Last Thursday night when I turned my phone on for the first time that week, I was pleasantly surprised to find there was finally a operating system (OS) update for my phone's OS running Gingerbread. Since I had been anxious to try Chrome on my phone and it was only available on Ice Cream Sandwich (ICS), the OS update, I immediately chose to go ahead and update to ICS 4.0.4. Since the Jellybean update has already come out I thought I would be happy to be only one generation behind the latest OS after a year of waiting for ICS due to Sprint and Samsung being so slow to release the update.
The Samsung Galaxy S2 phone had always worked flawlessly, until...
The update went very smooth and the phone rebooted with the new OS. I used the phone for Twitter, Facebook and SMS messages that night and went to bed happy that my phone had finally been updated to the long promised ICS.
Then I woke up and found the Wi-Fi wasn't connected, even though it showed a strong signal and said it was connected to my home Wi-Fi. I restarted the phone using the new Restart choice on power off. The Wi-Fi connected after the restart. Later I noticed the Wi-Fi had quit working again. This time I chose to cycle the Wi-Fi alone rather than restarting the phone. Again the phone connected to the Wi-Fi. Being in the same room as the Wi-Fi router doesn't seem to help the problem. This pattern has continued ever since.
All other Wi-Fi devices continue to work normally.
This morning, Sunday, I was trying to add a comment to someone's Facebook entry. I tried using the "Speak Now' function and found it didn't work. I canceled the attempt and decided to try Speak Now in another application. I tried SMS texting and then tried a note taking application I had installed. Neither of these applications worked with Speak Now. I can only guess what other "features" no longer work. This update, which is most definitely not an upgrade, has turned into a disaster.
I have tried googling for suggestions to fix the Wi-Fi issue and have tried some of the suggestions. There appear to be a lot of people having related issues. I tried setting the Wi-Fi to only connect at 2.4GHz rather than the default of auto, which had the most hope, but it didn't work. None of the suggestions appear to fix the problem. Now I can look forward to dealing with Sprint and Samsung support for fixing these problems if even they know how. Given Sprint and Samsung's track record on releasing updates a year or more after they are available doesn't make the future of this phone look promising.
Makes me consider all the promises made with the Samsung Galaxy S3 that just came out. They all promise the world when they come out and never live up to expectations. All I want is a smartphone that works and uses the current operating system. Since an iPhone isn't an option since I can't stand their control-freak attitude, and Microsoft seems too incompetent to release a phone of any sort I may just go back to a dumb phone.
Sunday, August 12, 2012
Sunday, July 08, 2012
Romney Health Care vs Obamacare
Again, I'm dumbfounded by the news media who think they know everything. They compare Obamacare to what Romney did in Massachusetts. The liberal press doesn't seem capable (or is it willing) to point out the major difference. Obamacare is Federal and Romney's Massachusetts law was at the State level. A major difference reflecting States Rights. Discussing States Rights is not being addressed and that's really where the issue resides. Do we want Federal law and bureaucracy involved in our medical system?
As for Romney now saying the mandate should now be considered a tax rather than a penalty, he didn't say it. The U.S. Supreme Court (SCOTUS) decided the Federal Obamacare mandate was a tax rather than a penalty. Romney merely conceded and confirmed the SCOTUS legal decision over his own personal opinion. Romney is being accused of flip-flopping and attacked by the liberal press when instead he has merely agreed with the SCOTUS decision. Why Romney doesn't defend his position mystifies me, however I understand why the press makes noise rather than report news.
As an independent voter I am not a Romney supporter. My opinion expressed here has more to do with how sick and tired I am of the press, both liberal and conservative, babbling about a non-news topics. These people defile the concept of journalism. America has so many serious issues and real problems to address while these "journalists[sic]" distract the American people on politically motivated non-issues. These people don't report news, they espouse editorial comments. They do America and the American people a deep and serious disservice.
The American people, including me, need to recognize what nonsense and drivel these news outlets provide and turn them off.
As for Romney now saying the mandate should now be considered a tax rather than a penalty, he didn't say it. The U.S. Supreme Court (SCOTUS) decided the Federal Obamacare mandate was a tax rather than a penalty. Romney merely conceded and confirmed the SCOTUS legal decision over his own personal opinion. Romney is being accused of flip-flopping and attacked by the liberal press when instead he has merely agreed with the SCOTUS decision. Why Romney doesn't defend his position mystifies me, however I understand why the press makes noise rather than report news.
As an independent voter I am not a Romney supporter. My opinion expressed here has more to do with how sick and tired I am of the press, both liberal and conservative, babbling about a non-news topics. These people defile the concept of journalism. America has so many serious issues and real problems to address while these "journalists[sic]" distract the American people on politically motivated non-issues. These people don't report news, they espouse editorial comments. They do America and the American people a deep and serious disservice.
The American people, including me, need to recognize what nonsense and drivel these news outlets provide and turn them off.
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Firefox Hijacked - Firefox 8 Disaster
The folks at Mozilla don't have time to actually use their browser (test) before they release it to the wild with this new 6 week update cycle paradigm. Enough already stop this madness!
I just updated to FF 8 and regret it already. Continuous updates that cause add-ons to become incompatible is insane. I'm not sure who is driving this train wreck, but creating this post may be the last time I use any Mozilla product. Why would I be presented with 9 tabs each asking me whether I wanted to update each individual add-on and have to check a box and hit a continue button only have to restart FF again. FF is already so slow to start that by the time it starts I have often forgot why I was starting it.
Even worse, based on the lists below there should have been 19 more tabs to annoy me.
I can trace my use of FF all the way back to Netscape 6.2. I remember the conversations at wired/web-monkey discussing starting the Mozilla project. I even took part in them. I used Thunderbird for a long time, always hoping they would come up with a decent integrated calendar. Finally, I just had to give up and unhappily I've moved on to MS Outlook. Now I'm about to do the same thing with FF.
Maybe somebody at Mozilla can drop me a line and let me know when they decide to start listening to their users, rather than their wiz-bang developers. I may give it a try again for old times sake.
Another sad failure.
Here's the list of Add-ons:
COMPATIBLE
Adblock Plus 1.3.10
Console 0.8
DownloadHelper 4.9.6
Firebug 1.8.4
Fireshot 0.94
IE Tab 2 (FF 3.6+) 3.10.7.2
Norton Toolbar 2012.2.1.6
Norton Vulnerability Protection 3.2
Shareaholic 3.0.1
INCOMPATIBLE AND DISABLED
Ad blocker 0,6,7
Broadband Speed Test and Diagnoses 1.2.5
CS Helper 1.0
Chostery 2.6.2
Go Parent Foler 2.5
IE View 1.4.5.1
Link Evaluator 0.9.9.7
Live HTTP headers 0.17
Microsoft .NET Framework Assistant 1.2.1
Minimap Addon 0.3.13
Personas 1.6.2
RealPlayer Browser Record Plugin 1.0
Screen Capture Elite 2.0.0.20
Show Parent Folder 1.8
Skype extension 5.3.0.7550
Sothink SWF Catcher 1.3.2
Tab Mix Plus 0.3.8.6
Web Developer 1.1.9
YSlow 3.0.4
I just updated to FF 8 and regret it already. Continuous updates that cause add-ons to become incompatible is insane. I'm not sure who is driving this train wreck, but creating this post may be the last time I use any Mozilla product. Why would I be presented with 9 tabs each asking me whether I wanted to update each individual add-on and have to check a box and hit a continue button only have to restart FF again. FF is already so slow to start that by the time it starts I have often forgot why I was starting it.
Even worse, based on the lists below there should have been 19 more tabs to annoy me.
I can trace my use of FF all the way back to Netscape 6.2. I remember the conversations at wired/web-monkey discussing starting the Mozilla project. I even took part in them. I used Thunderbird for a long time, always hoping they would come up with a decent integrated calendar. Finally, I just had to give up and unhappily I've moved on to MS Outlook. Now I'm about to do the same thing with FF.
Maybe somebody at Mozilla can drop me a line and let me know when they decide to start listening to their users, rather than their wiz-bang developers. I may give it a try again for old times sake.
Another sad failure.
Here's the list of Add-ons:
COMPATIBLE
Adblock Plus 1.3.10
Console 0.8
DownloadHelper 4.9.6
Firebug 1.8.4
Fireshot 0.94
IE Tab 2 (FF 3.6+) 3.10.7.2
Norton Toolbar 2012.2.1.6
Norton Vulnerability Protection 3.2
Shareaholic 3.0.1
INCOMPATIBLE AND DISABLED
Ad blocker 0,6,7
Broadband Speed Test and Diagnoses 1.2.5
CS Helper 1.0
Chostery 2.6.2
Go Parent Foler 2.5
IE View 1.4.5.1
Link Evaluator 0.9.9.7
Live HTTP headers 0.17
Microsoft .NET Framework Assistant 1.2.1
Minimap Addon 0.3.13
Personas 1.6.2
RealPlayer Browser Record Plugin 1.0
Screen Capture Elite 2.0.0.20
Show Parent Folder 1.8
Skype extension 5.3.0.7550
Sothink SWF Catcher 1.3.2
Tab Mix Plus 0.3.8.6
Web Developer 1.1.9
YSlow 3.0.4
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Microsoft Not To Be Outdone - Win7 SP1
My October 2010 comments on "Firefox & Software Update Madness" didn't address Microsoft and the need to continuously update their software.
Microsoft created Service Pack 1 (SP1) for Windows 7 (Win7), the latest version of their operating system back in April or so. I happen to own three computers running Win7. My wife has a new laptop running Win7 64-bit Home Premium. I have an old home built computer running 32-bit Win7 Home Premium. I also have a computer running Win7 64-bit Ultimate, which I consider my primary computer.
