Recent Posts

4026

Living Room / Re: Looking for suggestions for domain name registration

« Last post by Stoic Joker on June 07, 2011, 11:31 AM »

They also offer private registrations (i.e. ownership masking service) at a nominal additional cost if you want to hide your real contact info from casual perusal.

-40hz (June 07, 2011, 08:25 AM)

They charge extra for that?!? (Bad Monkey) Hover don't. I transfered the main company from Network Solutions to Hover last week, and it was enabled by default (as a courtesy) on the newly transfered domain. It wasn't enabled at NetSol, so it has to be a Hover thing. Also it's only $10 yr for a transfered domain. So I got 3 years for $30 when I moved it.

The transfer was completely seamless as I was able to preconfigure all the DNS settings at Hover before the transfer went through. Well   maybe not completely seamless ... as we did have a minor (4 hour) Email outage. But that was because I'd been in a hurry and ("Christmas Tree'd" the input) created a circular reference in the MX records (...Hay, (sh)IT Happens). However, when I caught and corrected it the push was instantaneous ... Because mail (that people had been waiting on for hours) started flooding in (literally) within seconds after I hit apply. But that was not Hover's fault.

4027

Living Room / Re: Looking for suggestions for domain name registration

« Last post by Stoic Joker on June 07, 2011, 07:00 AM »

I've been using DomainDirect (which is now Hover) for about 10 years and never had a problem with them. I did have one minor (login issue) hiccup with my main domain right after the Hover transition and had to call their tech support. After a very short wait, I got a guy that both knew what he was doing, and spoke quite clearly. The issue was resolved moments later.

They're not the cheapest (@ $15 a year), but I think well worth it for the clean easy to navigate and use configuration system they have. Registrar chances are usually done very seldom, and it a panic ... so you don't want to be screwed (banners, popups, more confusion) with while it happening...and they don't. I tend to appreciate that kind of thing.

4028

Living Room / Re: xkcd - why we should fear the cloud

« Last post by Stoic Joker on June 07, 2011, 06:46 AM »

Hm, the guy running the cloud has a douchebag hat.

Appropriate.

-doctorfrog (June 07, 2011, 02:02 AM)

While I am reflexively inclined to agree ... I've not a clue as to the origin of that connection (/hat type). Any chance you can help me out so I don't have to Google the term at work...

4029

Living Room / Re: Microsoft unveils new UI prototype - Windows 8?

« Last post by Stoic Joker on June 06, 2011, 10:13 PM »

I had one for my Sony Clie until that died. I ended up giving my keyboard to a friend who had one that still worked.
 
I really miss my Clie. It was a simple and reliable device that didn't try to do too much. But what it did do, it did brilliantly. I wrote the entire first draft of a book on that little bugger. Too bad Sony scrapped it's PDAs and went completely over to smartphones.

-40hz (June 06, 2011, 12:48 PM)

You want another one (Sony Clie that is)? I got one sitting in the closet I never could figure out a use for.

-Stoic Joker (June 06, 2011, 04:40 PM)

Thanks. But I already gave away all my software and accessories and have since moved on to other things. And migrated all that data too. Boy was that ever a pain. Wish I got your offer three years ago! You could have named your price...   (Story of my life.  )

-40hz (June 06, 2011, 05:38 PM)

Mine too apparently ... Damn things been that closet for four years...

 

4030

Living Room / Re: Microsoft unveils new UI prototype - Windows 8?

« Last post by Stoic Joker on June 06, 2011, 04:40 PM »

I had one for my Sony Clie until that died. I ended up giving my keyboard to a friend who had one that still worked.
 
I really miss my Clie. It was a simple and reliable device that didn't try to do too much. But what it did do, it did brilliantly. I wrote the entire first draft of a book on that little bugger. Too bad Sony scrapped it's PDAs and went completely over to smartphones.

-40hz (June 06, 2011, 12:48 PM)

You want another one (Sony Clie that is)? I got one sitting in the closet I never could figure out a use for.

4031

Living Room / Re: Apple - not quite grasping the concept of privacy.

« Last post by Stoic Joker on June 06, 2011, 02:56 PM »

don't think so. The Android phone would still need to know your location to provide you with phone service.

-Deozaan (June 06, 2011, 02:19 PM)

  The "Phone" part of the phone only needs to know that a (totally ground based) cell tower is near enough for good signal. The tower's exact location isn't important, and the phones is completely irrelevant (to the phone).

4032

Living Room / Re: xkcd - why we should fear the cloud

« Last post by Stoic Joker on June 06, 2011, 06:55 AM »

That line where he says "In the end they're all getting it here." is absolutely brilliant. 

