A Random Act of Blogging » Computing

The 100 Best Products of 2005

Josh Luth — Thu, 17 Nov 2005 19:49:42 +0000

Its official, Mozilla Firefox is the best product of 2005, according to PC World anyway. Watch out IE… I didn’t see you anywhere in the list.

Mozilla Firefox

Google Gmail

Apple Mac OS X Version 10.4 (Tiger)

Belkin Wireless Pre-N Router and Notebook Network Card

Dell Ultrasharp 2405FPW

For a complete list, go here:
PCWorld.com – The 100 Best Products of 2005

Going “Old School” will cost you

Josh Luth — Mon, 07 Nov 2005 22:40:55 +0000

There’s a new keyboard in town with an “old school” feel. But the biggest problem is it will cost you some real world moola.

The Avant Stellar keyboard stands as a major throwback in a PC industry that thrives on making devices smaller, sleeker and quieter. Creative VisionTechnologies has created a keyboard that’s clunky, loud and heavy. And it may be exactly what you’re looking for, especially if reprogramming keys is your thing.

Throwback keyboard delivers sounds and feel of yesteryear | The Register

New Video card just in time for Christmas

Josh Luth — Mon, 07 Nov 2005 18:49:52 +0000

NVidia is coming out with a more price-conscious version of their popular 6800GT video card. The 6800GS promises GT performance but at a $30-$50 lower price. Personally for me, $250 is still too much to pay for a video card. But that may just be the cheap side of me talking. I would like to see big performance in the sub-$150 range. Then I might be able to convince myself to upgrade.

GeForce 6800 GS Review at ExtremeTech

Google finally releases non-beta program

Josh Luth — Fri, 04 Nov 2005 23:27:09 +0000

Well we all knew it was coming. Our favorite Internet friend Google is finally releasing a product and it isn’t beta. I’m going to give Google Desktop a shot and see what all of the fuss is about. Go and … Continue reading →

Das Keyboard – The Blank Keyboard.

Josh Luth — Wed, 02 Nov 2005 19:03:20 +0000

For the Uber Geek out there. Here is a keyboard with blank keys. You get no help from this device. If you don’t remember where the “^” symbol is, then this keyboard is not for you.

Das Keyboard – The Blank Keyboard.

Optimus keyboard

Josh Luth — Wed, 02 Nov 2005 18:53:53 +0000

Check out this keyboard. Each button is a little LCD screen and is programmable to do what ever function you want. This is wicked cool.

Optimus keyboard

Comcast vs Microsoft

Josh Luth — Thu, 20 Oct 2005 14:18:52 +0000

chat id :
Problem : E-mail/Can’t send E-Mail/Outlook Express
xxxxxxx > Thank you for contacting Comcast. My name is xxxxxxx. How may I help you?
Josh > I’m sure you’ve had this question alot, but when are the issues with MSN and Hotmail going to be resolved. It has been going on for a couple days now.
Josh > Most of my wifes contacts are on msn and she can’t email them and isn’t very happy about it.
xxxxxxx > I apologize for the inconvenience Josh. At this time we do not have any update on the problem. Microsoft is still working on fixing the problem with their mail servers.
Josh > So you have determined that it is Microsofts servers and not yours?
xxxxxxx > Yes, it’s been a Microsoft issue. They are blocking email from all Comcast customers unfortunately.
xxxxxxx > Hopefully it will be fixed soon. Did you have any other questionst at this time?
Josh > Is this on purpose? I only ask, because if so.. I would like to contact Microsoft
Josh > I just want to figure out where to take my frustrations
xxxxxxx > As far as we’ve been told it’s not being done on purpose.
Josh > Ok.. fair enough. I’m sure you know how annoying it is on our end.
Josh > Thanks for the info.. that’s all for now
xxxxxxx > Have a nice day. Thank you for contacting Comcast.
xxxxxxx > Analyst has closed chat and left the room

Names changed to proctect the innocent

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Where’s that Java book now?

Josh Luth — Tue, 11 Oct 2005 23:40:34 +0000

Well, time to dust off my Java skills. I was asked today to start working on a project here at work that will utilize a language that I haven’t touched in almost 3 years. But its Java, how hard can it be? It should be rather fun (I’m such a geek) to use Java again. Its the programming language that I learned in college at Western Oregon University but it has evolved quite a bit since then.

So we’ll see if I can hack it. I’ve been working with C# a lot lately and Java isn’t to far different. Wish me luck!

Dell tightens belt

Josh Luth — Fri, 30 Sep 2005 16:04:09 +0000

Dell has finally realized that free shipping of their low-end systems costs them money.

Shipping costs amount to $99 or more for three to five-day ground delivery, according to Dell’s Web site, but Davis said free shipping is “very common” because of its popularity among customers.

When you are talking about a system that is less than $500 to begin with, expecting Dell to eat $99 is ludicrous.

via Technology News Article | Reuters.com

Vista is about choice

Josh Luth — Mon, 12 Sep 2005 20:16:21 +0000

Looks like Microsoft will be offering up 7 versions of their next generation of Operating Systems. Its all about choice (or confusion if you ask me).

Microsoft plans two general Vista edition categories, which map closely to the two that exist today for Windows XP (XP Home Edition, which includes XP Starter, Home, and Media Center Editions, and XP Professional Edition, which includes XP Pro, Pro x64, and Tablet PC editions). Vista will feature two categories: Home and Business. In the Home category, Microsoft will create four product editions: Vista Starter Edition, Vista Home Basic Edition, Vista Home Premium Edition, and Vista Ultimate Edition (previously known as the “Uber” Edition). The Business category will feature three editions: Vista Small Business Edition, Vista Professional Edition, and Vista Enterprise Edition.

via Windows IT Pro