Over the years I have had several guitar amplification systems. Initially, I started out with a Fender system then I transitioned through several different Crate products. At various points throughout the years I have acquired several cheap amplification systems. Both the Marshall MG15CD and the Marshall MG15DFX are considered very basic practice systems. If somebody was just learning how to play the electric guitar, then I would have to recommend considering either the Marshall MG15CD or the Marshall MG15DFX.

I wanted to get a practice guitar amplification system. At the time of purchase I did not think a 15W amplification system would be too loud. Marshall amplification systems are known for providing a full and complete tone. Some people believe that everyone should have a hobby. Over the years I have pursued two hobbies including my unhealthy need to collect trading cards and playing guitar. From time to time, I also pick up a paint brush, but painting is more of a stress management routine instead of a hobby. Playing the guitar has developed into a hobby since I am neither a proficient guitarist nor an inspiring musician.

Two weeks ago I ordered a Marshall MG15CD combo amplification system from musician’s friend. Apparently the musician’s friend company is currently moving between two warehouses. Somehow the musician’s friend company managed to store all the guitar amplification systems using a method that precludes retrieval. After waiting for 10 days, I decided that enough was enough. Normally musician’s friend is a quality company engaging in timely and efficient online business. The company should have provided reasonable notice instead of falsely denoting items as available that were not available. During the entire time I was waiting for a status change between shipment and backorder the website indicated the product was available for shipping.

I decided to cancel my order of a Marshall MG15CD combo amplification system from musician’s friend. A local guitar Center was willing to part with a Marshall MG15DFX combo amplification system without any backordering problems or shipping costs. I was surprised to find out how loud the Marshall MG15DFX combo amplification system is within a closed space. For the most part the Marshall MG15CD and the Marshall MG15DFX are very similar products. The Marshall MG15DFX has a built in digital effects package that is capable of providing either reverb, delay, chorus, or flange.

After getting the new guitar amplification system the next step in the process will probably involve selecting recording software. Video editing has developed to the point where home computer systems are capable of producing professional results. Apparently home sound recording software is now capable of producing professional results. In order to achieve professional sound recording the process requires studio quality microphones with a studio quality computer interface. Guitar amplification systems utilize 1/4″ audio cables. Most computer systems have 1/8″ audio cable interface capabilities designed for either input or output. If somebody was in a hurry and did not care about sound quality, then the 1/4″ audio cable could be connected to the 1/8″ interface with an adapter.

After determining that the sound quality provided by the original computer audio card interface does not rise to the standard of professional audio recording other alternatives will have to be explored. A wide variety of audio recording interface technologies are available. Some of the audio recording software packages even come with a recording interface technology. I was surprised to find out that a reasonable audio recording interface and a reasonable audio recording software package could be acquired for less than $200. Of course that cost does not take into account the cost of the computer equipment. However the cost of audio recording is fairly reasonable for somebody who already has a quality computer.

In the past audio recording was an expensive and time-consuming process. Technology has created the possibility for individuals to enter a market that was previously cost prohibitive. Of course having the ability to professionally record audio does not mean that the audio recorded will be professional. Just because you have the ability to record audio like a professional musician does not mean that you will instantly be able to perform like a professional musician. In this instance, a combination of talent and practice makes perfect. On the bright side, the possibility of professional recording is more accessible and without having to pay for studio recording time you can practice all you want.

Recently I decided to upgrade my weblog software. Moveable Type has released a new beta version. The new weblog interface lacks a certain degree of intuitive design. However, the introduction of new features does outweigh the lack of intuitive design. Weblog software certainly has changed over the years. I have always enjoyed watching the process of a beta weblog software release. A large number of weblog authors are also capable computer programmers. Beta weblog software releases face two distinct challenges including the known and the unknown. Beta software always has a list of known problems and a growing list of unexpected problems.

I have been enjoying the new dictation software. Dragon NaturallySpeaking has made significant improvements to the software over the years. Initially, dictation software was slow and produced highly unexpected results. The quality of the product has improved to the point where someone can simply talk and expect the draft to be reasonably close to the dictation. The creative process of writing generally takes one of two forms. Some writing focuses on reacting to a topic of interest. Reactive writing contrasts with the second form of writing that involves creativity and generation of new content. Generative writing centers on creativity. Reactive writing is certainly the most common form.

Andy seems to be very excited about the prospect of weblog entries composed with a conversational tone. Over the years, Andy has always argued that highly technical and cryptic writing does not have an audience. None of the weblog content was lost during the last upgrade. Most of the aesthetic features were completely devastated. Even the coffee cup background pictures had to be recovered. I am not sure if I want to rebuild the same weblog or, if now is the time for a new weblog aesthetic. In terms of computer programming, the biggest challenge I have always faced is producing quality aesthetics. Most of the graphical schemes that I prefer are not generally acceptable.

I am now confident in the previously established dictation writing protocol. Before sitting down in front of the computer and using the dictation software outlining is a necessity. Sometimes I think the process of outlining and drafting is overlooked. Most of the focus and attention is placed on producing a final product. Developing a finished final product requires a drafting process.

Perhaps now is a good time to introduce a degree of complexity. In the end, I have found that communication is the primary topic of consideration. It will take more than words to build a final summation capable of bringing forth the end of a specified medium. From accepting complexly to believing in fate argument defines and inhabits the thinker’s need for philosophy. Prescribing a measured response to the pressures of individuality within an ever widening sea of social fabric binding civility to a sense of commonly derived from shared experience seems like a natural response. Total and complete awareness of the situation is illusory. Formations of interpretations mixed with perceptions construct interactions with the world. Previously devised formats for communication illustrate the differences between exchange and interference. Localized reflections of the known world cloud certainty with reason and argument. Given enough time and understanding a cloud within a different context might just be a cloud.

Recently, I began to consider the intellectual trajectory of the thinker. Engaging in this brand of consideration requires making the assumption that a thinker could follow an intellectual trajectory. Perhaps at this point within the consideration process questions will also develop around the whether or not the concept of an intellectual trajectory is illusory. Striving toward a daily philosophy can be the baseline of an intellectual trajectory. Previously, a simplistic analogy was introduced to illustrate the difference between a social animal being stranded on an island without argument or philosophy and the thinker being stranded on an island without argument or philosophy. Does awareness of modernity redefined perspective? If modernity has already redefined our current perspectives, then evaluating awareness and perspectives has to be revisited.

Within the context of modernity redefining perspective expectations of object permanence and the permanence of place become illusory. How should individual expectations of object permanence be evaluated? How should individual expectations of permanence of place be evaluated?

All right, let’s go, now is time for writing. I am now going to talk to the computer and the computer will do the typing. What will be the next thing I say to the computer? I have always wanted the ability to talk to the computer. Thanks to the nice people at the local electronics store who were willing to part with a copy of Dragon NaturallySpeaking Standard v9 for half price. I will be able to determine if dictation is truly a lazier form of writing.

I wonder how fast the Dragon NaturallySpeaking can function without generating errors. Using dictation works only until the program starts making mistakes. I seem to use smaller sentences when dictating. Exceptionally large sentences have always been a problem with my writing style. I think I will enjoy using the dictation function. Dictating new weblog entries could be a fun way to engage in exploratory writing. I’ve always found that editing content can be a challenge. Putting down a rough draft using dictation should allow and in the end require better editing. The last time I used a dictation software program the software did not function effectively or efficiently. Dictation software has gotten better, but dictation software is not yet perfect.

In terms of creating a final product dictation software does not deliver. For the purposes of creating a rough draft, dictation software does deliver. Since most of my time the initial creative process is focused on content generation dictation software is beneficial. Over the course of the next few weeks I will be able to test the vocabulary of the dictation software. The true test of this dictation software will be the longevity.

A protocol will need to be established for use in the dictation software. I will now endeavor to develop a dictation writing protocol. The first step in the writing process when using the dictation software will include creating an initial outline on paper. After the initial outline has been fully developed the next step in the process will involve using the dictation software to create an initial draft. Building an initial draft will allow the editing process to be focused on improving the document to the point of creating a finished product. This dictation writing protocol does not completely rely on the dictation software. At this point in time, I am not familiar enough with the dictation software to use the software for editing a document.

