average admins

http://unattended.msfn.org/unattended.xp/

Have you ever wanted a Windows CD that would install Windows by automatically putting in your name, product key, timezone and regional settings? And have it merged with the latest Service Pack to save time? Followed by silently installing all your favourite applications along with DirectX 9.0c, .Net Framework 1.1 and then all the required hotfixes, updated drivers, tweaks, and a readily patched UXTheme without any user interaction whatsoever? Then this guide will show you how you can do just that!

Through the course of this guide, you will create a CD that does all the installing for you. The CD will be fully updated with the latest hotfixes, and install all your programs for you.

This guide has been broken up into three parts: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced. It has been done so, to help you understand what you’re doing and not to get over your head too fast. There are pages upon pages of information on this subject, and this guide only covers the tip of the iceberg.

According to a new blog (terminal23) I’ve been reading, who keeps up with another blog (joatBlog) I read, the wi-spy is going to be twice the price starting Feb. 1st. That’s in 20 days for those of you that think math is hard (you know who you are, Jeff)

Ok, so what exactly is a Wi-Spy?

Wi-Spy™ is the world’s smallest 2.4 GHz spectrum analyzer*. Wi-Spy is perfect for troubleshooting interference from the following devices:

* Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g/n)
* Microwave Ovens
* Cordless Phones
* Zigbee
* Bluetooth

Who needs Wi-Spy?
You may need Wi-Spy if:

* You deploy and maintain Wi-Fi networks
* Your Wi-Fi has intermittent bandwidth problems
* The microwave interferes with your Wi-Fi network
* When the phone rings your network connection drops
* Your neighbors, family, and friends constantly call you for free tech support

Also, it looks like the guys over at MetaGeek (the makers of the Wi-Spy), are working on a new software release for this little device.

The screenshots for this little thing look amazing. Take a look at them here:
http://www.metageek.net/chanalyzer/screenshots.php

You have probably noticed the recent influx of BSD-based distros and livecds on DistroWatch. Here’s one that caught their attention in a recent issue of DistroWatch Weekly:

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http://www.engadget.com/2007/01/09/the-apple-iphone/

It definitely has a lot of sex appeal. It’s like having a little MacBook in your pocket. Check out the comments if you want to hear from all the haters out there.

The best thing about this phone is that it’s going to be on the Cingular network. While Cingular sucks here in our neighborhood, it’s the best available.

Jason, start saving your pennies now since this phone has quite the hefty price tag on it … 600 bucks for a 8GB model with a 2-year contract. I might just be trading in my Treo 650 for one. Now I just need to find a good spot on my shelf for my new 80GB iPod.

Welcome to 2007! I hope everyone enjoyed themselves last night on New Years Eve. I also hope none of you guys did anything I wouldn’t do…

I want to thank all of our contributors and readers for giving the average admins a great first year in 2006. We have had some useful posts and some very encouraging and helpful comments from you, the readers. I hope that 2007 is even better than 2006 as far as blog content goes and our local aa meetings.

If anyone, local or abroad, would like to start contributing to the average admins blog, please let me know (jeff[dot]cross[at]averageadmins[dot]com). We are looking for anyone who is constantly looking for the best utilities and better ways of doing things with hardware and software. We’re looking for people who have come up with real world solutions to real world problems that may assist other admins and users out there. Again, if you are interested, please contact me directly or post a comment to this entry and I will follow up with you (just make sure you are either registered with a valid e-mail address or use a valid e-mail address when posting).

I hope everyone has a prosperous new year in 2007. Be safe and be blessed.

Until next time…