Fix for Belkin USB Wireless G F5D7050 V2

I know this adapter is several years old, and is essentially old technology. I was given one recently to replace a Linksys PCIMCIA wireless card I had that was damaged. I installed the driver for the Belkin USB card and set up my WPA-PSK TKIP encryption using Windows, killed the Belkin manager (because I really find extra software annoying), and was off. It worked fine for a few minutes, then the connection dropped. I uninstalled and reinstalled it, same thing. I turned to the Belkin manager, and experienced the same thing. After some poking around, I found it kept defaulting to WPA-PSK AES encryption, which is incorrect for my setup. So finally I dug into the driver a little.

I opened f5d7050v2.exe in WinRar and extracted the files, since the file is a self extracting CAB file, then ran Windows through the installation specifying where I extracted the files to. Windows then prompted me for the CD for the card, which I didn't have, but I knew wasn't going to have RT2500usb.SYS. Unfortunately WinRar cannot open the CAB files that were extracted from f5d7050v2.exe, so I was stuck with what was there. Looking at the files present, RT2500~6.SYS looked suspiciously like the file requested, so I renamed it, and viola, Windows accepted it, and a few seconds later, I was online. rt25u98.sys was another option, but I believe that is for Win98 or such.

I left the computer on for a while, and several hours later, the connection is still solid. So the problem is a bug in Belkin's software insisting on it's preferred encryption over what you specify, so when Windows(?) tries to refresh the connection(?), Belkin's software tells Windows what encryption type to use, and kills the connection.

Belkin USB F5D7050 V2

Ideas I wil likely never be able to do

Efficient flight:
Perhaps this one is being done already, but a efficient way to make flying robots is to make it fly like a bee. Take two 'fan blades' and make them row, like a row boat.

Angle: /
Direction: ->
then
Angle: \
Direction: <-


Restaurant:

I'm sure you have seen those water fountains that have a pipe going up the center, then have the water flowing out to make a mostly fully enclosed bubble. Super size this, put the pipe up over the bubble (so it is outside the bubble), and make a restaurant inside. Even better, make the inside floor glass (floating!) and put an aquarium underneath. Then to get in or out, you can have an elevator (made of glass) to move in and out, or you can have an oversized breathing glass like divers used to use many years before, to hold a bubble above the riders, as they go under the water and under the bubble.

One benefit of the bubble, is the air inside the restaurant is always filtered and cooled. Also, noise from outside will be muted/dampened. Similarly, rain from outside will be caught in the bubble.

Auto drive cars:

RFID embedded in the signs and in the center of the lanes would allow cars to drive themselves. If you also add RFID/radio to the cars for one type proximity sensor (as well as cameras and radar), your vehicle could tell when a vehicle is going slower than yours and respond accordingly. Also, when the road forks, the RFID chips in the road can inform of this and how far the vehicle needs to turn, so the GPS can decide which route to take. Furthermore, traffic conditions that are broadcast can be received and the GPS can plan the re-route.

One of the problems obviously is security. If people hack the signs or lanes, that would cause issues. Another issue is cost. While RFID chips can be had for pennies, when you consider that (in the USA alone) there are over a million miles, then the pennies add up, especially when you factor in the embedding costs and the re-embedding/re-programming costs for construction. Yes it could be rolled out over the next decade, but until all the roads have it consistently, it will be just a neat idea, not a practical one.

Stove/Microwave/etc clocks auto set:

Honestly, with Atomic clocks and wireless internet so prevalent, why do I still have to set my stove and microwave clock whenever the power goes out? And why do I have to set it back/forward for Daylight savings? Radio and/or wireless chips for determining the time and setting it are only a few dollars, and for items like that, it isn't much to add, especially for the feature of "Never set your time again".

I will post more ideas as I get them.

Google and the moon?

Let me first say that this post is 'on the lighter side of things', and is not intended to be serious. That said, don't discount the possibilities.

If you haven't heard about Google's offering to anyone who can launch a lunar rover to the moon, then read up. Why might Google want this to be done?

Servers. Yes, that's right. If Google could launch servers to the moon at a low $30 Million, it would be cheaper. Why? Many reasons.

1. Physical security. Not just anyone can get to the moon. And of those that could, they would be known, and can be monitored. Furthermore, any data they send could be monitored and/or jammed, or their landing location would be determinable for pickup. Plus Google has eyes watching the moon at their whim, giant eyes in the sky. Physical security overrides every other security.

