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Wednesday, November 28, 2007

Projects

Human Knowledge Belongs To Mankind


Living in a civilization driven by a thirst for more information regardless of place and time obviates the need for individuals who must dedicate their time, knowledge and sanity to the service of mankind so as to make some contribution in their own 'little' ways.


Inspired by the efforts of ancient philosophers
1 Aristotle => inductive reasoning (knowledge from experiment/observations)
2 Plato => deductive reasoning (knowledge thru reasoning - eg backward chaining)


Current Projects


1. Knowledge Based System (AI - cocktail of Prolog and Java)

This system uses AI techniques and tools to create an Expert System shell that can also be configured as an Automated Help Desk facility or a Computer Aided Learning system.

The system accepts user queries in the natural written language (any language desired*) and responds to them from data in its knowledge base. The system is an expert in a specific domain (eg computer networking, management, history, etc).

This is not magic ! The Knowledge Engineer is in charge of maintaining the dictionary (verbs, nouns, synonyms), adding new knowledge to the Knowledge Base and he is also the tutor to the system (teaches it how to respond to specific questions).

NB
i. The Knowledge Engineer does not give the answers (the already exist in the KB) but rather tells the system how to approach specific kinds/categories of user questions.

ii. The system currently only solves theory questions. Calculations and diagrams to be added later.

iii. The demo is available for download here


2. Simplex SMS Daemon (Java)

This product is already completed and ready to roll. It accepts product mix requests through SMS and replies with the maximum profit the person can get, the combination of products that will realize the profit and the amount he may have left after buying the products for sale.

It answers the following questions:
i. What is the maximum profit i can get from eg 1000/= ?
ii. Which is the best deal between two mutualy exclusive deals ?
iii. What combination of products will give me the maximum gain ?


Assumptions:
i. Your sole purpose of engaging in business is maximising the profit.
ii. All the products in the mix will be sold out.

Linux iz gud !!

Linux for Life..

As a challenge i request all my fans to get going in Linux (whatever the flavor). This way we can keep microsoft on the cold and the anti piracy guys less stressed.

"What happens to my favorite Windows programs..?", you might ask. Of course we know 'old habits die hard. There are several versions of CD bootable Linux (eg Puppy, DSL, Knoppix, among many others!) which you can use to boot into Linux (doesnt need your Hard disk to keep rolling !). You can always use Windows if you decide to boot without the Linux Bootable CD...

Linux comes with various office tools; spreadsheet, word processors, calculators, etc

Isn't this cool ?

..If you like the experience, just pass me a comment...

Artificial Intelligence Primer

The Study of this field requires an interest in the following fields:

These are the elementary fields of study which might be of importance.

1. Fuzzy Logic (after apreciating the weaknesses of the Boolean Logic)
2. Genetic Algorithms (inspired by the Darwinian Theory of Evolution
3. Neural Networks (Concerned with pattern recognision)
4. Natural Language Processing
5. Predicate Logic
6. Appreciating the human intelligence
7. An inspiration from Cognitive Neuroscience
8. And...of course, your sanity

You will have to be paranoid most of the times..........

More Jokes

1.
A businessman enters a tavern, sits down at the bar, and orders a double martini on the rocks. After he finishes the drink, he peeks inside his shirt pocket, then orders the bartender to prepare another double martini. After he finishes that it, he again peeks inside his shirt pocket and orders the bartender to bring another double martini. The bartender says, "Look, buddy, I'll bring ya' martinis all night long - but you gotta tell me why you look inside your shirt pocket before you order a refill." The customer replies, "I'm peeking at a photo of my wife. When she starts to look good, I know it's time to go home."

2.
A guy walks into a bar and orders a drink. After a few more he needs to go to the can. He doesn't want anyone to steal his drink so he puts a sign on it saying, "I spat in this beer, do not drink!". After a few minutes he returns and there is another sign next to his beer saying, "So did I!"