When SP1 came out I was hesitant to install it based on past experience. I had learned the hard way that you should always let others do the initial late-beta testing that seems to be necessary after Microsoft initially releases a service pack. I chose to try installing SP1 on my 32-bit Win7 computer along with the other monthly updates. I started getting Blue Screens of Death (BSOD) randomly Eventually, I managed to track down the problems with help from Microsoft's update support and the computer started running normally after resorting to a cloned disk backup. To play on Dirty Harry, I felt lucky and installed it without problems on my wife's new laptop. Then I decided it should be safe and tried installing on my 64-bit Ultimate computer. I regretted the decision for the next four weeks.
The install went poorly and hung at 16% after rebooting. Tom's Hardware web site gave a suggestion to go ahead and turn the computer off and then turn it back on to go ahead and finish the install. The suggestion worked and the install completed. I began to suffer BSOD's both while running and even more scary during the boot sequence. I would be presented with a recovery screen after the boot failure which invariably said it failed. That's when I first contacted Microsoft for the new problems. The problems continued and I contacted MS support again the next weekend. The problems continued after this second contact with MS support so I called them yet again. After this I noticed things were still not right. The AMD Vision Control Center crashed immediately. Media Center crashed immediately, yet Media Player worked fine. I got a notice about IE8 shutting down unexpectedly, even though I'm running IE9. It mentioned an event number and I thought I would look at the event.
When I tried bringing up the Event Viewer it said that the Event Viewer snap-in could not be displayed and that it may not have been installed correctly. OMG, this is part of the operating system and I decided to call MS support once again. After explaining the new problems, the MS support idiot asked me whether I could boot without crashing. I said yes, and this idiot sent me back to another MS drone to get a new ticket number for this latest problem caused by MS SP1. That's when they told me they were going to charge me to fix this "new problem". I went ballistic and the MS drone eventually hung up on me. My only indication they were not there was a dial tone.
I decided to hell with Microsoft and their incompetence. I called a local computer repair guy to come to the house and figure out what's wrong. The repair guy came by the house and looked at the 64-bit system and decided to uninstall Win7 SP1 manually since according to Windows Update it had not installed completely. Once he did that he installed it again. All the symptoms are now gone. Best $100 I've spent in a while.
LESSON LEARNED: Most MS Support people are nice (not that last set of idiots) but they blindly follow a script which might only hide the true problem. The first three calls were to foreign support people. The first was in the Philippines and the second as well as the third were from India. The foreign support people were respectful, patient and easy to work with, even if they couldn't solve the problem. Only the American MS support people, if I remember right in Oregon, appeared more interested in ending the call than helping a customer with a problem caused by a update to their software. Nasty, nasty people.
Microsoft created Service Pack 1 (SP1) for Windows 7 (Win7), the latest version of their operating system back in April or so. I happen to own three computers running Win7. My wife has a new laptop running Win7 64-bit Home Premium. I have an old home built computer running 32-bit Win7 Home Premium. I also have a computer running Win7 64-bit Ultimate, which I consider my primary computer.
When SP1 came out I was hesitant to install it based on past experience. I had learned the hard way that you should always let others do the initial late-beta testing that seems to be necessary after Microsoft initially releases a service pack. I chose to try installing SP1 on my 32-bit Win7 computer along with the other monthly updates. I started getting Blue Screens of Death (BSOD) randomly Eventually, I managed to track down the problems with help from Microsoft's update support and the computer started running normally after resorting to a cloned disk backup. To play on Dirty Harry, I felt lucky and installed it without problems on my wife's new laptop. Then I decided it should be safe and tried installing on my 64-bit Ultimate computer. I regretted the decision for the next four weeks.
The install went poorly and hung at 16% after rebooting. Tom's Hardware web site gave a suggestion to go ahead and turn the computer off and then turn it back on to go ahead and finish the install. The suggestion worked and the install completed. I began to suffer BSOD's both while running and even more scary during the boot sequence. I would be presented with a recovery screen after the boot failure which invariably said it failed. That's when I first contacted Microsoft for the new problems. The problems continued and I contacted MS support again the next weekend. The problems continued after this second contact with MS support so I called them yet again. After this I noticed things were still not right. The AMD Vision Control Center crashed immediately. Media Center crashed immediately, yet Media Player worked fine. I got a notice about IE8 shutting down unexpectedly, even though I'm running IE9. It mentioned an event number and I thought I would look at the event.
When I tried bringing up the Event Viewer it said that the Event Viewer snap-in could not be displayed and that it may not have been installed correctly. OMG, this is part of the operating system and I decided to call MS support once again. After explaining the new problems, the MS support idiot asked me whether I could boot without crashing. I said yes, and this idiot sent me back to another MS drone to get a new ticket number for this latest problem caused by MS SP1. That's when they told me they were going to charge me to fix this "new problem". I went ballistic and the MS drone eventually hung up on me. My only indication they were not there was a dial tone.
I decided to hell with Microsoft and their incompetence. I called a local computer repair guy to come to the house and figure out what's wrong. The repair guy came by the house and looked at the 64-bit system and decided to uninstall Win7 SP1 manually since according to Windows Update it had not installed completely. Once he did that he installed it again. All the symptoms are now gone. Best $100 I've spent in a while.
LESSON LEARNED: Most MS Support people are nice (not that last set of idiots) but they blindly follow a script which might only hide the true problem. The first three calls were to foreign support people. The first was in the Philippines and the second as well as the third were from India. The foreign support people were respectful, patient and easy to work with, even if they couldn't solve the problem. Only the American MS support people, if I remember right in Oregon, appeared more interested in ending the call than helping a customer with a problem caused by a update to their software. Nasty, nasty people.
Sunday, December 26, 2010
BlackBerry & RIM Comments
My first smart phone was a Palm Treo 755p. Oh how I miss that phone with it's stylus and touch screen. I replaced it with a RIM BlackBerry 8330 eventually. Even initially I had trouble with the BlackBerry. The first phone I had, I returned to the store and went home with a Samsung Insight instead. I ended up returning the insight after accidentally texting my wife's aunt in California at 4:30AM her time. Thankfully, it was a landline and the message didn't get delivered. Didn't get along well with the Insight's touch screen. I finally decided my first impression of BlackBerry must be wrong and it couldn't really be that bad.
I took another BlackBerry home and tried installing the desktop software on my 64-bit Vista Home Premium computer. No luck, the software didn't support 64-bit Vista. Eventually, I ended up just using the BlackBerry as a USB drive to transfer data. This all happened nearly two years ago, and my BlackBerry contract with Sprint is going to expire this coming spring.
I continued being disappointed with the BlackBerry. Installing apps was always a pain. My Treo 755p had long had the Slingbox app to watch my cable TV from anywhere, which never became available for my model 8330. Installing updates on the BlackBerry often caused a regression to an application or made the experience less fulfilling.
The Vista 64-bit computer has since been upgraded to 64-bit Win 7 Ultimate.
This morning I decided to try an app called Flixter that I learned about on InfoWorld.com. Sounded like it might be an interesting application. The link took me to appworld on blackberry.com. It wanted to install something called "Blackberry AppWorld Installer". I tried installing using Firefox with no luck. Tried using an IE window in Firefox with no luck. Finally started up IE 8 and tried installing from there. It seemed to install, but the connection to the phone didn't seem to work enough to satisfy the installation web page. Decided enough was enough and looked for help on the BlackBerry web site. What I quickly found was their recommended work around was to use a compatible operating system on my computer to install and use their application. In disgust I uninstalled Blackberry AppWorld Installer using the Control Panel.
Imagine the arrogance involved with a phone application (or web site or phone vendor) requiring that I use a compatible operating system on my computer to load their application. Although I have another 32-bit Win 7 Home Premium and three 32-bit XP @Home computers which might be compatible, they are not my primary computer. I will not defile them with this software. So I hereby decree, I will no longer install anything related to Blackberry on either my computer or the phone itself and will begin investigating Android phones to replace the BlackBerry. If I can't find a phone compatible with my needs then I'll do without a so-called smartphone and save lots of money each month. Oh how I miss my Palm Treo. Palm sort of reminds me of the Commodore story of a better product failing because they couldn't sell it to save themselves.
I took another BlackBerry home and tried installing the desktop software on my 64-bit Vista Home Premium computer. No luck, the software didn't support 64-bit Vista. Eventually, I ended up just using the BlackBerry as a USB drive to transfer data. This all happened nearly two years ago, and my BlackBerry contract with Sprint is going to expire this coming spring.
I continued being disappointed with the BlackBerry. Installing apps was always a pain. My Treo 755p had long had the Slingbox app to watch my cable TV from anywhere, which never became available for my model 8330. Installing updates on the BlackBerry often caused a regression to an application or made the experience less fulfilling.
The Vista 64-bit computer has since been upgraded to 64-bit Win 7 Ultimate.
This morning I decided to try an app called Flixter that I learned about on InfoWorld.com. Sounded like it might be an interesting application. The link took me to appworld on blackberry.com. It wanted to install something called "Blackberry AppWorld Installer". I tried installing using Firefox with no luck. Tried using an IE window in Firefox with no luck. Finally started up IE 8 and tried installing from there. It seemed to install, but the connection to the phone didn't seem to work enough to satisfy the installation web page. Decided enough was enough and looked for help on the BlackBerry web site. What I quickly found was their recommended work around was to use a compatible operating system on my computer to install and use their application. In disgust I uninstalled Blackberry AppWorld Installer using the Control Panel.
