Re: [CGUYS] iPod digital audio [was: Ipod Touch question]
How much uncompressed audio can you put in 32GB? 120GB? Sorry, I just got to this. Mahler's 6th runs about 80 minutes and takes up a GB or so at an 88.2 kHz sampling frequency and a 24 bit depth. RBCDs at 44.1 x 16 go much less than half of that but I'm not sure of an easy equation. Obviously the higher resolution is preferable and you could put more music than you could listen to for a few days on the drive at high resolution. I don't know if the portable players will do uncompressed at high sampling frequencies and bit depths, though. I kind of doubt it but I'm open to correction. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] More Competition
How did I get to be so thick? Probably too much exposure to Vista. It makes your whole body slow down to its own pace. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Another new Windows ad...
I can't wait for the next MS ad to come out. This last one led to loads of fun. $300 for a new 14.1 Dell business line laptop. Its specs are nothing to throw a party over, but for most people, it's adequate, but more importantly, can be cheaply and easily upgraded and still walk away with a great deal. A good option to a netbook. http://www.buy.com/retail/product.asp?sku=210957373adid=17654dcaid=17654 Good luck finding a Macbook at even double this price, which has been the point of these ads all along (that and the notion of massive amounts of choice). * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] New Gear Question Regrading USB 3
It was NTFS when I got it. Tried FAT32 to use with peecees. Now it's HFS+. Maybe it's the drive and not the case? Hard to say. You could try the drives in another case or directly connected. Some years ago I returned a bunch of external drives and was having a generally bad time. Then I figured out when it was safe to use USB and when it was not. I now only buy cases that offer both USB and FireWire. I see new cases being offered that have USB2, FW400, FW800, and eSATA. I have not experimented with eSATA yet. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Another new Windows ad...
Good luck finding a Macbook at even double this price, which has been the point of these ads all along (that and the notion of massive amounts of choice). I just read a report (sorry I don't have the link handy) that the average profit margin for a PC manufacturer is down to 1.7%. That implies that many of them are at less than 0%. That is dangerously low. That is so low that I would expect some of them to decide that it is just not worth the effort for such a low return on investment. I bet that a year from now Lauren and G are going to find some very different choices at the computer store. If MS keeps pounding on the message that a PC should be cheap it will only accelerate the race to the bottom and the race to the exits. WFBs we pray for you. Rev., do you have an invocation handy? * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Vote for Old Blue Eyes!
This is what I get: The page you are trying to reach does not exist. http://www.businessinsider.com/what-should-microsoft-call-its-search-engine-bin g-kumo-poll-2009-4 Works for me. Do you have your Vista Alternate Reality Firewall on? Besides, Old Blue Eyes was Sintra. All those musical geezers look the same to me. Sue, you must be a lot older than I am. On the other hand, voting for Sin would be fine too. Imagine MS putting up a $100M ad budget to promote sin! The Rev. would just have to hang it up. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
[CGUYS] Earth Day Computer Toss?
The last few years the EPA sponsored a computer recycling event at Freedom Plaza on Earth Day. We brought our junk there every year. Does anyone know if they are doing it again this year? * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Another new Windows ad...
Well, PC's are cheap...they are MORE expensive with windows on them, not less, so it's not like it's MS driving the prices down...it's called competition...something the MFB's have never really heard of. That said..I've been wondering if companies like Acer, MSI..ASUS, are eating up some of their customers lunch since these vendors make a lot of the innards for companies like dell, toshiba and the like..and apple for that matter. I've got more then one friend seriously contemplating getting one of those MSI winds to run OS X on. On Thu, Apr 9, 2009 at 6:58 AM, Tom Piwowar t...@tjpa.com wrote: Good luck finding a Macbook at even double this price, which has been the point of these ads all along (that and the notion of massive amounts of choice). I just read a report (sorry I don't have the link handy) that the average profit margin for a PC manufacturer is down to 1.7%. That implies that many of them are at less than 0%. That is dangerously low. That is so low that I would expect some of them to decide that it is just not worth the effort for such a low return on investment. I bet that a year from now Lauren and G are going to find some very different choices at the computer store. If MS keeps pounding on the message that a PC should be cheap it will only accelerate the race to the bottom and the race to the exits. WFBs we pray for you. Rev., do you have an invocation handy? * ** 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/ ** *
[CGUYS] wii/sony/xbox ratings
