Officially Official:

DD-WRT on NetGear WNDR3300

I have dedicated a router to my Clear connection as I have the feeling they will be terminating my service due to ‘excessive usage’. The router I am using for this is a NetGear WNDR3300 that I picked up for $50 (refurbished) at Fry’s several months ago.

The router has been working great for the past few months- but last night it decided to be difficult… Wireless would sometimes connect and I would get an IP, but I was unable to connect to anything via HTTP- even the router management interface. I tested a bit to confirm it was the router and not my laptop and decided to look for a firmware update.

There are many reports of the WNDR3300 dropping connections- and a few web sites pointed out that there is now a DD-WRT firmware version for the NetGear WNDR3300.

I downloaded the ‘initial install’ and flashed; it seems to be working as-is, so I will need to research the other versions to see if I need to upgrade further. I have used DD-WRT on older LinkSys routers and been pleased with the results. I will test on this NetGear and see how it goes…

I also did a check to see if there is a DD-WRT for my DLink DGL-4500; nothing shows up for this model, but my the former version (the DGL-4300- which I also own) indicates ‘not possible’ on the supported hardware page of dd-wrt.com. I assume this means that the DGL series does not use a compatible chipset?

AceKard 2i Firmware update fix for 1.4FW DSi

Looks like there is an update for the AceKard 2i that allows it to be used on DSi systems running firmware 1.4. (the official 1.4 update from Nintendo disabled all flash cartridges).

The complete update instructions are over at Xpertron; download the 1.4 firmware update, drop the appropriate .nds file onto the MicroSD card, boot into the AceKard 2i menu and run the firmware updater.

If you have updated your DSi to 1.4 firmware already, you will need to beg/borrow/steal a DSi with an older firmware or a DS Lite to perform the update.

It is also a good idea to upgrade to the latest AceKard 2i menu software…

I did the update using a DS Lite and it appears to work ok- but the AceKard 2i now appears as ‘Danny Phantom Urban Jungle THQ’ to the DSi….

Sony NV-U44 GPS

While at Fry’s today, I came across a cart full of discontinued (at least by Fry’s) and open box GPS units on closeout. I managed to snag a Sony NV-U44 (sans cables, software or mounting hardware) for $69- not too bad of a deal.

I immediately tried out the unit in my car and I was moderately pleased with interface and somewhat amused by the absence of POIs for things I would look for (Fry’s, MicroCenter, etc).

At home, I downloaded the Sony Nav-U desktop software and the 1.01 firmware update. I also noticed a banner ad for map updates for my Sony GPS unit; The update for 2008 to 2009 map data is $99- or $30 more than I paid for the original GPS unit…

A quick internet search revealed that there is one disc that supports all of the NV-U94T/U84/U83T/U74T/U73T/U44 units. Furthermore, the forum post was kind enough to provide RapidShare direct download links and a torrent file for download of the disc.

Another interesting piece of software that cropped up during this quest is the RapidShare Downloader form Major Share. This is an automated download tool that will watch the system clipboard for RapidShare download links, queue them up, and try to automatically download them (pausing a minute between downloads to allow the time limits to expire). The downloader also allows for filename search of files hosted on RapidShare.

Clear Usage Addendum

I have now received two automated messages and two emails from Clear stating that require my ‘Immediate Response’:

We have previously notified you regarding an issue with your account. An excessive amount of Internet traffic on your Clear connection is negatively impacting other Clear customers in your area. This can be caused by a variety of factors including for example virus or spyware on your computer, by having a wireless router with no password set or by using certain applications that may cause congestion. Until the issue is resolved, we have modified your connection to the network.

Please contact us at 888-657-1456 as soon as possible so we can assist you in resolving the issue.

Excess Utilization of Network Resources

The excessive use or abuse of Clear's network resources by one subscriber may have a negative impact on all other subscribers. Clear has adopted an Acceptable Use Policy, which all subscribers are required to follow as a condition of Service. Accordingly, you may not use the Service or take any action, directly or indirectly, that will result in excessive consumption or utilization of the system or network resources, or which may weaken network performance, as determined in Clear's sole discretion. Such prohibited actions include, but are not limited to: using the Service to host a web server site which attracts excessive traffic at your location, continuously uploading or downloading streaming video or audio, usenet hosting, or continuous uploading or downloading from file sharing web sites, when examples of such actions described above have the effect of degrading network performance and affecting other subscribers.

Violations of AUP

If you violate the Acceptable Use Policy, Clear may, without limitation, restrict your access to Clear's network, increase the fees associated with your Service, including upgrading you to a higher class of Service, or immediately suspend or terminate your Service. In the event of termination of your Service, all applicable termination charges will apply. Except as expressly provided herein, the rights and remedies of Clear are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights or remedies that Clear may otherwise have at law or in equity.

For more information on Clear's Acceptable Use Policy, please follow this link:

https://www.Clear.com/company/legal/terms.php

Thank you for your prompt attention.

This message contains information that may be confidential or privileged. The information is intended solely for use of the addressee(s). If you are not an addressee, your disclosure, copying, distribution or use of the contents of this message is prohibited. If this message has been sent to you in error, please notify the sender by return e-mail. Thank you.

I am taking a trip to Vegas soon and I am planning on using my WiMax connection while there. I have disconnected my home modem for the time being; I will resume my normal ‘negative impact on the network’ usage after I return.

To summarize my current thoughts on clear, here is a small Clear WiMax decision guide:

Use Clear if:

• You want an inexpensive alterative to bundled DSL/Cable broadband options
• You live in a large city and do not travel much

Do not use clear if:

• You do not have a ‘clear sky’ path to the nearest WiMax tower (trees included)
• You want to play online games
• You travel and need a mobile connection that will work outside of the major cities that will be receiving Clear WiMax
• You want to use you internet connection for anything beyond emails/web browsing

If I had more than 7 days to evaluate the limitations of the service I would have canceled a few weeks ago… :(

Nintendo DSi 1.4 Firmware

Nintendo has released a new firmware update for the DSi that enables the upload of photos directly to Facebook from the DSi. Kinda neat- but I don’t see it being all that useful (the cameras are 1/3MP

The 1.4 firmware also blocks all flash cartridges (including my AceKard 2i)…

Hopefully there will be an AceKard 2i update soon that will resolve this issue- and luckily I still have my old Nintendo DS that I can use to update the AceKard (as is is no longer readable in my DSi!)

In short, if you are using a flash cartridge to play homebrew/game backups/etc, do not update until there is ‘fix’. :)