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2002.08.29Royal Armouries
Web Site Construction Project
I've been contracted to work on the new website for the Royal Armouries [http://www.armouries.org.uk for the existing site]. While Arms and Armour don't really fit with a lot of my personal beliefs, I've taken on board the project because it should present an interesting challenge in representing their collection on-line : it's not just brochure-ware, or a walk through of the museum. Rather the intention is to create a way of navigating the collections which takes advantage of the nature of the web [in it's current guise]
We hope the new site will be up early 2003.
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2002.05.26
dvdrtools
Utility for writing DVDr Disks
A step on from what I wrote in my article regarding dvd burning on linux, Bernhard Rosenkraenzer has taken the patch written by Nicolae Mihalache that I mentioned and branched the cdrtools tree into dvdrtools.
You can visit the project home page here http://www.freesoftware.fsf.org/dvdrtools/
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2002.05.14
Autechre EP7
Fixing Old work
http://www.warprecords.com/ography/WAPEP7/
I just fixed and uploaded the java applet I wrote for Autechre EP7 as part of the microsite I created for the release.
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2002.04.28
Warp Records
Some of the time
I'm currently working 1 day a week at Warp Records optimising and maintaining their webiste [which I built before I left Kleber].
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2002.04.18
CDRecord ProDVD
Jörg Schilling writes...
A followup to my article regarding DVD writing under Linux.
I received this email yesterday:
I just found this page from you:http://www.dorianmoore.com/index.php?ti_id=33
and I am not happy with it!
The text does not reflect reallity, see:
ftp://ftp.fokus.gmd.de/pub/unix/cdrecord/ProDVD/
Also please keep in mind that the patch you mention is not actively maintained.
While cdrecord is constantly improving, people like the author of the mentioned
patch usually di a quick shot. The patch appeared about a week after the first
cdrecord-ProDVD version that did work with activation keys and thus could allow
tests has been published. AS I did not disable the -V SCSI Debug option, and
the patch is only ~ 150 lines, it is obvious that this patch is created by
rreverse engineeering cdrecord.Also note that this patch has problems with the fact that the drive writes CDs
and DVDsJörg
This was my response. I'm waiting to hear back from him.
Hi Jörg,Knowledge is free, I merely wrote what I found out, to help other people. I'm sorry if it offended you.
As it happens, I contacted you about cdrecord ProDVD at the time and you told me, rather bluntly, that all the information about it was on your website. I looked at EVERY page, and it wasn't there. I also looked at your ftp server, and couldn't find it there. What is said to send you money, it doesn't say where to, or how [I'm not sending $100 cash in the post] and it doesn't promise to provide any guarantees as to what I would get for my money.
It seems that you have updated your site since then.
ftp://ftp.fokus.gmd.de/pub/unix/cdrecord/ProDVD/README
********** NEW: On March 9th, we are celebrating 4 years of cdrecord-ProDVDOf course, that will be the 9th of march in which year? 2002 I assume, as it wasn't there when I looked in January.
As you will see from my page quoted below it was written on 19/01/2002 [19th of January 2002]. I am, like you I'm sure, very busy. I said when I found out about availability of you software I would update my site, and I haven't found out until now, because the solution I had has worked find for my purposes.
As I see from your text referenced about you have produced a key which will time out on the 17th of June [this year?]. Then we have to request a new key. Will we have to keep on doing this? For how long?
I have a lot of things to do and don't want to be forced into upgrade paths or time limited software. I do appreciate the time you have put into creating the software. I'm happy to pay a reasonable price for a license to reflect this. I'm happy to change the text on my site as well. If you can provide me with a clear license and guide to how to pay you, and what we can expect for our money. Otherwise it seems that your information is no clearer than Micro$ofts I'm afraid to say.
This seemed to be the point of view of several people who have contacted me thanking me for my text, and who haven't been able to work out where to go on your site or how to proceed using it. I'm sorry to say it, but it's very hard to tell what information is what on your site.
