Open the PC up. Put in a Happgauge 250 or 350 and be happy. They are great cards, hardware encoder (even with a fast computer, it's nice), work great with Windows and Linux.
Open the PC up. That doesn't void your warranty does it? If so, COMPLAIN COMPLAIN COMPLAIN. It's not like your doing a motherboard replacement. You are just sticking a card in a slot. Besides, if you ever have to send the PC in for warantee, just pull the card out first and they'll never know.
USB things will take up more CPU time than a PCI based solution. If you must go external, I'd spend the cash and see if you can find a FireWire TV tuner. FireWire is designed to handle digital video.
Sorry, I just don't understand the "won't open the PC" part. It's not like it's a laptop. Those slots are more than just decoration;)
I only have a B&W laser that I bought new (HP LaserJet 2100). I'd like a color laser, but the fact is I don't have the money or the need. That said, I looked at the spec page for 6100 and it doesn't seem to have PostScript. The 740, 750, and 790 do. I'm a big fan of PS, and given the choice I would definatly buy a printer that has it.
I wrote a comment on PS a little while ago in the "printing on Linux" article.
Also, given the choice, get a printer with a built in network server (you know, ethernet). If you have a desktop, it might not seem important. But since I've gotten more computers and started to use my laptop as my main computer, having the printer seperate from any computer is great. I don't have to keep one computer on. Even if I only had a laptop, I could plug the printer into my network and print from anywhere in the house thanks to WiFi. I can keep my printer next to my computer, in the basement where my cable modem is, in a bedroom that has an ethernet jack, or in a bathroom (if I added a ethernet jack). And with a little ethernet->wireless adaptor, I could put the printer in the attic if I wanted. It's actually very handy.
Also, as a/. special, if you have both ethernet and PS on your printer, it's AMAZINGLY easy to configure with Linux, Windows, or OS X. Windows is a little weird (a network printer that's not attached to a computer is considered "local" when adding a printer. Huh?). But no messing with GhostScript or anything under Linux. The printer already speaks PS, and if it's like mine ACTUALLY RUNS LPD, so you just forward jobs.
I hope others can help you better with the which is best, as I said I've no experiance with color lasers, but PS and ethernet are fantastic features that you should be looking for.
I'm not sure that I've ever seen a beginner who isn't "hesitant".
When users become more accustom to computers and they are intermediate, some users will charge head on into things and get them selves into trouble. Some don't. It just depends.
But I've observed MANY people in my short career of helping neighbors and friends and such with their computers. When they are beginners, they fall into one of three categories. The first is those who hate the comptuer and fight it all the way. They learn how to do a thing or two and use that, and that's it. They won't do anything more because they could break something, etc. It's more than being hesitant.
The second group would include my little sister. They learn what they're doing and will explore a tiny bit, but by and large stick to what they know how to do and programs they know. In those programs, they may explore and they'll become very familiar and comfortable with them. But when it comes to doing something new, they are hesitant.
The third group is hesitant about everything. They are like the first group in that they never branch out into new things (group two will over time, very slowly). They just stick to what they know. That said, they don't feel like they are fighting the computer and are comfortable using the program. But they do no exploring like group two. They only learn things when they need them, and ignore them the rest of the time.
Thinking about it the only group I can think of who ISN'T hesitant is the very little kid. I'm talking 2 or 3 years old. They don't know to be scared of the computer (or even consider being scared of it). They'll plow into the computer head on and they may break it. But I wouldn't consider these kids "users"; at least in the normal sense. They may use a program or two (Putt Putt Goes to the Moon, The Busy World of Richard Scarey, whatever) but they don't use the computer, you know what I mean?
So in conclusion, there really aren't many "non-hesitant" users out there. They would be a rare bird (in my expiriance).
I used to have the neighbors named the Jetsons, and they had a robot maid. Not only did it look like it was designed in the 60s or 70s, but it made all sorts of "beep" and "boop" noises. The thing just wasn't very quite.
Not only that, I seem to remember that it would make wise-cracks at its owners from time to time.
I think I'll wait on the robot maid. Maybe a new roomba to hold me over.
