RE: a new Dell PC
I've used a wireless keyboard for several years and have never had any problems in FrameMaker or any other program. -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Alan Barber Sent: Monday, December 10, 2007 2:52 PM To: framers@lists.frameusers.com Subject: Re: a new Dell PC I second the advice about not using a wireless keyboard. I had one with my previous Dell and my current HP. Both would occasionally skip letters. After typing a paragraph I'd have to go back to find the missing letters. I tried posioning the transceiver everywhere; no luck. When I installed a wired keyboard the problem went away. The wireless mouse, on the other hand, is reliable and a great invention. ___ You are currently subscribed to Framers as [EMAIL PROTECTED] Send list messages to [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] or visit http://lists.frameusers.com/mailman/options/framers/archive%40mail-archive.com Send administrative questions to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Visit http://www.frameusers.com/ for more resources and info.
RE: a new Dell PC
Same here - no problems either!! I have been using a Microsoft Wireless Natural Multimedia Keyboard for more than two or three years now, with FrameMaker and Word and Excel, etc., with fine results. The wireless receiver is USB connected and also handles the Microsoft wireless mouse. The only time I have had a problem (albeit not with FrameMaker or applications) is because I use a laptop at my desk with a 24 wide-screen LCD display. Since the laptop is in a docking station, I have its lid closed. So, in Windows, if I have a startup problem during the boot and I need the keyboard to intercept the boot, the keyboard is not yet available. I have to undock, pull my laptop out of the dock, raise its lid, then boot and use the keyboard on the laptop. This situation is rare enough not to be an issue, and also not an issue with an application program. Once Windows is running, the wireless keyboard works well all the time. The other reason I like this particular wireless keyboard (and Microsoft does offer wired ones of the same type) is because of the mapped function keys: F2=Undo, F3=Redo, F4=New, F5=Open, F6=Close ... F11=Save, F12=Print, etc. Thus, when the applications are consistent with those mappings, using the function keys becomes very useful! Regards, Z -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Johnson, Kathleen Sent: Tuesday, December 11, 2007 4:10 AM To: framers@lists.frameusers.com Subject: RE: a new Dell PC I've used a wireless keyboard for several years and have never had any problems in FrameMaker or any other program. -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Alan Barber Sent: Monday, December 10, 2007 2:52 PM To: framers@lists.frameusers.com Subject: Re: a new Dell PC I second the advice about not using a wireless keyboard. I had one with my previous Dell and my current HP. Both would occasionally skip letters. After typing a paragraph I'd have to go back to find the missing letters. I tried posioning the transceiver everywhere; no luck. When I installed a wired keyboard the problem went away. The wireless mouse, on the other hand, is reliable and a great invention. ___ You are currently subscribed to Framers as [EMAIL PROTECTED] Send list messages to [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] or visit http://lists.frameusers.com/mailman/options/framers/archive%40mail-archive.com Send administrative questions to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Visit http://www.frameusers.com/ for more resources and info.
Re: a new Dell PC
Are the wireless keyboard and mouse a hindrance? I have a wireless keyboard on an HP laptop. It's comfortable to use, and beats the heck of the built-in laptop keyboard. I don't use the wireless mouse because I much prefer trackballs. There's no scrolling off the mouse pad and having to lift and pull back the mouse to continue tracking. Just move your thumb. My wife has a Microsoft Wireless keyboard on her computer. I hated that one because it automatically reassigns all the function keys to default to the functions in Microsoft programs. If you want to use the normal O/S functions of those keys-- F1 for help, F2 for rename, etc.-- you have to first press a toggle key. Sheesh! I found a program on the internet to reverse that, though. I have to say, though, that my favorite keyboard in the world is the 104-key Unicomp Customizer. It's the same as the original IBM 101-key keyboards that won so many awards and rave reviews (but updated to have the Windows keys in the bottom row). It's a real keyboard, too-- not a plastic toy. It weighs about three times as much as the keyboards that come with computers these days, and the keycaps are double-injected. That means that the characters are molded into them-- not painted on or applied as decals like all the keyboards you normally see. The only way to make the letters and numbers wear off of this keyboard is to wear a hole right through the whole keycap! The audio/tactile feedback is the best there is. This keyboard is PS/2, not wireless. But that means that you can use it to do everything. Those USB keyboards (which probably includes all wireless keyboards), don't often work for accessing the BIOS or other startup functions, because the USB drivers haven't loaded yet. You can find the Unicomp keyboard here: http://www.pckeyboard.com/pdf/Customizer.pdf Mike Wickham ___ You are currently subscribed to Framers as [EMAIL PROTECTED] Send list messages to [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] or visit http://lists.frameusers.com/mailman/options/framers/archive%40mail-archive.com Send administrative questions to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Visit http://www.frameusers.com/ for more resources and info.