Perhaps, to this end, I can suggest something to our mutual benefit: How about you email me a copy of the cd-record website, and I clean it up and make it more useable for people, in return for a license for cdRecord-proDVD. This way my skills [web designer, usability, web programmer] complement your skills [software development] and we can make cdRecord easier to access, license, and use, by making the information about it better managed. I'd imagine that this would be a very cost effective solution for you, as my time is aorund £30/hour [1], and I'd imagine sorting out the CD-Record site would take me a couple of days. I probably wouldn't be able to do it for a couple of weeks.
Otherwise, simply tell me what it is you would like me to change about my site and I will change it. I know the patch is unsupported, and I am providing no guarantees. I feel that at the moment it reflects a balanced point of view on where the ground lay at the time of writing. I think Cdrecord is a great piece of software and you deserve whatever support you can for developing it.
Kind regards
_d._
[1] Oooh, typo : that should say £60/hour *grin*
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2002.01.23
Flash Bugs...
A note to macromedia's forum.
I've saved this here because I've known messages like this to 'dissapear' from official company forums. It's not hugely damning, but I was venting a bit.
Hi,
I've been building a project which should work as a standalong projector on the Mac OS and Windows to load in XML data from an intranet web server and display it. This works find on Widnows, and in theory works find on the Macintosh in that it works in the .swf file. It even works when I load the .swf file into the Flash Player. But it fails when I make the project a stand alone projector.
I've found this technote [L=http://www.macromedia.com/support/flash/ts/documents/macprojloadvar.htm
]http://www.macromedia.com/support/flash/ts/documents/macprojloadvar.htm
[/L] which informs me of a bug reported last april which means that loadVariables does not work from projectors on the macintosh.Does this bug affect the xmlData.load() function as well, or is there something wrong with my code?
If it is a bug, why haven't macromedia endevoured to fix it yet?
Is it Macromedias intention to fix this bug before the next major release of Flash?
If not why do macromedia sell a product with such a major bug and yet no mention of it in the documentation for the product?I fell dismayed and ripped off that I pay for a product which is meant to work as a cross platform authoring environment, and then find that one platform is left in a stagnant position for so long. It seems that a lot of software companies are happy to espouse the new features of software yet unable to maintain the same comitment to solving problems once the product is on the shelf and sold to the end user.
And pray, what news of Flash 6? I've heard production companies in London saying they are allready working with Flash 6, though not a peep on Macromedia's site....
I look forward to your response.
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2002.01.19
Linux / Pioneer DVD-R/RW A03
Getting files on the disk as either ISO9660 or ext2 format for system backup.
Introduction
Writing DVD's under Linux doesn't seem to be something that has much consistent documentation. At the moment their don't seem to be any tools which support writing DVD's to play in a domestic player, but that's not why I have a DVD-R/RW in my Linux box. I'm using it as a backup device, as CDR/RW is just to small.DVD-R/RW vs Tape
Why not use DDS/AIT/DLT etc? I've had bad experiences with DDS tapes [they never have restored on me, and they feel slow and cumbersome to use]. AIT/DLT are expensive, and I've not used them much under Linux. DVD ROM drives are now very cheap and easy to install and work under Linux, thus you should find it quite easy to read your disk elsewhere once you've backed up data to it.My DVD-R/RW
The Pioneer A03 DVD/RW drive [IDE interface] cost me just under �450, which is a bit cheaper than a DAT drive [and doesn't need a SCSI card]. It doesn't store as much data obviously, as a DVD-R or DVD-RW disk only holds 4.7GB, but that was plenty for my needs... and if the data set goes up in size then I can split it across disks.Basic How To
The Linux CD Writing HowTo discusses all of the basic principles for writing to CD Rom, and i've been using the tools and principles to write to my Plexwriter 24/10/40A before.First up I tried using the same basic principles to write a CD to the Pioneer drive [yep, it also writes CD-R and CD-RW] and everything when perfectly. Next step was to try and write a larger ISO image to the DVD portion. This wasn't as straightforward as it seems, as cdrecord 1.10 didn't want to burn anything that large to a disk, despite the referals to DVD's in the documentation.