Nielson released a report recently of just how much time is spent playing the top three gaming consoles. While the Wii is the top seller, it looks like xbox sits comfortably on top of most used in terms of playtime. http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/08/neilsen-report-ranks-gaming-usage-for-wii-ps3-and-xbox-360-con/ * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] New Gear Question Regrading USB 3
I bought two ESATA 300 HD's recently..very nice for backing up. Nary a problem..in the past backing up to USB drives, I'd parse it out in small amounts, never dumping hundreds of gigs because it did seem it would error out at times. With the ESATA drives I'll drop 500 gigs on the thing and it just copies it. Then eSATA may be the end of FireWire. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] New Gear Question Regrading USB 3
Yes, but oddly, my own experience with eSata, and one other editor here, is that it's flaky. i.e., the drive will suddenly slow to PIO speeds. This isn't always apparent. I had to install a disk speed tester to verify when this was happening. A warm reboot would bring the drive back up to speed. We saw this on two different systems, but with the same model external dock. Multiple SATA drives. Also, hot docking was inconsistent too. Generally, we had to power down to connect eSata. Let's hope USB3 is stable, because I can easily see it replacing SATA internally if it is. On Thu, Apr 9, 2009 at 12:14 PM, Tom Piwowar t...@tjpa.com wrote: I bought two ESATA 300 HD's recently..very nice for backing up. Nary a problem..in the past backing up to USB drives, I'd parse it out in small amounts, never dumping hundreds of gigs because it did seem it would error out at times. With the ESATA drives I'll drop 500 gigs on the thing and it just copies it. Then eSATA may be the end of FireWire. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
[CGUYS] OS X on an MSI Wind [was Another new Windows ad...]
I have an MSI Wind which I use as my jukebox, with iTunes. I've read articles in which people describe how they put OS X on the machine, but it seems that one must be quite knowledgeable to do so. I'm not that knowledgeable. Has anyone heard of a turnkey solution? Alvin On Apr 9, 2009, at 11:47 AM, mike wrote: I've got more then one friend seriously contemplating getting one of those MSI winds to run OS X on. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Earth Day Computer Toss?
I hope this helps - from http://www.epa.gov/oei/ecycling/ : EPA's eCycling Day 2009 Join us in celebration of Earth Day as we host our 3rd annual eCycling event. Bring your unwanted computer and computer-related equipment (computers, monitors, keyboards, printers, etc.) for free recycling. This year, EPA and cooperating organizations will collect unwanted computer equipment on Saturday, April 18, 2009, from 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. at the Plateau, National Harbor in Prince George's County, Maryland (PDF) http://www.epa.gov/oei/ecycling/directions_map.pdf (1pg, 147 KB, About PDF http://epa.gov/epahome/pdf.html). Don't forget you are responsible for removing data from computers before drop-off. (continues) Tom Piwowar wrote: The last few years the EPA sponsored a computer recycling event at Freedom Plaza on Earth Day. We brought our junk there every year. Does anyone know if they are doing it again this year? * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Another new Windows ad...
I just read a report (sorry I don't have the link handy) that the average profit margin for a PC manufacturer is down to 1.7%. That implies that many of them are at less than 0%. This is why you love to quote stats so much; you can get them to say whatever you want with enough vague hand-waving and select weasel words. That is dangerously low. That is so low that I would expect some of them to decide that it is just not worth the effort for such a low return on investment. I bet that a year from now Lauren and G are going to find some very different choices at the computer store. As to the profit margin, so what? That's the standard profit margin for the grocery industry and we're still able to go shopping for groceries year after year. Even still, companies come and go all the time; is this news to you? If MS keeps pounding on the message that a PC should be cheap it will only accelerate the race to the bottom and the race to the exits. Wait, I keep forgetting, is competition and choice good or bad with you? My money is on bad. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] iPod digital audio
24bit, 88.2 k ? Those are DAW formats, not consumer formats. There are solid state recorders out there that will record and playback those rates but they aren't in the ipod arena. Unless your looking to pay $1500 for your ipod http://www.sounddevices.com/products/702.htm . At 2:59 AM -0400 4/9/09, Eric S. Sande wrote: Sorry, I just got to this. Mahler's 6th runs about 80 minutes and takes up a GB or so at an 88.2 kHz sampling frequency and a 24 bit depth. RBCDs at 44.1 x 16 go much less than half of that but I'm not sure of an easy equation. Obviously the higher resolution is preferable and you could put more music than you could listen to for a few days on the drive at high resolution. I don't know if the portable players will do uncompressed at high sampling frequencies and bit depths, though. I kind of doubt it but I'm open to correction. -- E. Riley Casey Silver Spring MD 301-608-2180 ph 301-608-0789 fx 301-440-2923 shoe phone Entertainment Sound Production ( http://www.ESPsound.com ) * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Another new Windows ad...