I would think MS would be happy. Apple is selling G5s, MS will be selling G5s (through neXtBox or whatever), Nintendo will be selling G5s (rumored for the Revolution to use, or a derivitive), IBM sells some G5s I think too.
All this means that there are many G5s being made and sold. This means volume which means two things. First it means that any early bugs get worked out faster (and probably almost completely by the time the next XBox comes out). Second (and more importantly) it means bigger volume discounts, faster. If only MS is ordering the chips, then only 100,000 get made per year (for example). If MS and Apple are ordering the chips, then 1,100,000 are made per year (again, example). Way more volume discount.
It also means that production would be higher. If only MS bought chips and the supply was short, MS would be short on XBoxes. With Apple also buying the same chip (assume they do), then if the supply drops MS can outbid Apple to buy the chips and keep XBoxes on the shelf (even if they take a profit hit temporarily, that's better than no profit).
That's my theories on it. If anything, I think Microsoft would love having other people buying the same line of chips.
My understanding was that was because of supply and inventory snafoos, they basically ended up running out of inventory too soon. This meant that they had the factories shut down (actually probably converted to the new iMac but it doesn't matter) and so they couldn't make more (without taking a major hit). So they were stuck with a major chunk of their product line out of the running for two months or more. They basically had to announce what was going on, or face being a computer company without desktop computers (eMacs are "educational", not "desktop") for two months. Yeah, that would look good.
So basically their planning didn't work out and they had to do something, this was probably their best option.
I can't wait to see the new iMacs. I wonder what the speeds will be, with my guess being 1.8 2.0 and 2.5. My little sister has been eyeing the current generation, and I'd love to see how they get restyled. Will the iLamp go away? Will it become some kind of integrated flatscreen? Something alltogether different? Who knows! But I can't wait to see.
That said, what I'm really waiting for (along with half of Slashdot probably) is the G5 PowerBook. My old laptop (a 900mhz PIII) is starting to show it's age and I'm not sure how much longer I can hold out. I'd be happy even if the processor was only 1.4 ghz, that would be more than fast enough for me. The other thing I'd like would be an integrated media slot (to take SD cards, maybe memory sticks, or CF) as many notebooks seem to have these days.
So my question to the great and knowledgeable (don't snicker) Slashdot masses is: when do you think we might see a G5 laptop from Apple?
Personally, my expectation is that it will be announced sometime around X-Mas (possibly January).
I think that with lower clockspeeds (and the improvements that may show up by then) it should be possible to put a G5 in a laptop. I would REALLY like one, but I'm not sure I can hold out that long. If not, I'll buy a G4. I'm not sure I can hold out untill this time next year.
So knowledgeable/.ers, what do you think would be the most likely timeframe for a G5 based laptop from Apple?
"Will only allowing.kids.us sites be the new direction for a kid-safe internet?"
Assuming that the.kids.us thing works out, I think that would be a part of it. It seems to me that the prudent thing to do for filtering companies would be to filter against a blacklist for.kids.us sites, and a whitelist for all other sites. The other option would be to use filtering technology (and a blacklist of course) to filter out normal (non.kids.us) sites, and then allow all.kids.us sites (possibly subject to a blacklist).
Either way, it will be interesting to see the problems this comes across (in sites that shouldn't be there getting there) and if it fails or not.
I've never been one to get hooked on anything, but after I discovered Animal Crossing a few years ago, I quick got hooked on it's charmed. I played it every day for months (very unusual for me), and I wouldn't be suprised if my highschool GPA would have been a little higher if I hadn't discovered it.
Eventually it started to get boring and while I still liked playing, I didn't care nearly as much. When I eventually quit, while I didn't have a problem quitting, I felt this weird guilt that I left everyone in my town without me.
That's what Apple needs to do, ADVERTISE. Now when the new iMacs come out, we'll be hit with a wave of advertising but they should do it more.
Watch TV, what do you see? You see ads for Dell, HP, and other manufacturers. You see Best Buy, Circuit City, CompUSA, Radio Shack, and more all hocking computers. What was the last Apple ad you saw? The G5 one? When was the last time you saw an iMac ad or a iBook ad on TV? Years ago you say?
