new laptop

[id10t]

I've never had a new laptop, unless you count my Nokia 770...

And the most recent of my hand-me-downs just had some screen breakage thanks to the 3 year old...

So the wife and I decided to get a new laptop for "her mothers day gift".


Dell still sells Lattitudes with XP on them, so $800 later (couldn't justify the extra 400 for a mac) we have a D520 with a 15" screen and a gig of ram. Upgrades from the basic one I did was to get the gig of ram (512 is standard) and get the Intel chipset wireless instead of the Dell/Broadcom one. Came with XP home - wish I had waited, since Dell will be selling laptops with Ubuntu already on them, but being the geek I am, this one is already running it . The new 3d effects with beryl are really cool, and look nicer than anything I've seen about vista/aero from the MS marketing folks, and it hardly uses the cpu/ram. Might be enough to get the wife to Switch.

So, here I am out by the pool, supervising the daughter while she swims and I'm surfin Pelican on my Linux laptop....

Edit- cheesy music in this, but a cool video showing off Aero vs. Beryl.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xC5uEe5OzNQ

[Joeaksa]

Make sure you enable 128 encription on your WiFi to secure the system.

Joe A
(typing this on his 3 year old Dell 600m from a hotel)

[id10t]

WEP is trivial to crack... But I use it.

[Joeaksa]

Originally posted by id10t
WEP is trivial to crack... But I use it.

Suggestions on how to better secure a home WiFi?

[Drew001]

• Change the default Admin password of your router.
Default passwords for network devices are published all over the web, so changing yours is a simple and effective way to keep others out.

• Turn off the SSID.
The SSID is the name your router broadcasts of your network. There are lots of free software apps that you can use on your computer to see the networks around you, what encryption they're using, what channel they're using, etc.
If you turn off the SSID, others won't see your network, but you will have to know the name of the network to join.

• Use encryption.
WEP is old school, but better than nothing. WPA is much better, but WPA2 is preferred and very secure.

• Use MAC address filtering.
Every computer has a unique MAC (Media Access Control) number. There are lots of ways to find your MAC address via command line or GUI and once you do, you can go into your router settings and enter the MAC address for your computer(s).
This will only allow those computers to use your network - every other computer will be locked out. Very effective.

There are several other things you can do to control your wireless network, but those are the major ones.

[stomachmonkey]

Actually if you configure them the same, (just did it) the Dell is $1583, on sale for $1153 while the Mac is $1224 every day low price. So normally the Mac is $360 less and only $70 more when the Dell is on sale.

Add in the additional SW for virus/spyware protection and it's easy to see how much better a deal the Dell is


The only way the Mac is $400 more is if you bought a Dell box that had a lower system spec than the base Mac. They were not equal spec boxes.

[Joeaksa]

Would rather eat dirt than use a Mac, sorry. Have tried them both and just a PC guy.

[stomachmonkey]

Originally posted by Joeaksa
Would rather eat dirt than use a Mac, sorry. Have tried them both and just a PC guy.

Yeah, you've said that a few times already. What was it? That Mac of unkonwn vintage in a pubic access place that was maintained by and kept up to date by who? The janitor, if that?

Personally I'd rather eat dirt than fly with a guy that does not have enough sense to buy a better designed and built piece of hardware that lets him run his OS of choice plus every other OS one under the sun (concurrently) for the same price or less.

And yes I've seen all your posts and responses on the computer threads. I have a good idea of your skillset. Newsflash for you. Your skillset is average, somewhere slightly North of the average Best Buy sales rep. My advice, stick to flying planes.

[Joeaksa]

Originally posted by stomachmonkey
Yeah, you've said that a few times already. What was it? That Mac of unkonwn vintage in a pubic access place that was maintained by and kept up to date by who? The janitor, if that?

Personally I'd rather eat dirt than fly with a guy that does not have enough sense to buy a better designed and built piece of hardware that lets him run his OS of choice plus every other OS one under the sun (concurrently) for the same price or less.

And yes I've seen all your posts and responses on the computer threads. I have a good idea of your skillset. Newsflash for you. Your skillset is average, somewhere slightly North of the average Best Buy sales rep. My advice, stick to flying planes.

First off, you could not afford to fly with me, so stop dreaming. Am flying the owner of a NFL football team right now, and for some silly reason do not believe that you are worth $3 billion just yet.

Both computers were almost brand new, one of them in London at the Apple showroom, and the second one was in the Air France First Class lounge at the Paris airport, and new within a month. That good enough for you bucko? How new is your computer?

I know your skillset and suggest that you shut your mouth about other people when you do not know their history. I trained on a IBM 360 when you were not even a glint in your daddy's eye (1973) and have worked with computers since that time.

You might stick to your business and stop telling people off on any forum when you do not know them. I did not say a word about you in my post yet now you want to go after me instead. Words like this in my part of the country and you would be "dancing," and I would be leading.

