How to connect desktop to Tikona over WiFi (a.k.a Tikona all home configuration/settings)

Hello guys,
I've been using Tikona for quite sometime using the Ruckus Gateway/Router(better known as U-shaped modem). The subscription came with an all home option, but I've never been able to connect the desktop via wifi to it. Tried the latest dialer from Tikona, which is supposed to establish the connection automatically, with no progress. The service engineer checked it thoroughly and announced that either my USB wifi adapter's drivers are not proper or the wifi option is not enabled in the router and that I need to call the advanced support team to enable it. The advanced support team was not of much help. So, I just gave in and because the units are fully customized by Tikona, there's nothing that we can do to enable it or make some changes in the way they behave/connect. There's virtually no document anywhere as to how to do anything, either. I also contemplated exploring the option of using an Access Point cum Router in Bridge/Repeater Mode to wifi-enable my desktop and winmobile. This is still in my mind, and would be explored later.

Before spending on an AP, I just thought about having some more experiments with the unit. I wanted to see what exactly the dialer does, coz it is said to connect to some hidden network. Fired up the dialer, set the adapter to the wireless and asked it to connect using all home, all the while keeping a watch on the wireless networks in view. Voila! A new network by the name "TDN-Home" is added and later, it disappears and another one, "tikonawifi", comes up. But in any case, the pc is not connecting to the wifi network and so the authentication fails. The newly created networks are also deleted. I decided to explore it further and while it is there, opened up the tikonawifi entry and got out the parameters from it.

They are:
SSID:tikonawifi
Security Type:WPA2-Enterprise
Encryption:AES
Network Authentication Method: PEAP

With these, I added a wireless network to my desktop and it connected beautifully, after asking for the username and password. Once the wifi network connection is established, login page loads which can be used to connect to the Net. This way, I can connect using wifi to the router without any problems after that. If anybody faces problems reg this, I'm available for further discussion.

I also connected my HTC Hermes to the same gateway using wifi, but that's another post!! I personally think the way for mobile would be pretty same for any device, given they have those options. The only limiting factor is the number of authenticated MAC addresses you can have in any given time, but that's a limit imposed by Tikona.

Hope this helps anyone who's trying to get the all home working with their desktops/laptops.

Go Wirefree!!!

Ponmudi Trek with ANAG

I recently stumbled upon a blog which gave me immense pleasure and really made me wet my hands a little on the huge potential of google maps and display of our own data. This is the blog and I really wanna thank the author, Brian who, along with Stacy, enjoys a very active Hiking 'n Biking life.
Cheers to you, Brian!
I just tried this stuff, though with limited accessories, and as an example i took my trek path at Ponmudi to Panayam-Ponmudi Falls. The area is stunning and the trek, easy. The team was ANAG(Agasthya Nature Action Group) and there were 5 members including me.

I have some plans to embellish it with some geotagged pics and other stuff, so watch out this link.

This is the trekpath with some waypoints.

Gadget of future

Airwash waterless washing machine promises to change clothes washing forever!
Airwash makes your clothes clean, but use no water or detergents.

Airwash uses negative ions, compressed air and deodorants to clean our clothes. This future gadget was inspired by the waterfall, nature’s negative ion generator.
Eliminating the use of detergent and water Airwash will be one of the most important eco gadgets.

Ergo Tech

Inflatable multimedia speakers systems



GroundSurf electric skateboard guided by Windows Mobile

Iqua's Sun, the solar-powered Bluetooth headset

REDFLY Smartphone Interface System

Contact Lenses Project Mobile Phone Displays Directly into the Eye

Hi-Tech Wealth's solar powered S116

Hydrogen fuel cells for cellphones

Bluetooth-enabled iPod backpack

i-zoomed-Phone

Sure, this one looks funny, but the makers say gives results. Good, when you actually think about the fact that iphones are only good for multimedia. So, this is an ideal addition to the repertiore of accessories that the i-family boasts of and thrives on (eventhough most are made by third parties, including this one).

Those who put functionality before convenience and show-factor wouldn't be interested much in gizmos like these and would go for an SLR with 500mm for this purpose.

As an afterthought, the company makes adapters for Nokia devices too. Strike a chord? Wonder if they really apply common sense when they think about all-in-one devices.

Hey, you can buy one at this shop.

Weird Rock

It seems the line between rock and electronica is gettin a li'l blurred and how. I stumbled upon this software solution which kept me wondering about its usefulness. After thinking for several minutes (and not wanting to get thrown out of the office), I reached the standard and logical answer which starts with 'if there's a mountain to be climbed...'

The full story is here.

So get ready folks, there's no better application when it comes to make your iphone screen down n dirty.

...and one more thing...you can actually see an iphone fret, just like its owner, after seeing a WM in action.

LCD Display + Touch Screen + Scanner

Sharp introduces a new system LCD touchscreen display with optical sensors which can act as scanner. An optical sensor is built into each LCD pixel, which can act as a scanner for business cards and stuff. Tactile recognition based on multi-touch is also incorporated.
Get the full story here.

There's a Projector in my mobile!!!!

3M announced another world's smallest projector to be incorporated into a mobile. It is illuminated by LED and is less than half of an inch thick. 3M claims that this miniature projector can project a 40-inch or larger image, with VGA resolution.(The other smallest projector is the PicoP by Microvision , which which shoots a 50-inch screen @ 800x600)

The engine uses an advanced liquid crystal on silicon (LCOS) electronic imager along with proprietary 3M optics technology. The product is expected to hit markets in early 2008.

Click here for the full story.

Let's have some fun this year, folks.