Root is UP!

Ubuntu vs Windows

After getting fed up, once and for all with Windows in all it's glitchy glory, I decided to save my important files, and install Ubuntu. Why Ubuntu? Ubuntu is the single largest Linux community out there. With a new version available every six months, the Ubuntu operating system is amazingly stable and offers tons of features that most Windows users are accustomed to. Before I installed Ubuntu on my laptop, however, I installed Kubuntu, Ubuntu's KDE brethren. For those of you that don't know what KDE is, it is one of the most popular desktop environments (K Desktop Environment). Others include Gnome and XFCE. Kubuntu 9.10 was very glitchy when installed on my Dell Inspiron 6000. It was not able to connect to a simple WPA protected home network, and the visual effects were choppy and even cause my entire screen to black out a few times. But before I reached for my Windows 7 enterprise disk, I thought "Lets try Ubuntu first." So I did. And I am sure glad I did. Not only is Ubuntu the most stable operating system I've come across, but the wireless worked flawlessly, the graphic capabilities are top notch, and downloading and installing applications and packages are as easy as typing simple commands such as 'sudo apt-get install NameOfApp'. All necessary drivers were found without having to go download and patch any broken or outdated ones. The desktop environment in Ubuntu is the Gnome desktop environment. Which was incredibly simple to navigate and even easier to modify. With a couple add-ons, I was actually able to have snow falling on my desktop. It may not be highly visible in image, but it impressed my non-tech savvy girlfriend. Before I installed Windows 7 on her laptop, I asked her if she wanted XP or 7. She said, "I want what you have." I explained that what I used was linux, and even though it is fairly simple to use, the applications such as iTunes that she was used to, would have thrown her for a curve ball in the Linux environment. Myself, however, am willing to go to the extra lengths to get iPod ready applications for Linux. It's too bad that people aren't willing to experiment with new technologies. Typing in commands for installation in a terminal is not for everyone either, though. That is why I recommended Windows 7, because the average user can just download and double click to install like the Microsoft-droids have taught them to do since Windows 3.1. In conclusion, I am very very very happy with Ubuntu that I'm not sure I even want to try Windows 7. I would recommend Ubuntu, as an open source advocate and programmer to anyone and everyone that is willing to get away from the Windows world. If you are happy with Windows, than I would recommend either XP or Windows 7, as Vista is unstable and as described by a friend and former Microsoft employee as "a guinea pig to determine what features people like for the future Windows 7 release."

Website

I'm looking into designing a website for myself. Have some creative ideas, but want to design a cool logo first. Not sure if I want it to be part of the Wold Theory collaborate or not. In the end, I may end up designing that site anyway. Looking at hosts and prices. Need to get my HTML and CSS coding back to its prime. Haven't done much with it lately, need to get back into the swing of things.

Slax CWE 1.11

Now available in a small 234MB iso file, is Slax Code War Edition v1.11 Live CD! Based on Slax 6.1.2 core and a cool KDE environment, this baby provides you with the necessary tools for all those ad-hoc networking and coding needs, without the installation process of course :)

WOLFtheory

Working on a collaboration with WOLFtheory. New ideas, new concepts, to produce world-class consulting. Idea sharing brought together from many different fields including IT, design, law, and business sustainability.

Ubuntu Box

My first ever Linux box goes into initialization and development stages tomorrow. I have acquired a Dell L550R and a Dell Dimension 2350, both which will be used for this project. The Dell L550R is a Pentium 3 machine which utilizes an extraordinarily small case. The motherboard is a microATX form factor which makes it easily to replace with the Pentium 4 board from the dimension 2350. After I make sure the system runs and fits in the new box, I will install Ubuntu 9.10, which was released earlier today. I'm hoping to customize the plain vanilla-ness of the L550R case with a more up-to-date look as well. Wish me luck!

Linux, who art thou?