3.
There was once a man who was in a bar, terribly drunk. The bartender noticed this, and when he asked for another beer, the bartender politely told him that he was too drunk to be served another drink. The man leaves. He walks in the side door and asks the bartender for a beer. A little frustrated, the bartender repeats the answer he said before. The man leaves. He then comes in the other side door, walks to the bartender and asks for a beer. The bartender is annoyed, and tells the man he is too drunk and to get a ride home and leave his bar. He leaves. He then comes in the BACK door, comes the the bartender, and before he can say a word, the bartender explodes at him. "I told you already, you are way too drunk, you can not have another beer! Get out of my bar!" Disgruntled, the man looks at the bartender and asks, "Man, how many bars do you work at?"


4.
A local United Way office realized that the organization had never received a donation from the town's most successful lawyer. The person in charge of contributions called him to persuade him to contribute.

"Our research shows that out of a yearly income of at least $700,000, you give not a penny to charity. Wouldn't you like to give back to the community in some way?"

The lawyer mulled this over for a moment and replied, "First, did your research also show that my mother is dying after a long illness, and has medical bills that are several times her annual income?"

Embarrassed, the United Way rep mumbled, "Um ... no."

The lawyer interrupts, "or that my brother, a disabled veteran, is blind and confined to a wheelchair?"

The stricken United Way rep began to stammer out an apology, but was interrupted again.

"or that my sister's husband died in a traffic accident," the lawyer's voice rising in indignation, "leaving her penniless with three children?!"

The humiliated United Way rep, completely beaten, said simply, "I had no idea..."

On a roll, the lawyer cut him off once again, "So if I don't give any money to them, why should I give any to you?"


5.
A pick pocket was up in court for a series of petty crimes. The judge said "Mr. Banks you are hereby fined $100." The lawyer stood up and said "Thanks, my lord, however my client only has $75 on him at this time, but if you'd allow him a few minutes in the crowd. . ."


6.
One day, there was this lawyer who had just bought a new car, and he was eager to show it off to his colleagues, when all of a sudden an eighteen wheeler came out of nowhere and took of the driver's side door with him standing right there. "NOOO!" he screamed, because he knew that no matter how good a mechanic tried to fix it, it never would be the same. Finally, a cop came by, and the lawyer ran up to him yelling. "MY JAGUAR DOOR WAS JUST RUINED BY SOME FOOLISH DRIVER!!!" he exclaimed. "Your a lawyer aren't you?" asked the policeman. "Yes, I am, but what does this have to do with my car?!?!" the lawyer asked. "HA! Your lawyers are always so materialistic. All you care about is your possessions. I bet you didn't even notice that your left arm is missing did you?" the cop said. The lawyer looked down at his side and exclaimed "MY ROLEX!"


7.
A lawyer defending a man accused of burglary tried this creative defense: "My client merely inserted his arm into the window and removed a few trifling articles. His arm is not himself, and I fail to see how you can punish the whole individual for an offence committed by his limb."

"Well put," the judge replied. "Using your logic, I sentence the defendant's arm to one year's imprisonment. He can accompany it or not, as he chooses." The defendant smiled. With his lawyer's assistance he detached his artificial limb, laid it on the bench, and walked out.

8.
An engineer dies and reports to the pearly gates. St. Peter checks his dossier and says, "Ah, you're an engineer -- you're in the wrong place." So the engineer reports to the gates of hell and is admitted. Pretty soon, the engineer gets dissatisfied with the level of comfort in hell, and, as is the wont for engineers, starts designing and building improvements. After a while, they've got air conditioning and flush toilets and escalators, and the engineer is a pretty popular guy. One day God calls Satan up on the telephone and asks, "So how's it going down there in hell?"

Satan replies, "Hey things are going great. We've got air conditioning, flushing toilets and working escalators, and there's no telling what an engineer is going to come up with next." God replies, "What You've got an engineer? That's a mistake -- he should never have gotten down there; send him up here." Satan says, "No way. I like having an engineer on the staff, and I'm keeping him." God says, "Send him back up here or I'll sue." Satan laughs uproariously and answers, "Yeah right. And just where are you going to get a lawyer?"


9.
A doctor and a lawyer were talking at a party. Their conversation was constantly interrupted by people describing their ailments and asking the doctor for free medical advice. After an hour of this, the exasperated doctor asked the lawyer, "What do you do to stop people from asking you for legal advice when you're out of the office?"

