Nuchaleft's Den: Computers and Internet

Good News Day :-)

Fri, 04 Jul 2008 08:44:24 GMT

It is a good day today, thats for sure! My new laptop just arrived from Sydney to my house. I've been configuring it for my use.

It has a widescreen monitor, not that I care much

It cost me only $1100, as opposed to $2999, which is pretty good, if I do say so myself

- Nuchaleft

Video Cards: Of Pixels and Shaders Obscura

Tue, 24 Jun 2008 00:51:40 GMT

Well the good news is that I was able to pick up my Asus ES9600GT from the post office about a couple of days ago.

I have just installed it, but have yet to try out any games with this new card in yet. When I do I'll update this blog post with the information.

The damn card is larger than my old Radeon X1600, I actually had to move my 2nd hard drive down a bay and my sound card down a PCI slot so I could fit the card in properly. But its all good, Its in now

I really need to think about some more cable ties and some SATA hard drives

Keep Smiling

- Nuchaleft

Notebooks: Of Processors and Memory Obscura

Tue, 17 Jun 2008 17:26:27 GMT

I have stated in a previous entry to my blog that I was going to purchase a laptop for both work and play, I am however torn between 2 ASUS laptops; the F6S-3P013G and the G1S.

I am considering other laptops, but I have heard that Asus ones are generally the best, even if a good portion of them do happen to appear "incoming" in the place where I work.

The laptop will be likely used at GO3 and/or before and after, though might not be a good idea to parade it around - we have some rather unscrupulous people in my neighbourhood.

- Nuchaleft

Hardware Upgrades

Thu, 12 Jun 2008 11:51:09 GMT

It's been a while since I last posted, hasn't it?
Recently I purchased a IBM Lenovo 19" Widescreen Monitor, as well as a NVidea GeForce 9600GT, So my games look just that little bit better than they do with my ATI Radeon X1600 and my old 15" monitor. Total cost is about $510 AUD.

The older equipment could be put to use inside another computer that I am building.

I am also still saving for that Laptop that I wanted, I have about $700 saved up so far I only need another $600, which I should get on Wednesday or Thursday next week.

- Nuchaleft

Latest buys on eBay

Wed, 21 May 2008 11:23:00 GMT

Recently I purchased a Nintendo DS Wireless Adapter, Action Replay DS and began bidding on an IBM Lenovo 19" Widescreen Monitor off eBay

I bought the DS Wireless Adapter so I could play some of my DS games online, and the Action Replay DS so I could get certain things in my DS games that are not available for my region

The Monitor has yet to arrive, waiting for the eCheque to go through before it can be sent. I've been wanting a replacement for my old minitor for some time.

- Nuchaleft

My thoughts on Vista

Wed, 19 Mar 2008 06:21:26 GMT

A revised version of my thoughts on vista...

Pros
# Startups are a little faster, If you meet the recommended requirements.
# Includes features from the Tablet PC and Media Centre editions of XP.
# Nice glossy look to everything
# Transparency
# BitLocker

Cons
# Overpriced for similar XP features
# Bloatware (though I guess with the large size of hard drives these days it doesn't matter, but still)
# Uses more memory while Idle than XP, Though the memory management architecture is different so it's (Kind of) understandable.
# Security prompts are too annoying (Though they can be disabled, thank god)
# I don't see anything in Vista's DX10 that can't be implemented in DX9 in some form.
# Some games just don't run, or run poorly - hell even some newer ones. :mad: To be fair some newer games run better in Vista than in XP...
# Don't seem to be able to drag the taskbar around the screen, as you used to be able to in previous versions.
# Some hardware and software is not compatable and/or there are no viable replacements.

I use Vista Business at work, though I have to dual boot with XP to use our Invoicing program, since it won't work in Vista, hell I'm even using the latest version (Jan 2008)

The Future
Vista will (eventually) be superseded by Windows 7 (Codenamed 'Vienna') , A test build of which was introduced to the US government recently for some reason It's slated for a 2010 release...

- Nuchaleft

Just purchased a Bluetooth dongle

Sun, 16 Mar 2008 08:38:04 GMT

I just purchased a Bluetooth dongle from eBay, Now I can connect my new mobile phone to my PC and transfer files between the two in the blink of an eye... Of course it's a bit more complicated then that, I have to install and configure the drivers and software.

