Smallegan.com

Thursday in cubeland….

I have tried a number of different solutions for getting my iTunes library on my remote machine(s). Within my local network iTunes takes just a few seconds using Zeroconf / Bonjour technology to find my library and then a few more seconds to load the XML file containing the definitions my 60GB + of music. Until now the easiest and most reliable method I have found is to run Hamachi on my main mac as well as on my laptop(s). Hamachi if you aren’t familiar simply creates adhoc vpn networks. This works pretty well and it can be used for a number of things. One of which is allowing my iTunes clients to see each other and share libraries. However….since OSX 10.5 Leopard Hamachi had (has) been having issues. Sucking up all kinds of memory/crashing, etc…. That led me to my discovery today. I was actually working to find a way to push dns-sd commands to my .mac account using back to my mac. While doing some googling I ran into this: Reach local iTunes library over the net which basically outlines nearly exact what I was trying to do.  Now I have to execute 2 simple commands which I’ve saved and then enter my password and within 15-20 secs it loads up my big XML file and almost instantly I have all of my music at my finger tips…On my connection here where I am currently working I can switch songs and it takes less than 1 second. I was expecting some additional lag when running the data through an SSH pipe. If you have any questions or don’t understand a word of what you just read you can either ask questions in the comments or move along to the next post Also…if anyone has any ideas on how I can get that XML file to cache and then update every few days or when I manually delete it that would be cool. I have been thinking that with my 3G card in my carputer this may be a viable solution for always having the latest music on my home machine.

One of the downsides to having a more complex home network is that when you have multiple PC’s all hitting the web for various reasons and suddenly things slow down it can be hard to troubleshoot. Sometimes a slowdown can simply mean that there is excessive traffic on the network. Figuring out how much internet I/O is being utilized can be achieved in OSX with a few simple steps.

First make sure you have an SNMP router and that it is enabled. (Airport Extreme is enabled by default for local access)

Next download iEyeNet from MacUpdate (link)

Lastly add any number of interface widgets to your dashboard. I have added 3 important interfaces from my Airport Extreme . Gec0-Wired Ath0-Wireless and Vlan1-Internet Traffic

Currently the carputer sits below the head unit…Right now I am working on locating cables to extend my factory head unit so that I can relocate that under a seat or something. I have steering wheel controls and a heads up display so I really have no need for it. Once this is complete I will be placing the carputer screen in front of it.

In other news I’ve got a great way of controlling my music now. More on that in a later video post detailing the whole system.

Carputer hardware installed and functional! I’m working on installing software and the additional peripherals now and then it is demo time!

Some smartass changed this sign around up on Five Mile Hill in Grand Haven. Can you spot the change?

View from the hill:

Had an issue with some css, div’s and tables tonight so Adrian and I went up to Starbucks and did some reverse pair programming. Generally pair programming involves one computer for 2 dudes. We had Adrian rocking on both Macbook Pro’s while I was on my Macbook Air.

How do I know when it is time for bed? I open up photobooth, and if I see something like this……I know it is time.

I’m going to try to pick up a mac mini new or used before the weekend so I can wrap this project up. I got a replacement macpac very promptly from the good people over at mp3car.com since my leadwire for the ignition switch seemed to fall right out of the connector.

Well I am testing out Ecto since I am trying to eliminate the very few windows programs that I still occasionally use. I wouldn’t say it is AS simple as or well built as Live Writer but my question right now is…will it do….here is a screenshot and I’ve used the drag and drop image functionality to place it on this post.