(Now that I've stopped laughing, I'm left with this uneasy feeling it might not be a joke. )

-40hz (June 06, 2011, 06:33 AM)

Yepper, same here...

4033

General Software Discussion / Re: smartphones and (lack of) security

« Last post by Stoic Joker on June 06, 2011, 06:52 AM »

I don't like this at all. I don't want my phone to require anti-virus software!

-phitsc (June 06, 2011, 06:43 AM)

+1 What's next the toaster? Drive through a bad neighborhood and your car conks out cause it got a bugg from an infected traffic signal? How about driving over a cliff because a pop-up add for applesauce blocked the windshield in a turn ... This really is getting ridiculous.

4034

General Software Discussion / Re: Naming one's product

« Last post by Stoic Joker on June 06, 2011, 06:46 AM »

The "pus##" makes me wonder if perhaps even you don't know the meaning of pus^w?

-Deozaan (June 05, 2011, 08:30 PM)

Thanks for pointing out that pus tool!

-cranioscopical (June 06, 2011, 06:24 AM)

Keep it up and you'll be reported to the staph.

4035

Living Room / Re: silly humor - post 'em here! [warning some NSFW and adult content]

« Last post by Stoic Joker on June 04, 2011, 06:08 PM »

'So I just switched the heads.'

-y0himba (June 04, 2011, 07:36 AM)

 

4036

Living Room / Re: Will Apple Tell You What You Can/Can't Take Pictures of?

« Last post by Stoic Joker on June 04, 2011, 05:45 PM »

Infrared? (hehehe) I can just see it now... Like most of Apple's "security" it'll get "CracKed" by a 12 year old child with a 10 cent piece of plastic (that just so happens to filter out that spectrum) in a week.

Christ, my dog walks in front of the cable box and the remote takes a shit ... We're not talking about a reliable technology here.

-Stoic Joker (June 03, 2011, 11:38 PM)

While it may not be reliable, it's the thought that counts.

And that thought would somewhere along the lines of "thought police". 

-Renegade (June 04, 2011, 12:26 AM)

Understood. Tis indeed a bad direction to wander. I just couldn't resist responding off the top of my head...Drunk as I was.  ...(and still am)...(Tehehe)

4037

Living Room / Re: Is the Core i7 2600K really worth the extra cost over Core i5 2500K?

« Last post by Stoic Joker on June 04, 2011, 05:37 PM »

Do you consider those types of activities as business/productivity?  My gut says that on-board would work fine, but I just don't know anymore.

-steeladept (June 04, 2011, 12:16 AM)

I'm not sure about the "productivity" part... ...But yes, the current generation of onboard video should handle a 5 year old game just fine.

4038

Living Room / Re: Will Apple Tell You What You Can/Can't Take Pictures of?

« Last post by Stoic Joker on June 03, 2011, 11:38 PM »

Infrared? (hehehe) I can just see it now... Like most of Apple's "security" it'll get "CracKed" by a 12 year old child with a 10 cent piece of plastic (that just so happens to filter out that spectrum) in a week.

Christ, my dog walks in front of the cable box and the remote takes a shit ... We're not talking about a reliable technology here.

4039

General Software Discussion / Re: smartphones and (lack of) security

« Last post by Stoic Joker on June 03, 2011, 11:32 PM »

Cool. I noticed that they're working on a (coming soon) basic version ... Any chance it'll be free?

4040

General Software Discussion / Re: smartphones and (lack of) security

« Last post by Stoic Joker on June 03, 2011, 10:06 PM »

Yep. Using ALYac on my Android.

-Renegade (June 03, 2011, 08:19 PM)

ALYac? Never heard of it ... How's it do on a PC?

4041

Living Room / Re: Should retailers be held accountable for recommendations?

« Last post by Stoic Joker on June 03, 2011, 03:41 PM »

I'm with mouser ... Newegg is usually really good about returns. Just look at the number of "Open Box" sale items on their site (wanna guess why they were opened... ) But I'd run a sharpie marker over the scratches in the black paint to make them a tad less obvious.

4042

Living Room / Re: Microsoft unveils new UI prototype - Windows 8?

« Last post by Stoic Joker on June 03, 2011, 01:12 PM »

*Sigh* At least there's still hope for the server OS's (i think...).

-Stoic Joker (June 03, 2011, 11:50 AM)

There will be until Microsoft decides to drop Windows Home Server. It really is a little gem. 

