Laptop Blog

New ThinkPad

2007-01-25T17:09:00.000-05:00

A R40 from the IBM Certified Used Equipment Store... 1.4 Ghz Pentium M, 512 Meg RAM, CD-RW/DVD, 30 Gig HD, Internal Wireless B card (soon to be upgraded)... just thought I'd mention it :D.

Not to be Outdone...

2006-10-09T19:45:00.000-04:00

Everyone's favorite ~~search~~ company, Google, acquired YouTube today for $1.65 Billion in stock. It will remain an indpendent entity of Google and complement Google Video. See the Google Press Release and the /. Story.

Thoughts?

Software Freedom Day '06!

2006-09-16T13:37:00.000-04:00

Today is Software Freedom Day 2006! Check it out @ http://www.softwarefreedomday.org

Gmail Update

2006-09-12T19:50:00.000-04:00

Just a quick note of interest... it appears as if Google has updated the Gmail homepage for the first time since Talk was introduced in Gmail.

Check it out.

iPods, iTunes, iTV, Oh My!

2006-09-12T19:48:00.000-04:00

At Apple's "It's Showtime!" Press event today, they Steve-o introduced several new products including new nano (2 gig-$149-Aluminum, 4 gig-$199-Aluminum, Blue,Green, Pink, 8 gig-$249-Black) and an updated video (60% brighter screen!) at $249 and $349 for the 30 and 80 gig respectively. Also, a new 1 gig "ultra small" shuffle at $79.

iTunes 7 shows the silent removal of "music" from the iTunes Music Store name and the addition of movies to it. Also many UI and other improvments are included.

Among other things, Steve also introduced a device code-named "iTV", a Mac-Mini-esque set-top device for all of your iTunes media.

The great folks at engadget have a much better summary of "It's Showtime!" including some minute-by-minute facts.

"We Will Never Forget"

2006-09-11T16:47:00.000-04:00

I'd like to take a moment to thank all of the men and women serving our country and protecting our freedom. I would also like to commemerate the sixth anniversary of the Attacks on America on September 11, 2001. We Will Never Forget all of the great people who were lost on that day.

Please take a moment today to reflect and honor everyone who has lost their life for our great nation.

Thank You.

I've Been Slashdotted (Kinda)

2006-08-20T12:15:00.000-04:00

I submitted a question to "Ask Slashdot" a couple weeks ago... and until now, thought that it wouldn't be posted. Well, I was wrong! Check it out here!

And for the record, here's my question:

"I am the IT guy for a new, smallish non-profit organization. I won't always be able to be in my office to access information about our a users machine or to get the word that there is an issue somewhere. What I am looking for is something similar to the likes of Numara Track-It!, but it is very cost-prohibitive despite having all of the features needed. What it needs to include is integration of the HelpDesk and Asset Tracking parts (i.e. a user submits a ticket with equipment associated to it via a web interface and when I view it, I get the option to view the profile of the equipment), it has to be able to use bar-codes, be web-based, and ideally under $300. It would also be nice to have auditing via the network, and remote-control features but those are in the 'if it has it, great' category. Do Slashdot readers have any suggestions in their endless wisdom?"

Windows Live Write BETA

2006-08-14T19:37:00.000-04:00

So this post is coming from Windows Live Writer BETA.

It's not a bad piece of software for M$. Read what Paul Stamatiou has to say here. (Caution: His blog is habit-forming).

SPAMMITY CALAMITY!

2006-07-22T10:54:00.000-04:00

Due to recent comment spam on the Laptop Blog, I am only allowing registered Blogger users to leave comments, using Word Verification. If this doesn't help, I might start comment moderation.

Thank you.

Haven't Posted in a While...

2006-06-24T16:39:00.000-04:00

Nothing much new...enjoying the iMac a LOT!!!!

Finally got my linux server to work as a domain controller, again, FINALLY!

SuSE 10.0, Samba, etc...

iMac :: Specs

2006-06-12T21:28:00.000-04:00

It's Awesome

--

PowerPC G3 Processor - 600 Mhz.

384 Meg. RAM

40 GB Hard Drive

15" CRT Monitor (Built-in)

Slot-Load CD-RW

Built-in Mic, Speakers, USB, Firewire, Ethernet, Modem

OS X 10.4.6 (But Firewire HD problem)

I'm addicted.

iMac?

2006-06-05T16:12:00.000-04:00

Yes, iMac!

A Graphite iMac is coming my way!

Specs coming soon!

Net Squared Remote Conference!

