We Don't Smell » Technology

Old School Tech Support

Jerry — Fri, 16 Feb 2007 16:50:56 +0000

I used to work at the HelpDesk at my school and I couldn’t believe some of the things that people would say. I remember telling a nice woman that she should download some file and run it. Her response was “Files? Oh my husband will know what to do with those.” I just responded, “Yes he will” and hung up.

Here’s a video a coworker sent me making fun of n00bs.

Tagged: Tech Support, Book, Monks

The Greatest?

Dennis — Mon, 12 Feb 2007 23:06:31 +0000

So we all know LEGO is great. Top notch hobby (pff not a toy). We all know Star Wars is great. Top notch movies (original trilogy). So from logic (and experience) LEGO Star Wars is even greater. Ok lets think a little more advanced. The Millennium Falcon is also great. Top notch space vehicle (it’ll outrun any Imperial!). So with some higher level deduction, we can conclude the Millennium Falcon LEGO Star Wars set is greaterer. This formula is no mystery to The Lego Group as they have already made two Millennium Falcon system sets. But can there be something even greatererer?? Is there a greatest of them all? Too my horror (and rejoice), TLG is now making the Ultimate Collector’s Millennium Falcon LEGO Star Wars set. You heard me right. The ultimate Ultimate Collectors. It’s a beauty. Over 5000 pieces! Almost three feet long and two feet wide. Actually to scale to minifigs! (my princess leia needs a new home) This makes their 3000+ piece UCS Imperial Star Destroy (proud owner of one) look like a DUPLO set.

So in conclusion: Star Wars + LEGO + Millennium Falcon + Ultimate Collectors = Greatererer =? Greatest.

Oh yea. it’s $500.

Eh. So Greatest – $500 != Greatest. But still freaking great. Just a notch below Greatest. I can wait for a 50% off sale haha. But I digress. As I carefully explained to my officemate who just bought a PS3…It’s cheaper than a PS3 and it’s better than a PS3. It’s great.

Tagged: LEGO, Star Wars, LEGO Star Wars, Millennium Falcon LEGO Star Wars, Ultimate Collector’s Millennium Falcon LEGO Star Wars, great

DIY Zune Dock!

Jerry — Sun, 11 Feb 2007 23:38:24 +0000

I was bored so I built a crappy zune dock with the LEGO (don’t you dare call them Legos! ono!) bricks that Denis gave me.

Here’s a picture of it.

Legotastic Dock picture taken with my craptastic photography skills.

Look at all them fingerprints. I should take this picture down if I commit any crimes. :]

Tagged: Zune Dock, Lego

A reason to “Switch”?

Mark — Tue, 23 Jan 2007 05:16:00 +0000

Okay, so as I was adjusting my network settings on my PC, I realized the new computer I bought still had “Administrator” as the name of the, well, administrator. As I go to change it to Marshmallow (don’t ask), I see the default picture is that chessboard icon. Wtf at a chessboard icon. So as I go to change it, this happens:

Yep, you’re looking at that correctly. To “help protect my computer”, Windows has blocked a Microsoft program. Not just any Microsoft program, one that’s pre-installed with every copy of Windows. Amazing.

Now I’ve never been big on Macs. I mean, I used to use them quite profoundly, however I was never particularly intrigued. Just imagine, getting a message on your Mac reading “You are not allowed to continue unless you press your right mouse button”. That message just embarassed Windows’ existence in my book. But hey, then again, that just shows that I am under some truly serious protection. Perhaps I’ll install a couple of programs I’ve found on various pop-up ads. Nothing to worry about, I got Bill on my side.

Most functional robot i’ve seen

Dennis — Sun, 14 Jan 2007 17:52:32 +0000

When it’s 2052 and the world is full of subservient robots, they all better have this function. It’s a must! The only thing I’d worry about is the inevitable takeover of these robots and what they’d do to us. But I’m sure we’ll have a contingency plan by then.

haha i love the multimeter. what a slut.

