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Forum
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RE: Thinking about dumping the landline
Can't think of any emergency where the phone companies or governement would shut down any commnication service short of a popular revoltion against the govenment and then I doubt you having phone service is a pressing need. Wasn't shut during 911, or Katrina. THe only thing that shuts it is damage to the service itself and is more likely to hit cell towers then land lines. I think we are getting way off OP subject.While you may get a dial tone, you may not have service. When infrastructure is damaged after a natural disaster, service is prioritized. If there is limited capacity for circuits, residential users are at the bottom of the priority list. This would explain the inability for people in a disaster zone to call out or to receive calls from loved ones outside the disaster zone. So the answer to the question whether a land line will always be there for communications is no. As for your statement that the phones worked after Katrina, with major phone switches underwater after that storm, I can tell you from personal experience that the land lines did not always work.
Strangely enough when the phone lines were out, I was able to text an Officer in flooded MS and allow him to talk with his wife texting.
His wife and kids relocated to North Alabama for safety. The wife bought a cell phone the next day and I taught her how to text.
They are back in MS now, but I still get an occasional text from them. Nice folks.
For the record, I'm not a texter, but knew how.
I don't have a clue how texting is different from regular cellular antennas, but it worked for us during Katrina.
I now have a cell with a keyboard, just in case...
For another example - I was working in the DC area when we had the earthquake last year (I know - You people in Arizona and California were laughing about that). I was not able to use a land line, and the Cell circuits were all busy. I was able to make a voice call to my wife at home using skype and the data connection on my cell phone.
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RTompkins3
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04/07/12 10:37pm |
Technology Corner
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RE: Getting spammed with Norton installed.
My DW and I have Norton installed in each computer and are "lynksed".
The spam is appearing on my computer and not hers. The spam appears in the body of whatever is up. Hers has a blank space where my spam appears.
DW has windows 7 and I have Vista. The spam started showing up about two months ago and now it is out of control. E-mailed Norton, no reply.
Is there anything simple I can do to stop or slow it down ?
Kerry
Please note that spam is not necessarily caught by antivirus software as it is email. Spam may be sent by a virus or a trojan, but incoming spam is only an email. If it contains a virus, then the automatic email virus scan should catch it, otherwise not so much. Some mail clients and mail services have spam (or junk mail) filtering included in the package. Some antivirus programs include a spam filter as part of the package as well, but it generally has to be turned on.
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RTompkins3
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04/07/12 01:15pm |
Technology Corner
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RE: Ipad2 can't connect to Lynksys router
I've used this 3rd party open source firmware on an old WRT54G linsys router and have had no problems with current equipment attaching to it. It completely replaces the firmware with a much more versatile firmware. It can even turn the router into a wifi repeater as well
URL:DD-WRT router firmware
This turns the run of the mill low cost router into a high end (at least the software capabilities) router.
Today I switched to a cable ISP from DSL and got 10x the speed at less cost. The only remaining problem is that my wife's Ipad2 will not connect to the Lynksys router. I Googled the problem and it seems fairly widespread. The router is four years old and Lynksis will not talk to me without a $70 fee and that is enough of the price for a new router that I am not inclined to pay it.
The Ipad asks for the password and then will not connect.
Any suggestions?
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RTompkins3
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04/05/12 07:40pm |
Technology Corner
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RE: what hose did the squirrel chew?
They might be the vapor return lines for the evap system for the emission control system. They would go back to the gas tank. After a while, you might see the check engine light come on.
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RTompkins3
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04/03/12 03:30pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: How long does a propane tank last
Conversion for 30 lb propane tank = 7.1 gallons of propane. Check the fuel usage specs on the generator using propane vs. gasoline. 5 gallons of gasoline would be equivalent to about 6.8 gallons of propane. (5x1.36), as there is less overall energy per unit volume in propene vs. gasoline.
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RTompkins3
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03/15/12 05:50pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: fax machine
I have used Vonage to send a fax from my multi purpose printer. I haven't tried to receive a fax, though. What I usually do is use an internet based fax for both send and receive, using either my portable scanner or the scan function of my MPP to get the doc onto the computer in a PDF format.
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RTompkins3
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03/15/12 05:11pm |
Technology Corner
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RE: WILSON AMP for better CELLPHONE Srvc-Survey Completed-TKS
See this link: for wireless installation , and for direct connect and another wireless connect
These are all 4g lte only, and another amp is needed for CDMA/3G use.