DVD Writing Software
Perplexed I went and had a dig around Joerg Schilling's site for his cdrecord/cdtools. A quick look brought me up cdrecord-ProDVD which are binaries to be downloaded. I brought down the appropriate versions and they seem to work fine, but you can only cut up to 1 Gigabyte to a disk, or emulate a larger write. Why is this? It seems that Joerg would like us to buy the software, which seems reasonable. But he doesn't really explain how to get the money to him... and when I emailed him he just said 'send me $100' ... when I manage to find out what I get for the $100 and so on I'll update the site. In the meantime there is another solution. He did tell me that you also need to patch the kernel on your system for extended ISO9660 support. This is included in kernel 2.4.13 and later.Note from J�rg Schilling Please read
After much searching I found Nicolae Mihalache had created a free patch for cdrecord to make it cut DVD's. I actually downloaded his distribution version of cdtools 1.11a08 with the patches applied, compiled them first time [I'm running a pretty standard install of RedHat Linux 7.2, with a customised compile of Kernel 2.4.17]. I did a make install and let them install in their own place, to keep them seperate from the original cdrecord/cdtools set I was using and which works very well, and I don't want to start interfering with... yet.
Also check out DVDRTools Talked about here
Using this version of cdrecord, I've been able to cut DVD's with ISO + RockRidge file extensions on them, or an ext2 partition created using a loopback device. The later is a prefered method for me as I use rsync to bring the data into the ext2 partition, and then just burn when ready.
The steps to success : ISO 9660 DVD Recording
To make an ISO image for DVD [for data backup, not general usage mind... if you want general usage check out the CD-Writing how to about ISO limitations]:
mkisofs \
-o iso.img \ # output file
-iso-level 3 \ # force unstrict ISO compatability
-R \ # use rockridge extension
directory/ # source directoryTo mount the ISO image for testing [will require loopback devices to be installed into your kernel or to be availabel as a module]
mount \
-t iso9660 \ # disk format
-o ro,loop=/dev/loop0 \ # mount read only, use loopback device
iso.img \ # file to mount
/mnt/iso #�mount pointTo burn the ISO image to a DVD-R disk
cdrecord \
-v \ # verbose output, help see what's going on
speed=2 \ # cut at double speed
dev=0,1,0 \ # device [see CD Writing HowTo]
-dao \ # DVD's must be written in Disk At Once mode
-data dao.img # file to write to diskOnce the DVD is written you can mount it as you usally would [though, I've found I had to eject then re-insert the disk]
mount \
-t iso9660 \ # disk format, this isn't necessary.
/dev/scd1 \ # device name,
/mnt/scd1 # mount pointext2 DVD Recording
ext2 is a format which is used for Linux hard disks. Using it to cut a DVD means that you can store exactly the same information as used on the original system. For me this is useful as I hold a mirror of my webserver on my development server. This mirror is synchronized every night using rsync [as people upload data to my web server on a regular basis]. To keep this all intact I copy it into a file which is mounted as a loopback device, in a similar way to how I mounted the iso9660 image above.It's worth reading this before you do a burn.
Firstly I created an empty file to be the filesystem
dd \
if=/dev/zero \ # read input for file from /dev/zero
of="ext2_file" \ #�output file
bs=1024k \ # file has block size of 1024k [1 Megabyte]
count=4096 # file has 4096 blocks [4 Gigabytes]Then I make an ext2 filesystem on it
mke2fs \
-b 1024 \ # block size
-F \ # Force [I shouldn't have to use this, but I do]
ext2_file # input fileThen I mount the ext2 filesystem
mount \
-t ext2 \ # device format type
-o rw,loop=/dev/loop0 \ # mount read/write using loopback device
ext2_file \ # device/file name
/mnt/ext2 # mount pointI then write to /mnt/ext2/ like it is a normal disk. Once it is set up as I need it with all the appropriate data I execute the command
cdrecord \
-v \ # verbose output, help see what's going on
speed=2 \ # cut at double speed
dev=0,1,0 \ # device
-dao \ # DVD's must be written in Disk At Once mode
-data ext2_file # file to write to diskAnd away she goes!
