Monday, February 4, 2008

Microsoft heard Me!

Finally, folks from Microsoft seem had read my blog :-)
On my blog last time (see "Why Windows sucks"), I listed some weaknesses on Windows XP. Microsoft has added most of those missing features in Vista, although still not as what I expected. First, Vista now has stronger scripting capability on its console/shell. Another thing is, it now is capable of creating symbolic links of actual files.

But, they've also added a supposedly-cool feature, super-fetch, but it turns out swamped most of resouce on my new quad-core PC (which has already 4 GB of RAM). Most of the time my hard disk is busy doing something. I admit, I've installed many applications, but unlike Linux or OSX, the more you install on any Windows, the slowliness you'd get (thanks to its stupid registry, an now super-fetch).

Look, I am not a typical user who just use Office or games for my PC. I am a super-user and love to hack things (well, this is just my self-proclaim :). But from my experience, Windows Vista in general is the most resource-eater among OSs I have tried so far (I've used various O/S, including DEC VMS on VAX machines, IBM OS/2, various DOSes since version 2.x, VxWorks, OSE, all the Windows variants since 3.x, some Linux variants [SUSE, RedHat, Debian], Solaris, Novell Netware, Mac OS9 & OS-X, Unix variants [FreeBSD, SCO, Xenix, Minix, etc.], FreeOS, even the open-source-IOS-like Vyatta).

Monday, December 3, 2007

Affordable high-end PC


Dear blogger.com,
Your friend thought you'd like to see these products.
This is an affordable-but-almost-top-of-the-line PC. It has SLI-capable two Nvidia 8600GTS video card, Creative X-treme audio, 320 GB RAID HD, 4 GB DDR3 RAM etc.

Qty.
Product Description
Savings
Total Price
1
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz LGA 775 Processor Model BX80562Q6600
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 2.4GHz LGA 775 Processor
Item #:N82E16819115017
Return Policy: Processors (CPUs) Return Policy

$279.99
1
Thermaltake CL-P0114 120mm CPU Cooler
Thermaltake CL-P0114 120mm CPU Cooler
Item #:N82E16835106061
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
-$5.00 Instant
$49.99
$44.99
1
Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound
Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound
Item #:N82E16835100007
Return Policy: Consumable Items Return Policy

$5.99
1
ASUS P5W DH DELUXE/WIFI-AP  LGA 775 Intel 975X ATX Intel Motherboard
ASUS P5W DH DELUXE/WIFI-AP ATX Intel Motherboard
Item #:N82E16813131025
Return Policy: Limited 30-Day Return Policy

$179.99
2
GeIL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model GX22GB6400UDCA=
GeIL 2GB (2 x 1GB) DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory
Item #:N82E16820144062
Return Policy: Memory (Modules, USB) Return Policy
-$40.00 Mail-in Rebate
$159.98
($79.99 each)
2
Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3250410AS 250GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive
Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 250GB 3.5" SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive
Item #:N82E16822148262
Return Policy: Limited 30-Day Return Policy

$139.98
($69.99 each)
1
Microsoft Windows Vista 32-Bit Business for System Builders Single Pack DVD
Microsoft Windows Vista 32-Bit Business for System Builders Single Pack DVD
Item #:N82E16832116207
Return Policy: Software Return Policy

$144.99
2
ASUS EN8600GT SILENT/HTDP/512M GeForce 8600GT 512MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Super Silent Video Card
ASUS GeForce 8600GT EN8600GT SILENT/HTDP/512M Super Silent Video Card
Item #:N82E16814121098
Return Policy: Limited 30-Day Return Policy

$279.98
($139.99 each)
1
Thermaltake Xaser V Damier Silver Chassis 1.0 mm All aluminum made  Front  Door Aluminum made ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
Thermaltake Xaser V Damier Silver Computer Case
Item #:N82E16811133160
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
-$20.00 Instant
$119.99
$99.99
1
COOLER MASTER Real Power Pro RS-650-ACAA-A1 ATX12V / EPS12V 650W Power Supply
COOLER MASTER Real Power Pro RS-650-ACAA-A1 650W Power Supply
Item #:N82E16817171023
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
-$30.00 Instant
$139.99
$109.99
1
Microsoft Comfort Curve 2000 B2L-00047 Black USB Ergonomics Keyboard Mouse Included
Microsoft Comfort Curve 2000 Black Keyboard
Item #:N82E16823109156
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

$21.99
1
Creative SB X-Fi Xtreme Audio 70SB104000000 7.1 Channels PCI Express Interface Sound Card
Creative SB X-Fi Xtreme Audio 70SB104000000 Sound Card
Item #:N82E16829102017
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

$65.99
1
ASUS 20X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA Model DRW-2014L1T
ASUS 20X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA Model DRW-2014L1T
Item #:N82E16827135156
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

$39.99
1

SAMSUNG 226BW Black 22" 2 ms (GTG) Widescreen LCD Monitor
Item #:N82E16824001096
Return Policy: [LCD] Limited Non-Refundable 30-Day Return Policy
-$30.00 Instant
-$40.00 Mail-in Rebate
$339.99
$309.99
Grand Total:
$1,883.83
Add all items to your cartAdd all items to your cart»

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The affordable dream PC























































Shopping Cart






































































































































































































Qty. Product Description Savings Total Price


1




ASUS 20X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA Model DRW-2014L1T







ASUS 20X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA Model DRW-2014L1T - Retail



Item #: N82E16827135156

Return Policy: Standard Return Policy










 



