[CGUYS] DVD's vs. External hard drives for archiving
We're having some discussions about archiving digital files. Currently, certain files are backed up onto DVD's. We're wondering if we can move to larger capacity external hard drives instead. Our entire system gets a digital tape back-up performed by an outside company, but there can be a 2-3 day delay in getting files from them. This is just for my department, not institution-wide. I've checked the NARA's website ( put a call in to them), but I couldn't find any recent (in the last 5 years) recommendations. tia. david David Turk Manager, Preservation Imaging Services Indiana Historical Society Eugene and Marilyn Glick Indiana History Center 450 W. Ohio St. Indianapolis, IN 46202 (317) 232-4592 [EMAIL PROTECTED] * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] iPod - Zune
If her iTunes library is mostly ripped from CDs or stolen MP3s from P2P nets then the files can just be copied over. Some are iTunes DRM and some are ripped from her own CDs. P2P is not permitted in the house (and is blocked via OpenDNS). She is not trying to do anything illegal. But isn't this a case of one mistake begetting another? If your iTunes software is crashing it means your PC is misconfigured. Why not fix that? See below. That is not why she wants to switch. (By the way, software that crashes because a PC is misconfigured, whatever that means in this context, is bad software. In any event, iTunes routinely crashes on all 3 PCs we've tried it on.) Replacing an iPod with a Zune is a cruel joke. Are you one of those parents who believes in the educational value of failure? She wants to switch because she has used both extensively (her brother has a Zune) and prefers the Zune. But perhaps she can be saved. If you can list the reasons why she is mistaken, I will pass them along and set her back on the path to righteousness. Just be sure to base your comparisons on the Zune 80, not on the original 2006 model. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] iPod - Zune
Jeff Wright wrote: I rip/buy all my music as un-DRM'd MP3s to a folder on my hard drive and manage it from there through Windows Explorer and Media Monkey. I hope that iTunes doesn't screw up the perfectly usable system I have in place, tho' I've been told it won't. I remain skeptical. Jeff, iTunes will work well with this setup. I have been doing that exact procedure for a year now. I even link my library to the Amarok player for Linux. John * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] iPod - Zune
On Sun, Aug 17, 2008 at 8:29 AM, Chris Dunford [EMAIL PROTECTED]wrote: But isn't this a case of one mistake begetting another? If your iTunes software is crashing it means your PC is misconfigured. Why not fix that? See below. That is not why she wants to switch. (By the way, software that crashes because a PC is misconfigured, whatever that means in this context, is bad software. In any event, iTunes routinely crashes on all 3 PCs we've tried it on.) Not a problem I have had on my old XP machine with iTunes. This sounds like a windows problem. Is windows kept current with updates? Replacing an iPod with a Zune is a cruel joke. Are you one of those parents who believes in the educational value of failure? She wants to switch because she has used both extensively (her brother has a Zune) and prefers the Zune. But perhaps she can be saved. If you can list the reasons why she is mistaken, I will pass them along and set her back on the path to righteousness. Just be sure to base your comparisons on the Zune 80, not on the original 2006 model. I would consider getting a Zune just for the FM tuner. The subscription model for music service is attractive. I don't listen to that much music. and I own lots of things I like on CD. The big downside for me is it isn't supported by Audible.com. The Apple FM tuner leaves much to be desired and it is easier to carry a small fm walkman and an iPod. -- John Duncan Yoyo ---o) * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] iPod - Zune
But perhaps she can be saved. If you can list the reasons why she is mistaken, I will pass them along and set her back on the path to righteousness. Just be sure to base your comparisons on the Zune 80, not on the original 2006 model. Are you comparing the 2008 Zune to Apple's 2001 classic iPod design or Apple's 2008 iTouch design? The 2008 Zune doesn't even compare well to the Creative Zen or the SanDisk Sansa lines. MS doesn't win gold, silver, or bronze. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] iPod - Zune
How can I find out what if any of my iTunes songs can be upgraded to higher-bit-rate and non-DRM? ITunes will make you a list. It made one for me the first time I got a plus format file. Files in plus format have a + next to their price in the iTunes Store. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] iPod - Zune
Yes that one. I've got several friends who love this way of getting their music. People who enjoy trying out new music all the time especially. There are numerous free podcasts that do that. I acknowledge that some people are predisposed to rent. I once worked for a company that insisted on renting everything. They rented the TI SilentWriter terminal for me, paying 1/12 the purchase price each month. Year by year I showed them that at this point you would own 2 of these,at this point you would own 3 of these,at this point you would own 4 of these... After we paid for it 5 times over the rental company finally let us keep it. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] iPod - Zune
The Apple FM tuner leaves much to be desired and it is easier to carry a small fm walkman and an iPod. I wish they had an FM tuner too. New models can stream radio over the Web, but not over the air. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] is it RAID?
