Archive for August, 2006

Dell now offering 15″ and 14″ notebooks w/Intel’s new Core 2 Duo processor

Published by
Ryan
at August 31, 2006 in Random. 0 Comments

As of Monday, Dell started offering their 17″ and XPS lineup of notebooks with the option of upgrading to the new Intel Merom Core 2 Duo processor.  Merom is a little different than Conroe as the former is strictly for the notebook side of things whereas Conroe is made for the desktop market.

Dell’s most recent 20% off $999.99 has not yet expired but ran out of its use due to having a 4000 use limit.

I’ll be waiting for the next coupon hopefully in the next few days.  The prices are not as bad as I expected them to be.  I thought that since they were introducing their new processors that they would jack the prices up tremendously.  Especially since when a new processor comes out, that seems to be when most people tend to buy (if they know that a new processor is coming out).  Thus supply and demand kicks in and when the demand gets higher than the supply then obviously, the price goes up.

I cancelled my last 17″ order because of Merom being so close.  Also I read about constant issues with backlight bleeding.  The thing is, I’m just going to have to take a chance and see what I get.  I’m contemplating getting the Complete Care warranty for like $100.00 more added to the total.  I’m very glad I waited.  Otherwise I would be stuck with a 17″ laptop with an older model processor when all I had to do was be a little patient and wait a week.

IE7 RC1 Links toolbar bug still exists

Published by
Ryan
at August 29, 2006 in Random. 0 Comments

Another bug still in IE7 RC1.  They partially fixed the bug where if you have a folder within the Links folder with favorites in them, you can now re-order the sites any way you want exactly how it should be however, if the folder you have your sites in are not 100% visible all the time meaning that your entire toolbar is filled with favorites yet you still have some and they are not shown unless you click on the >> which is all the way to the right of the toolbar, then the bug still exists.  If you try to put a folder there, which I have, and you click on >> and then have the folder expand and attempt to re-arrange the favorites in there, you’re not going to be able to do it.

I’m fairly certain this bug is easily fixable as the IE team fixed the last bug relatively quickly after figuring out what really was going on.  I’ve already bugged it in Connect.  I hope that they fix it as even though it’s relatively minor where it doesn’t really interfere with people’s browsing habits (well actually it does) it’s still a big annoyance to many people who fill their entire Links toolbar with favorites.

Again, I have the bug located here:  If you don’t mind and you have a Microsoft Passport, would you take some time to 1. Validate the bug and 2. Vote for it so that the MS team will take a look at it?  Thanks!

Core 2 Duo aka Merom now available with Dell laptops

Published by
Ryan
at August 28, 2006 in Random. 0 Comments

So I almost bought that E1705 last week but it’s a good thing I found out about some screen problems and that Merom was due any minute now.  I held off and I plan to re-order it this week.  The E1705 and the XPS series are the only line that currently has the option of the C2D.  If you want it in the 1405 and the 1505, you’re going to have to wait until possibly later this week.  I woke up, checked my RSS feeds and sure enough, Engadget had broke the story that they were available.

Internet Explorer 7 Release Candidate 1 released

Published by
Ryan
at August 25, 2006 in Random. 0 Comments

On 8/24, Microsoft released their newest version of their upcoming browser, Internet Explorer 7.  So far, a lot of good bug fixes but a few things that broke over the course of beta 3 to RC1.

First and foremost, a bug that has plagued IE since IE6.  Basically putting any folder in your “Links” folder/toolbar and then trying to re-arrange those items in any order that you’d like, could never be done.  This was a bug since IE6.  I reported it back in beta 2 and then they claimed it was fixed in 3.  They apparently didn’t know what I was talking about or it wasn’t explained well enough.  Eventually after getting through to them on the IEBlog website, I was able to show them exactly what I meant and they did indeed fix this exact bug.

Second, the broken part.  I LOVE ClearType.  I have dual LCDs which run via DVI connections.  I do not use regular type any longer.  ClearType is a MUST.  It’s extremely easy on the eyes.  Anyway, all of my pages up until RC1 came out displayed in ClearType.  Upon installing RC1, I browsed a few sites and noticed that I would see plain text as opposed to the text being displayed in ClearType.  I was shocked.  I immediately went to the Microsoft Connect website to see if anyone had reported the new bug.  Sure enough one person had but it was slightly different than what I was experiencing.

So, I left this: https://connect.microsoft.com/IE/feedback/ViewFeedback.aspx?FeedbackID=185407.  You will have to be subscribed to the Connect website via your Passport login in order to view that.  If you haven’t already and you are using RC1, then please sign up and be a part of the feedback for IE7 RC1 and any future revisions.  If you do read this and again are using IE7 RC1, if you don’t mind, would you please just validate my bug and then leave a comment regarding where you’re seeing this.

I can tell you exactly how to replicate the bug:

1.     Visit any website that is utilizing vBulletin.com’s forum software.  If you visit a vBulletin based forum and click on “Quick Links” you should see a drop down box and a bunch of options for you to click on.  Those should all come out non-ClearType (if you have ClearType on).

2.    If you visit http://my.msn.com you will see that almost the entire page is not in ClearType but rather regular text.

So, if you have some time and can validate my findings, and you don’t mind reporting what you found via the link I left above, please do so.  Microsoft mainly looks at the bugs that everyone validates/votes for.  So if my bug gets a lot of votes then we can see progress and hopefully get this fixed.  If you have created a bug report and need me to validate it for you or to vote for your bug, please let me know via the comments section and I will do the same thing in return.

