When is a Computer not just a computer? 

Some details about my current "Main Rig"

(the sum of all parts mentioned in previous posts).

Geek: "a peculiar or otherwise odd person, especially one who is perceived to be overly obsessed with one or more things including those of intellectuality, electronics, etc." *

What does a typical geek look like?  How do you define a "geek" in the first place...?  Just a few days ago I was having a conversation with one of my customers and the subject of "being referred to as a geek" came up.  The person I was talking to seemed to be under the impression that calling someone like me a "geek" may somehow be offensive...

My response was something like this: "Well, it depends a little on who is saying it and what the context is.  If it was some technophobic twat using the term in a derogative way, then yes it might be mildy offensive, although I would probably just laugh!  If, on the other hand, it was a person whom I perceived to be quite knowledgable.., a technology guru of some sort, then being called a "Geek" would be a compliment".

I've been playing a bit on Xbox 360 and Xbox Live again since Operation Flashpoint - Dragon Rising and Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2 came out recently.  One thing is clear.  If you don't spend enough time honing your skills, things are not going to go well.  In short: "I suck at this!", is probably the best description I can give....

Just downloaded and installed Linux Mint 8 "Helena" RC1.   Sweet!

I currently have it running in Virtualbox on top of Mint 7 and will wait for the full release before upgrading my main system but I really like what I've seen so far. 

Windows 7 Sins:

The case against Microsoft and proprietary software

... borrowed from here:

"The new version of Microsoft's Windows operating system, Windows 7, has the same problem that Vista, XP, and all previous versions have had -- it's proprietary software. Users are not permitted to share or modify the Windows software, or examine how it works inside.

The fact that Windows 7 is proprietary means that Microsoft asserts legal control over its users through a combination of copyrights, contracts, and patents. Microsoft uses this power to abuse computer users. At windows7sins.org, the Free Software Foundation lists seven examples of abuse committed by Microsoft.

Having built a solid foundation using an Asus P6T Deluxe V2 M/B, Intel Core i7 CPU and 12GB of Kingston DDR3 1333Mhz DRAM (all in a Thermaltake Element S Case), it was now time to complete the 'picture' so to speak....  I wanted reasonably good graphics in my new machine so after a bit of research and price checking, I decided I liked the look of the Asus ENGTS250 1GB GTS 250 "Dark Knight" card.

Some Specs:

Next on the list of ingrediets for my new computer (based on an Asus P6T Deluxe V2 Motherboard and an Intel Core i7 920 CPU), is the memory.  The new range of Core i7 processors require DDR3 Memory (currently available in 2GB modules) and the P6T has six available slots, so I ordered 12GB (2kits of 3x2GB) of Kingston KVR1333D3N9K3/6G

Once installed, I added some extra 'refreshment' (dedicated DRAM cooling fans) and tweaked the bios settings on the M/B to increase the cards speed from 1333Mhz to 1501Mhz.  This a fairly conservative setting for this system but I am more interested in stability... with just a touch of extra speed.

The 'Core' component of my new system is the Intel Core i7 920 Processor (pun intended).  The i7 is a significant step up from the previous range of Core2 processors.  From Intel:

After purchasing the Thermaltake Element S Case, the next decision(s) I had to make was in regards to the Motherboard, Processor and Memory to use.  Initially, I chose to use an Asus P6T (standard) but had some issues and discovered it wasn't exactly what I wanted, so I then upgraded to the Asus P6T Deluxe V2.  (Here is another review)

I purchased the Thermaltake Element S case a few months ago as the basis of my newest computer project.  You can read a fairly comprehensive review here.  I agree with most of the observations in that review so I'm not going to repeat it, however I can add a couple of observations of my own.  The case works very well for the purpose I bought it.  I like the simple understated external design. It has a good roomy interior and everything is fairly accessable.