View Full Version : Are you a technological twit? Titillate me with your queries.
Sample questions:
What is better: SDRAM, DDR, DDR2, DDR3, GDDR, GDDR2, GDDR3, GDDR4.
I want to build a new home theatre but I'm afraid the rain will make my cardbox box soggy and thus structurally unstable for 500W speakers. What do you suggest?
I want to buy a Mac but my damn brain keeps telling me I'm stupid -- am I stupid?
Jon Miller
May 31, 2007, 15:55
A lot of the physicists are buying Macs, why?
JM
Physicists are masochists, it follows that they exhibit masochistic behaviour.
For instance, KH moved from Canada to Baltimore. Other physicists may buy a Mac instead.
Kuciwalker
May 31, 2007, 15:57
:lol:
Jon Miller
May 31, 2007, 15:58
Why is it that I have two printer's next door (nice, huge ones, with lots of features and probably expensive), but I can't get the new one to print (it has color), and the old one (black-white only) only occasionally prints, and the one that is on the other side of the building (possibly the oldest?) is the one that pretty much always works?
JM
Originally posted by Jon Miller
Why is it that I have two printer's next door (nice, huge ones, with lots of features and probably expensive), but I can't get the new one to print (it has color), and the old one (black-white only) only occasionally prints, and the one that is on the other side of the building (possibly the oldest?) is the one that pretty much always works?
JM
Diagnosis: One of the following issues causes the problem:
1) PEBKAC
2) Crappy printers
3) Crappy networking set up
4) Crappy drivers
5) Crappy print server
Given that these printers were likely purchased and installed by physicists, it's highly likely that they were never designed to work in the first place. It's an exercise in frustration.
Originally posted by Asher
Sample questions:
What is better: SDRAM, DDR, DDR2, DDR3, GDDR, GDDR2, GDDR3, GDDR4.
I want to build a new home theatre but I'm afraid the rain will make my cardbox box soggy and thus structurally unstable for 500W speakers. What do you suggest?
I want to buy a Mac but my damn brain keeps telling me I'm stupid -- am I stupid?
I'm a tech twit and am prepared to admit it...
How do I get pics from my cell phone to my computer?
Originally posted by Wezil
I'm a tech twit and am prepared to admit it...
How do I get pics from my cell phone to my computer?
What cell phone do you have?
Telus network - Samsung phone (not sure on model).
I have some cute pet pics (not cute enough to spend any serious $$ if that is necessary).
Don't buy a Mac. What can it offer you that others can't? HMmmmm, final cut, if you want to make videos, other than that? Forget about it.
Jon Miller
May 31, 2007, 16:10
I think the ones in the main building our handled by our IT department.
JM
Jon Miller
May 31, 2007, 16:11
Is there ever a need to format your computer and reinstall?
JM
Wezil, usually it's USB or then via Bluetooth.
Originally posted by Pekka
Wezil, usually it's USB or then via Bluetooth.
I think we're looking at Bluetooth. I have a menu or two that mentions that.
Still unknown tech to me. What do I have to buy and how does it work?
Originally posted by Jon Miller
Is there ever a need to format your computer and reinstall?
JM
Need? No, almost never.
It's a lazy solution, I've never had to do it. I prefer to fix the real problem.
Ok so then you can do it at least that way.
Well, if you have a laptop, they usually have Bluetooth possibility as well.
Originally posted by Wezil
I think we're looking at Bluetooth. I have a menu or two that mentions that.
Still unknown tech to me. What do I have to buy and how does it work?
Is your PC new? It probably doesn't have integrated bluetooth, in which case you need a bluetooth adapter like this: http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=23897&vpn=F8T003tt&manufacture=Belkin
You can also try plugging in your phone via a USB cable, if it came with one.
Nothing came with the phone.
$40 for the adapter...
I still think you presume I know more about this than I am letting on. I will repeat - I am a tech twit.
Looks like I plug the Bluetooth into where I recharge the phone(?). Does this then transfer the pics to the Bluetooth? Do I then connect this gizmo to my computer somehow? And no, I have an ancient home machine.
Wow. Sounds really off the base... then again, I don't know what kind of a phone you have. But that doesn't sound right to me.
Originally posted by Wezil
Nothing came with the phone.
