The Vent and Rant Thread

[kazbates]

Originally Posted by zelda_pinwheel

TRILLIONS ?????? sweet fuzzy squirrels on a cracker, that's a LOT of bugs !!!!! that's a really weird life-cycle though, only a few weeks above ground every 17 years...

and is it just me, or are the adults about 3 times larger than the exoskeletons they come out of ??? that's just weird. so how big are these things ?


don't i wish. i don't have a portable computer. i want to get one, but 1. i can't decide whether it's more important to have something small and light enough that i would actually want to carry it around when i need it vs. something with a big enough screen / keyboard to make it actually useable for work (i'm more inclined towards the latter, since that way i could use it as a backup computer in case my desktop ever dies in the middle of a huge project. because you know they always choose the worst possible time to die...) and 2. if i get one big and powerful enough to make it practical for work, it will cost a LOT of money, and i just can't quite justify spending that much dosh on something i might only need a few times a year. i'm frequently tempted to get a netbook because they're small and light and cheap, but if they're small and light and cheap but useless for what i actually spend most of my time doing, there doesn't seem to be much point. i don't really need something that wouldn't be good for much more than checking my email, i can do that from my desktop pc much more comfortably and i'm here most of the time anyway.

The cicadas are BIG, at least to me! They can range from 2-5cm long, although the ones I've seen have been closer to the 5 than the 2.

We bought a Toshiba laptop from Best Buy a few months ago that's fairly powerful. Shannon uses her Tablo drawing pen on it and Adobe Photo Shop. It was under $700 at the time. I don't know how that would equate for you, though.

[pilotbob]

Originally Posted by zelda_pinwheel

don't i wish. i don't have a portable computer. i want to get one, but 1. i can't decide whether it's more important to have something small and light enough that i would actually want to carry it around when i need it vs. something with a big enough screen / keyboard to make it actually useable for work (i'm more inclined towards the latter, since that way i could use it as a backup computer in case my desktop ever dies in the middle of a huge project. because you know they always choose the worst possible time to die...) and 2. if i get one big and powerful enough to make it practical for work, it will cost a LOT of money, and i just can't quite justify spending that much dosh on something i might only need a few times a year.

Before I got my iMac my primary home computer was a 15inch laptop. I usually used it hooked up to a big monitor, keyboard and mouse.... but, I was able to grab it and take it on the road or whatever. The 15inch screen wasn't as nice as my 20inch monitor, but good enough. Personally, I think those 17inch laptops are just to big.

As for a net book, it isn't very powerful... but you could remote into your desktop machine. Of course, doing the work you do on a 9-10 inch screen would probably be pretty difficult.

BOb

[zelda_pinwheel]

Originally Posted by kazbates

The cicadas are BIG, at least to me! They can range from 2-5cm long, although the ones I've seen have been closer to the 5 than the 2.

crikey !! that's a big bug !!! they don't bite or anything, do they ?

We bought a Toshiba laptop from Best Buy a few months ago that's fairly powerful. Shannon uses her Tablo drawing pen on it and Adobe Photo Shop. It was under $700 at the time. I don't know how that would equate for you, though.

to be honest i've not looked at what's available lately, and if i do start thinking seriously of one i'll probably just ask a friend of mine who loves hardware and knows everything for advice. i do need something pretty powerful though ; i do a lot of graphic work and my primary app is illustrator, which is pretty ressource-intensive.

Originally Posted by pilotbob

Before I got my iMac my primary home computer was a 15inch laptop. I usually used it hooked up to a big monitor, keyboard and mouse.... but, I was able to grab it and take it on the road or whatever. The 15inch screen wasn't as nice as my 20inch monitor, but good enough. Personally, I think those 17inch laptops are just to big.

i agree, to me the point of having a portable computer is to be PORTABLE, so when we start to get towards desktop-sized screens it sort of seems to defeat the purpose.

i've got a friend whose main computer is a portable, he's got a sony vaio something or other (not too recent but still working fine), he uses it at home and can bring it over when we're working together (he's a developper and we collaborate on a lot of projects). i don't think i could do that ; i go crazy trying to type on those tiny keyboards, especially when there's no numerical keyboard (arg !), and my current moniter already seems too small to me for really working efficiently (it's a 19" i think, and i dream of getting a second one. or even better, getting a 21" or larger, and then getting a second one of *those* ). now that i think about it actually i've got two friends who only use portables, and both are developpers. i guess for code a smaller screen isn't too much of a problem.

As for a net book, it isn't very powerful... but you could remote into your desktop machine. Of course, doing the work you do on a 9-10 inch screen would probably be pretty difficult.

the "not very powerful" thing is why i haven't got one yet, although i'm tempted. but what do you mean by "remote into" my desktop machine ? could i use it as just a monitor and keyboard, and let the desktop do all the processing work ? or am i confused ? it would be quite useless for graphic work though. like i said, even my 19" monitor seems a bit tight to me.

now you see why i'm stuck at home when the weather is gorgeous and the workmen are making a godawful racket all damned day long (they're still there !!! arg !!! it's almost 20:30, GO HOME so i can have some peace and quiet !!! sheesh !!).

[pilotbob]

Originally Posted by zelda_pinwheel

to be honest i've not looked at what's available lately, and if i do start thinking seriously of one i'll probably just ask a friend of mine who loves hardware and knows everything for advice. i do need something pretty powerful though ; i do a lot of graphic work and my primary app is illustrator, which is pretty ressource-intensive.

You probably need a great video card more than CPU for the work you do.

