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  1. Mercutio

    Something Random

    I'm following the situation in Iran in threads on Fark.com. Fark is a place where professional journalists like to hang out. There's some crossposting of Tweets from people on the ground in Tehran along with some international members who are either Persian or Farsi-speaking. I am utterly...
  2. Mercutio

    20+" LCD

    Dell has an inexpensive 22" non-TN panel. I've bought dozens of them but the model name escapes me. 2208WS maybe?
  3. Mercutio

    Sprint Smartphone

    Apparently, there were some Android-based handsets at E3 running on 1.7GHz ARM CPUs. I can't imagine what a mobile phone would need with that kind of horsepower, but just as a tech demo, it suggests what a G3-type handset might be like.
  4. Mercutio

    Windows 7 nonsense

    I think the goal is to let OEMs bundle third party browsers with their systems. IE-less Windows is hardly crippled, just as Media Player-less XP isn't. The presumption is that the vendor will provide something, not the end user. Another thing I sorely hate about Win7 is the continuing tradition...
  5. Mercutio

    Sprint Smartphone

    I'd call tethering support fundamental to my needs for a mobile device. I would also say that the ability to multitask is critical. I absolutely want to be able to browse the web and compose an E-mail at the same time. That's important to me. I'd far rather have the core functionality of the...
  6. Mercutio

    Windows 7 nonsense

    I've seen a couple BSODs now from machines coming out of sleep (not even hibernate, sleep) in Windows 7. This dulls my enthusiasm for its release somewhat, as one of the complaints I have about Vista is that it's still crashy. Apparently they haven't fixed that yet. No one should use Windows...
  7. Mercutio

    network build questions/advice

    There are some special builds of Linux designed for k-12 use, like Edbuntu. I've been helping a woman through another forum whose school district was eaten by a virus back in January. No computer in the entire district can be legally cleaned, since they don't allow anyone but admins to install...
  8. Mercutio

    Simple burning app

    Also, I install Nero not for the burning component, but for Nero Vision and Recode.
  9. Mercutio

    Simple burning app

    I like BurnAware Free as well. Or ImgBurn.
  10. Mercutio

    Something Random

    Last week I was told my car would be done on last Friday. I called today and the chick told me they haven't done anything at all to my car, and that it might be done Friday after next. I'm thinking it's not going to do a damned bit of good to go down and yell at the shitheads holding my car...
  11. Mercutio

    Sprint Smartphone

    Re: Customer support/Billing with Sprint. I *am* on a SERO plan (500 talk minutes + truly unlimited data @ $35 a month) and getting my phone set up and my number ported was nightmare process that took about four hours total on hold after the initial internet-based order. And - I'm not sure how...
  12. Mercutio

    Sprint Smartphone

    Billing and customer service are awful. The only way I can successfully pay my bill (as in, with Sprint actually taking my money) is pay by phone from my cell phone. My calls have crystal clear quality and the data network at least around Chicago buries Verizon,AT&T or T-Mobile. My phone is...
  13. Mercutio

    Win7 x64 on ICH9R?

    Windows 7, just like Vista, uses the .WIM packaging scheme to build an image based install. What you might try to do is update the package with a newer collection of Intel chipset drivers and install from your new image. For that matter, there may be Vista/Win7 driverpacks out there.
  14. Mercutio

    Drive storage box

    Yes, except that I'm getting people asking me to build $215 PCs these days.
  15. Mercutio

    Drive storage box

    Nope, but add a power supply and some SATA cables and it might be pretty handy. :D
  16. Mercutio

    Captcha Whiskey Tango Foxtrot...

    rzusz62
  17. Mercutio

    Netbook for the wife

    To me the biggest difference between netbooks is how the keyboards are set up. I hear the new Eees are better but man the old ones have teh suck.
  18. Mercutio

    Windows 7 Memory issue

    Yeah. I just looked on my i7 system and I don't see anything like that either. I've got Server 2008 on mine but only 6GB RAM, and that's fine.
  19. Mercutio

    Netbook for the wife

    Lifehacker had an article a couple days ago highlighting some of the best of breed models. I think if I bought one it would be an MSI Wind, since I could easily put a bigger battery in it, but the Samsung NC10 is also well loved. And then there were retards who liked Dell and Asus models.
  20. Mercutio

    Windows 7 Memory issue

    Have you dug around in your BIOS for settings related to memory, yet?
  21. Mercutio

    General Motors

    The big Japanese companies have a lot of their engineering done in the US, too.
  22. Mercutio

    USB Issues

    One of my PCs has issues like that, but only when my phone is charging on it. I figure the phone is drawing more power than it's supposed to.
  23. Mercutio

    Refurb dd-WRT compatible Netgear Router = $34

    No idea. Netgear has traditionally crappy range, but I'm more interested in that router as a cheap platform for QoS, VPN end point and the like. I bought two.
  24. Mercutio

    Something Random

    I might get my car back on Friday. Maybe. Unless they're lying. And, here's my random thought: Toothbrush technology is both amazing and useless. I go to buy a new toothbrush every three months. I can never find the same toothbrush twice. Every time I look, there's some new thing. I think...
  25. Mercutio

    Favourite TV series

    I just plopped down $245 for the Complete Battlestar Galactica on BD. I am looking forward to getting it.
  26. Mercutio

    Printing to PDF

    I do it with OpenOffice, myself. Most of my coworkers use PDF995.
  27. Mercutio

    Refurb dd-WRT compatible Netgear Router = $34

    Newegg has a dual band (2.4/5.8GHz) Netgear router that is dd-WRT compatible for $34, with coupon code EMCLTLN62. The equivalent in a new Linksys is $125.
  28. Mercutio

    Remote connections for maintenance?

