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Yeah, I'm seeing some potential for VM's running at home. I have some plans for stuff, but at the moment, I just don't have the resources. As I mentioned, I eventually want to build a system that is a small form factor (mini-ITX) and low power – something that I can run all day. I don't want to use my current box, not because of its power usage (it actually clocks down the CPU and GPU at idle), but because I didn't build that system for running servers and such off of – it's primarily a gaming/media PC, although I do use it for some content creation (Photoshop/3D/video editing). The idea of this box is for me to run VM's from, and when they aren't running, to be able to use it as an HTPC. Keep in mind, this is not a home server – that will be coming later.
The plan with this box is for me to be able to use and manage it remotely (through both LAN and Internet). To do this, I'll either be using RDP, a web browser [logmein.com], or a VPN [logmein.com]. I thought about running Linux, but found that there is no easy way, such as LogMeIn, to get into it from the Internet, so I think I'm just going to run Windows 7 Professional 64-bit on it. It's just going to make my life easier, simple as that. And, with some of my external hard drives attached, this will allow me access to all my data, no matter where I am at, which I'm going to like very much.
That box and everything related to it will all be for my purposes. Now, onto the question of running a Wiki on the site. I don't have all the details worked out yet, but it will be an MI Wiki, including things such as what we (Tim and I) do with, both on and off the site, history of the site, detailed 'about' info, maybe even archives and information about past page/site layouts. Yes, it will have some stuff already found on these forums, but presented in a more organized layout. My other thoughts with it though, are restricting anonymous user editing, but tying it in with forum members. More than likely users who are either Admins/Mods/Site Members will be the only ones allowed to edit the Wiki. Others, well, maybe certain areas. I'm wanting this to allow others (such as Steve, Danny, Jeremy, etc) to add info about any pages, info, or involvement in the MI site (past, present, or future), without us having to obtain the info and make, edit, and update HTML pages.
Well, those are my current ideas. Tim, feel free to absorb that info, and add/change/expand what you see fit, but this is kind of the base that I want to start with.
I love technology. I like using it, learning it, exploring it, and when money permits, buying it. For the longest time, that last thing is what kept me from really enjoying modern technology (and the fact that the last two computers before my new one experienced all kinds of untold, and told, misfortunes). Now, that I'm making some (yes, that was intentional) money, I'm able to partake in some of the newer technologies. This has allowed me to completely upgrade my home network to full gigabit (with the exception of 2 of the 3 older PC's), and opens up a wide range of possibilities – network storage and backup, video and audio streaming, and running at least one home server. This allows me experiment with several projects.
The first project, of course, is setting up virtual servers (currently only one, but I also want another appliance for a gallery of my personal artwork). The one I have running now is just a test server running the Turnkey Linux MediaWiki. Unfortunately, it's running an an AMD Athlon64 1.8GHz, with only 1GB of DDR 400 (PC 3200), and although I have plenty of CPU power, the amount of RAM I have to work with, keeping the balance between running the OS (which is currently Windows XP), and running the VM is kind of difficult. Now, with the new Antivirus I have on it (the old was Norton AV 8.0, which Symantec quit updating in Oct. '10) chewing more RAM, I don't have much memory left. So I am stuck with shrinking the VM RAM to less than 128MB, and I have seen a performance hit.
The computer I want to use, which is an older AMD MP 1.6GHz dual processor workstation (still running Windows 2000), itself, only has 1GB of DDR266 (PC 2100). I plan on running Linux on that box, but not until the other two 512MB sticks I ordered arrive (this thing uses registered ECC server RAM, very expensive stuff – also discontinued – but I managed to find a few sticks cheap). Once I get the sticks, though, I'm going to load Linux on it and load a VM, and do some more testing (my real goal is to build a new system dedicated to running several VM's, that is low power, and can stay on at least most of the day).
Well, the reason why I was a few days from continuing my previous post was that I spent the weekend messing around with the Turnkey server, and creating stuff in the Wiki. I now have a better grasp on how to work with a Wiki, and it really wasn't all that difficult. I at least know enough now to get started on my project. I still don't know all that much about PHP; although the FAQ [mediawiki.org] at MediaWiki's site helped with some guided instructions on modifying some of the PHP configuration files.
Once I know enough with the actual Wiki, I would love to start running one on the MI site (I have all kinds of ideas). But this is were Tim's help is going to have to come in: I have no idea where to start to have all the right stuff loaded into the proper areas of the server (he is the one who originally set this forum up). Down the road I'd like to integrate more new features into the entire site, and give it a nice upgrade, and then maybe I'll start using it more!