2006-05-29T15:32:00.000-04:00

This Tuesday (May 30) & Wednesday (May 31)!!

(I'll be moderating the hallway [click above] both days from 4:00 - 5:00 PM)

Come & Check it out!

New Hard Drive

2006-05-22T16:41:00.000-04:00

...for the computer with the dead one. Too bad no data (yet).

Also...nothing new on the battery. SUSE 10 on my test computer (hopefully server soon).

That's all folks!

Blogging.

2006-05-16T16:09:00.000-04:00

I'm not very good at this blogging thingy.

"Notes" of Interest

-Google Notebook - Record Information right from your browser - http://www.google.com/notebook

-STUPID BATTERIES!! I don't know if it's the battery or the computer!

-Anyone know of an inexpensive hard drive data recovery service?

Ever Had the Urge to...

2006-05-08T16:46:00.000-04:00

...walk in to Best Buy wearing a royal blue polo shirt & khakis?

-----

On another note, the last battery was definitely bad. This one is recognized properly by the computer, and runs for a few seconds before the computer shuts down.

Any way to test if it is the computer or the battery??

Charge Me Up!

2006-05-04T16:14:00.000-04:00

Finally, a battery that works!!!! HURRAY!!!!

TOTALLY WIRELESS!!!!

Nothing New | Random /. Articles

2006-05-02T15:11:00.000-04:00

So, not much new with the laptop (other than the search for a certain kind of usb hub for it...one that doesn't use a cable, but rather a fold-out plug so it is more stationary and afforadable!)

...so I thought that I would bring you some of the interesting stories from Slashdot today:

Email is a bad Collaboration tool

Apple TV Commercials to Target the Flaws of a PC (anyone wanna buy me a Mac Mini?)

and one more

FOSS (Free & Open Source Software) is not Free From Complexity (oh, how true)

The SACJC is Blogging!

2006-04-29T17:29:00.000-04:00

Courtesy of me, the Saint Albans Community Justice Center is now in the Blogsphere!

Check it out @ http://www.stacjc.org/blog and check out their website (also by me) @ http://www.stacjc.org

I'd appreciate any and all feedback, regardless of whether it is good or bad.

Paper or Plastic?

2006-04-27T18:57:00.000-04:00

...or some combination of nylon and other unknown stuff?

The "Info-Nomad" Laptop Bag from the Google Store is here!!!!

Shot 1 of the Actual Product (excuse the bad photo...it came from my Palm Zire 72):

Under the hood:

And, the fancy stock photo:

I was amazed at the quality and all of the hidden pockets! :D

I'm Baaaaaaaaack!

2006-04-26T16:01:00.000-04:00

After a 3-Day Computer Hiatus (read: SEVERE WITHDRAWL) and trip, I'm officially back.

The laptop bag is on it's way (supposedly...we shall see!)

W-I-R-E-L-E-S-S!

2006-04-22T19:01:00.000-04:00

(cue the eBay commercial music)

"On eBay, dun du dun"

Yup, it's a Wirless G USB adapter...and it works GREAT!!!! Watch out Starbucks, I'm comin' with my laptop (not really...you have to pay for their wifi).

2-Day Social Networking Online Event

2006-04-19T15:45:00.000-04:00

Check it out @ http://www.TechSoup.org/SocialNetwork

It's been good so far...

Ep$on

2006-04-18T15:47:00.000-04:00

Own an Epson printer?

Well, then, you may be entitled to some money!

Apparently, the printer & software will not let you print once it "says" the cartridge is empty, even though it may not be.

$45 in Epson E-Store Credit, $25 check & $20 credit, and some other options.

Check out http://www.epsonsettlement.com/

Happy Easter! (at least to the Easter & Ether Bunnies)

2006-04-16T19:18:00.000-04:00

...but not the Energizer Bunny.

Apparently computer parts online just aren't my thing.

Working on that, though.

Resurrection of the EB

2006-04-13T20:43:00.000-04:00

So a new battery came in today. Apparetnly they don't want us to send back a non-working one...

All I can do now is wait and see if it works! (If it doesn't, I either have really bad luck with computers [well, we all knew that], or the laptop battery-party-thingy doesn't work right. Eitheer way, I won't be happy).

That's all folks!

IBM (Lenovo) at Best Buy, Oh My!

2006-04-12T20:31:00.000-04:00

So, on a slightly off-topic note, apparently Best Buy is going to start stocking Lenovo (the company who bought IBMs PC Division) computers (including IBM branded, I think) on their shelves.