Now I can upload some colour photos of myself to rsvp.com.au and other dating sites.

PS. My new mobile phone is a Motorola Motorazr V3 on Optus Prepaid.

- Nuchaleft

Want to make money in your Real Cash Economy?

Sat, 01 Mar 2008 05:02:10 GMT

If your a noob and dont want to start your game the hard way you can make money with surveys. Most surveys give you 200 points which is equal to 2 PEDs (EU). Also, the minimum amount you need to payout happens to be 200 points. Other offers including games are also available. After I completed a survey I actually got the money on my account within the next day.

Check this website:
http://www.metarl.com/register.php?referral=NightwolfAA2k5

- Nuchaleft

I think I need better cooling...

Fri, 29 Feb 2008 02:50:03 GMT

Dear Readers, I am beginning to think that I need better cooling, My computer has been near overheating the last few days due to the heat. It does not help that I cannot have air con because I live in rental accomodation. I could see if I could move to a rental property that has air con though...

Over the next few days I will see if I can find some better cooling for my computer, that is effective and affordable on my low budget. Something from Thermaltake has my eye, but I want to consider a range of offers....

Additional Purchase Considerations: NVidea GeForce 8800 GTX OR NVidea GeForce 9600 GTX, To be able to play the more recent games, Such as Crysis.

- Nuchaleft

Do NOT get Telstra Bigpond's NextG Wireless Broadband...

Tue, 05 Feb 2008 02:31:22 GMT

I strongly advise people to NOT apply for Telstra Bigpond's NextG Wireless Broadband, it is a complete rip off, for the same price you pay for that rubbish, you can get faster landline based broadband, for a whole lot less cost. Do not be fooled by their fancy marketing.

Compare Telstra's Liberty plans with the wireless plans and you'll see what I mean.

Sure, you have to sometimes fight hard to get regular broadband installed, but in the end the fight is worth it.

I won't be going back to Wireless Broadband again, never again. Poor service and high prices make it not worthwhile.

- Nuchaleft

Why I'm NOT upgrading to Windows Vista

Mon, 04 Feb 2008 08:02:26 GMT

Why am I NOT upgrading to Windows Vista? Well it's simple really, after testing it on some test machines I've come to some conclusions:

It's unstable, things seem to crash often
Copy and Pasting seems to take longer
Games seem slower under vista, even with Aero disabled
Some games refuse to run
Too much unnecessary gloss, for what?
Low Device Compatibility
Security prompts are too annoying
Startups are a little faster
Nice newish UI, but more effort could have been placed into it though.
Seems to be more expensive than Windows XP for similar content.
I don't see anything in Vista's DX10 that can't be implemented in DX9 in some form.
And much more to come in a future entry...

But for now I go back to work.

- Nuchaleft

Hardware Purchase Considerations

Tue, 08 Jan 2008 07:39:21 GMT

I am considering getting some more RAM for my computer, I am tired of it using virtual memory and slowing my computer down when I play games and stuff. 2 GB should be enough, DDR2 ram modules a pretty inexpensive at the moment (AU$29-33 per gig), though I should hurry as they may phase out DDR2 in favour of DDR3, a newer DDR-SDRAM specification.

Another consideration is to buy a flatscreen LCD monitor and a new graphics card (NVidia GeForce 8800GTS?) so that games look better, but these 2 considerations are for the long term, as my first priority is to get another job.

- Nuchaleft

New Layout for Blog

Fri, 30 Nov 2007 16:37:13 GMT

Hi everyone, I am testing a new layout for my blog. Please let me know what you all think about it.

The new layout is longer than the old one, but allows for things that just were not possible before. Though I do plan on customising the blog further sometime in the future... And preferably not at 1:30 in the morning!

- Nuchaleft

Looking for Bargain priced software...

Mon, 03 Sep 2007 15:12:36 GMT

Looking for cheap software? Try buying Academic versions of the popular operating systems and office software. However it is usually a good idea to make sure you are studying so that you are not breaching the terms of the license agreement. Academic versions of software cannot be used commercially.

Academic versions of Windows Vista, XP, Microsoft Office, Visual Studio and other products are available at most major software retailers. If they don't have them available, request them.

If's best to buy software from a reputable software dealer, rather than Harvey Norman or the like, so you don't get ripped off...