On Thu, Apr 9, 2009 at 3:09 PM, Jeff Wright jswri...@gmail.com wrote: Wait, I keep forgetting, is competition and choice good or bad with you? My money is on bad. In the Windows world, the competition is between the makers of the machines that run the OS. Apple makes its machines, so there is no competition in the machine arena. The competition between users of Windows versus users of the Macintosh OS comes down to their views of the OS. Windows devotees appear to believe that their OS provides for an all around superior operating experience compared to the Mac OS, and Mac users think theirs is the best in those terms. Most Mac users have at least some degree of experience using Windows equipped computers, but few Windows users have ever had their hands on a Mac to any practical degree. In the latest ad, G says that Macs are sexy and great on aesthetics but they have little computing power compared to a Windows machine. Perhaps he has used Macs in the past and personally found them to be highly anemic for computing purposes, or he is the victim of BS. So, for the sake of this particular message, let's put aside the talk of wide choices in the make and model of the machine and focus instead purely on the OS. Are the buyers who are being targeted in any ads for any computer making their choices based upon the OS or based primarily upon the machine? If prices for Windows computers were up there with Macintosh prices, would sales of Windows machines decline? Or, if prices for Macs fell to those of most PCs, would Windows users move to the Mac OS? Also, since Windows machines are so much cheaper, as well as allegedly being better than or at least equivalent to Apple machines in quality. why don't Mac users switch? Don't get snarky here. Steve * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Vote for Old Blue Eyes!
I'm betting that he didn't notice the bit of the URL that got wrapped to the next line. This is a good time to remind people that if you don't want to use tinyurl or similar service, you can wrap the URL with and most mail clients will link to the whole URL even if it is wrapped across multiple lines. Try it here http://www.businessinsider.com/what-should-microsoft-call-its-search-engine-bing-kumo-poll-2009-4 This is what I get: The page you are trying to reach does not exist. http://www.businessinsider.com/what-should-microsoft-call-its-search-engine-bin g-kumo-poll-2009-4 Works for me. Do you have your Vista Alternate Reality Firewall on? Besides, Old Blue Eyes was Sintra. All those musical geezers look the same to me. Sue, you must be a lot older than I am. On the other hand, voting for Sin would be fine too. Imagine MS putting up a $100M ad budget to promote sin! The Rev. would just have to hang it up. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Another new Windows ad...
On Thu, Apr 9, 2009 at 1:16 PM, phartz...@gmail.com phartz...@gmail.comwrote: On Thu, Apr 9, 2009 at 3:09 PM, Jeff Wright jswri...@gmail.com wrote: Most Mac users have at least some degree of experience using Windows equipped computers, but few Windows users have ever had their hands on a Mac to any practical degree. In the latest ad, G says that Macs are sexy and great on aesthetics but they have little computing power compared to a Windows machine. Perhaps he has used Macs in the past and personally found them to be highly anemic for computing purposes, or he is the victim of BS. Macs are sexy and have fantastic aesthetics...and I don't say that sarcastically at all. He is making two points, A: they are sexy and B: they have little computing power. I took this as little computing power for the price...which is true. 1500 dollars for a mac and 1500 dollars for a acer/toshiba/cyberpower branded laptop will get you more power on the pc side. We can argue semantics about 'quality' but I think those are straw men. The hardware on the mac side is high quality, but it's all also available on the pc side for less cost to the end user. Want proof? Check apple prices on memory upgrades on new machines as opposed to buying memory from a vendor. So, for the sake of this particular message, let's put aside the talk of wide choices in the make and model of the machine and focus instead purely on the OS. Are the buyers who are being targeted in any ads for any computer making their choices based upon the OS or based primarily upon the machine? If prices for Windows computers were up there with Macintosh prices, would sales of Windows machines decline? Or, if prices for Macs fell to those of most PCs, would Windows users move to the Mac OS? Also, since Windows machines are so much cheaper, as well as allegedly being better than or at least equivalent to Apple machines in quality. why don't Mac users switch? Don't get snarky here. Priced the same...I'd say OS X would increase by quite a lot. Why don't mac users switch? I did. I used macs only for years and switched, I did so because of the cost benefit. I think you'd find most (not all of course) mac users can for lack of a better way to say it, afford them. I haven't switched back because I have no reason to, I hold not enough value on aesthetics when it costs thousands, and I can function in windows easily. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Another new Windows ad...