"I give it to them," replied the lawyer, "and then I send them a bill." The doctor was shocked, but agreed to give it a try. The next day, still feeling slightly guilty, the doctor prepared the bills. When he went to place them in his mailbox, he found a bill from the lawyer.

More Jokes

A businessman enters a tavern, sits down at the bar, and orders a double martini on the rocks. After he finishes the drink, he peeks inside his shirt pocket, then orders the bartender to prepare another double martini. After he finishes that it, he again peeks inside his shirt pocket and orders the bartender to bring another double martini. The bartender says, "Look, buddy, I'll bring ya' martinis all night long - but you gotta tell me why you look inside your shirt pocket before you order a refill." The customer replies, "I'm peeking at a photo of my wife. When she starts to look good, I know it's time to go home."


A guy walks into a bar and orders a drink. After a few more he needs to go to the can. He doesn't want anyone to steal his drink so he puts a sign on it saying, "I spat in this beer, do not drink!". After a few minutes he returns and there is another sign next to his beer saying, "So did I!"


There was once a man who was in a bar, terribly drunk. The bartender noticed this, and when he asked for another beer, the bartender politely told him that he was too drunk to be served another drink. The man leaves. He walks in the side door and asks the bartender for a beer. A little frustrated, the bartender repeats the answer he said before. The man leaves. He then comes in the other side door, walks to the bartender and asks for a beer. The bartender is annoyed, and tells the man he is too drunk and to get a ride home and leave his bar. He leaves. He then comes in the BACK door, comes the the bartender, and before he can say a word, the bartender explodes at him. "I told you already, you are way too drunk, you can not have another beer! Get out of my bar!" Disgruntled, the man looks at the bartender and asks, "Man, how many bars do you work at?"



A man that was drinking all day goes into a bar. He demands a beer and is denied. Yet he keeps asking the bartender. Finally the bartender grabs him and throws him out. Another man is walking by and the man who was thrown out stops him. He says hey I'll bet you 100 dollars that I'm Jesus Christ. The man walking by laughs at him and says make it 500 dollars and you got yourself a bet. The man claiming to be Jesus says come with me into this bar and I'll prove it. So they walk in and sit down at the bar. Suddenly the bartender comes from the back of the bar and sees the man he threw out. Angrily the bartender looks toward the man he just threw out and says Jesus Christ I told you to stay out of here. The man walking by looks amazed and pays the man his 500 dollars.




A local United Way office realized that the organization had never received a donation from the town's most successful lawyer. The person in charge of contributions called him to persuade him to contribute.

"Our research shows that out of a yearly income of at least $700,000, you give not a penny to charity. Wouldn't you like to give back to the community in some way?"

The lawyer mulled this over for a moment and replied, "First, did your research also show that my mother is dying after a long illness, and has medical bills that are several times her annual income?"

Embarrassed, the United Way rep mumbled, "Um ... no."

The lawyer interrupts, "or that my brother, a disabled veteran, is blind and confined to a wheelchair?"

The stricken United Way rep began to stammer out an apology, but was interrupted again.

"or that my sister's husband died in a traffic accident," the lawyer's voice rising in indignation, "leaving her penniless with three children?!"

The humiliated United Way rep, completely beaten, said simply, "I had no idea..."

On a roll, the lawyer cut him off once again, "So if I don't give any money to them, why should I give any to you?"














A pick pocket was up in court for a series of petty crimes. The judge said "Mr. Banks you are hereby fined $100." The lawyer stood up and said "Thanks, my lord, however my client only has $75 on him at this time, but if you'd allow him a few minutes in the crowd. . ."








