Posted 09/14/2009 at 03:00:10pm

I've installed one OEM version of WinXP onto three entirely different self-built computer systems over the last 8 years and another OEM copy onto two differnt systems and have never had to call Microsoft to activate the OS.

EZ

Posted 07/21/2009 at 01:18:03am

I love AMD also but if Gateway can put together a netbook  like this with an Intel CPU, for $300, there's not really a good reason for AMD to focus any resources on this market.  For what, so it can sell it for $295?  AMD has almost always had an economic advantage over Intel.  There just doesn't appear to be one in the netbook market.  I think AMD's attention should be focused on getting their desktop CPUs to compete more with Core I7 instead of the Core 2 Duos and Core 2 Quads.  Opteron server CPUs have less of a margin between them and Intel's Xeons but they still can't touch Nethalems.

EZ

Posted 07/21/2009 at 01:01:04am

Is ICQ dead?  Nobody told me.  Neither did anyone tell the 100s of active contacts I have all around the world using ICQ.  I've tried Trillian.  I started using IM years ago when Yahoo Messenger was all the rage.  I swiched to ICQ because many of the Ultima Online players I met used it.  ICQ does what I need it to do.  There are a few different versions available and they are all still free AFAIK.

EZ

Posted 07/15/2009 at 09:59:58pm

I never liked the orange background.  It was a little too bright and orange has never been one of my favorite colors either.

However, the new look just has too much white now.  If the background was an off-white it might be nicer.

EZ

Posted 07/13/2009 at 03:34:53am

I'm going to just install Win7 RC on all my home computers this week.  I've already done two of my four computers.  Once I get the upgrade copies of Win7 I'll install them all and then I will back up the initial images to my Windows Home Server.  Finally, a really great reason for buying WHS.  Those backups can be locked so that they aren't deleted.  It's a fairly painless process to restore any of the computers when necessary.

Other than that I'm pretty curious to find out if a clean install will be able to be done from a legit, activated Win7 system.  Seems logical.  It just can't really be as Doom & Gloom as everyone is making it sound.  I'm not canceling my pre-orders for now.

EZ

Posted 06/01/2009 at 11:15:28pm

It probably means 2 processors, 4 processors and 8 processors, 2p, 4p and 8p

Actually, since we're talking about multi-core cpus, it's probably more descriptive to say 2 socket, 4 socket and 8 socket in reference to how many cpu sockets are on a motherboard.

Posted 03/13/2009 at 06:25:48pm

Yes the sheer number of usernames and passwords has become insane.  For anyone who spends much time online or who frequents many different types of websites, it's feasible to have dozens of usernames and passwords.  Using a different username and password for every login is pretty daunting for most.

I split up the sites I use with logins and passwords by how important the information they contain may be.  I guess basically I have them divided up into five groups:

1. Financial such as banking

2. Non-financial site but with bill pay information

3. Forums

4. Online game accounts

5. Email

I don't change my passwords as often as I should but I generally change them at least once a year.  I also do use a password manager or Firefox's built in one.  These help greatly with most sites.

Posted 01/30/2009 at 02:47:16pm

I was just at my local CC in Lynnwood, WA. As I was walking through the store and checking stuff out, I quickly thought to myself, jeez, their advertised 10%- 30% off, going out of business sale has most prices STILL higher than the competition does.

I've always thought CC was way overpriced, of course they ended up going out of business. When Best Buy is right next door how would any reasonable business expect to ever sell anything when the average difference between their competition's prices, on high-end items, would commonly be $100 or even more.

EZ

Posted 01/30/2009 at 02:38:32pm

Great list.

That model of the Linksys router has actually been outdated for a while.

The current model is the WRT610N. It's pretty slick looking too.

EZ