Grow up and enjoy your Apple...

[stomachmonkey]

Originally posted by Joeaksa
First off, you could not afford to fly with me, so stop dreaming. Am flying the owner of a NFL football team right now, and for some silly reason do not believe that you are worth $3 billion just yet.

Both computers were almost brand new, one of them in London at the Apple showroom, and the second one was in the Air France First Class lounge at the Paris airport, and new within a month. That good enough for you bucko? How new is your computer?

I know your skillset and suggest that you shut your mouth about other people when you do not know their history. I trained on a IBM 360 when you were not even a glint in your daddy's eye (1973) and have worked with computers since that time.

You might stick to your business and stop telling people off on any forum when you do not know them. I did not say a word about you in my post yet now you want to go after me instead. Words like this in my part of the country and you would be "dancing," and I would be leading.

Grow up and enjoy your Apple...

Joe,

Your posts re: macs have been, "Used one in an airport once" search it yourself if you do not remember. You give no details so forgive me if I have to fill in the blanks for you. I suggest you provide more details in the future.

So the fact that you fly wealthy people makes you smart how?

IMHO that makes you a chauffer. That's it. You drive a limo with wings. Deal with it. Do they make you wear the hat or is that extra?

and for some silly reason do not believe that you are worth $3 billion just yet.

And neither are you. You think they think you are in their league? You are a servent to them. The "help". And yeah, they make nice to "the help", don't confuse that with "you are one of them" cause you ain't . You might as well be picking pubbies off their toilets in their Hamptons house. Sorry, truth hurts but you need to hear it.

I could care less how long you've worked with computers. You fly planes, that is your day to day job. You can not keep up with computers and technology to the same degeree as someone who makes their living in the industry.

Get pissed all you want. You do not know as much as I do about it and while you continue to spend your time as a "Sky Taxi" you will not know as much as I do.

Hey, I can fly a plane better than you because I've played every flight sim that's ever been released..

And dancing? You leading? What's with the threats? I don't think I'm the first to notice or mention this but you really have some anger management issues.

You really should put a lid on it. I'd hate to see someone collect all of your angry out of control posts and report them to the FAA. I think they'd find you an interesting subject to say the least.

Personally I have no interest in anything like that. Your pathetic ass is really not worth the effort. Come to think of it why did I waste 5 minutes of my life responding to you?

I hate when I waste time like that

[id10t]

Re; whats better than WEP - look into using WPA but your AP and wireless card both have to support it.

Or go crazy and don't use anything on the wireless side, and just keep wireless and wired on different networks and use a VPN or series of SSH tunnels to get from wireless to wired and outside. That way, everything is *very* well encrypted...

[Joeaksa]

Originally posted by stomachmonkey
Joe,

Your posts re: macs have been, "Used one in an airport once" search it yourself if you do not remember. You give no details so forgive me if I have to fill in the blanks for you. I suggest you provide more details in the future.

So the fact that you fly wealthy people makes you smart how?

IMHO that makes you a chauffer. That's it. You drive a limo with wings. Deal with it. Do they make you wear the hat or is that extra?


And neither are you. You think they think you are in their league? You are a servent to them. The "help". And yeah, they make nice to "the help", don't confuse that with "you are one of them" cause you ain't . You might as well be picking pubbies off their toilets in their Hamptons house. Sorry, truth hurts but you need to hear it.

I could care less how long you've worked with computers. You fly planes, that is your day to day job. You can not keep up with computers and technology to the same degeree as someone who makes their living in the industry.

Get pissed all you want. You do not know as much as I do about it and while you continue to spend your time as a "Sky Taxi" you will not know as much as I do.

Hey, I can fly a plane better than you because I've played every flight sim that's ever been released..

And dancing? You leading? What's with the threats? I don't think I'm the first to notice or mention this but you really have some anger management issues.

You really should put a lid on it. I'd hate to see someone collect all of your angry out of control posts and report them to the FAA. I think they'd find you an interesting subject to say the least.

Personally I have no interest in anything like that. Your pathetic ass is really not worth the effort. Come to think of it why did I waste 5 minutes of my life responding to you?

I hate when I waste time like that

Scott,

You really are showing your age. Loved the part about "when I grow up"... at least you admit that you need to grow up.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Independent: Have my own creative marketing agency, specialize in video game, toy and health/cosmetics categories. Co-founder/Board member of an infomercial production company.

What do I want to do when I grow up. Have been playing with cars my entire life. Maybe a nice restoration shop, clients with money and hopefully taste. On the side I'd like to devote more time to doing trailer voice overs. Have done a number of national spots but not enough to give up the day job.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I may have to bow down to you ... INFOMERCIAL production company. WOW! You are one of the people who helps makes those wonderful programs that get hidden on the television at 4 AM that sell widgets to the poor and stupid for $19.95 when you could buy them in the .99 cent store or on Ebay for less than a buck. Boy you are really taking the high road here.

