Archives for September 2009

When dealing with PETABYTES of storage…

September 6, 2009 by Aaron

A friend sent me a link to a blog post over at backblaze about how to build cheap storage. I was just amazed! 45 drives crammed into a 4U chassis to provide a total of 67 terabytes of usable storage space. Stack 20 or so of those pods together and you have a petabyte of storage!

One of these days when I have $7k lying around burning a hole in my pocket, I’m going to build myself one of these things. It looks like a really cool way to get some cheap storage.

I do wonder though, why they use 1.5TB drives instead of 2TB drives… and with the drives crammed in that tight, do those fans supply adequate airflow for cooling?

AT&T Navigator for iPhone

September 3, 2009 by Aaron

I just got an email from AT&T letting me know about the new AT&T Navigator app for my iPhone 3g. I love my iPhone and one of my biggest gripes was how much of a pain it was to navigate anywhere while on the road. Google maps was funcitonal, and since I can read a map, I could find my own way, but if I was anywhere unknown and just wanted to get there without dealing with anything complex, I would use my Samsung Instinct on Sprint that I have through work.

I think it’s great that FINALLY after how many years the iPhone has been out, and for the past year with the 3G with GPS, that they have a turn by turn direction app. But I think it is TERRIBLE that AT&T wants to charge me $9.99/mo for the service.

$9.99 to download the App as a one time fee would be perfectly acceptable, but don’t tell me that they need to charge a monthly fee for the service. I don’t pay extra for the Sprint Navigator on the Instinct, nor do you pay a monthly fee (that I’m aware of) for a TomTom.

Come on AT&T, give us the app for a one-time $9.99 or even $19.99 fee, and then charge per update. Let me know when the routes in my home area have been updated due to construction, and give me a $1.99 update option to update when I want to. Don’t nickel and dime me with a $10/mo recurring charge. Over 1 year, that’s $120 spent on navigation, and how often do roads change?

New bill allows the President to turn off the Internet

September 2, 2009 by Aaron

I just read a disturbing report on CNET: http://news.cnet.com/8301-13578_3-10320096-38.html

There is a bill being proposed to grant executive control over the Internet, in a case of “Cyber-Terror” and allow the government to seize control of private sector networks, effectively shutting down the Internet.

It goes on to talk about the terms vaguely, and any threat that deals with computers, the Internet, telecommunications, computer networks, would qualify as Cyber Terrorism, and allow Uncle Sam to cripple private networks. This includes the possibility of shutting down networks to prevent phone calls and other communications systems.

New licenses would be given to individuals and companies who deal with the major networks, giving them clearance, and basically saying you have to have government approval to run any large private network. They would also be required to provide additional data and resources to the government.

Frankly, I find this very apalling, and do not want ANYONE in government having judicial control over public networks, allowing them to effectively shut down the system with a flick of a switch. The government is very lacking in current security operations, and network security is best handled by the private sector.

I understand the need to be able to mitigate threats, but there are cyber attacks every day against corporations and individuals, and the current private networks do a damn good job of keeping the peace, along with keeping the Internet ONLINE.