A series of unfortunate hacks, network edition

So, if I know my audience, then I'm sure that this article is going to fascinate you all!

I've had a problem getting usable WiFi coverage in my house.  This is understandable as my house has lots of walls with lots of metal in them, and my WiFi server is my FreeBSD system with a cheap PCI WiFi adapter in it.  I tried adding a bigger antenna and that helped some, but connectivity still sucked in most parts of the house.

A couple months ago, I learned that power-line Ethernet adapters are inexpensive and really work.  So, I bought the cheapest set I could find (and I now see that I can get them on eBay significantly cheaper -- with shipping, about $30 each, perhaps $25 if you are patient).  One connected to my server-side switch, and the other went into my bedroom.  I connected an old WiFi router that I had to that, and set up a second WiFi network there.

This new WiFi network in that part of the house has been great for our iPhones and laptops.  Our guest room now has much better coverage (come stay and try it out!). With the Ethernet ports on the switch, I was also able to directly connect my Roku Player to the network, so streaming movies works well.

However, there was a problem.  I want the Tivo in the bedroom to talk to my PC to exchange programming.  The Tivo Desktop software requires that the systems be on the same subnet. The new router acts as a router, which means it gives out IP addresses from its DHCP server on a different subnet.  So, I've been forced to leave the Tivo on the distant WiFi network, which makes for flaky connections and slow transfers.

Yesterday, I read this article, linked from Lifehacker, about turning a router into a switch; the simplicity of this is genius -- I wish I had thought of it.  Today, I disabled DHCP on the router, and connected the upstream cable into a LAN port instead of the WAN port, and now the Tivo shows the WiFi connection is at 100% and on the same network as my PC.

Now, all the devices on my network are on one subnet (except my VOIP phones).  This should make printing possible from all the computers.  I am very happy.

Here's another small project that I should do.  I use uTorrent software to download shows selected using the website ShowRSS.  That happens automatically, but I have been manually moving the files to another directory for them to be transferred to the Tivo.  I've seen a couple different tools that should be able to move files, based on name, to the right directory.

Oh wait, my audience likely doesn't care.  Oh well. Hi Mom.

Closet Fail

RCP's closet collapsed again. Last time I managed to reattach the thingy, but I think this time we're going to have to redo the whole thing. Has anyone tried the Costco closet organization service?

Dog

We've got a dog!

Mystery Tooth Fairy

EJP lost his other front tooth.  He didn't want the Tooth Fairy to take it before he took it to school to show it off.  Then he forgot it there.  Days passed.  It came home, but didn't make it under the pillow.

The other day, we came home and were told that the Tooth Fairy left the pile of money on the floor. I don't know where the tooth is.

We can't find any adult who knows what happened.  Is one of the kids testing us?

Tooth

EJP's second top front tooth just dropped out in a slice of pizza.

SKGP's Favs

Last month was the annual father / daughter girl scout dance. There was a questionnaire that we each filled out. Here are SKGP's answers.

1. What is your favorite food? Pasta with garlic bread
2. What is your favorite toy / stuffed animal? Webkinz
3. Who is your best friend? Louisa
4. Did you ever get sent to the principal and why? No
5. What do you want to be when you grow up? A second grade teacher
6. What is your dream car? Red Prius
7. What is your favorite movie? Annie
8. What is your favorite music group? Selena Gomez and the Scene
9. Who is your favorite actor? Selena Gomez
10. What is your favorite TV show? Wizards of Waverly Place
11. What is your favorite ice cream flavor? Coffee
12. What musical instruments would you like to play? Piano
13. Who is your favorite teacher? Ms. Nino and Mr. Hentschke
14. Who do you have a crush on? Nobody
15. What is your favorite book? The Little House series
16. What sports do you want to play? Gymnastics and volleyball
17. Where is your favorite place to go on vacation? Disneyland
18. What is your favorite color? Orange
19. What is your least favorite food? Cooked spinach, coconut soup, fish
20. What is your favorite pair of shoes? Cork heels

Peanut

Our rat, Peanut, passed away this weekend.  She was a good rat, and we are sad to have lost her.  We buried her across the street in the open space.