CoffeeFiend

I've never bought from newegg (I'm not in the USA). I agree that they do overchage a great deal on upgrades (want to replace that 200GB HD for a 300? We'll charge you the price of the 300 and keep the 200!) But they do have some unbeatable deals like I've mentionned before. Yes, make a high-end system, it'll be cheaper to build it yourself (especially since labor is essentially free), but for a basic business machine, it's almost impossible to make it yourself for cheaper like the linked article shows (just the cost of windows alone sets you back like 100$ more instantly - now try to match the 500$ box with only 400$ to buy the HW). They very often have rebates too - some are pretty sweet. And a lot of companies buy in large quantities and get very good discounts.

What about memory intensive apps (there are LOTS of these - photoshop, visual studio, development databases, firefox, etc), heavy multitasking, future-proofing, etc? And it's not like they don't come with 2GB by default either (and most people don't choose it, either). All my PCs are loaded with RAM, but for the most part it's rather generic stuff (last batch was Samsung PC2-4200), and I'm quite pleased with it (next batch is going to be pretty much "average latency" stuff too). The point is to avoid heavy swapping (which slows down any computer tremendously - hard disks aren't exactly fast RAM), not to get a little extra memory bandwidth by paying a hefty premium for some lower latency. There's NOTHING they could do that would make the other 5% potential buyers happy. They'd carry brand name RAM, someone else would not like it and want another brand (OCZ vs Crucial vs whatever). They'd carry lower latency RAM, some folks would still say that's not low enough (e.g. that DDR2 6400 just HAS to be CAS3). They'd also need to carry a large selection of OC-friendly SLI motherboards from every price point for every socket, a wide selection of CPUs to fit those (including some high end stuff), dozens of different video cards, 63 different power supplies, etc. And all that [large] inventory of expensive parts devaluates very fast. One month sitting on a shelf * a lot of parts = a LOT of $ (millions in their case). It takes a lot of warehouse space and logistics/supply chain management too. They'd have to create dozens and dozens of new different configurations, all with custom options, test all these, adapt the production chains, etc. In the end, they'd cost an arm and a leg, and nobody would like nor buy 'em regardless, and they'd likely make very little profit from it (if any). So they decided to focus on the remaining 95% potential customers and make those happy - and for the most part, they are. There's really nothing wrong with Dell. You're just part of that other 5%.

...which again is my point. Most people wouldn't know or even care what type of RAM they're using, much less their latency or such. Plain value RAM is good enough for ~95% of folks out there. If anything, they've made their ordering process simple enough (just pick how much). Their PC will be plenty fast regardless. They'll be able to check email, browse web, do their finances, play some music, create some powerpoint presentations, etc. If value memory isn't good enough for you, then again, you're not who the type of person they usually sell systems to (businesses, average users, etc), that's all.

Can't say I'm too happy about DLink routers either, but then again, I've tried 'em all (linksys, netgear, etc) and they've all sucked badly, overheated ridiculously within the first 2 weeks and then started having major problems. I've given up on routers altogether. Yes, there is some quality hardware out there, but it costs hundreds. So I use a PC as NAT/firewall - a FAR better option IMO. But either ways, I don't see why you want this. You're going for a hybrid that has superfast wired between your PCs (no idea if your PCs even have GB ethernet and right cabling), yet you pick a product that also has wireless (painfully slow for anything but web browsing). If anything, I'd get a decent gigabit ethernet switch for not a whole lot more $ (and an access point if you really need wireless). Quite honestly, the switches in most routers suck really REALLY badly. On over a dozen different model of routers I've tested, transferring a few GB at plain old 100mbit was enough to overheat the switch chip enough that it would drop right off the network, come back, try again and drop off a few seconds after, etc. Absolute crap. They're NOT built for large/sustained loads/transfers. Consumer grade trash. I have yet to have any touble with a real standalone switch. D-Link was known for abusing a certain tier 1 NTP server too (I wouldn't want to give my money to a company that does such a thing), but they settled that lately.

Well, that somewhat describes what people dislike about Dells: they don't cater to gamers and such. Their desktops are good enough for 95% of people, but that other 5% keeps complaining about things like "they don't make low priced SLI rigs" or such. Dell doesn't want to cater to that minority (not as much profit to make, vast inventory of different and costly parts to keep, low volume, etc). Support is crucial for businesses and non tech-savvy folks, but most gamers don't need it. If Dell's systems aren't appealing to you, it's because you're not their target audience. Simple as that. For the others, the support and nearly unbeatable prices on decently built average (business/office) systems is a great option. They also offer decent accessories and extras at decent prices too (great UltraSharp LCDs, laser printers, PDAs, etc)

Because VLC doesn't play absolutely everything without codecs, and because VLC isn't my favorite player?

