Oct
30
Using USB To Serial Converter In Windows 7 With Putty
October 30, 2009 | 3 Comments
I’ve recently upgraded to Windows 7 Professional. Even though it is a major enhancement compared to Vista, I found out that the driver that I used for Vista can no longer detect my USB-to-Serial converter on Windows 7. I manage to find the solution while browsing the net and I would like to share my findings.
I got my USB-to-Serial converter to work after installing Prolific USB-to-Serial Driver. Click here to download it.
I came to know that HyperTerminal is no longer a part of Windows since Vista and I found Putty to be a very powerful alternative, besides terminal emulation, it is also a Telnet and SSH client. You can download it from their link here http://www.chiark.greenend.org.uk/~sgtatham/putty/ .
To connect to your USB-to-Serial converter using Putty, first you must identify which port is allocated to your converter. To do this in Windows 7, Go to Start -> Right Click Computer -> Manage . Then Computer Management (Local) -> Device Manager -> Ports (COM & LPT) -> Prolifec USB-to-Serial Comm Port (COM3) . You should see your device listing similar to the image on the left.
Take note of the Com Port that your connector is using. You will need this information to configure your Putty. To connect using Putty to your device using the serial interface, firstly startup the Putty program. Enter the correct port at the “Serial line” input box. Then at the Connection type: choose Serial. Click on Open and your session should start immediately.
Press on the Enter key and you should get some response from your device.
References :
http://www.sevenforums.com/drivers/4476-prolific-usb-serial-driver.html
http://www.windowsvistaplace.com/hyperterminal-alternative-in-windows-vista/downloads/
Nov
2
GPS Map For Civilians
November 2, 2008 | 1 Comment
This is the 3rd and final episodes in Contributing To Malsingmaps Series. As I’ve hinted in Part 2, this article will explain on how you can use MapSource to replace your conventional and mostly “outdated” maps. Below are the advantages of using MapSource compared to conventional maps :-
1. FREE!! Well, what can I say, this is the No. 1 benefit in the digital age today. Nothing beats it! Period!
2. Frequently updated. Malsingmaps gets updated monthly. Unless you buy a new map every month which is ridiculous, it’s impossible to keep up with this digital version.
3. Route advisory. If you select two locations (waypoints in MapSource’s term), MapSource will create a route between those 2 points. You can use this function to plan your journey’s ahead, very useful for sales people. Most of the time it’s accurate, even if it’s not, heck, it’ll get you there!
The first thing you need is MapSource running on your PC, visit Contributing To Malsingmaps : Part 1 for all the information you need to get MapSource running. Also remember to install the latest version of MalsingMaps (v2.30 is the latest at the time of writing). Please check out Malsingmaps Forum for the latest release.
Google Earth is also highly recommended as you can compare your results on your MapSource with Google Earth. Really cool!
Let us start with the search tool. In MapSource, go to Find -> Find Places -> Feature tab, and enter the name i the “Name” field. I’ll use Petronas Twin Towers as an example. Click on Find and OK. To view it in Google Earth. Go to View -> View in Google Earth.
To create a route, we will need to save it as a waypoint. To do this, click on the Waypoint Tool on the task bar or Tools -> Waypoint (shortcut key – w). Left click on Petronas Twin Towers and the Waypoint Properties will show up. Click on OK to save it.
Next, try to locate KL Tower. Use the same steps above and save KL Tower as our second waypoint.
To create a route, click on KLTower under the Waypoints tab. Right click on any waypoints and select Create Route using Selected Waypoint(s). Click on Insert Waypoint and select PetronasTwinTowers. Click OK. Click on OK again.
You now have the route highlighted in yellow on your map. Use the Zoom Tool (Tools -> Zoom, shortcut key – z) to navigate around your map according to your preference. Remember that you can always view it in Google Earth!
Please bear in mind that this article assume that you do not have a GPS device. If you have one, the advantages are beyond the scope of this article. Hopefully you are well convinced up to this point. I’ve never turned back to using conventional maps since switching to using GPS map. I’m very confident that you’ll experience the same thing.
There you have it, GPS Map For Civilians. Happy routing!
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