWrite(ledPin,HIGH); // turn the LED on (HIGH is the voltage level) delay(interval); // wait for interval digitalWrite(ledPin,LOW); // turn the LED off by making the voltage LOW delay(interval); // wait for interval } // wait for 5s delay(5000); }

The wait for 5s is probably a good idea for a SOS strobe. However, if this was a Titanic distress call, the pause between letters and prosigns is also three times the interval so it would be something like "SOS SOS SOS DE MGY MGY MGY 41.7N ES -49.9W SINKING 3500 SOULS SOS SOS SOS K"

DE KE1MO

Re: Dear FCC: Destroying net neutrality is not “Restoring Internet Freedom”

Robb Topolski — Fri, 28 Apr 2017 18:53:20 -0000

Prior to this episode, it was all the hardware and network could do to keep up with the growth -- speed, speed, and more speed. In the last 10 years, the incumbent ISPs -- all monopolies in their last-mile networks (and will remain so) -- are now wanting to be slicing and dicing the traffic and selling it to whomever is willing to pay them both ways.

One thing hasn't changed -- all electrons travel at light speed. THE ONLY WAY TO PRIVILEGE INTERNET TRAFFIC IS TO SLOW DOWN SOMEONE ELSE'S TRAFFIC. Net neutrality regulations preserve the status quo -- it doesn't treat all traffic equally, IT DOESN'T TREAT IT AT ALL. It puts ISPs in their traditional role -- sending traffic as fast as possible without inspecting it and slowing some down if they're not paid enough.

Re: How to Start the First 30 Days of Your Weight-Loss Journey

Robb Topolski — Sat, 20 Feb 2016 22:17:58 -0000

Oh it does not. Diet Coke has no sugar. None.

Re: How to Make Gluten-Free Lasagna

Robb Topolski — Sat, 20 Feb 2016 22:17:10 -0000

Boo on videos that start by themselves.

Re: 800-695-2500 Phone Calls and Reports

Robb Topolski — Mon, 18 Jan 2016 09:07:10 -0000

Recorded: Mary from the Diabetes Support Center -- time to replace that dusty old meter. Reported to DoNotCall complaint center.

Re: How to Start the First 30 Days of Your Weight-Loss Journey

Robb Topolski — Mon, 04 Jan 2016 12:22:42 -0000

Disappointing article. Lost all my weight drinking insane amounts of diet soda. Zero calories is zero calories, and calories count. As a walker, this article makes me think that walking is rather worthless since I'm not lifting, except that I lost 110 lbs. last year walking 3x or more a week for 30 minutes minimum, so I must be doing something right.

Most important, log your intake.

Beyond that, this article makes it sound like if you drink diet soda and don't lift, you're going to fail. That's not true.

Re: AT&T vs. FCC, net neutrality: AT&T says it’s had to kill ideas | BGR

Robb Topolski — Thu, 03 Dec 2015 15:36:20 -0000

AT&T is so well known for these PR claims that a phrase was coined for all such AT&T vaporware claims: Fiber to the Press Release

Re: Net Neutrality Finally Dies at Ripe Old Age of 45

Robb Topolski — Thu, 24 Apr 2014 08:30:42 -0000

I think we should stop pretending that the FCC is an agency that
works for the people and the common good. Instead, it works for the
biggest players in the field that it regulates. Who -- WHO? -- is asking
for paid preferential treatment? Not the websites. Not the consumers
who pay too much for Internet already. Not the little ISPs who aren't
big enough to demand the toll. Only the big ISPs will benefit.

And it's totally unnecessary. Right now, all bits travel at the speed of
light. AN ISP CANNOT MAKE TRAFFIC TO GO FASTER THAN LIGHT. So to give
preferential treatment, they can only artificially slow down
non-preferred traffic at congestion points -- at the point where the
structure of the network is already backing up traffic. Non-preferred
traffic above a certain amount or traffic experiencing a certain level
of delay will be dropped -- it must be dropped because forwarding
buffers are limited in size and it doesn't take much delay before your
network stack starts reacting to what seems like dropped packets.

