New Host Update

Further to my earlier post I am now almost ready to move this blog to a new host. In the next day or two I will updating the DNS servers to point to the new host. This means the blog could be unavailable for up to 72 hours.

If you subscribe to my feed then I recommend you update your subscriptions accordingly. I’ll be updating FeedBurner to point to the new host so I suggest you re-subscribe once the new site is up and running.

Keep checking back to http://technical-itch.co.uk/ over the next few days. Once you see the new look web site you can then re-subscribe.

Thanks.

Time For A New Host

I’m moving this site to a new host over the next few weeks.

There is likely to be a lack of postings during this interim period as I set up the new site and move everything across. So please bear with me if you see no posts for a couple of weeks. I’m still here

I will move the technical-itch.co.uk domain over to the new host in a few weeks time. If you use this URL to access this site then you’ll be taken to the new site once it is up and running.

The old technicalitch.wordpress.com domain will stay active forever. I’ll keep you posted on the developments.

BT Rules Out Fibre Optic Roll Out

The news from DigiWorld 2006 is that BT consider ADSL2+ to meet ‘foreseeable needs’. Unlike its counterparts in the US and Japan, BT has no plans to deploy FTTH (Fibre To The Home) on a nationwide basis in the UK.

One of the things I’ve been blogging about on a regular basis is when will the UK get a really fast broadband service. I was hoping that really fast broadband would arrive as part of BTs 21CN technology. That doesn’t seem the case now.

Best Inventions of 2006

Time Magazine has compiled a list of what it considers the best inventions of 2006. The categories cover everything from Cars to Cooking so there is sure to be something of interest to you.

One of the things to catch my attention was Robobike. The first robot that can ride a bike. Not only can he keep himself upright, but he can also peer ahead to make sure he rides in a straight line. An ultrasonic sensor in his chest keeps him from riding into walls, and wireless technology allows him to communicate with a PC for navigating complex routes.

Or how about the Air Mattress. It works by using a matching set of repelling magnets to levitate above the ground. I can see some uses for it. No more junk accumulating under the bed and the wife would love being able to hoover under it too But a whopping $1.5 million price tag seems an expensive way to fall out of bed!

Here is an interesting military invention. Imagine shouting “Medic!” and being greeted by the Battlefield Extraction-Assist Robot (BEAR). It can carry an injured soldier weighing up to 400lbs. A system of wheels, tracks and joints enable it to maneuver in all sorts of positions. It should be field-ready by 2010.

Source: Time Magazine’s best inventions of 2006

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Apple 1Gb iPod Shuffle First Impressions

I finally managed to get my hands on the new Apple iPod 1Gb Shuffle earlier this week. I’d originally ordered one of these from Amazon.co.uk about a month ago, but after waiting over 3 weeks I gave up and cancelled my order. The UK Amazon site seems to be suffering with supplier problems currently, their web site currently has this message next to the product description:

“We are currently waiting for information from the supplier on when stock of iPod shuffle will be available. We are working hard to get stock for customers who have already pre-ordered the Shuffle. Please click the “sign up” button above to be notified when this item is available for order.”

I had a tip-off that the UK Apple site was selling the iPod 1Gb Shuffle with free engraving, so I’m glad I cancelled my Amazon order. I ordered my Shuffle from Apple on the 14th November and it arrived 2 days later. How’s that for service

There are loads of good reviews out there on the new Shuffle, so I won’t repeat what you may have read elsewhere. My main objectives were to see how well such a small MP3 player could perform, and secondly, would it work on Ubuntu Edgy 6.10. Overall a great result.

More Ways To Boost Your Blog Traffic

Last month I was discussing how to boost your blog traffic. I’ve come across some more useful tips and tricks that I would like to share with you.