$40 for the adapter...
I still think you presume I know more about this than I am letting on. I will repeat - I am a tech twit.
Looks like I plug the Bluetooth into where I recharge the phone(?). Does this then transfer the pics to the Bluetooth? Do I then connect this gizmo to my computer somehow? And no, I have an ancient home machine.
Bluetooth is a wireless protocol.
Your cell phone may have bluetooth (most do these days) built in. Your computer will definitely not.
So you use that $40 dongle I linked to to plug into a USB port on your computer. This makes your computer able to use Bluetooth to talk to the phone.
At that point you can transfer photos back and forth over the air using Bluetooth.
CrONoS
May 31, 2007, 16:25
I had a Samsung with Telus; the cellphone had the possibility(was built in) to transfer via Bluetooth, but the bluetooth function was deactivated by Telus, so you had to buy their cable...
Before buying a bluetooth adapter I would do a search over google...
A simpler method is to send a MMS. It's like a text message, your phone should support it if you have a camera on it.
Instead of sending the message to another phone, enter an email address of yours.
What do you think of Bussard's Pollywell fusor work?
Originally posted by DanS
What do you think of Bussard's fusor work?
That's not in my expertise. It's way more boring. Consider shooting yourself in the head before asking such questions.
Arrian
May 31, 2007, 16:32
Should I buy any special cables or other accessories when I order my new TV (the one you have), or is that just a rip off?
-Arrian
Originally posted by Asher
A simpler method is to send a MMS. It's like a text message, your phone should support it if you have a camera on it.
Instead of sending the message to another phone, enter an email address of yours.
Yes, my phone will support that. A couple people I know were presumptious enough to think I understood the tech. I have recieved a few text messages but never sent one. Perhaps I should look into this end of it.
Thanks for the assistance. Did I adequately contribute to your time killing mission?
Originally posted by Wezil
Yes, my phone will support that. A couple people I know were presumptious enough to think I understood the tech. I have recieved a few text messages but never sent one. Perhaps I should look into this end of it.
Thanks for the assistance. Did I adequately contribute to your time killing mission?
Yes, thank you. ;)
Originally posted by Arrian
Should I buy any special cables or other accessories when I order my new TV (the one you have), or is that just a rip off?
-Arrian
Never buy the gold-plated digital cable ****. There's no point.
Use HDMI or DVI if possible. VGA and component are also good...
Arrian
May 31, 2007, 16:39
Thought so, thanks.
-Arrian
The $20 HDMI cable from Walmart will look identical to the $2000 Monster Elite Ultra Megacable from Best Buy.
Oerdin
May 31, 2007, 18:41
The predisesor of DDR2. ;)
Kuciwalker
May 31, 2007, 18:43
/me sighs
Lonestar
May 31, 2007, 18:53
Originally posted by DaShi
What's DDR?
You jump around llikje a retard trying to match your feet to the arrows on the screen and music.
MRT144
May 31, 2007, 19:29
why is kuciwalker so smug with himself?
http://www.crwflags.com/fotw/images/d/de-ddr.gif
The Mad Monk
May 31, 2007, 19:34
When mass copy/pasting files in windows explorer, the "Yes To All" option can be very useful; for certain operations, a "No To All" option would be considerably more useful.
Is there any way to invoke such an option?
CrONoS
May 31, 2007, 19:43
In your opinions, which processor design is better; RISC or CISC? (choose your point of view)
And why?
Thank you!
Kuciwalker
May 31, 2007, 19:46
The correct answer is x86 :cute:
The Mad Monk
May 31, 2007, 19:46
Originally posted by Asher
Yes.
Thank you.
RiSC is the correct answer.
SpencerH
May 31, 2007, 20:03
Swami
Why is it that I was able to setup a working lan with file and print sharing in my house between old pc's with win98se and new PC's with XPpro but I cant get a new laptop with 'wonderful new vista' to even 'see' a connected PC with XPpro?
Originally posted by Pekka
RiSC is the correct answer.
The correct answer is neither.
The correct answer is: hybrids, a la modern AMD and Intel processors.
Why? Because it allows small code sizes using complex instructions which are then decoded and broken up into RISC-like micro-ops in the CPU -- this functionality takes trivial amounts of transistors. It's the best of both worlds.