$39.99






1



Thermaltake Xaser V Damier Silver Chassis 1.0 mm All aluminum made <br />Front  Door Aluminum made ATX Mid Tower Computer Case








Thermaltake Xaser V Damier Silver Chassis 1.0 mm All aluminum made
Front Door Aluminum made ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail


Item #: N82E16811133160


Return Policy: Standard Return Policy







-$20.00 Instant

 



$119.99

$99.99





2



Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3250410AS 250GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive








Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3250410AS 250GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM


Item #: N82E16822148262

Return Policy: Limited 30-Day Return Policy












 



$139.98

($69.99 each)




1



SAMSUNG 226BW Black 22" 2 ms (GTG) DVI Widescreen LCD Monitor








SAMSUNG 226BW Black 22" 2 ms (GTG) DVI Widescreen LCD Monitor - Retail


Item #: N82E16824001096

Return Policy: [LCD] Limited Non-Refundable 30-Day Return Policy











-$30.00 Instant
$40.00 Mail-in Rebate

 


$339.99


$309.99





2




ASUS EN8600GT SILENT/HTDP/512M GeForce 8600GT 512MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Super Silent Video Card







ASUS EN8600GT SILENT/HTDP/512M GeForce 8600GT 512MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Super Silent Video Card - Retail



Item #: N82E16814121098

Return Policy: Limited 30-Day Return Policy










 



$279.98


($139.99 each)




1




Creative SB X-Fi Xtreme Audio 70SB104000000 7.1 Channels PCI Express Interface Sound Card







Creative SB X-Fi Xtreme Audio 70SB104000000 7.1 Channels PCI Express Interface Sound Card - Retail



Item #: N82E16829102017

Return Policy: Standard Return Policy










 



$65.99






1



COOLER MASTER Real Power Pro RS-650-ACAA-A1 ATX12V / EPS12V 650W Power Supply








COOLER MASTER Real Power Pro RS-650-ACAA-A1 ATX12V / EPS12V 650W Power Supply - Retail


Item #: N82E16817171023


Return Policy: Standard Return Policy










-$30.00 Instant

 


$139.99


$109.99





1




Microsoft Comfort Curve 2000 B2L-00047 Black USB Ergonomics Keyboard Mouse Included







Microsoft Comfort Curve 2000 B2L-00047 Black USB Ergonomics Keyboard Mouse Included - OEM



Item #: N82E16823109156

Return Policy: Standard Return Policy









 



$21.99





1



Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound








Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound - OEM


Item #: N82E16835100007

Return Policy: Consumable Items Return Policy









 



$5.99






2



GeIL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model GX22GB6400UDCA=








GeIL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model GX22GB6400UDCA= - Retail


Item #: N82E16820144062


Return Policy: Memory (Modules, USB) Return Policy










$40.00 Mail-in Rebate

 



$159.98


($79.99 each)




1




ASUS P5W DH DELUXE/WIFI-AP  LGA 775 Intel 975X ATX Intel Motherboard







ASUS P5W DH DELUXE/WIFI-AP LGA 775 Intel 975X ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail



Item #: N82E16813131025

Return Policy: Limited 30-Day Return Policy










 



$179.99






1



Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz LGA 775 Processor Model BX80562Q6600








Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz LGA 775 Processor Model BX80562Q6600 - Retail


Item #: N82E16819115017


Return Policy: Processors (CPUs) Return Policy











 



$279.99






1



Microsoft Windows Vista 32-Bit Business for System Builders Single Pack DVD








Microsoft Windows Vista 32-Bit Business for System Builders Single Pack DVD - OEM


Item #: N82E16832116207

Return Policy: Software Return Policy









 




$144.99





1




Thermaltake CL-P0114 120mm CPU Cooler







Thermaltake CL-P0114 120mm CPU Cooler - Retail



Item #: N82E16835106061

Return Policy: Standard Return Policy









-$5.00 Instant

 



$49.99

$44.99



Subtotal: $1,883.83

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Grand Total:* $1,883.83







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Wednesday, October 31, 2007

HP LaserJet 1020 on Mac OSX

I purchased a LaserJet 1020 printer for our home use. While it works fine in Windows and Ubuntu Linux (with proper hackery applied) getting it to work on OSX is not straight forward. If you google around you’ll find both success and horror stories on this printer. It seems HP supports the newer 1022 model officially but not the 1020. Turns out the 1022 driver will work fine for a 1020 if, and that’s a big IF, you get Mac OSX to list it in the printer list. This thread on macosxhints.com was the most informative of all. I tried the suggestions a couple of days ago but to no avail. This morning I tried again and with success! All the steps seem to be there, but the following order worked for me:

Download http://www.railsguru.com/assets/2007/4/16/1601_LJ_1022_Series_OSX.dmg;
If you have anything for the HP 1020 in ”/Library/Reciepts” delete it.
Delete anything for the HP 1020 in Printer in “Printer Setup Utility”
Install the downloaded printer drivers
Remove all files from /Library/Printers/hp/laserjet. Leave the 1020 subfolder! You’ll need the contents in the next step;
Move all files from the 1020 subfolder to /Library/Printers/hp/laserjet (the parent);
Restart Mac OSX, just for luck;
Add new printer in “Printer Setup Utility”, select HP LaserJet 1020, driver should come up, click ADD

Tuesday, October 23, 2007

Preventing an Application from Opening Using Rosetta

To prevent an application from opening using Rosetta, add the following key to the Info.plist:


LSRequiresNativeExecution