Actually he never offered any alternatives to RAID where RAID is needed. Isn't that circular logic? Want to offer me some alternatives to a Mac where a Mac is required? If you list all the positives for RAID and don't acknowledge any of the negatives, that is not good decisionmaking. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] iPod - Zune
Stephen Brownfield wrote: Tom, How can I find out what if any of my iTunes songs can be upgraded to higher-bit-rate and non-DRM? Steve, To see a list of iTunes store purchases you made that can be changed to the non-DRM iTunes plus format, visit the iTunes store and on the Quick Links Menu in the upper left quadrant, select iTunes Plus. You get a listing of what can be converted and how much it will cost. It is an all or nothing at all choice. John * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] What we actually get for our money...
This article states the telcos, including verizon promised over 80 million households would have fiber, it looks like we are sitting at under 4 million at this time. Isn't FIOS the one bright spot in the broadband landscape? They actually are offering the desired services to lots of people. That's better than the full-page ads Cox is running around here claiming they offer fiber, when their system is really copper. Now if only we had enough competition to get reasonable prices for these wonders. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] iPod - Zune
John Settle wrote: store and on the Quick Links Menu in the upper left quadrant, select iTunes Plus. Y Sorry, make that the upper right quadrant. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] iPod - Zune
On Sun, Aug 17, 2008 at 10:39 AM, Tom Piwowar [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: The Apple FM tuner leaves much to be desired and it is easier to carry a small fm walkman and an iPod. I wish they had an FM tuner too. New models can stream radio over the Web, but not over the air. I bought the iPod tuner add on. It is a cord with a tuner dongle in the middle that hangs off the charger input. Too much trouble to carry around. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** * -- John Duncan Yoyo ---o) * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] is it RAID?
Stick and move, Tom...you post only part of my msg avoiding the meat. So, here is one more try to get an answer from you. Actually he never offered any alternatives to RAID where RAID is needed. I gave an example. *25 or 30 users accessing a database, minimum downtime, maximum data protection. What do you do in this situation except RAID?* We just had a drive go out in this situation, and if it had not been in a RAID, they'd have been down. Instead, the next day we went in, popped in a new drive and they never even knew. If there are simpler ways to go, I'd definitely like to know. * * That's the whole quote from my msg, not the truncated part you posted as to avoid my question. I've underlined the detailed part I was hoping you'd answer since several times recently and in the past you've said there are better alternatives to RAID. I also never said there aren't negatives to RAID. Again that's you clouding and avoiding. Mike On Sun, Aug 17, 2008 at 7:44 AM, Tom Piwowar [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Actually he never offered any alternatives to RAID where RAID is needed. Isn't that circular logic? Want to offer me some alternatives to a Mac where a Mac is required? If you list all the positives for RAID and don't acknowledge any of the negatives, that is not good decisionmaking. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** * * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] What we actually get for our money...