    Crossloop is a bandwidth pig. Typical for VNC. But I can use it anyplace, and the setup is quick and even morons can handle the install and setup. If I could afford to use something like LogMeIn technician desktop, I would, gladly.
  29. Mercutio

    Remote connections for maintenance?

    If I need to look at someone's PC and haven't done anything else, I usually tell them to do Crossloop. I can walk them through the install and the connection process is painless. It's not cross platform, but it's free and it's easy. If I have to remote in to something else besides Windows...
  30. Mercutio

    General Motors

    My ex had three transmissions AFTER the original one put in her Ford Focus, in 175,000 miles. The AC died at 80k. The power steering went out at 87k. I bought that car new for her. It was never in an accident. It was just a POS. I don't even want to THINK of putting up with something like that...
  31. Mercutio

    General Motors

    GM needs to make cars people want. It's just that simple. They need to make a Civic and an Accord, in at least the associated level of quality. People talk all day long about the "cars Americans want" with their big engines and enormous interiors. But Americans buy Civics and Accords. They would...
  32. Mercutio

    Official recommendations thread

    Well, the last two posts really hit it, but if you read my security articles, it's like this: 1. Never connect a Windows PC directly to the internet. Put a home router (at least) between your internet connection and Windows. Even a basic NAT setup is going to be a hindrance to internet worms...
  33. Mercutio

    Where is the next CPU?

    Doesn't matter at this point. My game PC has just two drives in it at this point, both X-25Ms, and since I just did a wholesale hardware change it'll probably be a year before I revisit that machine. At which point, it will be replaced with a case I like better.
  34. Mercutio

    Addonics Storage Towers? Good/Bad?

    I don't exactly recall any more. I've marked the brand away as junk hardware at this point and I've tried to avoid it since having a number of bad experiences. To elaborate slightly, I had difficulties using inexpensive 4-port Sil controllers as straight-up SATA controllers while running...
  35. Mercutio

    Where is the next CPU?

    The P180s that I have (I have two) have a solid metal shelf between the chamber where the power supply chamber meets the motherboard chamber. There's a ~1.5" hole which can optionally be made smaller with a sliding piece of plastic, but cannot be made larger without some quality time with a...
  36. Mercutio

    Looking for secure backup option

    Technically I think this might be Astroturfing. But, as I said, at least the guy is on topic.
  37. Mercutio

    Where is the next CPU?

    That's not exactly a standard P180 then, is it?
  38. Mercutio

    Win7 x64 on ICH9R?

    I've had issues with doing windows installs in RAID/AHCI mode on ICH9. Server 2003/2008, XP and Vista.
  39. Mercutio

    Addonics Storage Towers? Good/Bad?

    I've used other products from Addonics. They generally only put their badge on high quality products. The thing I'd be interested to know about that particular product, is what SATA chipset it's using. I've seen similar products that use the very low quality and (in my opinion) unreliable Sil...
  40. Mercutio

    Where is the next CPU?

    That's a $900 case. For one PC. And also too many eggs for one basket, as far as the number of drive bays in that single chassis.
  41. Mercutio

    Where is the next CPU?

    Large numbers of drives are best put in 3U/4U rackmount cases.
  42. Mercutio

    Looking for secure backup option

    Mozy is still "personal use only." Of Mozy's business support includes Exchange and Active Directory support, not just disk space on the internet. I'm sure Mozy is a stronger product overall.
  43. Mercutio

    Do you think Sony will kill Blu-ray?

    On a game? A game that presumably has explosions, engine rumble or any number of other qualities that are going to detract from and prevent critical listening to the lossless quality of the purported soundtrack? Can't say I noticed or cared. So the only time a game can look good is when it's...
  44. Mercutio

    Do you think Sony will kill Blu-ray?

    Oh hey, S*ny Pictures Entertainment's CEO said more thing that are stupid. How shocking! " 'Internet users have become used to getting things when they want it and how they want it, and those of us in the entertainment business want to meet that kind of demand as efficiently and effectively as...
  45. Mercutio

    Where is the next CPU?

    I tried to route some of the power cabling under my motherboard. I found that it didn't help unless I was willing to not screw down the lower edge of the board. There's just too much shit in that corner. It all comes out of one hole and there's only so many places you can run a cable with the...
  46. Mercutio

    Looking for secure backup option

    At least it's on topic. I could probably abuse the crap out of a $150 "unlimited" backup plan. :D
  47. Mercutio

    Where is the next CPU?

    On any modern board, you get all your SATA, your front panel and your USB/1394 headers in that corner. Fine. The P18x also has that particular point as the outlet for ALL power cabling, and that's what isn't cool.
  48. Mercutio

    Win7 x64 on ICH9R?

    Change the BIOS to non-RAID mode or use the OEM preinstall kit to set up your drives and files. If you choose option #1, you'll have to add some stuff to the registry to make your array work post install without erasing the drive.
  49. Mercutio

    Do you think Sony will kill Blu-ray?

    I played some driving game that my ex's partner likes. I went "meh." But I don't like console games. I have, however, looked at comparisons between Xbox and PS3 in screenshots from the same title (and in the case of Fallout 3, both of those with PC), and there's not a single case where the PS3...
  50. Mercutio

    Where is the next CPU?

    I hate the P18x series. The cabling in the lower right corner of the motherboard is far too much of a clusterfuck.
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