Dictation software should allow the user to put thoughts down on paper. Sometimes the hardest part of the creative process is the rapid generation of new content. At times generating new content can be difficult. During the times when generating new content is difficult editing and revision can be an alternative. Normally putting pen on paper is a welcome alternative to typing with a keyboard. However, I do recognize that writing with a pen and paper does present challenges. Paper documents have to be stored and maintained. Digital files are easier to store and maintain the paper documents. Maybe at some point the dictation software will be my primary method for converting paper documents into a digital form.

Dictation software seems to facilitate thinking out loud. Sometimes the best method to figure out a solution to a difficult problem is thinking out loud. Almost all writing involves the potential for communication. Writing for the sheer pleasure of writing can be personally rewarding. Professional writing can also be rewarding. Professional writing generally carries the connotation of information presentation. Writing with an audience in mind is different from the indulgence of writing for the sake of writing. At times ideas can develop quickly. When a particularly creative mood strikes, the only logical solution involves embracing the moment of creativity. Creativity occurs within the lifecycle of an idea. Part of the life cycle of an idea should include at a minimum maintenance, revision, and expansion.

Right now, I am concerned that the dictation software will result in an endless procession of stream of consciousness writing. Not only do I value and intend to engage in the practice of stream of consciousness writing, but also I recognize the problematic nature of stream of consciousness writing. Part of thinking about and refining ideas involves finding a medium that allows revision. Sitting down and actually writing a completely perfect first draft is probably a foolish endeavor. Experience teaches that writing is an iterative process that requires generating content, editing that content, a willingness to make revisions, and the patients to review content. In the end, the true test of a writer will inevitably involve overcoming self-censorship by maintaining a standard of excellence.

Clear your mind. Without a central topic in mind, what would you talk about? Does a certain topic peak your interest? Stream of consciousness writing can potentially lead to any topic or interest. Certain writing styles can transition from topic to topic almost seamlessly. A seamlessly endless brainstorm of thoughts does not transition well to a written form.

Yesterday Joni ran over the lawnmower wheel with the car. Last year in an effort to be environmentally conscious I purchased a reel lawnmower. Instead of throwing away the otherwise perfectly good lawnmower, I decided to attempt to repair the wheel. Like most people I do not have a complete metalworking facility in the house. I did manage to get a replacement wheel from the local hardware store. Some of the lawnmower parts cannot be easily replaced. I had to remove several bolts from the lawnmower by drilling them out and replacing the threads. People used to be able to repair most electronics and home equipment. For the most part, I feel the need to your repair broken items instead of simply procuring a replacement.

Making repairs to electronics and home equipment requires a combination of skills and the necessary tools. Circuit boards on modern electronic devices are simply too complex to repair with home equipment. If a supply shortage were to occur, then most consumer electronics could not be repaired. Developing an infrastructure that only allows for replacement creates the potential for exceptionally painful shortages. In the event of a significant shortage repairs have to be a viable option.

I recently installed a whole house water filtration system. Plumbers, who consider themselves professional, wanted several hundred dollars to complete the installation. The simple installation required making two cuts to the copper pipe and installing a bypass. With the right equipment and installation would take about one hour. I had no idea that plumbers expected to be paid hundreds of dollars an hour. Very few professions can demand the same hourly rates that plumbers expect.

A few problems did occur during the installation of the whole house water filtration system. During the initial cycle, the whole house water filtration system requires significant internal cleaning. Armed with a lack of familiarity I had no idea how much water pressure, the system would create. Initially, I believed that the drainage hose was securely fastened to the drain. When the system began the initial cleaning cycle a large amount of dark black liquid sprayed out of the drainage hose coating nearly the entire basement. After finally catching the out-of-control hose the rest of the installation seemed easy. Currently the basement is not completely finished. As a result the basement has very few available electrical outlets. The whole house water filtration system actually used the last available electric outlet in the basement.

After initially using the dictation software I am convinced that the software needs additional training. My midwest accent should not present a problem to the software, but my eclectic vocabulary and odd phrasing does. I am not sure how long it will take to fully train the dictation software. After training the dictation software I could not imagine having to retrain another installation of the software. I am definitely going to have to make sure that the voice recognition files are backed up regularly.

Slowly over the last few months the rate of weblog posting has slowed to an occasional and inconsistent pace. Maybe almost all recent writing energy has been devoted to academic endeavors mixed with business concerns. A significant amount of time has been devoted to software programming and design during the last few months. Actually a significant amount of spare time has been devoted to software programming beginning in1998. Software programming is either complete or incomplete. A working program does receive completely different treatment compared to a program that does not. In terms of business, working programs should facilitate business and fit into the business model.

Weblog writing takes on a near episodic feel tempered by the passion of the moment. Personal letters have historically been a format that allow for both even tempered thoughtful exchange and hastily constructed arguments. Very rarely does an instance occur where a previous weblog entry requires significant revision. Sometimes iteration is the best available method of improving writing. Maybe each day thoughts should be focused on how technology influences daily life.

Historically I have hesitated to devote significant amounts of time to writing about the influence of technology on daily life. From time to time the need for revision becomes apparent. Now is the time for a new direction. Moving forward will require revisions to current writing paradigms. Writing about changes in technology will now be a theme of this weblog. As themes go I tend to be interested in the automation of government, changes in technology, elements of social control, and the nature of civil society.

At the start of each day a variable amount of time is devoted to personal reflection through writing. Occasionally personal reflection will quickly turn into exploratory considerations of topics and ideas. Individuals should consider accepting the duel challenge of daily innovation and daily productivity. Striving toward innovation without productivity is problematic. Productivity without innovation can be problematic. Striving forward requires a combination of both innovation and productivity. Within business the basic model for striving forward is managing the rate of both innovation and productivity. Within a corporate structure of one all employees have to actively pursue both innovation and productivity.

Ok, yeah, I know… after an entire week of looking around at the Garmin GPSMAP 60Csx. Not only did the price drop $200 this week, but also the price somehow went back up another $50 during the same week. Joni is still waiting for a decision on the final costs associated with the purchase of a Garmin GPSMap 60CSx Handheld GPS Navigator.

Understanding the total cost of owning a GPS navigation system is part of the current handheld global positioning system acquisition plan. A wide variety of substantially cheaper GPS handheld systems exist that provide only basic mapping functionality without the possibility of turn by turn driving direction functionality.

Initially research pointed toward the Garmin eTrex Legend/Vista CX Handheld GPS Navigator, but quickly turned into a hunt for the best price on the Garmin GPSMap 60CSx Handheld GPS Navigator.

After conducting extensive research about various Garmin GPS technology products several facts became apparent.

• $100 for the Garmin MapSource City Navigator North America software
• $100 for the Garmin MapSource USA Topographical map software
• $20 for the Garmin Vehicle DC Power Adapter
• $20 for a 2GB MICROSD card
• $20 for the Garmin Protective Case

The Garmin GPSMap 60CSx Handheld GPS Navigator ranges in price from $325 to about $400. All of the additional equipment will cost about $260. Together the total cost of purchasing the Garmin GPSMap 60CSx Handheld GPS Navigator will range from $565 to $660. Now the central question becomes does the total amount of utility derived from purchasing a Garmin GPSMap 60CSx Handheld GPS Navigator outweigh the total cost of $565 to $660.

Power outages are a reminder of how overly reliant modern society is on electricity. Engineers are in part responsible for failing to provide a better alternative to home electricity needs.

Even the little portable radio only functions with battery power. The Sony Walkman radio I acquired for taking on walks is capable of providing Weather, TV channels 1-13, AM radio, and FM radio. Strangely enough the FOX channel in Colorado Springs happens to be broadcast on channel 21 making radio reception impossible. I have never really listened to television channels on the Sony Walkman.

Sometime around 10:00 AM a power outage occurred in Colorado Springs. I would never have guessed that on April 24, 2007 a major winter event would destabilize the city power systems. I even made sure to purchase a house with underground utilities. The power finally was restored at 8:30 PM.

Almost every major daily duty requires some form of electricity.

Sometimes a stick or random access memory will develop problems. Occasionally a stick of random access memory will cause a computer to restart randomly. Recently a stick of random access memory simply failed and the computer would not function properly. One possible replacement solution involves investigating Micron Technology’s Crucial Ballistix products. After some research I decided to order a stick of Crucial Ballistix DDR PC3200 replacement random access memory for the Gigabyte GA-K8N Pro nForce3 150 chipset motherboard.