Kuciwalker
May 31, 2007, 20:07
Isn't that x86? :)
No, because technically x86 is CISC.
And technically the micro-ops in the Intel/AMD CPUs are RISC.
The whole is the hybrid.
No, RiSC was a warez group. ;)
CrONoS
May 31, 2007, 20:12
Originally posted by Asher
The correct answer is neither.
The correct answer is: hybrids, a la modern AMD and Intel processors.
Why? Because it allows small code sizes using complex instructions which are then decoded and broken up into RISC-like micro-ops in the CPU -- this functionality takes trivial amounts of transistors. It's the best of both worlds.
Good Answer!! (Based on my reading of websites who were discussing CiSC vs RiSC)
So:
Asher beats Pekka the "WTFp?!" and KuciW the"Cookiemonster" :b:
Canada Wins!
CrONoS
May 31, 2007, 20:13
Originally posted by Pekka
No, RiSC was a warez group. ;)
... I Don't remember them.
CrONoS
May 31, 2007, 20:14
.
What does contrast ratio mean on a moniter?
Kuciwalker
May 31, 2007, 22:30
Intensity of white / intensity of black.
Higher contrast ratio means blacker blacks.
Jon Miller
May 31, 2007, 22:50
what I was reading said that it often meant brighter whites on modern LCDs
JM
Are you thinking of brightness?
Jon Miller
May 31, 2007, 23:02
nah, they said that contast (as listed on the spec sheets) often was increased by making the white brighter instead of making the black blacker
it was discussed as an issue with LCDs monitors when I was studying up on them before my purchase
JM
Nostromo
May 31, 2007, 23:39
Here's a definition I found in an interesting article:
Contrast is the ratio between the white and black parts in an image. The larger the contrast ratio of a display device, the greater is the difference between the brightest whites and the darkest blacks a video display or projector can show. A contrast ratio of say 300:1 would imply that the black level is 300 times darker than the white.
The article:
http://www.practical-home-theater-guide.com/contrast-ratio.html
Kuciwalker
June 1, 2007, 00:16
Originally posted by Jon Miller
nah, they said that contast (as listed on the spec sheets) often was increased by making the white brighter instead of making the black blacker
That's just as good, really.
Jon Miller
June 1, 2007, 00:19
Yeah, now read some serious reviews...
J
Main_Brain
June 1, 2007, 05:46
I have been approached with the possibility to switch my (Home)LAN (100mBit) with a GigaBit network.
Is it usefull to do this, if I use the lan to primary gaming and secondary Filetransfers (Copy Backup of DVD Images onto my Fileserver in same LAN)
Will I experience serious speed advancements?
Will I experience issues with W98SE as I set up a Gigabit Lan?
Bonus Question: Vista is very shiny, but is it really useful if I dont 64bit?
P.s: Sorry for the bad Grammar =)
TheStinger
June 1, 2007, 06:05
I have a laptop with in built wi fi but currently use a wire and modem to contect to the internet.
If I get a router will it automaticaly detect it, or is there anything complicated I have to do.
Further if I take my laptop to a wi fi aone will it automaticaly connect to the internet or do i have to buy a sppecial package
If you have wlan on your laptop, it detects wireless networks for you, if it's turned on.
Then you can choose to either connect to one or not. Sometimes (often) there are many wlans, so you can choose which one you connect to. You can connect to all public networks and those that aren't secured.
You can choose if you want your laptop to connect certain networks automatically and/or prioritize the order in which it should try them out and connect the first one it can.
These are simple to configure, not a problem. But if there aren't any open networks, then you need that password. If it's someones private, then it's unlikely you can use it (except if you want to break the encryption, see airsnort), but it might be a service that you can get your own account if you pay for it.
SpencerH
June 1, 2007, 06:49
Wheres my ****ing answer?
Lonestar
June 1, 2007, 10:09
Alright smartass…
How do I fix the "The instruction at "0x745f2780" reference memory at "0x00000000". The Memory could not be found. Click OK to terminate, Cancel to debug." error I got on a computer? Assume that "****ing around with the automatic updates" is not a viable solution, neither is changing the name of the software distribution folder.
C'mon, I await your response.Seriously, I'm stuck.