Anyway, I've just written all this as I reckon someone else out there may be trying to do this, and one of these bits might just help you sort it out a bit quicker than I did. It's not hugely complex, provided you are happy playing around. A good idea is to try everything then run the cdrecord command with the -dummy option in before the -data option, which will do a test burn.
Update 2008/10/11: DB Writes
I am writing in regards to the instructions, given on the following
pages, for burning an ext2 DVD in linux,http://www.dorianmoore.com/works/33
http://www.cit.gu.edu.au/~anthony/info/misc/cdrom.hintsFirst, I'd like to thank you for the information; it would have taken
me eons to figure this out by myself!Second, FYI, I had to use a larger block size. The following is how it
worked for me:dd if=/dev/zero of=ext2_dvd bs=4096 count=1024k
mke2fs -b 4096 ext2_dvd
mount -t ext2 -o rw,loop=/dev/loop0 ext2_dvd /mnt/ext2 #as root
# cp evthg I want into /mnt/ext2, and then use k3b to burn ext2_dvd
# as if it was an iso.Using 1024 or 2048 as the block size caused any subsequent mounts of
the burnt dvd disc to fail: syslog would echo
EXT2-fs: blocksize too small for device.
and I could not find any block-size option for 'mount'. 0 Comments: -
2001.11.12
Why not to use XO Communications
Don't go near them, their service is terrible.
XO communications., network outages, lack of contact, and the ability not to understand what the customer wants, and giving false information about quality of service.
This is a bit of a rant, but it's also being placed here in the hope that anybody who is contemplating using XO communications as their ISP doesn't. I'm a small customer, but that doesn't mean they can treat me like shit.
Here are my issues:
The service I was sold is not what I requested. I asked for a service where I was provided with a transfer or 20GB/month, on a connection which could burst up to 10Mbps for people on fast connections, as I was providing streaming media. What I got was a 128Kbps rate-limited system, which allowed for about 3 seconds of bursting. This is not suitable for multiple streams, or [for instance] supporting responses to email shots, where server activity is high for a short response period. If I had wanted a 128k line I would not have co-located a server...
When I complained about this issue and told them that the rate limiting was affecting users they said they would see if they could find a suitable solution, but I would have to pay. They did not act on the complaint, they just tried to sell me more. They offered me a 256kbps connection with the same level of bursting, which makes next to no difference for users on fast connections. [The faster connection only allows the same amount of burst, and because of the bit bucket XO are using, once the bucket is emptied, I have to wait for a quiet period before the burst is available again... but of course, I don't need the burst then]
Their sales people refused to try and work out any further arrangement, or be adaptable at all, but also weren't able to accept that the solutions they had offered were not suitable to fulfill my requirements. The sales person also told me that a competing ISP's service was not up to theirs, even though I had installed a system at the competitions and tested it.
Further, during the time I have been with them they have failed to report several network outages, and when they have reported them details have been week or missed out. One outage was failed to be reported to me during a conversation when I was trying to find out why my server had shutdown at an unusual time : it appears they had cut the power to the server... it took 16 hours for them to report an outage, and a further 4 days until I got an explanation of what the outage was. All this meant I spent time looking for a security compromise on my server.
They're technical people have failed to contact me, and the staff I have spoken to have limited knowledge of networking or service other than that of simple M$ style coursework.