Shipping from Crucial went really well except for the terrible snow storm in Colorado Springs. The physical installation process was quick and without problems. Under the current multi-operating system computer configuration I keep a completely legal copy of Microsoft’s Windows XP Professional Edition on a separate drive. Apparently replacing the random access memory module triggered a Microsoft Windows verification program. Somehow the Microsoft Windows verification program could not connect to the internet. Microsoft provides a phone number for receiving and manually entering the verification information.

What if the computer had been performing some essential function that required constant availability? Replacement of a component should not trigger a verification protocol. The possibility of modification is one of the reasons personal computers are amazing. People have a responsibility to demand the right to modify hardware, software, and configurations.

The wondrous oracle of idiosyncratic knowledge F. Adam recently asked the question, “What happened to your weblog?” Unfortunately, the answer to F. Adam’s question does not involve international travel, mystery, or anything that approximates fun. Recently the previously reliable Sony VAIO VGN-T250P started to experience some significant hardware problems. If you know anything about notebook computer hardware, then you probably already know the most expensive part of a notebook computer to repair is the monitor. For some reason the computer monitor started to display a random set of dancing lines like a screensaver gone mad and then as if possessed by some form of evil magic the operating system disappeared.
F. Adam does not have to worry about the future of the Sony VAIO VGN-T250P notebook computer. Fortunately during the purchase of the Sony VAIO VGN-T250P notebook computer a sales associate from Office Depot offered an extended warranty plan. Right now in a far off land the extended warranty technicians from Office Depot are shipping a cardboard box with a shipping label to my house. When the cardboard box with a shipping label arrives at my house the Sony VAIO VGN-T250P notebook computer will have to take a five to eight week vacation. I am normally a fan of vacations and stories about international travel. I am not a fan of notebook computers taking extended vacations or significant notebook computer hardware problems.
I am sure that F. Adam remembers when I had to give up on my infamously difficult Hewlett-Packard (HP) pavilion ze5300. Before getting the Sony VAIO VGN-T250P during an especially tempting sale at Office Depot, I had purchased the Hewlett-Packard (HP) pavilion ze5300 with an extended warranty from Best Buy. One of the few significant differences in the world of retail chain computer warranty and repair revolves around in house repair. I realized that having to call a warranty technician from Office Depot and explain the problem well enough to receive a cardboard box with a shipping label in the mail is not a fun experience.
I actually miss the safety and security associated with physically handing a notebook computer to a repair technician. Now I have to make a move to get back on track. In an attempt to get back on track I had to reassemble the old workstation. Now I have to find the strength to begin to move forward after the terrible loss of all progress that had been made on current projects. Trying to remember what changes have been made to documents and how those changes can be recreated is an unwelcome process. Maybe this will be a positive experience that provides the motivation necessary to work harder.

Technology enthusiasts tend to focus on a particular specialization. For example, technology enthusiasts that focus exclusively on personal computer related technologies generally do not have any extra disposable income to buy separate video game components. After building a customized computer parts upgrades meet the increasingly high standard of each generation of new video games. Some video gaming consuls like the Xbox 360 are stand-alone devices that do not generally provide the opportunity for upgrades or extensive customization. Every time a new generation of video gaming consuls hits the market, a technology lag occurs creating a buyers market for the old generation of video gaming consuls. Each generation of gaming consul hardware replaces another generation for the most part without any cross platform compatibility.
Ben has been waiting for the post office to deliver an Xbox 360 from somewhere in Alabama. Across the entire nation, it took several hours to sell every Xbox 360 from every store. Some people managed to acquire an Xbox 360 to sell it on eBay. Given the power supply problems that cause an Xbox 360 to overheat and the generally unreasonable price the Xbox 360 still sells well across a variety of markets. With all of the accessories and a game or two, the Xbox 360 will cost more than five hundred dollars. Some personal computer packages sell for less than the cost of an Xbox 360 with all of the accessories and a game or two. Ben had decided that the high quality graphics and online environments provided by the Xbox 360 are worth the price.
Televised video game experts suggest that Microsoft intentionally undersupplied the market with the Xbox 360 to increase visibility and in the end increase demand. Not only does this suggest that Microsoft is using a marketing strategy that does not maximize profits, but also it suggests that Microsoft failed to take advantage of the trend toward big ticket buying during the holiday season. Advertising campaigns do not always adhere to economic principles. In academic settings, advertising pretends to be a separate disciple from economics. Separating classes on the principles of supply and demand from classes about advertising appear to be acceptable to business schools. Microsoft appears to be adopting an advertising strategy that involves creating a false image of scarcity in the Xbox 360 market to increase demand. Under normal conditions when the false image of scarcity disappears, consumers will expect a price reduction, unless demand continues to outpace the supply of Xbox 360’s.

Question: Why should anyone take the time to backup the data on a personal computer?
Answer: If the data is important, then act the like the data is important.

Almost everyone who has been in the technology industry over the last decade knows the feeling that occurs right after a personal computer failure occurs. Shortly after the initial shock subsides logical individuals tend to focus on two nagging questions that center around the general themes of who is paying to fix this computer and when did the last data backup occur. If a data back did occur and a data backup does not always occur, then the next task is to figure out where the backup disks are being stored. Maybe personal computer backups are a recommendation that centers on the assumption that expecting the worst is the only way to handle what some people consider the inevitable case of catastrophic hardware failure.
Recommendation: Anyone responsible for a personal computer that would be upset if the data on that personal computer ceased to exist should take the time to backup the data on that personal computer as close to the first of each month as possible.

Implementation: Develop a monthly backup system of compact discs or digital video discs. Monthly personal computer backups might seem like a task that requires more effort that it is worth, but if a catastrophic hardware failure were to occur, the need for a backup system will require no additional explanation.

Recommendation: Anyone that is working on an important project on a personal computer that is irreplaceable should backup the project every time a substantial update occurs.
Implementation: Projects that require a higher degree of protection from potential data loss require both storage on a personal computer and on a removable storage device or online storage location every time an update to the file occurs. For example, implementing this recommendation can be as simple as after working on a project before shutting down the computer saving a backup copy online or on a removable storage device.

Recommendation: Anyone who always wants to have a potential backup of all the data stored on a personal computer should consider storing backup discs offsite.
Implementation: Certain extraordinary circumstances like natural disasters or fires might actually destroy the personal computer and the collection of monthly backup discs. Accounting for this scenario requires protecting data on a personal computer by storing a set of backup discs in a safety deposit box at a bank. Personal computer backup discs stored in a safety deposit box probably should be updated every few months depending on an individuals need to secure personal data.

Understanding the perpetual waves of technological change is nearly a full time job due in part to the fact that as each new technology writes a new piece of history. Being able to figure out where one technology lag stops, and the next starts is nearly impossible when everything is changing so quickly that no empirical evidence is available. Researchers do not have the funding or time to keep up with developing technology as it changes because methodologically sound surveys and interviews require development and testing. Between the research design phase and the gathering phase technology could change enough that the new wave of technological change overshadows an entire previous generation of technology. Maybe the perception of a technology being replaced biases attitudes and opinions, or at least changes the potential results of any scientific study. Perhaps the challenges facing researchers attempting to understand technological change is what drives the development of new methods and ideas about how to understand the world technology is changing.

Over the years, people have requested different levels of computer help and of course, the provision of various answers occurs without charge. People seem to have a very passionate interest in the joy that is formatting computers, but since most computers are setup in different ways with different parts no universal answer exists about how to format a computer. Every year new technology is developed and people tend to purchase on the bleeding age of technological development, but what happens to the icons of the previous generation of technological wonderland? Throughout basements, attics, and storage bins are various computer parts that now enjoy the peaceful rest of outlived usefulness. Naturally, every generation of advances in technology will create a technology lag between individual adoptions of future technology over the technology of the past. Part of the market irregularity that is developing technology is the incredible price shift that occurs between points on the technology timeline. When a developing technology is limited and the demand is high for the newest innovation available the price can skyrocket, but as the technology becomes widely available and is eventually replaced the price will continue to drop until it hits a final material adjusted value.
One of the differences in the deconstruction of the technological wonderland is the relationship between custom building a computer by replacing individual parts and the wholesale replacement of a computer once a generation. Treating technology as a disposable resource facing eventual replacement is a dangerous and consumptive practice not to mention a costly habit to develop. Some people do however purchase a computer once and simply live with the fact that it will never be the fastest computer on the market. For a user that treats a computer like a typewriter that can access the internet to get recipes, weather, and send email buying a new computer might just be buying a new computer since any modern computer is probably more powerful than a typewriter. However, a very real consideration exists throughout the life of a computer the older the software gets the more time hackers have to breakdown the operating systems security. Given enough time and resources, a thief can probably break into any safe in the world and the same relationship exists between thieves and computer software. Therefore a computer running Windows 1995 that connects to the internet has given thieves ten years to learn how to breakdown the operating systems security and over the years fewer and fewer people have devoted time toward fixing these security flaws.

