Luckily, a Macbook can whip up a web server in a few clicks.

Just go to System Preferences - Sharing, and check off “Web Sharing”

In your /Users/username/Sites folder, copy the VMware folder from the ESX Server 3.5 CD.

When you boot from the ESX 3.5 Server CD, choose HTTP install and enter in the IP of your Mac and the folder.  In my case, http://192.168.1.100/~ken is inputted as the following.

For those afraid of the unix command line, you can also use Fugu to scp files to and from the ESXi server.

Use the SCP option in the menu

Enter the appropriate details

Fugu isn’t as scary as the unix prompt and still very useful.

Here’s how you enable it.

1. Press ALT+F1
2. Type “unsupported”
   Hit “Enter”
   
3. Log in
4. Edit the inetd.conf file by typing, “vi /etc/inetd.conf”
   Press “/” key
   Type in “ssh”
   Move cursor over to #
   Press “x”
   Press “Shift+:”
   Type “wq“
5. Find “inetd” service #
   Type “ps | grep inetd”
   Type “kill -HUP ####“
6. Done!

Now you can log in via SSH with your favourite client.  In my case I use Terminal on a Mac with the following command:

ssh root@192.168.1.55

With SSH enabled you can have limited access to the service console.  You can’t really install anything like the full blown ESX but it’s still very useful for SCP.

Let’s say you want to copy an ISO file to your datastore on your ESXi server so you can install an OS with it.

Open up a Terminal window and type:

scp WinXP.iso root@192.168.1.33:/vmfs/volumes/vmstore/ISO

This will do just that.  I average about 4MB/s writing to the datastore with my Macbook’s 100Mbit connection.

To do the reverse and copy a file to your Mac, you type:

scp root@192.168.1.33:/vmfs/volumes/vmstore/ISO/filename.iso /Users/name/Desktop

You obviously have to make the necesary changes to your IP address and datastore name.

Here is what I used and costs:

Asus P5QL Pro ($100)
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 2.4Ghz ($200)
8GB RAM (4×2GB) OCZ ($20/2GB)
LSI MegaRAID 150-D SATA controller (already had)
2x 1Gb Intel 1000 Pro NICs (already had)
4×160GB SATA drives in Raid5 (already had)
256MB PCIe video card ($30)
SATA DVDRW (already had)
1GB Patriot USB thumb drive (to hold ESXi) (already had)
Case (already had)

As you can see, it doesn’t cost whole lot to make a decently spec’d ESXi server.  I spent around $500.

After I got all the parts, setting up a ESXi was a total breeze.  I downloaded ESXi from VMware for free.  Then I imaged it to the USB thumb drive.   After booting it up, I was able to add a datastore from the VMware VI client.

Things to note, the P5QL Pro’s onboard NIC and SATA do not work with ESXi.  Hence the reason for my LSI and Intel NICs.  Other than that, everything is perfect.

The OCZ RAM I bought claimed to be DDR-800 but it wouldn’t run at 800mhz.  I had to clock it down to 667mhz or else ESXi would crash.

If you have an iPhone but didn’t get a data plan be in for a shock after you see your bill. When out of range of a Wi-Fi access point, the iPhone will automatically connect via EDGE/3G periodically incurring expensive charges. Usually 5 cents per kilobyte. Here is how you disable it.

1. Launch Safari on your iPhone
2. Go to iphonenodata.com
3. Tap the “Disable EDGE/3G” button
4. Tap “Install”
5. Tap “Install Now” to confirm

After I got a car I stopped biking. So it’s been about 10 years since I last rode a bike. In my younger days, I use to bike to school/work/for fun/etc. I recently had an itching to start biking again however, I’m no longer a young whipper snapper and don’t really feel like biking the whole distance to my destination. I figure I’d drive there and then bike the rest of the way. Hence, the need for a bike rack for my Yaris hatchback.

My car didn’t have a hitch so a hitch rack is out of the question. I also didn’t want a roof mounted rack so I’m basically left with the option for rear mounted trunk racks.

Canadian Tire had a number of trunk mounted racks by SportRack. The A1152 was actually the cheapest at $49.99. On the box it claims to fit most 3, 4, 5 door sedans and hatchbacks. I was a bit worried it wouldn’t fit my car since it showed the rack attached to a sedan and not a hatchback. I figure, I’d take the chance, and if it didn’t fit, I could somehow return it. It fit perfectly.

The rack comes pre-assembled. You just have to pull it out of the box and adjust 2 knobs make it fit your car. There were 6 straps with metal tabs that hook on to the hatchback door. Do the top 2, then sides and finally the bottom straps. Make a knot at the end of the buckle so the straps don’t loosen up during transport. Play around with how you wanted the rack to mount. I originally mounted it too high. Instead, I moved it down so the bottom of the rack touches the top of my car bumper.

I’ve only tested it hauling 2 bikes even though it can do up to 3. So far everything is great. I can still see out the back. My bike doesn’t have your usual frame but it still fit well. SportRack also sells these bike adapters for people with really weird full suspension bikes… you know the Y-Frames or others. Since these frames don’t have a hole for the 2 rack arms attach to. The adapters themselves are $45.

Well pictures speak a thousand words so check out the pics and see if this rack would be suitable for your car and bike. For $50, it can’t be beat.

Nintendo was too chicken to make a gun attachment that looked like a real gun so they left the door open for Nyko to do it.  Another quality product from Nyko.  For some reason, I always end up buying their stuff.  Every single time I’m never disappointed.  iCon and Madcatz should take a cue from Nyko.

The wiimote fits nicely into the top of the gun and a orange thingy holds it in place so it doesn’t fly off in those heated moments of House of the Dead or Resident Evil.  The nunchuk plugs into the base of the gun.  Sometimes I hookup both my Perfect Shots and go John Woo on everyone in the game.

For games like Ghost Squad I prefer the Wii Zapper though.  I can aim better and steadier with both hands on the thing.  For most other games, the PS is best.

I picked this badboy up for $14.99 so it’s not that expensive.  Get one of these to go along with your Wii Zapper or just on it’s own.  A must buy for shooting game fanatics.