 

Microsoft retros the greatest mouse, ever

Published by
Ryan
at August 24, 2006 in Random. 0 Comments

I just learned that Microsoft has plans to re-release their IntelliMouse Explorer 3.0.  The same exact one I’ve been talking about on my blog for a few years now.  Yes, the original is back.  Same dented wheel, same features, optical (not laser) and everything else.  Button placement is the same, no more none of this crap Laser 6000 stuff.  Here is a picture and it is expected to be released in September which would mean general availability would be around mid-October to early November.

IntelliMouse Explorer 3.0

Dell 2407WFP A03 picture confirmation

Published by
Ryan
at August 24, 2006 in Random. 0 Comments

There were tons of people online yesterday doubting the release of a new 2407WFP monitor.  Someone in Japan and on the official Dell Community Forum claimed to have received a new A03 version.  Has it fixed the banding?  I’m not sure nor do we have any tests to confirm whether or not it has but, I do have pictures courtesy of the user over at the Dell forum.  I present to you, proof that the A03 for the 2407WFP exists!

2407WFP

2407WFP

2407WFP

BJ Penn vs Matt Hughes part II

Published by
Ryan
at August 24, 2006 in Random. 0 Comments

GSP pulled out of his rematch against Hughes due to a groin injury.  Who better to face Matt Hughes for his so called title?  Why BJ Penn of course.  Local Hawaii born BJ Penn will step back into the Octagon to face Matt Hughes for a second time.  BJ Penn dominated Matt Hughes in just a few minutes of round number one.  He took Matt’s back and sunk in a nice rear naked choke to end the fight and to become the new welterweight world champion.  BJ Penn had some controversy and left to go fight in the K1 organization where he rounded up a few more wins under his belt.  He eventually got stripped of his title for being the UFC champion and fighting in another organization.  He found his way back to the UFC just recently and had an exciting fight with none other than GSP.  You can say what you want but I say BJ won that fight fairly squarely.  He was not dominated and the only reason why he lost was due to stupid rulings of the UFC.  Take downs = points.  BJ got taken down but did not get held down nor did GSP do any damage to BJ while he had BJ down.

Enough of that.  I’m just ecstatic that BJ gets another chance to reclaim what is truly his, the welterweight belt.  The big difference between his last fight with Hughes and this one is that he had more time to train properly.  However, there has been word that BJ was already training to go down to the 155lbs weight class which is what most people would call his natural weight.  So, I’m going to go out on a whim here and say that BJ is going to come in at phenomenal shape and be at his A game for this upcoming fight.

Has Matt Hughes evolved from his last fight with BJ?  Was it lack of motivation that made him lose his fight to BJ?  Has BJ evolved from his fight with Matt?  Well we will certainly find out on September 23rd, 2006 at the Lost Angeles Staples Center when BJ collides with Matt one more time to find out who is the real champion.

AMD vs Intel

Published by
Ryan
at August 23, 2006 in Random. 0 Comments

It was hard to picture Intel taking back the performance crown with Conroe.  It’s difficult to stomach the countless threads that are being made on enthusiast forums all around the web.

I never thought AMD would be literally left in the dust.  Almost every single message board I go to, the majority of the topics that people are writing about tend to deal with the new Intel processor, Core 2 Duo.  Prior to this, I would always see AMD with a tad bit of Intel.  Nothing like this though.

It’s all about numbers, and who is better this time around.  Yes, it is indeed, Intel.  They have the better, faster, stronger, and less power consuming thus much less heat, processor.  Have I tried it personally?  No.  Have I recommend it personally?  Yes.  Will I build an C2D box in the future?  Most definitely.  I already have plans to build my wife’s cousin a C2D box within the next few months.

I mainly want to see nVidia come out with a top-notch motherboard such as the A8N32-SLI for the C2D processor.  I know there are a few Intel based chipset motherboards that are already sitting at the top of the hill but just because… I really like nVidia’s offerings.  Call me a fan boy, call me whatever you want, for some reason I just like nVidia.

Anyway, what is this stupid rant about?  Nothing really.  It’s just me writing about how surprised I am to see how many threads pop up on various online message boards about C2D.  It is simply amazing!

Dell releases new A03 version of their 2407WFP monitor

Published by
Ryan
at August 23, 2006 in Random. 0 Comments

Dell released a new version of their infamous 2407WFP monitor.  It seems someone from Japan got a replacement with the revision number of A03.  The lastest was A02 and that supposedly fixed the banding problem that plagues all of the 07 series line.  Apparently there were still many people complaining about the banding still being visible.  Here is a thread over at the official Dell forums where a guy claims to have received a new A03.  No update as to whether or not it has fixed the banding completely but he does make mention that the monitor is very nice.

Microsoft cracking down on cybersquaters

Published by
Ryan
at August 22, 2006 in Random. 0 Comments

Very interesting article over at Yahoo!.  Microsoft is cracking down/suing people who use their trademark in any domain name.  There are people who are going out of their way to create multiple domains with the trademarks such as MSN, Microsoft, etc, to make a profit using the AdSense program.

I actually own a domain that has the word Microsoft and Zune in it.  I hope I don’t get slapped with a law suit.  My main plan was to create a fan site for it but for now I’ve abandoned that idea.  I do plan to start a Zune forum eventually though.  I just hope that won’t get taken down by the big giant MS either.