Thats what it seems like to me. When we looked for a computer for my 12 year old little sister, we did look briefly at Macs. My parrents liked the idea but we went with a PC in the end because of her investment in Windows games. If it wasn't for that, it would have been a Mac. But that was because I informed them. I help out neighbors all the time with their computers (I'm in a well-to-do area) and when they want a computer, they go down to Best Buy or something and buy one, or they call Dell or some such. They don't even give Macs a first thought because they aren't advertised.
As any Machead will argue, a Mac is a great value. You get a great computer with a great OS, but you also get tons of software. You get iPhoto, iMovie, iDVD, etc. You get a great e-mail client, web browser, etc. If Apple would just advertise that their computers already include about all the software you'll need, they'd sell better. Remember the ads from when the iMac first came out about how simple they were to setup? That's what we need.
Viruses. Macs don't have viruses. They don't have spyware. They don't have all sorts of problems that people in the PC world have to buy software to deal with. This should be hammered home. You shouldn't be able to walk down the street without at least 2/10 people you stop knowing Apple advertises this.
Apple needs to advertise. They have great stuff, but they need to have more people know it. Advertise the stylish laptops. Advertise discounts on iPods when you buy your student a new Mac. Advertise how easy it is to use and how many of the hassles aren't there, but ADVERTISE.
On a side note, the article does have some great suggestions, like $200 off a Mac when you turn in a PC.
I've seen quite a few dishes mounted, here are some ideas:
I've seen people stick a small pole in a large bucket that was filled with concrete and mount the dish on that. If you could get permission to just set that next to the building that would be fine, or you put it inside and point it through a window, but it would be ugly.
Lots of people around here have the dishes clipped onto a railing of some sort that they have near (like a balcony, but you might have something). This would hold it just fine, if you have a railing of some kind near.
Build a mount. You should be able to rig something up. For example, use a 2" by 4" the height of the window. Then you close the window on it (securely and tightly). You could paint it to make it look better. You mount the dish to the 2" by 4" (or a block of wood attached to it). By putting a small piece of wood on the sides and top/bottom of the 2" by 4", you can make it easily support the weight of the dish with just friction (no screwing into the wall).
Neighbors. Do any of your neighbors have dishes? Just attach a multiswitch (basically a splitter for satellites) and you can use their signal with no problem for either of you. It's usually used to allow you to have boxes in more than 2 rooms, but it will do the same for you. You might not even need one if they have a Dual-LNB dish and only one simple reciever.
Through the roof. You might (might Might MIGHT) be able to get a usuable signal through the roof (if you are on the top floor) or through a wall. The closer you are to the equator the better.
Ask a professional installer. Find one who will give you a free "estimate", and see what they think.
I'm always suprised to see these comments. Most of the electronics in my house are Sony because my parrents love the brand. All our TVs are Sony. They all work great, look great, and last for years and years and years. We have two Sony camcorders. One from over 12 years ago that still works (it's a 8mm, you know, the low quality verison of Hi-8). We have a digital Sony camcorder that's tiny and uses Digital-8. The thing is amazingly small and compact but works fantastically. We just got a Sony DSC-T1 digital camera (the one with the huge screen, that is credit-card sized). The screen is amazing, the interface is great. A fantastic camera that feels as well built as a tank. Sony VCRs, DVD players, a home theater system, radios, etc. We've never had any problems with the quality of any of our Sony equiptment, whether it's 10-15 years old, or just a few months. We seek out Sony stuff because of that (plus their great miniturization).
My brother has been using OS X on his Mac laptop since the day it came out. I know the things he's been through, and I know it works with all my stuff. But I love all it's features like the Unix core, and expose and such. I've always had a place in my heart for Macs (the first comptuer I ever owned was an LC II) but they just weren't an option (because of the OS, mainly) untill OS X came out. Now all those great things about Macs (the Apple styling, the "it just works", etc) combined with OS X (Unixy goodness, et all) combine to make a fantastic package that I just can't resist.
I'm a Windows using Linux loving Mac coveter. Someone find me some professional help;)
This is something that I've been thinking about recently. After having to rebuild my PC after a hard drive crash, I realized how little software I actually use on any regular basis. Windows and Office (which I got "free" with my computer) are the only pieces of pay software that I use on any regular basis. I use VMWare some (which I own) and I have AV software and such, but those are all utilities that I don't really USE, they are just THERE. And in many cases (like DiskKeeper) they are only there to fix inadaquices in Windows (sorry, I can't spell;).