Some of their system is copper, some fiber...some fiber to the local box and copper beyond, no fiber to the home. But then at least in my area, Qwest is offering 20 megabit fiber to the home, while cox will get you over 25 on their copper. At this point I don't care *how* whomever gets it to my home, I just want high speed. Mike On Sun, Aug 17, 2008 at 8:02 AM, Tom Piwowar [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: This article states the telcos, including verizon promised over 80 million households would have fiber, it looks like we are sitting at under 4 million at this time. Isn't FIOS the one bright spot in the broadband landscape? They actually are offering the desired services to lots of people. That's better than the full-page ads Cox is running around here claiming they offer fiber, when their system is really copper. Now if only we had enough competition to get reasonable prices for these wonders. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** * * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] iPod - Zune
Podcasts that play new albums available in stores now? Or podcasts playing podsafe music? Not sure what a TI has to do with music since you were not getting new TI's all the time and changing them out for a brand new one every day if you wanted. Lets see...15 a month for unlimited music. In a year I'd spend under 200 dollars and get unlimited access to millions of songs...or i could buy 150 odd songs online over the course of the year with your option. I can see the benefit of both pretty easily, especially for those who change their music a lot. Mike On Sun, Aug 17, 2008 at 7:29 AM, Tom Piwowar [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Yes that one. I've got several friends who love this way of getting their music. People who enjoy trying out new music all the time especially. There are numerous free podcasts that do that. I acknowledge that some people are predisposed to rent. I once worked for a company that insisted on renting everything. They rented the TI SilentWriter terminal for me, paying 1/12 the purchase price each month. Year by year I showed them that at this point you would own 2 of these,at this point you would own 3 of these,at this point you would own 4 of these... After we paid for it 5 times over the rental company finally let us keep it. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** * * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] iPod - Zune
Are you comparing the 2008 Zune to Apple's 2001 classic iPod design or Apple's 2008 iTouch design? I'm not comparing anything to anything, my daughter is. She's comparing the current Zune 80 to current iPod Classic. She likes the Zune better. She doesn't have enough money for an iTouch. MS doesn't win gold, silver, or bronze. Insufficient data. I said I would pass along your list of reasons why the iPod is better, but you didn't give any. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] iPod - Zune
the educational value of failure --bravo!! ...do the fix with her so she can see how it's done... I have found frustration from many failures mostly being corrupted or faulty software over the years from fortranIV to msdos3 to win3.1 to win95 (happily skipping the 98-2000 misery) to winXP. The long days (and nights) needed to fix some of these errors (some of my own doing out of ignorance) have been, in my memory, some of the most instructive exercises in my scientific career with the endpoint ah-ha moment oh so sweet. I can, as a result, sympathize with those of us who have not evolved from the dos days and summarily depend wholly on automatic fixes without a basic understanding of how the whole thing works! I am not a computer nerd, nor am I able to program or even write html; but, these simple fundamentals have helped me out of plennya fixes. -Original Message- From: Chris Dunford [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Sunday, August 17, 2008 8:30 AM Subject: Re: iPod - Zune If her iTunes library is mostly ripped from CDs or stolen MP3s from P2P nets then the files can just be copied over. Some are iTunes DRM and some are ripped from her own CDs. P2P is not permitted in the house (and is blocked via OpenDNS). She is not trying to do anything illegal. But isn't this a case of one mistake begetting another? If your iTunes software is crashing it means your PC is misconfigured. Why not fix that? See below. That is not why she wants to switch. (By the way, software that crashes because a PC is misconfigured, whatever that means in this context, is bad software. In any event, iTunes routinely crashes on all 3 PCs we've tried it on.) Replacing an iPod with a Zune is a cruel joke. Are you one of those parents who believes in the educational value of failure? She wants to switch because she has used both extensively (her brother has a Zune) and prefers the Zune. But perhaps she can be saved. If you can list the reasons why she is mistaken, I will pass them along and set her back on the path to righteousness. Just be sure to base your comparisons on the Zune 80, not on the original 2006 model. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] iPod - Zune
GAH! Don't lump 98 with 2k! ugh. My wife ran 2k for a couple years straight with nary even a restart let alone an error. On Sun, Aug 17, 2008 at 9:48 AM, rlsimon [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: (happily skipping the 98-2000 misery) to winXP. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] What we actually get for our money...
