Small, Powerful, Elegant, Sexy, and Hard Core
Ok, it’s that time of the year and I’m at the phase of the cycle when it is computer purchasing time. What do I want, what do I need, who has the best options available? In order of priority here’s my wish list for the ideal machine.
It must be able to run Windows & Linux. Even better would be the ability to run OS-X, Windows, and Linux. Preferably with Linux or OS-X as the core operating system and Windows either virtualized or dual booted.
Another high priority is I want elegant, sexy, and strong design. But not just in appearance but in functionality too. I want the device to be strong. I want the material to be fabricated well, I want the quality and durability to be built into the device. This comes down to the device being a single mold, probably of a high quality material like aluminum.
I want as much oomph as I can get out of the hardware. Demanding elegant and sexy usually dictates it won’t be powerful. Demanding tough is usually another strike against that.
Another thing which is super important, but I may be flexible on, is the resolution. I simply want as much resolution as possible.
The last thing, which isn’t as important, is I don’t really want to pay more than about $1500. I’d be all the happier if I can find something for even less.
Narrowing Down the Machines… (click through to read the entire article)
Mac Battles, The Personal Day to Day of Software Development and Morale
I’ve been using a Mac for a couple of months now. My employer purchased a few for us coders to try out, and I’ve become spoiled. I rarely want to use my other machines now, as they seem cumbersome and inefficient. Mainly from a hardware perspective, as the OS itself seems to have plusses and [...]
Conspiracy Theory: the Vista-ization of Windows 7 has Started…
Three years ago I wrote: Windows Seven in 2010. Does Anyone Still Care? I simply don’t get it: Vista is barely out, nobody seems to like it, CIO’s refuse to upgrade, analyst firms tell them to wait, individual users who tried it switch back to XP, others time their new PC purchase so they can [...]
Observations on Linux (Ubuntu Specifically)
It has been a long while since I’ve used a Linux + GUI. Ubuntu, I understand probably isn’t the most bleeding edge, but just out of the box it has all the candy of Windows 7 plus lots of 3rd party enhancements and drivers or OS-X with the same. I’m honestly amazed that the OS [...]
Dumb Windows Error Message
This is a fairly standard (?) error message. Except when you don’t install any new devices, just turn on your computer in the morning, with unchanged configuration. Now all of a sudden this cryptic message. I have no idea what it refers to. I used to have a vistasucks tag to tie together my horror [...]
How to Use Picasa on Multiple Computers – The Updated Definitive Guide Part 2: the Solution
This is going to be a fairly detailed how-to guide, so if you are not using Google’s Picasa program, you’ll probably find it boring – and if you are, I strongly suggest you start at Part 1, where we define the problem (Picasa being hopelessly single-user, single-PC focused), why earlier solutions, whether sync-based or network [...]
How to Use Picasa on Multiple Computers – The Updated Definitive Guide Part 1: the Problem
My 4-year old how-to guide, Picasa Photo Sync on Multiple Computers has attracted tens of thousands of viewers, and is still quite popular. In fact too popular, thanks to Google. I can’t believe people actually read it today and try to follow the advice therein… it’s and OLD post with outdated information. I’ve long struggled [...]
Brand vs. Quality. Which Would You Pay For?
Time to re-evaluate just what we consider “good brands” vs. junk. I could not resist the summer back-to-school discounts and upgraded two laptops – one of them is already making funny noises. Tired already? It’s an HP. Perhaps just a co-incidence - but my desktop monster, just two years old has long been pretending it [...]
People must have really hated Vista
Image by techedlive via Flickr Reports are all in that the initial launch of Windows 7 has been a huge success for Microsoft – which is good, because the general reviews of Windows 7, and my own beta testing of the product showed that it was much better than Vista. But when you see something [...]
Why Windows 7 Will Be a Success, Whether Good or Not
Windows 7 hasn’t even arrived yet but the speculation started: What’s wrong with Windows 7. To be fair, the speculation is fueled by an unlikely source: Steve Ballmer himself. He is trying to manage a potential fallout by warning us: “’The test feedback (on Windows 7) has been good, but the test feedback on Vista [...]
Totally Refreshing: Microsoft Executives Receive Pay Cut
This is one of the most refreshing ideas in business today, have managers actually held accountable for how well their divisions are doing, and how much money they are making. In the only instance I have seen of this phenomenon in a long time, Microsoft top leaders all took a pay cut because of the [...]
Oh, No – Yet Another Windows Release?
Two years ago I wrote: Windows Seven in 2010. Does Anyone Still Care? I simply don’t get it: Vista is barely out, nobody seems to like it, CIO’s refuse to upgrade, analyst firms tell them to wait, individual users who tried it switch back to XP, others time their new PC purchase so they can [...]
Should You Wait for the Archos 9 or Buy the Archos 5 Now
As the buzz and lust over gadgets continues unabated, the Archos Company is on a smart track to deliver smaller touch screen media players that can do a lot of other things along the way. With a small store, and a small group of core dedicated developers, Archos is leading the way to small pad [...]
Vista Update Causes Perpetual Reboot
My Vista-based laptop gave me the Windows has recovered from an unexpected shutdown screen: this is where you have the options to start Windows normally or select one of several “safe” driver- and service-less modes to boot. I picked normal, the system booted .. end of story. Except… I walked away for a little while, [...]
Final Closing Thoughts on Gnomedex 09
Image by Josh Bancroft via Flickr When you go to a convention you really never know what you are really going to get. Sometimes you get something totally cool that makes you stop and think, while at other times you get stuff that is so mind bogglingly dull that it is hard to believe that [...]
