remote eyes

More and more, it some times feels like my support of the information technology at the Carr Astronomical Observatory is like a mission to the International Space Station.

While I'm here in the city, I get people up there to do things. I send up commands and orders. When I go there, I have to carefully consider everything required to complete tasks. When it all works right, I can operate things by remote control.

I continue to work problems at the CAO. The security camera is fine now. So, clearly, the server is working. However I'm not getting weather reports. That's confusing, particularly given that Dietmar reported on a couple of occasions and situations that the weather station and WeatherLink software were working. Strange. For the moment, I cannot log into the server, so I'll work on that later...

With the recent failure of our wired router power supply, I wanted to begin the process of getting a (robust) replacement. I also wanted to check what kind of surge protection we have supporting the equipment in the basement.

Ian forgot to check his email before leaving the CAO today so he couldn't help me out. But he referred me to Phil. Lora and Phil and the pups were hanging out for a few days. I sent him an email asking if he'd like to assist me.

Then I noticed Phil online, in Meebo. I sent him an instant message. We chatted about the weather, current solar activity, etc. He then asked me if I wanted to do video chat! I was working off John Smallberries so that was not an option. My old B&W QuickCam is collecting dust somewhere. I was curious if the netbook would work... But I didn't have it set up, yet.

Phil suggested I not worry about it and as he used MSN on his netbook and as I used Meebo on the PC, we set up a (lop-sided) video chat. After a couple of invitations, I suddenly saw Phil's mug. And I could hear him talking! I typed some updates. When he said, "You can talk you know. I can hear you typing..." Ha ha. I totally forgot that I have a microphone attached to Smallberries.

More chit chat. The blue skies (which I could see in the background), the upcoming weekend.

Phil asked how he could help me with the CAO network. I explained that I wanted to confirm the power requirements of the D-Link di-704 router. Suddenly, he jumped up. "Let's go." He walked into the house and down to the basement. Amazing. I could see the gear, point him in the right direction, explain things; then he'd confirm things, read the fine print, tracing wiring. Just like I was talking to an astronaut on Station! Freaky.

So now I have the adapter power specs.

We also checked the AC supply. All the network equipment, the Georgian.net router and switch, our (rejuvenated) router and switch, the antenna beige boxes, they are all connected to multi-socket extension cords and plain power bars. But these in turn connect to the APC UPS below the UWO all-sky camera server.

I had forgotten about that UPS.

Then I wondered if it still works! I'll have to test it.

I thank Phil for his support.

Amazing being able to have a conversation and see what he was seeing. That was a first for me.