Re: a new Dell PC
I can recommend Dell Precision. I have had the Precision 450 Dual Processor with 2GB memory for three and a half years now, all internal hardware preinstalled (factory installed), except one extra (my old) hard drive. I have never had a better or more reliable PC (although my home assembled PC comes close ;-) ). I expect to be using this computer for at least a couple of years more. Bodvar On Dec 9, 2007 11:23 PM, Dov Isaacs [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Ashley, Dell is fine although my experience is that you are better off if you buy the Dell Precision Workstations as opposed to the stuff they hawk for the low-end, casual users. The workstations tend to use more generic parts as opposed to married-to-the-motherboard specialized-for-Dell el-cheapo components. They have tremendous upgradability and much better support (often stateside as opposed to someplace exceptionally offshore) as well as very high performance. Note that Dell just replaced the whole Precision Workstation line with new models, the T7400, T5400, and the T3400. The primary difference between the models is capacity for expansion, power supply capacity, and case size. (The T7400 has a massive case; the T5400 and 3400 easily fit vertically under a desk or can be ordered for desktop horizontal use.) The T5400 is probably the best compromise unless you need multiple terabytes of storage or really extreme processing needs using the 64-bit versions of Windows. Assuming that your processing needs are use of FrameMaker 8, Acrobat Pro 8 typical e-mail and web browsing and perhaps also Illustrator and Photoshop, I would recommend that you not necessarily spend the extra $$$ for multiple processors or even the highest speed processor (a single two-point-something gigahertz dual or quad core Xeon will do fine). I would recommend that you get the full 4 gigabytes of memory as well as a video card such as the nVidia FX570 (at a minimum) that supports dual link DVI such that if you ever want to splurge on a very high resolution 30 monitor, your video card will directly support it (the Dell 30 LCD monitor is down to about $1300 now!). In terms of disk, it costs a bit more, but the SAS (serially attached SCSI) disks at 15000 rpm make a tremendous difference in performance - unless you are effectively running a server, a single 300 gigabyte 15000 rpm SAS driver will do (although you can put multiple such drives in the chassis). A single DVD burner will do fine. I would MOST STRONGLY advise you NOT to go with Windows Vista at this point unless you are a real glutton for punishment. Until Microsoft works out the kinks with both Service Packs 1 and 2, expect major anguish. All these high end products are still available with Windows XP Professional SP2. Likewise, stay away from the 64-bit versions of the operating systems. They are still a work in progress (including Windows XP 64-bit edition) and just too many drivers and programs just don't work quite right with them. I would say use of any version of Vista and 64-bit Windows for typical desktop applications should be held off for at least 18 to 24 months unless you don't value your own time. These Dell Precision Workstations can be fitted with many more gigabytes of memory and will support 64-bit editions of Vista if you need such support at that time. (Note that presently, other than having the support for more memory, there is not anything important to be gained by use of the 64-bit OS. Most applications are still 32-bit only and under the 64-bit OS, they run in emulation mode and can still only access 2 gigabytes of memory at a time! Wireless mice can be nice! But I would be very cautious of a wireless keyboard. I would keep a cheap wired keyboard around for emergencies, especially if you have boot problems. - Dov -Original Message- From: framers Meredith, Ashley Sent: Sunday, December 09, 2007 12:34 AM I've just had a hardware failure that means I get to upgrade to Vista Pro and the latest versions of FrameMaker and Acrobat Pro, as quick as I can get a new workstation ordered. The only stipulation that my university makes is that it prefers Dell. I haven't been paying much attention to hardware improvements lately, so I need to ask, does anyone have recent experience with their offerings? I can pretty much have what I ask for, so which model of Dell desktop should I specify? Which options? Are the wireless keyboard and mouse a hindrance? Also, would a SCSI drive be much of an improvement over their default drive? ___ You are currently subscribed to Framers as [EMAIL PROTECTED] Send list messages to [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] or visit http://lists.frameusers.com/mailman/options/framers/bodvar%40gmail.com Send administrative questions to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Visit
