New Computer questions:

[Feanor]

I'll second a Mac, I've been using Macbooks for a few years now - sure, you could run windows in them, but more importantly, you can run Linux.
Big cool factor everytime you crack one of them open at an airport lounge. You wanna be cool don't ya?

Or I think I would since I've never used one. The Mac OS is easy to use by all reports. Also, the new Macs can run Window pretty well. But I can't see why you'd want a Mac to run Linux. 'Splain this to me (if you can).

[kexodusc]

Or I think I would since I've never used one. The Mac OS is easy to use by all reports. Also, the new Macs can run Window pretty well. But I can't see why you'd want a Mac to run Linux. 'Splain this to me (if you can).

I will be very honest here, Feanor, when I first tried it, it was just to see if I could.

But it shouldn't be all that surprising. Mac OS X is based on Unix and "borrows" from BSD and Linux. The hardware that is used and optimized for Mac OS X on each Apple computer also lends itself to running most linux OS's extremely well, I don't know if there's a technical reason why, but man it flies.
On my Macbook, I have 3 operating systems, which is overkill, but I like to play. Leopard is definitely the slowest performing of the bunch, isn't by any stretch the fanciest, or most gadgety. It's just a bit bloated by comparison. So, there are some speed advantages.
Also, I have had fewer errors and crashes, but to be quite honest, they're so few and far between with Mac OS X that it's not really an issue.

For a more functional reason, there's just far more valuable-to-me software available available in the Open Source market that I use daily - including server software for my home network that incorporates Linux, Windows, and Mac OS X, better media encoding/decoding software, etc. I have successfully recompiled several of my favorite software packages to run on OS X, but it's just a bother. And most importantly to me, no vendor lock-in.

I'm sure someone has figured out how to connect their Xbox 360 to their Mac-based home network but I couldn't figure it out. It took me about 3 minutes to find an open source script that took all the guesswork out of it for me.

When it comes down to it, I have more customizability running Linux and can do things better and faster usually.

There is an exception where Mac OS X is heads above the rest - and that's pretty much anything to do with photos and web cams and video editing IMHO. Pretty slick, intuitive, practical and feature rich stuff that is easy to use. Could just be me, but I haven't seen anything from Windows or Open Source that is as easy to use yet. I will say Mac OS X is probably the easiest to learn your way around.

[Groundbeef]

I'm sure someone has figured out how to connect their Xbox 360 to their Mac-based home network but I couldn't figure it out. It took me about 3 minutes to find an open source script that took all the guesswork out of it for me.

This product may be what you are looking for:

http://www.xbox360fanboy.com/2007/12...-xvid-for-mac/

Also, its not "free" it does cost $20 USD. In Canadian, thats like 3 moose turds, a northern pike, and 1 branch of an evergreen (in trade).

But really, its Canada, what else do you have to spend money on? Snow shovels, and beer. Thats about it.

[kexodusc]

This product may be what you are looking for:

http://www.xbox360fanboy.com/2007/12...-xvid-for-mac/

Also, its not "free" it does cost $20 USD. In Canadian, thats like 3 moose turds, a northern pike, and 1 branch of an evergreen (in trade).

But really, its Canada, what else do you have to spend money on? Snow shovels, and beer. Thats about it.

Yeah, I could do that, or I could just keep using the free solution...
Good to know though, figured there had to be a something out there for Mac users. A lot of them run VMware with and Windows Media Centre. Seems like a lot of extra effort.

[Feanor]

I will be very honest here, Feanor, when I first tried it, it was just to see if I could.

But it shouldn't be all that surprising. Mac OS X is based on Unix and "borrows" from BSD and Linux. The hardware that is used and optimized for Mac OS X on each Apple computer also lends itself to running most linux OS's extremely well, I don't know if there's a technical reason why, but man it flies.
...

For a more functional reason, there's just far more valuable-to-me software available available in the Open Source market that I use daily - including server software for my home network that incorporates Linux, Windows, and Mac OS X, better media encoding/decoding software, etc. I have successfully recompiled several of my favorite software packages to run on OS X, but it's just a bother. And most importantly to me, no vendor lock-in.
...

When it comes down to it, I have more customizability running Linux and can do things better and faster usually.

