So, the latest linux implementation project is a bootable usb drive to improve my media machine running geexbox.
I found a 1G flash drive on sale for $10. This is perfect as I can install geexbox, a mini linux, and theoretically still have room for a movie or a couple of tv series episodes.
Great idea...I just discovered the media machine (a dual celery 500 from 99) doesnt allow usb boot.
Doh.
I found a 1G flash drive on sale for $10. This is perfect as I can install geexbox, a mini linux, and theoretically still have room for a movie or a couple of tv series episodes.
Great idea...I just discovered the media machine (a dual celery 500 from 99) doesnt allow usb boot.
Doh.
So, we have been planning an upgrade for some time for the watching of video in widescreen. I like a number of widescreen TV, but the main issue is space (well ok, the darn things are pretty expensive...)
A few months back I started thinking of a widescreen to replace one of my 19" flat panels (been running dual view since I had 17" crts on a geforce 2.) The problem here was matching the vertical height, as I run a large extended desktop. For a total swap out this was a requirement. Office max has had some decent sales, but they always lack the 22" samsung (my 19"s are samsung syncmaster 930b) I want to measure for fit. I figured the swapped 19" for my second best game box till I could build the gauntlet / xmame project.
Only thing was I couldn't quite connect to the 22" wide flat panel deal I wanted. Tiger direct had one for 179.00, the ideal price...till I tried to buy it. Then the price was 199.00 - after a stupid mail in rebate. Really, why isnt that crap automated electronically by now? This needs to be a separate rant under "gripe writer" :-)
I trolled ebay, pricewatch, google, amazon and tiger till I found the best deal - a 24" wide panel for well less than 400.00! Woo hoo.
Now, do I remove a 19" and continue the dual view on my geforce 8600GT? Heck no! I found amidst my massive stack of hardware, buried in a hidden corner, an STB MVP pro. This thing is cool - it has an octopus cable that can drive 4 monitors ;-) The downside are the dual Riva 128's powering 4 monitors...but they can still do 1280x1024 at 15 bit color. And going from 2560x1024 desk top to 1280x1024 + 3200x1200 is just freaking killer.
But I got no desk (real wood antique type) space for this massive thing. The answer is simple - new desk. Office max had a deal there too - L desk with hutch & file for 199.00. It was bogus tho - the deal was only on the L desk, damn false advertising in their periodical ad. So I built an extension out of cabinet grade plywood. Great stuff, wish I had discovered it when I built my library 7 years ago. Somehow managed to grab the wrong can of stain on the way to paint - it was supposed to be red mahogany, a much darker color. Oh well, the 24" flat panel more than makes up for that.
Read more to see the big pic.
A few months back I started thinking of a widescreen to replace one of my 19" flat panels (been running dual view since I had 17" crts on a geforce 2.) The problem here was matching the vertical height, as I run a large extended desktop. For a total swap out this was a requirement. Office max has had some decent sales, but they always lack the 22" samsung (my 19"s are samsung syncmaster 930b) I want to measure for fit. I figured the swapped 19" for my second best game box till I could build the gauntlet / xmame project.
Only thing was I couldn't quite connect to the 22" wide flat panel deal I wanted. Tiger direct had one for 179.00, the ideal price...till I tried to buy it. Then the price was 199.00 - after a stupid mail in rebate. Really, why isnt that crap automated electronically by now? This needs to be a separate rant under "gripe writer" :-)
I trolled ebay, pricewatch, google, amazon and tiger till I found the best deal - a 24" wide panel for well less than 400.00! Woo hoo.
Now, do I remove a 19" and continue the dual view on my geforce 8600GT? Heck no! I found amidst my massive stack of hardware, buried in a hidden corner, an STB MVP pro. This thing is cool - it has an octopus cable that can drive 4 monitors ;-) The downside are the dual Riva 128's powering 4 monitors...but they can still do 1280x1024 at 15 bit color. And going from 2560x1024 desk top to 1280x1024 + 3200x1200 is just freaking killer.
But I got no desk (real wood antique type) space for this massive thing. The answer is simple - new desk. Office max had a deal there too - L desk with hutch & file for 199.00. It was bogus tho - the deal was only on the L desk, damn false advertising in their periodical ad. So I built an extension out of cabinet grade plywood. Great stuff, wish I had discovered it when I built my library 7 years ago. Somehow managed to grab the wrong can of stain on the way to paint - it was supposed to be red mahogany, a much darker color. Oh well, the 24" flat panel more than makes up for that.
Read more to see the big pic.
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