Dev::Blog

New additions to the Lab:

Plantronics DSP-400 Headset: I’ve been meaning to pick up a headset for a while for late night Skype calls, mostly for the microphone - there are 2 doors between the office and the bedroom, but shouting at the computer when there’s a bad connection isn’t the best way to help someone sleep. I was going to just get a cheap headset with the separate headphone and microphone jacks, but in the end I opted for a USB model. I’m really happy the the decision. The cable is 3 metres long, so I can actually get out of my chair, and the volume control on the remote controls the main OS X volume. The only thing I wish it had was a way to detach just the headphones (leaving the USB connection) for those moments when you need to go more than 3m.

Inspired by my new monkey powers, I also sprang for Skype voicemail. Now, if they’d just offer Canadian numbers with SkypeIn, I’d be a happy happy guy. Skype’s not the best VoIP service I’ve ever used, but the mobility and productivity it gives me is awesome. (Y’all can call if you want - I’m ThrustLabs. No guarantee I’ll answer, but hey! Voicemail!)

D-Link DI-524 wireless router: My Linksys router gave up the ghost last week, and after a horrible experience with a Netgear repacked model (I will never, ever, ever again buy a repacked piece of hardware), I was up and running with the D-Link model. It’s smaller, and seems punchier and more reliable - I might even give the ol’ “running a home server” option a try, what with my static IP and all (if not a web site, possibly some persistent services on other ports that would normally require a dedicated box).

Belkin Firewire 6 port hub. If you use Firewire, get one now. Especially if you’ve got an iMac, as I mentioned earlier. All of a sudden, stuff is working. My external hard drive that wouldn’t mount, that I thought I was going to have to go all DiskWarrior on? It’s moving files as we speak. The iSight and iPod are both on (note to self: figure out something to do with the iSight. Nobody needs to see my ugly mug), and I’m itching to transfer some DV, something that’s actually an option, thanks to my backup drive. Rawk.

Now I just need to generate some revenue for all the other stuff that’s on my list…