Here. 249.99$ for the Zune, on Nov 14th. Not really. They ALREADY lowered their prices, and the Zune already matches that - and they clearly stated they wouldn't be undersold. Features wise, I'd love to see that happen - they need it badly, because they's many better players out there. I wouldn't be so sure about Apple...

I find the vast majority of posts get a lot of helpful answers. I have no idea what makes you say that. Yes, the information is scattered around a bit. But the unattended site had that information handy, I found it there in under 30 secs. The forum has a great search function which would find this thing in a few seconds as well. Same goes for google. Yes, it takes some work to find what you want, but there's no way around that (well, if you have, I'd love to hear about it). In a couple weeks your post won't be any easier to find than any of the other posts with this information either, it'll be burried under tons of new posts - just like every other installshield related post, and people will still have to search to find it. And it's never took me hours to find anything here. You're supposed to read until you run into some issue and then post that. Or if you have something that you're positively sure is new, then by all means let everyone know. It's common sense, just like posting in the proper section. That's how forums work...

Ok, I'll bite. Someone's feature is someone else's bloat. You're perfectly free to use Win3.11 which has like, no blat at all. Want new features? It comes with a price. And I'm not just talking about Windows, some people are saying the exact same about Linux distros. No one's forcing you to use it ya know. That's what YOU think. It doesn't necessarily reflect the opinions/needs/preferences of others. Again, feel free to use Win9x, 2k, XP with classic "theme". It does just what you're asking for. For EVERYBODY else, there is 3D widget things coming: be it Aero Glass on Vista, whatever it's called on Mac OS X (well, not "coming" - it's "been there" for a while), or XGL on Linux. 99% of people seem to like this, some REALLY dig it. Just how much people you've seen complain about Mac OS X's accelerated desktop? (yeah, basically nobody). Lots of people will only buy/use a new OS if it has eye candy - they don't care of what's underlying, they wouldn't pay for that. Just look at how much people use Stardock's stuff and spend so much time making themes and such things (and even post screenshots on forums). The main downside is the need of a recent video card. It's really not THAT bad, and again, no one's forcing you to use it (BTW, you can even disable Aero Glass on Vista). No point in complaining. Paying for an OS you don't want, and then try to convert it to something the equivalent of Win2k? Just because YOU don't want the new features doesn't mean everybody else has to positively absolutely necessarily remove almost everything new with nlite too. I won't be removing anything at all, and most people won't either. Don't want the new stuff? Again, no one's forcing you to buy and use Vista or anything. They have worked a LOT on security and a LOT of other GREAT stuff. Why should security and graphics be mutually exclusive? Just because you don't want/like pretty graphics? BTW, there is no such thing as - and there will never be - something known as "completely secured" (Windows, Linux or aynthing else included), unless it's not networked, or perhaps even turned off. Security is a process, NOT a product. So much for "constructive criticism"...

Actually, they have. Same price than the iPod within a dollar. Totally agree about the iPod I have yet to see a mp3 player that's complicated to use. And if you looked at the Zune, you'll see it's no worse. As for the iPod being convenient, I strongly disagree - iTunes is VERY inconvenient IMO. MS has a "need" to diversify - and create a mp3 player - to generate revenue, on the player sales, and also a cut on the media sales. It's pretty obvious, they're in the market to make profit, like Apple and all the others.

And it's far from being new or anything... Documented here, on their website in great length, various forum posts, google would find lots more too...

As long as: -it has the better/more useful codecs (ffdshow, ac3filters) - preferably the latest versions -it has none of the problematic codecs (e.g. mmswitch.ax aka morgan stream "crasher" and such) or at least are disabled by default or can be deselected or such (no forced install) -it's not known to be one of the very problematic codec packs (e.g. nimo) -it has the codecs for any of the more "esoteric" stuff you want or need (ogm/mkv/flv/ts splitters, ogg/flac audio, qt/real playback, Indeo/On2 VPx/mjpeg/huffyuv video, etc) -it's tested a LOT and actively maintained/updated -it offers a decent custom installation (e.g. you can select/deselect stuff you want or not) -other "nice" extras (like installing MPC/VLC/ZP, various useful utils like GSpot, etc) XP Codec pack isn't bad, but it's missing some useful stuff IMO (e.g. x264), and some of thoe choices are not so great (GPL mpeg decoder doesn't look too great). Although it has most of what one needs. Not a bad codec pack overall though - perhaps just a little minimalistic. DSFP seems a little... hmm, barebones? I'd have to add a lot of stuff manually afterwards, like ffdshow, ac3filter, x264, etc. So I personally see it as not so useful (only does half the job). Some people swear by CCCP (made mainly for the anime folks). No real issues with it, but not my favourite (haven't checked what it includes lately, but back when I tried it they kept using outdated versions of some things, like ac3fitler 0.7 instead of 1.01a or such, and a few common things were missing too). Again, not bad, but noy my pick. My pick would be K-Lite - the "Full" pack. The "Mega" seems a bit over the top (but very good nonetheless), and the standard & basic versions (haven't seen a "lite") are missing WAY too much stuff. Oh, and ZoomPlayer WMV Pro as a player

Sounds like a program you're using has memory leaks or such, hence your memory usage goes through the roof. As it starts paging a lot, of course it'll come down to a crawl. You shouldn't have to reboot.

