I have to refresh the firmware?

According to Curtis' website, if I use the mini CDrom that came with the player, I should be able to use that to refresh the firmware and it'll behave correctly once again.

Thing is, it shouldn't go bad in the first place. I have one of their 256MB models and it's still working great.

There are no firmware updates available on the website. I did manage to get the player to plug into the USB interface and stay on for over 8 minutes while I copied everything off the player.

I will try to use the CDrom with my Win98SE box to see if I can refresh the firmware and get it to stay on like it should.

How does the firmware get damaged in the first place?

Latest Curtis MPS533 bites the dust just about

Sent to Curtis International:

OK. So you guys there probably remember the 512MB MP3 player that
someone sent to you smashed up because it died when it should not have.

Then you replaced that (kindly) with an MPS533 model, but that got sent
back to you rather quickly because it kept shutting off and then
eventually refused to turn back on.

I sent that one back to you only to get yet another MPS533 model. That
was about one year ago.

Since then, I have kept ahold of that 2nd MPS533 model and sparingly
used it. Last night, while copying a few more MP3 files to it, nearly
filling the memory (46 MB free), then going to bed and listening to the
new files on it, it suddenly shut off for no reason. I had a fresh
alkaline battery in the unit.

While fiddling with this MPS533 in the middle of the night, I observed
it not wanting to stay on for any useful length of time. Several
attempts at making sure the battery was making proper contact resulted
in the unit not interested in staying on. Removing the battery and then
reinstalling it got the unit to switch on again each time, but it would
not remain on. The previous MPS533 had this problem before it refused to
turn on as well as not turn on when plugged into the USB port.

Fortunately I have a backup of all files I have placed onto the unit on
a burned CDrom.

I am not sending this 2nd replacement MPS533 back to you at Curtis
International because I am fed up with this model of MP3 player and will
replace it with another model from another manufacturer. I have a Coby
1G model that has a buggy USB interface, but it seems like it will hold
up, though I should buy another 1G MP3 player model with a better
inferface and a Win98 USB driver CDrom.

This model is also out of warranty period since I let it sit around
unused for most of the past year considering my previous experience with
the last MPS533. I did one experiment in using it to record and let it
sit for over 4 hours one day and it was still on when I came back, so I
thought that was a good sign. Until last night.

I think using the Hold feature on the unit might have something to do
with this, but who knows? I hadn't used the Hold switch before and for
some reason I decided it might be a good idea to use it for once, in
case it got switched on by accident - providing that even though I had
it inside a case for a VHS-C tape, it had little chance of happening.

If there is a firmware update for the MPS533, I may seek it out,
providing I can get this unit to stay on long enough while plugged into
the USB interface (which I haven't tried yet, but will considering its
current semi-functional state), which in that case I would just copy
everything off, reformat, and try the update. I mean, what's the bother
if the damn unit won't stay turned on?

My MPS257 (256MB model) still works great.

Best regards,

Some pressing issues

First off, we find that the Evil Cable Company, aka Time Warner, is
conducting what I call "business as usual" in that once you get suckered
into using their services, they start raising rates without
justification.

Our Road Runner Light service, 768kbps, was initially $14.95 a month. I
pay this for Cannet Dialup. As of August 1, 2008, Time Warner decides to
jack up the cost another $5. Let me try to understand this. They cut off
Usenet access through their network, they are not upgrading the service
to a faster speed, but yet they claim they need to bleed us for another
$5 more each month for less service at the same speed? The electricity
they use to power their equipment didn't go up in cost. I demand they
justify the increase. I'm going to contact the state attorney general,
our state rep, and the FCC about this.

In comparison, Cannet, the dialup service we've had since late _1997_
has always been $14.95 a month. That's 11 years of service that's never
gone up in price. If Cannet can keep the price the same and other DSL
providers can provide lifetime price guarantees, why can't Time Warner?
We were not told the $14.95 RR Lite was only an introductory price, nor
were we advised the rate "could" go up. No documentation stated anything
of the sort. If they insist on business as usual (which is the reason I
refuse to get cable TV again) then I demand they explain themselves
fully.

I recently bought the Coby MP300 1 Gig USB flash drive MP3 player. It
was $20 at a local Big Lots.

This is a nicely built unit. The case feels strong and sturdy. It's made
mainly to play MP3s or WMAs on its internal flash drive.

Some gripes: There's no Windows98 driver CDrom. A search on Coby USA's
website turns up nothing for my unit. I can only hope a friend with
another Coby model has the CDrom and the driver will work with my 1G
unit.

The interface to Windows XP over the USB connection has a minor bug. It
connects in MSC mode, but it should be MTP mode, I think. Anywho, the
first time after the initial plug-in and copying of files onto the unit
resulted in My Computer displaying only 8 files. I have way more than
that already on there by now! After a few tries plugging the thing in
and disconnecting (and My Computer freezing up) I eventually just went
ahead a copied a new file to the unit. Immediately the file list in the
window for the unit expanded and all my files appeared! I mean, What the
heck!? But trying to immediately copy a 2nd new file resulted in Windows
saying the directory was corrupted and unreadable. Oh great. Unplug,
replug, copy a 2nd file, but not a 3rd. Eventually, through some
plugging and unplugging I got 4 more files on there. But at some point I
got the unit to respond properly and was able to just copy a bunch of
MP3s at once.

