Author: Neil Robinson

Nano update

Vaguely feel like I can win now. This weekend has been mildly successful. Not marvellously successful, but better than the previous weekend. I should have written many many many more words to make up for reduced output during the week. At least I wrote over 2000 words per day on Saturday and Sunday — which proves it’s possible, and not really that difficult. Except, it did take longer than the spare time I have during the week.

If every day was a weekend, 50,000 words in a month would be a doddle. It’s not and it’s not.

My ‘required run-rate’ (to use a cricketing analogy) has creeped up just above 6 runs an over (i.e. 2000 words per day). Not overly taxing yet, but still quite a long chase since I’m not even half-way through the innings yet. If I can keep it at this rate though, I should win easily. But if the rate keeps on creeping up and lurks around 8 runs an over too soon, then I’m sunk. I suppose at least I can’t lose any wickets — but I can lose morale.

Writing quality has already started to deteriorate somewhat. When before I may have been meticulous about spelling and punctuation, I’ve noticed that I’ve been writing vast paragraphs with no regard for whitespace whatsoever. Typos abound. Commas are forgotten. This strategy is likely to be perfected next weekend when the working week takes its toll on my nanowrimo output.

I feel like this post sounds a little like Gaz’s progress reports on his various self-improvement endeavours. Think I see a little better where you were coming from, dude.

Using your GPRS phone as a modem with linux

I’m using Ubuntu Linux 6.06.1 Dapper Drake.
This should probably work for other distros, but I can’t be sure because I don’t really know what I’m doing.

The little piece of magic you’ll need is an application called wvdial. It should be come standard with your distro.

Then, a USB cable job to connect the phone to the PC. Chances are that you’ll be able to get it to work this way over bluetooth too, but I don’t know for sure.

Ok. easy steps:

1. Make sure your phone can access the intarwebs with its internal browser via GPRS. Contact your service provider to get this sorted. Will Cell C, if you can send MMS, you can access the intarwebs.
2.. Connect the phone to the PC via the usb cable
3. Open up a terminal, and type the following:

$sudo wvdialconf

Enter your password at the prompt.

Stuff will happen, and hopefully your phone will be configured.

Then, using your favourite text editor (I used nano – replace “nano” with “vi” or “gedit” or whatever )

$sudo nano /etc/wvdial.conf

Find the line that looks a little like this:

; Phone = [blah blah blah]

It doesn’t actually say “blah blah blah,” but I can’t remeber the original text. You need to change that to your service provider’s Access Point Number (APN)
For Cell C, change that to:

Phone = *99*#

For MTN, change it to:

Phone = *99#

For Vodacom, change it to:

I have no idea. Best phone the helpline guys and ask what the APN is.

Then, change password and username fields to whatever they should be. I used “null” for both.

Save the file.

4. Run $wvdial

The end. Check if you are connected by typing

$ifconfig

If you have something with ppp0, then you’re a winner. If not, sorry.

Bye bye dial-up. Hello GPRS/EDGE

Don’t try calling me at home anymore – it shouldn’t work.
In an effort to restore balance to the force, and combat those who order ADSL from the Beast, I’ve cancelled my Telkom line. It is no more.
Although, the real reason for cancelling it was because my dial-up modem died – again. I was advised that getting my cellphone to play modem in linux was actually a snap. And indeed it is.

So, having got my cellphone to work as a modem, I bought myself a data bundle for a value less than what I’ve been paying for my monthly phone-bill (which almost wholly consisted of calls to my ISP). Hopefully 500 megs per month will be enough. Won’t be downloading any Linux distros though.

The sadly-sadly consequence of this is that I’ve also cancelled my ISP account. One month notice required. Therefore, the original waffle group page (and the twisted tour) will soon disappear into the digital oblivion. Better check it out one last time before it’s no more.

Optimus takes on Hillfox

Optimus ran a fund-raising/marketing campaign at the Hillfox Value Centre during the B&B market effort.

Angie roped in all her friends to perform some sort of function, and they in turn roped in their partners. I was roped in too, but that should hardly come as a surprise.

—
Edit: This is incomplete. I’m sure I clicked “Save as Draft” but it would appear that perhaps I did not. I’ll finish it off in due course.

More of that edit stuff: No I won’t. Stop kidding yourself.

I’m writing a novel in November… eherm.

That’s right kids. I’ve stumbled upon National Novel Writing Month. I only need to write 50,000 words in 30 days and I’ll be a winner.
And it doesn’t even have to make much sense. They even said that it’s likely to be crap, but the goal is “quantity,” not “quality.”
Sounds like a job for Commitment Man!