I've always used QIXO whenever I need to fly somewhere. They pull up most of the published fares a la expedia or travelocity, but they also have a bot that searches the discount lines that otherwise don't publish (Southwest, ATA, JetBlue, Northwest, etc).
I've got one of these set up in my studio, and it works quite nicely.
First, I picked up a used 14u Compaq rack on eBay. It came complete with a working 4-port KVM, sliding rails with cable arms (a MUST if you're going to be tinkering), and a boatload of cables. I then picked up some low-end 2u and 4u cases from newegg, and a big-honkin' surplus UPS to fill out the rack.
As a tinkerer and case modder, the rack gives me nearly endless possibilities - windows, lights, accessories, I'm even trying to engineer a central watercooling system. But the reason I got one in the first place was space considerations. Between my firewall, server box, TiVo/media rig, gaming rig, etc. I had cables running all over the damned place. Now I have everything enclosed in one box, with nothing more sticking out than console cables and a USB hub.
Nobody else has mentioned this yet that I've seen, but it's also possible to get low-end 2u cases that use standard ATX power supplies. The PSU is mounted flat near the front of the case, with the standard-size motherboard positioned in the rear. While this doesn't quite follow ATX design specs, it does allow for a much cheaper rig in a smaller space, while being much quieter than a 1u case (as 80mm fans can be used).
eBay is useful if you're going to be building your own, but it's best if you can locate a local surplus dealer or liquidator, as shipping can be a real bitch when you're dealing with rack enclosures or UPSs.
Having worked at a Florida Marina for 4 years, I can tell you that yachts require a ridiculous amount of maintenance to keep them in working order. I am rather skeptical of this vessel, here's why.
First, there's the issue of bottom paint. An untreated hull in saltwater will be covered in drag-producing algae in a matter of weeks. Most bottom paints slow this considerably, but they still need to be re-painted at least once a year. More permanent paints are available outside the US, as they contain several environmentally detrimental chemicals. All this leaves me to imagine that those portals are going to be one royal pain in the ass to keep clear and clean.
Next, there's the issue of prolonged saltwater contact. Surface yachts must be sprayed down after every outing, or every week at the dock. Otherwise, the salt spray alone is enough to destroy any metalwork on the boat. As if salt spray wasn't enough, this boat will be saturated from all angles.
Now there's maintenance. Those outside the marine industry have no idea of the amount of work needed to keep boats running smoothly. You can't just leave it tied up at a dock - there is near-daily engine maintenance (markedly higher due to saltwater contact), external cleaning, interior maintenance, etc. Now, if this much effort is required to keep a much simpler surface yacht afloat and in shape, I can't imagine what this thing requires. Furthermore, the idea of a crew of only 3 on any yacht over 200' is absurd. It takes that many just to tie the damn thing up, nevermind who's driving it.
Finally, the price. I'm sure this will make a great novelty for some rich person, but that rich person could have bought over 1000 feet worth of brand new motoryachts or sportfishers with that kind of money.
This is a good idea of course, but the only way it would effectively work is with the intervention of the school. The problem though is that the institution is in no way about to officially support (in such a direct fashion) the mostly-illegal filesharing process.
If a group of students wish to do something like this on their own (out of the goodness of their heart), more power to them. However, most college students are lazy, and would rather just download it themselves.
This past August, I shipped my case from Florida up to college in Illinois. I shipped this, along with my monitor, stereo system w/ 15" floor speakers, and a crapload of clothes via FedEx Ground. I spared no expense on insurance - everything was covered even for total destruction.
The case was shipped in the factory box and padding, so nothing should have gone wrong there. Expecting the worst, I carried my RAID array with me on the plane, just to make sure. My mistake was shipping the other components *inside* the case, instead of shipping the mobo, CDR, etc. separately. For it seems, at some point during the 5-day trip, the case was dropped hard on its side - the motherboard side!