I've been told that they have tried to contact me via phone but that my phone number was no longer in service. It's a mobile, it's always on, and there is voicemail. My Telephone company confirmed no faults each time XO technicians have tried to contact me, and there we're no attempted calls.
They're routing has failed on several occasions : when I informed them of this, and sent them traceroute information, they told me that my firewall was blocking ICMP packets. I don't have a firewall, and if I was blocking ICMP packets I would know about it, and none of the traceroutes would have run. When I explained this to them they sent another message telling me it was because my firewall was bouncing ICMP packets. 40 minutes after my complaint the routes magically started working...
They have removed connectivity on several occasions due to Denial of Service attacks to other customers, as opposed to blocking the source at their routers, leading to outages of up to 45 minutes. They seem no to have 24 hour support for some network issues, a there is a lag time on monitoring and response which shouldn't be there for a quality ISP.
I rest my case. There are a lot of good ISP's out there, XO communications are, in my opinion, not one of them. Keep away. Very far away.
This is my opinion on the service that XO have provided by me, and is to serve as a recomendation to any other people who may consider using them.
17 Comments:
I wish I would have seen this before I signed up with them. I experienced everything you described, plus some. Sitting her right now with a call center that has no service & guess what the best part is. XO is down as well. I can't even call to report the outage.
Worse company in the world
Definately worst company in the world. Their customer service probably operates less than 5% of usefullness. I have encouraged all my companies to change to another carrier. One company switched to another telephone/internet company in August. Each month they tell me to call for the credit on our account. This is now November and they are telling me to call back again in December as our bill has not reached a zero, and Novembers cycle has passed. This is after talking to 3 supervisors, 3 members of customer service. AND I have all their ID numbers and names, but XO only have record of one person I talked to. One of the original sales people who switched to another company, agreed this company has been full of false promises since the beginning!
Just to add to this, I recently had a client transfer from their so called 'service' to mine. They basically make it impossible to transfer a domain. So DO NOT LET THEM REGISTER A DOMAIN!!They use some crap custom panel with no information, or the ability to do something as simple as change the nameservers.
They automatically renewed my contract for another 3 years after I called them I was told I could go month to month. Then after they renewed me they told me they dont do month to month . How can I shake these bastards. They said I could cancell all together but I would have to pay they remainder of two years on contract.
I'm getting the shaft from them as well. I started shopping our service because the contract end date is coming up. I was warned by other vendors that XO would automatically renew the contract if I didn't give them 30 days notice that I don't want to.XO confirmed this. They also told me that they don't offer any month-to-month service, so either I renew the contract or the service gets shut off when it ends - period.
AT&T is telling me that's actually untrue per FCC regulations. Most of me is hoping that the transfer just goes smoothly so my service has no disruptions - but the other part of me is hoping they try to mess it up so the FCC can come and smack them upside the head.
While I can understand your gripe. Service at XO has significantly improved but you need to understand their methods of dispute, and also have very good sales rep to go to bat for you. If you want a very good provider, try our web site. We can consult on good vendors; we have experience with all of them for 10+ years. Companies with great back office and billing are Internap, Megapath, Telia and believe it or not, Cogent. Who has the worst customer service and billing? Verizon Business, Abovenet, and Qwest.
This is still a horrible company to do business with. Avoid at all costs.
Glad to hear all the testimonials, you all have effectively persuaded me from using XO Communications. Thank you all!
So I'm in a similar dilemma and if anyone has insight it would be incredibly appreciated. We got their 3M flex package in 08/06, which then apparently auto renewed in '08. I called in June of '09 and spoke to a rep and asked what the terms of cancellation were. He stated that I would need to pay the current billing cycle and the next 30 days, which I said ok no problem. I asked are there any additional fees, and he stated no.
I then went to shop for a new service - The amount of phone problems I've had with XO warranted me going somewhere else. I just got the service installed 8/31/09, called on 09/01 to cancel and was told that I owe $14000 for the remainder of the contract.