Subsequent attaching the unit to the USB port also made
shorter-than-I-know-should-be-on-there directory lists until I copied a
new file onto the drive.

None of my other units, including USB flash drives, do this at all.

I apologize for not putting up the Colosalcon 2008 report just yet, but
I should get to it soon. It's up on Genvid. ^_^

FCC punishes Comcast for blocking bitorrent

So Comcast has been outed for knowingly and illegally interfering with
people using file sharing applications like Bittorrent for no reason,
other than they claim it is "network management," but in fact it's just
one company being a bunch of assholes. The FCC is punishing Comcast for
illegally interfering in its "open access" policy for denying users
their use of Comcast's DSL network.

BY ALL RIGHTS The FCC should also look into the illegal blocking of
Usenet access on Verizon's and Time Warner's Road Runner networks, which
happened partly due to the caving in of these wimpy companies and
pressure and demands from the New York State Attorney General. Last time
I read about this, only the Federal level may force companies to do
this. If any State Attorney General wants to block this, they should get
FCC clearance if they can do so - AND ONLY IN THEIR OWN STATE.

The Use of Newsgroups via Usenet servers is included in one's Internet
Service, and blocking access to them because of one state attorney
general's demands that, ooooh, someone might be doing something
"illegal" on them while perfectly legal things are going on at the same
time, ALSO falls under this same policy and blocking them Violates the
FCC's Policy on Open Access to Internet.

The New York State Attorney General should be told to go mind his own
business by the FCC. And upon that, over turn and force Verizon and Time
Warner to restore service to Usenet newsgroups through its own network.
They cannot claim there was low usage - they know perfectly well it was
being used and with considerable volume. They're just trying to use a
lie as an excuse because we know what they're really doing. And just
because one state attorney general pressured the company into illegally
blocking Usenet newsgroup access in in that state, they had no
jurisdiction to force the company to shut off access in Other States as
well.

If you have become a victim of Verizon's or Time Warner's illegal
violation of Open Access to the Internet as it concerns access to Usenet
Newsgroups, then I encourage you to write a letter about this issue to:

Federal Communication Comission
445 12th Street SW
Washington, DC 20554

I feel the New York State Attorney General overstepped his bounds and
stepped on what is essentially a Federal issue and not one for the
states. If the FCC can punish Comcast for interfering with bittorrent,
among other uses for their network, then they must look into this issue
as well and restore access to Usenet through Verizon and Time Warner
Road Runner also!!

I believe this is a valid point and it must be heard!

Microwave burned out, George Carlin, Doug Henning?

Well, it happened.

Our Emerson microwave made August 1988, died today in a blaze of glory.
Not really, but still it died. Using Hitachi parts, it worked
beautifully. 1.4 cubic feet at 1450 watts (microwave frequency was 2450
Mhz). Lasted nearly 20 years. They don't make them like that anymore. It
was serviced once - for a blown fuse. When that blew again, I bought a
more substantial one and never blew it again. The only other thing that
we had trouble with was the servo motor that turned the glass table
inside. That stopped working a few months ago.

I still can't believe George Carlin passed away. Last I heard, he knew
he had heart problems a few years ago but had been working on that. Not
only was he a genius messenger for comedy and made complete sense, he
was a masterful and most eloquent pundit. He reminded us of the asburd
thing(s) that went on around us and made sure we stuck a finger in its
eye.

By the way, all of Carlin's HBO Specials are available on DVD (something
I hope to acquire), but why is the only thing I can find of Doug Henning
on DVD is his Broadway show? He did 8 TV specials and none of them are
on DVD?? I have a tape of one he did in the early 1980s. Where can I get
tapes of his other shows?? It's not right we can't see all of Henning's
shows again.

Two people who helped make me what I am today are no longer here, and I
will be one who will not forget what they did.

Firefox 3!

I participated in the Firefox 3 Download Day World Record Attempt today.
As I type this, there have been, according to one webite, well over 3
MILLION downloads at about the halfway point for their 24 hour period to
set the record.

The developers are expecting for just over 1 million downloads, but
hoping for 5 million. They may get there in winning fashion.

Of course, I'm going to wait before I install FF3. I want my extensions
that work under Firefox 2 to import effortlessly into Version 3, as well
as all my Ad Block Plus blocking rules. I spent a lot of time figuring
out what to block to stop stupid things happening on pages and I intend
to keep those rules if I want to use Firefox 3.

Extensions I currently use: 4chan's plug in, Video Downloader, Ad Block
Plus, Flash Block, RefControl, and Download Manager Tweak. I also want
my other cookie and image blocking preferences also kept and imported
into FF3, as well as all my bookmarked favorites.