Tagged: robot, electronic love, inevitable takeover

The New Isuzu Gemini

Dennis — Wed, 20 Dec 2006 23:53:38 +0000

I find this amazing. I mean, how can you not love flying cars from the 80s? This is apparently a collection of commercials from the 80s. Some say fake. I say no way! Prove me wrong!Â I’m amazed the Isuzu Gemini ceases to exist these days!Â These commercials should have single handedly given it infinite success.

Tagged: cars, commercials, 80s, cars flying through fountains

QWERTY, AZERTY, QWERTZ and sometimes Dvorak

Jerry — Sun, 24 Sep 2006 00:44:35 +0000

Here’s something new that I learned today. I was aware that there were different keyboard layouts but some of this stuff is just plain weird. We’re all familiar with the QWERTY layout that us Americans use.

The AZERTY layout, pictured above, is commonly used in France and Belgium. The A and Q, Z and W keys are swapped and the M is moved over where the semi colon usually is on QWERTY. The number keys must be shifted to type numbers since they are used for accented characters. There’s also a AltGr key which is used for typing symbols for Pounds and what not.

The QWERTZ layout is used in Germany and Switzerland. The Z and Y keys are swapped and there’s some other keys for typing commonly used symbols.

Here we have the Dvorak layout. It is said to have been developed to speed up typing. Apparently, QWERTY was designed so that keystrokes would alternate sides of the keyboardto reduce the frequency of jams on type writers (old school!). I guess everyone just got used to QWERTY and Dvorak never gained in popularity.

And finally I leave you with this ~~crazy~~ ergonomic keyboard layout.

via wikipedia

Tagged: Keyboard Layouts, QWERTY, QWERTZ, AZERTY, Dvorak

USB Rechargeable Batteries

Jerry — Wed, 20 Sep 2006 01:08:09 +0000

This has to be one of the coolest USB accessories that I have seen in a while. I only use batteries for a few things like my mouse at work, xbox controllers and remote controls but if you use a lot of batteries these things would rock. I would’ve went with a catchier name though like “USBaterry” or “Batteries R’ USB”, but that’s just me. Anyways, be green save the earth! (and some $$)

via Gizmodo

Tagged: Rechargeable Batteries, USB Accessories, Green Gadget

Ricky Gervais Microsoft Training Video

Clarence — Wed, 30 Aug 2006 15:04:08 +0000

British comedian Ricky Gervais (best known for The (British) Office), made two faux training videos for Microsoft. The videos were commissioned by Microsoft in 2004 as “a light-hearted way of getting our staff to think about the values they attach to working at Microsoft,” a spokeswoman said.

The two mockumenteraining videos are approximately 20 minutes each and feature Gervais as his Office character, David Brent, discussing corporate values with a Microsoft employee. The videos were meant for internal use only and Microsoft is starting to investigate how they were leaked. Youtube has already taken down the videos, but Google still has them up. Here’s video 1 (make sure you catch them before they’re taken down!) and video 2 is after the jump.

via Yahoo!

Tagged: Ricky Gervais, Microsoft, the Office, Youtube, Google

Start saving now for Vista

Clarence — Mon, 28 Aug 2006 21:09:31 +0000

Somebody let the cat out of the bag at Microsoft Canada. The retail pricing price for Vista was up for a few moments earlier today, and of course, someone saved it. Needless to say, it is one pricey bitch. Better start dipping into those college funds kiddies!

Full Version

Vista Ultimate $450
Vista Business $341
Vista Home Premium $269
Vista Home Basic $233

Upgrade Version

Vista Ultimate Upgrade $269
Vista Business Upgrade $224
Vista Home Premium Upgrade $179
Vista Home Basic Upgrade $116

Ouch. My wallet’s sphincter just puckered up.

Postscript:Interestingly enough, this post was brought to you via a 17″ MacBook Pro at Apple Store SoHo.

via Gizmodo

Tagged: Microsoft, Windows Vista, Apple