Recent Posts

4851

Living Room / Re: Please help me build my new computer, DC!

« Last post by superboyac on January 13, 2009, 04:03 PM »

Yeah, those are interesting issues definitely.  I can understand wanting to be able to get web information while being mobile.  That's really cool.  But at the same time, we have huge monitors to read articles.  So which device gets preference?  I say keep the websites intended for monitors, rss feeds are great for phones and mobile devices.  Also, if you really have to, something like the iphone's ability to zoom in and out of regular websites is nice to have.  But I'm with you, If I'm going to be doing a lot of reading, I'm not going to do it on my phone.

Eventually, at least for me, it becomes an issue of time.  I used to chat after I graduated from college.  But it becomes this thing after a while, where you realize it takes 5 minutes to say through chatting what would take about 30 seconds on the phone.  And a lot of chatting is just mindless.  It's fine if your young and single for a while, but then do you really want to waste your time with this?  I don't.  I don't have time for chatting, commercials.  I try to avoid stupid little phone calls too.  If I have something to say, fine.  But I don't ever just talk endlessly about nothing anymore.

Anyway, this is getting way off topic.  I'll probably devote an article or new thread to this sometime.

I'm excited about my new computer!  People are going to think I'm crazy for spending all the money, but I think it was done intelligently.  Sure, I could have cut down a little, but not that much, really.

4852

Living Room / Re: Please help me build my new computer, DC!

« Last post by superboyac on January 13, 2009, 01:34 PM »

I'd think it has a lot to do with more exposure to advertising.

-Deozaan (January 13, 2009, 01:15 PM)

True.  The bottom line is that it ends up being a miserable experience for the readers.  But I suppose it's not different than other mediums like TV or movies.  1/3 of a TV episode is commercials.  1/2 hour of previews for movies.  Un-skippable portions at the beginning of DVD's for disclaimers.

How about sports highlights?  What about replays during games?  All of these things are ruined by reasons other than what the viewer wants.  Ugh.

4853

Living Room / Re: Please help me build my new computer, DC!

« Last post by superboyac on January 13, 2009, 12:28 PM »

I think the reason sites use multipage articles is for speed of loading. Don't forget some people are on narrowband packages (such as dial up) so they don't necessarily want a 10 page article with 30 pictures that takes 10 minutes to load.

Not sure but it probably also helps with boosting search engine rankings because one article might generate 10 index entries.

-Carol Haynes (January 13, 2009, 12:23 PM)

There may be some truth to that, but I suspect that the speed of loading has very little to do with it.  Why would yahoo all of a sudden make us click a button to expand an article with no pictures?  If they really cared, they would remove all the the ads around those little-bitty paragraphs and put the article pictures in their place.  I'm almost sure they could care less about loading speed.

4854

Living Room / Rant on multi-page web articles

« Last post by superboyac on January 13, 2009, 12:20 PM »

We want to see some photos when its done ....

How about a "Build your own PC ... " tutorial thread with lots of pictures?

-Carol Haynes (January 13, 2009, 12:01 PM)

I'm going to write a nice formal article about it on my website, with pictures and everything.  And it will be all on one page, so it will probably be a long article.  One thing I learned from all this:  I HATE all these multi-page articles from these hardware review sites.  Seriously, what is UP with that!!?  Who started this?  I can't stand how one site will do something, and then everyone will start copying it just because their website content is similar.  Who's the person that said, "I have a hardware review site, so I should make all my articles 7 pages long."  It's so freaking ridiculous.  Most of these articles go way overboard, they literally have like 2 paragraphs per page.  It uses up about 2 inches of your screen, maybe an inch and a half wide.  Absolutely insane.

I had to read so many articles for this website, and they were ALL multi-page articles.  Such bullshit, excuse my language.  Intro, packaging, benchmark 1, benchmark 2, benchmark 3, analysis 1, analysis 2, analysis 2, summary, conclusion.  I'm so sick of it.  I'm tired of people turning the web into a useless advertising machine.  All anyone cares about is where you click.  Click here to expand, click here to continue, click here for single page.  Get the F--- out of here.

One thing I pay very close attention to on my website is the organization and content of it.  I want it easily readable, I want the articles to be a pleasant experience.  I want the navigation as easy and painless as possible.  I don't do multi-part articles unless the subject matter warrants it.  I try not to have too much area wasted on side panels and extraneous stuff besides the main article (although I can't control this as well as I'd like until I learn to modify the themes better).  I am very concerned about productivity, efficiency, and most of all a relaxing and fun experience.

Why do all these people feel like they have to make every part of life a living hell for everyone just to make money?  People need to understand that there is a ton of money out there for people who do things right and make life easier for people.  You don't always have to cheat or take shortcuts.  I can't even watch TV anymore because of the amount of commercials.  I wait for a series to come out on DVD, and watch an entire season in one weekend.  That's nice!  And you know what?!  Even when they put series available on the web, like NBC does with The Office, they make that a living hell by making you watch a commercial before the episode plays.  And why is the commercial always louder than the episode?!  Furthermore, why does it seem like the commercials always run flawlessly on the computer, but there will often be hangups or choppy video for the actual episode?!  Why don't the commercials every have issues?  This is not just NBC, this is all video websites with commercials.  Hmm...makes you wonder.  And then networks wonder why people download episodes.  I'll tell you why.  You download an episode, and it runs flawlessly and very speedily on even your old-ass computer.