Imagine the arrogance involved with a phone application (or web site or phone vendor) requiring that I use a compatible operating system on my computer to load their application. Although I have another 32-bit Win 7 Home Premium and three 32-bit XP @Home computers which might be compatible, they are not my primary computer. I will not defile them with this software. So I hereby decree, I will no longer install anything related to Blackberry on either my computer or the phone itself and will begin investigating Android phones to replace the BlackBerry. If I can't find a phone compatible with my needs then I'll do without a so-called smartphone and save lots of money each month. Oh how I miss my Palm Treo. Palm sort of reminds me of the Commodore story of a better product failing because they couldn't sell it to save themselves.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Firefox & Software Update Madness
I spent nearly an hour downloading Microsoft Office Plus 2010 after purchasing and Firefox stopped responding. The download had reached 621MB of the 650MB. Eventually I found a hidden dialog box asking me to update Firefox to 3.6.11. I clicked the button to "Ask Me Later", but Firefox still was not responding. My only choice was to kill Firefox which I did.
Firefox restarted and I chose to restore the previous session which it did. Finally checking the download manager I found it was back to downloading the Office download at about 285MB. It quickly completed the download successfully in 5-10 minutes.
I've grown used to clicking on a link in an email message and receiving a "fatal error" message from Firefox only to find Firefox wants to update some totally unrelated add-on. Performing the update gets Firefox to finally start. However, interrupting a 650MB download for an update is totally unacceptable. Mozilla, the Firefox developer, along with all the software development community have got to get this update madness under control. Each piece of software seems to think their software is the only software installed on a computer and must be updated immediately regardless what the user is doing.
Last week proved to be incredibly annoying. It was Micro$oft Tuesday and they wanted to install a massive number of updates. In the midst of the M$ mess, Adobe Reader decided it needed to be updated immediately. Then Norton Internet Security wanted to update from the 2010 version to 2011. When this happens on a weeknight while trying to update five (5) home computers and all your trying to do is read your day's email, it becomes overwhelming.
So what do you think? Has this update madness gotten out of control and do software developers need to change their paradigm on when to tickle a user to update?
Firefox restarted and I chose to restore the previous session which it did. Finally checking the download manager I found it was back to downloading the Office download at about 285MB. It quickly completed the download successfully in 5-10 minutes.
I've grown used to clicking on a link in an email message and receiving a "fatal error" message from Firefox only to find Firefox wants to update some totally unrelated add-on. Performing the update gets Firefox to finally start. However, interrupting a 650MB download for an update is totally unacceptable. Mozilla, the Firefox developer, along with all the software development community have got to get this update madness under control. Each piece of software seems to think their software is the only software installed on a computer and must be updated immediately regardless what the user is doing.
Last week proved to be incredibly annoying. It was Micro$oft Tuesday and they wanted to install a massive number of updates. In the midst of the M$ mess, Adobe Reader decided it needed to be updated immediately. Then Norton Internet Security wanted to update from the 2010 version to 2011. When this happens on a weeknight while trying to update five (5) home computers and all your trying to do is read your day's email, it becomes overwhelming.
So what do you think? Has this update madness gotten out of control and do software developers need to change their paradigm on when to tickle a user to update?
Sunday, July 25, 2010
NPR: Amazing Univ. of Michigan Study of Political Opinions vs. Facts
Maybe this National Public Radio story explains why we elect idiots and crooks over and over. We don’t want facts to get in the way. With an electorate like this making such insane and irrational decisions you have to wonder whether a dictatorship is so bad. At least you could apply rationale to why a decision was made!
From the NPR ( http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=128490874 )
In Politics, Sometimes The Facts Don't Matter
July 13, 2010
New research suggests that misinformed people rarely change their minds when presented with the facts -- and often become even more attached to their beliefs. The finding raises questions about a key principle of a strong democracy: that a well-informed electorate is best.
Transcript (extract):
Copyright © 2010 National Public Radio®. For personal, noncommercial use only. See Terms of Use. For other uses, prior permission required.
NEAL CONAN, host:
This is TALK OF THE NATION. I’m Neal Conan in Washington.
We'd like to believe that most of what we know is accurate and that if presented with facts to prove we're wrong, we would sheepishly accept the truth and change our views accordingly.
A new body of research out of the University of Michigan suggests that's not what happens, that we base our opinions on beliefs and when presented with contradictory facts, we adhere to our original belief even more strongly.
The phenomenon is called backfire, and it plays an especially important role in how we shape and solidify our beliefs on immigration, the president's place of birth, welfare and other highly partisan issues.
Have the facts ever convinced you to change your mind, and how did it happen?
Story is continued on the NPR site which also has an audio of this episode.
From the NPR ( http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=128490874 )
In Politics, Sometimes The Facts Don't Matter
July 13, 2010
New research suggests that misinformed people rarely change their minds when presented with the facts -- and often become even more attached to their beliefs. The finding raises questions about a key principle of a strong democracy: that a well-informed electorate is best.
Transcript (extract):
Copyright © 2010 National Public Radio®. For personal, noncommercial use only. See Terms of Use. For other uses, prior permission required.
NEAL CONAN, host:
This is TALK OF THE NATION. I’m Neal Conan in Washington.
We'd like to believe that most of what we know is accurate and that if presented with facts to prove we're wrong, we would sheepishly accept the truth and change our views accordingly.
A new body of research out of the University of Michigan suggests that's not what happens, that we base our opinions on beliefs and when presented with contradictory facts, we adhere to our original belief even more strongly.
The phenomenon is called backfire, and it plays an especially important role in how we shape and solidify our beliefs on immigration, the president's place of birth, welfare and other highly partisan issues.
Have the facts ever convinced you to change your mind, and how did it happen?
Story is continued on the NPR site which also has an audio of this episode.
Monday, May 24, 2010
Solving Oil Spill - Connecting High Pressure Pipes
If you have ever tried to connect a hose to a faucet that has running water you have seen the problem that BP is experiencing in the Gulf right now. There is a simple means to mate two pipes or a hose and faucet while fluid is flowing from one..
The issue is the high pressure in the pipe spilling either oil or water. Matching the connecting pipe of the same size causes a rapid lateral flow (splash to the face) and sudden increase in pressure.
How can two pipes or hose and faucet be brought together and the fluid, whether oil or water, flowing between them. I'll explain and illustrate with a series of three pictures.
A collar is placed around the the pipe spilling the fluid. Performing this task offers little pressure differential or resistance. Next you bring a pipe, called the nozzle pipe, of the same size or larger containing concentric smaller pipes welded inside each adjacent pipe (and larger pipes as necessary for structural integrity). The nozzle pipe is connected to the remote repository intended to receive the fluid with three or four threaded screws around the periphery (see Phase 1 below). These screws are hinged and meant to drop into latches on the spilling pipe The nozzle pipe is slowly inserted into the spilling pipe using the threaded screws until the two pipes are securely mated (Phase 2). At this point the collar is secured by clamps on both the spilling pipe and the nozzle pipe (Phase 3).
At this point the fluid will be flowing from the spilling pipe to the nozzle pipe without leakage. See the above figure.
Now if someone can explain this concept to BP and they listen we can stop the horrible mess that is continuing to develop in the Gulf.
So why isn't BP trying to capture the oil leaking from their oil head?
The issue is the high pressure in the pipe spilling either oil or water. Matching the connecting pipe of the same size causes a rapid lateral flow (splash to the face) and sudden increase in pressure.
How can two pipes or hose and faucet be brought together and the fluid, whether oil or water, flowing between them. I'll explain and illustrate with a series of three pictures.
A collar is placed around the the pipe spilling the fluid. Performing this task offers little pressure differential or resistance. Next you bring a pipe, called the nozzle pipe, of the same size or larger containing concentric smaller pipes welded inside each adjacent pipe (and larger pipes as necessary for structural integrity). The nozzle pipe is connected to the remote repository intended to receive the fluid with three or four threaded screws around the periphery (see Phase 1 below). These screws are hinged and meant to drop into latches on the spilling pipe The nozzle pipe is slowly inserted into the spilling pipe using the threaded screws until the two pipes are securely mated (Phase 2). At this point the collar is secured by clamps on both the spilling pipe and the nozzle pipe (Phase 3).
At this point the fluid will be flowing from the spilling pipe to the nozzle pipe without leakage. See the above figure.
Now if someone can explain this concept to BP and they listen we can stop the horrible mess that is continuing to develop in the Gulf.
So why isn't BP trying to capture the oil leaking from their oil head?
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Toshiba DVR Support a Big Disappointment
In 2006 we bought a Toshiba RD-XS35 DVR while we were living in an apartment in Nebraska. The DVR worked fine and did as promised while we lived in Nebraska. Late in 2007 we moved back to our house in Colorado. After the move we found the DVD tray would open and not close whenever power was applied. Of course I found our warranty had expired and I had to pay to send the DVR back for repairs. Everything worked fine until early last year, around June 2009. It was then that I noticed the TV Guide on-screen had stopped working, making programming the DVR annoying at best. After trying to re-setup the DVR numerous times I finally decided to try contacting Toshiba technical support. This started my long term relationship with the Advanced Services Group (ASG) at Toshiba.
First contact with Toshiba ASG occurred on September 11, 2009. We stepped through the key sequences to do a low level reset of the DVR and they told me to call back if that didn't fix the problem. It didn't. I even checked with Comcast after the first call to see if they were blocking the necessary TVGOS analog signal. Comcast said they were not blocking any analog signal. I've contacted the Toshiba ASG by phone three times since and each time resulted in stepping through the same sequence to capture diagnostics and then resetting the device. Each call ended in a promise that they would pass the diagnostics to "The Engineers" at Rovi (Macrovision) and get back to me. After not hearing anything from Toshiba ASG I would call again and go through the same ritual.