What computer security products should be on a personal computer that connects to the internet? Every computer needs to have some kind of antivirus, firewall, privacy service, and antispyware. Purchasing all of these different varieties of software can be very expensive especially since all of them use the one-year subscription. What does that mean for the personal computer user? In pure economic terms, a yearly cost exists for safely being an internet participant. Therefore, not only is the technology diminishing in value over time, but also every year the consumer has to purchase subscriptions for security purposes.
Right now on this computer facilitating this article the following software is running.
$49.99 McAfee Virus Scan — http://www.mcafee.com/
$39.99 McAfee Personal Firewall Plus — http://www.mcafee.com/
$34.99 McAfee Privacy Service — http://www.mcafee.com/
$39.95 Ad-Watch SE Plus — http://www.lavasoftusa.com/
Free — Spybot Search and Destory — http://www.safer-networking.org/
Products that have been used in the past to provide home security, but are not part of the current security configuration.
$29.99 McAfee AntiSpyware — http://www.mcafee.com/
$69.99 Zone Alarm Internet Security Suite — http://www.zonelabs.com/
$99.99 Norton Professional Internet Security Suite — http://www.symantec.com/

Consider for a moment that all action has to move toward progress for society to continue functioning. Scarcity suggests the more people the harder it is to allocate resources, unless the technology frontier can expand to keep up with population growth. What does it mean to discuss the technology frontier? Developing a functional utopia is only possible if technology can preserve life by changing the quantity of available resources for allocation. Right now technology development is wasteful and misguided. Even the construction of homes relies on the perpetual replacement of parts. A new emphasis has building materials that have a certain degree of permanence might be the only way to ensure progress. Society cannot function if perpetual maintenance and upkeep is the only way to maintain the status quo. Stability has to function for the building blocks to accumulate in a quantity sufficient for sustainable progress.

Last night I had the good fortune of attending the Hubble Anniversary Panel discussion hosted by the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. Any event hosted with an IMAX screen in the background is going to have the power to show some impressive visual imagery in ultra high definition. NASA aficionados armed with fifteen years of incredible Hubble Space Telescope photographs are going to be able to put on a show that rivals any rock concert laser light show. Planets, nebulae, and galaxies danced across the screen throughout the two hour presentation. The presentation was designed to help the audience realize what the Hubble scientific observatory had contributed to science. The panel included Dr. Steve Lee, Dr. Ted Snow, Dr. John Bally, Dr. Mike Shull, and Dr. Dennis Ebbets.
The Denver Museum of Nature and Science unveiled two new “15th Anniversary” Hubble images that were about a meter by two meters and supposedly represented 100 mega pixel image resolution. The whole experience made me think about how mountain tops seem a distant explanation of why a candle that burns at both ends can be balanced by a strong wind. Dreams can jump between mountain tops, while people have to remember what it means to climb each mountain individually. Arguments seem distant from the top of a mountain, the world almost shrinks beyond the limited notions that guide perception as much as they blind what we perceive. Lately when I fall in and out of sleep it is almost soothing like a rocking wave of ocean water reminding the sand of how closely everything is connected.

If you do not know what Flickr is or have not seen Flickr in action, then go visit www.flickr.com it is worth your time. Online photo sharing has changed forever, thanks in part to Flickr creating a service that provides easy to use dynamic photo management. Regardless of how you take digital photographs Flickr is the way to share them online. A camera phone can send photos directly to Flickr providing instant photo sharing for a weblog, photoblog, or photocentric person. Why would I give Flickr a favorable review? Several reasons come to mind including the fact that during the Beta testing period they are giving away free accounts.
1) A source for independent file storage
2) Automatic photo conversion into multiple photo sizes
3) Photo uploading via email and in large batches
4) Instant global visibility for photos
5) On demand slideshow options
6) Sections for favorite photos, popular photos
7) Photos can be organized and shared by groups
Anyone can comment on any photograph

Recently I have started reading the works of Nikola Tesla including, “Tesla: Man
out of Time,” written by Margaret Cheney. Barnes and Noble is selling, “The
Inventions, Researches and Writings of Nikola Tesla,” for about ten dollars
providing a good reference paperback that includes the original articles and
publications of Nikola Tesla.

Well it has finally happened I have given up on my infamous Hewlett-Packard (HP) pavilion ze5300. Over the last few years I have enjoyed the outdated specifications of a laptop that was promptly redesigned and then subsequently re-released. Consider for a moment a basic hardware configuration that includes a desktop Intel Pentium 4 chip running at 2.4 gigahertz, forty-gigabyte hard drive, and 512 megabytes of random access memory. Specifications aside the problem with the ze5300 design was the forty-five minute battery life that simply did not allow mobile processing. Sony however has delivered a laptop that has personally provided me between five and seven hours of battery life.
Thanks in part to the last birthday present I will receive from my parents and careful research combined with several trades, contributions, and a small amount of bartering I now have a Sony VAIO VGN-T250P. Armed with the ultra low voltage processor series Intel Pentium M running at an amazingly low 1.2 gigahertz Sony has made sure this laptop is built to provide serious mobile processing. Intel Centrino mobile technology has been getting better over the years especially now that Bluetooth, 802.11B, 802.11G, and 802.11N are providing increasingly functional wireless access. Weighing in at an impressive 3.1 pounds the Sony VAIO VGN-T250P is a byproduct of the 10.6 inch TFT active matrix screen using XBRIGHT technology to essentially provide HDTV quality on a laptop.
What separates the Sony VAIO VGN-T250P from every other Sony laptop currently on the market is the number of features available to compare in any pound per pound analysis. Packed in a compact 10.7 in x 8.1 in x 1.3 in laptop Sony was able to provide 512MB DDR SDRAM, 60 GB IDE HD, DVD±RW, TFT XBRIGHT, and built in speakers! Most ultra-portable laptops do not have built in audio and internal DVD±RW. I was concerned about having a 10.6 inch TFT active matrix display, but the 1280 x 768 resolution provides delivers enough content on the screen to allow for mobile web development and word processing.
Right now I am in route to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to attend the American Society of Public Administration (ASPA) meeting to complete a Walden University residency. Thousands of miles of road trip are the perfect scenario to put the Sony VAIO VGN-T250P to the test in real world conditions. I am sure that I will be providing more commentary on exactly what features work and what features do not. At first glance I can report that I have not experienced problems using the keyboard and mouse, but that might be due to the fact that I use an external keyboard and mouse that I care around the country with me because I prefer the comfort of natural elite design.

Over the last few months the endless procession of Walden University papers has filled my time in a way that only higher education could. Working tirelessly on papers from the time that I wake up in the morning until the time that I go to sleep at night has started to have a lingering effect on my thoughts. Today was the day that I finally broke down and bought the Microsoft Wireless Natural Multimedia Keyboard and mouse. Several years ago I bought my first natural elite keyboard and have never looked back the difference between a split keyboard with a custom gel write guard and sensitive keypads and a traditional keyboard is worth the price. Over the last few weeks I have been looking for a custom split keyboard with wireless capacity and have not had very much success. I have been contemplating the idea of setting up a video output system to the television from my laptop so that I can get the full benefit of having a wireless keyboard.

Last night I had a chance to attend the Boulder Linux User Group’s (BLUG) ten year anniversary celebration. For the most part no matter where you go you can find a local Linux user group or LUG for short. One of the things I enjoy is being able to listen to technical conversations in an environment where it is acceptable to talk about highly technical concepts without anyone judging or simply walking away. Linux users are always an interesting bunch of characters that are amplified in the right forum to a level of comfort that allows people to truly converse openly with the expectation that others share enough common knowledge to understand each others perspective. If you are a subject matter expert, then you know how frustrating it is to reach a point where so much knowledge has been accumulated that it is almost painful to converse with someone who shares no frame of reference or common perspective.