We all have enough of our own personal problems to be barraged by these other things that needlessly complicate our lives.  Time is precious.

4855

Living Room / Re: Please help me build my new computer, DC!

« Last post by superboyac on January 13, 2009, 11:52 AM »

I'm 99% done ordering all my parts.  The only thing left to get is the audio mixing board, which most of you don't care about.  I've updated the first post for the actual prices of everything:
[Click here to return to first post and see updated system components & price]

Thanks to everyone here for helping me choose all the parts.  This is definitely going to be an amazing computer in every way.  It's also the most expensive computer I've ever put together.  But I use it so much and for so long, I felt it was worth it.  My last computer lasted me 7 years (and still going strong!) and the only premium parts in it are the battery and the hard drives.  Everything else in it is on the budget side of things.  To give an idea of what I'm using right now:
--19" CRT monitor
--MSI cheap motherboard (from 2001)
--Intel Pentium 4, 1.7 GHz
--768 K RAM (Kingston)
--ATI 9600XT, 128 MB (this was a replacement in 2004 when my cheaper card got fried because of a bad power supply)
--Cheap $50 case
--$100 PSU (replacement of the bad PSU from 2004)

So, this new one will be a huge luxury for me.  This old computer is the one I have hundreds of programs installed that I talk about here every day.  I've played Doom 3 on this baby.  I've done all my music stuff on it.  I've dabbled a little with graphical design and video editing (minimal).  I think I've extracted every ounce of power I could from this rig.  Sure, if I couldn't afford anything, it could still last longer.

One thing I will admit, I am a very patient man.  For a long time now, I have to often wait 5-6 minutes for everything to be booted up and running.  Many apps get excruciatingly slow.  I've almost forgotten what it feels like to have an instantaneous response while clicking things with the mouse.

4856

Living Room / Re: Please help me build my new computer, DC!

« Last post by superboyac on January 11, 2009, 10:45 PM »

OK, I'm done ordering all my newegg items, as well as the two monitors.  Whew!  That's was a lot of money!  Hopefully, I won't have any rma items.

4857

Mini-Reviews by Members / Re: MiniReview of Linkman URL Organizer and Search Tool

« Last post by superboyac on January 09, 2009, 06:07 PM »

One word - Dropbox. It works. 

Jim

-J-Mac (January 09, 2009, 03:56 PM)

Thanks, sounds pretty cool.  2 GB for free!

4858

Mini-Reviews by Members / Re: MiniReview of Linkman URL Organizer and Search Tool

« Last post by superboyac on January 09, 2009, 01:35 PM »

Some sort of Internet Sync is planned for 8.0.

-Outertech Support (January 09, 2009, 01:23 PM)

very cool.

4859

Mini-Reviews by Members / Re: MiniReview of Linkman URL Organizer and Search Tool

« Last post by superboyac on January 09, 2009, 10:53 AM »

Feature request:
a way to sync between work/home computers.  Powermarks use(d) something called NetSync.  It was a server hosted by the author.  See below:

4860

Living Room / Re: Please help me build my new computer, DC!

« Last post by superboyac on January 08, 2009, 10:46 PM »

BTW: Yet another Avatar, SB?

-40hz (January 08, 2009, 06:34 PM)

He he, yeah.  This is the good one...it goes with my name.  The other one was specifically for the autocad portion of my website.

4861

Living Room / Re: Please help me build my new computer, DC!

« Last post by superboyac on January 08, 2009, 06:33 PM »

Yes, but the motherboard must (sorry for the emphasis, but it's the rule nowadays) have enough SATA cables in the box to connect as many SATA devices as it allows. Still, extra cables can't hurt

-Lashiec (January 08, 2009, 06:17 PM)

I think you're right.  In the newegg pictures it shows a bunch of cables and stuff.

4862

General Software Discussion / Re: WINDOWS 7 THREAD (ongoing)

« Last post by superboyac on January 08, 2009, 06:02 PM »

Here's a dumb question:  What's really the problem with Vista?  I don't quite understand.

I haven't been following all of this.  I've used vista occasionally on my parents' computer and it was fine, I thought.  So what's the problem from a practical, daily level?  Does it crash a lot?  Do programs not work?  I hear about some HD hardware disabling or incompatibility, a lot of security confirmations.  Is it bloated?  I don't quite get it.

If anyone can enlighten me from a less techie (layman) standpoint, I'd appreciate.  I believe it, I just don't understand it.

4863

Living Room / Re: Please help me build my new computer, DC!

« Last post by superboyac on January 08, 2009, 05:43 PM »

With the price you're paying, I expect they'll throw some cables in the package

No, seriously, all components must bring everything you need and more, otherwise complain to the vendor.

