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27 July 2010
Unexpected demand for the fit-PC2 creates shortages
OK, so maybe we expected it a just a little bit. It is one very cool computer, after all.
But despite our best efforts, we find ourselves with almost empty shelves and customers clamouring for more.
We were going to do a song and dance about our new fit-PC2i Windows XP and fit-PC2i network (diskless) units, except we're already out of the diskless and we've only two Windows XP left!
And we've already sold almost half of the units we have on order, which are now expected within a week or two.
On the plus side, we did manage to find a fit-PC2 basic wireless unit that we thought had run away to join the circus.
So if you're after a fit-PC2, we suggest you place your order now, just to get in the queue.
We're working hard to fix our supply issues, and hope to resume some normal state of supply shortly.
Our apologies for the inconvenience and thanks for your patience!
Do something awesome with a fit-PC2
Looking for something a bit different to do with a fit-PC2?
Matt Bunting at Arizona University has turned a fit-PC2 running Ubuntu 9.04 into a controller for one awesome looking robot.
Check out his demonstration video below.
Robotic spider anyone?
fit-PC2 booting
In breaking news, the latest fit-PC2s are now able to boot from the miniSD slot!
This means that the fit-PC2 now boots from all of its supported devices.
It also means you can boot from something that sits inside the fit-PC2, other than the hard drive.
And it supports SDHC so you can put something bigger than 2GB in it!
If you're having trouble finding miniSD cards, you're not alone. You can get a miniSD adapter pack from us, though, and use microSD cards instead.
And the fit-PC2s now also support overclocking, if you're into that sort of thing.
No more Windows XP fit-PC2's after 15th September
Microsoft in their infinite wisdom have decided to stop providing Windows XP licences for the fit-PC2.
Discontinuing a product that is selling so well seems like insanity to us. But who are we to argue with Microsoft?
So your last chance to buy a fit-PC2 with Windows XP will be mid September, depending on how our stock lasts.
If past history is any indication of future performance (which they're always telling us it's not), they won't last that long!
New Geos ADSL2+ x86 router board
Traverse have created a mini-ITX board, with the same AMD Geode LX800 500MHz processor used in the ALIX and net5501 series of SBCs, and added a built-in multiport ADSL modem.
If that wasn't enough, they've also made the RAM expandable, using normal laptop memory, up to a maximum of 1GB.
The Geos board's features include
AMD Geode LX800 500MHz processor
DDR400 RAM SO-DIMM
2 x ADSL2+
2 x 10/100 Ethernet
4 x USB
Mini PCI socket
Compact Flash and 44-pin IDE header
RS-232 Serial
It's expected to be available sometime in September.
We'll keep you posted.
IPFire
One of our customers recently brought an O/S to our attention called IPFire.
They found that it was the only solution that would run a 3G gateway on an ALIX and allow plenty of customisation.
According to the IPFire website, IPFire is a Linux distribution that is intended for use as a firewall.
It is easy to set up and has a strong focus on security. IPFire is maintained by experienced developers, who provide regular updates to ensure a high level of security.
Its intuitive web interface allows both beginners and experienced administrators to readily access its many features.
IPFire ships with a custom built packet-manager called Pakfire, so the system can be expanded with various addons.
Tips & Tricks: How to access the BIOS on your ALIX 2 and ALIX 3
To enter setup on the ALIX 2 and ALIX 3 (without VGA):
Connect to your computer via the serial console
Press 'S' during the memory test on bootup
25 May 2010
The fit-PC2i has landed!
The second ethernet port replaces two USB ports
The serial port replaces the IR receiver
Great news...
The long-awaited fit-PC2i has arrived!
What's the big deal, you ask?
Well, with two Gigabit ethernet ports and a serial port, plus the same impressive performance as a fit-PC2, you can use the fit-PC2i to create one awesome network appliance.
Take a look at out this cool video of the fit-PC2.
It's a great way to show off the fit-PC2's features to your friends and colleagues.
It certainly impressed lots of visitors at the Going Green Expo.
Let us know what you think!
Thanks to CompuLab for providing us with the original video.
Paul presents Robert with his prize
Congratulations to our winner!
Congratulations to Robert Righetti from ALPHAgreen, the winner of our Going Green prize draw.
Robert won an awesome fit-PC2 business package, including a Windows 7 fit-PC2 and an energy-efficient LED monitor, plus a bunch of great accessories.
ALPHAgreen are based in Scoresby, Victoria and are distributors for:
Mainline power track, an awesome flexible, wall-mounted power track system that allows you to add and move power points to where you need them, and
Siddons SolarStream, a solar hot water system that uses heat pump technology to heat water at any time of day or night, without the need for direct sunlight
I'm sure he's going to love using this fantastic computer.
And we've planted a tree for everyone who entered our draw, so thanks for helping us to plant a forest!
Like the look of pfSense but don't know where to start?
Been given a pfSense box to administer, and want to make sure it's working right?
Want to make your pfSense install do something really complicated, like automatic failover or captive portals?
Then 'pfSense: The Definitive Guide', written by pfSense co-founder Chris Buechler and pfSense consultant Jim Pingle, is for you.
Designed to be an easy step-by-step guide to common networking and security tasks, it covers installation and basic configuration through advanced networking and firewalling.
It's also a thorough reference for pfSense's capabilities, including:
All of our ALIX 2-3's now have real-time clock batteries (RTC).
So if you need your firewall or server to be time and date aware, pick one up today.
Annoyed by credit card surcharges?
Well, we don't charge one. Not even for American Express!
Why should you pay more for paying by credit card? There's no hidden extras in our checkout.
Shop with confidence with your Visa, Mastercard, American Express or Diners Club card today.
How to get your net5501 to play nicely with your CF card and SATA hard drive
Some CF cards stop the net5501 recognising the SATA disk.
SanDisk Ultra CF cards made between July and mid December 2009 are affected by this.
To work around this problem:
Set the CF card as the secondary drive
Boot from the CF card
Step 1 - Set the CF card as the secondary drive
Connect to the serial console on your net5501 with a null modem cable
During the POST (power on self test), press Ctrl-P to enter the BIOS
Type:
set FLASH Secondary
set BootDrive 81 80 F0 FF
reboot
Step 2 - Boot from the CF card
To automatically boot from the CF card, in Linux using grub as a bootloader, edit your /boot/grub/menu.lst file to look like this:
serial --speed=19200
terminal serial
timeout 5
default 0
title Linux with CF and SATA
root (hd0,1)
kernel /vmlinuz root=LABEL=ROOT_FS console=ttyS0,19200n8
initrd /initrd.img
Or make the matching changes to your bootloader in other operating systems.
For added flexibility, you can add a second boot menu option with hd0,0 as the boot drive, which will allow you to boot if there is no SATA drive present.
If that's all too hard, or it doesn't work for your set up, you can return your affected SanDisk Ultra or Ultra2 card for a replacement. Please contact us first.
31 January 2010
How to save thousands by changing your PC's
Improve your green credentials and your bottom line
Replacing your regular PCs with fit-PC2s will save you thousands, through:
"You should be very proud of your service. Makes some larger organizations look shabby indeed. Keep up the great work. Thanks."
Fast delivery
"The most responsive online supplier I use. Keep up the good work!"
Quality products
"Trouble-free setup and solid reliable hardware. I'll be recommending your products to any of my customers that are looking for routing solutions that are beyond that of basic consumer products."