Well now that I have gotten used to living in the City of Boulder, Colorado, I guess it is time to start meeting new people and going outside of the apartment. That is why I have decided to join and start attending the Boulder Linux Users Group meetings the nice people at http://lug.boulder.co.us/index.html seem to be very organized and hopefully will continue to plan fun and entertaining events that will help me get out of the apartment and identify places to travel throughout the City of Boulder.

Realizing what you would think about after looking over the edge, is part of learning how difficult it can be in desperation to consider ways to try to find a new path, because what you witnessed was not encouraging. Over the last few months, my interests have changed from thinking about philosophy and computer driven technology to considering potential solutions to advancing space travel. I know and willing admit that it is ludicrous to believe that I could pick up the most advanced theoretical concepts available to current science and understand them. However, in all honesty adding the perspective of a scientific outside that is willing to consider all potential solutions and breakthrough the assumptions that constrain independent and creative thought. This criticism might sound harsh or somewhat caustic or abusive, but it is criticism from someone who is willing to accept criticism for the scientific community in the interest of progress. I would be perfectly content if I could create a list of every possible way not to achieve my goal of realizing space travel in my lifetime. At this point, even discussing what not to do is a step in the right direction.

Right now, I am absolutely positive that being extremely swamped with projects might cause a certain feeling of pressure from not being able to accomplish my goals. Regardless of the pressure, or the responsibility of having projects to complete, I have to finish writing three advanced technology Patents this week. Learning how to write Utility Patents that follow the rules and regulations of the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is not what I would consider a pleasant leisure activity. I am also halfway through a Journal article based on an interesting mathematical proof that uses chaos mathematics to turn the stars into a compass that does not require magnetic North to function. Anyway, I guess I should get back to work and finish some of these projects.

One of the more complex issues to explain or attempt to explain for that matter is the idea of relative frame. Anyone who has enjoyed the pleasure of spending quality time getting to know the theories and rules of science or mathematics has a difficult time accepting that object permanence is relative to the state of your frame of reference. Without any hesitation or doubt in my mind, I can accept the idea that within a series of three relative frames any real object can be consistent with the statement 1 < 1 > 1. One of the phrases that I hear from time to time is the idea that,

For the better part of a year I have been battling to use the beta version of Microsoft Windows XP Professional x64, today was the last day of that battle. Providers that manufacture peripherals will not support this beta, because for the most part they are terribly inconsiderate and lazy. Most of the drivers simply need a small number of edits and require a rebuild as 64bit instead of 32bit. I know this is a terrible way to go about upgrading drivers and as a programmer the practice is repugnant, but nonetheless when no alternative exists and a slower feature free driver can be created I think a moral imperative exists for technology companies to provide drivers.

Read more »

What exactly is this
Alpha Shield Technology? The Alpha
Shield is a hardware firewall appliance, which requires no configuration and
only works with an external broadband modem.
My parents use a service provided by the local cable company to get high-speed
broadband internet service connection to the internet over a cable modem. I
decided to purchase the Alpha Shield from

Radio Shack. Installation was incredibly simplistic you simply plug in the
Alpha Shield to the cable modem and then plug the Alpha Shield directly into
your personal computer, or network device like a hub, router, or switch. This
technology update is about providing my parents with a degree of internet
security that is not possible with software firewalls. Privacy on the internet
is important and this technology helps protect my parents privacy, while
providing a solution that does not require any configuration.

Read more »

How do you put the parts together? What parts do you need to build your own computer? In pure computer nerd speak, somebody could say, You need to have KVM, CPU, MOBO, HD, RAM, CD/DVD, A/V, and a good NIC. If that sounds like the kind of technological jargon that makes you worry, want to pull your hair out, or scream at the kid at the computer store. Then you have found the right technology guide. This is still an early draft of this guide and it going to need a couple of revisions before it is useful to the general public. If you see something that needs to be changed just let me know and I will make sure it gets updated! Why write this guide? David Borys asked a question about computer hardware and the internet did not have a comprehensive clear and concise answer.  I have solicited both David and Andy Phelan to make sure than the content is clear and concise enough for the new computer user to be able to understand.

Warning: Make sure that you know what you are getting into before you
decide to build your own computer! A note to the keyboard cowboy, this guide
is operating system free and discusses x86 architecture, and the current state
of technology. This is simply the relatively well-informed opinion of an
educated computer user. I post this guide to the internet for the express
purpose of providing information and allowing discussion. I do not warranty,
certify, or provide any acknowledge any responsibility for technical
assistance, or catastrophic system failure.       

You do not need to worry if you are not up to date on all
of the acronyms and jargon that surrounds discussions of computer technology. I
am going to go thorough each part in detail then at the very end of this
technology guide I will describe two hardware configurations, and how to put
them together. The objective of
writing this guide is that after reading this guide on, What do you need to
build your own computer? You will have the knowledge base to think about what
technology you can use to build a computer and what new technology is
developing. If you see a dotted underline allow the mouse driven cursor to hover
on the acronym and a box will appear that tells you
what it means. I also have an

Acronym List at the end of this guide.

With a little due diligence and some reading you can build your own
computer. Every personal computer built and sold in the United States is
modular. What does that mean? Anybody can build a computer without having to
rewire, build, or really do any electrical engineering. Almost every computer
part simply has to be correctly installed and then for some devices you just
have to setup the software. When you make the decision about what type of computer you want to build two
basic scenarios exists that I am going to provide sample computer parts
configurations for both 32bit and 64bit x86 architecture system.

From this point in the document
you have officially started reading the guide, “” You can certainly are
welcome to read the guide
from start to finish, but if that is not your intention, please finish reading this paragraph before you
jump ahead to different sections of the guide. The
first part of this guide is the navigation list all
the computer parts, that you need to understand to build a
computer. The internal
computer parts include the
computer
case,

power supply,
CPU,
CPU Fan,

motherboard,

hard
drive,
RAM,

floppy
drive,
disc
drive,
audio
card,

video card, and the increasingly important
network
interface card. External computer parts
include the

keyboard,

mouse,
monitor,
and the
UPS.
The second distinct part of this guide is the practical application of your
newfound computer hardware knowledge, explaining what parts you need
to build your computer. I am going to discuss both a
Sample 64bit
Parts Configuration and a
Sample 32bit
Parts Configuration
explaining the fundamental differences and challenges associated with both
hardware configurations.
I will then discuss how to assemble that sample computer parts configuration
in the final section of this guide in the form of the rather monolithic, “Building
The Computer” section,
recently I decided to include an appendix on Troubleshooting Your System Configuration, you can thank me later.
If you find this guide useful, then please consider linking to this entry.

 

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A keyboard is a fairly simple device
that allows you to enter text one letter at a time. Keyboard represents the K in KVM, while most computer nerds (myself included) spend large amounts
of money on an ergonomic natural split keyboards and wireless keyboards. If you are really going to
spend hours in front of the computer please make sure you have a comfortable
keyboard with a nice gel wrist pad to help prevent health problems.

1. New Technology You can officially get at least two
   kinds of wireless keyboards that plug into the computer s motherboard
   through a USB or PS2 connection. Wireless keyboards are great you can move
   around the room and type, remember keep some spare batteries around!
2. Industry Standard Without question if you have ever
   used on the USB ergonomic natural keyboards are faster and are growing in
   popularity. What is a natural keyboard? When you look at a bunch of
   keyboards at the store, they are the ones with the giant split down the
   middle of the letter keys so that you have to type with two hands.
3. Technology History PS2 connection keyboards
   are everywhere if your keyboard has a wire and plugs into the motherboard
   with a small circular interface this is probably what you have. This classic
   technology standard will probably be around forever, until the wireless
   keyboards become an affordable Industry Standard.

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The mouse puts the M
in the technology acronym KVM (sometimes people call this the rodent or other
nicknames usually associated with mice. While technically  the mouse is
optional, you will find that practically speaking the mouse is a necessity in
modern computing.

1. New Technology Wireless keyboard and mouse combos
   are becoming relatively cheap and are probably the wave of the future.
   Wireless mouse and keyboard technology can be a little slower, require
   batteries, and software or hardware configuration. Internet gamers contend
   that the weaker the batteries get the slower your mouse and keyboard get,
   but this type of computer user is very demanding and spends hours playing
   online games.
2. Industry Standard The relatively recent industry
   standard is the optical USB mouse with a third button and a selection wheel.
3. Technology History Almost every mouse in
   existence uses the classic industry standard PS2 connection, having an
   optical mouse is cool, but does not provide a large enough difference for
   everybody to run out and buy one overnight.   