One day, there was this lawyer who had just bought a new car, and he was eager to show it off to his colleagues, when all of a sudden an eighteen wheeler came out of nowhere and took of the driver's side door with him standing right there. "NOOO!" he screamed, because he knew that no matter how good a mechanic tried to fix it, it never would be the same. Finally, a cop came by, and the lawyer ran up to him yelling. "MY JAGUAR DOOR WAS JUST RUINED BY SOME FOOLISH DRIVER!!!" he exclaimed. "Your a lawyer aren't you?" asked the policeman. "Yes, I am, but what does this have to do with my car?!?!" the lawyer asked. "HA! Your lawyers are always so materialistic. All you care about is your possessions. I bet you didn't even notice that your left arm is missing did you?" the cop said. The lawyer looked down at his side and exclaimed "MY ROLEX!"













A lawyer defending a man accused of burglary tried this creative defense: "My client merely inserted his arm into the window and removed a few trifling articles. His arm is not himself, and I fail to see how you can punish the whole individual for an offence committed by his limb."

"Well put," the judge replied. "Using your logic, I sentence the defendant's arm to one year's imprisonment. He can accompany it or not, as he chooses." The defendant smiled. With his lawyer's assistance he detached his artificial limb, laid it on the bench, and walked out.


An engineer dies and reports to the pearly gates. St. Peter checks his dossier and says, "Ah, you're an engineer -- you're in the wrong place." So the engineer reports to the gates of hell and is admitted. Pretty soon, the engineer gets dissatisfied with the level of comfort in hell, and, as is the wont for engineers, starts designing and building improvements. After a while, they've got air conditioning and flush toilets and escalators, and the engineer is a pretty popular guy. One day God calls Satan up on the telephone and asks, "So how's it going down there in hell?"

Satan replies, "Hey things are going great. We've got air conditioning, flushing toilets and working escalators, and there's no telling what an engineer is going to come up with next." God replies, "What You've got an engineer? That's a mistake -- he should never have gotten down there; send him up here." Satan says, "No way. I like having an engineer on the staff, and I'm keeping him." God says, "Send him back up here or I'll sue." Satan laughs uproariously and answers, "Yeah right. And just where are you going to get a lawyer?"




A doctor and a lawyer were talking at a party. Their conversation was constantly interrupted by people describing their ailments and asking the doctor for free medical advice. After an hour of this, the exasperated doctor asked the lawyer, "What do you do to stop people from asking you for legal advice when you're out of the office?"

"I give it to them," replied the lawyer, "and then I send them a bill." The doctor was shocked, but agreed to give it a try. The next day, still feeling slightly guilty, the doctor prepared the bills. When he went to place them in his mailbox, he found a bill from the lawyer.

Tuesday, July 10, 2007

Parsing Integers in C++

/This is my own function to parse integers from strings (char array to be exact)
//This was necessitated by the absence of 'parseInt()' in C and C++
//Created on July 2007 by Mabura

//important note: Angle brackets hav been left out bcoz this site treats them as //////html tags, so do add them before compiling.

#include iostream.h
#include string.h

//function to parse a string to an integer given a pointer to an array
int parseInt(char *ptrNumber)
{
char strNumber[10];
//store the string into a local variable
for(int i=0;i 'less than' 9;i++)
{
strNumber[i]=*ptrNumber;
ptrNumber++;
}

//'number' is used to construct the new integer using 'digit'
int number=0,digit=0;
int j=0;

//read from the last element of the array coming down
//this is done to get rid of the non essential values that fill the array
for(i=9;i 'greater than or equal to' 0;i--)
{
//check if number is between 0 and 9
if(int(strNumber[i]) 'greater or equal to' 48 && int(strNumber[i]) 'less or equal to' 57)
{
//get integer equivalent of the 'char'
digit=int(strNumber[i]);
//get the actual integer value (our zero is 48 and 9 is 57)
digit-=48;

//j is used to give 'digit' its appropriate 'weight' in the
//number (i.e ones,tens,hundreds etc)
j++;
for(int k=1;k 'less than' j;k++)
{
digit*=10;
}
}

number+=digit;
}

//test output before return;
cout number endl;
return number;

}

//This is the driver function to test the functionality of the parseInt()
//It actually creates arbitrary arrays with arbitrary values and then
//passes them to parseInt then gets the parsed integer. To prove that the
//number returned is an integer, this function tries to do integer manipulations
//then output the result to stdout.
void main()
{
char number[10];
char *ptrNumber=number;
//cout "Number ? " endl;
//cin number;
strcpy(number,"850");

int newInteger=parseInt(ptrNumber);

cout newInteger endl;
cout newInteger " + 50 = " (newInteger+50) endl;