Since it requires a lot of expensive 'wiring', I doubt it. I know *our* local phone company, Frontier, has no plans for fiber at all. I'm much more excited about the pending rollout of Sprint's Wimax in the DC (and Chicago) area (http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/81062). Better, faster *wireless* tech is sure to follow. Isn't FIOS the one bright spot in the broadband landscape? * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] iPod - Zune
...do the fix with her so she can see how it's done... No, she wants the Zune because she likes it better, not because of the iTunes problems. I have found frustration from many failures mostly being corrupted or faulty software over the years from fortranIV to msdos3 to win3.1 to win95 (happily skipping the 98-2000 misery) to winXP. The long days (and nights) needed to fix some of these errors (some of my own doing out of ignorance) have been, in my memory, some of the most instructive exercises in my scientific career with the endpoint ah-ha moment oh so sweet We shouldn't have to. :) All I can say is that I've been a professional software developer for 25+ years, and if I saw one of my programs doing what I've seen iTunes doing, I'd first hide in shame and then find another line of work. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] iPod - Zune
Podcasts that play new albums available in stores now? Or podcasts playing podsafe music? I think the problem may be that we are living in different centuries. I don't buy music from stores. The Graffiti Records down the block closed down years ago. Tower Records gone too. I think Borders still has a small selection of CDs in the far corner of their lower level. I don't hang out at WalMart. So I must admit, I have no idea what is going on in stores. I do have a computer program, called iTunes, that will sell me music files. I don't know if you will accept this is a substitute for going to a store, but they do sell tracks and albums of the artists I hear on podcasts. Good enuf? There is a website called Google. If you go there and type into the search box podcast new music you will get lots of hits. There are also lots of music podcasts you can get at iTunes. And there are websites like SeeqPod.com that offer playlists like the Billboard Hot 100 and music discovery algorithms. You are, of course, perfectly welcome to send a monthly payment to the man if that makes you feel good. Could I interest you in sending a monthly check to support the ComputerGuys-L appreciation fund? We are saving up for an endowment. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] iPod - Zune
I think Borders still has a small selection of CDs in the far corner of their lower level. They do, if you're speaking of the L Street location. It's not what I would call small, but it's not what I would call comprehensive or esoteric either. There is a lot of good, uncompressed music in there on CDs. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] What we actually get for our money...
On Aug 17, 2008, at 1:11 PM, Tony B wrote: I'm much more excited about the pending rollout of Sprint's Wimax in the DC (and Chicago) area (http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/81062). Better, faster *wireless* tech is sure to follow. Wimax vehicles have been seen creeping around my neighborhood, near Tysons's Corner, VA, for a while now. Dunno what they are doing, but these are windowed vans, sort of the family type, blue and white, with Wimax lettering on them. They actually seem as though they are lost a lot of the time, turning around in people's driveways quite often as if they are trying to find something or other. Maybe they are from out of the area, and are, indeed, lost. Steve * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] COMPUTERGUYS-L Digest - 14 Aug 2008 to 15 Aug 2008 - Special issue (#2008-514)
My old system running XP Home Edition with Outlook Express as the mail handler died, and I now have a Vista Home Premium Machine running Windows Mail. The hard drive from the old machine is fully accessible via an external USB connection. When I tried to Import messages using the Windows Mail utility, pointing to the directory on the old drive where the outlook.pst file resides, Windows Mail reported not finding any messages. Where are Outlook Express messages and folder info located? Any thoughts for getting access to my old messages would be greatly appreciated. Alan * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] iPod - Zune
John, Thanks that is just what I wanted to know. Steve John Settle wrote: Stephen Brownfield wrote: Tom, How can I find out what if any of my iTunes songs can be upgraded to higher-bit-rate and non-DRM? Steve, To see a list of iTunes store purchases you made that can be changed to the non-DRM iTunes plus format, visit the iTunes store and on the Quick Links Menu in the upper left quadrant, select iTunes Plus. You get a listing of what can be converted and how much it will cost. It is an all or nothing at all choice. John * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** * * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] OUtlook Express mail folder (was: COMPUTERGUYS-L Digest - 14 Aug 2008 to 15 Aug 2008 - Special issue (#2008-514))
When I tried to Import messages using the Windows Mail utility, pointing to the directory on the old drive where the outlook.pst file resides, Windows Mail reported not finding any messages. Where are Outlook Express messages and folder info located Outlook.pst is Outlook, not Outlook Express. I have a vague recollection that OE data is stored in the Application Data folder, so you might look there. If I'm right, in XP it would be something like C:\Documents and Settings\(your-user-name)\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook Express. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
[CGUYS] Wi-max
Sprint's been testing the system for nearly a year. I understand that test is now finished, so we're expecting rollout any time now. Perhaps the vans are mapping signal strength or something. I'm much more excited about the pending rollout of Sprint's Wimax in the DC (and Chicago) area (http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/81062). Better, faster *wireless* tech is sure to follow. Wimax vehicles have been seen creeping around my neighborhood, near Tysons's Corner, VA, for a while now. Dunno what they are doing, but these are windowed vans, sort of the family type, blue and white, with Wimax lettering on them. They actually seem as though they are lost a lot of the time, turning around in people's driveways quite often as if they are trying to find something or other. Maybe they are from out of the area, and are, indeed, lost. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