Now on April 9, 2010, the problem with the DVR is still happening and I've heard nothing from Toshiba ASG. So I sent them an email trying to explain my frustration and receive a reply that says, "My team here in Advanced Services Group have done everything that we have been asked by "Rovi" (Macrovision) and I understand that this has to cause frustration on the customer's behalf, especially when there seems to be no resolution. Since this is a third party affiliation, it is hard for us to do much when we are at the mercy of another company and the programming." Toshiba ASG didn't seem to understand that expecting me to call back, e-mail them or otherwise follow-up after providing them the requested information is unreasonable. Communication is two-way and the protocol required a response from them. The matter is closed and I will never buy nor recommend another Toshiba product under any name.
I am reminded of an episode with a 1986 Chrysler Voyager mini-Van. The van suffered from vapor lock and eventually in the mid 90's became totally gutless which is fatal living in mountainous country. I kept taking this van back to Chrysler over and over, eventually I only dealt with the manager when I would drop the van off to have it looked at. On the last visit, the eleventh, the manager had the moxie to tell me as we stood looking under the van's hood that, "those Mitsubishi engines always were crap", and then incredibly walking away toward the showroom said, "interested in looking at a new van?"
What that Chrysler manager and Toshiba ASG don't understand is that I didn't buy anything from their suppliers, either Mitsubishi or Rovi. They each made the design decision to buy something rather than build in-house. Even more important, they made promises to their customers about the capabilities and functionality of their products. These are not the failures of individuals within the companies, but instead a statement on poor quality products and lack of support capabilities. These things cost money for stock holders, so they are willing to drive customers away.
The Toshiba DVR issue is closed, not by Toshiba, but Comcast instead. On the same day I e-mailed Toshiba this last time I received a letter from Comcast telling me that to "improve my digital experience" they were going to require that any TV (and other devices) would need either a set top box or digital adapter to receive their service. So the Toshiba DVR will become a very expensive DVD player and I will never buy another Toshiba product. I guess Toshiba is the winner here since they managed to not fix their product at the expense of only one lifetime customer. Makes you wonder how long they can keep doing this kind of support.
First contact with Toshiba ASG occurred on September 11, 2009. We stepped through the key sequences to do a low level reset of the DVR and they told me to call back if that didn't fix the problem. It didn't. I even checked with Comcast after the first call to see if they were blocking the necessary TVGOS analog signal. Comcast said they were not blocking any analog signal. I've contacted the Toshiba ASG by phone three times since and each time resulted in stepping through the same sequence to capture diagnostics and then resetting the device. Each call ended in a promise that they would pass the diagnostics to "The Engineers" at Rovi (Macrovision) and get back to me. After not hearing anything from Toshiba ASG I would call again and go through the same ritual.
Now on April 9, 2010, the problem with the DVR is still happening and I've heard nothing from Toshiba ASG. So I sent them an email trying to explain my frustration and receive a reply that says, "My team here in Advanced Services Group have done everything that we have been asked by "Rovi" (Macrovision) and I understand that this has to cause frustration on the customer's behalf, especially when there seems to be no resolution. Since this is a third party affiliation, it is hard for us to do much when we are at the mercy of another company and the programming." Toshiba ASG didn't seem to understand that expecting me to call back, e-mail them or otherwise follow-up after providing them the requested information is unreasonable. Communication is two-way and the protocol required a response from them. The matter is closed and I will never buy nor recommend another Toshiba product under any name.
I am reminded of an episode with a 1986 Chrysler Voyager mini-Van. The van suffered from vapor lock and eventually in the mid 90's became totally gutless which is fatal living in mountainous country. I kept taking this van back to Chrysler over and over, eventually I only dealt with the manager when I would drop the van off to have it looked at. On the last visit, the eleventh, the manager had the moxie to tell me as we stood looking under the van's hood that, "those Mitsubishi engines always were crap", and then incredibly walking away toward the showroom said, "interested in looking at a new van?"
What that Chrysler manager and Toshiba ASG don't understand is that I didn't buy anything from their suppliers, either Mitsubishi or Rovi. They each made the design decision to buy something rather than build in-house. Even more important, they made promises to their customers about the capabilities and functionality of their products. These are not the failures of individuals within the companies, but instead a statement on poor quality products and lack of support capabilities. These things cost money for stock holders, so they are willing to drive customers away.
The Toshiba DVR issue is closed, not by Toshiba, but Comcast instead. On the same day I e-mailed Toshiba this last time I received a letter from Comcast telling me that to "improve my digital experience" they were going to require that any TV (and other devices) would need either a set top box or digital adapter to receive their service. So the Toshiba DVR will become a very expensive DVD player and I will never buy another Toshiba product. I guess Toshiba is the winner here since they managed to not fix their product at the expense of only one lifetime customer. Makes you wonder how long they can keep doing this kind of support.
Sunday, January 03, 2010
Micro$oft Outlook Replaces Thunderbird
December 29, 2009 I posted on my Facebook wall:
Well yesterday I finally got around to changing from Mozilla Thunderbird to Micro$oft Outlook. As a final attempt to live within the environment provided by Mozilla's Thunderbird, I tried using Kalendra. Kalendra seemed like a really good calendar-centered application, but that's not what I wanted. I wanted an integrated email and calendar application.
The initial transition of setting up Outlook with a new profile and my two personal email accounts went smooth. Haven't tried to move either my old mail or address book from Thunderbird to Outlook, so I haven't faced those problems yet.
This morning I noticed an email from slashdot.org containing the stories was not complete, but I've seen that before. Since I'm already dealing with another issue with slashdot.org emails not being delivered I guess I'll just ignore this problem.
So for now at least, I'm willing to live with the situation.
This web page is what I need to finally get rid of Mozilla Thunderbird for a personal email client and go to Micro$oft Outlook. Not what I wanted to do, but the latest Thunderbird continues the trend of decreased stability and lack of any decent Calendar. Actually, the Calendar, which I have begged Mozilla to update is my primary reason for dumping Thunderbird. Stubbornness was the only reason I kept using TB. I am not a big fan of M$, which goes all the way back to 1976 and Bill Gates "Open Letter to Hobbyists", however M$ Outlook is a mature product which has a very good Calendar. Since I have had Outlook on my computer for years to support work why not use it as my personal client too, if I can separate work and personal email using multiple profiles.
See More
Outlook e-mail profiles explained - Outlook - Microsoft Office Online office.microsoft.com
> Products > Outlook > Outlook 2003 Help and How-to > E-mail > Configuring E-mail Accounts > Profiles
December 29, 2009 at 5:39am
Well yesterday I finally got around to changing from Mozilla Thunderbird to Micro$oft Outlook. As a final attempt to live within the environment provided by Mozilla's Thunderbird, I tried using Kalendra. Kalendra seemed like a really good calendar-centered application, but that's not what I wanted. I wanted an integrated email and calendar application.
The initial transition of setting up Outlook with a new profile and my two personal email accounts went smooth. Haven't tried to move either my old mail or address book from Thunderbird to Outlook, so I haven't faced those problems yet.
This morning I noticed an email from slashdot.org containing the stories was not complete, but I've seen that before. Since I'm already dealing with another issue with slashdot.org emails not being delivered I guess I'll just ignore this problem.
So for now at least, I'm willing to live with the situation.
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Criminal Health Care Reform
Here is a message sent to Michael F. Bennet, United States Senator for Colorado this morning.
As registered independent voters in Colorado we are asking that not only do you vote Nay (against) the massive criminal Health Reform legislation, but that you also actively and openly encourage your fellow senators to vote likewise. Apparently, it has not dawned on the members of both houses that it is the will of the people rather than the money of the lobbyist who should dictate legislation.
Do we need Health Care reform? Of course we do! The health care and drug industries are taking outlandish advantage of the American people. Does America need to pass such reform as one massive bill in the dark of night under a trumped up deadline to get it passed before the American people realize what the criminals in congress are doing? Of course not!!! If the proposed Health Care is so advantages to the American people, should members of Congress be forced to use the care for themselves? Of course! Should we gut Medicare now for what appears to be a savings, only to add this false savings and additional money to save Medicare in a few short years? Only an idiot would believe this!
Please vote against this legislation. The American people will have no recourse but to remove from office any Senator or Representative who should vote in support of this legislation regardless of their political party. I pledge my support, both monetarily and through action, to any cause which will act to remove any member of congress who supports this legislation whether it passes or not. Obviously, these members have sold out to the lobbyists and do not represent the interests of the people. This is a shame for America and our fore fathers would revolt rather than allow this to happen. Listen to the people, not the people paying bribes.
We, the people, are not sure what the heck you people are thinking. We are not stupid.
Most sincerely,
As registered independent voters in Colorado we are asking that not only do you vote Nay (against) the massive criminal Health Reform legislation, but that you also actively and openly encourage your fellow senators to vote likewise. Apparently, it has not dawned on the members of both houses that it is the will of the people rather than the money of the lobbyist who should dictate legislation.
Do we need Health Care reform? Of course we do! The health care and drug industries are taking outlandish advantage of the American people. Does America need to pass such reform as one massive bill in the dark of night under a trumped up deadline to get it passed before the American people realize what the criminals in congress are doing? Of course not!!! If the proposed Health Care is so advantages to the American people, should members of Congress be forced to use the care for themselves? Of course! Should we gut Medicare now for what appears to be a savings, only to add this false savings and additional money to save Medicare in a few short years? Only an idiot would believe this!
Please vote against this legislation. The American people will have no recourse but to remove from office any Senator or Representative who should vote in support of this legislation regardless of their political party. I pledge my support, both monetarily and through action, to any cause which will act to remove any member of congress who supports this legislation whether it passes or not. Obviously, these members have sold out to the lobbyists and do not represent the interests of the people. This is a shame for America and our fore fathers would revolt rather than allow this to happen. Listen to the people, not the people paying bribes.