Lately I have swamped myself with thoughts on which Linux distributions I want to try. I want to try Ubuntu and Kubuntu on my home-built machine, as it is the most powerful and graphically capable. I have used previous versions of the two, liking Kubuntu more for the K development environment. I also have tinkered with Knoppix and openSuse, which seemed to be somewhat bloated with useless features. But what about the spare computers... the old junked ones sitting in the corner with out-of-date hardware? Well now I have to find a lightweight distribution that has everything I need and runs well, even on an old machine. The list that I've come up with includes distributions such as Puppy Linux, DSL (Damn Small Linux), Xubuntu, Mint, and gOS (Good OS). But which one do I choose? I don't have a whole lot of experience with Linux, and installing and playing with all of them might be more of a hastle than I really want to go through, especially when dealing with old haggard hardware.

iPhone Development

Since it's inception, the iPhone and iPod touch have sold more than 50 million units combined. This is where I come in. I've decided to work on some iPod apps. Never done it, so this could be exciting. Got some ideas, can't post them though because they are too ingenious.

HDC09

HDC09 is blast, keeping up with the twitter chatter can be somewhat overwhelming, however. Following all of the @s and #HDC09s around. Keynote Speaker was Scott Gu... er something, the Corporate VP for Mircrosoft, very cool. Lots of free goodies given away as many raffles for laptops, zunes, iPods, and netbooks. Day 2 today... should be even more fun :)

MIT lectures on Python

I recently stumbled upon some lectures on Python programming from MIT's Eric Grimson. WOW! These are quite amazing.... Not to mention the entire 24 lectures (1 hour each) of the semester are all online Here.

Flex/Flash Development

As I build a portfolio to show what I can do, I have added one more item to the list. I have offered to build a website promoting my apartment complex, for my landlord of course. I will hopefully be using some of the cool new Flex/Flash tools I acquired (Flash Develop and the plug-in Design View) to create a full on interactive page with floor plans and photos to accompany. I havent really developed much with flex or flash in the past, but done much of my internet-development coding in simple HTML and CSS. I will also be designing a website for a friend, trying to make it in the environmental planning world. Woot!!!

Real-World IT

On Wednesday I will be attend a IT career fair in downtown Omaha. My good friend just graduated with his BS in Computer Engineering and I just transferred into an MIS program. If everything goes well, perhaps we can get him a better paying job than the grocery store. Come October, I will also be attending a developers conference for programmers and such. I'm excited to see some of the stuff there such as the Silverlight session and some of the database sessions. I'm trying to gain as much experience outside of the classroom as I can, and the events I think will better my overall chances of landing something good in the near future.

Converting a standard ATX to work on a Compaq motherboard

Well, after studying a motherboard given to me by a customer of mine, and after swapping in multiple ATX power supplies. I noticed something. Even though the motherboard was a 20+4 pin like most standard ATX power supplies, this one had different voltages set in different plugs. UGH! Now I just have to design a way of converting a +5v to a -12v current :/

Project xG3

Project xG3 (xWindows on a G3), has come to a standstill. After several hours of install and a few various terminal commands without purpose, the G3 is refusing to load into the XFCE GUI. :( With my lack of Linux command knowledge, I have been set back. I figure the trick is to roll back the display, but how...

Xubuntu G3

Installing/Replacing OpenSuse on my iMac G3 333. I will be putting Xubuntu on, should make it somewhat faster, since it's a much lighter OS. I am not used to the XFCE environment, but change is good and learning some new Linux stuff is always good.

The art of h@xxor-ing

Discovered a few websites the other day, in which they permit and encourage you to hack their website/server in order to learn about the world of hacking... legally. I have to say, I got caught up into one called Hack This Site. They actually give you lessons and challenges as to how to hack their website using different methods. And when you get stuck on a challenge, you can always refer to the forums, and ask others for help or tips. Quite intriguing and may I suggest it to all you "noobs" out there.

GeekSpace

Every geek needs his computing super-zone! The GeekSpace and it's variations GameSpace and HackerSpace are important parts of every computer junkies arsenal. I've compiled a list of necessities to make your GeekSpace the only space to do your computing, gaming, and/or hacking.

The Desk:
The desk has to be big enough for your computer, keyboard, mouse, and a cup of coffee.

The Computer:
It runs, it's fast, it's mean, and it can run Windows XP or Latest versions of Linux.

The Chair:
One of the most important parts of a GeekSpace that is commonly forgotten about. It's important to find something comfortable and adjustable.

The Sound:
Speakers are great, but when you are running short on room, it may be a good option to invest in a nice set of noise-cancelling headphones. I like the Sony MDR-V150. They cost about $30 at target.