There is an exception where Mac OS X is heads above the rest - and that's pretty much anything to do with photos and web cams and video editing IMHO. Pretty slick, intuitive, practical and feature rich stuff that is easy to use. Could just be me, but I haven't seen anything from Windows or Open Source that is as easy to use yet. I will say Mac OS X is probably the easiest to learn your way around.

Well, if you're into compiling Unix source to run on Mac OS, you're in a different league from me and, I dare say, topspeed. I've tried Linux on three different occassions going back 10 years, as I recall. Each time I've decided that it's more trouble than it's worth.

If my WinXP that I use as a music server were to die, I'd give some consideration to getting an Apple mini, but other than that I'll probably just grit my teeth, get the 3GB of RAM, and go for Vista Home Premium.

[Feanor]

More that 2x from highest to lowest; maybe you should narrow that down.

The high-end video cards are really only necesary if you're want to run 3D games or the like. Otherwise the more modest is fine, (although I hear one should avoid DirectX 10).

"Lightscribe" uses laser to enscribe labels onto special CD-R blanks.

[topspeed]

I do like playing FPS games, so the card is kind of important, Feanor. Call of Duty 4 is on my list to Santa, and since I know the guy pretty well, I'm confident it will be under the tree .

[topspeed]

Thanks for all your help guys!

I ordered the XPS 420 yesterday and it should be here by the 20th. After much research, most of the systems I tried to build from HP, Gateway, Cyberpower, and others were almost the same price. I ruled out Apple simply because they were fairly expensive comparatively and I didn't like the idea of running two different OS's in my home and office (my office has a Dell PC). Other factors were comfort with the company and its CS (this is my 4th Dell) and the knowledge they'll be around for awhile if I run into issues. I figure a Quad Core chipset w/ 3G of memory coupled to the 8800GT vid board should keep my computer up to speed for at least the next 3 years or so.

Yeah, right. Hey, a man can dream, can't he?

Thanks again for all the replies. Merry Christmas!

[Rich-n-Texas]

Bet I can kill you before you can kill me in CoD4!

[basite]

Thanks for all your help guys!

I figure a Quad Core chipset w/ 3G of memory coupled to the 8800GT vid board should keep my computer up to speed for at least the next 3 years or so.

Yeah, right. Hey, a man can dream, can't he?

Thanks again for all the replies. Merry Christmas!

yeah, you can dream, but in reality your pc will do the current stuff (like games) pretty good, and in 3 years it will still do those same games pretty good, but games that are released then?

in 3 years that pc will be old like all the 3 year old pc's today...



Keep them spinning,
Bert.

[topspeed]

Bet I can kill you before you can kill me in CoD4!

You know, I've never actually gamed online, so I wouldn't even know where to begin. If I figure it out, I'll definitely take that challenge!

BTW, shouldn't you be changing your avatar soon? I thought you were crossing over to the darkside?

[Rich-n-Texas]

You know, I've never actually gamed online, so I wouldn't even know where to begin. If I figure it out, I'll definitely take that challenge!

Truth be told TS, I've never gamed online either. I'm afraid I'd be severely embarrased, but like I said earlier I can download a utility that will let me set up a dedicated server, and it may be possible that I can attach IP addresses so a limited and/or select few people could join in a game of Counter-Strike or Day of Defeat and a couple of other Steam games that slip my mind right now. If there's enough interest here I can investigate further. Heck I'd be willing to buy a multi-player racing game...

BTW, shouldn't you be changing your avatar soon? I thought you were crossing over to the darkside?

I'm getting cold feet. Gas prices can only go up and I dam sure don't want keeping a V8 full to become a significant drain on my income. I must say though that I do like the looks of the Burgundy colored Premium edition GT with the (non-functional) hood scoop and rear spoiler.

Good luck with your new purchase. When you load up some of the PC games available these days, with their intense graphics engines... you'll be BLOWN away!

[basite]

Truth be told TS, I've never gamed online either. I'm afraid I'd be severely embarrased, but like I said earlier I can download a utility that will let me set up a dedicated server, and it may be possible that I can attach IP addresses so a limited and/or select few people could join in a game of Counter-Strike or Day of Defeat and a couple of other Steam games that slip my mind right now. If there's enough interest here I can investigate further. Heck I'd be willing to buy a multi-player racing game...