Re: a new Dell PC
Art Campbell wrote: Unless your IT guys already have a fair amount of experience with Vista, I'd specify XP PRO... From what I hear, if the IT guys already had a fair amount of experience with Vista, THEY'D be specifying XP Pro... ;-) -- Stuart Rogers Technical Communicator Phoenix Geophysics Limited Toronto, ON, Canada +1 (416) 491-7340 x 325 srogers phoenix-geophysics com ___ You are currently subscribed to Framers as [EMAIL PROTECTED] Send list messages to [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] or visit http://lists.frameusers.com/mailman/options/framers/archive%40mail-archive.com Send administrative questions to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Visit http://www.frameusers.com/ for more resources and info.
RE: a new Dell PC
I just bought a new Dell PC form for a niece, and the Dell rep on the phone TOLD me to request XP !!! Rick -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Stuart Rogers Sent: Monday, December 10, 2007 11:29 AM To: Art Campbell Cc: framers@lists.frameusers.com Subject: Re: a new Dell PC Art Campbell wrote: Unless your IT guys already have a fair amount of experience with Vista, I'd specify XP PRO... From what I hear, if the IT guys already had a fair amount of experience with Vista, THEY'D be specifying XP Pro... ;-) -- Stuart Rogers Technical Communicator Phoenix Geophysics Limited Toronto, ON, Canada +1 (416) 491-7340 x 325 srogers phoenix-geophysics com ___ You are currently subscribed to Framers as [EMAIL PROTECTED] Send list messages to [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] or visit http://lists.frameusers.com/mailman/options/framers/richard.melanson%40us.tel.com Send administrative questions to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Visit http://www.frameusers.com/ for more resources and info. ___ You are currently subscribed to Framers as [EMAIL PROTECTED] Send list messages to [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] or visit http://lists.frameusers.com/mailman/options/framers/archive%40mail-archive.com Send administrative questions to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Visit http://www.frameusers.com/ for more resources and info.
Re: a new Dell PC
I'd go with any of their workstation 390/490 level machines, with at least 4G RAM and one pair of SATA RAID primary drives. If you're using Photoshop very much, remember that the recommended config calls for a secondary scratch hard drive, so you may want a third drive or a second pair. SCSI isn't as big a boost as it was because it's basically built in to the SATA interface already at this level. Also, I'd specify either a really wide monitor or more likely, dual 19 screens. Unless your IT guys already have a fair amount of experience with Vista, I'd specify XP PRO... Art On Dec 9, 2007 3:34 AM, Meredith, Ashley [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I've just had a hardware failure that means I get to upgrade to Vista Pro and the latest versions of FrameMaker and Acrobat Pro, as quick as I can get a new workstation ordered. The only stipulation that my university makes is that it prefers Dell. I haven't been paying much attention to hardware improvements lately, so I need to ask, does anyone have recent experience with their offerings? I can pretty much have what I ask for, so which model of Dell desktop should I specify? Which options? Are the wireless keyboard and mouse a hindrance? Also, would a SCSI drive be much of an improvement over their default drive? ___ -- Art Campbell [EMAIL PROTECTED] ... In my opinion, there's nothing in this world beats a '52 Vincent and a redheaded girl. -- Richard Thompson No disclaimers apply. DoD 358 ___ You are currently subscribed to Framers as [EMAIL PROTECTED] Send list messages to [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] or visit http://lists.frameusers.com/mailman/options/framers/archive%40mail-archive.com Send administrative questions to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Visit http://www.frameusers.com/ for more resources and info.
