What the...

I say, "What the..." for several reasons. One of them being is that my laptop (the "Centrino") is in the shop, and has been since over a week and a half now almost. The reason why it is in the shop, I kept that damn thing clean on a daily basis, if not, every other day -- and the tab key broke. So I put it in the shop for repair, no way I was going to walk around or use it looking like it was hit by a car bomb; or it looking ghetto.

The second thing is, I finally got Mac OS X 10.4 (upgraded to Mac OS X 10.4.9) and the thought of it taking up a trillion gigabytes is insane. OK, it don't take up that much, but seeing Mac OS 9 and Mac OS X 10.2, then Mac OS X 10.4 (10.4 is insane in space usage) to be honest. I am going out to get a brand new 200-300 GB hard drive, but I do not know if I am putting the 160 from my AMD Duron on this system and the 200-300 on the Duron, or the 200-300 on this. I do not know, the "stability, security, and reliability" of Mac, I probably should place the bigger on the Mac, if I do use it as a "file share" or something like I do the other system.

Another thing today, I got tired of squinting at a 14-15" monitor with Mac, and it is not just Mac, it is also Linux and FreeBSD (which I know Mac is based off, the BSD part,) and the GUI is not all that bad, but the text part is horrid in the GUI portion. Windows is better viewable, but hell, Apple was fast to attack Windows Vista; HELLO Apple, you do the same crap as Windows Vista does. (to a degree).

OK, here are a few things I am going to bitch about Mac (Apple, Inc.) and Windows (Microsoft Corporation.)

1. When installing a program under Microsoft Windows Vista, you are prompted and asked for administration access to continue. Apple was fast to complain and attack this, when in fact that Mac OS X does the very same thing -- sometimes even more.
   
   * This is a security feature, and for our protection; stop bashing Microsoft when you are making yourselves look as stupid.
   
   
2. The Mac OS is supposed to be based off BSD, which it is, but why was /usr/ports taken away from the platform? This is one of the greatest features of BSD; sure there is the DarwinPorts and Fink, but those two programs are in my opinion, not as good.
   
   * Example: There is no (as far as I am aware of,) "make search name=[string]" without the brackets. Fink don't have it, never tried DarwinPorts yet. Plus, I am very limited on space with Mac OS X 10.4, unlike Mac OS X 10.2 where I would of have had 5 GB space just on this drive, when I only have maybe 4-5% of that space left. Yeah, I am watching what I do till I get off my rear and go out and buy that 200-300 GB HD and reinstall the Mac OS X 10.4 system, and install the updates again. Otherwise, Mac OS X 10.4 has been a great install, and I must say it is better than 10.2 if you can run it.
   
   
3. Mac OS X 10.2 and Mac OS X 10.4 are NOT better looking than Windows XP or Vista; I agree with this completely. If you want "eye candy" Mac OS X does not offer much of it. Stability is a different story, but Windows Vista does ask your permission before doing a lot. (Mac OS X does too,) and even if you do allow it under Windows Vista, Vista tends to prevent it in several ways.
   
   
4. A PowerPC G3 350 MHz with 448 MB RAM (PC-133) with Mac OS X 10.2/10.2.8 can be as slow as Windows XP on a Pentium II 500. I will not go in to details on this, but it does seem to be that way very easily -- could it be that the "PowerPC" is a stronger system by hardware? (like I said, I won't get in to details.) HOWEVER. I must ask, why the hell do Mac users say, a "Mac is a MAC, a PC is a "PC", yet, where the hell did PowerPC come from? .... I guess that is a problem or a issue -- Apple, time to execute a patch. ;)
   
   
5. Microsoft is always claiming "bugs, problems, glitches" and sometimes "issues" or "problems." Apple is hardly ever uses those terms, but commonly uses "issues" and "problems". Now that I think about it, the few times I did see comments by Steve Jobs, I never heard or seen him go, "Oops. Sometimes that happens." remember "Windows 95, with Bill Gates"? Can't say anything more here, but that was funny with Bill Gates.

I really should have left the house by now, and been installing my brand new hard drive, but I am not sure what system I want to install it under. I know there are several out there that will or are saying, "INSTALL THE 160 and the 200-300 in to the MAC and blow the PC up!", I will do that some day, maybe, but not any time soon.

I do in fact have a few PC boxes I could blow up, but I won't do it, due to legal issues with the law enforcement in my township. And I do not want to take any chances, and I don't want to ask them if it is OK, because if someone whines in the neighborhood, I don't want to go to jail/prison for fun.