After speaking to several reps, they will not accept a payment of $3600 which is the 2 months service I was told I needed to pay, and now I already have the new service as well.
I should have gotten this in writing and a phone recording, but I didn't think anything of it.
How do I get rid of these people, Jesus?!!!
I was talking to my XO rep in early August about how expensive our data lines were compared to all the other service providers who are always contacting me. She went silent for a moment and then came out with the truth that they had been over-billing us for the past 2 years. She said she would take it up with a supervisor and call me back. She never did call back. When I finally chased someone down they told me that they have a back billing tariff that protects them from having to pay more than 3 months. So now I am talking to the retention department because I have threatened to leave when the contract runs out in November. Believe me, I'm going to another provider but I'm going to try and get my money back first.
Nick,
Going through the same thing. Was told it was ok to cancel, then we received a $24,000 adjustment a few months after changing. We never received notice of renewal either, which the contract states they must do, and, according to customer care, should be included in the notes on your bill. We have an open contract dispute with them, but I doubt they will let us out.
If they won't let you out, complain to the BBB and any applicable governing bodies.
Hi,
I just received a $14,000 early termination fee bill from XO. And yes it was another unaware auto renewal of a 3 year contract. This is very expensive stuff to be auto renewed. I find it extremely unfair. And it will mostly put me out of business. Please email me if you have a same problem.
opps the email didn't show it's mphan0302@gmail.com
I currently work for XO, and while I don't agree with the auto-renewal policy, why do you continuously blame XO for you NOT reading the paperwork you sign? The auto-renewal clause is plainly listed in the Terms and Conditions of the contract that you sign. Take responsibility for your own actions.
Dear Anonymous XO employee,
I have NEVER posted a rant before - I was looking for others in the same predicament as my company is in with XO. Reading your defense of this policy set my blood pressure through the roof.You have got to be kidding us, while the auto-renewal is in the contract, it also states XO will notify "in writing" that the contract will be renewed. That is very ambiguous if that "notice" (read contractual obligation) is occasionally stating that policy notice on the back of a bill. That is not an intentional notification to the responsible party of a contract.
XO is placing 100% of the burden for the 30 day cancellation period solely on their customers.
Further, XO has a host of resellers with a multitude of business practices. How can you defend that every one of your customers has received your "terms & conditions"? I signed a 1 page contract that was hardly more that a credit application.
I find it unethical the 6 months prior to my term renewal date that "notice" failed to appear the 2 months prior to my contract expiration date. As a matter of fact, it failed to appear 3 of the 6 months leading up to my term date. If that is a standard business practice that exists on all accounts, why is it not on every invoice every month? It almost seems intentional?? More importantly, where is the specific auto-renewal notice the contract party is entitled to?
I am sure all of those who have fallen prey to this company also feel that XO bears some burden to counsel their customers when "any" XO employee is contacted of their intent to change carriers or cancel their account - NOT after the fact. Very poor business practices which come very close to, if not, deceptive.
I have had more contact with your company since I cancelled my service that the prior term of my contract. XO is very reactive to their auto-renewal policy.
Every single business class voice/data providor in the United States has an auto-renewal clause in their contract. Also, tariffs are not mandated by individual companies but by the states within which they reside. So now ya know. ;)
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2001.09.17
Prix Ars Electronica 2001
Woooh! We won a prize
Chris McGrail, Dorian Moore, Dan Sayers/ Kleber (UK): "Warp Records" www.warprecords.com
The web site for "Warp Records", one of the most innovative record labels in the electronic music scene, is striking because of its style-setting design and a specially developed, efficient online shopping system, which enables the independent label to distribute its products at low cost.
[From : //http://prixars.aec.at/2001/prix.asp]
At last, recognition for all the work that went into the warp site...
My contribution:
Information Architecture
Content Management System
Shopping System
Order Management System
Scripting and coding in general
Looking after the server configurationand all that that entails. It doesn't soud much, but it's hard to make a site look that smooth :)
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