Why yes, that is my real name.
Powered by Twitter Tools.
You are allowed to shed a tear. I have switched over to Windows Vista Business 64-bit on my personal full-time use desktop. Many of you probably know that I hate Vista. I still do. The ONLY reason I switched over, is for the 64-bit compatibility. For those of you who don’t know what the heck 64-bit is, here’s a quick explaination.
In the modern computing world, there are two different classes of operating systems. For the longest time, 32-bit was the only type of operating system available. 32-bit refers to how memory is addressed inside the computer, and how CPU instructions can access memory. A technical limitation of most 32-bit operating systems (Any Windows before XP, most Vista installs that come on store-bought computers) is a 3.25 GB memory limit. Even if you pump a computer full of 16 GB of memory, it will only see up to 3.25 GB. 64-bit, in contrast, allows for a much higher memory limit (on the order of 2 TB I think). I have 4 GB in my desktop, and now with Vista 64-bit, I can use all 4 GB, and add more (4 more GB went on sale last week, and made me think more about the switch).
So the question arises: why not use Windows XP 64-bit? Well, I did consider it. Drivers were available for most of my products, but not all of them. Also, Windows XP 64-bit is buggy, and was one of Microsoft’s first 64-bit operating systems. Usually Microsoft’s first try at something has a lot of problems, and is lacking in a lot of things. Vista 64-bit is a little more polished, and I’m finding that Vista is being supported by more and more things.
I have not COMPLETELY switched, though. I will be running Ubuntu 9.04 on my laptop (full time, no extra Windows partition). It does have a Windows VM for some products I use at work that are Windows only. I have also retained my XP Pro installation on this desktop so that if Vista just pisses me off too much, I can switch back for some relief. So far I haven’t run into any incompatability (out and out things not working), but I just don’t like the way Vista has reorganized everything. The jump from Win 98 to Win XP was major, but simple. Very few things were moved around, everything still had the same look and feel. The control panel names were the same for the most part. Vista was terrible to switch to. Add/Remove programs (begins with A, top of the list) has been replaced with Programs and Features (begins with P, some place deep in the list). It’s little things like that that annoy me with Vista.
Alright, enough ranting. I just can’t wait for Windows 7. I call it “Vista that doesn’t suck so bad”. RC comes out May 5th to the public, out now for TechNet and MSDN subscribers.
If you haven’t heard the news, or don’t stalk me as much as you’d like to, I finally got an apartment for the summer. I didn’t do the best job searching as I could have. I kinda went with the first one I saw. But it is obnoxiously close to campus, just one block away. It’s a 1-bedroom, on the third floor of a nice building. They just replaced all the windows, and fixed up the hallways so that it looks quite nice. The ceilings are sloped, but I can live with that.
I hope to post more this weekend. It’s been a rough week, with a speech due tomorrow, a test yesterday, and a full complement of homework.
Powered by Twitter Tools.
Powered by Twitter Tools.
I’m a nerd. If you haven’t figured that out yet, then you should probably get your glasses checked. Being a nerd, I decided that my business cards needed to reflect my nerdiness. Hence, now my new business cards are in HTML-ese. Even more nerdy, I put a web address on my cards that takes you to a site all about me.
This site has a list of the sites I have worked on or for, and a list of the technologies I’m familiar with. Also, my resume is available there. So, if you want to hire me, give me a call, send me a message, or leave a comment in this post. I could use the income.
BTW: The URL for the site will be http://bc.andrewrlynch.com, but until that gets up, the temporarly location is here.
UPDATE: Yes, I know, my original post of my card didn’t have the <li> closed. I have corrected it, as you can see. I have to admit, I don’t use <li> that often, and was under the impression that you didn’t have to close it. Though, that might be from an old, old version of HTML.
With all this time off from school, I’ve of course spent it studying. And by studying, I mean being lazy. Tonight I brought an end to the laziness, and added a bundle of new features to the blog!
So, leave a comment using the new system to this post, letting me know how you feel about the new features.
I have now activated PingPressFM, which is a nifty plugin that will update all of my sites. I hope that it works properly.
And, being productive, I’m using this opportunity to test it out.
I feel kinda bad for not keeping my site up to date with the latest flood information. To be honest, that’s what the newspaper and media sites are for. I have been keeping informed, by checking with the National Weather Service, and with local media outlets.
To be honest, I have lost faith in our elected officials. After watching the morning press briefings and flood coordination meetings, I don’t think that Mayor Dennis Walaker is the one who is “saving our city.” To be honest, it’s the hundreds of city, county, state, and federal employees manning the emergency operations centers and department heads sitting around that table that are given 5 minutes to speak. THOSE are the people who are keeping your house dry, and keeping you safe. Supporting them is the community of volunteers who are put so much hard work into this fight. In any other city, we’d all be in about 5 feet of water by now I’m sure. The overwhelming support from the community is such a powerful factor.
So why do I hate the Mayor and other elected officials so much? For starters, Dr. Mahoney, city commissioner, keeps wearing that stupid reflective vest. I don’t know if he thinks it makes him look like he’s been out fighting the flood. To be honest, its almost insulting. Unless he’s been at the sandbag production sites directing the dozens of heavy machines around, or out directing traffic like the National Guard, he has no reason to wear it. Take the damn thing off!
Second, our Mayor is not a very good speaker. I have heard from friends who are out of the area hearing Mayor Walaker on the national news, and they ask, “Is he really your mayor?” Yes, that is the person that somehow won the election a couple years ago. If only I could have voted. He didn’t save this city in 1997, either. That was done by the numerous city staff and engineers, along with volunteers. He can drive the snow plows, but he sure can’t be mayor.
As far as the overall morning briefings, I think for the past few days, Walaker has had to apologize or re-state something he said the day before. Or he’s been eating. I just wish I could still stand to watch the meetings. I find myself trying to get the critical information out without getting pissed off at our officials.
Alright, I think that’s an adequate amount of ranting for the day. Leave your comments, in, of all places, the comments section. I do read them. In fact, I get a nifty email when you leave one.
Powered by Twitter Tools.