Author Topic: Fistful's never-ending computer Q&A thread... (Read 57126 times)

never_retreat · « **Reply #100 on:** July 28, 2009, 09:46:06 PM »

Quote from: mtnbkr on July 28, 2009, 07:55:00 PM

any of the alt.linux forums on usenet are very welcoming of newbies.

Chris

Only if he is using linux of some form, if not he will go down in flames.

never_retreat · « **Reply #101 on:** July 28, 2009, 09:47:03 PM »

I though this was the IT department anyway.

Just like the real ones, ask a question get a wise ass answer.

mtnbkr · « **Reply #102 on:** July 28, 2009, 10:26:20 PM »

Quote from: never_retreat on July 28, 2009, 09:46:06 PM

Only if he is using linux of some form, if not he will go down in flames.

Unless things have changed significantly since the mid 90s, they're not helpful to newbies even if they're using Linux.

Chris

Perd Hapley · « **Reply #103 on:** July 28, 2009, 11:25:21 PM »

Ubuntu - I've had it.

I'm definitely not swearing off of it for good, but I just cleared it off the two machines where it was running as a dual boot. I had fun with it for a little bit, but right now I'm just preferring to use XP. Besides, I have been taking some classes on Windows app's, so I need to use Windows more often anyway.

Shhhh - don't tell the Penguins.

zahc · « **Reply #104 on:** July 29, 2009, 12:43:46 AM »

I last week I tried to use Windows. I needed to interface with a piece of lab equipment to do current/voltage analysis. I tried to do it the 'right' way and acquired a university-owned box and had the IT people install LabView and other expensive vendor-specific software that I get for free. After messing around with the IT people for a couple hours trying to figure out why the windows installer was corrupt and I couldn't install my GPIB card drivers, (on a brand new install), I realized I now had root permissions, so after the IT people left I gave up and installed Wubi.

Once running a real operating system I was bypassing the GPIB interface entirely by echoing commands using the serial port...it's rather quaint using a quad-core workstation as an absurdly powerful teletype, but at least it's simple and always works. By the end of the day I had a Perl script to fully measure and calculate all relevant solar cell parameters, write the data to a text file, plot the I-V curve with proper dimensions, generate a .png image, and use LaTeX to format a nice pdf page with a graph and the data formatted in a nice table and plop it all in a new directory, using rsync to mirror it elsewhere. All this because it's so easy to just pluck software (feh, gnuplot, latex, dvipdf, pdftk, and on) from the trees and pipe things into and out of programs like it's going out of style. Perl makes it so easy to run command line arguments it makes the evil hacker in me cackle with glee. Using linux is like being plopped into a junkyard with a Sawzall and a MIG welder. I don't know how to get anything done with Windows.

Physics · « **Reply #105 on:** July 29, 2009, 12:59:09 AM »

I find http://www.techsupportforum.com to be helpful.

Balog · « **Reply #106 on:** July 29, 2009, 02:01:45 AM »

What, we aren't good enough for you anymore?

RocketMan · « **Reply #107 on:** July 29, 2009, 07:30:18 AM »

Quote from: Balog on July 29, 2009, 02:01:45 AM

What, we aren't good enough for you anymore?

My thought exactly. Darn goats, ungrateful critters they are.

Gewehr98 · « **Reply #108 on:** July 29, 2009, 08:17:05 AM »

It appears we've outlived our usefulness to Fistful...

roo_ster · « **Reply #109 on:** July 29, 2009, 09:24:16 AM »

Quote from: zahc on July 29, 2009, 12:43:46 AM

I last week I tried to use Windows. I needed to interface with a piece of lab equipment to do current/voltage analysis. I tried to do it the 'right' way and acquired a university-owned box and had the IT people install LabView and other expensive vendor-specific software that I get for free. After messing around with the IT people for a couple hours trying to figure out why the windows installer was corrupt and I couldn't install my GPIB card drivers, (on a brand new install), I realized I now had root permissions, so after the IT people left I gave up and installed Wubi.

