An acquaintance does power infrastructure development planning for the World Bank. He told me of the time his team presented their report to an official in a sub-saharan nation and were told (I'm paraphrasing) "The HIV infection rate in our working age population is 35%, power is the least of our problems". Very grim. Very sad.
I have a bench machine that I've tested with Betas1&2 and RC1&2. All except for Beta2 have been pretty bug free, but RC2 fails at the "testing hardware" dialog during install, and after reboot will not give me the Aeroglass option, unlike all previous versions. I'll do some digging later this week to see how to force a re-test of hardware for compatibility, but this was dissapointing after 3 functional previous releases
The other issue is Windows specific apps. If Intuit doesn't produce a Linux version of Quickbooks, it's a deal killer for most of my small business customers. The pain of migrating to a new platform and set of apps still exceeds the cost/security/maintenance improvements of OSS
Tom's hardware's preview of dual 7800GT cards recorded 377 Watts power consumption. The cards each had their own external power brick! Dell will almost certainly have integrated power. Finally, an application for those 1000W PSUs..
A colleague recently asked what his gamer son might want. As I had previously helped them purchase a good video card for him, I suggested other hardware options- RAM, a ~$40 OEM Audigy 2 sound card to take some load off the CPU, a Logitech G5 mouse, and surround headphones.
"this isn't going to be much more helpful to you at home than any other *buntu". Though your prior points are valid, I disagree with this generalization. I will be installing Edubuntu on an extra laptop for my children's home use precisely because it is "one stop shopping" for many educational apps I'd otherwise have to hunt around for, and would likely miss a few even then. Thank you Ubuntu for putting this together, I'll be showing in to my childrens' school's accountability commitee too.
The article references Winbind: "Two hours of installing Kerberos packages, messing around with Samba and Winbind, editing Pluggable Authentication Module [PAM] configuration files by hand, 'net mapping' groups, and more."
My MSI KM4M-V (VIA KM400 based), Sempron 2200+, Hauppague 150 based MCE box has worked wonderfully w/ it's integrated sound. Also, what did you mean by "Which is WHY MS DOES NOT SELL MCE by itself!!!"? OEM MCE 2005 bundles w/ remote and IR reciever can be had many places (www.mwave.com) for ~$150. HD content is a bigger issue. Content like the T2 HD-DVD won't play because MCE 2005 doesn't support HDCP. I suppose that a Vista MCE/ HDMI vid card/ HDMI monitor/ cable card tuner combo will resolve these issues, at the expense of flexibility of content usage...
Many good ideas here, I'll add a few of my favorite specialty tools: Antec PSU tester (~$15). Soyo Techaid post code diagnostic PCI card (~$20). USB NIC (many manyfacturers ($30) faster than opening the case on machines w/o a NIC, also good for diagnosing "is it the NIC or OS" issues. USB to ATA adaptor- connect client's hdd to bench machine fast for file retrieval/virus scan. (2) 2.5" to 3.5" hdd adaptor ($10)- connect/copy laptop drives with your bench gear. Ground mats, GOOD hand tools, extra hdds to clone disks before beginning work are also vital.
The digital home is hampered by a lack of an open digital standard for devices to communicate. I built an MCE box for our entertainment center, and it works wonderfully with our simple combination of media usage and sources. A friend's more complex MCE install failed to work correctly with his larger selection of TV sources, which don't have the option of a standard digital interface and the ability to inform the MCE box of their capabilities. Unfortunately, there is no consumer friendly way to get MCE to integrate with lighting, telecom, HVAC, and security either. I hope for a standard that allows interoperation of these types of devices. Wifi enabled thermostats and security gear that are consumer setup friendly, and that appear under future "My Security", "My HVAC", "My Lighting", "My Irrigation", etc... menus in MCE would go a long way toward consumer adoption. It appears that we'll have standard (DRM'd) options for his video sources soon enough, but I can't help thinking that TV/IP will be a simpler soluton than trying to get the cable box/sat tuner/ATSC tuner to all work.
Along the same lines: Peachtree accounting software- There are 4?? "levels" of Peachtree 2004. I created my file in the "level 1" version I bought. After my accountant edited the file in "level 4", my "level 1" wouldn't open it, instead demanding that I have at least "level 3". I understand not accessing the extra features of higher levels, but not being able to make basic GL entries?!?! I ended up buying "level 3". Every time peachtree sends me upgrade offers, I angrilly throw them in the trash.
Don't bother to RTFA, it's basically a press release for Geek Squad:) I've been doing this type of work for 3+ years. I find that most customers are paying for the convenience factor. 2-3 hours billable to resolve the issue fast is far less costly to them than distracting themselves from their primary job for ?? hours or days to resolve it themselves. By analogy, I can do my own accounting, but paying my accountant 1 hour to do a project correctly is less expensive than taking me away from working 2-3 billable hours for my customers.
About the MP3 gear in second article
on
Archos Widescreen PMP
·
· Score: 2, Insightful
Thoughts on the 2nd linked article on MP3 players:
1. The Bose is CD based. Bose really doesn't get it. The extra time, effort, and waste of making a CD every time to change the music selection is too much of a hassle vs. flash and hdd players.
2. The Maxfield Diablo plays OGG, neat.
Slashdot Mirror
An acquaintance does power infrastructure development planning for the World Bank. He told me of the time his team presented their report to an official in a sub-saharan nation and were told (I'm paraphrasing) "The HIV infection rate in our working age population is 35%, power is the least of our problems". Very grim. Very sad.