- Nytewolf

Future computer upgrades

Tue, 28 Aug 2007 14:59:26 GMT

I plan on making some future upgrades to my computer in the near future. These upgrades include;

Quadrupling my current ram amount to 2Gb
Buying a new HDD, preferrably at least 250Gb, SATA II.
Use the old 160Gb HDD in my external HDD enclosure, to replace the existing 10Gb HDD. May also consider purchase of a new external HDD enclosure.
Buying a better graphics card, not going to be added to the cost of the previous 3. This is just a placeholder. I may purchase a 8800 GTX. Though maybe not.

Cost of components, prices taken from numerous sources. These are subject to change, as the computer world changes from month to month....

2x 1Gb Kingston DDR2 = $219.00
1x Seagate 3.5" SATA II, 250Gb, 7200RPM, 16Mb Cache = $109.00
1x External HDD Enclosure, 3x USB 2.0 ports, Support for both PATA and SATA hard drives = $55.00

Total Cost of purchases: $383.00 Including GST

I could just scrap the whole idea and get a nice LCD screen. My old CRT monitor just isn't performing as well as it used to.

Anyhoo, My current setup does not allow me to run a Windows Vista Virtual PC image on my machine. Vista consumes far too much memory. Also, I want to upgrade so I can play some of the latest games and run Visual Studio better.

- Nytewolf

Viruses and the law

Fri, 24 Aug 2007 03:47:42 GMT

For the most part I am tired of Computer Viruses. What I would love to do is to see the people who make the viruses rot in a gaol cell.

I have some more virii on my computer and they are really starting to peeve me off... One day I will find the people who created the virus and sue the pants off them for what they have done... Then and only then will I be happy...

While different countries have different laws in regards to computer viruses, the basic structure should be the same.

- Nytewolf

Virus Trouble

Thu, 23 Aug 2007 06:58:33 GMT

Ack! My computer had 17 viruses on it, most of which were the "Trojan Horse" variety, according to my Antivirus utility. It also had in excess of 300 items of spyware . I was able to clean out all of it to my great delight so my PC is back to running normally... kind of...

Great anti-spyware programs are; Ad-aware and Spybot. I highly recommend the use of these two programs together. As far as Anti-virus goes, I recommend AVG, because it's free and kills most if not all virii/viruses...

One of the games I downloaded (BioShock Demo) was infected with a virus, though it wasn't infected till after the virus started spreading through my PC... Curious...

A re-format of the hard-drive and a re-install of Windows XP should remove any existing traces of the viruses as well as any spyware that I may of missed with my overzealous removal techniques. (basically I did more than I needed to)

I need to be more careful what I download, as do the other people who use my computer.

- Nytewolf

Setting up my website

Tue, 03 Jul 2007 02:10:05 GMT

Today I am planning to do some more work on my website, however, It could use some more work. I plan on adding links to all my entropia resources as well as other games and information that is relevant...

The name of my website is "Nytewolf Creations", the website can be reached at http://au.geocities.com/downs_jasona.

The following entry is a diary entry...

-----------------------------------------------------------

ENTROPIA DIARY ENTRY #6

-----------------------------------------------------------

An another note, since I blew $200 PED ($20 USD) on mining several days ago, I have decided that I will not mine again. I willl now concentrate on hunting mobs with an M2A+A102...

I have gained several new disciples, I plan on teaching them to the best of my ability, Hopefully they won't make the mistakes I have made in the past... I will teach them to avoid the common pitfalls, as well as how to avoid being scammed...

- Nytewolf

Arrow Computers Work Experience

Fri, 13 Apr 2007 08:59:11 GMT

Hello dudes,

Been a while, hasn't it?

Today I completed the final day of my work experience at Arrow Computers in Osborne Park. (Though it was a shame I couldn't do the work experience at Balcatta or Joondalup) The work experience consisted of Assembling PC's, Installing hardware and software, Testing hardware and software and Packing the computers so that they are ready for transportation. I believe that the Work Experience went well, the people there were happy with my work efforts and have considered me for any future job offers as they come up.

The people at Arrow Computers are really friendly and are eager to help you in any way they can. If you are ever in need of a new computer, speak to Arrow - They may have what you are looking for... << Shameless Plug

It has been suggested by the Production Manager that I contact Arrow computers in a week's time to see what jobs are available...