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Make sure you
have the right size case and all the necessary case fans, modification kits,
and of course, cable ties to secure the wires.

1. New Technology Right now, a new design revolution is
   occurring with liquid cooled cases, small cube traveling cases, and massive
   modifications including colored lights, glowing fans, neon switches. This is
   a cool trend because so much equipment is hitting the market that prices are
   quickly falling!
2. Industry Standard Most cases are your standard ATX
   full to mid tower setup that comes in the standard colors of black or white.
   A full tower comes with four external 5.25-inch device bays in the front of
   the case, while a mid tower usually has two of these device bays.
3. Technology History Think back to the days of
   computer cases that say underneath a monitor not under a desk. I am glad
   these cases have gone the way of the dinosaur they are difficult to work
   with not module and constrain your ability to upgrade your computer
   yourself. If you are going to spend hundreds of dollars to build a computer
   you want to be able to upgrade the parts without having to purchase another
   computer.  

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Sometimes this
device comes with the Computer Case, but you need to make sure you have enough
power to run your CPU some people use slang and call this the chip.

1. New Technology Power supplies are getting much more
   powerful these days exceeding 500 watts of power. They now have serial power
   cables to connect to SATA devices. The faster your CPU the more power you
   are going to need, make sure and check the manufactures documentation for a
   power recommendation.
2. Industry Standard Right now, the average power
   supply does not have serial power cables and is between 300 and 500 watts of
   power.
3. Technology History Power supplies exist below
   300 watts of power, but they are somewhat older and cannot support the
   demands of new technology. For this device to functionally change an entire
   new line of products would be required. For the most part only the power is
   going to change not the actually power supply.

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(CPU)
Some people use slang and call this the chip, but it is one of the most
important parts of the computer.

1. New Technology Both Intel and AMD are now offering
   64bit technology for personal home computing. I am a huge fan of the AMD
   64bit chipset, because it uses a duel core technology that simply blows
   Intel out of the water. (Disclosure: I own a 64bit AMD chip.) 
2. Industry Standard Right now most people have Intel
   or AMD 32bit processors running over a gigahertz.
3. Technology History According to Moore’s Law every
   year the computing power of a chip will double. Any 32bit processor
   running under a gigahertz is now considered slow. The frantic race for speed
   has produced a large number of chips in the market that companies are not
   designing technology for anymore. This means that you have to be careful
   what kind of chip you buy, because if your motherboard fails it might be
   difficult to find another one, and if your chip fails you are going to have
   a hard time finding a replacement, except on eBay.       

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, because you
will need a special fan to cool this device, seriously this is incredibly
important.

 

 

1. New Technology   You can get liquid cooled fans
   and specialized exhaust systems to make sure your processor does not
   overheat.
2. Industry Standard Make sure you have a fan that is
   designed for your processor.
3. Technology History  This technology has
   not changed that much, but the older fans do not work on modern processors,
   make sure you spend the money to buy a new fan.

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This is one of
the most complex parts of the computer and if you do not buy a quality
motherboard, you will regret it for years. A motherboard can possibly have
audio, video, networking, and other specialized cable connections already
installed. Some people really like this kind of motherboard it can potentially
reduce your purchase to eleven items instead of as many as twenty.

 

 

1. New Technology   64bit motherboards with all the
   really cool technology included: SATA, Fire Wire, USB 2.0, next generation
   video, and fancy audio.   
2. Industry Standard Most motherboards do not have any
   onboard video and audio, providing limited support for new devices without
   purchasing additional interface cards.
3. Technology History Motherboards are usually
   associated with the processors they support. Any motherboard that uses PC133
   memory or slower is probably considered somewhat older technology, and is
   starting to become obsolete. 

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Right now I am a
major fan of the SATA drive, but that does not mean that a quality ATA drive
will not work for you, this device stores all of the information on the
computer and needs to have a large capacity.

 

 

1. New Technology   SATA! The new hard drives use a
   different power and motherboard connection cable that makes them much
   faster. Running the required ATA150 controller card for serial hard drives
   is what allows a major increase in the speed of data transmission.
2. Industry Standard Most hard drives are IDE devices
   that connect to the motherboard through an ATA133 controller card built into
   the motherboard or attached through an expansion card attached to the
   motherboard. The current industry standard is a 7,200 RPM hard drive with at
   least 8 MB of buffer.  
3. Technology History  Any computer using
   ATA100 technology or slower with a hard drive speed of 5,000 RPM is now
   considered to be somewhat older technology.   

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Sometimes people just call
this Physical Memory. 

 

 

1. New Technology   Any Memory speed above PC2000+
   is new technology.
2. Industry Standard This PC133 Memory was produced in
   mass quantities and is everywhere .
3. Technology History Any Memory that is slower
   than PC133 is somewhat older technology.   

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I really do
not like this devices, and have no interest in discussing them, but some people still love them.
They are still the 1.44 MB single disc drive
you remember from years ago, this
truly a legacy device. 

 

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Compact disc
(CD) or digital video disc (DVD) drive (Maybe even a CD/DVD burner if you
want)

 

 

1. New Technology With two competing media types DVD+R
   and DVD-R this technology was fragmented and has now gone from DVD5 to DVD9
   nearly doubling the data capacity of a DVDR.
2. Industry Standard Almost any computer is going to
   have a DVD or CDR drive. 
3. Technology History   A computer that
   does not have the capacity to record with either a DVDR/CDR probably has a CD
   drive, which is the minimum requirement for a modern computer.

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If you want to
be able to hear sound, then you better get one of these cards or buy it built
into the motherboard.

 

 

1. New Technology   You can get new audio cards
   that have Dolby Digital 5.1 and other amazing sound configurations.
2. Industry Standard Make sure you get at least a 24bit
   audio card.
3. Technology History The lower end of sound
   cards only matters if you care about what kind of sound you are have. My
   64bit computer does not have an audio card, because I have not bothered to
   install one. It only matters if you want to hear sounds!

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For some people
graphics is the most important part of a computer, you can get this card built
into the motherboard or purchase it as a separate card.

 

 

1. New Technology The
   All-In-Wonder 9800 Pro 128MB 8x AGP Video Card, is certainly near the best
   technology at just under $300.
2. Industry Standard Most video cards are 64MB and
   produce quality graphics.
3. Technology History Any video card with less
   than 64MB of memory built into the card is definitely somewhat older
   technology.

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Want to connect to the internet, then you better make sure you have one of
these cards or purchase it built into the motherboard.

 

 

1. New Technology Wireless network cards including the
   new amazing 802.11 standards A/B/G/G+ are allowing people to connect to the
   internet without wires.  
2. Industry Standard RJ45 or Category 5e/6e fast
   internet connections using Network Interface Cards are the most common form
   of Network Interface.
3. Technology History Modems all of them are old
   they use RJ11 cable standards, the same as the telephone system.

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One need one of these!

 

1. New Technology  Digital flat screen LCD.
2. Industry Standard CRT Flat panel
3. Technology History Recently the market has changed
   from being all glass CRT monitors to flat panel glass monitors. Then the
   entire market changed with the advent of plasma screen technology and liquid
   crystal displays. 

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A Uninterruptible Power Supply is the modern version of a surge
protector.    

1. New Technology   Voltage regulations, surge
   protection, and a long batter backup.
2. Industry Standard A surge protector with short
   batter backup.
3. Technology History It used to be that only companies
   and true computer nerds had battery backup systems. While a surge protector
   is essential for any computer owner, having at least a surge protector with
   a batter backup should be a requirement. 

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  I have put
together a minimum list of parts that you will need to build a 64bit computer
that conforms to my standards. Most of the parts I have included in this sample
64bit parts configuration also work with 32bit configurations. The main
difference is going to come from the motherboard and CPU. I will go ahead and
talk about each part you need and list some of my part choices. This section is
does contain some of my personal bias in the form of my opinions, but that is
why you read this kind of guide right? To find out what I think about a sample
parts configuration. I am going to discuss parts in terms of High End
Technology, some people call this the bleeding edge of technology, that might
have something to do with the higher prices or with the fact that you experience
more problems with less established products, and I am will tell you what I
consider to the industry standard. The parts and prices I suggest are simply for
example purposes, I do not own stock in any of these companies, but I will let
you know what parts I have had serious problems with in the past.