I grabbed a copy of the Firefox 3 installer just before 3 pm EST. Some
comments posted by people about nitpicky crybaby points about the time
of executing the download and stuff just show the stupidity of
themselves. I was able to figure out how to get the thing and when -
certainly other people can figure that out, too?

Anywho, congrats to the launch of Firefox 3. NOW GET MY EXTENSIONS TO
WORK!!!

Got up out of the wrong bed...

This morning, the universe decided to make my bed fall apart without my
permission. And so subtly, without me knowing it was going to do so. At
first, the one piece of metal (let's call it a bed rail) that had been
bent since the first moment I used the bed years ago (instead of my
sturdy twin bed I had used for so many years without trouble) that had
also been propped up with a stack of books and a piece of wood was
becoming more bent in spite of my best efforts to prop it up and attempt
to keep it more or less unbent. Then the foot of the bed, the part of
the frame that sees your feet most often, well it had been in a state of
disrepair (ie it was continually trying to fall apart even though I
managed to drive a few good drywall screws into it) and continued to do
so to the point where those little fingers that go into the frame to
grab metal pins imbedded in the wood by some skillful craftsman at one
point don't grab. They don't even line up because they're BENT.

After some examination and moving of mattress stuff which is hard
because I have no room to move mattress stuff, I find that the two
pieces of hooked wire that had been used to keep the 2 side rails
together (I don't know why they made this bed frame like that, it
doesn't make sense), well one of those 2 pieces of wire had one hook end
snap off completely. This action rendered the 2 side rails more useless
than they had already been.

I was able to locate the foot end of another bed frame which I wish we
had kept the entire thing because it was made of much sturdier metal and
shaped in such a way that we had no trouble at all from it in the years
we had it at previous addresses.

I still have the frame of my twin-size bed, and I'm like 1 inch away
from throwing this other frame out the window and digging out the twin
frame and setting it up. At least the bottom of that is more than 2
pieces of metal tied by a wire.

I've noticed that my grandparents could have things for years and years
and for some reason never have any trouble with them. We get ahold of
the same items and they go to pot rather quickly. It's like their
possessions hate us.

Colossalcon Cooking Show in Post Production

In a bout of compromises, as I have yet to get to an anime convention in
the US that allows for actual cooking at a Japanese Cooking panel, a
friend and I did the production shooting for a "virtual" panel as a
video, a show about an hour long, 2 days ago. Yesterday I did the rough
edit down to around an hour or less, with room for commercials.
Commercials I culled from a bunch of off-air Japanese TV videotapes I've
managed to collect. Video that my Maggie DVD recorder restored to
viewing near-perfection. I retrieved a couple Marumiya Sailor Moon
commercials, Magic Knight Rayearth toy commercials, some Kaitou Saint
Tail toy commercials, a few Akazukin Chacha toy commercials. And an
assortment of Japanese food commercials which I find most entertaining.
I want to try some of the stuff they advertise! Plus a commercial for
Shabon American style coin laundry - complete with bunnygirls. ^_^

The ending credits feature the ending theme and animation from Tokyo Mew
Mew, a reasonably good quality clean no-credit version found on Youtube.

I handed off the copy of the raw video to be massaged off to a friend of
ours who's got the software to do the job. ^_^

I was pleasantly suprised by my friend's videography of what we were
doing. Really nice shots and very little of me.

I might have gotten it just in time?

I probably mentioned I got the external backup HD for the Dell system.
This morning my nieces come over and the oldest turns on the desktop. It
freezes at some point during bootup on that little animated progress bar
screen. So in a panic like I always do when something acts up other than
expected behavior, I take the seat and figure out what to do. Which was
hold the power button in and force it to shut off. Then I get that
screen that XP brings up when the last start up wasn't completed and I
tell it to start normally. It comes up this time.

It was the first ever time the 'puter did anything like that. It's
always started fine. It could be that with Road Runner light and the
computer being on for longer periods that it's affecting the system in
some way. Some research turned up that it's possible a cable to the HD
might be a little loose. If the startup freeze happens again, I will
certainly check that. I should check it for dust anyway about now.

I did make sure it wasn't anything else, and a couple warm restarts and
one cold start showed it does work like it should. So I'll say shrug and
wait until it happens again. I think the drive in there now is a Western
Digital drive. The designation in the hardware specs show WD so it could
be one. I'll make sure to replace it with something else. Maybe a Maxtor
or Seagate anyway.

I'll have to find our Dell reinstall CDs to make sure I can make a
complete system reinstall when I need to. I did it for a bro in law.
(Except he didn't like me putting one piece of software on there that
would NOT have affected the use of Kodak's bloatware. Sheesh, some
people.)

XP desktop backed up

Well, I hope this is how things work in stuff like this. I finally got that external hard drive, a small 120G Seagate model on clearance. After about 2 hours, I managed to make a backup of everything not in use by the system and therefore allowed to be copied. I even exported a copy of the current registry. I may go back for the other cheap Seagate drive for use with the Win98SE system if I can find drivers for it.

I hope that all I need to do with the backing up the desktop is to copy everything off, and when time comes for re-installing the system on a new hard drive, just copy everything back on and import the registry. (shrug) We'll see.