The only preference that is Network-Neutral, allowed and ought to be
allowed is the one of shorter distance. This locates the data closer to
the customer requesting it. It is a natural preference -- one that is
not granted by the network programming but it is granted by the fact
that it takes less time to go shorter distances. We see this today as
CDNs. CDNs also make other traffic on the net go faster because they
reduce congestion over long-haul routes.

Re: Hidden in National Weather Service forecast: P-L-E-A-S-E-P-A-Y-U-S

Robb Topolski — Sun, 06 Oct 2013 22:34:57 -0000

NOAA didn't issue it. This is the same Product for that place and time. You can see that someone modified the statement after the fact.

000
FXAK68 PAFC 041928
AFDAFC

SOUTHCENTRAL AND SOUTHWEST ALASKA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ANCHORAGE AK
500 AM AKDT FRI OCT 4 2013

.ANALYSIS AND UPPER LEVELS...
PRESSURES AT THE CENTER OF THE WESTERN GULF SURFACE LOW CONTINUE TO
RISE AS DYNAMIC SUPPORT HAS ONCE AGAIN RUN OUT. THE UPPER TROUGH
MOVES SLOWLY EASTWARD IN THE GULF WITH THE REMAINING SURFACE LOW
TRANSITIONING INTO A BROAD COMPLEX CENTER UNDER THE UPPER LOW. WIND
SPEEDS IN THE JET STREAK DOWNSTREAM OF THE LONG-WAVE APPROACH 140 KT.
ENTERING THE BACKSIDE OF THE TROUGH...A WEAKER JET STREAK CONTINUES
DRIVING AN OVERALL PROGRESSIVE PATTERN. RAIN SHOWERS PERSIST IN THE
GULF...ALTHOUGH THE FRONT IS RAPIDLY WEAKENING EARLY THIS MORNING.
YESTERDAY`S COASTAL JET HAS WOUND DOWN WITH THE ENERGY SHIFTING DOWN
THE BACKSIDE JET BEHIND THE LOW BRINGING THE STRONGEST SUSTAINED
WINDS FROM BRISTOL BAY THROUGH THE SOUTHERN GULF.

FURTHER OUT WEST...A MUCH DEEPER SYSTEM APPROACHES THE WESTERN BERING
SEA OVER KAMCHATKA AND LOOKS TO BE THE NEXT FOCUS FOR ACTIVE WEATHER
OVER THE GREAT LAND.

Re: Marstons Mills armed robbery suspects nabbed fleeing the scene

Robb Topolski — Thu, 09 May 2013 10:41:18 -0000

Don't worry guys -- seems like most everyone has trouble with that rotary.

Re: Bank Transfer Day: Everybody Wins - TheStreet

Robb Topolski — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 10:31:57 -0000

Gwen, do not assume that there are few ATMs -- check with your credit union. They probably use a network like SUM, Co-op, or CU24 to provide a nationwide network of free ATMs. They also may be rebating ATM fees under some conditions.

Re: http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/193538/20110806/las-vegas-facebook-spam-account-king-wallace-social-indict-users-traffic-security.htm

Robb Topolski — Sat, 06 Aug 2011 09:02:35 -0000

Research Sanford (Spamford) Wallace. His stuff goes way back...

Re: Congresswoman, CALM Thyself! LA Times Eschews Eshoo Nanny State Bill to Regulate Ad Volume

Robb Topolski — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 14:11:39 -0000

We've had many decades of unregulated commercial volume and the problem has continued unabated. Unfortunately, maybe this is like smoking in public places, with the only way to get the bad actors to finally behave themselves is to ban it. I hate that it's so, but it seems so.

Re: Nanny State Says: “Shhhhh! That Commercial is Too Loud!”

