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Category: Geeky Greats

High End Desktop for a Low End price

Published by DB Cooper on 3/7/2010

Want to build a high end desktop computer for a low end price (around $600 or less)?

Note: I don’t include Windows 7 in the default build, as you can just download Ubuntu, Fedora, or OpenSuSE Linux etc. for free. However, I’ve included links for Windows 7 (student and normal) in the Additional options section.

I would like to suggest the following components for people that want a really nice system without breaking the bank.

I just built a new machine that could support running multiple VMware instances, encode FLAC quickly, and surf the web etc. without breaking the bank. I didn’t need or want video gaming support since I use a PS3 for that.
However, I’ll suggest a view options (including gaming cards) that will allow you to alter the basic system we’ll be discussing.

This build is based on AMD/ATI since it really does perform well and saves a good chunk of money, but the parts can be swapped very easily to make it an Intel system that won’t break the bank either.

I’ll expand on why I chose the parts and provide direct links as well. (I use Newegg, but use anyone you like)

Continue readingHigh End Desktop for a Low End price

Geeky Greats: Free Apps For Better Geekery

Published by Will Chatham on 3/2/2009

I am always on the hunt for applications which either improve my workflow, provide me with a free alternative to something I would otherwise have to pay for, or generally improve my geek stature. So without further ado, here is a short list of some of the apps I have found recently:

  • .htaccess Editor – This web-based tool allows you to quickly generate .htaccess files for your web site, without having to remember your way through vi or having to look up the sytnax when trying to do some basic user authentication.
  • InstallPad lets you create a list of applications you often find yourself installing when setting up someone’s Windows-based PC. Any application which can be directly downloaded from the Internet can be added to InstallPad. All you have to do is run the self-contained InstallPad executable file, and it will go grab all the apps from the Internet and install them for you. It’s a pretty slick way to set up Firefox, Thunderbird, and more, all with one double click for free.
  • Google Analytics Reporting Suite – A free Adobe Air-based application which runs from your desktop and allows you to quickly monitor all of your Analytics accounts through a very smooth interface, optimized to be less sucky than the clunky interface provided by Google. Requires Adobe Air, also a free app.
  • MailStore Home – I have written about this free tool before, and it still blows my mind so much that it deserves to be mentioned again.  MailStore allows you to back up and archive your email accounts, whether they be in Outlook, Thunderbird, or GMail (or others). This tool saved my neck when my email accounts got too big for MozBackup to handle without crashing.  Now, I can use MailStore and archive stuff to keep my inboxes streamlined, then backup the archived email with my favorite paid backup tool, Carbonite.
  • Tweet Deck – If you are a Twitter user, this is THE tool for keeping up with everything, posting, and more. Another free Adobe Air application, Tweet Deck runs from your desktop and has more bells and whistles than a elementary school band class.

Geeky Greats: Useful & Interesting Web Sites

Published by Will Chatham on 10/16/2008

The timeline of Internet Memes is an amazing journey through time, all the way back to the early days of the internet.  What makes it funny and interesting is that it chronicalizes a thorough history of internet memes:  those funny themes that run through the internet subculture.

ColorCombos.com is a useful site which helps you test and select color combinations for use on your web sites or digital creations.  I love this type of tool, not being a person who can match colors very well.

For the desktop, I recommend carrying a copy of the awesome, free tool known as Color Cop.  I’ve been using it for years, so I donated to them a while back, and if you find it useful, you should too!  Color Cop is an eyedropper tool that provides much of the same functionality as the eyedropper in Photoshop, but is lightweight, versatile, and easy to use.

FormatFactory does and amazing job of converting your Windows media files from one format to another, and it does it all for free.

Do you freelance from home?  Check out FreelanceSwitch, who offers a bunch of good resources for freelancers.  I have found their page on Legal Resources for Freelancers to be very helpful.