Other than that, I use IE, and WinZip, and Acrobat Reader, etc. Past that, I use OSS for most of my needs. This includes the Gimp, Cygwin, and such.
Other than the odd games, there is only one piece of software I remember really WANTING in the last few years. Only one that I was excited about.
OS X
In the past few years, I haven't come across any piece of software that I have wanted so much that I couldn't get free. I wanted to program? GCC was great. A good shell on Windows? I've got Cygwin. Etc, etc, etc. OS X just looked so great. Then my brother got a PowerBook, and I've gotten to use OS X once or twice. I want it even MORE now. I already resolved a year or two ago that my next computer would be a Mac so I could get OS X. There are other reasons, but they all pale in comparison to my want for OS X.
I don't mind paying for software when it's worth it. But so often, it's not worth the asking price. That's why I rent 95% of the videogames that I play. They just aren't worth the $60. Only when I KNOW that I really want the game, that it will be good, will I buy it. The titles that describes more than any other are Nintendo titles. Almost everything else I rent first (if I ever buy it at all). I don't mind paying for software at all, it's only fair that the people who make great stuff get money so they continue to do it.
The problem is that so little these days seems worth the money people want. The ones I hate the most are things like AV software. Stuff I shouldn't need, but I'm basically forced to buy.
I want OS X. It's worth it. It's head-and-shoulders above everything else out there.
I'll pay for software, but it's got to be worth it to me. OS X is so worth it, I'll switch platforms to get it. Now that's good software.
Oh right. Like I said, I never owned a commodore. I'm 21 and I didn't get into computers untill I got an LCII 12 years ago. Thanks for the explanation.
OK, I didn't own a Commodore, but I know the name. That said, can someone explain the logic behind this? If they made laptops, desktops, or even web-tv devices, I could understand. I could even sorta understand if they made TiVos. But MP3 players?
This makes about as much sense to me as using the GE brand name to sell fresh carrots.
And how in the world does the name eVic imply 20GB of storage? Is it something in another language (like vic means 20), or was the poster meaning that the eVic was supposed to compete with the iPod based on similarities in the way they are capitalized and the lengths of the name?
None of this makes any sense. They should sell C64s today for hobbiesests and nostalgia. They could be very tiny, still use a TV, be tons of fun. Or make another hobbiest platform. But... MP3 players? Like the market needs more MP3 players.
Nope. The "dual layer DVI" means it runs a higher datarate than standard DVI. The reason nVidia is working on SLI is probably because of Alienware's dual graphics card system that was announced a while ago. They've obviously been working on it for a little while, but they probably had to annouce it soon (in their minds). They probably worked with Alienware to develop it, so why not provide it to others?
This doesn't really hurt Alienware though. You still need two 16x PCIe slots, which is currently only available on Intel server motherboards (and the one Alienware is making).
I will say that nVidia's system is better than Alienware's (engineering wise, IMHO), but Alieware's doesn't require a special graphics card, it will work with ANY graphics card (that is PCIe).
But no, the 30" Display is NOT why nVidia announced their new SLI setup.
No, I'm suggesting that the other 99% of the world start buying PS printers. Encourge your friends and family who ask you about what printer to buy to look for a PS printer. Educate the users that there are better options out there (like the PS printer).
As for the print server, if you're like me you have a few computers in the house. With a print server the printer is available ALL the time, not only when one PC is on. It can go ANYWHERE there is an ethernet jack (in the case of my JetDirect card). It's just a suggestion that makes things nice. It's not neccessary at all.
See, that's odd. I am MORE willing to donate to this guy's fund than if it was stolen. He did something interesting and a little bit humorous. I could see myself giving the guy a pound or a dollar or two.
On the other hand, if it was stollen, I get a whole "poor me someone help me" feeling from it, and I wouldn't donate.
He damanged it doing something cool. I won't give him 150 pounds, but I could give him one or two.
PS: No, I won't actually be donating because I'm broke and cheap.