So, I'm just excited to start working with all this, and I think this is where I will end this discussion, as both posts have gotten quite lengthy. But I am willing to discuss more about all this. I haven't been this excited since I made my first page at SimpleNet [not who they are now, but the company they were before Yahoo bought them]!
I'm going to make an update to this post. I understand the interest in the challenge of trying to get Mac OSX to run on your PC (I mean, what computer geek doesn't like a challenge), but from my experience at work, I don't think I'd ever want to run OSX at home. I am just happy with my Windows (2000/XP/7) and Linux (Ubuntu 10.x) systems. They do what I need, and for my to try and get OSX running would feel like wasted effort to me. But I say congrats to those who have successfully managed to get their Hackintosh systems running.
I'm just very angry with Apple right now and how they do certain things and manipulate people, but that is not a discussion for here.
WHOO!! UPDATE!!
Well, I promised some stuff on along time ago. . . and it seems I just now got actually putting up my new sig banner.
Anyway, big post is still on it's way. I think this will be mainly for me, as it's going to be a listing of some things, so I haven't figured out where I'm going to put it yet on the forums. I'm going to start working on that soon, and it will take awhile, because it'll be a big work in progress.
All for now, later!
Ha, I haven't logged into here for awhile. As Tim knows, I've been busy with summer classes. They ended last week, and since then, I've been catching up on getting things done outside, and getting some gaming in.
Been mostly dealing with my computer, and its new set of issues. No bad hardware or anything, it's just getting old – I've been noticing some major slow downs, especially on processor intensive tasks. I believe the CPU is probably ready for retirement (or at least let go of the heavy everyday responsibilities). I also have a 500 GB hard drive that is reporting a warning on its health status – not good, as I have 400 GB of data on that drive, and nowhere to put it right now. Six years of non stop use on the CPU and 2 years of constant reading, writing, and moving on that hard drive – those are enough to wear down hardware. Oh well.
Also, the Bonneville needs new brake pads, all around, BAD, the pedal is getting extremely mushy, and the car is getting much harder to stop. Going to have to squeeze the funds to get those. Awesome.
So, there's what I've been up too.
Tim, I agree with pretty much everything you said.
You brought up something else about Apple products that I didn't mention, and drives me nuts – their prices. Like you said, the iPod is an over priced MP3 player, and I have seen at least 4 others out there that not only cost less, but support more features and file types. I see the iPhone as a device that tells people that you have so little to do in life, that you have to have something with you at all times that keeps you busy (I wish I knew what it was like to have that little to do). I know for a fact, that my Mvix Media Center drive is 1000x's better than an iTV (the interchangeable internal HDD is a big plus on the Mvix unit).
All that Apple stuff costs at least twice that of a similar product, and other companies realize it, and are capitalizing on that fact. Example, in this economy, what would you rather get, an iPod Touch (ohh, it has a touch screen, wow…) for $XXX amount, or a SanDisk that might have less space, but has a built in FM tuner, supports more file formats, doesn't need extra software (like iTunes), and doesn't have a touch screen to break, for probably half the cost of the iPod? Hmm, I think I'll get the SanDisk — I just need something that functions as it's designed, and not something to make myself feel like I'm part of the 'hip' crowd. Plus I'll have some extra cash to spare.
And Apple computers. I can't justify ever buying one, not because they're Apple (the MacBooks aren't too bad for laptops), but they cost unbelievably too much. I can build a desktop that can keep pace with a Mac for a fraction of the price. Of course, if you have a PC and Mac running Intel chips and comparable hardware, the biggest speed difference would be the OS (if you're running Windows, not so much on Linux).
Since I'm not a huge social person, I don't feel the need of having to buy an Apple product to fit in, because everybody else is doing it. If people think they're fighting conformity (going against the 'man') by getting Apple products, they're developing their own Apple conformity. You're just becoming what you're think you're fighting against. Why do you think I'm comfortable driving a Buick instead of a Honda? Because I don't feel I have to fit myself into that 'Honda' (import, etc) crowd, plus my Buick's a tank. I won't die if I get into an accident, and the engine (still original) has almost 300,000 miles on it, and has never been rebuilt.