Lets see, you are into marketing. How does that compare with a full time computer job like you are trying to make it sound in your posts above? Thought you had to be a IT guy as you "know it all" it seems?

You asked about the last time I had used a Mac and made it sound like I used a steam powered one from the 1980's.

Then I provide evidence that I have used two new versions in the last six months and its not good enough for you.

Then you try to go after my vocation, which you have no idea what so ever about, thinking that its some prop commuter airline or the like.

Then you go after my experience with computers, which is probably at least triple what yours is, and of course mine is worthless and yours is the best there is.

Anger management issues? Lets see, this was a thread started by id10t about his new Dell computer. You stuck your nose in it when not asked nor needed and started spewing your ideas about Mac computers, trying to make id10t feel bad about his new purchase, when no one asked. You are the one who wanted to upset the applecart and start something by your comments, not me friend.

I have a very close relationship with the FAA and they know me very well. I have been asked to help them several times and they are so worried by me that they come to my house on a regular basis. Course when they come by its for the BBQ and to meet with friends and have a good time. Yea, they are worried, so much so that they bring food & beer and their wives/girlfriends to enjoy time with everyone at my house and by the pool. Guess that makes me a waiter/cook as well in your silly little mind? I even introduced one friend at the last BBQ with a lady friend of mine and they are now dating. Guess that makes me a "madam" and I am procuring women for him in your sad eyes?

Never said that I was in anyone's "league" but I am on first name basis with them and have their personal contact data. My contacts in the business world range from the former CEO of the largest computer chip maker in the world, to people working in the White House right now to Ambassadors in several countries. I am sure that your PDA has all this information as well, and that you can call the Ambassador of Germany or Switzerland anytime, directly on their cell phone and chat? How about the World Bank President? Got Mike Dell's number? Al Jardine of the Beach Boys... even have his home number but then I know you do as well.... ya know, for the informercials that he watches.

Threats? No threats what so ever, just fact. You started this with your knee-jerk reaction to my posting that agrees with so many computer users in the world, that they do not like the Mac system. You could not handle that and flew off of the handle, attacking anything and everything about me in sight. Sorry bucko but where I live that does not go over very well and was not needed.

You are the one who has tried to make this into a "I am more important than you" argument. I could care less as that is not what this thread WAS about until you started slinging the brown material. You are clearly threatened by me and my job, that shows by your posts above. Sorry that I do something that you wish you could do but thats life, I worked my a$$ off to get where I am, in the top 2% of the people in my vocation in the WORLD. I am sure you are in the top 2% of your field... right? Sure you are...

I am no better nor worse than anyone else on this list but some of us have a bit more drive and have had a bit more luck in our lives. You seem threatened by it and sorry its difficult for you to handle.

I suggest you provide more details in the future.

I suggest that you and your comments are really covering your insecurity. You do not need nor deserve anymore details but you do need to grow up and start acting like a man.

How about we take this off list and if you have the balls big boy, email me. Funny thing that one poster here is acting like an adult and one like a little boy...

[stomachmonkey]

I like ID10T. I think he's a pretty good guy.

He knows his stuff and I hope he is enjoying his new box regardless of my input.

Other than that I have nothing else to say other than maybe you and I should not respond to each others posts anymore.

We always end up in the same place.

It's a waste of time and leads no where.

Sun is shining. I'm going to do something productive like take the kids to the park.

Later

[creaturecat]

Originally posted by Joeaksa
Would rather eat dirt than use a Mac, sorry.............

Joe - looks like you ate some dirt on this one.
.........no I'm not going to dance while you lead ! -

[Joeaksa]

Originally posted by creaturecat
Joe - looks like you ate some dirt on this one.
.........no I'm not going to dance while you lead ! -

If you really want to start it back up, then lets go.

If I ate some dirt on this one then why do we have billions of PC's in the world and then we have how many Mac's out there?

SM decided to piss on id10t's parade when it was not needed nor wanted and no one seems to remember that, but now two of you want to take me on, so lets go...

See, I was man enough to drop the argument even though I have a lot more ammo to put into making my case. Feel that SM realized that neither of us were going to win but I sure was not losing and stopped.

How about we all end it and talk about id10t's Dell instead? I will be glad to continue this all you want to but hijacking this thread is not the place nor time.

[the]

Originally posted by stomachmonkey
Do they make you wear the hat or is that extra?

OK, now that was pretty funny.

[rhjames]

all of that bantering back and forth is pretty funny......arguing about who's better educated or who's doing what with their jobs is pretty silly.

Kind of like my two 11 year olds arguing over a video game about which race car is better.......

regards----

[id10t]

Ah, I don't care if you guys bicker in a thread I started... as long as its not the "i just picked up the 356 from the resto shop!" thread...