Slashdot Mirror
Open the PC up. That doesn't void your warranty does it? If so, COMPLAIN COMPLAIN COMPLAIN. It's not like your doing a motherboard replacement. You are just sticking a card in a slot. Besides, if you ever have to send the PC in for warantee, just pull the card out first and they'll never know.
USB things will take up more CPU time than a PCI based solution. If you must go external, I'd spend the cash and see if you can find a FireWire TV tuner. FireWire is designed to handle digital video.
Sorry, I just don't understand the "won't open the PC" part. It's not like it's a laptop. Those slots are more than just decoration ;)
I wrote a comment on PS a little while ago in the "printing on Linux" article.
Also, given the choice, get a printer with a built in network server (you know, ethernet). If you have a desktop, it might not seem important. But since I've gotten more computers and started to use my laptop as my main computer, having the printer seperate from any computer is great. I don't have to keep one computer on. Even if I only had a laptop, I could plug the printer into my network and print from anywhere in the house thanks to WiFi. I can keep my printer next to my computer, in the basement where my cable modem is, in a bedroom that has an ethernet jack, or in a bathroom (if I added a ethernet jack). And with a little ethernet->wireless adaptor, I could put the printer in the attic if I wanted. It's actually very handy.
Also, as a /. special, if you have both ethernet and PS on your printer, it's AMAZINGLY easy to configure with Linux, Windows, or OS X. Windows is a little weird (a network printer that's not attached to a computer is considered "local" when adding a printer. Huh?). But no messing with GhostScript or anything under Linux. The printer already speaks PS, and if it's like mine ACTUALLY RUNS LPD, so you just forward jobs.
I hope others can help you better with the which is best, as I said I've no experiance with color lasers, but PS and ethernet are fantastic features that you should be looking for.
When users become more accustom to computers and they are intermediate, some users will charge head on into things and get them selves into trouble. Some don't. It just depends.
But I've observed MANY people in my short career of helping neighbors and friends and such with their computers. When they are beginners, they fall into one of three categories. The first is those who hate the comptuer and fight it all the way. They learn how to do a thing or two and use that, and that's it. They won't do anything more because they could break something, etc. It's more than being hesitant.
The second group would include my little sister. They learn what they're doing and will explore a tiny bit, but by and large stick to what they know how to do and programs they know. In those programs, they may explore and they'll become very familiar and comfortable with them. But when it comes to doing something new, they are hesitant.
The third group is hesitant about everything. They are like the first group in that they never branch out into new things (group two will over time, very slowly). They just stick to what they know. That said, they don't feel like they are fighting the computer and are comfortable using the program. But they do no exploring like group two. They only learn things when they need them, and ignore them the rest of the time.
Thinking about it the only group I can think of who ISN'T hesitant is the very little kid. I'm talking 2 or 3 years old. They don't know to be scared of the computer (or even consider being scared of it). They'll plow into the computer head on and they may break it. But I wouldn't consider these kids "users"; at least in the normal sense. They may use a program or two (Putt Putt Goes to the Moon, The Busy World of Richard Scarey, whatever) but they don't use the computer, you know what I mean?
So in conclusion, there really aren't many "non-hesitant" users out there. They would be a rare bird (in my expiriance).
An interesting article though.
I used to have the neighbors named the Jetsons, and they had a robot maid. Not only did it look like it was designed in the 60s or 70s, but it made all sorts of "beep" and "boop" noises. The thing just wasn't very quite.
Not only that, I seem to remember that it would make wise-cracks at its owners from time to time.
I think I'll wait on the robot maid. Maybe a new roomba to hold me over.
They're "Cell" processors. They aren't G5s so they don't benefit in the same way MS would from Apple.
All this means that there are many G5s being made and sold. This means volume which means two things. First it means that any early bugs get worked out faster (and probably almost completely by the time the next XBox comes out). Second (and more importantly) it means bigger volume discounts, faster. If only MS is ordering the chips, then only 100,000 get made per year (for example). If MS and Apple are ordering the chips, then 1,100,000 are made per year (again, example). Way more volume discount.
It also means that production would be higher. If only MS bought chips and the supply was short, MS would be short on XBoxes. With Apple also buying the same chip (assume they do), then if the supply drops MS can outbid Apple to buy the chips and keep XBoxes on the shelf (even if they take a profit hit temporarily, that's better than no profit).
