Custom Polycom digit map to allow any number to be dialled

Digit maps, or Dial Patterns which is the more common term used by other phones, are templates that match different sequences of digits that users dial as part of their interaction with their phone system. Digit maps only apply to off‐hook dialing, i.e., when the user first takes the phone off‐hook and then begins dialing digits. With off‐hook dialing, when there is a match between the digits dialed and the digit map, the SoundStructure VoIP Interface sends the digits to the PBX to initiate the call.  If there is not a match, the system waits for the user to enter more digits or press the send key to indicate dialing is complete

Polycom conference phones has a default digit maps

[2‐9]11|0T|011xxx.T|[0‐1][2‐9]xxxxxxxxx|[2‐9]xxxxxxxxx|[2‐9]xxxT

To understand what the above does, read the manual here

The above patterns may not fit your organisation and may be redundant if you have specific dial patterns back end and even not work for certain dial patterns.

You can't do away with the digit maps if you want to allow users to dial any number because it is a mandatory input. So to achieve the same result, you can key in the following

x.T

What the above does is

x - allow users to key in any digit
.  - similar digits as before and thereafter (wildcard)
T - wait 3 seconds (the default digit map timeout) before sending the whole string over to the phone system

The last character T is required else any digits entered will straightaway be sent to phone system and may be interpreted by the phone system to be an non-existent extension resulting in an error message.

Xiaomi Mini WiFi vs D-Link DIR-865L

I am not a heavy internet user as I don't really download much but I do watch a lot of online streaming content and my 25 Mbps cable connection just couldn't keep up so I upgraded to a 1000 Mbps fiber internet.

Even though the Xiaomi Mini WiFi router that I am currently using support AC1200 wireless connectivity with speeds up to 300Mbps and 867 Mpbs on the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz channel respectively, it is still limited by its FE WAN interface which limits internet connectivity to 100 Mbps.

Other than that, the Mini performs really well. Wireless connectivity from 13 meters away and behind a wall which is where my furthest device, a TV box, is placed, is really good. I mean, really, really good, even with the room door closed.

The router is small and compact and looks extremely simple and sleek. Firmware update is frequent and the management app is fantastic. Even though the web UI is in Chinese (which I turn to Google Translate for help), there is practically nothing that I would want to complain about, other than FE WAN interface. Seriously, that's it. I mean if the mini supports gigabit WAN, I would stick to it until the next internet upgrade which probably means many years to come. And a brand new unit will only cost you SGD30-40, a ridiculously affordable price.

But as I have the other theoretical 900 Mbps left unused, I went looking for replacement, with a simple criteria which is - it supports a gigabit WAN interface and at least AC1200 wireless. And as I don't believe is spending a bomb on a router that can become obsolete within a year, this should be easy.

I ended up with the D-Link DIR-865L. It is a pretty old model (released in 2012) but it has all the features that I need which is gigabit WAN interface and AC1750 wireless. On paper, it looks good. And it comes cheap too as a used item. I got mine for $25.

To be honest, D-link has never impressed me with their wireless products, ever. Although all their previous wireless routers that I had a chance to try out never gave me the experience like I had with the Xiaomi, they can't be that bad all the time right? Or so I thought.

The DIR-865L range is worse than the Mini with my TV box. Even though there is connectivity, it is practically unusable. I plugged back my Mini after just 15 mins. I'll give it another tinker before I decide if I should Carousell it off or use the Mini as an extender instead to bypass the 100 Mbps limitation which will be a waste of energy for no reason.

So the DIR-865L is bigger, more expensive and supposedly faster but can't even beat a cheap mini router like the Mini in terms of range.

In the short time I had with the D-Link, I noticed that the internet upstream was only 10 Mbps when tested with Speedtest.net. I had to set the WAN connectivity manually to 1000 Mbps instead of Auto to fix this problem.  I am not sure if my Huawei ONT has anything to do with it. So for those currently using the DIR-865L, try testing your internet speed at Speedtest.net and see if you face the same issue.

Also, I found out that changing the 802.11 mode will cause the Security Mode to be set to None. That is a bug if you ask me. The security mode should remain regardless.

Another bug I found is that after changing the transmission rate for the 2.4Ghz channel, some of my devices are not able to connect even though the settings are reverted. The only way it to reboot the router.

So bottom line is, if you do not have any devices placed far away like mine, then maybe the DIR-865L may work well for you. It didn't for me, at least on default settings. I am not putting up any high hopes that tinkering with it further will make any difference.

Now if only Xiaomi will release a version 2 of the Mini with gigabit WAN interface.

Lenovo ThinkPad Docking Stations

Lenovo Docking Stations for ThinkPad laptops comes in 3 models - Basic, Pro and Ultra. Below are the differences

Lenovo ThinkPad Docks	Model
Features	Basic	Pro	Ultra
Power button	×	×	×
Key lock indicator		×	×
Docking status indicator		×	×
Eject button	×	×	×
Sliding adjuster	×	×	×
Docking station connector	×	×	×
System lock		×	×
Security lock slot		×	×
Always On USB 2.0 connector	×	×	×
USB 2.0 connector	2	2	2
USB 3.0 connector	×	3	3
Ethernet connector	×	×	×
AC power connector	×	×	×
DisplayPort connector		×	2
HDMI connector			×
DVI connector		×	×
VGA connector	×	×	×
Audio connector		×	×

Novotel Melaka

We stayed for a night in a two connecting superior rooms in late October 2015.

The hotel is owned by the same owner of Straits Suites and Hotel which is just next door but managed by a different management team hence the reason why both hotels shares the same car park.

The hotel is very new. It was opened in September, barely a month ago .Located very near to malls and major attractions, you can practically venture by foot if you are adventurous enough.

Lobby is really huge and unique with interesting structures and funky sofas where we were served by very helpful and pleasant service staff while the kids spent their time in a kids room where they have game consoles, books etc to keep the kids entertained.

Rooms size are pretty much standard. There are study table with the TV on the wall, closet, fridge and water heater. 

The location of the fridge is a little weird, which is at the end of the closet/storage cabinet with the door opening to the side and not along it. No issues if you are just staying in a room but for us who requested connecting rooms, it does pose a problem when the connecting room door is opened.

The bathroom are surrounded by glass walls and comes with a motorised screen that goes up and down with a touch of a button. The bathroom doors are unique in that is mirrors the closet opposite therefore if you were to close the bathroom doors, you may not be able to guess there the bathroom is there first time you step in.

Rooms either faces the sea or the town so do not forget to request for one facing the sea.

There's a pretty long pool with a kids pool and a playground at the end where kids can slide into the pool. To get to the pool, you have to stop at the gym level and then go down a step of stairs. This could be a problem for those who cannot go up and down stairs. I am not sure if there is a way to go to the pool straight at lift level.

Other facilities includes a sauna and a gym which we didn't manage to use due to time constraints. The official site states that there's BBQ and Kids zone area but I am pretty sure those are not yet ready when we were there hence no pictures as well on the site.

Overall the hotel is OK. It is new, so it feels great. If not for the pool, I would prefer staying in Straits Hotel and Suites.

Pros

Near to shopping malls and attractions
Plenty of eatery around
Some rooms has the view of the sea
Kids pool and kids zone

Cons

Poor TV channels and signal quality

URL - http://www.novotel.com/gb/hotel-8155-novotel-melaka/index.shtml