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Oblong
- 19 April 2011
How to Fix Any Computer
Labels: puter
04 December 2010
A Guided Tour of Computing History
Labels: puter
07 August 2009
It's misty and cool and there's rain likely for the next five days, so coating the deck doesn't seem possible as it requires dryness. I seem to've fallen into a kind of purgatory wherein four men spend 13 hours a day a few feet away from me, my computer has been broken forever, and the weather yo-yos from 105° to 52°. Did I miss something? Did I die and go into a modern version of Hell? Which circle do neverending computer problems fit into?
At least I have the approriate labels for this post.
Labels: Dept of :(, Dept. of Desolation, Dept. of No Upside, It's the end of the world as we know it and I don't feel fine., Jonesing, Living Hell, puter
30 July 2009
Spoke too soon.
I need a new video card.
Labels: puter
AH IS BAK!!! Just got empluggerated.
This week has been an ordeal because of the heat - yesterday broke all-time records in Seattle by three degrees - it was 103°F and the record was broken, too, for the low temperature (it was two degrees hotter than had been recorded before). Heat affects neurological diseases in an unpleasant way - more or less it's like previews of coming attractions, which in my case is not pretty. It takes time after the heat subsides for the ill-effects to lessen or go away (go away, I hope). If it stops being hot tomorrow I may be back to a manageable level of decrepitude by Monday.
The problem with the computer was just that the video card needed reseating - don't ask me why it waddled away from its proper position. It took them a while to figure that out, and meanwhile ran tests all over the place which turned up nothing. I'm fond of them - I think most of their work is dealing with business hardware, so they take a bit of interest in mine as it's not as boring. I can never remember the behind-the-counter man's name, though, for some reason, even though he says it every time. I was thinking... "Starts with a C, I'm sure... is it one of those ordinary word-type names like cliff or curt?" It's actually Craig, which I may remember now as I've made a point of bloggifying it.
Labels: puter
24 July 2009
I suddenly developed big computer problems, so if you don't see me for a while that's the reason.
Labels: ...Is Teh Debbil, puter
28 May 2009
I was stood on the airship deck yesterday talking to Enj who was channeling ELLiebob, when all of a sudden my SL graphics splintered into a million pieces. I logged off, then relogged - same, so I cleared cache, shut down the puter, felt around for temperature, did a bit of cleaning, turned it back on and it was ok. I wish I'd thought to check that the fan was running before I shut down. Come to think of it, though, when I had the borked gfx card ages ago everything splintered, not just SL, so this must've been corruption. Anyway, I won't tell Derek unless it happens again.
Update: Baron Grayson thinks the RC is not playing happily with 8800 cards, resulting in corrupted drivers. Dunno.
Labels: puter
30 January 2009
For No Good Reason
I've started thinking about getting a 280 gtx for no good reason, as this 8800 gtx is fine, but it's nice to think about it. I've had it for two years, so I suppose I'm just feeling restless. I'm thwarted in my megalomania in that, if I actually liked playing games I could dedicate the 8800 to PhysyX and add the 280 for graphics, but since I don't do anything like that it would be like buying a Lamborgini to drive through a school zone. I'd love to be able to tinker, in general. I'm pretty good about sitting still while the atomic world slowly crushes me and retaining a decent state of mind, and an advantage to having an unfettered mind is that it can fly off to new places, but it's still a hardship.
My fave singer:
12 November 2008
HBA posts on "Box" computers HERE,
responding to Prokofy's post HERE.
My two braincells' worth:
Although it would be good if SL could work on “box” computers, I have to say I’ve never, ever bought a box computer. I call up my computer men and say, “I want to do XYZ,*” then they build me something that does XYZ. They put the money into things that are meaningful.
We always go back and forth, with me saying, "I want ╚," and them saying, "No, that would cost 4 times more with .1 increase in capability and here's why...," and me making them explain why most of my ideas aren't good until I go back to their original suggestion. Then they build it and test it, and tell me how exciting it is. It's brought here and set up, and we goof around for an hour. The Derek leaves and I dip my bread in it for a few hours.
Although that may not be possible for lots of people, it seems like it's a better way to go. Computers are like cars; box computers are like a convertible-HUMVEE-camper van-sportscar-pickup truck-three cylinder-funny car-electric powered-dump truck-luxury sedan that attempts to be all things to all people. Whenever I look at the websites the computers seem very expensive and not very useful.
That said, yes, it should be easier and it has had a negative impact that it is a rather occult process. I always thought someone/thing reliable should've set up a business selling SL guaranteed computers inworld, and I think someone sort of did something like that, but although I poked around I never quite managed to see anything at the time. What Prokofy says about puters-in-the-mail is true, in some respects, as a damaged-or-otherwise-borked machine might be delivered, but a lot of puters go through ok.
Ages ago I made a suggestion about having various official viewers, and I don't see why there can't be a choice when one signs up, from Family Computer - very low graphics to Gamer Rig - ZOMG teh bellz n whistles.
If you can't run WindLight or have low fps look into these viewers:
Nicholaz Viewers
There are other viewers (use at your own discretion) including Kirstenlee Cinquetti's ShadowDraft and others for SL and OpenLife, the Cool Viewer, OnRez Viewer (I think it still works), and others.
There are choices due to the great work of generous people, and it's much appreciated. If you are having troubles experiment a bit.
* Say, video editing, or SL, or whatever I am involved in at the moment.
Labels: Blawg, puter, Questions to ponder
26 April 2008
Because I'm a brat I have a 768 meg Nvidia 88oo card, which was rather spendy when I had this computer built last year, but worth it (they are teh cheapness now - half the cost). I don't like old tech as my first line, obviously. Anyway, when I was last at the puter builderers I asked them if they had tried the 9-series cards, and they said, "No," then a hush fell as we thought about 9-series cards in a prayerful way.
Reading up about them today it's obvious they aren't good enough yet, but they will be incredible once a few things are sorted. What I think I REALLY need (as a back-of-beyond dweller) is better internet access - well, that's my current focus. I'm not sure that's possible right now in this place, but I think I'll do a wee bit of investigatering and see what happens at different times/configurations.
Labels: puter
12 December 2007
Get Well Soon
Enjah's computer has a failed drive :(
Please include her in your prayers to G'al.
Labels: puter