That's my theories on it. If anything, I think Microsoft would love having other people buying the same line of chips.
So basically their planning didn't work out and they had to do something, this was probably their best option.
So, in a way, their hand was forced (IMHO).
That said, what I'm really waiting for (along with half of Slashdot probably) is the G5 PowerBook. My old laptop (a 900mhz PIII) is starting to show it's age and I'm not sure how much longer I can hold out. I'd be happy even if the processor was only 1.4 ghz, that would be more than fast enough for me. The other thing I'd like would be an integrated media slot (to take SD cards, maybe memory sticks, or CF) as many notebooks seem to have these days.
So my question to the great and knowledgeable (don't snicker) Slashdot masses is: when do you think we might see a G5 laptop from Apple?
Personally, my expectation is that it will be announced sometime around X-Mas (possibly January).
I think that with lower clockspeeds (and the improvements that may show up by then) it should be possible to put a G5 in a laptop. I would REALLY like one, but I'm not sure I can hold out that long. If not, I'll buy a G4. I'm not sure I can hold out untill this time next year.
So knowledgeable /.ers, what do you think would be the most likely timeframe for a G5 based laptop from Apple?
Assuming that the .kids.us thing works out, I think that would be a part of it. It seems to me that the prudent thing to do for filtering companies would be to filter against a blacklist for .kids.us sites, and a whitelist for all other sites. The other option would be to use filtering technology (and a blacklist of course) to filter out normal (non .kids.us) sites, and then allow all .kids.us sites (possibly subject to a blacklist).
Either way, it will be interesting to see the problems this comes across (in sites that shouldn't be there getting there) and if it fails or not.
I've never been one to get hooked on anything, but after I discovered Animal Crossing a few years ago, I quick got hooked on it's charmed. I played it every day for months (very unusual for me), and I wouldn't be suprised if my highschool GPA would have been a little higher if I hadn't discovered it.
Eventually it started to get boring and while I still liked playing, I didn't care nearly as much. When I eventually quit, while I didn't have a problem quitting, I felt this weird guilt that I left everyone in my town without me.
I can't wait for AC 2 :).
That said, you can get a cheaper one. They are not as good, but... they're cheaper. Lynxmotion's Biped, or the less fancy Parallax Todler.
That's what Apple needs to do, ADVERTISE. Now when the new iMacs come out, we'll be hit with a wave of advertising but they should do it more.
Watch TV, what do you see? You see ads for Dell, HP, and other manufacturers. You see Best Buy, Circuit City, CompUSA, Radio Shack, and more all hocking computers. What was the last Apple ad you saw? The G5 one? When was the last time you saw an iMac ad or a iBook ad on TV? Years ago you say?
Thats what it seems like to me. When we looked for a computer for my 12 year old little sister, we did look briefly at Macs. My parrents liked the idea but we went with a PC in the end because of her investment in Windows games. If it wasn't for that, it would have been a Mac. But that was because I informed them. I help out neighbors all the time with their computers (I'm in a well-to-do area) and when they want a computer, they go down to Best Buy or something and buy one, or they call Dell or some such. They don't even give Macs a first thought because they aren't advertised.
As any Machead will argue, a Mac is a great value. You get a great computer with a great OS, but you also get tons of software. You get iPhoto, iMovie, iDVD, etc. You get a great e-mail client, web browser, etc. If Apple would just advertise that their computers already include about all the software you'll need, they'd sell better. Remember the ads from when the iMac first came out about how simple they were to setup? That's what we need.
Viruses. Macs don't have viruses. They don't have spyware. They don't have all sorts of problems that people in the PC world have to buy software to deal with. This should be hammered home. You shouldn't be able to walk down the street without at least 2/10 people you stop knowing Apple advertises this.
Apple needs to advertise. They have great stuff, but they need to have more people know it. Advertise the stylish laptops. Advertise discounts on iPods when you buy your student a new Mac. Advertise how easy it is to use and how many of the hassles aren't there, but ADVERTISE.
On a side note, the article does have some great suggestions, like $200 off a Mac when you turn in a PC.
Let the litigation begin!
