Trying to leave LinkedIn… AGAIN!
// May 11th, 2009 // 898 Comments » // Random
Take 2!
Why is closing my account so damn hard – shame on you LinkedIn…
P

This is the occasionally updated blog of Paul O'Brien, founder of MoDaCo.com. It's nothing to do with Paul O'Brien the Australian soap actor. Just so you know...
// May 11th, 2009 // 898 Comments » // Random
Take 2!
Why is closing my account so damn hard – shame on you LinkedIn…
P

// March 27th, 2009 // 1,947 Comments » // Random
Ingredients:
1 x Samsung 40″ LCD TV
1 x Asus EeeBox B202
1 x 2GB SODIMM
1 x Samsung 2GB USB stick
1 x VESA adaptor
1 x MCE IR adaptor
1 x Hauppauge HVR 900 USB tv card
2 x packets of rubber tap washers
1 x Windows 7 install DVD
Directions:
Upgrade EeeBox B202 RAM before configuring with latest Windows 7 build – use 2GB USB stick for ReadyBoost. When installation is complete, mount EeeBox VESA bracket (included with EeeBox) to VESA adaptor using screws provided with adaptor. Use 2 rubber tap washers to space from bracket. Next, mount VESA adaptor to back of television, again using supplied screws, with 1 tap washer to avoid possibility of damage to TV back surface. Finally, mount EeeBox to VESA bracket. Connect MCE IR adaptor and Hauppauge HVR 900 TV card via USB.
EeeBox can now be used as media center machine (bear in mind GMA950 graphics on B202, B204 or B206 may suit better), as well as a NAS box with it’s Gigabit Ethernet.
Yield:
Serves 3…

// March 3rd, 2009 // 785 Comments » // Random
Following on from the earlier snow chains debacle… this is what they’re supposed to look like!
Maximum kudos SCC to for their excellent customer serveice, if you EVER need snow chains for your vehicle, they are the people to speak to!
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// February 24th, 2009 // 1,572 Comments » // Random
Randomly, there seems to be an Australian soap actor called Paul O’Brien. Erm… that’s not me (for those that are visiting the blog, and even posting comments on that basis)…
Having said that, seems that my namesake isn’t really an actor in ‘Home and Away’ any more! From Wikipedia…
Paul made his first appearance as Constable Jack Holden on August 5, 2005, Episode 4020. He arrived with his brother Lucas Holden and Father Tony Holden. Jack soon fell for Martha McKenzie, and the two later married, only to divorce later in 2007. Jack then married Sam, however this did not last, as Jack was still in love with Martha, and Sam died. Martha and Jack had re-married after a heartfelt wedding. On the season finale of Home and Away 2008, Jack was shot in the heart by his fellow workmate Angelo. Jack was found dead by his father Tony at the end of the 2009 Series Return – his death is a big shock for Home and Away fans.
Being shot in the heart – even in TV soap-land – is pretty final…
P
// February 24th, 2009 // 648 Comments » // Random
Just a quick video post to test the video widget in my blog theme!
Theoretically by posting a link to this video (CamerAware demo!), it should also show up on the right hand side of my theme!
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// December 29th, 2008 // 3,188 Comments » // Random
Not a bad day’s driving eh…. view the tracker map (courtesy of CamerAware)!
A long day, a lot of miles, but effortless on those lovely French roads… 65 Euros of tolls not so good! The benefit – short journey up from Geneva the following day and hello Avoriaz and the slopes! Yay!
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// November 21st, 2008 // 751 Comments » // Random

Over the past few weeks, the little scrolly ball on my Apple Might Mouse has been misbehaving.
It has gradually got to the point it was at today, whereby scrolling up / left / right works, but down doesn’t. Huh.
After reading around on the web I discovered that this is actually quite common, but there are a whole load of weird and wonderful possible solutions suggested. Incredibly, Apple suggest you hold your mouse upside down and roll the wheel around. Unsurprisingly, that alone didn’t work!
So here’s what I did…
- Get a sheet of blank paper
- Wet the ball of the mouse very slightly
- Hold mouse upside down and roll it around firmly and in all different directions on said piece of paper
Chances are you will see small flecks of dirt on the paper. After doing this, all should be well! It worked for me!
P
PS Probably worth turning the mouse off before you do this, or your machine will probably go a bit crazy…
// October 15th, 2008 // 6,134 Comments » // Random
OK, so it’s not a question everybody will have asked… but i’ve often wondered what speed you actually end up doing when you’re driving in reverse.
I remember hearing a story once about how Saab 9-3 Turbos used to still engage their turbo in reverse (and end up being a bit mental) and i’ve often meant to fire up CamerAware and have some fun!
Well, the Civic Type-R i’m driving at the moment has a digital dashboard, and I discovered the other day that it registers the speed in reverse too!
Cool!
Of course, having thought about this a bit more (yes, pointless I know) I have a bunch more questions…
- How quick CAN you go in reverse?
- Does i-VTEC cut in >5k RPM in reverse?
- Does the MPS turbo cut in >2.5k RPM in reverse?
- What are the acceleration times in reverse?
Good job i’m old and sensible now, honest…
P
PS I’d like to point out the picture below was taking going FORWARDS… hehe…

// October 10th, 2008 // 14,680 Comments » // Random
Hey, it’s a new blog (again, for longer term readers)!
Why? Because I wanted to make by blog a little bit different, more personal, and to keep general tech stuff in a different place.
Not only that, I wanted to work with WordPress again after a long time with Drupal!
Welcome…
P