We, the people, are not sure what the heck you people are thinking. We are not stupid.
Most sincerely,
Saturday, November 21, 2009
RE: Sara Palin
This morning I ran across the e-mail message below in the trash folder on my mail server. Based on the e-mail header, the message originates from the democrats.org domain which I am assuming is related to the Democratic party. My response and the original email are below. I'm quite certain those who relate to the original e-mail message will not understand the reason for my disgust.
Mitch,
I received the following SPAM message on my server in the trash folder. As the owner of the fla*****.com domain I can assure you the email address "DALY@FLA*****.COM" does not exist and is fraudulent. Remove this address from any future e-mailings and contact the person(s) using this e-mail address by whatever other means you have to communicate with them and request they stop using this fraudulent email account.
I am always disappointed to see politically motivated nonsense messages like this one. These serve no purpose but to spread misinformation. Misguided hate mongering like this message are intended to excite hatred and are destroying our country. I will forward your message and this response to my friends and family to express my disgust, which was probably not the intent of your original message. I'll also post this message to my blog.
If you have an opinion express it, don't attack other people personally or their opinions. If your opinion is not supportable on it's own, then shut up.
Thanks
From: "Mitch Stewart, Democrats.org"
Date: Sat, 21 Nov 2009 09:19:22 -0500
To: Kerry Davey
Subject: Sarah Palin
The Democratic Party
-----------------------
Kerry --
Right now, Sarah Palin is on a highly publicized, nationwide book tour, attacking President Obama and his plan for health reform at every turn.
It's dangerous. Remember, this is the person who coined the term "Death Panels" -- and opened the flood gates for months of false attacks by special interests and partisan extremists.
Whatever lie comes next will be widely covered by the media, then constantly echoed by right-wing attack groups and others who are trying to defeat reform.
Mitch,
I received the following SPAM message on my server in the trash folder. As the owner of the fla*****.com domain I can assure you the email address "DALY@FLA*****.COM" does not exist and is fraudulent. Remove this address from any future e-mailings and contact the person(s) using this e-mail address by whatever other means you have to communicate with them and request they stop using this fraudulent email account.
I am always disappointed to see politically motivated nonsense messages like this one. These serve no purpose but to spread misinformation. Misguided hate mongering like this message are intended to excite hatred and are destroying our country. I will forward your message and this response to my friends and family to express my disgust, which was probably not the intent of your original message. I'll also post this message to my blog.
If you have an opinion express it, don't attack other people personally or their opinions. If your opinion is not supportable on it's own, then shut up.
Thanks
From: "Mitch Stewart, Democrats.org"
Date: Sat, 21 Nov 2009 09:19:22 -0500
To: Kerry Davey
Subject: Sarah Palin
The Democratic Party
-----------------------
Kerry --
Right now, Sarah Palin is on a highly publicized, nationwide book tour, attacking President Obama and his plan for health reform at every turn.
It's dangerous. Remember, this is the person who coined the term "Death Panels" -- and opened the flood gates for months of false attacks by special interests and partisan extremists.
Whatever lie comes next will be widely covered by the media, then constantly echoed by right-wing attack groups and others who are trying to defeat reform.
Sunday, August 09, 2009
Dell Is Trying to Rip My Son Off
What the hell does Dell think they are doing? My son bought a Dell Inspiron 530S last year with a 350 watt power supply and built in video from Best Buy. The built in video did not give the system even basic game capabilities according to Vista. Having made the mistake of recommending my son go ahead and buy this computer based on the Best Buy weekend special, I didn't feel confident to recommend a video card. After my son bought a minimal game that would not load on the system due to the lame video capabilities, he and I went to Best Buy to find a slim video card that he could use. Considering Best Buy's technical credentials, it should be no surprise they had no clue what card might be used in this system to give it even basic gaming capabilities.
Since Dell built the system and it had such a lame excuse for a power supply I looked on the Dell web site for a video card with a slim form factor. I found several costing between $39 and $60 on the Dell web site that should meet his needs, but since I had recommended he buy the POS to begin with, I had lost my confidence and didn't want to recommend which one would work on this system. Instead, since Best Buy didn't have a clue or know what they were doing, I recommended he contact Dell Support and ask them which card he should get. He did as I recommended (see Support Chat Session below).
Well, since I'm writing this Dell obviously failed to come through and has tried to take advantage of my son. Based on the chat session below, Tech support identified a card meeting his needs at 1:41:11 which was a P/N 2542453 for $ 55.99. When he was transferred to Sales, low and behold they told him "Oh no, that's not the right card. You need a a A2418153 (aka GeForce 9500 GT) with a TV tuner and 1 GB of video memory for $99. In addition he needed a mysterious $10 cable to install this card in his system. Now don't get me wrong, this card is awesome, but with the statement on the side of the box, "POWER SUPPLY ADVISORY NVIDIA MINIMUM POWER SUPPLY REQUIREMENTS - Minimum 400W or greater system power supply (with a minimum 12V current rating of 18A). Yeh, this card that Dell sales managed to convince my son to buy would probably work for a week, a month, or maybe even several months while the power supply fries itself and the system overheats. How dare Dell take advantage of my son's innocence, naivete and inexperience to sell him a card that exceeds what he needs and will eventually damage his system as it approaches it's end of warranty period.
On my son's behalf I will contact Dell first and the Colorado Attorney Generals office if I am not satisfied with their response. I don't like the idea of some sleazeball salesman taking advantage of my family.
+---- My Son's Dell Support Chat Session ----+
Since Dell built the system and it had such a lame excuse for a power supply I looked on the Dell web site for a video card with a slim form factor. I found several costing between $39 and $60 on the Dell web site that should meet his needs, but since I had recommended he buy the POS to begin with, I had lost my confidence and didn't want to recommend which one would work on this system. Instead, since Best Buy didn't have a clue or know what they were doing, I recommended he contact Dell Support and ask them which card he should get. He did as I recommended (see Support Chat Session below).
Well, since I'm writing this Dell obviously failed to come through and has tried to take advantage of my son. Based on the chat session below, Tech support identified a card meeting his needs at 1:41:11 which was a P/N 2542453 for $ 55.99. When he was transferred to Sales, low and behold they told him "Oh no, that's not the right card. You need a a A2418153 (aka GeForce 9500 GT) with a TV tuner and 1 GB of video memory for $99. In addition he needed a mysterious $10 cable to install this card in his system. Now don't get me wrong, this card is awesome, but with the statement on the side of the box, "POWER SUPPLY ADVISORY NVIDIA MINIMUM POWER SUPPLY REQUIREMENTS - Minimum 400W or greater system power supply (with a minimum 12V current rating of 18A). Yeh, this card that Dell sales managed to convince my son to buy would probably work for a week, a month, or maybe even several months while the power supply fries itself and the system overheats. How dare Dell take advantage of my son's innocence, naivete and inexperience to sell him a card that exceeds what he needs and will eventually damage his system as it approaches it's end of warranty period.
On my son's behalf I will contact Dell first and the Colorado Attorney Generals office if I am not satisfied with their response. I don't like the idea of some sleazeball salesman taking advantage of my family.
