www.theblisspages.com - computers
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Links on this page:
hardware :
links
: my computers
: a sound upgrade
: overclocking
: a computer is born
: ADSL
: advertising
: digital cameras
: Eee PC
: graphics tablet
: home automation
: inkjet printers
: microscope
: keep playing
: laser printers
: my core computer is a 'cor' computer
: my monitor died
: other hardware
: palmtops
: perils of instant communication...
: phone
: robotics
: scanner
: P800 phone
: USB flash drives
: wireless networking
:
software :
food force - a freeware game
: spam
: windows XP
:
web site design :
games :
age of mythology
: civilization IV
: doom
: dune
: dungeon siege
: other games
: racing games
: railroad games
: rollercoaster tycoon
: the movies
: the sims
: unreal
: warcraft
:
I've worked with computers for the last couple of decades, from programming
ICL mainframes through TI minicomputers in COBOL, and micros in a variety of
languages. I designed a multi-user system in BOS and traveled the world for
eight years installing it and training in it. I managed a software integration
and testing team between 1999-2006, and now test hardware/software and program whilst I wait for early retirement.
Programming and playing games on computers has also been a hobby, starting with a BBC micro, progressing through an Atari 520 to a number of PCs.
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hardware
I've enhanced the hardware section so old stories are automatically summarised. You can read more of any story,
or expand or summarise all stories for easier printing. The new page is much smaller than the old. I
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links
Hardware and overclocking links I find useful include:
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my computers
I've upgraded and built a few computers over the years...
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overclocking
Of course, I don't like to settle for stock performance on any of my computers...
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a sound upgrade
upgrading my sound card and speakers
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Eee PC
My PDA has pretty much given up the ghost – the touch screen doesn't, and only the left-hand side of the keyboard works. Unless I eschewed a slew of letters and ignored line breaks, I had to bite the bullet and embrace some new technology, so I found myself in Currys handing over some plastic in exchange for a suspiciously small box... surely they can't fit a whole laptop in that? Some online merchants thought so too and shipped some lucky early adopters a set of five.
The keyboard and screen are a little small, but usable, and size was one of my prime concerns when choosing this – price was another, and it is astonishing that this level of sophistication can be had for under £250. The EEE PC 4G has 512MB RAM (upgradeable to 2GB for under £30), 4GB of solid-state storage, 3 USB 2.0 ports, one SD port, wireless and wired networking, and a webcam. I have used external mice and monitors with no problems. I was cross to find a clumsy two-pin plug and adapter in the box instead of the svelte adapter bundled with friends' Eee PCs. The bundled open-source software works well, and so far my only other gripe is the lack of IntelliSense in Writer (particularly when typing i). I'm sure I'll find a way round that.
Start-up time is acceptable, and of course, this article was written using it!
updated Wed 16 Apr '08 give feedback...
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advertising
You may have seen the unobtrusive adverts at the bottom of each page, and I'd be very grateful if you would support me by visiting any that interest you
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keep playing
Researchers have recently announced that playing computer games for a few hours a day can improve your vision by up to twenty percent
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my core computer is a 'cor' computer
my core computer is a 'cor' computer. I am pleased with my newly-built Core Duo 2 computer
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ADSL
Frog or router? No contest...
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wireless networking
Here's how I chose and set up my wireless networking (updated to reflect changes to Netgear and Linksys's websites)
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my monitor died
I was just finishing an article for the website at the end of June when my monitor died in a flurry of sparks
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Intel QX3 microscope
This microscope is great fun!
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perils of instant communication...
Commiserations to a colleague...
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home automation
I have a bit of interest in home automation but haven't done much of it yet...
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laser printers
I decided to get another printer, and chose a Samsung CLP-500 colour laser, but it wasn't plain sailing to begin with
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Sony Ericsson P800 phone
It doesn't make coffee, but that's about all!
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other hardware
my joystick's got force-feedback...
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palmtops
HP versus Dell...
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USB flash drives
You can now get swiss army knives with USB memory ... but does it remove stones from horses' hooves?
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graphics tablet
For years, I have had a Wacom PenPartner graphics tablet and have found it
useful
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scanner
I'm very impressed with my Epson Perfection 1670 Photo Scanner
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robotics
A brain the size of a planet...
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a computer is born
Yes, I've decided to build another bliss computer. This time though, it will not be a price-no-object uber-fast behemoth; instead I'll use the spare bits of computer I have lying around, buying new parts only when I really have to.
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phone
send emails from your phone
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digital cameras
L'espion ou Ixus?
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inkjet printers
How I nearly managed to break my HP 1120c printer
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software
food force - a freeware game
I recently heard about Food Force.
Not an action film, but the first humanitarian computer game about global hunger
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windows XP
I use (and thoroughly recommend) Windows XP, especially after I found out one
of the backgrounds is called Bliss Hill!
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spam
Don't you just hate it? Having to scroll through hundreds of offensive messages you don't want every time you open your mailbox can be embarrassing as well as annoying. Do something about it...
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other software
Software I would not be without includes WinBatch (www.winbatch.com),
which is particularly good for controlling other programs and ClipMate
(www.thornsoft.com)
a superb clipboard program that saves me masses of time.
I've also used FavOrg, a favourites editor and checker, which also imports Favicons
(customised icons for particular sites) in Internet Explorer 4 and above. It can be downloaded from
PC Magazine if you search for FavOrg but you'll
have to register with them first, which is free.
For graphics, I use Paint Shop Pro 8 and Photoshop 7.01, which costs
an arm and a leg, but has more functionality.
I find Quicken invaluable for doing my personal finances.
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web site design
I've moved this to a new page, web site design.
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games
I don't unfortunately get much time to play computer games, but I still harbour hopes of finding time.
warcraft
I'm a World of Warcraft (WoW) junkie
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railroad games
Railroad tycoon rocks...
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age of mythology
I bought Age of Mythology, after seeing it on a friend's laptop
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dune
Dune 2 was a favourite of mine, but Dune 2000 was too similar
to be worth buying at full-price
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other games
other games I have bought - and in some cases, played
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the movies
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the sims
Sims 2 looks much better than the original version, but my children love both
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rollercoaster tycoon
I recently bought RollerCoaster Tycoon 3 Gold.
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unreal
When I loaded Unreal 2 I was scared
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racing games
The graphics of Grand Prix 4 are amazing
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doom
Doom 3 brings back memories of late nights and late frights
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civilization IV
I had a few problems getting Civilization IV going
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dungeon siege
Dungeon Siege has resulted in late nights
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home :
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music :
poetry :
SF :
wine :
diabetes :
travel :
yoga :
new age :
miscellaneous :
politics :
about me :
salsa dance :
feedback :
help
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: © Mike Bliss 2008