1. CPU – It is no secret that I am
   a big fan of the AMD 64bit chips. They duel-core architecture that is native
   in 64-bit chips will allow you to upgrade your CPU in the future by adding
   an additional L2 cache processor, Intel does not have that option. My friend
   Seth works for Intel so I will not say anything exceptionally terrible about
   the company, but my allegiances are currently on the side of AMD.     
   • High End Technology AMD
     ATHLON 64FX 5100 OEM ($749)
   • Industry Standard – AMD ATHLON 64 2800+
     RET ($176)
2. CPU Fan – This fan is
   important, because it keeps that really expensive processor cool. Make sure
   you get a nice one whatever you do, having a CPU Fan burn out and toast your
   chip is a terrible experience. I speak from personal experience, buy a
   quality fan! 
   • Industry Standard – FOX K8 OPTERON AMD-64 FAN ($40)
3. Case – My personal case is a
   Codegen
   (S-201 ATX Server Case with 17Bays $170 before the cost of the power
   supply), which is way bigger than most personal computer users need. I have
   had several different cases and have been happy with most of them. 
   • High End Technology – EVERCASE ECS5000LX-B BLK SERV ($149)
   • Industry Standard – XION BLACK GAMING CASE 450W ($89)
4. Motherboard = Right now I am on a GIGABYTE kick and have been suggesting
   these motherboards. Remember that you have to make sure to purchase a
   motherboard based on what CPU you want to have! Motherboards only support
   certain CPU’s I also recommend new computer users  purchase a
   motherboard with built in audio, video, and network interface.  
   • High End Technology – GIGABYTE 8KNXP 875P FSB800 8X L/R ($229)
   • Industry Standard – GIGABYTE 7N400PRO2 GBLAN SATA 1 ($125)
5. RAM – Pick your ram
   based on what your motherboard and CPU support! I know it gets expensive,
   but you want to make sure you have at least 512MB of RAM. 
   • High End Technology – 512MB PC3500 433MHZ DDR ($139)
   • Industry Standard – 512MB PC2700 333MHZ ($99)
6. Floppy -  MITSUMI 1.44MB FLOPPY DRIVE ($12)
7. DVDR – When you build a
   new computer you have to make a choice about moving to the dual layer DVD9
   format or staying with the DVD5 single layer format. Personally I still have
   the DVD5 format which has a 4.7 gigabyte capacity. 
   • High End Technology – OPTORITE 12X DVD+/- DUAL LAYER BL ($99)
   • Industry Standard – SONY DVD+/- 4X WRITE ($60)
8. SATA – I am
   really a huge fan of the SATA Hard Drive. You can get other types of hard
   drives, but really on a 64bit computer you might as well realize the best
   potential computing speed by getting a faster hard drive. 
   • High End Technology – WESTERN DIGITAL 250GB 8M SATA ($199)
   • Industry Standard – SEAGATE 120GB 8M SATA ($105)
9. Keyboard – I really do enjoy my natural keyboard with custom gel wrist
   guard.  
   • High End Technology – MICROSOFT Natural Elite Keyboard ($35)
   • Industry Standard – Check the local computer store you can get a
     keyboard for ($3-$10).
10. Mouse – Buy what you like to use, if you do not know what you like go to
    the store and look at them. 
    • High End Technology – LOGITECH MX500 OPTICAL MOUSE ($49)
    • Industry Standard – Check the local computer store you can get a mouse for ($3-$10).
11. Monitor – This is probably the most important part of a computer for
    most people, because this is what you you spend your time in front of on a
    daily basis. Make sure you think about how big of a monitor you will want
    and what you want to do with your computer.   
    • High End Technology – VIEWSONIC X910 19″ LCD Display ($650)
    • Industry Standard – VIEWSONIC 19″ E90F FLAT ($200)
12. UPS – Please buy
    one of these! 
    • High End Technology – APC Back-UPS XS 1500VA 865 Watts ($200)
    • Industry Standard – Belkin Enterprise Series 900VA UPS 540 Watts
      ($120)

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Prices seem to range between $600-$1500. This is still a work in progress!  

1. CPU = AMD SEMPRON 2400+ RET ($72)
2. CPU Fan = ($20)
3. Motherboard = ASUS A7N8X-VM NF2 8X S/V ($95)
4. RAM = 512MB PC3200 400MHZ ($101)
5. Floppy = MITSUMI 1.44MB FLOPPY DRIVE ($12)
6. DVDR = OPTORITE 12X DVD+/- DUAL LAYER BL ($99)
7. HD = SEAGATE 40GB 7200 IDE ($60)
8. Keyboard = MICROSOFT NATURAL MULTIMEDIA  ($35)
9. Mouse = LOGITECH SCROLL USB MOUSE ($3)
10. Mointer = VIEWSONIC 19″ E90F FLAT ($200)
11. UPS = Belkin Enterprise Series 900VA UPS 540 Watts
    ($120)

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This is still a work in progress!  

1. Once you have all of the parts together in one place. Find a flat
   surface that is clear, static free, (Not on the carpet, near a plastic
   table, or plastic tablecloth) and has enough room to work. Make sure you
   have a static free Philips Screwdriver that is not magnetic. Get our an
   empty coffee cup to put the screwdriver in when you are not using it and to
   store the screws that come with the next hardware. I know this sounds simple
   and easy to do, but if really does make a difference to be prepared. Make a
   stack of all the documentation that came with your devices and then make
   sure you take the time to sit down and read everything! This guide does not
   cover every possible step that you might need, and reading the manuals is a
   good habit to develop.
2. Take the motherboard out of the box and make sure that it is still in
   the static free foil bag. Place the computer case on the work space. Once
   you have the computer case open and have put screwed in motherboard risers
   if necessary. There are little screws that are still open on top allowing
   one screw to raise the motherboard so that it does not touch the computer
   case while also connecting to a screw that holds the motherboard. This
   process is very important to make sure your motherboard is not damaged. Make
   sure you carefully place the motherboard into the case and use every
   possible screw point provided by the motherboard. 

3. If you did not have the people at the computer store place the chip into
   the motherboard and place the fan on top make sure you follow the exact
   directions provided with the central processing unit and the central
   processing unit fan. This is the one part of the process that you might want
   to consult your locally owned computer store about if you have never placed
   a chip on a motherboard before. If you are still not nervous enough to
   consult a professional then read the instructions on the directions, every
   process is different.  Make sure that the power cable from the central
   processing unit fan is plugged into the motherboard. You will also want to
   connect the jumpers from the computer case to the motherboard. This is not
   difficult simply read the documentation with the motherboard and connect the
   cables to the right spot. These are your computer case speaker, power
   switch, and hard drive activity lights. 

4. Remove the RAM from the protective antistatic bag and carefully place it
   into the motherboard in the correct slot. Almost every motherboard is
   clearly market with the primary RAM slot clearly identified. RAM is rather
   large and only fits into one type of slot on the motherboard, so you do not
   need to be worried just follow the directions in the motherboard booklet to
   make sure you have properly locked the RAM in place. Make sure you do not
   leave greasy fingerprints on the RAM this will cause trouble, simply make
   sure your hands are dry and only touch the edges of the RAM. 

5. Now is the time to insert any video cards, network
   interface cards, or any other specialized cards that require a Peripheral
   Component Interconnect slot. I know you are surprised to find out that these
   cards can only plug into one type of interface on the motherboard these are
   the interface slots that allow you screw them into the case so that the back
   end of the card is still accessible. 

6. Gather any disc drives, hard drives, and the floppy drive and check the
   jumper settings on the back of them. This is really simple do not be afraid
   make sure that the hard drive you want to put the operating system on is set
   to master and that if you have a disc drive that can write disks it is set
   set to the master setting as well. Everything else should be set to cable
   select or slave. After you have configured the jumper settings make sure
   that you install the drives in a logical fashion. You probably have three
   IDE cable connection slots on the motherboard. Two bigger ones and one
   smaller one for the floppy drive. You probably received ribbon cables with
   your floppy, hard drive, disc drive, and motherboard. Look at the back of
   your drives and figure out what size cable they need before you put the
   drives in the case. Place the drives in the case so that the ribbon cable
   can connect to the drives. The end with two connections relatively close
   together is the one that should be connected to the derives and the end that
   is all by itself should be connected to the motherboard. 