Maybe this will delay RFID rollouts untill some of the privacy issues are fixed?
Which will be eaten by OS X 10.6 called... Domokun!
Or something to help them our financially in their life, like Rich Dad, Poor Dad or one of those kind of books.
I'm always suprised to see these comments. Most of the electronics in my house are Sony because my parrents love the brand. All our TVs are Sony. They all work great, look great, and last for years and years and years. We have two Sony camcorders. One from over 12 years ago that still works (it's a 8mm, you know, the low quality verison of Hi-8). We have a digital Sony camcorder that's tiny and uses Digital-8. The thing is amazingly small and compact but works fantastically. We just got a Sony DSC-T1 digital camera (the one with the huge screen, that is credit-card sized). The screen is amazing, the interface is great. A fantastic camera that feels as well built as a tank. Sony VCRs, DVD players, a home theater system, radios, etc. We've never had any problems with the quality of any of our Sony equiptment, whether it's 10-15 years old, or just a few months. We seek out Sony stuff because of that (plus their great miniturization).
I'm a Windows using Linux loving Mac coveter. Someone find me some professional help ;)
Other than that, I use IE, and WinZip, and Acrobat Reader, etc. Past that, I use OSS for most of my needs. This includes the Gimp, Cygwin, and such.
Other than the odd games, there is only one piece of software I remember really WANTING in the last few years. Only one that I was excited about.
OS X
In the past few years, I haven't come across any piece of software that I have wanted so much that I couldn't get free. I wanted to program? GCC was great. A good shell on Windows? I've got Cygwin. Etc, etc, etc. OS X just looked so great. Then my brother got a PowerBook, and I've gotten to use OS X once or twice. I want it even MORE now. I already resolved a year or two ago that my next computer would be a Mac so I could get OS X. There are other reasons, but they all pale in comparison to my want for OS X.
I don't mind paying for software when it's worth it. But so often, it's not worth the asking price. That's why I rent 95% of the videogames that I play. They just aren't worth the $60. Only when I KNOW that I really want the game, that it will be good, will I buy it. The titles that describes more than any other are Nintendo titles. Almost everything else I rent first (if I ever buy it at all). I don't mind paying for software at all, it's only fair that the people who make great stuff get money so they continue to do it.
The problem is that so little these days seems worth the money people want. The ones I hate the most are things like AV software. Stuff I shouldn't need, but I'm basically forced to buy.
I want OS X. It's worth it. It's head-and-shoulders above everything else out there.
I'll pay for software, but it's got to be worth it to me. OS X is so worth it, I'll switch platforms to get it. Now that's good software.
Oh right. Like I said, I never owned a commodore. I'm 21 and I didn't get into computers untill I got an LCII 12 years ago. Thanks for the explanation.
This makes about as much sense to me as using the GE brand name to sell fresh carrots.
And how in the world does the name eVic imply 20GB of storage? Is it something in another language (like vic means 20), or was the poster meaning that the eVic was supposed to compete with the iPod based on similarities in the way they are capitalized and the lengths of the name?
None of this makes any sense. They should sell C64s today for hobbiesests and nostalgia. They could be very tiny, still use a TV, be tons of fun. Or make another hobbiest platform. But... MP3 players? Like the market needs more MP3 players.
This doesn't really hurt Alienware though. You still need two 16x PCIe slots, which is currently only available on Intel server motherboards (and the one Alienware is making).
I will say that nVidia's system is better than Alienware's (engineering wise, IMHO), but Alieware's doesn't require a special graphics card, it will work with ANY graphics card (that is PCIe).
But no, the 30" Display is NOT why nVidia announced their new SLI setup.
As for the print server, if you're like me you have a few computers in the house. With a print server the printer is available ALL the time, not only when one PC is on. It can go ANYWHERE there is an ethernet jack (in the case of my JetDirect card). It's just a suggestion that makes things nice. It's not neccessary at all.
There were going to... but it wasn't ready yet. *rimshot*
On the other hand, if it was stollen, I get a whole "poor me someone help me" feeling from it, and I wouldn't donate.
He damanged it doing something cool. I won't give him 150 pounds, but I could give him one or two.
PS: No, I won't actually be donating because I'm broke and cheap.