-Lashiec (January 08, 2009, 05:38 PM)

Not necessarily.  My hard drives are oem, so they come bare.  So I have to make sure I have sata cables, at least.  It's minor, but I just want my list to be complete.  I know I can just go down to the store and pick some up.

4864

Living Room / Re: Please help me build my new computer, DC!

« Last post by superboyac on January 08, 2009, 05:22 PM »

Well, it looks like I have all the parts picked out, I've included links to each item's webpage:
[Click here to return to first post and see updated system components & price]

I should buy everything soon.  Now, I need to make sure I have all the wires and cables and stuff.

4865

Living Room / Re: Please help me build my new computer, DC!

« Last post by superboyac on January 08, 2009, 12:22 PM »

The RAM I'm getting:
Corsair, Dominator 4GB (2 x 2GB) (PC2 8500)

Is this the right RAM for me?  I don't know.  If not, please let me know thanks.  (Check first post for list of purchases)

I see other similar options:
Corsair 4gb #1
Corsair 4gb #2
Corsair 4gb #3
Corsair 4gb #4
Corsair 4gb #5

...and so forth.  How do I choose?

4866

Announce Your Software/Service/Product / Tag&Rename review (plus bonus organ recording)

« Last post by superboyac on January 08, 2009, 12:13 PM »

I've added a little Tag&Rename review to my website:
http://aram.dcmember.../software/tagrename/


And if anyone wants to hear a nice organ recording I did 2 years ago:
http://aram.dcmember...rgan-trio-recording/

4867

Living Room / Re: Please help me build my new computer, DC!

« Last post by superboyac on January 08, 2009, 10:58 AM »

Good to know.  I'll probably buy these tonight then.  Thanks Carol.

4868

Living Room / Re: Please help me build my new computer, DC!

« Last post by superboyac on January 08, 2009, 10:39 AM »

Carol, I read this at NCIXUS (where I plan to buy the monitors, they have a sale).  Is this true?:

This is a nice crisp, attractive monitor, however the maximum resolution is only 1920 x 1080 rather than 1920 x 1200 which is common for all other 24 inc monitors

Also, in case of dead pixels, ncixus offers an "express coverage" for about $30 where I can RMA the monitor back in 30 days.  Is that worth it?  Shouldn't I be able to return it regardless if it has dead pixels?

4869

Living Room / Re: Please help me build my new computer, DC!

« Last post by superboyac on January 08, 2009, 10:31 AM »

Anyway, I'd say the drive is good to go :Thmbsup

-f0dder (January 08, 2009, 12:58 AM)

Thanks fodder.

4870

Announce Your Software/Service/Product / Got me a new logo/avatar!

« Last post by superboyac on January 08, 2009, 02:43 AM »

Ok, I made myself a new logo and avatar.  The one from yesterday was specifically for my Autocad portion of my website, so I made another one for general use.

4871

Living Room / Re: Please help me build my new computer, DC!

« Last post by superboyac on January 08, 2009, 12:09 AM »

Well, I ran the WD Diagnostics on my new drive, and everything seems fine.  I don't know what the reallocated sector numbers mean, but there's a checkmark there, so I'm assuming it's ok.

4872

Living Room / Re: Please help me build my new computer, DC!

« Last post by superboyac on January 07, 2009, 08:10 PM »

^^^ Ha!  Nice pic.  Reminds me of one of my graduation pictures:

4873

Living Room / Re: Please help me build my new computer, DC!

« Last post by superboyac on January 07, 2009, 03:30 PM »

superboyac: use WesternDigital's drive testing tool, start with the short test. If that works, do the long test (will probably take 1½-2 hours). If that works, use the tool's "fill drive with zeroes", and check "reallocated sector count" afterwards. If all tests pass (as I'd expect them to on a raptor drive), you're good to go

(Just finished going through that series with a 640GB Western-Digital WD6401AALS drive, which is going to be one half of my new raid mirror after one of the old 400gig disks died... too bad the shop only had one drive in stock, but running a degraded mirror with one new disks, and all the data present on the old disk as well, is better than running a degraded mirror with one old disk ).

-f0dder (January 07, 2009, 03:09 PM)

Wow, thanks for that advice.  I would have never known about that.  I will definitely do this.

4874

Living Room / Re: Please help me build my new computer, DC!

« Last post by superboyac on January 07, 2009, 01:48 PM »

Compliments on your new avatar 

-40hz (January 07, 2009, 01:29 PM)

Thanks!  I love vector graphics.  Lossless!  Someone made that beautiful crown as an adobe illustrator file and it looks freakin great.  Check it out:

4875

Living Room / Re: Please help me build my new computer, DC!

« Last post by superboyac on January 07, 2009, 01:45 PM »

Don't do it - if it is anything like my experience before you know it you will fill it up on your old system and then you'll have to go and buy another one

-Carol Haynes (January 07, 2009, 01:22 PM)

Ha!  No, I'm just going to make sure it works.  Because I only have 30 days to RMA it, and since I don't have all the other parts, I only have my current computer to test it on.