7. Make sure you have not accidentally plugged the computer case into a
   power supply, because you should never have the power supply plugged into
   the wall or the UPS while you are working on the computer. Find power supply
   connections for all of the devices you have just installed, and then make
   sure the power supply is connected to the motherboard. The power supply will
   only have one cable that can connect to the motherboard and the connection
   is generally near the RAM or the CPU.
8. Take a moment to make sure that you have followed all the directions
   that came with the motherboard, CPU, CPU fan, Hard Drive, and other devices
   you have just installed. Make sure and check the connections of every device
   to make sure everything is plugged in all the way and secure. Did you use at
   least two screws on both sides of every device that connects to the case,
   excluding the Peripheral Component Interconnect cards because they only use
   one screw. Once you are sure everything is put together correctly go ahead
   and close the case and screw it shut.
9. Plug in the KVM (Keyboard, Video, and Mouse) to the correct interface
   slots on the back of the computer case. Make sure they are plugged in
   securely and that the monitor is completely secure.
10. Connect the power cables from the power supply in the computer case and
    from the monitor into to the slots on the UPS that are backed up by the
    battery. No other devices but the monitor and computer case power supply
    should be connected to the battery backup on the UPS. I have my alarm clock
    connected to the batter backup on the UPS, but that only draws 9 volts of
    power!
11. Take a deep breath and make sure that you have followed all of the
    directions. Did you really read all of the documentation that came with your
    hardware? Think about how much money you spent on all of that computer
    hardware. Now ask yourself again did you really read all of the
    documentation that came with your hardware and carefully follow the
    instructions and warnings. If you are confident in your abilities to follow
    directions and you read all of the documentation, then plug the UPS into the
    war and turn on the computer and monitor.
12. Having problems read the next section of the guide about troubleshooting
    your system configuration.

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More fun than
you should be allowed to have right? Don’t panic we have all had problems
building computers here is a list of common problems and potential solutions.
Please make sure that you have read all documentation related to your specific
hardware configuration. 

1. You push the power button and nothing happens.
   • Did you remember to correctly jumper the power switch cable from the
     computer case to the motherboard?
   • Is the UPS turned on and the lights are correctly flashing in the
     front?
   • Have you checked the power supply switch on the back of the computer
     case and make sure it is on?
2. You can hear the computer case turn on and see the lights, but nothing
   happens with the monitor. 
   • Did you check the back of the monitor to see if it has a power switch?
   • Is the power cable correctly plugged into both the monitor and the
     UPS?
   • If your computer has both an on board graphics card and an AGP
     graphics card that you installed did you try testing the other connection?
   • Can you see the power light on the monitor turn on?

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1. AGP – Advanced Graphics Port
2. ATA – Advanced
   Technology Accessory
3. AMD – Advanced Micro Devices
4. A/V – Audio and Video
5. CD – Compact Disc
6. CDR – Compact Disc Recorder
7. CDRW – Compact Disc Re-Writeable
8. CPU – Central Processor Unit
9. CRT – Cathode Ray Tude
10. DVD – Digital Video Disc
11. DVD-R – Digital Video Disc Recordable
12. DVD+R – Digital Video Disc Recordable
13. DVDR – Digital Video Disc Recordable
14. DVDRW – Digital Video Disc Re-Writeable
15. IDE – Integrated Drive Electronics
16. HD – Hard Drive
17. KB – Keyboard or KiloByte
18. KVM – Keyboard, Video, and Monitor
19. LCD – Compact Disc
20. MB – Megabyte and sometimes Motherboard
21. MOBO – Motherboard
22. NIC – Network Interface Card
23. PC – Personal Computer
24. RAM – Random Access Memory
25. RJ11 – Telephone wire standard
26. RJ45 – Network wire standard
27. SATA – Serial Advanced Technology Accessory
28. UPS – Uninterruptible Power Supply

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If you find this guide useful, then please consider linking to this entry.
The only way people will be able to find this information is if search
engineers know it exists, that is why if linking is so important, please
spread the word! This guide is constantly being revised and will always need a
couple of revisions, to make sure it is still useful to the general public. If
you see something that needs to be changed just let me know via a comment at
the bottom of this page and I will make sure it gets updated!

 

Current planned updates to this guide include: hardware pictures,
illustrative pictures in the build the computer section, a major update to the
hardware section attempting to make each hardware description more
comprehensive, and finally a major overhaul to the troubleshooting section.  

 

Society has experienced the nuclear age, the information age, and recently is starting to realize the age of technological expansion. Technology is on the verge of being developed or is in the research and development phase right now that will be the key to unlocking the mystery of space travel.

Read more »

If you remember back a couple of days, I was excited about
the innovations over at AMD. Well my predictions about the potential of scalable
core processors are starting to come true. Cray, Inc “The
Supercomputer Company” is working on a great new design that allows the
connection of 12 processors to one massive computer board. In fact, “Highly modular,
the Cray XD1 base unit
is a chassis. Up to 12 chassis can be installed in a rack. Multirack
configurations integrate hundreds of processors into a single system.” That is
right if you are keeping track the new a
Cray XD1
architecture can support 12

AMD chips, which means that with a

duel core upgrade your chassis can be running processes on 24 separate
computing cores on the same
machine, before you build a distributed computing network! The Cray Webpage says
it best, “Designed to meet the requirements of highly demanding HPC applications in
fields ranging from product design to weather prediction to scientific research,
the Cray XD1 system is an indispensable tool for engineers and scientists to simulate and
analyze faster, solve more complex problems, and bring solutions to market
sooner.” The technology curve is about to seriously shift ahead of the schedule
predicted by Moore’s
Law.

This is an explanation of how to install Windows XP64 to a Serial ATA hard drive. The computer configuration I am discussing involves the following hardware and software.

1) I have one 200 Gigabyte, Maxtor 6Y200MO Serial ATA (SATA) hard drives.
2) The Maxtor SATA drives connection is through the onboard Silcon Image Sil3512 controller located on a Gigabyte GA-K8N Pro nForce3 150 chipset (Also known as the GAK8NP, GAK8N Pro, GA-K8NP, or sometimes simply called the Gigabyte board with the Sil3512 driver problems.)
3) One copy of Microsoft Windows XP Professional x64 Edition (Pre-Release Software) generously donated to me by Uncle Bill for 360 days per evaluation kit license key!

Being a Beta tester means posting things like this to the interent to help build a knowledge base of solutions to very real and sometimes frustrating problems.

Find the driver for the SATA controller, which is the device that is going to talk to the Serial ATA hard drive. Here is what you need to do (I will try to keep this as short and concise as possible). Go visit the www.siliconimage.com webpage and find the storage products section then locate the Serial ATA section find the Sil3512 (SATALink 2-Port PCI Host Controller). You need to navigate though all of the links until you get to the support section and then you need to find downloads for the Sil3512 Serial ATA controller. Download the SiI3x12: Serial ATA (SATA) 64-bit Windows RAID Driver the release version I ran into was 11/26/2003.

Extract/Unzip the driver and put it onto a floppy disk, all files are important and should be placed on the floppy. Make sure all hardware is correctly plugged into the motherboard and that the motherboard has power! Place the Microsoft Windows XP Professional x64 Edition disc into the correct drive on the computer, at the same time place the floppy you just created into the correct drive on the computer. When the computer starts make sure you hit delete or whatever combination of keys that allow you to change the bios settings. Make sure RAID is enabled not IDE in the motherboard setting for the Serial ATA controller (Even if you only have one hard drive like my installation use the RAID settings). Check your boot order settings to make sure they are disc drive first, then other devices.

After you save and exit boot from the disc drive so that the Microsoft Windows XP Professional x64 Edition installation begins. Be ready to press F6 quickly so that you can load that wild and exciting controller driver that is on the floppy! Your computer will now magically be able to detect your Serial ATA (SATA) hard drives. Life is now good, world peace should suddenly be around the corner, and the computer will have a slow operating system on a very fast hard drive, congratulations!

I would like to take a moment and talk about other things to consider before beginning the formatting process. Make sure you have the Ethernet controller drive, multimedia audio controller driver, PCI simple communications controller, IDE RAID controller, and if you are truly a computer guru you will probably need your UPS driver. The drivers on your motherboard disc are useless! Make sure you connect to the internet and download Windows 64bit drivers for all of the devices you plan on using.

I will update this later today…