On Thu, Apr 9, 2009 at 4:50 PM, mike xha...@gmail.com wrote: Macs are sexy and have fantastic aesthetics...and I don't say that sarcastically at all. He is making two points, A: they are sexy and B: they have little computing power. I took this as little computing power for the price...which is true. I did not take that statement in the ad as you did. The ad simply stated that Macs have little computing power. There was no mention of a bang for the buck type of comparison. Priced the same...I'd say OS X would increase by quite a lot. Why don't mac users switch? I did. I used macs only for years and switched, I did so because of the cost benefit. I think you'd find most (not all of course) mac users can for lack of a better way to say it, afford them. I guess if they couldn't afford them they would not have them. I am not rich by any measurement here in the USA, but I have Macs because although they are not considered to be cheap, I saved for the new one and the others were purchased used. I appreciate your reasoned reply. The number one reason I am given by Windows users when i ask why they use that OS is one of necessity. They maintain they have to have Windows for better or for worse is because, and I'm not making this up, Everyone else has it. They fear being left out in the cold. Basically, Windows as the OS seems to be a foregone conclusion for most. Secondary to that is the cost of the machine upon which to run Windows. Steve * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Vote for Old Blue Eyes!
At 10:18 AM 4/9/2009 -0400, you wrote: This is what I get: The page you are trying to reach does not exist. http://www.businessinsider.com/what-should-microsoft-call-its-searc h-engine-bin g-kumo-poll-2009-4 Works for me. Do you have your Vista Alternate Reality Firewall on? HUH?? I'm not using Vista. Maybe I'll switch if they're offering an alternate reality firewall! Seriously--it was my mistake--the link broke and I didn't copy the rest of it. :) Besides, Old Blue Eyes was Sintra. All those musical geezers look the same to me. Sue, you must be a lot older than I am. I probably am! But you dare not give this nickname to ANYONE but Sinatra! We need to up your musical knowlege. :) Either that or your crossword abilities! On the other hand, voting for Sin would be fine too. Imagine MS putting up a $100M ad budget to promote sin! The Rev. would just have to hang it up. I think this list probably has the most hep Rev. I've ever encountered. Sue * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Another new Windows ad...
As to the profit margin, so what? That's the standard profit margin for the grocery industry and we're still able to go shopping for groceries year after year. Even still, companies come and go all the time; is this news to you? Are you really that clueless about business economics? I expect better, even from a WFB. To stay in business these companies are either going to raise prices 50 to 100% or start sourcing their parts at junkyards. A profit margin that slim is simply unsustainable. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Vote for Old Blue Eyes!
At 04:42 PM 4/9/2009 -0400, you wrote: I'm betting that he didn't notice the bit of the URL that got wrapped to the next line. This is a good time to remind people that if you don't want to use tinyurl or similar service, you can wrap the URL with and most mail clients will link to the whole URL even if it is wrapped across multiple lines. Try it here http://www.businessinsider.com/what-should-microsoft-call-its-search-engine-bing-kumo-poll-2009-4 David, I realized what happened and simply pasted it in. I have TinyURL right on my Firefox toolbar, and use it all the time. It really solves a lot of problems. I also have the eagles' nest on my toolbar right now: http://www.suttoncenter.org/eaglecam.html in case anyone needs a diversion! Sue * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Vote for Old Blue Eyes!
I'm betting that he didn't notice the bit of the URL that got wrapped to the next line. This is a good time to remind people that if you don't want to use tinyurl or similar service, you can wrap the URL with and most mail clients will link to the whole URL even if it is wrapped across multiple lines... But then they will accuse us of talking down to them. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Another new Windows ad...