Robb Topolski — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 10:18:30 -0000

Hi Berin, it'll be too bad if federal law is what's required to get commercial advertisements under control. That said, Cliff Stearns answer rings like Sen. Steven's "series of tubez" to me. Allow me to apply this thought directly to your forehead: The ad industry sometimes is a race to the bottom where the most obtrusive and annoying. It would truly be hell if every commercial is being delivered in Billy Mays's style. Thank God for DVRs. I hope the bill doesn't pass, but I hope that it lasts long enough to push the industry into fixing the problem. --Robb

Re: Free Press Hypocrisy over Metering & Internet Price Controls

Robb Topolski — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 16:25:44 -0000

Wireless is an option, but it's comparable to the question, "Do I get there by plane or bus?" The number of wireless providers offering tiers greater than 10 GB/mo. is zero, all the ones I know about turn on the punishment pricing at 5 GB.

And sticking with that example for a moment, do two companies make a healthy market that efficiently sets the right bargain price (or however economists properly phrase that question)? How many airlines service your nearest major airport?

Re: Barbara Esbin: Exclusive Handset Deals Are Pro-Competitive

Robb Topolski — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 11:46:56 -0000

If history happened differently, say that every carrier could sell the iPhone, then this sentence also makes sense,

"As every wireless carrier was able to sell the iPhone when it was initially released, it seems predictable that other handset makers would develop competing products like the Google G1, RIM Blackberry Storm, Samsung Instinct or Palm Pre, thus broadening choice and lowering costs for all."

Re: Free Press Hypocrisy over Metering & Internet Price Controls

Robb Topolski — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 11:41:01 -0000

TWC doesn't operate in a marketplace. If it did, then the much better natural process that you mention would work.

This is not a new problem -- there are hundreds of years of history in trying to avoid unreasonable rates and terms in areas where vibrant marketplaces fail to exist. (Examples: railroads, utilities)

I suppose the fact that someone is willing to pay it probably can be brought as evidence that something is fair. On the contrary, the purpose of getting a public sign-off on such schemes is so that a lot of evidence can be brought in and considered.

Re: Free Press Hypocrisy over Metering & Internet Price Controls

Robb Topolski — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 21:32:29 -0000

Since the Massa bill prohibits imposing metering "rates, terms and conditions that are unreasonable or discriminatory," I don't see anything inconsistent in supporting metering that is fairly priced.

Re: Too bad there isn’t a campaign for FCC Chairman

Robb Topolski — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 18:50:43 -0000

It would be great if the next FCC chair was a ham and an Internet fan. It certainly would help to have more technically savvy folks in the big chairs than we do now. Too bad there isn’t a campaign for FCC Chairman, I'd vote for you! ;-)

Re: Market Forces At Work: The PR Backlash Against Google Chrome’s EULA

Robb Topolski — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 23:34:16 -0000

Google's browser exists in a universe where there was zero friction -- it was a new entrant in a highly competitive market and it had exactly 0% of it. Of course the marketplace speaks in a situation like that.

Your first-sentence reference to Network Neutrality isn't exactly the same, is it? Most U.S. addresses have only one or two broadband choices. Customers don't have the same ability just to slide over to the any number of alternative broadband providers as they do to switch web browsers.

And lest we forget that this controversy was about an item in the Terms of Service that was available to be scrutinized. The broadband providers, so far, are not being very forthcoming as to the real terms and limits and privacy invasions within their services.

Robb Topolski

Re: Why I say I'm a blogger (Scripting News)

Robb Topolski — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 17:27:27 -0000

With respect, Dave, I somewhat disagree. Some of the best journalism has been the "undercover camera" type of interview with discloses actual behavior versus "on camera" behavior. Furthermore, one of the neat things that bloggers do is to blog about the outcome of a string of events that didn't start out intended as a blog entry, but ended up being one.

Robb Topolski

Re: A new reason to hate Comcast (Scripting News)

Robb Topolski — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 22:06:51 -0000

If anyone reading this is in the Bay Area tomorrow, I hope you drop by the FCC hearing at Stanford, noon-7pm with public comments starting at 4:30 p.m.. See www.fcc.gov for the location address and agenda.

You can watch it on VonTV tomorrow, too, or listen to the RealAudio feed from the FCC site.