Start with Wolfenstein enemy territory, it's free, and fun, and easy, so a good place to start. You will die quite a few times in the beginning, but it's an exellent place to learn, I know, because I've played (and still play) this myself.

if you ever play it, and pings are not too high, you can sometimes find me on the Weedheaven server, found at IP 84.244.186.26

also, an online racing game: Try Test drive unlimited, good graphics, nice driving huge island (real island btw, part of Hawaii)

Don't be ashamed of yourself, all beginning is hard

Keep them spinning,
Bert.

[Rich-n-Texas]

Start with Wolfenstein enemy territory, it's free, and fun, and easy, so a good place to start. You will die quite a few times in the beginning, but it's an exellent place to learn, I know, because I've played (and still play) this myself.

if you ever play it, and pings are not too high, you can sometimes find me on the Weedheaven server, found at IP 84.244.186.26

also, an online racing game: Try Test drive unlimited, good graphics, nice driving huge island (real island btw, part of Hawaii)

Don't be ashamed of yourself, all beginning is hard

Keep them spinning,
Bert.

I found the game for free at GameZone, but if I understand "stand alone game" correctly I won't be able to play it in a multi-player environment right? And how do I join the game at that IP address?

[basite]

I found the game for free at GameZone, but if I understand "stand alone game" correctly I won't be able to play it in a multi-player environment right? And how do I join the game at that IP address?

it's a free game

most likely you'll need the latest patch too (version 1.2 I think), download the patch too and install it...

stand alone game? no idea, but it's a multi player game, I don't think you can actually play alone...

anyways, once you start the game (first set all the controls to your likings and stuff), then press 'play online' (first button on main menu) then press 'connect to IP' (found at the bottom somewhere...

there type the IP adress, then press connect

I wonder if it works, that server is pretty far away from you

Keep them spinning,
Bert.

[Rich-n-Texas]

I try it Bert. I'm a little paranoid about downloading s/w from unknown sites, but I'll give it a shot and let ya know if I can connect to the Weedheaven server.

[basite]

I haven't got any problems with it, it's available on alot of sites though...

the game is pretty 'basic', unlike other games with 2501 different moves, this one has fire, zoom, jump, crawl, sneak, ... just the basic moves...

in the beginning it might feel weird, but as soon as you've got it, it's easy and fun.
oh yeah, maybe I should give you some extra notes:

check yer PM

[Rich-n-Texas]

Well, Bert, three hours later and the game is still downloading. I've got a 15Mb/s connection so it's not at my end. Looks like tomorrow is another day...

[basite]

whoa!

what site are you downloading it from?

Keep them spinning,
Bert.

[Rich-n-Texas]

C/Net was the only place I could find it. Apparently the Castle Wolfenstein website no longer exists.

[basite]

here ya go

http://returntocastlewolfenstein.fil...erritory;14380

(and the patch)
http://returntocastlewolfenstein.fil..._Windows;39483

I hope that goes faster

Keep them spinning,
Bert.

[Rich-n-Texas]

Got the game loaded and configured last night and was able to play on some test server, but I was never able to find one named Weedheaven. Is it for members only? The list of servers seemed endless and I didn't see any way to enter IP addresses after clicking on "play online", but I'll spend more time on it tonite.

Hey TS, today's the 20th!

[basite]

it's not in the list, that's correct...

press the button 'connect to IP' at the bottom of this page. If you don't have the button, it probably means that you haven't installed the patch (see last link in my previous post...)

after installing the patch, the button should be there...
(patch version is V2.60, not V2.60b)

(i've uploaded a pic, so you know where to find the button )



Keep them spinning,
Bert.

[Rich-n-Texas]

You're right, I don't have the patch installed so I'll do that tonite. My game name is Sgt_Saunders. BTW, how many pings is too many?

[basite]

how many pings is too many?

depends, the higher it gets, the more chance of having some 'lag' issures, everything under that is fine. 999 will remove you from the server.

I once had 400 and was still able to play fine...

How much did you average?
btw, if it's really busy on the server, lagging will become more common, and you might occasionally lose connection, but you can always reconnect then...

I checked the server yesterday around 11 pm (which is 4 pm CST), and there were like 17 players, so no issues then...


Keep them spinning,
Bert.