/me hi fives Al ;0)
I have a bench machine that I've tested with Betas1&2 and RC1&2. All except for Beta2 have been pretty bug free, but RC2 fails at the "testing hardware" dialog during install, and after reboot will not give me the Aeroglass option, unlike all previous versions. I'll do some digging later this week to see how to force a re-test of hardware for compatibility, but this was dissapointing after 3 functional previous releases
Never ask a tech what is good, all we see is broken stuff......
M.A.D. - Mutual Assured DDOS?
1.21 Jigga-Kelvins!
Stolen towels and soap from the lunar hotel would be the pinnacle of my collection!
I get "Message blocked: Exploiting Norton bug" on my favorite channel if I type in either command
The other issue is Windows specific apps. If Intuit doesn't produce a Linux version of Quickbooks, it's a deal killer for most of my small business customers. The pain of migrating to a new platform and set of apps still exceeds the cost/security/maintenance improvements of OSS
Tom's hardware's preview of dual 7800GT cards recorded 377 Watts power consumption. The cards each had their own external power brick! Dell will almost certainly have integrated power. Finally, an application for those 1000W PSUs..
A colleague recently asked what his gamer son might want. As I had previously helped them purchase a good video card for him, I suggested other hardware options- RAM, a ~$40 OEM Audigy 2 sound card to take some load off the CPU, a Logitech G5 mouse, and surround headphones.
19? Not a kid anymore, enjoy that felony record for the rest of your life...
"this isn't going to be much more helpful to you at home than any other *buntu". Though your prior points are valid, I disagree with this generalization. I will be installing Edubuntu on an extra laptop for my children's home use precisely because it is "one stop shopping" for many educational apps I'd otherwise have to hunt around for, and would likely miss a few even then. Thank you Ubuntu for putting this together, I'll be showing in to my childrens' school's accountability commitee too.
Montreal stores report hot dog shortages
The article references Winbind: "Two hours of installing Kerberos packages, messing around with Samba and Winbind, editing Pluggable Authentication Module [PAM] configuration files by hand, 'net mapping' groups, and more."
My MSI KM4M-V (VIA KM400 based), Sempron 2200+, Hauppague 150 based MCE box has worked wonderfully w/ it's integrated sound. Also, what did you mean by "Which is WHY MS DOES NOT SELL MCE by itself!!!"? OEM MCE 2005 bundles w/ remote and IR reciever can be had many places (www.mwave.com) for ~$150. HD content is a bigger issue. Content like the T2 HD-DVD won't play because MCE 2005 doesn't support HDCP. I suppose that a Vista MCE/ HDMI vid card/ HDMI monitor/ cable card tuner combo will resolve these issues, at the expense of flexibility of content usage...
Does a GPS guided cruise missile qualify? Here's an article about a predator UAV equipped with a hellfire missile killing 5 in Yemen: http://www-tech.mit.edu/V122/N54/long4-54.54w.html
Many good ideas here, I'll add a few of my favorite specialty tools: Antec PSU tester (~$15). Soyo Techaid post code diagnostic PCI card (~$20). USB NIC (many manyfacturers ($30) faster than opening the case on machines w/o a NIC, also good for diagnosing "is it the NIC or OS" issues. USB to ATA adaptor- connect client's hdd to bench machine fast for file retrieval/virus scan. (2) 2.5" to 3.5" hdd adaptor ($10)- connect/copy laptop drives with your bench gear. Ground mats, GOOD hand tools, extra hdds to clone disks before beginning work are also vital.
The digital home is hampered by a lack of an open digital standard for devices to communicate. I built an MCE box for our entertainment center, and it works wonderfully with our simple combination of media usage and sources. A friend's more complex MCE install failed to work correctly with his larger selection of TV sources, which don't have the option of a standard digital interface and the ability to inform the MCE box of their capabilities. Unfortunately, there is no consumer friendly way to get MCE to integrate with lighting, telecom, HVAC, and security either. I hope for a standard that allows interoperation of these types of devices. Wifi enabled thermostats and security gear that are consumer setup friendly, and that appear under future "My Security", "My HVAC", "My Lighting", "My Irrigation", etc... menus in MCE would go a long way toward consumer adoption. It appears that we'll have standard (DRM'd) options for his video sources soon enough, but I can't help thinking that TV/IP will be a simpler soluton than trying to get the cable box/sat tuner/ATSC tuner to all work.
It was on the front page yesterday, though I'm glad you reposted it, as it's fascinating.
Along the same lines: Peachtree accounting software- There are 4?? "levels" of Peachtree 2004. I created my file in the "level 1" version I bought. After my accountant edited the file in "level 4", my "level 1" wouldn't open it, instead demanding that I have at least "level 3". I understand not accessing the extra features of higher levels, but not being able to make basic GL entries?!?! I ended up buying "level 3". Every time peachtree sends me upgrade offers, I angrilly throw them in the trash.
Customer: "What's this fish shaped accessory for?" Salesman: "Oh, that goes inside your ear......"
In the US, you say you own your land? Stop paying your property taxes, see who REALLY "owns" the land.
Don't bother to RTFA, it's basically a press release for Geek Squad :) I've been doing this type of work for 3+ years. I find that most customers are paying for the convenience factor. 2-3 hours billable to resolve the issue fast is far less costly to them than distracting themselves from their primary job for ?? hours or days to resolve it themselves. By analogy, I can do my own accounting, but paying my accountant 1 hour to do a project correctly is less expensive than taking me away from working 2-3 billable hours for my customers.
Thoughts on the 2nd linked article on MP3 players: 1. The Bose is CD based. Bose really doesn't get it. The extra time, effort, and waste of making a CD every time to change the music selection is too much of a hassle vs. flash and hdd players. 2. The Maxfield Diablo plays OGG, neat.