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Random Musings, 19 March, 2008

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I’ve installed the official Vista SP1 via Windows Update on 4 machines in the last 2 days. All installs went fine. My vote for SP1 is Thumbs Up.
I’m working on a revision of the Vista tweak guide. Updated for SP1 of course, and a few additions and clarifications. Got any tips you think should be in there? Please post it in this post’s comments.
Here are some articles on Vista SP1 from around the web:
It’s Here! Windows Vista Service Pack 1 Arrives (Paul Thurrott)
Want Vista SP1? Here’s what to expect (Ed Bott)
Seems like some folks are having issues:
Vista SP1 horror stories start to appear (pcpro)
Windows Vista SP1 Wreaks Havoc On Some PCs, Users Complain (infoweek)
Windows Vista SP1 Meeting Sour Reception In Places (where microsoft can never do anything right)

A lot of you guys that stop by here are Geeks and I’m continually impressed by your knowledge and contributions. If you’ve ever wanted to get involved in a tech site, Neowin is looking for help: Write for Neowin 2008

Random Musings: 04 March, 2008

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Man, it’s been kinda boring out in the Tech world. If you got a link to a good story please post it in the comments.

I’ve been doing a little more research and would love some more feedback on If you built or bought a computer right now….
For you high-enders Asustek has released the Z7S WS workstation motherboard. Sweet mobo but it’s way more than I need.

Off Topic:
Sad to see Brett Favre retire.

Random Musings: 23 February, 2008

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The same guy that did the Vista SP1 vs. XP SP2 – Benchmarked article did another round of benchmarks. Vista: 32-bit vs. 64-bit & RTM vs. SP1 The one quote that really matters: “All of the systems showed a decline in benchmark scores after installing SP1.”

In a related note, Ed Bott asked, “How do you benchmark real-world work?“. My short answer, You Can’t. As someone who has done his fair share of benchmarks in the past (actually, way too many benchmarks) I learned a long time ago that benchmarks have many, many problems. It is hard enough to benchmark hardware but benchmarking software (including OS’s) is even worse.

On a personal note, a big thank you to everyone who commented in If you built or bought a computer right now… I haven’t made up my mind about what I’m gonna do yet but you all came up with some solid options.

Off Topic
———
I have always made a point of keeping politics and/or social issues out of my site content. But. The race for Prez, the candidates, and the wall-to-wall coverage of the coming election is enough to make me barf. To quote Forrest Gump, “That’s all I have to say about that.”

My wife and I were supposed to go to see Van Halen last night in Charlottesville, VA. It was to be a much needed break. We had a hotel room for the night and plans for a night on the town. The concert was canceled. While there is no official word as to why, I think it is because one selfish little…’person’ decided to open her mouth about stuff that isn’t anyone’s biz. I’m sure that breaking news just made Wolfie feel swell. Note to Valerie: When you have a kid you take stuff like that to the grave. Real classy move.

Oh, and I’m still not rich.
🙁

If you built or bought a computer right now…

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O.K., this old ‘puter is beginning to get on my nerves. So the search has begun for a new system. I’ve built my own systems for many, many, many years but the prices for hardware today is so high I may even consider a Dell or HP.
So I would like to see what some of you might suggest. If you built or bought a computer right now what would it be?
Here are my ‘specs / no specs’:
Intel Chipset and CPU, single video card (not onboard), I don’t overclock anymore.
Please list at least the basic specs (feel free to add to this)
Motherboard:
CPU:
Memory:
Video Card:

Final Vista Poll Results

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Total Votes: 613
1- I’m using it and like it. (35%, 217 Votes)
2- I went back to XP. (24%, 145 Votes)
3- I haven’t tried it. (23%, 139 Votes)
4- I’m using it and don’t like it. (10%, 63 Votes)
5- I’m waiting for SP1. (8%, 49 Votes)

That breaks down as:
217 Positive (answer #1)
208 Negative (answers # 2 & 4)
188 Neutral (depending on how you look at it, answers # 3 & 5)

View it in the Polls Archive.

Random Musings: 20 January, 2007

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I know, I haven’t been updating like I should. Nothing much happens in the PC world Dec. – Jan. I’ve been working my tail off at my real job, had minor surgery (I’m fine), and went to Vegas for a few days (no, absolutely not for CES).

I finally got a widescreen monitor. The Samsung SyncMaster 226BW. I got a good deal on it at the CompUSA closing sale.
In a related note I found awesome widescreen wallpapers at these sites:
DeviantArt
InterfaceLift
more good links at Wallpaperreview.com.

I use an old program called WallpaperChanger to rotate my wallpapers and it works great under Vista (I do not use the Resize or Color options). KDE has this option built-in.

Speaking of Vista. I’m running the SP1, RC refresh and it isn’t doing too bad. I found an interesting post at Neowin today about Microsoft’s Windows Vista: The Facts. While the article is typical marketing BS, it does make a few valid (if over-hyped) points. Be sure to check out the comments at Neowin for a few laughs.
That brings me to the results of this sites Windows Vista poll. Let me state right off I am well aware that this poll would not stand up to the scientific method but it is interesting and In My Humble Opinion looks to be pretty accurate based on what I see and hear.
As of this writing (I will expire the poll in a few days, when I think of another one):
-484 total votes.
-329 have used/tried Vista
-166 like it
-163 went back to XP or are using it and don’t like it.
Pro/con that’s darn near 50/50 for Vista. I don’t care what you think of Vista, nobody at MS could look at numbers like that and say Vista is a success.

Oh, and I’ve been playing at bit of online poker. The site I play at is free and legal here in the U.S. It’s called VLPClub and you can actually win stuff. Shoot me an email at ” etc ” at this domain (tweakhound.com) if you are interested an I can send you a referral that’ll get you (and me) some bonus points.

Random Musings (12/02/2007)

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It’s that time of year for tech articles, the lame “gift guides” continue to pour out. Next up, the super-lame “year-in-review” articles.
A reader asked why I’m only running a Pentium 4 computer. Well, my laptop is a Core 2 Duo and I’m still making payments on it. Gotta pay that off before I get something else.
Speaking of readers. Some of you guys continue to make great comments and contributions, even if (actually, especially if) we disagree. Thank you, it makes doing this fun.
I’m constantly getting asked to link to this-or-that website. So, I’m gonna put up an affiliates list. The qualifications are:
-You must have been on the web for at least 1 (one) year (I don’t care what kind of traffic you get). Sorry to you new guys but I’ve seen too many sites come and go.
-You must have an affiliates list on your front page (and listed prominently). Not a separate page.
-You must post news from other sites on your front page (and listed prominently), complete with an article synopsis. The format should be either in blog form or an a format like Warp2Search, [H]ardOCP, etc.
-No ‘adult’ content (that includes links).

I’m amazed at the number of people that have switched back to XP! (see the poll —->)