Don't get snarky here. Who?? Me? In the Windows world, the competition is between the makers of the machines that run the OS. Apple makes its machines, so there is no competition in the machine arena. I don't think that is necessarily true. Apple and PC makers do compete with one another, although I would say it's more Apple competing with them than vice versa. My response was aimed at Tom who thinks that giving consumers a good bargain is a bad thing. In his book, $$$ = quality; it's largely an exercise in snobbery. There is some correlation with price and reliability, but not always. In real estate, it's location, location, location. You aren't necessarily getting a better built house, just one in a better neighborhood. With cars, it's cachet and performance, often at the expense of reliability, but not always. You can get very relaible, but poorly performing cars (and ZERO cachet) for very little money. In my experience, I can get as good, if not better, reliability with Dell business models that I can with Apple, at about a 30-40% lower cost. Most Mac users have at least some degree of experience using Windows equipped computers, but few Windows users have ever had their hands on a Mac to any practical degree. In the latest ad, G says that Macs are sexy and great on aesthetics but they have little computing power compared to a Windows machine. Perhaps he has used Macs in the past and personally found them to be highly anemic for computing purposes, or he is the victim of BS. I think these are throw-away lines to invoke the name of the competitor that is the target of the ad. He could say that they're made by snake-handler and sold by cattle rustlers, the goal is the same. So, for the sake of this particular message, let's put aside the talk of wide choices in the make and model of the machine and focus instead purely on the OS. Are the buyers who are being targeted in any ads for any computer making their choices based upon the OS or based primarily upon the machine? It's clear to me that the MS ads are targeting a prime mover in a tight economy: money. It's also clear that these ads are (finally) a response to the omnipresent Apple ads that have run unchallenged for years. It's no secret that computer sales are down, including Apple's, so I have no doubt that MS is working with HP in order to move more HP product and more PCs in general. MS has other ads that deal with features and ease of use of Windows itself. If prices for Windows computers were up there with Macintosh prices, would sales of Windows machines decline? I'd say yes. Or, if prices for Macs fell to those of most PCs, would Windows users move to the Mac OS? Probably. Also, since Windows machines are so much cheaper, as well as allegedly being better than or at least equivalent to Apple machines in quality. why don't Mac users switch? You said not to get snarky. I'll have to abstain. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Another new Windows ad...
The number one reason I am given by Windows users when i ask why they use that OS is one of necessity. They maintain they have to have Windows for better or for worse is because, and I'm not making this up, Everyone else has it. They fear being left out in the cold. Basically, Windows as the OS seems to be a foregone conclusion for most. Secondary to that is the cost of the machine upon which to run Windows. I use Windows because it's what I have used the most over time and it does what I need it to do. I've used Macs and they have some definite advantages over PCs, but none that are compelling to me. I roll my own at home and buy for my .org. I need to use the tools that work best for the task. If Macs were the better tool for our business needs, I'd get them, but they aren't. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Another new Windows ad...
Most Mac users have at least some degree of experience using Windows equipped computers, but few Windows users have ever had their hands on a Mac to any practical degree. In the latest ad, G says that Macs are sexy and great on aesthetics but they have little computing power compared to a Windows machine. Perhaps he has used Macs in the past and personally found them to be highly anemic for computing purposes, or he is the victim of BS. BS To somebody who is knowledgeable about building hardware it is the inside of the Mac's case that is sexy. The build quality is extremely high and exploring the insides, discovering all kinds of clever ways to do things, is a joy. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Another new Windows ad...
Wrong. You are arguing the pc makers have a profit margin of 0 or less and then you say 1.7 is unsustainable? No wonder macs have a reputation for being bad at business. On Thu, Apr 9, 2009 at 2:28 PM, Tom Piwowar t...@tjpa.com wrote: As to the profit margin, so what? That's the standard profit margin for the grocery industry and we're still able to go shopping for groceries year after year. Even still, companies come and go all the time; is this news to you? Are you really that clueless about business economics? I expect better, even from a WFB. To stay in business these companies are either going to raise prices 50 to 100% or start sourcing their parts at junkyards. A profit margin that slim is simply unsustainable. * ** 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] Vote for Old Blue Eyes!
On Thu, Apr 9, 2009 at 5:23 PM, Sue Cubic scu...@earthlink.net wrote: At 10:18 AM 4/9/2009 -0400, you wrote: This is what I get: The page you are trying to reach does not exist. http://www.businessinsider.com/what-should-microsoft-call-its-search-engine-bin g-kumo-poll-2009-4 Works for me. Do you have your Vista Alternate Reality Firewall on? HUH?? I'm not using Vista. Maybe I'll switch if they're offering an alternate reality firewall! Seriously--it was my mistake--the link broke and I didn't copy the rest of it. :) Besides, Old Blue Eyes was Sintra. All those musical geezers look the same to me. Sue, you must be a lot older than I am. I probably am! But you dare not give this nickname to ANYONE but Sinatra! We need to up your musical knowlege. :) Either that or your crossword abilities! He just needs to listen to the Big Broadcast and maybe the Bowie Duet of the Little Drummer Boy at Christmas time. -- 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] Another new Windows ad...
On Thu, Apr 9, 2009 at 5:39 PM, Jeff Wright jswri...@gmail.com wrote: I use Windows because it's what I have used the most over time and it does what I need it to do. I've used Macs and they have some definite advantages over PCs, but none that are compelling to me. I roll my own at home and buy for my .org. I need to use the tools that work best for the task. If Macs were the better tool for our business needs, I'd get them, but they aren't. Valid statements all. In my areas of need, the Mac is better suited. I never gravitated to Macs because everyone else has one, that's for damn sure. Steve * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Another new Windows ad...