Kuciwalker
June 1, 2007, 11:28
That's called a segmentation fault. It's a bug in whatever program you're running. Usually I fix it by looking for the bug in my code... I assume that's not a viable solution either, here.
KrazyHorse
June 1, 2007, 11:32
It would be if he were awesome and only ran open source applications like anybody with half a brain does...
;)
Kuciwalker
June 1, 2007, 11:34
I'd love to see you go fix one in the kernel, KH ;)
KrazyHorse
June 1, 2007, 11:35
one in the kernel
Sounds like the name of a geek porn movie.
Kuciwalker
June 1, 2007, 11:37
:naughty:
KrazyHorse
June 1, 2007, 11:38
All right. You put on your Wesley Crusher uniform and I'll put on my robe and wizard hat...
aneeshm
June 1, 2007, 11:57
Originally posted by Kuciwalker
That's just as good, really.
Not for your eyes' health.
My grandfather was babbeling on about how he got rid of all his popups by "Holding ctrl and clicking".
Is it time to put him in a home?
Kuciwalker
June 1, 2007, 12:21
Asher was banned for two days, he'll be back then to answer questions. Just passing that along :cool:
Main_Brain
June 1, 2007, 12:51
Again?
Originally posted by Kuciwalker
Asher was banned for two days...
What did he do this time?
CrONoS
June 1, 2007, 12:56
Maybe it have a links with the lost of the "Greek thread"...
Kuciwalker
June 1, 2007, 13:02
You can play 20 questions to find out :cute:
Originally posted by cronos_qc
Maybe it have a links with the lost of the "Greek thread"...
:confused:
Should I "ask Aahz"?
CrONoS
June 1, 2007, 13:05
Done!
lord of the mark
June 1, 2007, 13:08
Originally posted by cronos_qc
Maybe it have a links with the lost of the "Greek thread"...
what, did he post a thread asking "Is Greek a pejorative" ?
CrONoS
June 1, 2007, 13:09
Originally posted by lord of the mark
what, did he post a thread asking "Is Greek a pejorative" ?
Was KH who created the thread... which was funny!
Lonestar
June 1, 2007, 17:52
Originally posted by Kuciwalker
That's called a segmentation fault. It's a bug in whatever program you're running. Usually I fix it by looking for the bug in my code... I assume that's not a viable solution either, here.
I know how I would normally fix it...if this computer were connected to the internet. As it is, that's worthless help. Thanks.
:tongue:
also, none of you Bastards say "re-image it"
which is what I did anyway
-Jrabbit
June 1, 2007, 18:22
Yeah, I'm tech challenged. This has been a minor annoyance:
I have a number of standard USB thumb drives. I don't need them much, but when I do, they're very handy little devices. One of them seems to have lost most of its capacity. After deleting all files, info says:
format: MS-DOS file System (FAT 16)
capacity: 124.6 MB
available: 30.2 MB
Are there invisible files to find and delete?
Is the disc damaged?
Can I reclaim its full capacity, and how?
Kuciwalker
June 1, 2007, 21:13
Originally posted by Lonestar
I know how I would normally fix it...if this computer were connected to the internet. As it is, that's worthless help. Thanks.
? a segfault is a very generic error, it just means "the program ****ed up somewhere and tried to access a null pointer." Without a lot of context (usually to the level of source code) it's meaningless for debugging.
Kuciwalker
June 1, 2007, 21:17
Originally posted by -Jrabbit
Yeah, I'm tech challenged. This has been a minor annoyance:
I have a number of standard USB thumb drives. I don't need them much, but when I do, they're very handy little devices. One of them seems to have lost most of its capacity. After deleting all files, info says:
format: MS-DOS file System (FAT 16)
capacity: 124.6 MB
available: 30.2 MB
Are there invisible files to find and delete?
Is the disc damaged?
Can I reclaim its full capacity, and how?
There could be hidden files, though I doubt it. To find them in Windows Explorer (I'll assume you have XP) just go to tools -> folder options -> view and check "show hidden files and folder" and uncheck "hide protected operating system files" in the list.
Flash drives also have a limited write capacity. Each memory segment can only be written to a certain number of times (on average) before it stops working. So if it's really old and you use it a lot it could just have lost a lot of space.
It could also be something entirely different that I haven't thought of/don't know.
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