cpuhack

DVD Movies – Pirate vs. Legit Customer

// February 19th, 2010 // No Comments » // Sign of the times

Click the pic for a better view

This is not my image, and I’m unclear as to who actually owns it. The image disappeared on the ‘net soon after I found it a few months back. I’ve posted the image here to keep it from dying on the vine, as I think it’s very well done.

I do not, however, agree that piracy is excusable due to mere annoyances. If you particularly like a movie, then you should support the costly production efforts, and buy yourself a legit copy. Same goes for all other content you use (e.g. music, books, software, etc.).

Is Windows Home Server any good?

// February 14th, 2010 // No Comments » // Computers, Server, Windows

Simple answer, Yes.

Why? Windows Home Server (WHS) has a pretty strong value proposition.  Over the past holiday season (December 2009 ), HP MediaSmart Servers were available for $199 (USD).  That’s a complete computer system to store your files, and do some amazing things…

• Remote computer and file access
• Automatic backup of computers on your network
• Third-party add-ons (free) to enable web serving capabilities, BitTorrent client, and more
• Place to run MagicJack without being bothered
• …only limited by your imagination

How? If you want more performance than a nettop-style HP MediaSmart server, you can do that too.  My own WHS is made of spare parts leftover from upgrades to other computers, but still far outclasses the HP MediaSmart servers.  If you go the DIY route, target your hardware to the Windows Server 2003 (32-bit) platform. SBS 2003 (Small Business Server) is at the core of WHS.  I gather this is just for the limitations of SBS, as you won’t find Exchange 2003 hiding anywhere.

Where? If you want an HP MediaSmart server, I’d keep an eye on dealnews.com.  For the DIYer, an OEM license of WHS is available for about $100 (USD) from newegg.com.

MIT For Free

// February 5th, 2010 // No Comments » // Learning, Science

If you’re the type of person that likes to soak up knowledge, then this is for you.  MIT offers course materials online at no cost (you don’t earn college credits either) through their OpenCourseWare program.  At 1900+ courses (and growing), the breadth of course material is astounding.

Long live the V8

// January 13th, 2010 // No Comments » // Cars

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

// December 24th, 2009 // No Comments » // Holiday

Techno Jeep (Original)

// December 16th, 2009 // No Comments » // Cars

Another Cave House

// December 3rd, 2009 // No Comments » // Architecture

Click the pic for a tour of this cave house

Happy Thanksgiving

// November 23rd, 2009 // No Comments » // Holiday

Let An Epic Begin: My Favorite Software

// November 15th, 2009 // No Comments » // Computers, Windows

I am very frequently asked my opinion on what software to use to get something done.  These requests run the gamut from, “What’s the best accounting software for my brother-in-laws business?” to “What can I use to download videos from YouTube?”.  Any question that never has a wrong answer, and multiple right answers is a good question to me.  I change my answers (opinions) as the world, and I, evolve.  This epic will change with my opinions.  The descriptions and opinions are intentionally non-technical.  After all, most of the time the folks asking me for technical advice are not technical people.

Let the alphabetically-sorted-by-category opinions begin…

// Anti-virus

Avast or Microsoft Security Essentials

Free for non-commercial home use

It doesn’t slow down your computer or use a lot of memory.  It does a very comprehensive job of protecting your computer from viruses.  Basically, the exact opposite of the Norton and McAfee products that you’ve been convinced are worth the money.

// Clean-up (New Windows computer)
 

PC Decrapifier

Free for non-commercial home use

The first time you turn on a new Windows computer that you purchased from Dell, HP, Toshiba, etc., you are presented with a wheelbarrow full of shit bags.  That may be an exaggeration, but the need to rid the machine of trial software, toolbars, and offers for free shit with strings attached should not be underestimated.  Use this to dump the wheelbarrow.

// Photography 

Picasa

Free

This is a one-stop-shop for most digital photography needs.  If you need more than this…you probably don’t need me telling you what software to use.

// Web Browser

Google Chrome

Free

Fast and clean makes it the best on the scene.

// YouTube Downloader

YouTube Downloader

Free

It downloads YouTube video files and converts them so that they playback easily on your computer.

To be continued…

Simply bad ass (Part II)

// November 6th, 2009 // No Comments » // Cars