AFAIK thete are No amps currently on the market that handle verizon lte 4g
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RTompkins3
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03/09/12 05:41pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Internet when bonndocking
Aircards (by aircard I'm talking about USB or older PCMCIA cards) don't have a wifi component as they are hardwired to the computer through the USB connector or PCMCIA connector - no wifi component at all, therefor no wifi security issues at all. The cell side of the connection has the same security as the cell phone or the mifi connections.
The mifi and smartphone wifi security is the same as any other wifi router - and it depends on how you set up the wifi side of the security on the hotspot. The Cell side is identical between devices. For my hotspots I set up with WPA2 personal security, which is the same that I use for my home wireless network. That means that the wifi side of my hotspots is as secure as the wifi at home, and at work. I also do not broadcast the SSID of any of my wifi connections. In addition, I use the ability to designate the mac id of the wifi on the device to only allow connections by designated mac id's. Other than some sophisticated hacking, I think I'm as secure as we can be and still use wifi at all.
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RTompkins3
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03/03/12 09:12pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Is ATT throttling your unlimited data? Maybe small claims?
Already happening, at 250 Gig for ComCast (Xfinity) here in Maryland, although 250 Gig is a LOT of data.
Just like fast food joints. The more they offer the more people will eat.
When we were on satellite they cut you back on speed down to phone modem speeds and they said then that 5% of users were Hogs, eating up way more then they're share, but it seems that the Percentages are way higher now since they offer more devices with more capabilities. As usual, something has to give and once again it's the customer.
I fear that even cable will be throttled after too many people start heavy streaming of tv amd movies.
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RTompkins3
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02/29/12 07:04pm |
Technology Corner
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RE: Propane Switchover Question
Take a look at this link. It's to the Marshall mfg co, and has all the info about the change over valve and the "extra" regulator, as well as info about servicing the system:
Marshall Gas 5th wheel setup
and here are the related posts:
Propane Leak from Autoswitch thread
On my old TT, the marshall regulator would switch from tank 2 from tank 1, when Tank 1 was empty.
On this new fiver, it's similar in it's configuration - there is a marshall auto switch over, but here's the difference
On Tank 1 - the connection is directly from the propane tank to the regulator. On tank 2, there is some sort of regulator (looks like a pressure reducer of sorts) that the hose connects into, and then from the regulator to a galvinized (or black) pipe to the space where the Marshall Cutover/regulator is located and then a flexible hose from the pipe to the regulator.
From there it feeds the rest of the fiver's propane supply.
There are two oddities.
1. What is the "secondary" regulator near tank 2 for?
2. I had the unique opportunity to have tank 2 out of the fiver, I inadvertently turned on the gas in tank 1, and then tried to flush my lines and bleed out the air in the lines.
Much to my chagrin, I found there was very little pressure in the system (barely enough to light the stove). When I went outside, I could hear the marshall regulator passing the gas through it. When I went to where tank 2 is to be placed, I could smell and hear the gas coming out of the connection hose - remember tank 2 wasn't in place yet.
My question is as follows: Should the Marshall Autocutover regulator automatically isolate the tanks from each other - or is it normal for it to back feed the "other" tank?
And if it's normal, wouldn't it "fill" the empty tank from the full tank?
Lots of questions! Thanks in advance for your help!
josh
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RTompkins3
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02/21/12 01:46pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Homeless Cat -- Now Spot the Christmas Cat
He looks like he's reading the Kindle :).
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RTompkins3
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02/13/12 04:46pm |
RV Pet Stop
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RE: Any free data base programs to recommend?
I am looking for a free data base program, something that will work with Microsoft Word for mail merge. Any suggestions? Thanks
If you really want to go big, the full installation of Oracle is available for personal use only for free as a download from Oracle product downloads. It does require a registration, but you get the full version. Only caviat is they don't want you to use it for commercial purposes without purchasing the product ($$$$+) :).
Here's the text from the web page:
"All software downloads are free, and most come with a Developer License that allows you to use full versions of the products at no charge while developing and prototyping your applications, or for strictly self-educational purposes. You can buy products with full-use licenses at any time from the online Store or from your sales representative."
