Norfolk Southern train 20E at CP 360 Butler Indiana

Added a new update to the website (www.northeastindianarailfan.com).  This is 20E crossing overBuat CP 360 Butler Indiana.  Photographs were taken on May 29, 2017.

May 29, 2017 - Butler Indiana

Trains in and around Butler Indiana on May 29, 2017.

Great Lakes Central Middleton Line

NS 20N heading north with NS 1070 leading solo in Wyandotte, MI

BQ Aquaris M10 Ubuntu (Linux) Tablet Computer YouTube Video

YoutTube video on the BQ Aquarius M10 Ubuntu Edition.  Shows how the tablet converts to a desktop when a keyboard and mouse are plugged into to it and some of the other features of this tablet.  

BQ Aquaris M10 Ubuntu (Linux) Edition Tablet Computer

FHD Model- Full HD edition (Black)
$279.90 Euro ($319.85 US as of 4/29/2016 -
Price based on exchange rate on a particular day)
Shipping is Free (Included in the price)

HD - HD Model (White)
$229.90 Euro ($262.72 US as of 4/29/2016 -
Price based on exchange rate on a particular day)
Shipping is Free (Included in the price)

BQ Aquaris M10 Ubuntu Edition Tablet

There is a new tablet on the market as of April  20, 2016.  It is the BQ Aquaris M10 Ubuntu Linux addition.  Canonical the makers of Ubuntu and Spanish tablet maker BQ have teamed up to bring us this tablet.  It has been a couple of years coming.   My opinion is the tablet to have.  You can connect it to a HDMI compatible  monitor, blue tooth keyboard and mouse and it becomes a full fledged desktop computer if you want to use it in that mode.   I assume you could also connect USB devices like a keyboard, mouse, and external hard drive for more capabilities.

The down to this tablet is you can't buy it here in the U.S at this moment.  You have to order it from the BQ Store (shipping from Spain).   I also think the price is a thing that will hinder sales of this tablet.  Based on specs it is a little on the salty side as far as price goes.  Although, it is comparable to a lower end Ipad in specs and price.  

I have been a user of Ubunu Linux since November of 2011 (Version 11.10). Ubuntu gives their operating system releases version numbers based on month and year of release so 11.10 came out in October (10) of 2011 (11).   The current release is 16.04 (April (04) 2016).

Most people think of Linux as share ware, but this particular version like Red Hat has actual support behind it and the best thing of all is it is free to put on as many computers as you want to put it on.   It runs a lot, lot, lot, better than windows.  It also does not have the popups and viruses that Windows has.   You can still run this on some fairly old computer hard ware as well (used computer equipment works great).   Also most likely there is a free piece of software to do what ever you want to do.  So how can you beat that.

The FHD model is a 10.1 inch screen at 1920 x 1200 -  224 ppi with a 16:10 aspect ratio.   The GPU is a Mediatek Mali-T720 mhz up to 600 Mhz.  The cameras are 8 mp rear and 5mp front.

The HD model is also a 10.1 inch screen at 1280 x 800 - 149 ppi resolution.  The GPU is a Mediatek Mali-T720 mp2 up to 520 Mhz.  The cameras are 5 mp rear and 2 mp front.

The rest of the specs between the two models are exactly the same.   Currently running Ubuntu 15.04 (I assume can be upgraded to 16.04).  It has 16 GB of internal memory with 11.2 GB free for user applications.   You can add a micro sd card for more memory up to 64 GB.  It has 2 GB of Ram.   Applications can be retrieved from the app store (new for Ubuntu 15.04 and up).  The battery is a LIPO 7280 Mah.  The HD model the battery lasts up to 11 hours and slightly less for the FHD model.  It measures 246 x 171 x 8.2 mm.  It weighs only 0.47 Kg (1.04 lbs).

I-69 bridge project north of Union Chapel exit to start Tuesday

Major bridge project to start on I-69 north of Fort Wayne.