}

Sample ADO DB Via Code

'//PROGRAM TO ACCESS DATABASE WITH ADO VIA CODE
'//AUTHOR: IBRAHIM ITAMBO
'//VERSION: 1.0


'These two objects must be accessible by all Subs
Public cJKUAT As ADODB.Connection
Public rsStudent As ADODB.Recordset

Private Sub cmdAdd_Click()

Call ClearFields
cmdAdd.Visible = False
cmdDelete.Visible = False
cmdOK.Visible = True
cmdCancel.Visible = True
End Sub

Private Sub cmdCancel_Click()
With rsStudent
.CancelUpdate
.MoveLast
End With
Call UpdateFields
cmdAdd.Visible = True
cmdDelete.Visible = True
cmdOK.Visible = False
cmdCancel.Visible = False
End Sub

Private Sub cmdClose_Click()
Unload Me
End Sub

Private Sub cmdDelete_Click()
With rsStudent
.Delete
.MoveLast
End With
Call UpdateFields
End Sub

Private Sub cmdMoveFirst_Click()

rsStudent.MoveFirst
Call UpdateFields
End Sub

Private Sub cmdMoveLast_Click()

rsStudent.MoveLast
Call UpdateFields
End Sub

Private Sub cmdMoveNext_Click()

rsStudent.MoveNext
If rsStudent.EOF Then
rsStudent.MoveLast
MsgBox "U R on the Last Record"
End If
Call UpdateFields
End Sub

Private Sub cmdMovePrevious_Click()

rsStudent.MovePrevious
If rsStudent.BOF Then
rsStudent.MoveFirst
MsgBox "U R on the First Record"
End If
Call UpdateFields
End Sub

Private Sub cmdOK_Click()
cmdAdd.Visible = True
cmdDelete.Visible = True
cmdOK.Visible = False
cmdCancel.Visible = False
rsStudent.AddNew
On Error GoTo errHandler
rsStudent.Fields("Name") = txtName.Text
rsStudent.Fields("RegNo") = txtRegNo.Text
rsStudent.Fields("Gender") = txtGender.Text
rsStudent.Fields("Age") = CInt(txtAge.Text)
rsStudent.Update
rsStudent.MoveLast
Call UpdateFields
Exit Sub

errHandler:
MsgBox "Update Failed", vbOKOnly, "ERROR"
rsStudent.MoveLast
Call UpdateFields
End Sub

Private Sub Form_Load()

Set cJKUAT = New ADODB.Connection
Set rsStudent = New ADODB.Recordset
Dim sConnect As String
'set lock type to enable updates to the recordset
rsStudent.LockType = adLockOptimistic
'initialize connection string
sConnect = "Provider=Microsoft.Jet.OLEDB.4.0;" & "Data Source=JKUAT.mdb"
'make connection
cJKUAT.Open sConnect
rsStudent.Source = "select * from students"
Set rsStudent.ActiveConnection = cJKUAT
rsStudent.Open
Call UpdateFields
cmdOK.Visible = False
cmdCancel.Visible = False
End Sub

Public Sub UpdateFields()
txtName.Text = rsStudent.Fields("Name")
txtRegNo.Text = rsStudent.Fields("RegNo")
txtGender.Text = rsStudent.Fields("Gender")
txtAge.Text = rsStudent.Fields("Age")
End Sub

Public Sub ClearFields()
txtName.Text = ""
txtRegNo.Text = ""
txtGender.Text = ""
txtAge.Text = ""
End Sub

Wednesday, May 16, 2007

Short Jokes 1

When I was young I used to pray for a bike, then I realized that God doesn't work that way, so I stole a bike and prayed for forgiveness.

Innkeeper: The room is $15. a night. It's $5 if you make your own bed.
Guest: I'll make my own bed.
Innkeeper: Good. I'll get you some nails and wood.