So, for the sake of this particular message, let's put aside the talk of wide choices in the make and model of the machine and focus instead purely on the OS. Are the buyers who are being targeted in any ads for any computer making their choices based upon the OS or based primarily upon the machine? If prices for Windows computers were up there with Macintosh prices, would sales of Windows machines decline? Or, if prices for Macs fell to those of most PCs, would Windows users move to the Mac OS? That is a classic microeconomic calculation. The answer is yes. And if you have a value for the price elasticity of computers you could even calculate by how much the numbers would shift. My intuition is that it would be a big number, but then us elitist MFBs would have to find a different brand for ourselves. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] iPod digital audio
24bit, 88.2 k ? Those are DAW formats, not consumer formats. Yes, that's true. But with a good DAC and a fast internet connection it's possible to download music of that resolution. WMP can hack streaming it off a hard drive, it's just a PCM bitstream at that point anyway. If the DAC (I use an outboard one) can deal with it (and it can), it's all good. All that is required is a S/PDIF or TOSLINK connection on the transport device, right? Unless your looking to pay $1500 for your ipod. I'd pay $1500 for an Ipod that could do, portably, what a Mac Mini or my desktop can all ready do. I think it would be a killer product. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Another new Windows ad...
Want proof? Check apple prices on memory upgrades on new machines as opposed to buying memory from a vendor. Dell overcharges just as much. I've seen printer manufacturers overcharge by 500-1000%. Best Buy's prices are crazy. I bet many others overcharge too. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Another new Windows ad...
The number one reason I am given by Windows users when i ask why they use that OS is one of necessity. They maintain they have to have Windows for better or for worse is because, and I'm not making this up, Everyone else has it. They fear being left out in the cold. Definitely. A significant percentage of Windows buyers are motivated by low self esteem. This is a well-known phenomenon. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Another new Windows ad...
On Tue, Apr 7, 2009 at 1:43 PM, Tom Piwowar t...@tjpa.com wrote: Of course apple ram is so much better, they have the same switch when memory is made. Read about DDR2 vs DDR3 before you spout off. A marginal performance increase, ~5%, in most applications for a significant price premium, ~100%-200%. IOW, very Mac-like. This will change in the future as DDR3 becomes price competitive with DDR2 and latencies improve for DDR3, but for now, it's a purchase for hobbyists and early adopters who care more about bragging rights than anything else. See: These go to 11. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Windows Dominates Netbook OS Market
MS is planting stories that Windows has driven Linux out of the netbook market. According to these stories the return rate on Linux-based netbooks has been so huge that retailers have stopped carrying Linux in favor of the far superior offering from Microsoft. MS now claims a 90% market share and should hit 125% by the Fall. Planting? I assume you have some evidence that the information is inaccurate. Please share. That 125% bit, that's not a sarcastic cheap shot, is it? * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Earth Day Computer Toss?
EPA's eCycling Day 2009 Thank you. Time to start rounding up the PCs. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] iPod digital audio
How much uncompressed audio can you put in 32GB? 120GB? Sorry, I just got to this. Mahler's 6th runs about 80 minutes and takes up a GB or so at an 88.2 kHz sampling frequency and a 24 bit depth. RBCDs at 44.1 x 16 go much less than half of that but I'm not sure of an easy equation. Obviously the higher resolution is preferable and you could put more music than you could listen to for a few days on the drive at high resolution. I don't know if the portable players will do uncompressed at high sampling frequencies and bit depths, though. I kind of doubt it but I'm open to correction. iPod Touch audio specs--should be about the same as for iPod Classic and Nano: * Frequency response: 20Hz to 20,000Hz * Audio formats supported: AAC (16 to 320 Kbps), Protected AAC (from iTunes Store), MP3 (16 to 320 Kbps), MP3 VBR, Audible (formats 2, 3, and 4), Apple Lossless, AIFF, and WAV You can set the sampling frequencies and bit depths in QuickTime [or Audacity, etc.] before adding files to iTunes and the iPod. My 16 GB Touch should hold the equivalent of 16 or so uncompressed CDs [~700MB each] depending on how much video and photos are also on the iPod. Bob has 60 GB and 80 GB iPods that can hold a lot more [every record ever recorded?]. As you know, the headphones make a huge difference. I'd use my Koss PortaPros more if they were more portable, but can't afford the $200-$1000+ custom earbuds. My Sennheisers do well enough and are very portable. Betty * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
[CGUYS] Getting Firefox extensions as non-admin to work
Does anyone have a clue on how to get Firefox to work with extensions as a non-admin on a Mac? As an admin, they work great. BTW, the extensions are noscript, Forecast Fox, flashblock and a few others. -- Take care | This clown speaks for himself, his job doesn't Wayne D. | supply this, at least not directly What's 20,000 lawyers rotting in a swamp? A GOOD Start! * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] wii/sony/xbox ratings
Nielson released a report recently of just how much time is spent playing the top three gaming consoles. While the Wii is the top seller, it looks like xbox sits comfortably on top of most used in terms of playtime. Not exactly the whole truth. Why am I not surprised? http://xbox.joystiq.com/2009/01/02/nielsen-360-the-second-most-played-conso le-of-08/ XBox beat out by PS2. And by a big margin too... Playstation 2 - 31.2% Xbox 360 - 17.2% Wii - 13.4% Xbox - 9.7% Playstation 3 - 7.3% Gamecube - 4.6% Other - 16.2% * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Another new Windows ad...
