Problem: Parents just bought home out of cell phone service. Verizon service is available at certain high points of the property, not inside or around the home.

Task: Build a repeater on the roof to cover the property.

Thoughts: Depending on the provider you are using (Verizon, Sprint, Nextel) sometimes repeaters work great and sometimes not. What is coming out of your cell phone is really a digital data stream, think of it like a wi-fi card. A cell phone repeater such as this (one that does not ‘understand’ the data stream) is going to introduce issues. For example, what if the cell tower ‘hears’ you directly, at the same times it ‘hears’ your signal (just nanosecond later) coming from the repeater? Since your repeater is not ‘in link’ with the cell tower (they don’t talk to each other) who’s to say which signal is the right one? Depending on the exact placement of your site, the cell site, and the signaling system used, this might work GREAT, or it could be a lot of frustration. Fun.

Thanks to John for great advice as always.

There is a new trailer out for Talladega Nights, I wonder how well this movie will do. I’m going with best movie of the summer. Come on NASCAR and Will Ferrel…

The Simpsons and Science – Did you know that 178212 + 184112 = 192212 is actually a proposed solution to Fermat’s Last Theorem? Did you also know it’s a quick background joke on a Simpsons Halloween episode, written by David X. Cohen? Apparently loads of Simpsons writers are actual math and science nerds and insert all sorts of subtle jokes here and there. This may explain why some of the actual plots over recent years have been sub-par but it’s fairly fascinating to know that the writers of such a (mostly) entertaining show are throwing in so many well thought out a ideas.

Couple of things that made my week last week:

1. Getting the new Cursive album early! Titled “Happy Hallow” the album will not disappoint. It’s out August 22nd followed by a US tour. I’ve pretty much been listening to it for the last 8 says straight. It’s very messy (with more horns) and the lyrics are political unlike any of Tim’s other stuff. I’m normally not a fan of bands going political (i.e. what Green Day did) but this is much deeper than and a mature viewpoint relating to politics and religion in everyday life. The album is all over the place, some harder song and then some jazz ones. All in all most likely my top pick of 2006.

2. Getting Season 5 of 24 in HD. Don’t ask. I’m already on hour 10.  So good.

Ok so a lot of my friends now how much I am into Texas Chainsaw Massacre movies. I do afterall have the dolls of leatherface and sheriff hoyt on my desk. Anyway a new movie is due out October 6th. “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, The Beginning“. Its the story of Leatherface’s very first victims, he looks much better this time around.

Heather! You, me, Mallory (and maybe Turk : ) are seeing this the night it comes out.

Finally a music site I will actually read. daytrotter.com doesn’t feature mall emo, but rather good music. Check it out.

A few months ago a company called Compound Security Systems released a device entitled “mosquito” that repeals teenagers from hanging around in places they are not welcome by emitting a high-pitched tone that only youthful ears can hear. Apparently it worked. So well, in fact, that teens are now starting to turn the tables and use the sound as a ringtone so they can have their phone ring in classrooms without their teachers ever hearing it. What advantage this serves beyond being somewhat annoying is unclear, as you still couldn’t answer your phone.

So now this technology / tone becomes a bit of a litmus test to gauge your age. Anyone reading this site can likely hear it but play it for your parents and see what they say. Downloadable here.

Ever wonder what street manholes look like in Japan? Take a look here.

With all the gay marriage drama going on right now, people like this come out of the woods. Ex-Gay Therapist on CNN. Fucking hilarious.