I was going to say, "does anyone have anything to donate" as far as computers goes; I could always use computer parts. But, I don't want to get greedy. There are others who can use it a lot more than I can. There are some parts I could use, but there is a site I am a member of, you're more than welcome to check out (http://www.freecycle.org/) and it is a large group.

There are several cities and states covered by http://www.freecycle.org/ but if not, you can request to become a leader; if I remember right. It's been a while because it's been quite in my area. I've been meaning to put some stuff on it (around the Upper Darby/Philadelphia, PA,) area, but I've been too busy with other things.

There is one thing I must ask about the Mac vs. PC argument real fast; why does it seem that Windows updates faster than Mac? Apple has the software already compiled (as far as I know,) and they know what system you're running, so they know what to send you -- same with Windows. Hmm... UNIX/Linux is supposed to have better TCP/IP connections, as well as TCP/UDP, etc., anyway, up to a lot of you to think and research. ( I know the answer, sort of, but something for you to mess with. )

I am guessing, as much as I am loving Mac, I am hating it the same (same with Windows). I do not really care, because both systems are great; one better then the other for several things, as the other is for the other. Mac IS NOT BETTER then Windows, and Windows is NOT BETTER then Mac.

I am going to take a small break, and publish something later on, I need to start getting ready to get the hard drive for the Mac or PC and swap the PC's drive into this one (probably going to give the Mac a gift, and install the new one in it.) But I don't know yet. In fact, I am going to call the store and see what they'd recommend. (few people I know say, "new one in the Mac, you already setup the 160, and unless you want downtime, don't swap them.") so go figure.

There should be a update or a new message in a bit today. Take it easy everyone, and do not be afraid to write/reply/comment or whatever.

To keep your system running smoothly.

In order to keep your system running smoothly, you should keep the following installed at all times:

• Firewall
• Anti-Virus
• Anti-Spyware, Adware, Malware

Symantec is a product YOU DO NOT WANT TO INSTALL, it uses too many resources, and it can cause too many problems on most machines; from my experiences, and by what others do say on a daily basis.

NOTES: Do not accept or download files from strangers, or people you do not trust. And even if you do trust them, scan them by multiple scanners (online scanners, and scanners otherwise,) if you want to take time.

Do NOT download illegal software, content, products, source code, applications or otherwise, and do not download unlawful content, products, source code, applications or otherwise, including any unofficial content and material. This is a major reason why you can become infected by a virus.

** A note to the above, if you do not surf the internet out of ignorance, or carelessness, you will most likely not become infected. I am just telling you, I know otherwise, so I am not sharing all of my experiences, knowledge, or otherwise. (just trust your gutt.)

For good and free protection, try the following products out:

• http://www.avast.com/ (avast! Home (free) or Professional (fee)) can scan your computer of viruses, malware, and other malicious programs, applications and software, and in real-time.
• http://www.personalfirewall.comodo.com/ (http://www.comodo.com/) for a free firewall of professional quality. It can be annoying at first, but you can stop it from "learning" what you do. It's worth a try, I used it and loved it, now I am using Vista's firewall (blocks incoming and outgoing, and still unsure of Vista's firewall, dunnot what I may use.)
• http://www.lavasoft.com/ and http://spybot.safer-networking.de/spybot/en/index.html.) - look at http://spybot.safer-networking.de/ (may not be there for much longer.)

HOWEVER, I RECOMMEND that YOU do the FOLLOWING on a daily, or a every other day basis:

• DEFRAG your drivers; Do this always, even if your system is used a bit -- do it when your systems are not being used period. (Trust me, it can never hurt.)
• CHKSDK (SCANDISK) your drives too, because any errors that are found, can sometimes be corrected; therefore saving you in the end. (You can also purchase a program that fixes bad sectors, that a lot of stores do NOT want you to know about *cough* SpinRite as an example.
• Registry Defrag can also help you too, as it can speed your system up similar to DEFRAGing your drives.
• Try NOT to fill up, and try NOT to keep your drives filled. The more files you have on your system, and the more software you have installed, the slower your system can become.

The bottom line is, check your system on a daily basis and perform maintainence or do it every other day, and keep a backup, and do it frequently.

Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium Edition [Upgrade] DVD.

Hello, everyone.

As most of you already may know, Microsoft Corporation has had some information leaked out again. This is not something I want to post on my site, so consider this a easter egg. You can go purchase Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium (not sure of others,) and get all the other versions right at your finger tips.