I may contact Arrow Computers in a week to see if they have any work vacancies that need filling, In the meantime I shall still look for work via a handy website that someone told me about last week - alljobs.com.au, It allows you to search 4 job sites at the same time... Handy...

--------------------------------------------

I got a taste of Windows Vista recently, from what I've seen it looks good, though after 36 hours of hearing the Vista startup tune I feel like disabling the audio half the time I was testing the machines that used Vista.

I finally played around with a copy of Windows XP Home Edition, it doesn't seem much different from XP Pro.

--------------------------------------------

I seem to be making some money in Entropia, that is very good... It will be a while before I will attempt to make even more money as my Usage has/is about to pass the monthly quota.

IRQL_NOT_LESS_THAN_EQUAL

Thu, 22 Mar 2007 03:47:42 GMT

Hello people, I keep getting this IRQL_NOT_LESS_THAN_EQUAL blue screen of death and it is really starting to piss me off. I can't do any work (or much work) because it seems to happen almost every 2-3 hours.

There is no known way to fix the problem a far as I can tell, though I have done EVERYTHING that was suggested. I will have to get someone to take a look at the computer and maybe, just maybe fix the damn problem...

- Nytewolf

New crap for my PC

Tue, 13 Mar 2007 02:30:37 GMT

Hello n00bs

Well today I picked up another gig of ram from MCG to make my computer run better, My PC is now working a little faster... Also I installed another case fan, so I now have two, which comes in very handy. I am thinking of getting a new sound card sometime in the future though, the integrated sound on this PC is substandard...

On the Entropia Universe front, I have to wait 12 more days before I can play it again, But on the bright side I can play Oblivion and NWN2 while I am waiting - though I shouldn't as I am supposed to be looking for work...

I have not had much success with jobs in the last few weeks, but I am hoping that that will change soon...

Regards

- Nytewolf

Global release of Visual Studio 2005!

Tue, 22 Nov 2005 02:43:28 GMT

It's happened! VS2005 is now out on the market! My first impressions have been fairly good. Though reports from buddies of mine in the "hood" say that VS2005 and the .NET 2.O are full of bugs that should not of made it to release.

Here is a quote from my buddy George; "I have encountered these bugs during extensive bug and stress testing my self, both in beta and the RTM - so I know what I am talking about." - George, who is an MVP and holds MCSD.NET qualifications in C#,C++ and VB.

Here are some examples;

http://wesnerm.blogs.com/net_undocumented/2005/11/vs_2005_bugs.html

http://weblogs.asp.net/fbouma/archive/2005/11/03/429371.aspx

http://weblogs.asp.net/rosherove/archive/2005/11/04/429455.aspx#FeedBack
http://lab.msdn.microsoft.com/ProductFeedback/viewFeedback.aspx?FeedbackId=c5819436-7d2b-448d-a20e-c4283c3fab5e

http://lab.msdn.microsoft.com/productfeedback/viewfeedback.aspx?t=4ik9A!fEJDk9itILHjgM5VF9UVO2aYhwvrah8OTo9s0bNQHH0Z1zLnY2rzu2kSbnFn1IRsvd*!ZOpJ9q5XjwkL0w$$&p=4MUs8hTYTE1Qfro68kjt62dQNpJF!TfuYeHouWDBhxk2DKJJjnXoipeGKHvnU52Vg9Hrxjt9G*SOCndtt64CheBhvKk*FsP20A9ZYPrs*7tfw$&feedbackid=ad3a004f-d598-4d22-9ae7-95174794a573

http://forums.asp.net/1058884/ShowPost.aspx

http://lab.msdn.microsoft.com/ProductFeedback/viewFeedback.aspx?feedbackid=b813ccd7-b714-4dc4-9e24-3f8ecc4527e4

I have seen the bugs he is talking about. They are mostly with the IDE and code generation...

I would seriously consider waiting for 8 months for the release Service Pack 1 before you or anyone purchases this product or any products from this range.

Visual Basic 2005 Express BETA 2

Thu, 12 May 2005 04:00:03 GMT

I have just tried this out. This has fixed quite a few bugs since the b1 release. This version seems a little slower then the last one though.

You can download this from microsofts website if you like a copy of it.

lol. It's introduced some new bugs... Blerg... I'm sick of this. If they can't see what they're doing maybe they should get a LIGHTBULB?