by Matt | Oct 15, 2007 | Culture
There are computer parts from one end of my study to the other and I can’t decide what to do first. My ultimate goal is to get my number 1 computer up and running with it’s new parts. Secondarily I’m going to build my HTPC with yet another set of spare parts. Last, my current configuration will become my number 2 computer and will go into a case to be picked up later. This whole mess presents a myriad of problems. First, I want to paint my case. New parts just deserve a new case paint job. This will require sanding, priming and painting, a multi-day process. Do I wait and assemble the parts? Do I put them into my second (soon to be HTPC) case temporarily? Do I assemble them on my desk and simply get a switch to turn them on without a case? Regardless of whether I put it together now, I’ll still need to purchase a video card. I’m heavily considering getting a super cheap (although DX10) card to put in there temporarily and save for the big video card I eventually want. Also, there will be a considerable amount of time that I’ll be down completely. I certainly can’t paint my case with the current parts in it. Do I even bother putting those parts into my secondary case? They won’t be staying there, I have a much quieter solution that will become my HTPC. Do I forget all this case swapping crap and just take a trip to Fry’s and buy a cheap case? I think that might be the answer. I haven’t done any backup or computer moving preparations with my current system and I know I’ll have to before I move the hard drives. This would give me a case to paint without messing up my current configuration. It’s sad that I won’t be using my crazy uber case anymore. I have such fond memories of lugging that 200lb piece of crap to and from LAN parties with Chip and up and down stairs in college with Jason. It’s a real shame. Ok, well, talking it out seemed to help me decide what to do. I guess I’m off to Fry’s to pick up a cheap case, maybe a switch or two, and then an auto parts store for some painting supplies. Wish me luck.
by Matt | Oct 12, 2007 | Culture, Tech
Apologies on the brevity of this post, I’m heading out the door in a few minutes. I just wanted to say how cool it was of my boss to pick up some computer parts for me for all my hard work this month. It’s the beginnings of a great system. He had a bunch of stuff to order from NewEgg and slipped in a nice Gigabyte S-Series GA-M61P, 2Gs of Patriot DDR2 (PC2-6400) memory and a shiny new Athlon 64 X2 5600+ for me. That was so unexpected and total awesome. I haven’t given it much thought, but I’ll probably use my current 500w power supply and my hard drives and case of course (Uber case lives on!). I guess now all I need is a video card. It’s been so long since I’ve bought one. I know I’ll be going Nvidia, but does anyone have any suggestions for specific models or brands?
by Matt | Aug 1, 2007 | Culture, Games
I think I’ve mentioned numerous times the depth of this winters video game release schedule. I’ve extolled numerous titles and their impending greatness. It wasn’t until I decided to put a complete list together that the magnitude of this seasons offerings really hit home. This will be, in no uncertain terms, the greatest video game season of all time. There have been some great runs in the past, such as the fall that HalfLife came out (1998 – HL, Zelda 64, MGS, Madden 99), but this will be epic.
This will be my last mention of the subject, but I do truly believe that there is a time in every consoles lifecycle where it really shines. This will be a year when 360 owners are glad they have the system that they do. Looking ahead to next year, it looks like a good year for the PS3, but this winter firmly belongs to the Xbox. Now, that all these games, and likewise their developers, are being wrapped up it’ll be interesting to see after the start of ’08 which platform people will develop their next project for. I’m going to predict a video game drought next spring, but a resurgence of diverse (in both idea and platform) titles in the later half of 2008. It’s a good time to be a gamer, that’s for sure.
Continue on for the far from complete, but fairly extensive list…
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by Matt | Jun 11, 2007 | Culture, Personal
Today we’re going to try something a little different. Today is the first installment of a little How-To series I’m going to call “Cooking for Geeks”. The common misconception about geeks, like myself, is that they’re not “manly men” and certainly not fit to man a grill at your next barbecue. This couldn’t be further from the truth. While I don’t do much “baking” around our house, I’m certainly no stranger to cooking. Actually, it’s one of my favorite hobbies. I’ve become a cooking junkie, even entertaining the idea of entering something like “Food Networks Next Big Star”. Out of all the things I cook, it’s what I grill that I’m most proud of. I’ve memorized cooking time tables for all the grilling basics. Knowing exactly how long to grill something, what temperature to do it at, how many times to flip it, etc, are all skills us geeks can excel at.
The dish I’m most proud of are my baby-back ribs, Texas style, and that’s what we’re going to be cooking today.
Photos, directions and conversation after the jump…
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by Matt | May 22, 2007 | Culture, Personal
I have a vast collection of geek apparel which I enjoy and wear proudly whenever possible. Some of my older t-shirts have seen better days and, quite frankly, I could use the wardrobe update. I’ve been given the ok to get myself stocked up on awesome t-shirts for the impending summer and I’ve decided to scour the internet for unique designs. There are the usual places to find geek-wear, but I’d really like to find the best of the best. So, I’m going to need your help. Here’s what I’m thinking so far…
Ok, so that last one isn’t a t-shirt, but it’s still friggin sweet. I need some more suggestions on cool shirts, or at the very least, so cool sites to find shirts. I know all the obvious ones: thinkgeek, jinx, threadless, splitreason, etc. Any suggestions guys? Nagle, I know you’ve probably got some…
by Matt | Apr 11, 2007 | Culture
This is money. Bill Nye talking about the gyroball.
“At any rate, the key to this seems to be that Matsuzaka is some kind of smooth athlete. He can throw with his wrist going all different directions and not ruin his muscles and ligaments in the process, at least so far. He’s just good at it.”
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