In the first year of marriage, the man speaks and the woman listens. In the second year, the woman speaks and the man listens. In the third year, they both speak and the neighbors listen.

Love thy neighbor all through the day... but first make sure her husband's away.

A guy asks his waiter how they prepare their chicken. The waiter says that there's nothin' special... we just flat out tell' em they're gonna die...

Two Doughnuts were baking in an oven. One Doughnut turns to the other and says, "Holy Shit it's hot in here!" The other doughnut says, "Holy Shit... A talking doughnut!"

A reporter was interviewing a 104 year-old woman: "And what do you think is the best thing about being 104?" She simply replied, "No peer pressure."

WLAN Planning

Careful Planning
As with any other project, the planning of a WLAN installation involves establishing a schedule and assigning resources. For example, you may need two installers working over a period of six weeks to install 150 access points and only one installer for a couple days for a smaller network with five access points.
You'll also need to accomplish some up front coordination to ensure that the installation is completed on schedule. The access points will tie back to switches via Ethernet; therefore, you need to communicate with the people responsible for supporting the existing Ethernet systems if they already exist. Each access point requires a 10Mbps or 100Mbps Ethernet connection, depending on the design of the WLAN. In addition, it will likely be safer and optimum in terms of performance to separate the access points from the rest of the corporate network via a router or virtual LAN(VLAN) (define) . Just be sure to discuss all of this with the support staff for effective integration into the existing system.
When considering the installation schedule, think about the time of installation. The best approach is to install access points and the distribution system during operational downtimes. For example, don't attempt going full speed ahead with an installation in retail stores in November or December because of the holiday-related activities. Also avoid installations in office complexes during the daytime when there are lots of people milling around.
In larger facilities, you'll likely come across locked doors leading to locations where you need to install access points or cabling. As a result, coordinate access to these locked rooms before getting too far along. It's best to actually have a phone number (preferably a cell phone) of someone who can get you into rooms at the last minute if necessary.

Identify Locations for Access Points
The installation locations of access points have significant impact on performance. So, you want to be sure to do this right by performing a radio frequency (RF) site survey before installing the access points. The site survey will spot potential sources of RF interference and provide a basis for determining the most effective installation locations for access points. You can refer to a previous tutorial and related case studies discussing site surveys I performed for the Miami International Airport and Naval Post Graduate School for details on performing RF site surveys for WLANs.
When deciding where to place an access point, bear in mind coverage and performance requirements. You shouldn't over do it when meeting these requirements because of possibly of running out of access point channels. Also take into account the maximum cable length limitations (100 meters) for the cable running from the Ethernet switch to the access point. If a 100 meter cable won't reach your preferred access point location, then think about moving the access point or possibly using a WLAN bridge (define) or optical fiber to make the connection.
For best signal propagation results, mount the access points as high as possible. Keep in mind, though, that you might need to service the access point from time-to-time by using an ordinary ladder.

Electricity is something else you should consider when identifying a location for the access point. Focus on using power-over-Ethernet (PoE) (define) to supply electrical power to the access point over the Category 5 (define) Ethernet cabling. If that's not possible, you'll probably need an electrician to hard wire the access point to a source of electricity.
This is an obvious step that many would consider trivial; however, keep in mind that the installation of WLANs is somewhat different than wired counterparts. For example, you'll need radio-based test equipment that is able to receive and analyze RF signals. You could use devices such as AirMagnet or Yellow Jacket, which are able to analyze WLAN signals when performing the RF site survey and testing the final installation. Of course other more common tools such as a ladder, mounting brackets, wire crimpers and a hammer are also necessary as well.
Install the distribution systemThe distribution system includes Ethernet switches and possibly routers along with Category 5 twisted pair cabling that runs to each access point. Be sure to label all cables according to company specifications or methods that you define. The main idea is to identify each end of the cable by some number scheme that lets you know which access point you're dealing with when connecting the wire to a patch panel and rewiring or troubleshooting the system in the future.