+---- My Son's Dell Support Chat Session ----+
| This is an automated email sent from Dell Chat. The following information is a log of your session. Please save the log for your records. Your session ID for this incident is 29324473. | ||
| Time | Details | |
|---|---|---|
| 08/03/2009 01:12:49PM | System: "Thanks for choosing chat for your technical support needs. A chat agent will be with you shortly. Just so you know, you can also visit our website at support.dell.com to get technical help." | |
| 08/03/2009 01:14:49PM | System: "Thanks so much for your patience. Chat agents are eager to help you with your troubleshooting needs, so stay on line and the next available representative will assist you." | |
| 08/03/2009 01:17:54PM | Session Transferred to Agent (Jaswant _110991) | |
| 08/03/2009 01:18:07PM | Session Started with Agent (Jaswant _110991) | |
| 08/03/2009 01:18:16PM | Brian Xxxxx: "Im having trouble finding a Video card for the inspiron 530s i have is there anything I find that is good enough for under $50" | |
| 08/03/2009 01:18:19PM | Agent (Jaswant _110991): "Welcome to Dell's Technical Support Chat! My name is Jaswant. How may I assist you today?" | |
| 08/03/2009 01:18:54PM | Brian Xxxxx: "Im having trouble finding a Video card for the inspiron 530s i have is there anything I find that is good enough for under $50" | |
| 08/03/2009 01:19:24PM | Agent (Jaswant _110991): "I apologize that you had to wait too long to reach us, we have been experiencing high chat volumes today and are working on it. Let me understand the issue we’re facing with the computer right now so that I can assist you right away." | |
| 08/03/2009 01:20:22PM | Agent (Jaswant _110991): "You want to upgrade the video card. Is that correct?" | |
| 08/03/2009 01:20:30PM | Brian Xxxxx: "Yes" | |
| 08/03/2009 01:20:52PM | Agent (Jaswant _110991): "May I know do you want to install any specific card?" | |
| 08/03/2009 01:21:59PM | Brian Xxxxx: "Well Im not sure I bought a game for my son and it says the video card needs to be better im at a 3.0 rating and needs to be a 4.0" | |
| 08/03/2009 01:22:29PM | Agent (Jaswant _110991): "I understand your concern and I will personally attend to the issue. I assure you that I will do my best to provide you quality service. Please give me a minute to pull up your account information." | |
| 08/03/2009 01:22:52PM | Brian Xxxxx: "Thanks" | |
| 08/03/2009 01:23:59PM | Agent (Jaswant _110991): "Thank you for staying online. I appreciate your patience." | |
| 08/03/2009 01:25:15PM | Agent (Jaswant _110991): "I am checking the video card which are under $ 50." | |
| 08/03/2009 01:27:22PM | Agent (Jaswant _110991): "May I know the name of the game which you ant to play?" | |
| 08/03/2009 01:27:51PM | Brian Xxxxx: "The Witcher" | |
| 08/03/2009 01:28:02PM | Agent (Jaswant _110991): "Thank you for the information." | |
| 08/03/2009 01:29:08PM | Agent (Jaswant _110991): "I tried to find a video card lesser than $ 50 and I am afraid that I was not able to find any card in that range which will be compatible with this game and can also give you a rating of 4.0 I will recommend that you may contact our sales department to ge" | |
| t less expensive card. | ||
| 08/03/2009 01:29:26PM | Agent (Jaswant _110991): "The best people to assist you with regards to purchasing the card would be the Dell Spare parts Department. For ‘Home & Home Office’ customers, they are available daily between 7A.M. and 11P.M. CST at 800-357-3355, extension is 72-69938. They would be abl" | |
| e to recommend the correct part, considering your requirements. Our Spare parts representatives would be happy to assist you and provide any additional information that you might need. | ||
| 08/03/2009 01:30:13PM | Agent (Jaswant _110991): "I will be happy to help you order a card which is $ 55.99 excluding taxes and shipping." | |
| 08/03/2009 01:31:11PM | Brian Xxxxx: "Yeah thats fine if it will get me to the 4.0 and fit in this slim box" | |
| 08/03/2009 01:32:42PM | Agent (Jaswant _110991): "May I know the address at which you want to get this card?" | |
| 08/03/2009 01:33:26PM | Brian Xxxxx: "xxx S. Xxxxx St. Xxxxxxxx Co. xxxxxx" | |
| 08/03/2009 01:33:52PM | Agent (Jaswant _110991): "May I know from where did you order this computer?" | |
| 08/03/2009 01:34:17PM | Brian Xxxxx: "Bought it at Best Buy" | |
| 08/03/2009 01:34:44PM | Agent (Jaswant _110991): "According to our records, this system is still registered under the name of Best buy. Would you like me to transfer the ownership on your behalf so that you don’t face any issues in availing technical support in future?" | |
| 08/03/2009 01:35:59PM | Brian Xxxxx: "Yeah I thought I had registered it and also I accidentally gave you the wrong zip code" | |
| 08/03/2009 01:36:28PM | Agent (Jaswant _110991): "May I have the name, telephone number, complete address and e-mail of the owner?" | |
| 08/03/2009 01:38:00PM | Brian Xxxxx: "Brian Xxxxx 303 xxx-xxxx xxx S. Pierce St. Xxxxx Colorado xxxx Brian@ourdomain.dom" | |
| 08/03/2009 01:38:25PM | Agent (Jaswant _110991): "Thank you for the information." | |
| 08/03/2009 01:38:37PM | Agent (Jaswant _110991): "Could you please stay online for 2-3 minutes while I transfer the computer under your name?" | |
| 08/03/2009 01:38:47PM | Brian Xxxxx: "No problem" | |
| 08/03/2009 01:40:07PM | Agent (Jaswant _110991): "Thank you for staying online. I appreciate your patience. In order to place an order for this card I will recommend that you may contact our sales department as they will be happy to assist you and also let you know if a also expensive card is available." | |
| 08/03/2009 01:40:27PM | Agent (Jaswant _110991): "They are available daily between 7A.M. and 11P.M. CST at 800-357-3355, extension is 72-69938." | |
| 08/03/2009 01:41:11PM | Agent (Jaswant _110991): "The Dell part number of the compatible card which is $ 55.99 is A 2542453." | |
| 08/03/2009 01:41:40PM | Brian Xxxxx "Ok Great thanks for the help" | |
| 08/03/2009 01:42:17PM | Agent (Jaswant _110991): "You are most welcome. You will get our chat transcript in your E-Mail box for future reference so that have the part number and phone number handy." | |
| 08/03/2009 01:42:35PM | Brian Xxxxx: "Thanks again" | |
| 08/03/2009 01:42:58PM | Agent (Jaswant _110991): "You are most welcome." | |
| 08/03/2009 01:43:03PM | Agent (Jaswant _110991): "Is there any other DELL hardware related issue that I may assist you with?" | |
| 08/03/2009 01:43:04PM | Session Ended | |
Friday, August 07, 2009
Obama Left with a Mess - Say what?
I am growing so tired of hearing how the Obama administration was "left with a mess" whenever they are asked why the current economy is in such bad shape. They seem to forget that it was Clinton who left America at such risk that we were attacked just 8 months after he left office due to his weak response to the al qaeda threat. It was Clinton who directed credit requirements and standards be lowered so that more of the poor could own homes. This directly lead to the current collapse of the housing market and thus the economy.
It's time to stop this immature response and for the current administration to stand on their own feet. Throwing rocks in a glass house is not smart.
Now I hear that the Obama administration is collecting an enemies list! This concept worked so well for Nixon and the Nazis in Germany. Actually, it's more like the Nazis in Germany since they are asking network neighbors to report one another (flag@whitehouse.gov) if they don't agree with the administration. Nixon at least collected his own names.
This seems to play along with personally attacking people who have different opinions. Personal attacks make this a battle of personalities rather than of ideas. This classic propaganda ploy was used by the Nazis in their rise to power.
A final thought, if this health reform measure is so good why doesn't it cover the Executive, Legislative, and Judiciary branches of the government? While I realize the current health care system is broken and costs are out of control by greedy pharmaceutical companies, dishonest participants, and the tort system, I am still against socializing our health care system. Look what the government has done with Medicare and Medicaid which are looming disasters we are shamelessly laying on our children. The current proposed reform will only add to the burden of these innocent future victims of our fiscal irresponsibiliy. However, should the hypocrites in Washington, D.C. sign up for this same health care system they are cramming down Americas throat, I might be more willing to listen to their banter. Another requirement is that the law be READ by every member of the congress who then signs a legally binding assertion that they have read what they are approving on the behalf of their constituents. It they can't read, but only talk instead, they should give up their seat to someone who is literate.
Anyone who says these thoughts are not my own, and instead put in my mind by others is a dishonest idiot and should not hold a responsible position affecting others. The Republicans couldn't orchestrate a sing along let alone something this fundamental to the American idea and so widespread.
Just some thoughts on my mind.
It's time to stop this immature response and for the current administration to stand on their own feet. Throwing rocks in a glass house is not smart.
Now I hear that the Obama administration is collecting an enemies list! This concept worked so well for Nixon and the Nazis in Germany. Actually, it's more like the Nazis in Germany since they are asking network neighbors to report one another (flag@whitehouse.gov) if they don't agree with the administration. Nixon at least collected his own names.
This seems to play along with personally attacking people who have different opinions. Personal attacks make this a battle of personalities rather than of ideas. This classic propaganda ploy was used by the Nazis in their rise to power.
A final thought, if this health reform measure is so good why doesn't it cover the Executive, Legislative, and Judiciary branches of the government? While I realize the current health care system is broken and costs are out of control by greedy pharmaceutical companies, dishonest participants, and the tort system, I am still against socializing our health care system. Look what the government has done with Medicare and Medicaid which are looming disasters we are shamelessly laying on our children. The current proposed reform will only add to the burden of these innocent future victims of our fiscal irresponsibiliy. However, should the hypocrites in Washington, D.C. sign up for this same health care system they are cramming down Americas throat, I might be more willing to listen to their banter. Another requirement is that the law be READ by every member of the congress who then signs a legally binding assertion that they have read what they are approving on the behalf of their constituents. It they can't read, but only talk instead, they should give up their seat to someone who is literate.
Anyone who says these thoughts are not my own, and instead put in my mind by others is a dishonest idiot and should not hold a responsible position affecting others. The Republicans couldn't orchestrate a sing along let alone something this fundamental to the American idea and so widespread.
Just some thoughts on my mind.
Friday, July 31, 2009
Thoughts on my mind
I have several thoughts that given time I would like to share. These include:
- Reef Club Cozumel conditions and service (Reef Regency, Wyndham)
- Promises to see whale sharks off Yucatan
- Vacationing without the rest of the family
- New 2009 Nissan Sentra (window tinting, Car Toys Alarm system, chrome wheels)
Stanley Hotel - Estes Park Colorado
We waited until today to drive our new 2009 Nissan Sentra up to Estes Park, Colorado. We bought the car three days ago and it's rained every day since with really cool temps. We really lucked out and the choice to go today proved ideal. What a wonderful trip into the mountains in our new car. The car performed flawlessly throughout the trip and had no problems with the climb.
If you have never been to Estes Park you need to make plans now. This place is why we live in Colorado. The views going through the mountains are unbelievable, then you get to Estes Park and they become breathless. Needless to say, we went with plans to see the Stanley Hotel. We were not disappointed! This hotel, where Steven King spent a vacation contemplating "The Shining" is absolutely beautiful. Most people don't realize that the version of the movie "The Shining" starring Jack Nicholson was not shot at the Stanley hotel. However, they did everything they could to make it appear that it was used in the movie. Once you've seen the hotel and how it is nestled right in the town of Estes Park, you realize there is no maze in front of the hotel and something is amiss. A later version of the story, shot for TV, was actually shot at the Stanley hotel in Estes Park. Both movie versions of the story are available in the hotel's gift shop.
We had a really wonderful day in Estes Park, about an hour and a half North of our unincorporated Jefferson County home.