2. E-Security. Even if there is some noteworthy flaw in the server's security or Google's access to these machines, there would be small windows of time when the machines could be contacted. This would mean that the times to watch for attackers would be much smaller. Furthermore, since Google would be the only one officially accessing it, it would be easy to filter by IP, MAC address, etc. They could also use very precise laser communication so you have to have a certain physical location to have any access.

3. Space. Yes, there is almost limitless space available up there for the taking. If Google launched their servers up there, it would be at least a few years before real estate would be in more demand up there. So Google could claim say, 20 acres for nothing but servers. They wouldn't need a building, as there wouldn't be rain or storms or people.

4. Electricity. Since space would be at practically no cost--just the cost to get there and set up, Google could have massive solar arrays to power the servers. Power would be 'free'.

5. Cooling. Probably one of Google's largest issues right now. The fact that the moon has only 1/4 of an inch of dust covering rock, and since rock is a fairly good conductor of heat, the moon could be used as a giant heatsink. Furthermore, if machines were used to drill into the rock, liquid (or compressed gas) could be pumped into the rock to extend the depth of the heatsink.

So, is free cooling, 'free' power, free land and free security worth the cost of flying (several trips) to the moon? Well, since data centers cost millions by themselves, and the staff to run it costs a minimum of $50K/person/year, for at least 100 people, and land around here typically goes for hundreds of thousands by the acre (plus the cost of preparing it), , plus security, plus electricity, plus.... It probably is worth tens of millions to do it.

Is there a lunar data center in the future? I guess we will have to ask the man on the moon, as he would be the one Google has to negotiate with.

ZunePhone? 30 ways I say "NO THANKS!"

Microsoft is saying there may be a possible 'ZunePhone" in the near future. Due to Microsoft's software (OS) track record, I think I'll pass. Why?

1. When you go to a cellphone company, they would only be allowed to offer ZunePhones.
2. When you buy a plan, the phone will come preinstalled. If you want to use another phone, you will have to buy it and put it on the plan yourself.
3. When you power the phone on, it will take several minutes to boot.
4. When you first turn on the phone, you will have to activate the phone within 30 days lest it cease to work or go into 'reduced functionality mode', meaning it will only accept calls from telemarketers.
   
5. You will only be able to change phones settings a maximum of 3 times in 6 months or you will have to call Microsoft to reactivate your cellphone plan.
6. During a call, the phone might lockup forcing you to pull the battery.
7. Upon powering on again, the phone might bluescreen.
8. You would have to purchase extra software to take notes or manage your contact list.
9. You might have to put up with Clippy's "You appear to be making a call, would you like to...."!
10. On patch Tuesday you will have to click "Later" on the update popup.
11. If you keep auto update enabled, you will have to fear that the update might brick your phone or lead to a "red ring of death".
12. If you accept the update, you will have to fear it will force you to restart the phone no matter what you are doing, or be bugged to death every time you open the phone.
13. You will have to fear Microsoft might push an update that causes your phone to declare you are a pirate and automatically call Microsoft so they can demand payment, or your phone will not work for other calls (not even 911)!
14. You will have to install drivers for every device your phone connects to.
15. You will have to worry Microsoft will save your documents in a format they will cease supporting or providing software to read it within 2 years.
16. You will have to fear Microsoft might secretly without your consent or knowledge be collecting information about your calling habits for who knows what.
17. You will have to fear Microsoft might intentionally lock out competing programs.
18. You will have to "Continue" on every action, including every call you make or accept.
19. If you surf the internet with your phone (or even if you don't) you will have to fear contracting malware which will slow your computer down.
20. You will have to run an antivirus program as well as a firewall on your cellphone, however, with the firewall up, you will be unable to receive calls, and with the antivirus running, you will be unable to accept text messages or file transfers from trusted friends.
    
21. You will have to learn a new phone, interface, and location of settings every two years when Microsoft 'rewrites' their phone from 'scratch' and breaks all compatibility with old phone files (ex phonebooks).
22. Your phone will be prettier than the iPhone, will look much like the iPhone, but will actually do less.
23. Your phone will tell Microsoft whenever a program crashes, so Microsoft can make it crash more elegantly next time.
24. Your phone will require regular tune ups to keep it performing at peak speed.
    
25. Your phone will require you to download a new version of Windows Media Player every time you change your ring tone, so you can't use the ringtone you purchased on third-party devices or other phones you may own.
26. Every time you change cell towers (when moving down the road), you will receive a "new hardware found" message.
27. If you go into roaming, the phone will try to reinstall everything over again.
28. Sound memos will either be stored in large wave format, or a Microsoft DRM'ed sound format, tying the memos to that phone and only allowing you to listen to it if Microsoft gives you permission.
29. Images taken with the built in camera will be stored in Microsoft's mdi format which can only be read by Microsoft programs.
    