Yes, it was rather stupid of me to ship my case with the half-kilo copper heatsink mounted on a CPU *without* a shim. Needless to say, that impact not only chipped the CPU die but put a crack through the entire chip. It was dropped hard enough to knock the motherboard off the standoffs, and it was loose in the case upon arrival. The fall even dismounted my light kit, which had been held in place with *epoxy*. DAMN...
Now, if they dropped my case hard enough to break epoxy, I think they're partially to blame here. So, I filled out an insurance form - I only wanted $200 to replace the chip and mobo, as everything else still worked or was easily repairable (this is MUCH less than the insured total). As you guessed from the title, I'm still being given the runaround.
In their claims instructions, they tell you to save the packaging, but nothing further after that. You can imagine how I was somewhat peeved 2 months later when they rejected my claim - they never saw the packaging. Gee, perhaps if they had told me when/where/how they needed to see the packaging, they might've had a chance. The packaging is still here, cracked styrofoam and all, waiting for another FedEx reply. I've finally photographed it, and am just waiting to find out who needs to see it (methinks I'll be waiting a long time).
MY ADVICE: (geez, I wish this thread was around in August...)
Store EVERY box that your PC parts come in, and ALL of the original padding. COMPLETELY disassemble the computer and ship the motherboard, expansion cards, and CD drives separately. Keep your HDDs and your CPU on your person, as these are the most fragile/sensitive/valuable. Finally, ship the case EMPTY. Insure everything for its market value, and don't take any crap if your goodies get broken.
BTW, the other things I shipped arrived just fine, except for some minor (cosmetic) damage to the floor speakers. This was because I neglected to save the original packaging - even a quilt was not enough to keep the boxes from chafing each other.
FYI, Steel does *NOT* conduct heat better. It is heavier and cheaper, and it is used in 95% of the computer cases out there. You'll never see a steel heatsink in your life - Aluminum, Copper, and Silver all do the job much better.
If you look around that (or any other) overclocking site, you'll find more cooling info than you could shake a stick at. In fact, I'm installing [overclockersonline.com] such a system as we speak.
I'm glad somebody finally said it - this stuff is almost a year old already. This article [PCWorld] explains the technology, including built-in support for 'multiple users'.
Is this the end-all solution? I certainly hope so. Still, there are tons of fossil fuels being combusted every second, and we need an answer for this energy crisis as well. Hopefully commercial fusion can facilitate this.
How much do those cost, again?
ANYWAYS, it sounds like this sort of system relies on a fairly large amount of cellular base stations in order to receive the scattered radar signals and triangulate the position. What about rural areas? What about under-developed countries (see Bosnia)? If this thing really works, it basically means our (Yank) birds won't be able to sneak into metropolitan areas of industrialized countries. That sucks for Saddam, though...
There are 2 very different types of motion detection. One type uses a physical motion sensor and sends an analog alarm signal to the computer. Digital motion detection takes place completely inside the comp - you set up a detection grid and sensitivity levels for each cam, and the soft looks for specific changes in vid data to detect and record motion. This takes more work, but is exponentially more flexible.
This is especially helpful for boats - my security system was installed at a Marina, so it was very important to block off the water areas from activity detection. Again hopefully this helps.
I recently set up a 16 camera system at work using some standard dig vid cams and a dig multiplexor/recorder from a British company. It has all the remote monitoring and motion detection stuff you need - too bad it costs over US$5k. Someone gave me a link to this company, Surveyor, which supposedly does the same for standard dig cams. It's likely not open-source, and I've never actually used it myself, but it just might be helpful.
Here's the demo
uh, I thought it was pronounced C-Sharp, a musical reference to the next level higher. I personally submit C/=0 as a name for MSFTs.nyet plan. It's a wierdo smiley and a blatant error (both very appropriate for Microsoft)
Slashdot Mirror
I've always used QIXO whenever I need to fly somewhere. They pull up most of the published fares a la expedia or travelocity, but they also have a bot that searches the discount lines that otherwise don't publish (Southwest, ATA, JetBlue, Northwest, etc).
Just unplug it.
I've got one of these set up in my studio, and it works quite nicely.