-40hz (June 03, 2011, 12:35 PM)

WHS? ...What...Everybody doesn't have a domain controller on their home network?!? My god! ...How do they keep track of the kids?!? (comment loosely relates to other thread - hehe )

4043

General Software Discussion / Re: Goodbye OpenOffice, Hello LibreOffice

« Last post by Stoic Joker on June 03, 2011, 01:02 PM »

Or me, but like I said, we're used to it (and or have/know alternatives). Let me phrase this a bit differently.

You know that call you get from a client now and then, they're in a cold sweat, panic in their voice, 'cause -even if they are completely innocent- they're worried about what the MS guy will think when/if they call? These are the same people that would peak nervously out the window for hours after getting an Illegal Operation error in the Win9x days.

^^^Those People^^^ think it's annoying to have the shit scared out of them... 

4044

Living Room / Re: Microsoft unveils new UI prototype - Windows 8?

« Last post by Stoic Joker on June 03, 2011, 11:50 AM »

So in short, this really is the beginning of the end for computing as we know it.

-Stoic Joker (June 03, 2011, 06:56 AM)

I many respects, yes.

-40hz (June 03, 2011, 09:36 AM)

Damnit! ...Why can't I just once be cynical and wrong, at the same time?!?

*Sigh* At least there's still hope for the server OS's (i think...).

Where that leaves us geeks and techno-wonks is anybody's guess.

-40hz (June 03, 2011, 09:36 AM)

Marginally justified in being misanthropic?

Thank heavens for Linux.

-40hz (June 03, 2011, 09:36 AM)

It's not a bad exit strategy if need be.

4045

General Software Discussion / Re: Goodbye OpenOffice, Hello LibreOffice

« Last post by Stoic Joker on June 03, 2011, 11:24 AM »

I'm not a Microsoft apologist, but they do have a business to run. And activation and "genuine advantage" aren't too burdensome the way they've implemented it.

-40hz (June 02, 2011, 01:20 PM)

Well... That's easy to say when your sitting there with an MSDN subscription and a spread sheet full of keys (which we both have iirc) for anything you might want/need to play with. But the view is not quite as clear cut for everybody. Mind you I'm not disagreeing, I'm just pointing out a teency bit of a glass house factor to the position on something we're sort of insulated from.

4046

Living Room / Re: Is the Core i7 2600K really worth the extra cost over Core i5 2500K?

« Last post by Stoic Joker on June 03, 2011, 07:09 AM »

Here is a related question for those of you who know....Assuming you are not gaming or doing any high-quality artwork, is there any reason not to use onboard video?  From what I have seen, the onboard video cards are quite capable, even for gaming (as long as it isn't cutting edge games).

-steeladept (June 03, 2011, 12:46 AM)

The Dell Dimension E521 I'm using here at the office does just fine with onboard video. Granted I don't play games on it (well okay Mahjong once or twice) but for workstuff or just general computing it's fine by me.

And yes it was a cost cutting excercise. I got a base machine with a CPU selected by best price point, and added RAM later when the price dropped. It's been a great machine for what I do.

4047

Living Room / Re: Microsoft unveils new UI prototype - Windows 8?

« Last post by Stoic Joker on June 03, 2011, 06:56 AM »

So in short, this really is the beginning of the end for computing as we know it. As more and more devices are being merged and fed the cloud. Fashion will win over function (as it always does) because work isn't fun. All we need now is for someone to finish working out how to access the human brain directly and then the only HID needed will be a single receptacle where the device connects to you. Then Apple can jack that technology and come completely out of the closet, by releasing the iButt (guess where that goes).

4048

Living Room / Re: Microsoft unveils new UI prototype - Windows 8?

« Last post by Stoic Joker on June 02, 2011, 04:23 PM »

  Damn app103, that was beautiful! 

4049

Living Room / Re: Microsoft unveils new UI prototype - Windows 8?

« Last post by Stoic Joker on June 02, 2011, 12:01 PM »

I wouldn't worry about it. My guess is that Microsoft is already working with some select hardware vendors to come up with solutions that will address all the UI/input device concerns.

-Renegade (June 02, 2011, 07:18 AM)

It's not the input devices that concern me. You see, the 'T' in T-Clock, stands for Tray. As in SystemTray. So... If there is no TaskBar, There is also no SystemTray. Hence the project (that I've been working on for a decade) would be dead.

4050

Developer's Corner / Re: Looking for Component to Fill Boxes

« Last post by Stoic Joker on June 02, 2011, 11:53 AM »

Not sure if it helps, but SpaceSniffer is the same type of application, and has the same type of control. It looks to be a pure Win32 API Delphi application.