30. You will have to press the Start button to turn it off.
    

Password 'Security'

I am continually finding myself more and more annoyed by admins, websites, etc that force you to make a 'secure' password. Now don't get me wrong, I am security conscious, and I applaud efforts to prevent easily guessed passwords, but making password requirements such as "must contain 1 uppercase and 1 lowercase letter and 1 number" are the most frustrating.

Why? Well, because it forces you to have 37 different passwords, guaranteeing you will forget it or write it down, thus defeating the 'security'. Furthermore, by making rigid requirements, they also limit what a brute force attack would have to go through to find the password. Strongly recommending such requirements would be better than forcing the user to write down the password on a stickynote.

I like GNU's password 'requirements' of "this isn't a secure password, are you sure?"

Serving who?

This article makes me mad. And I'm not even affected by it! Virginia is now charging the custodial parent (i.e. the parent owed) a $25 fee to help the parent (who obviously needs the child support or they wouldn't care) to 'help' collect the owed child support.

Justice?

Here is a better (and much more practical!) idea: all deadbeat parents in the state would have their license revoked until they pay the child support due, or at least work out a payment plan, AND they pay the $25 fee for forcing the state to go after them, and they also pay the full and normal fee associated with loosing and reapplying for their license.

Now, this plan won't help much with deadbeat parents out of state (or who suddenly decide to move out of state, but with a little encouragement, the other states might be willing to implement similar plans. I mean, if the Passport office can recoup money from deadbeat parents, surely the states can use similar means to get the owed money back.

Honestly, what deadbeat parent doesn't need a driver's license? Justice should be served, not padding pockets. JUSTICE!

Google StreetView

I just noticed Google released a new feature on Google Maps. It appears to me it was released less than an hour ago even. [Correction: Google StreetView has apparently been out for a couple days now. Thanks you Ilker from The Thinking Blog] Reviewing it I think Google is off to a great start. Admittedly, there is still a long way to go, but it is a glimmer of what is to come, and what can be done.

Presently, the images are clear only to a few feet at any detail, i.e. it appears each shot is equivalent to about a 3Megapixel camera; you can make out faces on the side of the road if they were standing 2 steps from the vehicle. On one hand, for privacy concerns, this is a good thing for those who were passed. On the other hand, detail is desirable. I will note however, that this is obviously an early stage in the feature, as only a few hundred roads in major cities are available, and these are primarily major roads. Given a few more years, I think it is certain Google will be able to obtain higher quality images and of more roads, probably even your road soon.

Right now what you see has a lot to be desired. You can get a good idea of the road if you are a visual driver, but with trucks on the side of the road and people walking around, a lot is blocked. Later, I speculate Google will recapture many of the busy streets so they can edit out people, vehicles, and construction. Yet having people and vehicles in the picture gives the images a life of sorts, makes them interesting, rather than appearing to be ghost towns/cities. The images as they are presently, with people in them also gives a glimpse into the buzz and the life of the city or town.

There are other interesting possibilities opened up with the new StreetView. With all the images captured thus far (and soon to be captured), Google can create 3-D views of buildings beside the road, as they have captured at least 3 angles of the building on one face. Google can use this 3d model and the location to place a label, ex: Lincoln Memorial or the US Mint (neither are presently viewable in StreetView). Furthermore, as Google has phone listings and website listings, they can link the phone number or website to the view of the building. Imagine you are driving past a shop that has had problems with vandalism in the past and you heard in the news the owner is offering a reward for information that helps stop the vandalism. You drive past and notice a vandal in the act, but you don't know remember phone number. You grab your phone, go to Google Maps, and select your current location (provided by GPS; this is something privacy advocates hate but it appears rather inevitable, and Google will love it as it aids in providing their context based advertising), and you are able to get the phone number (and even the linked news article regarding the reward) and call the shop owner to report the vandalism in progress, and even take a picture for proof (with the built in camera in your phone).
Alternatively, you are driving around a city you have never been before, and Google Maps is providing you live view of your step by step driving directions (which is accounting for the construction and accidents provided by Traffic), and you are able to go to the museum while your kids are surfing the website planning what all you they want to do there--and your decision to go was spur of the moment. After you picked up your kids, you just told Google Maps you wanted to go to the Nature museum, and Google knew where that was based on your location and the data available.

And the nice thing? All this is available now, or could be in coming months.