I’ve been reading Manhunt: The 12-Day Search for Lincoln’s Killer, by James L. Swanson.
I’m not done but I like it.
All posts for the month May, 2008
A book I\’ve been meaning to read for a very long time
Posted by Dave Farquhar on May 31, 2008
http://dfarq.homeip.net/2008/05/a-book-ive-been-meaning-to-read-for-a-very-long-time/
Escape from Windows 98
There’ve been a few times that I’ve met someone who was stuck in an old Windows 98 PC because it had all their software and data on it, it was set up the way they liked it, they may or may not have all the installation media, and it would take several days’ worth of labor to set up a new one like the old one.
So usually in that situation I just bubblegum and duct tape the system together as best I can.
No longer. Not now that I’ve discovered PC Mover.
Posted by Dave Farquhar on May 24, 2008
http://dfarq.homeip.net/2008/05/escape-from-windows-98/
How Generation X can take this country back
I’ve done some reading in recent days. First I read that GenXers aren’t happy with Corporate America and the feeling is largely mutual. It appears I’m not the only one.
But I see an opportunity in this. We have a window to take this country back. And I have a plan.
Posted by Dave Farquhar on May 22, 2008
http://dfarq.homeip.net/2008/05/how-generation-x-can-take-this-country-back/
One solution to the family IT man problem: Standardize
This weekend was Mother’s Day, which meant a family get-together, which inevitably led to some computer questions. A few months ago I found a PC for my mom that’s for all intents and purposes identical to my main PC. Now that my sister and brother in law are due for a computer upgrade, I suggested they get the same model.
Posted by Dave Farquhar on May 13, 2008
http://dfarq.homeip.net/2008/05/one-solution-to-the-family-it-man-problem-standardize/
Better upgrade advice
PC Magazine has a feature about inexpensive PC upgrades. There’s some good advice there, but some questionable advice too. Since I really did write the book on free and inexpensive upgrades, I’ll present my own advice (but I’ll skip the pretty pictures).
Posted by Dave Farquhar on May 12, 2008
http://dfarq.homeip.net/2008/05/better-upgrade-advice/
My SSD experiment, coming soon
SSDs are the first technology to excite me in a very long time. Next-generation drives with ultralow seek times and transfer rates around 100mb/s are finally available from Crucial and OCZ, but at a price of $600-$700 for a 32gb drive.
I’m going to wait for prices to come down and experiment with a cheaper alternative.
Posted by Dave Farquhar on May 9, 2008
http://dfarq.homeip.net/2008/05/my-ssd-experiment-coming-soon/
Fairlight in the news?
A story today about the possibility that a prominent California Republican was once a co-founder of the Commodore 64 warez group Fairlight caused an uproar on Slashdot today.
Reading it brought back some memories.
Posted by Dave Farquhar on May 6, 2008
http://dfarq.homeip.net/2008/05/fairlight-in-the-news/
Lawnmower Adventures, Part 2
So the expensive Toro mower I bought a year ago decided to go on strike. Unfortunately, Toro’s "Guarantee to Start" is only as good as the place that looks at it.
In my case, the authorized service center charges a $62 bench fee, did its best to convince me the problem isn’t covered under warranty (they can’t nail Toro for a $62 bench fee, of course), AND they won’t look at it for 3 1/2 weeks.
So what do I do when I have a jungle growing in the front yard and the neighbors are getting irritated?
Say hello to Mr. Reel Mower.
Posted by Dave Farquhar on May 1, 2008
http://dfarq.homeip.net/2008/05/lawnmower-adventures-part-2/