First, I picked up a used 14u Compaq rack on eBay. It came complete with a working 4-port KVM, sliding rails with cable arms (a MUST if you're going to be tinkering), and a boatload of cables. I then picked up some low-end 2u and 4u cases from newegg, and a big-honkin' surplus UPS to fill out the rack.
As a tinkerer and case modder, the rack gives me nearly endless possibilities - windows, lights, accessories, I'm even trying to engineer a central watercooling system. But the reason I got one in the first place was space considerations. Between my firewall, server box, TiVo/media rig, gaming rig, etc. I had cables running all over the damned place. Now I have everything enclosed in one box, with nothing more sticking out than console cables and a USB hub.
Nobody else has mentioned this yet that I've seen, but it's also possible to get low-end 2u cases that use standard ATX power supplies. The PSU is mounted flat near the front of the case, with the standard-size motherboard positioned in the rear. While this doesn't quite follow ATX design specs, it does allow for a much cheaper rig in a smaller space, while being much quieter than a 1u case (as 80mm fans can be used).
eBay is useful if you're going to be building your own, but it's best if you can locate a local surplus dealer or liquidator, as shipping can be a real bitch when you're dealing with rack enclosures or UPSs.
Having worked at a Florida Marina for 4 years, I can tell you that yachts require a ridiculous amount of maintenance to keep them in working order. I am rather skeptical of this vessel, here's why.
First, there's the issue of bottom paint. An untreated hull in saltwater will be covered in drag-producing algae in a matter of weeks. Most bottom paints slow this considerably, but they still need to be re-painted at least once a year. More permanent paints are available outside the US, as they contain several environmentally detrimental chemicals. All this leaves me to imagine that those portals are going to be one royal pain in the ass to keep clear and clean.
Next, there's the issue of prolonged saltwater contact. Surface yachts must be sprayed down after every outing, or every week at the dock. Otherwise, the salt spray alone is enough to destroy any metalwork on the boat. As if salt spray wasn't enough, this boat will be saturated from all angles.
Now there's maintenance. Those outside the marine industry have no idea of the amount of work needed to keep boats running smoothly. You can't just leave it tied up at a dock - there is near-daily engine maintenance (markedly higher due to saltwater contact), external cleaning, interior maintenance, etc. Now, if this much effort is required to keep a much simpler surface yacht afloat and in shape, I can't imagine what this thing requires. Furthermore, the idea of a crew of only 3 on any yacht over 200' is absurd. It takes that many just to tie the damn thing up, nevermind who's driving it.
Finally, the price. I'm sure this will make a great novelty for some rich person, but that rich person could have bought over 1000 feet worth of brand new motoryachts or sportfishers with that kind of money.
I hereby throw my sig at your dutiful service.
Not that I have much karma to burn in the first place...
This is a good idea of course, but the only way it would effectively work is with the intervention of the school. The problem though is that the institution is in no way about to officially support (in such a direct fashion) the mostly-illegal filesharing process.
If a group of students wish to do something like this on their own (out of the goodness of their heart), more power to them. However, most college students are lazy, and would rather just download it themselves.
This past August, I shipped my case from Florida up to college in Illinois. I shipped this, along with my monitor, stereo system w/ 15" floor speakers, and a crapload of clothes via FedEx Ground. I spared no expense on insurance - everything was covered even for total destruction.
The case was shipped in the factory box and padding, so nothing should have gone wrong there. Expecting the worst, I carried my RAID array with me on the plane, just to make sure. My mistake was shipping the other components *inside* the case, instead of shipping the mobo, CDR, etc. separately. For it seems, at some point during the 5-day trip, the case was dropped hard on its side - the motherboard side!
Yes, it was rather stupid of me to ship my case with the half-kilo copper heatsink mounted on a CPU *without* a shim. Needless to say, that impact not only chipped the CPU die but put a crack through the entire chip. It was dropped hard enough to knock the motherboard off the standoffs, and it was loose in the case upon arrival. The fall even dismounted my light kit, which had been held in place with *epoxy*. DAMN...
