Keep your tech toys far away from me today; I've upset the digital gods past the point of salvation. It all started with my journey to CompUSA to pick up a new Linksys Wireless Router (v2). Sorry, but I love the extensive browser-based interface! I was considering the a/b combo unit, but it was $100 more in the store than the most expensive price listed online. Came home, plugged in the new access point, renewed IPs successfully, flashed the BIOS, got two blinky red lights, reset the device, kept seeing red lights, started seeing red. Not good. My old unit will have to do for now.

I also picked up a new USB 2.0 CD drive (Memorex), in the hopes of trying a different OS on the Lindows Mobile PC. A couple of my bootable CDs didn't want to work. I tried Windows 2000, got through the initial driver-load stage, and then blue screened before I could even repartition the HD. Ugh. Looks like this baby is gonna take XP for a spin – or die trying. And given my track record this afternoon, I wouldn't be surprised if I soon see smoke trickling from its vents.