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RTompkins3
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02/09/12 02:08pm |
Technology Corner
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RE: hurricane heat
We have a hurricane heating system installed in 2000 Beaver Patroit. Most heating systems today I understand are either electric or lp gas. Ours run on diesal. I would like to get some history on this system. Was it the preferred method in the year 2000?? and since then have made improvements and advancements?? I am haveing a hard time finding anyone to service the hurricane heating system. Any input from some of you more expierienced greatly appreciated.
1. Try this link to the manufacturer: hurricane heating systems
2. In 2000, as now, the "preferred" heating system in most RV's is forced air propane heat. Diesel hydronic heating is used mostly in high end motorhomes, because the diesel fuel is available and contains a lot more energy than propane, but the hydronic heating systems are a lot more expensive.
The link above has tabs to find dealers/service centers. The current model designed for RV's by this manufacturer is Oasis.
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RTompkins3
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01/27/12 03:11pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Confession of a new Smartphone user
Are you actually getting your discount on a MiFi data plan ? Every time I call Verizon I am told the discount ONLY applies to phones NOT broadband devices.
I believe that this is a true statement. I got the discount, and have received correspondence that this is a mistake and to expect it to "go away". However, it's still there, and I'm not making any waves :)
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RTompkins3
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01/22/12 04:53am |
Technology Corner
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RE: Occasional water pump turn-ons?
If you are sure that there are no plumbing leaks, then it is either the check valve on the water pump or the city water check valve. If it is either one, it's not an emergency, but should be repaired. That said, check all the joints that you can get to, then repair the check valves. If it still happens then it is probably time to remove some of the underbody panels (On my rig they are just sheets of the corregated plastic) to reach the parts of the plumbing system not accessible from one of the compartments.
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RTompkins3
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01/03/12 07:46pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Dish satellite tripod
I use this: Home Depot surveyer tripod.
works great. I mounted a regular roof mount on it, drilled holes in the ends of the legs and use stakes through the holes to hold in place if there are high winds. Most of the time, I just set it up.
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RTompkins3
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01/01/12 01:15am |
Technology Corner
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RE: Memory cards, good old days.
I have a 1983 Radio Shack catalog and it has the Model 16 TRS-80 computer for $4,999.00 with 128K RAM and no hard drive ! The optional external 8.4MB HD was $4,495.00 and you could add three secondary 8.4MB HD's for a total of 33MB at a price of $17,980.00 ! A letter quality printer (Daisy Wheel II) was $1,995.00 with optional tractor feed for an extra $289.95 !
I also have a 1990 Radio Shack Computer catalog that has a 20Mhz 386 PC with 2MB RAM and 80MB HDD for $6,999.00 ! For $1,899.00 there was a 2MB memory adapter that was expandable to 8MB @ $1,299.00 for each 2MB stick ! Also they had 344mb HDD for $2,999.00 !
My first personal computer that I owned was the Radio Shack model 4P, their version of the "lunchbox". I added MOV's to the power supply, 2 external floppies and an additional 64K of ram for a total of 128 (had to patch the L-dos os to address it) and took it on the ship where I was stationed. I got it from a friend who was a Radio Shack Store manager at a discount as it was returned and had a few scratches on the case. :B
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RTompkins3
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12/29/11 09:30am |
Technology Corner
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RE: Memory cards, good old days.
How about the line printers that had 80 type bars with the full alphabet and printed a whole line at a time? Of course you could print carbon paper with the Daisy Wheel or dot matrix printers (I wonder if the kids will even know what carbon paper is, It's just as fast now to print a new original :)).
Was it Ritchie Rich who had the robot maid named Dot Matrix?
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RTompkins3
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12/28/11 09:32pm |
Technology Corner
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RE: Tele-Marketers question
And, with the availability of VOIP internationally, it makes it easy for the telemarketers to avoid US law by calling from somewhere that has no reciprocal agreement with the US. Just another possible dodge (and with VOIP, there's no way to tell where the number is really from).
Just some of the bad with the good in technology. I think that any tech has a "dark side" :)
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RTompkins3
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12/27/11 07:48pm |
Technology Corner
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RE: Report on new 'pay as you go" wireless Internet
I would like to see something more recent than 2007 - 2009 as far as comments go.
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RTompkins3
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10/06/11 09:12pm |
Technology Corner
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