Category Archives: Reviews

Dead Synology DS1515+

By | November 27, 2017

So last March I purchased a Synology DS1515+ and wrote about it in one of my posts “Who Shall Control My Media? Part 4 – Backend Storage” and up until this weekend, it had been performing very well. On Saturday we went to watch a video and after hitting “Play”, the indicator that it was loading just spun.  Since… Read More »

Google WiFi Review

By | January 7, 2017

Google WiFi promises an attractive, easy to setup, easy to manage, and relatively inexpensive home router that is mesh capable. Mesh networks help to eliminate “dead spots” in larger homes or homes with too many obstacles for strong WiFi coverage from a single router. It also promises simple parental control and the ability to easily disable kids internet access.… Read More »

HexBug Vex Robotics Spider Review

By | January 1, 2017

Our oldest son has been wanting one of these since he first saw them.  We’ve got several of the HexBugs already, including HexBug nanos, beetles, spiders, larvae, fish and tarantulas.  He also loves Lego and K’nex toys.  Imagine how excited he was when his sister got him the Vex Robotics Spider for Christmas.  It was the first thing he… Read More »

Great Northern Popcorn Lincoln Popper Review

By | December 23, 2016

I love popcorn.  Always have.  Its one of those things from childhood that provides fond memories and an overall sense of happiness to me.  My boys also love popcorn.  About once a month we do a “movie night” where we spend a Saturday afternoon watching a movie, having a “carpet picnic” and all watch a movie together.  Our… Read More »

A Few Thoughts on Tablets

By | December 10, 2016

I’ve been through quite a few Android tablets since they first hit the market a few years back.  I started with the incredibly well built T-Mobile branded Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus.  I actually still have this tablet and it still works.  This particular tablet was during Samsung’s early days in the Android smartphone and tablet market.  It is… Read More »

Who Shall Control My Media? Part 4 – Backend Storage

By | October 16, 2016

So you’ve got a lot of videos, home movies, pictures, etc., that you want to have access to from all of your devices and get them on your big screen.  Sounds simple, right?  Its anything but.  With the huge amount of competition and proprietary solutions out there it can be very confusing and extremely frustrating trying to figure… Read More »

Who Shall Control My Media? Part 3 – Media Players

By | June 18, 2016

Media players are a interesting topic.  Over the past couple of years, we’ve tried a variety of them.  The first one was back in 2007 and was the D-Link MediaLounge DSM-520 that got its media from a UPNP Media server.  It was designed to fit into a home entertainment unit, the typical ~19 inches wide and looked a… Read More »