RE: a new Dell PC
Ashley, Dell is fine although my experience is that you are better off if you buy the Dell Precision Workstations as opposed to the stuff they hawk for the low-end, casual users. The workstations tend to use more generic parts as opposed to married-to-the-motherboard specialized-for-Dell el-cheapo components. They have tremendous upgradability and much better support (often stateside as opposed to someplace exceptionally offshore) as well as very high performance. Note that Dell just replaced the whole Precision Workstation line with new models, the T7400, T5400, and the T3400. The primary difference between the models is capacity for expansion, power supply capacity, and case size. (The T7400 has a massive case; the T5400 and 3400 easily fit vertically under a desk or can be ordered for desktop horizontal use.) The T5400 is probably the best compromise unless you need multiple terabytes of storage or really extreme processing needs using the 64-bit versions of Windows. Assuming that your processing needs are use of FrameMaker 8, Acrobat Pro 8 typical e-mail and web browsing and perhaps also Illustrator and Photoshop, I would recommend that you not necessarily spend the extra $$$ for multiple processors or even the highest speed processor (a single two-point-something gigahertz dual or quad core Xeon will do fine). I would recommend that you get the full 4 gigabytes of memory as well as a video card such as the nVidia FX570 (at a minimum) that supports dual link DVI such that if you ever want to splurge on a very high resolution 30 monitor, your video card will directly support it (the Dell 30 LCD monitor is down to about $1300 now!). In terms of disk, it costs a bit more, but the SAS (serially attached SCSI) disks at 15000 rpm make a tremendous difference in performance - unless you are effectively running a server, a single 300 gigabyte 15000 rpm SAS driver will do (although you can put multiple such drives in the chassis). A single DVD burner will do fine. I would MOST STRONGLY advise you NOT to go with Windows Vista at this point unless you are a real glutton for punishment. Until Microsoft works out the kinks with both Service Packs 1 and 2, expect major anguish. All these high end products are still available with Windows XP Professional SP2. Likewise, stay away from the 64-bit versions of the operating systems. They are still a work in progress (including Windows XP 64-bit edition) and just too many drivers and programs just don't work quite right with them. I would say use of any version of Vista and 64-bit Windows for typical desktop applications should be held off for at least 18 to 24 months unless you don't value your own time. These Dell Precision Workstations can be fitted with many more gigabytes of memory and will support 64-bit editions of Vista if you need such support at that time. (Note that presently, other than having the support for more memory, there is not anything important to be gained by use of the 64-bit OS. Most applications are still 32-bit only and under the 64-bit OS, they run in emulation mode and can still only access 2 gigabytes of memory at a time! Wireless mice can be nice! But I would be very cautious of a wireless keyboard. I would keep a cheap wired keyboard around for emergencies, especially if you have boot problems. - Dov -Original Message- From: framers Meredith, Ashley Sent: Sunday, December 09, 2007 12:34 AM I've just had a hardware failure that means I get to upgrade to Vista Pro and the latest versions of FrameMaker and Acrobat Pro, as quick as I can get a new workstation ordered. The only stipulation that my university makes is that it prefers Dell. I haven't been paying much attention to hardware improvements lately, so I need to ask, does anyone have recent experience with their offerings? I can pretty much have what I ask for, so which model of Dell desktop should I specify? Which options? Are the wireless keyboard and mouse a hindrance? Also, would a SCSI drive be much of an improvement over their default drive? ___ You are currently subscribed to Framers as [EMAIL PROTECTED] Send list messages to [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] or visit http://lists.frameusers.com/mailman/options/framers/archive%40mail-archive.com Send administrative questions to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Visit http://www.frameusers.com/ for more resources and info.