If you have never been to Estes Park you need to make plans now. This place is why we live in Colorado. The views going through the mountains are unbelievable, then you get to Estes Park and they become breathless. Needless to say, we went with plans to see the Stanley Hotel. We were not disappointed! This hotel, where Steven King spent a vacation contemplating "The Shining" is absolutely beautiful. Most people don't realize that the version of the movie "The Shining" starring Jack Nicholson was not shot at the Stanley hotel. However, they did everything they could to make it appear that it was used in the movie. Once you've seen the hotel and how it is nestled right in the town of Estes Park, you realize there is no maze in front of the hotel and something is amiss. A later version of the story, shot for TV, was actually shot at the Stanley hotel in Estes Park. Both movie versions of the story are available in the hotel's gift shop.
We had a really wonderful day in Estes Park, about an hour and a half North of our unincorporated Jefferson County home.
Must Be Fair with Cheap-O-Air
I really need to be fair with Cheap-O-Air. I checked for the cheapest airfares to Cozumel for our July 4 trip on June 30th. I tried everything I could think of including Orbitz, Expedia, Travelocity, CheapTickets, Cheap Airfare, etc. All of them wanted $650 plus per person round trip. Only Cheap-O-Air gave a round trip air fare of $381. After the Albuquerque experience I was leery, but low and behold they came through like a champ. Even exceeded their own expectations when they gave me some warning that some of the tickets were not electronic and had to be mailed. After clearing this up the night before leaving, we had all-electronic tickets round trip. Arrived at DIA sleepy and Continental said because it was a holiday (July 4th) we could upgrade to first class for $75/per person/per segment. We took that deal and really enjoyed the flight through Houston.
The only issue we had with the travel on this trip was our plane out of Cozumel airport was delayed more than four (4) hours! The delay was Delta's fault, not Cheap-O-Airs. If you've ever been to Cozumel by plane, you know there is not much to do at the airport so the delay was boring, and given that I was sick for two (2) days with stomach cramps etc., I was miserable. Our connecting Frontier flight out of Atlanta left two hours before we arrived. Delta in COZ told us that they would put us up for the night in Atlanta. However, when we went through customs and checked with Delta in Atlanta, they told us we had 15 minutes to catch our Delta flight to Denver. Rushing through the Atlanta airport we made the flight and a nice lady even gave me her isle seat. By this time I was feeling REALLY sick and developed shivers with chattering teeth. My wife showed her concern by demanding that I stop shaking because it was annoying her. Welcome to 37 years of marriage.
The only issue we had with the travel on this trip was our plane out of Cozumel airport was delayed more than four (4) hours! The delay was Delta's fault, not Cheap-O-Airs. If you've ever been to Cozumel by plane, you know there is not much to do at the airport so the delay was boring, and given that I was sick for two (2) days with stomach cramps etc., I was miserable. Our connecting Frontier flight out of Atlanta left two hours before we arrived. Delta in COZ told us that they would put us up for the night in Atlanta. However, when we went through customs and checked with Delta in Atlanta, they told us we had 15 minutes to catch our Delta flight to Denver. Rushing through the Atlanta airport we made the flight and a nice lady even gave me her isle seat. By this time I was feeling REALLY sick and developed shivers with chattering teeth. My wife showed her concern by demanding that I stop shaking because it was annoying her. Welcome to 37 years of marriage.
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Linux Pulls It Out!
Don't ask me how Linux decides what it's going to do next. Yesterday, after being turned off for two weeks the two Linux boxes booted up just fine. My main rationale for booting them was I received an annual email from Linux Counter to check my listing (user 164701). Noticed I only listed the old machine so I added the IBM to the list. I installed the auto update script and it shows in the cron log that it ran on both machines, but still doesn't show up on Linux Counter as auto updated.
As soon as the old box booted I noticed that somehow without input from anyone but the Linux Gods it was back to the 1280x1024 screen resolution. I updated both boxes which requested a reboot when it completed and they both came back up without problems.
Just wanted to post this to be fair to Linux and all the work people do in developing it. I could of just posted it as a comment to my May 31, 2009 post, but that's like a newspaper accusing someone on page one for the headlines and posting the retraction on page six. That's not right for newspapers, TV networks, or my posts.
As soon as the old box booted I noticed that somehow without input from anyone but the Linux Gods it was back to the 1280x1024 screen resolution. I updated both boxes which requested a reboot when it completed and they both came back up without problems.
Just wanted to post this to be fair to Linux and all the work people do in developing it. I could of just posted it as a comment to my May 31, 2009 post, but that's like a newspaper accusing someone on page one for the headlines and posting the retraction on page six. That's not right for newspapers, TV networks, or my posts.
Sunday, June 07, 2009
Restoring the Dead - Windows XP Pro
Well yesterday I decided to go for it and wipe out and restore from scratch the computer that had been my primary computer since mid-2003 until October 2008. It was running Windows XP Pro with 2 GiB of memory and a 320 GB SATA drive. Actually it has 160 GB and 80 GB IDE drives installed too that are disconnected.
The Windows XP Pro was eating itself. File ownership seemed to have been corrupted which caused programs to not install properly. Devices such as the LeadTek PVR had long ago stopped working and the Dazzle Digital Video Creator 80 (DVG 80) recently quit working. The DVG 80 was really the last straw since without it I couldn't capture the videos of my granddaughters. Heaven forbid!
In addition I had tried to just re-install Windows XP Pro on the disk using the slipstream disk described below. This resulted in a half pregnant install where each boot asked to run setup or boot to windows. The default was to run setup which resulted in a BSOD (Blue Screen of Death). The problem was created by a virus called Norton GoBack sold by Symantec as part of my Norton System Works 2006 which I could not uninstall by itself or with the entire Norton System Works deinstall and Windows said I could not complete the install unless it was removed. Complicating the issue was that I have my WinXP Pro machine sharing a monitor, keyboard and mouse through a KVM with my new Vista 64-Bit computer. With the KVM there was the risk that while I was booting I might not be there to select boot to windows rather than run setup and then BSOD.
Before starting, I decided to "slipstream" my original Windows XP Pro 2002 all the way up to Service Pack 3. To get instructions for this I Googled "slipstream xp sp3" and found the article "How to slipstream windows XP Service Pack 3 to Create an Integrated XP Setup Disk with SP3" at HowToHaven. I followed the steps in the article blindly, but carefully to create two XP Pro SP3 install disks, the extra one just in case the other one didn't work.
To start the re-install process, and remove any doubt whether I wanted to do this I removed the primary partition, created a new one for the entire disk and formatted it as NTFS. To do this step I used the Live version of Gnu Disk Partitioner (GParted 0.4.5-2). Live GParted is Linux based and boots up from a CD quickly. What a nice simple program to use and very similar to the last version of Partition Magic I used years ago. First step, success.
Then I tried installing XP Pro. It booted to the CD and looked like it was going to go smoothly, only to fail when it said it couldn't find any hard disk installed on the system. Another quick trip to Google revealed that Windows didn't recognize that I had SATA support and I needed the to download the drivers to a 3-1/2 inch floppy and use them early in the install process. I went to the Asus web site and downloaded all drivers for my A8V motherboard. One of them had a make disk utility for doing what I needed. That's when I found that coming by a 3-1/2 inch drive and finding a disk for it was no simple feat. Found some old Linux boot disks and other stuff and tried formatting and making the disk in my wife's HP desktop running Win XP Home but it wouldn't do it. In a panic I decided to break out my old Windows 98SE laptop and see if it could deal with the 3-1/2 inch floppy. First thing it told me was the disk was locked which was probably why my wife's computer couldn't do anything with it, but it was too stupid to tell me.
The second attempt installing XP Pro with SP3 went pretty smooth. Pressed the F6 key when prompted and inserted the 3-1/2 inch floppy to load the SATA / RAID drivers. Holding my breath until the prompt came up asking for my product key into which I entered my original product key and in about a half hour I had a "working" Windows XP Pro computer again!
Fixing the network setup (it wanted a dial-up connection?), was a first step and then quickly re-installing Norton Internet Security 2009. These steps went very smooth.
I created some accounts and decided to end the day on a success and would install all the other stuff later.
The first thing I noticed this morning was that the video was honked up. Dragging a window would cause it to be redrawn slowly. I looked at the Device Manager and the video device had a Yellow Question Mark indicating it didn't know what it was, and had decided to use a generic VGA driver. There was another Yellow Question Mark indicating there was another unknown device. Opening the case and pulling the card revealed I had a eVGA e-GeForce 6200 AGP card with 256 MB DDR memory. I went to the evga web site, downloaded and installed the latest driver. Sure enough that fixed the problem with the video.
After that, I thought I would install the LeadTek WinFast Multimedia Software Pack which hadn't worked for a couple years now. This fixed the second Yellow Question Mark and now all the installed devices seem to be recognized.
Next I installed Nero 6 which came with my Pioneer DVR-710 DVD recorder. The drive itself seems to have been recognized during the Windows install.
Well, the Dazzle Digital Video Creator 80 along with it's MGI Video Wave 4 software seems to have installed okay. When I plugged the DVC 80 into a USB port Windows recognized it, loaded the drivers and said it's working properly. That's great news if it's true.
I am amazed at how much software I had installed on this computer:
Well I'll be off the rest of the day, installing and rebooting.
The Windows XP Pro was eating itself. File ownership seemed to have been corrupted which caused programs to not install properly. Devices such as the LeadTek PVR had long ago stopped working and the Dazzle Digital Video Creator 80 (DVG 80) recently quit working. The DVG 80 was really the last straw since without it I couldn't capture the videos of my granddaughters. Heaven forbid!
