Realtek RTL8187L reaches end-of-life (EOL)

This past week Realtek announced driver support for the Realtek RTL8187L chipset has been discontinued, meaning that devices which are based on this chipset may no longer be compatible with future Windows or Mac operating system releases or updates. It also means that there will be no further bug fixes released.

This affects the Alfa AWUS036H, Alfa UBDo-gt8,  RokAir, and any other Wi-Fi adapter that uses this chipset. Windows users most likely won’t be affected until the next major release of Windows. Mac users running 10.6 may be affected now. Earlier this month we posted about Mac OS compatibility of this chipset, explaining it worked with Snow Leopard 10.6 Macs booting a 32-bit kernel but not those booting a 64-bit kernel. It appears because of this EOL announcement that Realtek RTL8187L-based devices will not be supported on 64-bit kernel Macs going forward unless a 3rd-party workaround is developed (the latter is not unheard of, but it can take some time).

Snow Leopard users booting a 64-bit kernel should consider the Alfa AWUS036NH or the Rokland n3. Note that currently the AWUS036NH model is not compatible with 64-bit kernel Macs out of the box and drivers will need to be downloaded. The Rokland n3 is compatible with 64-bit kernel Macs right out of the box.

Rokland is proud to take part in the UPS Carbon Neutral program

Last week we highlighted some changes the US Postal Service (our primary shipping carrier) has made to reduce their environmental impact. We also offer UPS shipping options, including UPS Ground, UPS 3 Day Select, UPS 2 Day Air, and UPS Next Day Air.

This year UPS launched their Carbon Neutral program, designed to help balance emissions produced by the transportation of UPS shipments. This is an opt-in program that UPS shippers can join, where we pay a per-package fee to UPS, which they use to invest in emission-offsetting projects that include “reforestation, landfill gas destruction, wastewater treatment, and methane destruction.”

Our involvement comes at no cost to our customers- we have not increased our UPS shipping fees or product prices in any way to cover the cost of our involvement in this program, and we will not be doing so in the future. Instead, our participation comes as a direct investment we are making in the future of our planet. To see other environmental initiatives by Rokland, please continue to read our blog.

Father’s Day gift idea- a long range Alfa AWUS036H Wi-Fi adapter with free clip and cup mount

Neckties, golf balls, a mediocre steak-dinner at a packed restaurant? If these are the images that come to mind when you try and think of what to get Dad this Father’s Day, consider a long range Wi-Fi adapter from Alfa Networks instead.

Whether your Dad is tech-savvy or afraid to touch any button on the keyboard other than actual letters, a long range Wi-Fi adapter could be the best product out there he does not even know he needs.

If your Dad is an RV’er or a boater, Alfa’s AWUS036H 1000mW long range USB adapter could be the difference between him getting Internet access or seeing no Wi-Fi signals at all.

If he prefers to use computers only at the home, having a product like the Alfa will likely mean he is no longer calling you to complain about how slow and spotty the Internet is.

We are now offering Alfa’s AWUS036H 1000mW long range USB adapter with a free mount set which includes holster, clip, and suction cup. This allows the Alfa to be clipped to the back of a laptop LCD, or fastened to a window for optimal range.

Rokland’s environmental initiatives post #2

Last year we wrote about some changes we made here at Rokland to help reduce our impact on the environment. From time to time we like to talk about this- not as an advertorial, but instead in hopes of influencing other retailers, or having other retailers publish what they do so we can learn from them.

Today we are highlighting some green initiatives taken by the US Postal Service, our main shipping carrier. We offer US Postal options across the board because they are generally the cheapest and most reliable for light-weight packages.

The US Postal Service recently published steps they have taken to go green. We do not wish to take credit for things they have done, but as they are our primary shipping carrier, we do want to take a moment to share this information with our readers. This information comes from US Postal Service pamphlet GG11-CCZ-TO-405. This data is the copyright of the US Postal Service, but has been shortened for this post.

Eco-friendly packaging: The US Postal Service is the first carrier to receive “Cradle to Cradle” certification for their packaging containers. This certification looks at “ingredient safety” and “reutilization potential” among other things.

Climate change: The US Postal Service is “the first federal agency to publicly report greenhouse gas emissions and get third-party verification.”

Reducing carbon footprint: “The US Postal Service has reduced its facility energy intensity by more than 28% since 2003.”

Visit http://www.usps.com/green/ for more information and some tips about what you can do to reduce your impact on the environment.

Alfa AWUS036H 1W USB Adapter and Apple Mac OS Snow Leopard 10.6 64-bit kernel

Editor's update 5/30/2011: Realtek has announced the end-of-life for the Realtek RTL8187L chipset, meaning no further driver development for this chipset will take place. The Alfa AWUS036H contains this chipset, so it will not be compatible with Mac OS 10.6 64-bit kernel boot, it will only work with the 32-bit kernel boot.

The Alfa AWUS036H long range 1000mW wireless USB adapter is compatible with Mac OS Snow Leopard 10.6. However it does not work with Macs running Snow Leopard that boot a 64-bit kernel.

The good news is almost all Mac models sold prior to February 2011 that run Snow Leopard boot a 32-bit kernel and all Macs (that we are aware of) sold after February 2011 can be set to boot to a 32-bit kernel.

We have created this support PDF file that details how to find out what kernel your Mac boots, how to set your Mac to boot a 32-bit kernel if it is currently booting a 64-bit kernel, and exactly what this means and how it does/does not affect your Mac’s performance.