That's due to a bug in the program. Don't know if it's easily reproduced, but if you find how, you can submit that to help get the bug fixed. Yes, it's better to quit and try again.

It's no worse than an iPod or just about every other mp3 player out there. They almost all support DRM, but none enforce it on you. It's just up to you not to buy any DRM'ed music off iTMS or whatever. I don't buy DRM'ed contents.

Use Nero Burn Rights

I don't see what problem this will solve anyways. Anyone can just set the IP manually regardless. Not quite sure why you want to do this. Perhaps what you want is 802.1x? (assuming you want to protect network against unauthorized access)

Thanks for the heads up! Finally a non-beta version.

5000 Yen is just as expensive as the Fortron Sparkle, but then again, only half the amps where it counts most. There are very good reasons to get as much as you can there, especially if your system is always on and such (capacitor aging leading to loss of how much power it can deliver namely), combined with some headroom for expansion, and not running your system too near your PSU's max capacity (think about things like drive spinup - about 2 amps per HD). And again, Fortron Sparkle is known to make quality PSUs (just like OCZ is). That's pretty much the best you can get around that price point. (Even the 350w Fortron has beefier 12v buses, and it's like 2/3 of the price) But if you'd rather spend as much on a generic PSU with only half the umph, have it become unstable, making your system crash or reboot without warning as the voltages "drifted" or will drop under heavy load, until you finally have to buy another one next year when it's totally broke... Be my guest, ain't my money Buying a PSU by wattage alone is much like buying a camera by it's number of megapixels alone, or buying a CPU based on it's MHz (disregarding IPC or number of cores and such)...

1.28TB NTFS @ ~85%, and lots of other smaller disks, including some with only a few MBs left of free space... No problems whatsoever. I don't think it's unreliable or anything like that. But I've never tried to defrag a SAN remotely, I'd be a little worried the first time (I'd try on another disk coming off the SAN first - something that's backed up and not mission critical). Yes it does. You get space back from reclaiming the unused space in the data store. Very good and reliable product. You will need more free space than that to run it though.

Oh, so I wasn't wrong then (I did mean for videos, although I must admit I wasn't clear on this). Oh well. One less expensive gadget to buy ZaForD: Yeah, that's what I meant. And Transcode 360 is hardly the answer. I'll stick to XBMC after all Works great, no complaints whatsoever.

Intel has built a prototype of a processor with 80 cores that can perform a trillion floating-point operations per second. The chips are capable of exchanging data at a terabyte a second. Read Full Article (c|net's news.com) Can't wait. Not sure what type of bus they'll have then? CSI still? Will it scale that much? Can't wait for them to drop the old FSB already... Imagine a four way box (with four of these) or more - even a dually wouldn't be exactly slow either. [edit]: Forgot to say: they also have some infos about their upcoming quad cores (in November) which will be significantly faster than the Core 2 Duos - almost makes me want to wait 'till they come out.

I didn't know about that Media Connect thing. Very nice! Perhaps I'll look into getting a Xbox 360 sometime then I'll have to look into it, see how the interface is, what it'll play and such (as long as it supoprts MPEG4 ASP & AVC and can also play mp3s, that's the main thing)

I know - been there, done that. I did mechanics in my college days. I've done a fair amount of CNC and machining work, I've programmed countless PLCs and such, so I've seen and worked with such systems a lot. I'm even working on a hobby CNC machine (using atmels to drive the steppers - well, the H bridges, not a bad setup). I really, really like working with that kind of stuff.

They have a driver on MS connect (iSCSI Software Initiator - Boot Version). I was looking at it today along with the new Network Monitor 3 Beta, but I didn't manage to download them to even peek at it - it will ONLY download using ActiveX no matter what browser you use (and my IE is very locked down and will NOT allow ActiveX - and I don't want to use it either). So too bad... I was looking forward to it, but they're making it a royal PITA - so I just might use SAS or AoE instead (Fiber Channel is nice, but too expensive IMO). Well, iSCSI support seems better, and it's still a cheap technology. Just load up any average box with inexpensive SATA RAID cards and lotsa decently sized HDs in a nice big case (coolermaster stacker) or even on shelf/rack, and as long as it has gbit ethernet, you're pretty much set (likely using linux for the target - hard to beat the price). I could really use a little SAN like that (that and diskless silent PCs too - even VMWare machines could boot from it)