And as most of you already know, I use a HP Pavilion dv2000 (dv2037us) laptop, that came with Windows XP Home Edition SP2 pre-installed with a ****load of software that nobody will ever use, or most will never use, or hardly ever use. I have other computers too, and I must say, I love building my own systems but laptops are a pain in the *** to build when compared to desktops. But Windows XP Vista Home Premium has been great, except for the "Paltalk" problem, which I think this article will clear up some. (wasn't my fault, mostly, and was not the drivers either, it was "Paltalk").

However, there is a small drawback. The Product ID that you get, is only valid for the copy you purchase. So if you purchase, say what I did, Windows Vista Home Premium, it will not work for the other copies that are on the DVD. Additionally, if you purchase the UPGRADE, it cannot be used for the FULL install and vice-versa.

On my Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium Edition DVD [UPGRADE], the following are already on it, including a couple others not mentioned; too lazy to type them:

1. Vista Business Edition
2. Vista Home Basic Edition
3. Vista Home Premium Edition
4. Vista Starter Edition
5. Vista Ultimate Edition

Now since I only have a valid license for #3 [upgrade], I cannot perform a full install -- but there is apparently a trick (I have yet to figure it out, to get a full install, only did it twice.) and I don't plan on trying it to figure it out.

I do not support software piracy, illegal and unlawful actions, these are (as far as I am aware of,) legal; as long as you have a valid license for such and do not abuse it. Follow these steps:

1. Insert your Windows Vista DVD.

When your system says, "Press any key to boot from CD-ROM/DVD-ROM...." or whatever it is that will be shown to boot from CD/DVD, press it.

2. Continue as you normally would, but when you're asked to enter your Product ID, do NOT enter your Product ID, click NEXT and follow the instructions. You can sample all the versions of Windows Vista and ones that are not mentioned for (30 days, usually, my copy you can.)

3. If you do have valid Product ID (valid as in, YOU OWN THAT PRODUCT LICENSE) you can run from there safely.

* When I say, if you have a VALID Product ID, if you purchased Ultimate and the DVD for the Ultimate became damaged, and a friend has Windows Vista Home Premium Upgrade or FULL, a legal disc, you could install that on to your system using YOUR Product ID.


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I am assuming, which I hate to, go on a limb, but I read this from somewhere else, and earlier today I was screwing around with my system -- installed Windows XP Home Edition 3x, Windows Vista 3x, and other operating systems because I was bored - now I am back on Vista; because "Paltalk" was pissing me off, I couldn't talk to anyone on it, because it was Vista.

I will admit, I did forget myself for a while there, Windows Vista is fairly new to consumers, and that being said, a lot of companies and others are playing "catch up," so software and products are still not compatible. You'd think after all the years that Vista has been in development, the companies (hardware and software) would of already been ready. Yeah right!
-----------------------------------------

If you use Paltalk (http://www.paltalk.com/) I would suggest that you download, install and use the Paltalk 9.1 Beta software if you're using Microsoft Windows Vista, especially if you use the same laptop that I use. The reason why I am saying this is, because I have been at it for quite a long time, trying to get my microphone to work with Paltalk, only to find out it was not me, that it was Paltalk software itself; and after screwing around all day long hacking, messing with, and screwing with, as well as tweaking Windows Vista.

I know that as soon as Windows Vista has a service pack, I am going to slipstream my copy of Windows Vista Home Premium and putting the original away, because a lot is bound to change over time. Knowing my luck, Microsoft will change things around and prevent slipstreaming.

So, I will recommend to you, as Microsoft and others do, UPGRADE your drivers (audio, memory, sound, video, etc.) before you upgrade to Windows Vista; this includes patches, security updates, patches, fixes, and such. Then, if you feel safe and comfortable, install Vista. And from my experience, you cannot dual-boot Windows Vista UPGRADe with Windows XP. :(

Windows Vista Ultimate is NICE, although I believe and feel strong that the ENCRYPTION offered in Ultimate should be available in BUSINESS and HOME PREMIUM (They're talking about security on laptops, and Home Premium is a recomendtation to laptops,) you'd think that BitLocker would of been included. Can we say, "Nice move Microsoft".

Oh, one other thing -- Why the hell can you FTP to your own IIS7 server in Ultimate but not Home Premium, and yet, Visual Studio 200* can FTP *ASP*, of course, copy local drive, ugh, I am not going to gripe anymore. Microsoft did good with Vista, but screwed up again. Hell, Mac is good but they have quite a few bugs, OOOPS, "issues" or "problems".

Take a look at http://www.apple.com/ and you will never see (or almost never) see them call it a "bug", they call it a problem or a issue. (I forget where I seen that at, but I read it, and it does seem to be that way, and I own a Mac, so it makes me feel special -- NOT. LOL.