apples != oranges

a) different topics, one was about my phone ... the other about a router that does what I need it to do. For what it's worth, I have a choice of which router I use ... and while I'm choosing to use the new router provided by my employer because it does what I want ... I could also go use a personal DD-WRT router or competitor's router. Therefore I have the choice to use my personal device and my personal device can be rooted. It just wouldn't be the device I was given to use.

b) I already funneled in a bunch of feedback from this thread. That's about all I can do in the short term. They are aware of the issues ... and have acted (support released a method for reverting firmware and, if reports I got are correct, the firmware was yanked from the auto-update process at least for the time being). Remains to be seen what the long term solution will be on this, and I'll keep raising the flag when given the opportunity, but don't mistake me for someone who has any authority over those decisions.

PS. As part of my raising the issue, I also notified my exec chain of my UID here on /. ... so I've got a fine line to pull on both sides.

Thanks ... I wasn't aware of the procedure when I posted my original branch. It looks like Cisco may have shut off the automatic upgrades, too, based on some other reports I got today.

No, I'm a systems engineer trying to get some facts and help out to my fellow /.'ers. I didn't come here to fix something that was reported to me ... I was reading /. ... saw something I could post intelligently about ... and did that. I'm not in PM, PR or Legal.

This only affects a very small number (4) of the Linksys consumer routers and only the ones currently on the shelves. Not big Cisco routers, not Cisco SPVTG routers, not Cisco SMB routers and not even all Linksys routers.

At least 3 of the routers affected (EA3500, EA4500, E4200v2) are using Marvell chipsets. Not sure about the EA2700. Which means that, unless someone decides to add chipset support, DD-WRT doesn't run on these routers.

* The Cloud firmware is ONLY for EA2700, EA3500, E4200v2 (not v1) and EA4500 routers. Older routers (E4200v1 or older) will not see this update. These routers shipped with information explaining that Cloud would be released this summer and update to the Cloud firmware when it was released.

* You can prevent this update by turning off "Automatic Updates" in your router. However if you didn't already do this then YES ... disconnect from the Internet before you do anything else. Then go in and turn off the Automatic Updates. Then you can reconnect. Warning: If you've already been upgraded it currently isn't possible to downgrade to the older firmware.

* If you have updated ... you CAN do -some- local router configuration without having internet access. Just go to http://routers/ LAN IP address]/ while it is disconnected and you will be prompted for the router's local password (usually this will mirror your WiFi password). You will be limited to editing the network settings (LAN, WiFi, etc) and security settings (router password, VPN, firewall, DMZ). Parental controls, Guest Access QoS and USB storage won't be accessible until you are able to log in while the router is online (you'll use your CiscoConnectCloud.com login at this point).

NOTE: If you have an EA2700, EA3500 or EA4500 that shipped with the OLDER firmware (every router out there so far, the new firmware shouldn't appear in new routers for a couple more weeks) and have not set it up yet and WANT the older firmware ... do NOT use the CD setup. Configure it using the traditional web UI while NOT connected to the Internet and turn off Automatic Updates. Again ... this is only for people who do NOT want the Cloud firmware capabilities.

* Just an FYI ... the Cisco Connect Cloud concept allows people to manage and view their home network from anywhere on the internet so long as their router has a connection to the internet. Mobile apps allow your phone to control your home network (manage guest settings, see who is online right now, etc). Additionally it enables a plugin mobile application architecture that our partners can leverage to allow remotely managed network applications. It is an entirely new direction and yes ... it has some kinks ... the biggest ones being forcing this on the user and then limiting their ability to manage their device without it being on the internet. ...