In addition I had tried to just re-install Windows XP Pro on the disk using the slipstream disk described below. This resulted in a half pregnant install where each boot asked to run setup or boot to windows. The default was to run setup which resulted in a BSOD (Blue Screen of Death). The problem was created by a virus called Norton GoBack sold by Symantec as part of my Norton System Works 2006 which I could not uninstall by itself or with the entire Norton System Works deinstall and Windows said I could not complete the install unless it was removed. Complicating the issue was that I have my WinXP Pro machine sharing a monitor, keyboard and mouse through a KVM with my new Vista 64-Bit computer. With the KVM there was the risk that while I was booting I might not be there to select boot to windows rather than run setup and then BSOD.
Before starting, I decided to "slipstream" my original Windows XP Pro 2002 all the way up to Service Pack 3. To get instructions for this I Googled "slipstream xp sp3" and found the article "How to slipstream windows XP Service Pack 3 to Create an Integrated XP Setup Disk with SP3" at HowToHaven. I followed the steps in the article blindly, but carefully to create two XP Pro SP3 install disks, the extra one just in case the other one didn't work.
To start the re-install process, and remove any doubt whether I wanted to do this I removed the primary partition, created a new one for the entire disk and formatted it as NTFS. To do this step I used the Live version of Gnu Disk Partitioner (GParted 0.4.5-2). Live GParted is Linux based and boots up from a CD quickly. What a nice simple program to use and very similar to the last version of Partition Magic I used years ago. First step, success.
Then I tried installing XP Pro. It booted to the CD and looked like it was going to go smoothly, only to fail when it said it couldn't find any hard disk installed on the system. Another quick trip to Google revealed that Windows didn't recognize that I had SATA support and I needed the to download the drivers to a 3-1/2 inch floppy and use them early in the install process. I went to the Asus web site and downloaded all drivers for my A8V motherboard. One of them had a make disk utility for doing what I needed. That's when I found that coming by a 3-1/2 inch drive and finding a disk for it was no simple feat. Found some old Linux boot disks and other stuff and tried formatting and making the disk in my wife's HP desktop running Win XP Home but it wouldn't do it. In a panic I decided to break out my old Windows 98SE laptop and see if it could deal with the 3-1/2 inch floppy. First thing it told me was the disk was locked which was probably why my wife's computer couldn't do anything with it, but it was too stupid to tell me.
The second attempt installing XP Pro with SP3 went pretty smooth. Pressed the F6 key when prompted and inserted the 3-1/2 inch floppy to load the SATA / RAID drivers. Holding my breath until the prompt came up asking for my product key into which I entered my original product key and in about a half hour I had a "working" Windows XP Pro computer again!
Fixing the network setup (it wanted a dial-up connection?), was a first step and then quickly re-installing Norton Internet Security 2009. These steps went very smooth.
I created some accounts and decided to end the day on a success and would install all the other stuff later.
The first thing I noticed this morning was that the video was honked up. Dragging a window would cause it to be redrawn slowly. I looked at the Device Manager and the video device had a Yellow Question Mark indicating it didn't know what it was, and had decided to use a generic VGA driver. There was another Yellow Question Mark indicating there was another unknown device. Opening the case and pulling the card revealed I had a eVGA e-GeForce 6200 AGP card with 256 MB DDR memory. I went to the evga web site, downloaded and installed the latest driver. Sure enough that fixed the problem with the video.
After that, I thought I would install the LeadTek WinFast Multimedia Software Pack which hadn't worked for a couple years now. This fixed the second Yellow Question Mark and now all the installed devices seem to be recognized.
Next I installed Nero 6 which came with my Pioneer DVR-710 DVD recorder. The drive itself seems to have been recognized during the Windows install.
Well, the Dazzle Digital Video Creator 80 along with it's MGI Video Wave 4 software seems to have installed okay. When I plugged the DVC 80 into a USB port Windows recognized it, loaded the drivers and said it's working properly. That's great news if it's true.
I am amazed at how much software I had installed on this computer:
- ULead Video Studio 7 SE
- ULead DVD MovieFactory and Cool 3D
- Pinnacle Studio 9 (previously had both 7 and 8 on it)
- Adobe Premiere Elements 3.0 (7.0 on Vista Machine)
- Adobe Photoshop Elements 3.0 (7.0 on Vista Machine)
- Microsoft Office XP Professional 2002
- Microsoft FrontPage 2002 (Yuk!)
- Microsoft Visio Professional 2002
- Microsoft Project Standard 2002
- TextPad
- MyInfo
- WinZip 12
- ... and all those downloaded programs, oh my!
Well I'll be off the rest of the day, installing and rebooting.
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Linux Still Sucks
Back on April 4th and 8th, I commented to my own post "Linux (Fedora 10) Sucks!" that I had ordered and installed CentOS 5.2 on two computers. All went well once I added memory to the old IBM E series 580. Both the Micron and IBM installed CentOS quickly and they both run fine. Last weekend, over the long Memorial Day weekend, I thought I would run Package Updater. The updater appeared to run just fine on the IBM, but the Micron came up an error while resolving dependencies. The error message reads, "Unable to resolve dependencies for some packages selected for installation." Under details it says, "Missing Dependency: /usr/share/magic.mime is needed by package httpd-2.2.3-22.el5.centos.i386 (updates)". Of course when I go to the /usr/share directory, there sits the magic.mime file. Today I Google the "Missing Dependency..." and sure enough a guru has trouble shot the problem and found all you have to do is clean out the Yum database with the command "yum clean all". This seems to have fixed the problem this weekend, but why did the problem exist in the first place?
After I ran the Linux software updater, the Micron wanted to reboot and I told it to go ahead. It came up in a screen resolution of 800x600. You would think no problem, I'll just set the resolution back to 1280x1024 that I had been using before and take advantage of my 19 inch monitor. As I should have expected when I tried resetting the screen resolution, my choices are now 800x600 and 640x480. Now what's up with that? I give up, Linux is never going to mature and will always be nothing more than a playground for the people who want to play there.
This new episode reminds me of the "good old days" back in 1997-98 while running Redhat 5.0 and needing to setup my video card. I had time back then, wanted a Unix box at home and wanted to learn this new thing called Linux. Back in those days if your video card didn't come supported out of the box, you did some rather bizarre calculations and then put the results in one of the configuration files in a very specific order. Then came the Xconfigurator or some such. Been there, done that, grew tired of that. Finally, when the computer I was running Linux on back in 2002 or 2003 burned out the IDE controller trying to load Redhat 9, I decided the heck with it and didn't run Linux until I ran across Fedora Core 6 in a magazine in late 2006. That's when I bought the Micron at a garage sale. This is how I got back in the Linux playground. I was hoping that Linux had matured and all the esoteric mechanization to do the simplest tasks was gone and Linux was maturing. Obviously, it was not to be true.
Looks like the next time Linux costs me money, in either software or hardware, I'll just let it die. Until then these two machines will limp along updating when they can and falling behind when they can't. When they die for whatever reason they will end up in a re-cycling center somewhere.
Just to make it perfectly clear, I am no fan of Microsoft Windows either. Microsoft's careless disregard for how much the hardware you must buy to support their software and not to mention the ridiculous software prices drives me nuts. I've got this XP Pro machine that has managed to corrupt it's NTFS file system. Not sure if this problem is Windows or the Symantec/Norton System Works and their virus called GoBack. Oh well, that's a story for another post.
Then there's this Gateway, Vista 64-bit stuff.
Sounds to me like I am just getting older and less tolerant of the things that don't work like they should, or maybe I am expecting too much. I don't want to keep complaining about Linux, I just want it to work without jumping through hoops and clicking my heels together the right number of times.
After I ran the Linux software updater, the Micron wanted to reboot and I told it to go ahead. It came up in a screen resolution of 800x600. You would think no problem, I'll just set the resolution back to 1280x1024 that I had been using before and take advantage of my 19 inch monitor. As I should have expected when I tried resetting the screen resolution, my choices are now 800x600 and 640x480. Now what's up with that? I give up, Linux is never going to mature and will always be nothing more than a playground for the people who want to play there.
This new episode reminds me of the "good old days" back in 1997-98 while running Redhat 5.0 and needing to setup my video card. I had time back then, wanted a Unix box at home and wanted to learn this new thing called Linux. Back in those days if your video card didn't come supported out of the box, you did some rather bizarre calculations and then put the results in one of the configuration files in a very specific order. Then came the Xconfigurator or some such. Been there, done that, grew tired of that. Finally, when the computer I was running Linux on back in 2002 or 2003 burned out the IDE controller trying to load Redhat 9, I decided the heck with it and didn't run Linux until I ran across Fedora Core 6 in a magazine in late 2006. That's when I bought the Micron at a garage sale. This is how I got back in the Linux playground. I was hoping that Linux had matured and all the esoteric mechanization to do the simplest tasks was gone and Linux was maturing. Obviously, it was not to be true.
Looks like the next time Linux costs me money, in either software or hardware, I'll just let it die. Until then these two machines will limp along updating when they can and falling behind when they can't. When they die for whatever reason they will end up in a re-cycling center somewhere.
Just to make it perfectly clear, I am no fan of Microsoft Windows either. Microsoft's careless disregard for how much the hardware you must buy to support their software and not to mention the ridiculous software prices drives me nuts. I've got this XP Pro machine that has managed to corrupt it's NTFS file system. Not sure if this problem is Windows or the Symantec/Norton System Works and their virus called GoBack. Oh well, that's a story for another post.
Then there's this Gateway, Vista 64-bit stuff.
Sounds to me like I am just getting older and less tolerant of the things that don't work like they should, or maybe I am expecting too much. I don't want to keep complaining about Linux, I just want it to work without jumping through hoops and clicking my heels together the right number of times.
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