Now, if they dropped my case hard enough to break epoxy, I think they're partially to blame here. So, I filled out an insurance form - I only wanted $200 to replace the chip and mobo, as everything else still worked or was easily repairable (this is MUCH less than the insured total). As you guessed from the title, I'm still being given the runaround.
In their claims instructions, they tell you to save the packaging, but nothing further after that. You can imagine how I was somewhat peeved 2 months later when they rejected my claim - they never saw the packaging. Gee, perhaps if they had told me when/where/how they needed to see the packaging, they might've had a chance. The packaging is still here, cracked styrofoam and all, waiting for another FedEx reply. I've finally photographed it, and am just waiting to find out who needs to see it (methinks I'll be waiting a long time).
MY ADVICE: (geez, I wish this thread was around in August...)
Store EVERY box that your PC parts come in, and ALL of the original padding. COMPLETELY disassemble the computer and ship the motherboard, expansion cards, and CD drives separately. Keep your HDDs and your CPU on your person, as these are the most fragile/sensitive/valuable. Finally, ship the case EMPTY. Insure everything for its market value, and don't take any crap if your goodies get broken.
BTW, the other things I shipped arrived just fine, except for some minor (cosmetic) damage to the floor speakers. This was because I neglected to save the original packaging - even a quilt was not enough to keep the boxes from chafing each other.
Here's wishing you better luck!
My apologies - I was referring to CPU-specific heatsinks. I'm afraid it'll be many years before we'll see something better on our transistors ;)
back up now, just some occasional DB problems...
FYI, Steel does *NOT* conduct heat better. It is heavier and cheaper, and it is used in 95% of the computer cases out there. You'll never see a steel heatsink in your life - Aluminum, Copper, and Silver all do the job much better.
If you look around that (or any other) overclocking site, you'll find more cooling info than you could shake a stick at. In fact, I'm installing [overclockersonline.com] such a system as we speak.
N'Sync? This one's just too easy ;)
I'm glad somebody finally said it - this stuff is almost a year old already. This article [PCWorld] explains the technology, including built-in support for 'multiple users'.
Oh stop, you're making me blush.
*watches Karma Freefall*
Is this the end-all solution? I certainly hope so. Still, there are tons of fossil fuels being combusted every second, and we need an answer for this energy crisis as well. Hopefully commercial fusion can facilitate this.
Criminy. I'll be sure to check myself before I go correcting addresses and such next time. For cripes sakes, call the Karma Police!
;)
Fear the MetaMod!
http://spews.org perhaps?
but it sure beaks smellovision.
My thoughts had it rhyming with Apollo.
A-tall-o?
*watches Karma plummet*
How much do those cost, again? ANYWAYS, it sounds like this sort of system relies on a fairly large amount of cellular base stations in order to receive the scattered radar signals and triangulate the position. What about rural areas? What about under-developed countries (see Bosnia)? If this thing really works, it basically means our (Yank) birds won't be able to sneak into metropolitan areas of industrialized countries. That sucks for Saddam, though...
There are 2 very different types of motion detection. One type uses a physical motion sensor and sends an analog alarm signal to the computer. Digital motion detection takes place completely inside the comp - you set up a detection grid and sensitivity levels for each cam, and the soft looks for specific changes in vid data to detect and record motion. This takes more work, but is exponentially more flexible. This is especially helpful for boats - my security system was installed at a Marina, so it was very important to block off the water areas from activity detection. Again hopefully this helps.
I recently set up a 16 camera system at work using some standard dig vid cams and a dig multiplexor/recorder from a British company. It has all the remote monitoring and motion detection stuff you need - too bad it costs over US$5k. Someone gave me a link to this company, Surveyor, which supposedly does the same for standard dig cams. It's likely not open-source, and I've never actually used it myself, but it just might be helpful. Here's the demo
uh, I thought it was pronounced C-Sharp, a musical reference to the next level higher. I personally submit C/=0 as a name for MSFTs .nyet plan. It's a wierdo smiley and a blatant error (both very appropriate for Microsoft)