So ... I anticipate a flood of groans about all of this, and I don't disagree with a fair amount of them. Let me make some things clear:

a) Yes, I work for Cisco Linksys.

b) No, I am not speaking directly for Cisco in this post nor am I posting on their behalf (I just wanted to get some quick assistance out there to the people who read this).

c) No, I do not work for the groups (PM, Engineering) that made the decisions to do this update automatically, to not allow you to downgrade, and to not allow you access to your full configuration capability while the router is offline. Which means I can try and funnel your feedback to those groups but I can not force anyone to implement any of it.

d) While I don't like the situations mentioned above in item "c)" ... I -do- like the CiscoConnectCloud.com concept and feel that Cisco will improve it significantly over time.

e) I completely ... 100% ... recognize that the /. audience most likely prefers things like DD-WRT, Tomato, etc (though some will really like the mobile Cloud concept, I do, and I've been around the block a few times at this point). Cisco Linksys is definitely moving more towards the average consumer market instead of the tech adopter market with these products.

f) We do still sell non-Cloud routers, like the E900, E1200 and E2500

rooted device + fakeGPS = workaround ... however ...

When they stop letting me use my personal device and/or refuse to let me root ... then we have an issue. An issue that shouldn't have occurred in the first place. I know I'd fight this.

As a full-time telecommuter I tend to work from coffee shops, restaurants, and waaaaay past normal work hours as it is. My productivity should be what they care about. If I am tethered to a desk and need to work normal office hours, that's fine, but my stuff will be OFF for the other 16 hours and they don't want that, either.

which led to all sorts of problems in the 80s ...

In other words, that may have been safER way back when, but now it just seems like a massive invitation to viruses and malware. Sure, most won't be a problem, but it only takes one vector to be a problem.

+1 to the question of who is your go-to place now? I don't have mod points and the question is downrated to 0. 100% legit concern. I have no other place that equates to what I use NewEgg for except maybe Amazon and that's not exactly less commercial. If there is another good single source for new tech then we'd like to know. Otherwise it seems we're back to either NewEgg+Amazon or using Google Shopper (and similar methods) and buying from individual stores. That is fine for single purchases, but not good at all when building systems or buying many items at once.

This is untrue. Yes, bad furniture makes sitting WORSE ... but sitting in ANY position is being shown to fire signals to your body that cause your system to deteriorate faster.

Basically ... the more you sit, the faster you "age" compared to others. Or at least the fewer years you will have before you pass.

So yes, get the best seating you can and use it when you have to, but don't think that it will be as good for you as standing.

That depends entirely on the tea. Some types of tea (not just black tea, either, some green teas have more caffeine than black) brewed to full strength are -equivalent- to a standard cup of coffee.

You are correct in that most teas are around 1/2 at the strength that is preferred by the U.S. palate. And some green teas are noticeably smaller than that.

forgot to link it:

http://www.anthro.com/computer-furniture.aspx?desk=fit-console

Walking: good
Standing: not as good
Sitting: awful

No one who works at a coding job is going to find a way to truly walk all of the time. Not today (someday I easily see this happening and a few hackers could definitely speed it up). But doing anything you can to avoid sitting is going to make you healthier. Standing is the way to go.

The difference is:

1) Especially at a desk you can alternate regularly, which you should, which will vastly lower the risk.

2) Plantar Fasciitis sucks (I've had it) and can take up to a couple of years (since every time you walk you are possibly re-injuring it) to recover from ... but ... you're alive after those couple of years. Current research shows the amount of time we spend at our desks flat-out removes years from our lives.

Best solution: stand for at least 50% of the time.

Ok solution: stand for 100% of the time.

No solution: sit all the time.

I've been using an Anthro (brand) Fit System (product line) Console unit (product name) for a few years now. As with other solutions posted already, you aren't going to get to walk with it, but it allows for quick switching between standing and sitting (the keyboard tray has a huge travel range). The product is rock solid after years and a couple of multi-state moves, so I am happy to endorse it.

If your paying from your own budget, Anthro isn't cheap (I spent over $4000 on a console with 3 shelves and some doodads), but go through their products and you'll find smaller solution that will likely work.

For standing, I just don't see you getting a truly free mobile desk. But ... with as advanced as text-to-speech is becoming, I'd be surprised if you couldn't rig a speech translator up and train it to recognize "code" words. I just hope for your co-workers' sakes that you telecommute :)

I think your best bet is probably hybrid: use pacing time as a way to brainstorm ... use voice dictation to take notes ... and then walk to a standing desk to start immediately working. Then if you have a long boring call or your back aches (my reason for getting the Anthro, lots of congenital back problems) swing it down to a sitting position for a break.