Some companies require that the Ethernet cabling be installed within a metal conduit, which provides some additional fire safety. As a result, determine whether the conduit is required in order to properly install (and quote) the system. You certainly don't want to discover the need for a conduit during the final testing -- they you might have to start from scratch.
Configure and Install Access PointsIn most cases, especially when you have multiple access points, you won't be able to meet requirements and the design using the default access point settings. For example, you'll need to set the access points within close proximity to each other to different radio channels in order to minimize inter-access point interference. In addition, set transmit power, encryption, authentication, request-to-send / clear-to-send and fragmentation to proper values.
Besides the 802.11 settings, you need to configure the Internet protocol (IP) address to comply with an effective IP address plan. Be sure to do this before mounting the access point to avoid difficulties in finalizing the installation.
I know of several companies who learned this the hard way by installing a large number of access points only later to find that all access points are set to the same, default IP address. This causes conflicts when trying to configure the access point over the Port 80 Web interface from a convenient, centralized location from the wired-side of the network. There only resolution was to go to each access point and set the IP address via a laptop and serial cable attached to the access point's console port, a rather time consuming task.

In office facilities, install the access points above the drop down ceilings. You can simply remove the ceiling tile and place a wooden shelf over the top of the ceiling struts to act as a platform for the access point to reside. The antenna can remain above the ceiling tile for most situations. In fact, it's often best to conceal the access point as much as possible to improve security.
In some facilities, you may need to mount the access point on a shelf or post. Just keep the access point beyond easy reach of people to minimize the possibility of tampering.
Antennas certainly impact the propagation of radio waves, and improper orientation can change signal coverage to something different than what was determined during the RF site survey. In most cases, you need to point the antenna vertical to the ground to maximize range (assuming the more common omni-directional antennas).

Test the Installation
Don't take it for granted that your coverage and wiring is okay. Test it using tools such as AirMagnet or Yellow Jacket by ensuring that signal strength is high enough in all areas where users will roam. In addition, make certain that performance meets requirements while utilizing client devices that actual users will operate. If coverage is not up to par, then you may need to move some access points or install additional ones.
Accomplish the tests during times when there are typical users in the facility. I've seen significant impacts on propagation from groups of people getting in between the client device and the access point. For example, hospitals get much less coverage within patient rooms when full of doctors and nurses. As a result, run these tests under the worst situations.
Document the final installationAfter completing the installation, don't forget to carefully document what was done. Documentation should include a diagram depicting the location of installed access points and applicable configuration settings. You'll certainly need this documentation in order to physically find the access points in the future, assuming you were really good at concealing them. In addition, the configuration information will be necessary in order to monitor, troubleshoot and upgrade the WLAN

Wednesday, May 2, 2007

Drunk Twins

One sunny day in Nairobi, two men were sitting in a bar, drinking some Guinness, when one turns to the other and says "You see that man over there? He looks just like me! I think I'm gonna go over there and talk to him." So, he goes over to the man and taps him on the shoulder. "Excuse me sir," he starts, "but I noticed you look just like me!" The second man turns around and says "Yeah, I noticed the same thing, where you from?", "I'm from Langata", second man stunned says, "Me too! What Estate do you live in?", "Akiba", second man replies, "Me too! What house number is it?", the first man announces, "162", second man shocked says, "Me too! What are your parents names?", first man replies, "Johnstone and Sharon", second man awestruck says, "Mine too! This is unbelievable!"

So, they buy some more Guinness and they're talking some more when the bartenders change shifts. The new bartender comes in and goes up to the other bartender and asks "What's new today?" "Oh, the Johnstone twins are drunk again."

Alcoblow Trick

One night, a police officer was stalking out a particularly rowdy bar for possible violations of the driving under the influence laws. At closing time, he saw a fellow stumble out of the bar, trip on the curb, and try his keys on five different cars before he found his. Then, sat in the front seat fumbling around with his keys for several minutes. Everyone left the bar and drove off. Finally, he started his engine and began to pull away.

The police officer was waiting for him. He stopped the driver, read him his rights and administered the Alcoblow (Breathalyzer test). The results showed a reading of 0.0. The puzzled officer demanded to know how that could be. The driver replied, "Tonight, I'm the Designated Decoy."