We just got my son a Sager laptop... it was @ $800 and had quite good specs. They make "gaming" laptops so have great video card options.

http://www.sagernotebook.com/categor...id=&lcdsize=15

Originally Posted by zelda_pinwheel

and my current moniter already seems too small to me for really working efficiently (it's a 19" i think, and i dream of getting a second one. or even better, getting a 21" or larger, and then getting a second one of *those* ). now that i think about it actually i've got two friends who only use portables, and both are developpers. i guess for code a smaller screen isn't too much of a problem.

I love my 24inch ASUS monitor. Get it for less than $300 at NewEgg. That said, I am a developer and alot of screen real estate does make things easy. There are so many tool box windows that surround your main code window these days. Dual monitor is best for coding. You basically run your editor in one monitor and can have specs/user stories on another window. Or, when running you can have the app on one monitor and the debugger on the other.

Originally Posted by zelda_pinwheel

but what do you mean by "remote into" my desktop machine ? could i use it as just a monitor and keyboard, and let the desktop do all the processing work ? or am i confused ? it would be quite useless for graphic work though. like i said, even my 19" monitor seems a bit tight to me.

Yes exactly. Granted doing graphic work on a netbook, even if it is working more as a terminal wouldn't be optimum. But, on a 15inch notebook it would be better than nothing. Of course, the workmen will eventually go away I assume.

But, with a portable you could get away and do some surfing/email/forum stuff in quiet.

BOb

[zelda_pinwheel]

Originally Posted by pilotbob

You probably need a great video card more than CPU for the work you do.

We just got my son a Sager laptop... it was under $800 and had quite good specs.

i do have the impression that the prices are dropping somewhat. but i haven't looked at them lately, like i said. and i can't really see spending 800€ on a portable computer right now, i only just spent 600€ on my desktop a few months ago (okay, nearly a year now, but still).

I love my 24inch ASUS monitor. Get it for less than $300 at NewEgg. That said, I am a developer and alot of screen real estate does make things easy. There are so many tool box windows that surround your main code window these days. Dual monitor is best for coding. You basically run your editor in one monitor and can have specs/user stories on another window. Or, when running you can have the app on one monitor and the debugger on the other.

heh, well maybe my 2 dev friends are just weirdos then. but i'm with you ; i've got the "eleventy million palettes taking up screen real estate" problem too ; if i had 2 monitors, i would put all my palettes on one, and keep my workspace nice and uncluttered on the other one.

Yes exactly. Granted doing graphic work on a netbook, even if it is working more as a terminal wouldn't be optimum. But, on a 15inch notebook it would be better than nothing.

hm, interesting.

Of course, the workmen will eventually go away I assume.
But, with a portable you could get away and do some surfing/email/forum stuff in quiet.

i'm hoping. they seem all set to spend the whole night there at the moment. and did i mention they were here all weekend as well ? maybe they're actually the new neighbors.

[yvanleterrible]

Originally Posted by zelda_pinwheel

don't i wish. i don't have a portable computer. i want to get one, but 1. i can't decide whether it's more important to have something small and light enough that i would actually want to carry it around when i need it vs. something with a big enough screen / keyboard to make it actually useable for work (i'm more inclined towards the latter, since that way i could use it as a backup computer in case my desktop ever dies in the middle of a huge project. because you know they always choose the worst possible time to die...) and 2. if i get one big and powerful enough to make it practical for work, it will cost a LOT of money, and i just can't quite justify spending that much dosh on something i might only need a few times a year. i'm frequently tempted to get a netbook because they're small and light and cheap, but if they're small and light and cheap but useless for what i actually spend most of my time doing, there doesn't seem to be much point. i don't really need something that wouldn't be good for much more than checking my email, i can do that from my desktop pc much more comfortably and i'm here most of the time anyway.

Originally Posted by zelda_pinwheel

heh, well maybe my 2 dev friends are just weirdos then. but i'm with you ; i've got the "eleventy million palettes taking up screen real estate" problem too ; if i had 2 monitors, i would put all my palettes on one, and keep my workspace nice and uncluttered on the other one.

The back to school sales are the best period of the year to buy laptops and we're smack into it. I just bought a 17 inch laptop to replace the 6 year old home computer. For blogging and surfing, the EEE does an excellent job and I often bring it in the bathtub.

I've been doing CAD drawing for years in my shop's office with two screens just like you say, tools palettes on the left, image on the right. Perfect setup...

[phenomshel]

I do schoolwork that way. Word processor open on one screen, library or online research open on the other.

[Sweetpea]

Argggh!

I got an email yesterday that the photocamera I want to buy is available... And I had hoped that it would take at least a month longer! Add to that the huge bill for the yearly checkup for the car and the fact that I must have an e-ink ereader...

[Slite]

Originally Posted by Sweetpea

Argggh!

I got an email yesterday that the photocamera I want to buy is available... And I had hoped that it would take at least a month longer! Add to that the huge bill for the yearly checkup for the car and the fact that I must have an e-ink ereader...

Pffft... like you'll ever buy an e-reader you little fencesitter you

Here, have another pillow!

[Sparrow]

Originally Posted by zelda_pinwheel

TRILLIONS ?????? sweet fuzzy squirrels on a cracker, that's a LOT of bugs !!!!! ....

Oooh, has the new CyBook firmware been released??

[Slite]

Originally Posted by Sparrow

Oooh, has the new CyBook firmware been released??

:groan:

[Sweetpea]

Originally Posted by Slite

Pffft... like you'll ever buy an e-reader you little fencesitter you

Here, have another pillow!

I already have one, but just not an e-ink e-reader! And I will get one! I believe I should commit myself to achieving the goal, before this year is out, of getting an e-ink device!

[yvanleterrible]

Overtime...

[yvanleterrible]

Sell old paper books...

[vivaldirules]

OPUS!....