Bookshelf:
A place to store your books, games, gadgets, and other forms of media.

Fan:
While not necessary, fans are great when Geeking on a hot day. They also help keep the AC bill down.

Coffee Maker:
Good coffee is hard to skimp on. Get a good coffee maker and invest in some nice coffee. Perhaps even grind your own beans. This is your Geek fuel after all.

Repair

Learned how to jumper a power supply as to test without using the motherboard. Made it easy to tell that my first customer's power supply had bit the dust. Thank goodness for local PC shops to supply a 500w power supply for only $20.

The business hasn't yet become a "Business" but once the word gets out, perhaps I will be able to get more people to see the potential in custom built systems as opposed to Dell, HP, Gateway, and all those other companies that over-charge you.

What's in your arsenal?

So I decided to take the leap and start my own business on the side, out of my apartment. It's a simple PC design business, get the facts, build the machines, get a little extra dough on the side. After a long time of deciding a name I came up with 'Arsenal'. For many people, computers are necessary part of their lives and you have to have something in your computing arsenal to conquer those daily tasks. So I will be designing and building custom PC's. I will also offer up my services to anyone in need of an upgrade or repair.

A few notes on my own machine: I came in to possession of some a 2 GB stick of PC6400 RAM. The RAM was given to me by a fellow computer guru who removed it from another PC. After dropping in the stick, I heard a variety of beeps in sequence. Basically my computer was saying "What the fuck is this new crap you are putting in me!" Well, after some thought, I figure perhaps since my current RAM is timed at 5-5-5-15 and my new RAM is timed at 6-6-6-12, maybe I should switch my computer to automatically choose the right timing, as opposed to trying to run the new RAM at the old timing, woops! If everything goes correctly, she should run 4GB's at 6-6-6-15.

A+

Certification in the works? Maybe... A+ by CompTIA, the IT Technician one... Repairing computer systems or building new ones... it's kinda fun. Starting my own computer design company... perhaps it's in the works. The certification would help out. Either way, I like to build things.

Results are in!

My computer sounds a little like an airplane about to take off, especially with 3 case fans, the Buffalo Heatsink/Fan, and the VGA cooler on my HD Radeon 3870. However, without even touching a water cooling block I've managed to reach temperature levels way way below a normal air-cooled machine, go me! For those not into the technicaly side of things, the average air-cooled machine will idle anywhere from 40-50*C. Well... you've seen my numbers in the last post.

I did have to step down my processor from 2.6GHz to 2.5GHz to prevent some in-game crashing. I'd increase the voltage if my Asus board would let me. In the end, she's still powerful enough to play any game on the market. I don't see anything becoming available that wil be able to fully utilize a quad core processor, especially the Core i7. So, with that note, long live the Athlon 64 X2!

Update Complete!

Some photos of the new update. Added components include an Evercool Buffalo Heatsink, a Kama Bay 3x5.25" slot case/fan grill, and a 120mm Thermaltake Thunderblade Fan. Notice the idle temperature on the CPU as well as the case temperature:

Victoria's Introduction

My computer may need it's own introduction being the brains of my operations. Born in February of 2008, Victoria hosts an overclocked AMD Athlon 64 X2 4200+, 2GB of G.Skill PC6400 RAM timed at 5-5-5-15, an Asus Micro ATX motherboard, an ATi Radeon HD 3870 by Sapphire, a Samsung DVD-R Burner with Lightscribe, and a 300GB Seagate Ultra-ATA100 hardrive with 16MB cache. All these goods are stored in an Atrix case powered by 480-watts of magic. As of this Friday (April 3rd), a few more additions will be added. A couple of 120mm case fans will be installed to create the proper airflow through the case as well as an Evercool Buffalo Heatsink to cool down the overclocked 4200+. If everything goes to plan, I should be idling below 30* C without a hitch.

Introduction

Hello! My name is Sean and I'm a Junior at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. I like to code and build software as well as design/build/upgrade computer systems as a hobby. My specialization is in Information Systems and Quantitative Analysis. I have a knowledge of many Computer design languages including C++, Java, Visual Basic, HTML, CSS, and SQL. An IQ test once told me that I had an IQ of 148... I'm pretty sure it's higher :) . Think of this blog as your un-pocketary consultant to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.