Once running a real operating system I was bypassing the GPIB interface entirely by echoing commands using the serial port...it's rather quaint using a quad-core workstation as an absurdly powerful teletype, but at least it's simple and always works. By the end of the day I had a Perl script to fully measure and calculate all relevant solar cell parameters, write the data to a text file, plot the I-V curve with proper dimensions, generate a .png image, and use LaTeX to format a nice pdf page with a graph and the data formatted in a nice table and plop it all in a new directory, using rsync to mirror it elsewhere. All this because it's so easy to just pluck software (feh, gnuplot, latex, dvipdf, pdftk, and on) from the trees and pipe things into and out of programs like it's going out of style. Perl makes it so easy to run command line arguments it makes the evil hacker in me cackle with glee. Using linux is like being plopped into a junkyard with a Sawzall and a MIG welder. I don't know how to get anything done with Windows.

Step #1: Install cygwin...

Wes · « **Reply #110 on:** July 29, 2009, 06:15:47 PM »

I've always gone to http://www.ocforums.com/ for computer help. It's an overclocking forum, but I've always found it informative, even non-overclocking stuff.

AZRedhawk44 · « **Reply #111 on:** July 29, 2009, 06:19:17 PM »

Just hang with us, fisty. It is the Round Table after all... while we do talk about gunspiracy theories in some ways and read like 4chan in others, it's a pretty open format.

Perd Hapley · « **Reply #112 on:** July 29, 2009, 06:29:24 PM »

I forgot to tell you guys the scary part. The box bore a yellow sticker that said HAL. !!!! I am still a little bit afraid of it.

Perd Hapley · « **Reply #113 on:** July 29, 2009, 06:31:30 PM »

Quote from: Gewehr98 on July 29, 2009, 08:17:05 AM

It appears we've outlived our usefulness to Fistful...

No, no, you guys will always be useful for giving away free stuff that I can later trade to another forum member for computer toys. Especially you, Gew.

It's just that I noticed I was starting a new computer thread every other day, so...

mellestad · « **Reply #114 on:** July 29, 2009, 06:54:56 PM »

I doubt it is what you are looking for, but as a professional resource, I rely on Experts Exchange (pay site).

I don't really surf any consumer forums, but if you ever really need the answer to a question, Experts Exchange will get it done.

Otherwise, we just use Google.

mtnbkr · « **Reply #115 on:** July 29, 2009, 06:56:18 PM »

That's ok, it's either your computer threads or another one pointing out how sex positive we aren't. :D

Of course, there's always room for more Zardoz.

Chris

Gewehr98 · « **Reply #116 on:** July 29, 2009, 09:08:35 PM »

Quote

It's just that I noticed I was starting a new computer thread every other day, so...

No problem. We (I) can create a Fistful's Computer Q&A thread to combine all of them together, free for the entertainment dollar.

Give me a few minutes.

Gewehr98 · « **Reply #117 on:** July 29, 2009, 09:26:50 PM »

Something both old and new, keeping it all in one area for the benefit of Fistful. (And the rest of us)

RocketMan · « **Reply #118 on:** July 29, 2009, 10:27:19 PM »

How about we go all the way and start another subforum for fisty's computer threads?

Perd Hapley · « **Reply #119 on:** July 30, 2009, 12:20:59 AM »

No, come on now. If you're going to do this, do it right. There are a lot more threads out there; definitely more than four pages.

freedom lover · « **Reply #120 on:** July 30, 2009, 02:18:48 AM »

Quote

Fistful's never-ending computer Q&A thread

Oh it will end. Believe you me it will end.

roo_ster · « **Reply #121 on:** July 30, 2009, 02:06:11 PM »

Quote from: MillCreek on July 24, 2009, 11:52:02 PM

I enjoy using Xmarks to synchronize my bookmarks across different browsers and computers.

Can I have an AMEN!!!!

Love me some xmarks, uh-huh.

Perd Hapley · « **Reply #122 on:** July 30, 2009, 09:52:37 PM »

OK, installed the new heatsink and doubled my RAM. Show me some SPEEEEEEED, baby!

Gewehr98 · « **Reply #123 on:** July 31, 2009, 08:27:44 AM »

Quote

No, come on now. If you're going to do this, do it right. There are a lot more threads out there; definitely more than four pages.

Yeah, I know.

I was in a rush, and merging threads isn't as quick and easy as one thinks.

Perd Hapley · « **Reply #124 on:** July 31, 2009, 11:17:02 AM »

Your geek-fu is weak.

News:

Author Topic: Fistful's never-ending computer Q&A thread... (Read 57126 times)