Category Archives: Ask J.D.

Neverware CloudReady VM (for VMWare/VirtualBox) [FREE]

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Recently several tech sites ran article about using Neverware’s customized version of Chrome OS to turn old PC hardware into Chromebooks. That is of course very cool 🙂 However, would like to be able to easily test Chrome OS on modern (relatively) high-end hardware. Preferably without having to dual boot. Virtual machines to the rescue! Here is the download link for Neverware’s VM, it works with both VMware and VirtualBox: http://go.neverware.com/freeVM44 Here are screenshots I took of the installation process

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Dell M6600, M6700, M6800 car PSU

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Q. Yo yo hoss, can you hook me up with some info on a power supply that will let me use my Dell M6700 in the car? Gracias! A. Hola good sir! It is a bit tricky for the M6700, it uses a fairly large power supply so Dell does not even offer a car adapter that I know of 🙁 However, I did find a couple options I would recommend: #1 Traditional DC power supply that people say will run

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HDCP stripper – HOWTO remove HDCP from HDMI signal

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I recently encountered an issue where my DirecTV HDMI output was unusable on my new LCD. Thankfully, the following HDMI HDCP stripper allowed me to watch on my monitor 🙂 NOTE: The best price I could find was $19.95 on Amazon with free shipping and if you need the extra HDMI cable, they have them for ~$5.49. The process is very simple: Connect power to the HDCP stripper Connect first HDMI cable from DirecTV receiver to “HDMI INPUT” on the stripper Connect second HDMI

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JPS300V 5V DC power supplies for LED signs

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The JPS300V DC power is a robust option for powering LED signs and other products that require relatively high amperage 5V output. 60A at 5V = 300 watts which is pretty hefty for a DC power supply. Out of approximately 80 PSUs, we have had around 2-3 fail. This is a roughly 3.8% failure rate in some fairly difficult situations (withstanding fairly intense heat, cold and moisture). Overall I would rate them as a good low-cost option especially if you can

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Crossroads Inn and Suites, Salem MO WiFi review [EXCELLENT]

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I regularly stay throughout Missouri for business. I normally test the speeds at every hotel I stay in. Recently I stayed at the Crossroads Inn and Suites in Salem MO. I have stayed there before, but they recently upgraded their internet so I wanted to run speed tests again. Here are the speedtest results: ~60.0Mbps D/L* ~12Mbps U/L* *average of multiple tests throughout stay.  These are some of the best speeds I have encountered. WiFi coverage was also excellent, both in my room and

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New Exede Speedboost plans + wifi [review & prices]

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Here are some new updates on Exede’s latest plans: Personally, I would only pick a plan that has their new Speedboost + WiFi modem and the Liberty Pass. Initially I enjoyed the “late night free zone” (or LNFZ) but as of late it just became too much of a hassle to manage data usage during the daytime (and saving all the heavy stuff for late night) so now I much prefer the ease and simplicity of the Liberty Pass. Plus I absolutely

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Let your kids help!

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Child one unloading the dish washer (and putting up the dishes where they go.) One of the best things about being a parent is teaching your kids to be responsible. Chores, jobs, learning opportunities, or whatever you want to call them… they help kids contribute in a meaningful way and they also help kids appreciate their free time. At a friend’s birthday party last night my wife and I were talking with the family’s grandmother. She grew up on a

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