Link to Story: I-69 Bridge Project

DIY: Laptop screen replacement (Dell Inspiron 14z-N411z)

 I am a do it your self person where possible.  About six months ago my son came home from visiting his mom with a broken laptop screen.   The laptop has sat on my project pile since then.  Last Tuesday (1/27/2015) I finally had the part to tackle this project.  The first thing I did when he brought it home was look to see if someone had done a video on how to do the screen replacement on YouTube.  I then looked to see if I could locate the appropriate part and made sure the part matched the one installed on the laptop then ordered the part. I have I have found many good how to video's on YouTube.   Found the video and reviewed it to see how complicated the  process of replacing the screen was.  Wasn't complicated at all very easy.  One connector and four screws.  The hardest part was gently removing the protective covering to get at the screws.  Then reinserting the tiny connector into the screen.  The how two video is listed below:

Here are some of my screen replacement pictures from Tuesday January 27, 2015.  This laptop is now up and working again.

Laptop screen cover removed and screen (on right) removed.  Back of screen is visible. 

New screen in place without protective cover over screws and connection. 

Protective cover replaced and ready to start back up. 

Laptop booted to Windows as was expected. 

How to make a 4 to 1 balun cheap and easy

This is for a Ham Radio antenna project.  This device is used to match impedance between a wire antenna and the feed line (coaxial cable).  When completed will include a place to connect the wire antenna and the coaxial cable.

Google Drive -- Building Forms

I had been looking for a way to add a contact me form to my website.  Today I was working on updating my site when I stumbled on a video on YouTube that discussed creating a form using Google Drive.   I followed the instructions for creating the form, but I also wanted to be able to be notified via email that someone left a message.  The messages get stored in a spread sheet.  I also found another YouTube video on how to setup the email notification.  This has been on the list of nice to haves on my website for a long time.  Finally it is done.  View the two videos below for how to set this up.  The form can be embedded in your website as a HTML fragment. Works great!

Tutorial: Video on how to create the form using Google Drive. 

Tutorial: Emailing Results from a Google Drive Form. 

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to all!

Happy 14th Birthday to my Son Dakota

Happy 14th Birthday Dakota!

I want to wish my son Dakota a very happy 14th birthday. He will be on his way to Detroit Michigan today with his mom to watch the Red Wings play at Joe Lois Arena in Detroit Michigan.  I hope he has fun and enjoy's the game.

Detroit Red Wings

 

W9L- Legion club to host on-air tribute to veterans

Members of The American Legion Amateur Radio Club (TALARC) will operate on short-wave radio from 9 a.m. through 4 p.m., using the Federal Communications Commission specially-issued radio call sign – W9L – from National Headquarters in Indianapolis. Any ham radio operators (and shortwave listeners) who contact the station are eligible to receive an attractive commemorative certificate. 

For more information on the event click here. 

Work continues on the diverging diamond interchange on Dupont Road in Fort Wayne

Work is continuing on the diverging diamond here in Fort Wayne Indiana.

* Dupont Road will be closed from 8pm on 09/19/2014 until 6am on 9/22/2014.   This is the first phase of the change over to the diverging pattern.  When it reopens on Monday there will be one lane open each way.

* Dupont Road will again be close the weekend of  09/26 from 8pm to 6am on Monday 09/29/2014 for the second phase of the diverging pattern and when reopened both lanes will be open.

* The final phase will be to complete the center pedestrian area.  That work will continue.

New "Youth" class Amateur Radio (Ham Radio) license coming in 2015

In an effort to draw more young people to the hobby of Ham Radio the FCC is creating a new license class for youths under 18 years of age.  It will be called the "Textichian" class license.  You can read about by clicking on the link below.

http://qrznow.com/youth-license-class/

Diverging Diamond Interchange (DDI) in Fort Wayne, Indiana

Work is continuing on this project.  Not sure I like this idea, but the idea is to improve traffic flow. The claim is it will improve efficiency and safety.  It may work out great.  I just wonder how many accidents might occur by people who have never seen one getting confused..  It has been interesting trying to get through this area while the construction is going on.   I live just a mile or so from this point and go through the construction zone every day on my way to work.

Happy New Year

Merry Christmas

My kids opening gifts.

Koment Hockey 11/22/2013

My son in his new jersey with customizations.

First IPFW Men's Basketball Game