And to top it off, there are rumors of a "special" Geek Squad service for these computers.

(JIC anyone is curious, I hate Best Buy, even though it is enjoyable to browse).

Rants or Raves? Sick of hearing about just my ThinkPad? Should I continue with other tech news? Let me know by posting a comment!

Someday...

2006-04-11T21:08:00.000-04:00

Someday I will think of more to write.

?

2006-04-10T16:17:00.000-04:00

I don't have anything to say about the laptop right now.

I hope I can get my main computers hard drive (with all of my un-backed up data) working (or get the data somehow)...

Maybe I will find another battery that actually works for this...the one I had is getting sent back.

cya later

"Baddery"

2006-04-08T21:12:00.000-04:00

(That’s a “Bad Battery”)

Yup, it doesn’t work. Fortunately, it can be returned.

Not much else…I am running out of things to talk about!!!!

Engerizer Bunny Meets Brick Wall (for now)

2006-04-07T17:10:00.001-04:00

At the moment, I have no idea on the status of this battery (doesn't run at all)...but Window$ says it is "good" as opposed to "bad" with the other battery.

That's it for now, would someone leave me comments, please?

It Just Keeps Going & Going & Going & Going & Going & Going...

2006-04-06T21:01:00.000-04:00

So I got a (cheap) battery today off of eBay...it is in the laptop charging right now, and windows says that it is good, so we shall see tomorrow.

Not much else to say right now, except POWER TO THE ENGERGIZER BUNNY!!!!

Ethernet (n): Device Used to Catch the Etherbunny

2006-04-05T18:31:00.000-04:00

Yes, that's right, I got a PCMCIA ethernet card today, for FREE!!!! Yes, it was second hand, but it works, and this posting is coming from the laptop!

My other computers hard drive with all of the important data is still dead, but the good thing is that it doesn't make any funny noises, so it could just be a motor failure ("just", yeah right).

Installing stuff on the laptop, it runs pretty well!!!!

Crap.

2006-04-03T17:18:00.000-04:00

Looks like I am having issues with my regular computers Hard Drive (I think it might have died...it gives a "Disc Boot Failure" message...oh no!)...so I won't be doing anything with the laptop tonight.

On a lighter note, I might be getting a free wireless card tomorrow :D

Anyway, pray for my hard drive!!!!

If you have any suggestions for it, you have my email address.

Homework.

2006-04-02T17:22:00.000-04:00

Everything is running great!

I actually used the machine today to do some homework, then saved it on my thumb drive. It was good. (And the USB port actually works under Window$).

Going to look for one of my Office 2k3 Licenses that is laying around somewhere...OpenOffice.org is nice, but I prefer (gulp) M$ Office.

Anyway, that's it for now. Looking at wireless cards on Newegg, want to get this one for $9.99 or this one for $4.99 (both after rebates).

(oh, and, by the way, make sure you check the comments on the last post)

WOW!!!!

2006-04-01T16:44:00.000-05:00

I just discovered that this machine does in fact have a network port, wireless card, and a MUCH faster processor than I thought!

Did you actually realize what you gave away????

The Micro$oft eXPerience

2006-04-01T16:41:00.000-05:00

So, this laptop seems to be pretty nice... :D

I all of my exploring randomness, I decided to wipe the hard drive again (which is NOT bad, as originally thought) and install Window$ XP.

The eXPerience is really great...boots faster than Ubuntu and even my 2.2 Ghz. Athlon (of course, nothing BUT the OS is install, soooo...).

Saw a new battery on eBay (on eBay, dun dun dun...you know, that commercial from TV) for about $10...might have to buy it.

Now if it only had some sort of network interface...

366 Mhz., Ubuntu, & More

2006-03-31T15:35:00.000-05:00

So the PII is a 366 Mhz...not to shabby!

It boots DSL Live in no time!

I managed to get Ubuntu installed, and it runs pretty well...(sadly, not much slower than my 2.2 Ghz. desktop).

Those are the updates for now...expect more later!

256.

2006-03-30T19:04:00.000-05:00

256 MB of Memory!!!!!

Wow!!!!

I think there has been some upgrading happening with this machine

Got it!!!!

2006-03-30T18:55:00.000-05:00

So, I got the long awaited laptop today.

Model #: IBM ThinkPad 390E

It has a Pentium II processor and will boot Knoppix Linux. There are some keys missing, and some other miscellaneous weird things with it, but for now, it's GREAT!

More details about the specs to come.

~m