Geeking out
Posted: Mon Dec 04, 2023 3:38 pm
I've bitched as much as anyone about technology, but some aspects of it are so handy, I'd hate to do without.
Firstly, I bought a new TV as the old one was having software issues with the streaming apps and pissing me off, so I replaced it. The new one works perfectly AND has built-in bluetooth. As soon as I walk into the room and turn it on, it scans and says "Oh. The Old Fart is in here" and connects directly to my hearing aids. No more dicking around with headphones so I can hear the TV without pissing off the neighbors. Woot!
Secondly, I decided it was time to see about extending internet coverage to my shop which is 100 yards +/- from the house. Bought a "wireless bridge" which is a paired transmitter/receiver with an advertised range of up to 3 klicks. Got it, set it up and spent a couple of days messing with it and could NOT get a reliable WIFI signal. Pretty sure that was mostly about the 10-ish year old laptop and ancient software.
Plan B was to use a CAT5 Ethernet connection which the bridge also accommodates, but the cable between the wifi router in the computer room and the transmitter in the upstairs window (line of sight to the shop) was dead. Bought a cable tester (seeing as I'd given my old one away years ago when I quit doing commercial computer work) and found a bad plug. Fixed that and BOOM! Rock solid internet in the shop!
Next step is to take the old 43" TV, which will (or should...) work fine as a monitor, and hang it off the wall in the shop. Just need to grab an HDMI cable to connect it.
If I had running water and a cot...
Firstly, I bought a new TV as the old one was having software issues with the streaming apps and pissing me off, so I replaced it. The new one works perfectly AND has built-in bluetooth. As soon as I walk into the room and turn it on, it scans and says "Oh. The Old Fart is in here" and connects directly to my hearing aids. No more dicking around with headphones so I can hear the TV without pissing off the neighbors. Woot!
Secondly, I decided it was time to see about extending internet coverage to my shop which is 100 yards +/- from the house. Bought a "wireless bridge" which is a paired transmitter/receiver with an advertised range of up to 3 klicks. Got it, set it up and spent a couple of days messing with it and could NOT get a reliable WIFI signal. Pretty sure that was mostly about the 10-ish year old laptop and ancient software.
Plan B was to use a CAT5 Ethernet connection which the bridge also accommodates, but the cable between the wifi router in the computer room and the transmitter in the upstairs window (line of sight to the shop) was dead. Bought a cable tester (seeing as I'd given my old one away years ago when I quit doing commercial computer work) and found a bad plug. Fixed that and BOOM! Rock solid internet in the shop!
Next step is to take the old 43" TV, which will (or should...) work fine as a monitor, and hang it off the wall in the shop. Just need to grab an HDMI cable to connect it.
If I had running water and a cot...