Deepwire's Blog

Ok, so it’s the end of the year, and I still haven’t finished building my (rather simple) robot.  The current hurdle I’ve not been able to clear involves configuring the XBee Wi-Fi Module.  I have tried both the XBee Explorer Dongle and XBee Explorer USB from Sparkfun, without success.  I have tested both on multiple machines, and get the same problems.

The X-CTU software used to configure the XBee modules has trouble seeing that the XBee module is connected.  I am sometimes able to read the current settings from the XBee, or even write changes to it, but not reliably.  It may be something to do with the USB to Serial (RS232) converter that is built in to both boards.  Therefore I still haven’t been able to configure in a way that will work how I need it too.  If I can’t get it working, I may get the official XBee USB Interface Board from Digi, and try again.

Work, is of course, still work.  I go there every day, do what I need to do, and leave as soon as possible.  My plan for 2012 is to move on to better things, be that another, more fulfilling job, postgraduate education, or something else.  The thought of being stuck in the same hole this time next year is far too depressing.  I’m sure all of you will agree, writing ‘software’ using VBA in Microsoft Word and Excel is something no one should have to suffer!

To that end, I’ve been getting involved in more things outside of work, so there is actually something interesting in my life to stop work from finishing me off.  I have signed up as a mentor for Young Rewired State, after attending the 2011 Final.  I may also look at the other things Rewired State has to offer.  I have already met some cool people through there, and we’ve come up with an idea for a project to hack together.  I’m not sure I’ll be able to contribute much, as work has killed off most of the useful stuff I once knew, from Uni and before, but it’ll be fun to try.

So it’s onwards into 2012.  If 2011 was ‘The Year Stuff Happened’, hopefully 2012 for me will have an equally good tag line.  Perhaps ‘The Year I Resurrected my Career’ or ‘The Year I Rose Out of the Gutter’.  Either way, if I’m still stuck in the same place this time next year, in the same depressing dead end job, you’ll know I’ve failed.  But for now, time to polish my C.V. (if that’s possible), update my website and profiles, and order some Moo cards!