just sarcastic cheap shots? He's right, Mike. I mean, really, sarcastic cheap shots are never fired from McHeadquarters, right? * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
[CGUYS] Windows Dominates Netbook OS Market
MS is planting stories that Windows has driven Linux out of the netbook market. According to these stories the return rate on Linux-based netbooks has been so huge that retailers have stopped carrying Linux in favor of the far superior offering from Microsoft. MS now claims a 90% market share and should hit 125% by the Fall. http://www.dailytech.com/Windows+Dominates+Netbook+OS+Market/article14782.h tm * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Another new Windows ad...
Ahh...you know what they say. Ignorance is bliss! :-) Plus, to be honest, how fast can you blink? For those that it takes upwards of a minute just to locate the correct button to click on, or the right key to press, whether the result of that click/keystroke takes almost the blink of an eye, or the full blink of an eye is simply not going to be noticeable. The people on this list are not your average go to WalMart or Best Buy and buy an off the shelf product kind of consumers. (Well, I am these days because there's not much I can't get right off the shelf anymore.) Basically, the laptop hunter ads are not targeted to those that populate this list I don't believe. Donna In a message dated 4/7/2009 1:52:07 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, t...@tjpa.com writes: To imply that the average Joe knows anything more about their equipment than they read in some magazine somewhere is wrong. Ignorance raised to the level of virtue. **A Good Credit Score is 700 or Above. See yours in just 2 easy steps! (http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100126575x1221421323x1201417385/aol?redir=http:%2F%2Fwww.freecreditreport.com%2Fpm%2Fdefault.aspx%3Fsc%3D668072%26hmpgID %3D62%26bcd%3DAprilfooterNO62) * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Windows Dominates Netbook OS Market
On Tue, Apr 7, 2009 at 2:19 PM, Chris Dunford ch...@covesoftware.comwrote: MS is planting stories that Windows has driven Linux out of the netbook market. According to these stories the return rate on Linux-based netbooks has been so huge that retailers have stopped carrying Linux in favor of the far superior offering from Microsoft. MS now claims a 90% market share and should hit 125% by the Fall. Planting? I assume you have some evidence that the information is inaccurate. Please share. That 125% bit, that's not a sarcastic cheap shot, is it? I just got the picture of Gates and Balmer buying hundreds of Linux machines and returning them. This is the sort of the reverse of how L Ron Hubbard's NYTimes best seller list numbers got run up by the true believers buying the books and returning them to the warehouse where they would go back to the stores with the original sales stickers on them. They got caught out when Daltons got some Walden Book stickers on their books. -- 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] OS X on an MSI Wind
http://snipurl.com/flkdk Also works on Dell Mini 9 and HP Mini 1000/2133 * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] wii/sony/xbox ratings
Not exactly the whole truth. Why am I not surprised? http://xbox.joystiq.com/2009/01/02/nielsen-360-the-second-most-played- console-of-08/ XBox beat out by PS2. And by a big margin too... Playstation 2 - 31.2% Xbox 360 - 17.2% Wii - 13.4% Xbox - 9.7% Playstation 3 - 7.3% Gamecube - 4.6% Other - 16.2% I imagine that Mike omitted this because, as the original report notes and you omitted, PS2 is dying and will no longer be the top console by the end of this year. In other words, it will be irrelevant soon enough. Further, it's not clear where the numbers you quote came from. They aren't in the article you linked to. The FastCompany article that -it- links to, however, does have numbers: 23.7% (PS2) vs. 18.2% (Xbox). That's for January, and Xbox's time increased in February (PS2 not shown). Not exactly a wide margin to my eye. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] wii/sony/xbox ratings
