eggschool.com

I am a linux user.  I currently use 64-bit Ubuntu 8.10 as my primary OS on my home PC, and various versions of RHEL at work.  I used Linux on and off in the late 90s, and I’ve been using it consistently since 2001.  I switched to using linux full-time at home about a year ago; it had finally reached the point for me where enough things worked well enough that I was willing to give it a serious try (and I wasn’t sure which of my XP CD keys was not already in use when I built my latest PC).  Over all, it works pretty well.  Unfortunately, there are things about it that I really hate – and that’s what this series of posts will be about.  My complaints may be universally ignored or merely prompt flamewars, but if I’m lucky, some good might come from it (it’d be great if a complaint motivated someone skilled to fix one of my issues).

I feel qualified to complain because I can tell whether or not something works.  I’m not a chef, but I know when something tastes bad.  I am a (hobbyist) developer and have contributed extensively to the various Mozilla projects (Firefox, Thunderbird, SeaMonkey).  While it might be possible for me to fix some of these issues myself, I really don’t have the time anymore to learn another large codebase.  “Patches welcome” isn’t a helpful response.

Technically, very few of my complaints are about the Linux kernel itself, but from a practical standpoint this is irrelevant.  If I have a problem with Gnome and I don’t have that problem with Windows or Mac OS, for all practical purposes it is a problem with Linux.  “You could use KDE” is not a solution – free software often provides many programs that can accomplish a given task, but they all suck in one or more ways.  Some of my complaints are related to proprietary binary-only applications (or drivers), but again, they work in more mainstream operating systems.

Stay tuned for the first post.

CTho’s Blog

Got a call today that I have not received in a while. But, if you have an old Compaq of HP laptop, this may be of some interest to you. Until about two years ago, Compaq and HP almost never offered screen parts for their laptops. That meant hinges, cables and plastics were not replaceable. There can be a way around this. If you have the Compaq or HP spares number or SPS number for the LCD, you can use this number to search for people that have torn down a whole laptop and are selling the spare parts under this number.

For example, my customer was looking for a hinges for an HP Pavilion ZV6233CL. This particular model uses a screen part number 383939-001. I was able to find the hinges under part number 383939-001-HINGES. This will not work with every model, but it is one more avenue to search for that part you are looking for. If you would like me to research your Compaq or HP part, email me at jeremy@laptoppartsexpert.com.

Tagged: Compaq, HP, LCD
Laptop Parts Expert Blog

And you thought that stained glass doesn’t look great on your windows ‘ey? Just take a look at this homemade computer case that used wood and stained glass as its main materials. Does it take you back to the era where people where people express their artistry and faith through the church windows?

This stained glass computer case would allow you to feel that medieval or renaissance aura. Truly a great compliment if you are still playing Ages of Empire or enjoying Conquest! Medieval Realms. Now how about search through your treasure chest and look for that valiant knight costume that you wore last Halloween? That’s what you call Player in Character!

Cool Computer Cases.com

Name: StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty Release date: July 27, 2010 Platform(s): PC and Mac OS X Publisher: Activision Blizzard Developer: Blizzard Entertainment

Sapphire Radeon Video Card

When looking at laptop touch screen LCDs, it is important to recognize the variance between models and also between types. Many users don’t know it, but there are actually two different distinct types of laptop LCD touch screens, and they behave very differently from one another.

A resistive laptop LCD screen is composed of many layers, but the most important layers are two narrowly separated flexible sheets of conductive metallic material. When you touch the screen of your laptop, these two layers are brought together, thus creating an electrical current, which is then carried to the processor and relayed as a touch event. These monitors are great because they can recognize both human interaction and the use of a stylus of some sort. The flexible layers also allow you to use multi touch functions, such as those popular on many mobile phones. One possible disadvantage however comes for users who use their laptop to write notes on, as the screen will take input from both your pen and your hand should you touch the screen as you write, confusing the processor and resulting in distorted text.

For more precise control over notes and applications, you may want a capacitive touch screen. Capacitive sensing is something you’re likely already familiar with in technologies such as laptop track pads. In laptop touch screens it is very similar, though heavily refined. Capacitive screens are different from resistive screens in that they require input from conductive devices. This means that a stylus will have to be specially designed, or that users will use their own fingers as the human body is conductive. These screens also ignore multi-touch, which makes them much more convenient for use with a stylus to write notes as they will not cause the distortion that resistive screens may suffer from.

Beyond specialized screen hardware, other parts of your laptop will be identical or similar in price and function to any other part. This means that if your laptop needs repair or you need a new laptop inverter or other component it can still be done easily with help from your local repair shop or laptop parts dealer.
Spare Parts Warehouse Blog

Monica Chen, Taipei; Joseph Tsai, DIGITIMES [Wednesday 20 May 2009]
Nvidia has moved to scale up its orders for 40nm graphics chips at foundry partner Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) for 2009, according to sources at graphics card makers. The chip designer expects 40nm to account for 30% of its overall GPU shipments by the end [...]
GPU Watch – The Latest Video Card News and Reviews

First check the power chord and the cable that connects to the CPU. If these are firmly seated and there is still no display, the video card may be defective or the least needs to be re-seated. Pull out all the plugs and wires connected to the CPU and open it. Try to remember the place where the monitor is connected and you get the video card. Remove the said card by unscrewing it from the casing and removing or sliding any retention tabs that was supposed to prevent it from pulling loose. Pull it out while taking care not to remove any of the other wires that are in the CPU unit itself. Check for any visible damage such as burn marks or a smell that I assure you that you won�t soon forget. Any of those signs and get packing for you are getting a new one. If unsure of the type (there are several types of video cards), bring the one you pulled out as a basis. When at the store, try getting something either equal to or better than the one you have. When you get home, touch the CPU power supply to again discharge static and re-install the aid card. Remember to re-attach any cable or fan power supply you might have had to pull out to get access. Re-assemble the unit and boot up(you might have to install the drivers of the new card if you were unable to get the same type and brand).

PC Troubleshooting 101

This is not an altar of some demonic sect guys. It’s just a handmade computer case created by Valerie Beetle, who seems to have all the time in his hands. With the intricate design, all carved by from wood by Valerie Beetle, many are now wondering if this guy has a real job or his mom just keeps on serving him cookies and milk at the basement while he was working on this. But either way, this computer case is not just weird but wicked sick! Totally cool!

It just looks scary though if you would imagine that the devil carvings would have shiny red eyes, talk to you, and hypnotize you when everyone’s asleep.

Cool Computer Cases.com

The first thing that you need to do regarding the computer graphics card is to assess the basic factors surrounding what you actually need from a computer graphics card. For instance, are are you interested primarily in the best price or quality or even what types of games that you prefer to play? These things [...]
Low Profile Video Card

Gateway laptop batteries boast a large backup period. With the screen set at maximum contrast, it takes about two to two and a half hours in a fully charged battery six laptop battery.
Laptop Battery for Gateway: How to improve performance
Gateway laptops have incorporated many energy saving features that help save Dell inspiron 1750 battery time [...]
Laptops Parts UK