I'll admit, I may like AMD chips well over Intel chips, but not all my computers are AMD's — I have a few Intel's in my collection. Because I like AMD over Intel doesn't make me a fanboy, it's just my preference. If I have to own/build/use an Intel based computer, I'm not going to gripe. Wouldn't really bother me. Now, if I could only accept AMD as the 'end all' processor, and made fun or flamed someone for using an Intel processor, that would make a fanboy. Remember, it may seem like Apple is being bashed here (maybe a little), but I've used my share of Apple computers, and I have had good experiences and bad experiences. It's just that my preference is for a PC — that's what I grew up on, and I like the customization of a PC. The core of these rants lies in the fanboys, not the company. I have no problem if you like a Mac over a PC, but when you say “the Mac is the god of all computing”, you just made me sick and made me hate you.
And before I leave, the biggest bashing I'm going to give Apple is this — THAT RETARDED ONE BUTTON MOUSE NEEDS TO BE PUT OUT OF ITS MISERY AND PUT INTO THE HISTORY BOOKS AS THE WORST PIECE OF HARDWARE EVER DESIGNED/MANUFACTURED!!!!!
Hey Steve! I've been meaning to try and get back on AIM at some point. As you've probably heard from Tim, things in my life have changed a lot in the past couple of years, and because of that, I've lost touch with a lot of people that are not local. I'm trying to fix this.
Anyway, yeah, I've listened to pretty much all the new vocal tracks from the games, but I always come back liking the Crush 40 songs over any of the other songs by different artists/bands. I guess I just took a liking to Crush 40;s sound (and I'm a fan of Johnny's vocals, as I listen to Axel Rudi Pell a lot as well).
I was just over reading this post – http://www.mightorindustries.n…..topic=25.0, and thinking about that strange winter we had in '06, '07. Man, we were talking about how much we wanted it to snow and such.
I don't know, maybe because I'm a couple years older, but I WANT THIS FREAKING SNOW TO MELT ALREADY!! I don't like the cold anymore – I want mid 60's – 70's. I want to be able to sit outside with shorts and a t-shirt and enjoy the sun. I want to be able to drive around town with my windows down.
I tell ya, I have never wanted Spring to come as bad as I do now (Summer can wait a little, I don't want to go from this to 95+ outside).
Of course, Tim, as previously mentioned, you're probably not as excited about the snow anymore now that you have to shovel that driveway.
A little late, but an Automotive board has been added in the “Computers, Cars, Hobbies, & More” section.
I have a few older pictures of my different setups through the years, although I have none of the pictures on me right now. Of course, I don't have anything thing of my current setup (which is in my room at home now, again).
Might post a few pictures here sometime in the future, if I can remember to post them.
UPDATE:
Ok, we have a new member that hasn't posted anything. Might be a Google Bot. The user has until Feb. 1 to post, and then he gets, what an email, and then a few more days, and if nothing after that, I say the account needs trashed.
Have we posted anything about that in either the rules section or anything like that. If not, I think we need too.
Going to check right now.
I agree with Tim, although I am a huge Power User on my PC's. I don't need unnecessary programs running on my system that take away resources that could be put to good use towards, say a multimedia application or a powerful game.
I feel the same way with Vista/7 as Tim — I feel there is nothing that 'worthy' of me having to upgrade. I have Vista on my laptop right now, and the truth is, I feel more 'restricted' than I have ever felt on any past release of Windows. Some of my programs that I normally run (which some are older for various reasons – Maya 7 for example – the last good version of that software), have weird, quarky hiccups in Vista that I just don't like.
Windows 7 isn't impressing me at all. Ohh, it has new features — big deal. I don't need fancy visual stuff to make me happy (number one reason I CANNOT stand the Mac OS, all that hippie visual crap gets in the way), and it kind of upsets me that 7 losses the ability to support the Classic Start Menu. Aero was a big mistake — I want stability before fanciness. Why do you think Epic's games (Unreal series) run so well — they get the game engine running to it's fullest, with minimal bugs before they ever start messing with graphics.
Well, that's my rant for right now, I'll probably be back later with more.
Ha, figures, reminds me of the nasty video bug in the first Vista release, the one where it would crash if you tried to watch a video after you came out of Sleep. I've had too many close calls with my music before (had XP completely rewrite all the index pointers of all my MP3's one time, scared the living crap outta me as they wouldn't play anymore, or were jumbled up with other songs — Knoppix fixed that though), so I may hold off on even attempting to play with the Beta, unless I would just disconnect my slave before playing with it. 120GB of music takes a long time to back up, and I just don't have the time right now.