I imagine that Mike omitted this because, as the original report notes and you omitted, PS2 is dying and will no longer be the top console by the end of this year. In other words, it will be irrelevant soon enough. If that were so we would stop counting Window's marketshare too. Deciding that the top rated product is irrelevant is a slippery slope. Further, it's not clear where the numbers you quote came from. They aren't in the article you linked to. Sure are. It must be that darn Vista Readlity Distortion Firewall again. http://xbox.joystiq.com/2009/01/02/nielsen-360-the-second-most-played-conso le-of-08/ Not exactly a wide margin to my eye. 17 vs 31 is almost double to my eye. I would call it a wide margin. Are you counting votes for Coleman? * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] OS X on an MSI Wind
http://snipurl.com/flkdk $759 (assuming you pay for the OS) vs. $999 for a MacBook. That's way too much. I would spend the extra $240 just for the reliability factor. Heck if I wanted to go that way I could just go to the nearest college campus and steal a MacBook. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] wii/sony/xbox ratings
If that were so we would stop counting Window's marketshare too. Deciding that the top rated product is irrelevant is a slippery slope. Right, dream on. The likelihood that someone is going to overtake Windows in market share this year is...what, maybe 0.00%? I'm just guessing. The point, which you seem to miss, is that PS2 is an obsolete product. Its usage dropped by around 40% in one year. It has ceased to be. It is no more. It has gone to meet its maker, joined the choir invisible. It is an ex-console. I.e., irrelevant. Further, it's not clear where the numbers you quote came from. They aren't in the article you linked to. Sure are. It must be that darn Vista Readlity Distortion Firewall again. http://xbox.joystiq.com/2009/01/02/nielsen-360-the-second-most-played- console-of-08/ Not exactly a wide margin to my eye. 17 vs 31 is almost double to my eye. I would call it a wide margin. Are you counting votes for Coleman? OK, I clicked the wrong link. But as you will note if you check the timestamp of that article, it is not up to date. The Nielsen numbers at http://tinyurl.com/cazyqm are newer: PS2 23.7%, Xbox 18.2%. Those are for January, and Xbox's numbers went up again in February (I don't quote them because they are stated differently and aren't comparable to the numbers given for January). I would call it a narrow margin. Your comments on this could charitably be termed grasping at straws. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] iPod digital audio
On Apr 9, 2009, at 8:37 PM, b_s-wilk wrote: My Sennheisers do well enough and are very portable You probably said which ones they are some time back, but I overlooked it. Please tell! Mar * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] wii/sony/xbox ratings
If that were so we would stop counting Window's marketshare too. Deciding that the top rated product is irrelevant is a slippery slope. This isn't quite like comparing how many Ladas were sold versus Yugos. Gaming isn't driven by consoles, it's driven by high end PCs. That's where the development money is spent and is why we now have exceedingly good graphics and processor technology available. It tends to trickle down. Console gamers don't fund that technology, their parents do. No serious gamer would take any of that console stuff with anythimg other than a big grain of salt. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] wii/sony/xbox ratings
Looks like I shouldn't quote engadget... *The study found that of those three, owners of the Xbox 360 got the most use out of their console -- an average of 11.4 percent of the time for the duration of the poll, while the PS3 came in a close second at 10.6 percent. The original Xbox followed directly behind that with 10.2 percent, while Wii owners gamed a sad 6.8 percent of the time... far less than that of even PS2 owners.* On Thu, Apr 9, 2009 at 5:52 PM, Tom Piwowar t...@tjpa.com wrote: Nielson released a report recently of just how much time is spent playing the top three gaming consoles. While the Wii is the top seller, it looks like xbox sits comfortably on top of most used in terms of playtime. Not exactly the whole truth. Why am I not surprised? http://xbox.joystiq.com/2009/01/02/nielsen-360-the-second-most-played-conso le-of-08/http://xbox.joystiq.com/2009/01/02/nielsen-360-the-second-most-played-conso%0Ale-of-08/ XBox beat out by PS2. And by a big margin too... Playstation 2 - 31.2% Xbox 360 - 17.2% Wii - 13.4% Xbox - 9.7% Playstation 3 - 7.3% Gamecube - 4.6% Other - 16.2% * ** 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/ ** *
