Off The Walt

I became fascinated with Stephen Hawking when I was young. If you don’t know who he is, he’s essentially the King of Nerds everywhere. I would argue he’s the smartest human to ever have lived.

This week is young, but the scientific community unamiously cried and then was relieved as Professor Hawking took ill and then began to recover. I’m very glad this giant among men is recovering with family.

Here’s a brief speech of Mr. Hawking at a TED conference in 2008. He’s got a great sense of humor!

Most don’t think of Hide the UPS as a fun game, but crawling around on all-fours at midnight to locate the beeping box is such a great pastime here at the Snider household!

Saturday a family had a birthday party at the park behind my house. They let some balloons go which found their way to the electrical pole outside my home. I don’t know if it’s related to the aforementioned game, but it’s interesting in its own right… the resulting explosion was poop-in-your-pants scary. It shook my house to the point where furniture flush with the walls (particularly my son’s desk, which he was sitting at!) was pushed back from walls about an inch!!!!! Wow!

So the power in the neighborhood has always been wonky. This lead me to buy a number of UPSs (basically battery backups, normally associated with computers) to ensure the television, Wii and other thingies in the house still function and don’t take damage from the surges. Last week I was randomly thinking, wondering how many I actually had in the house. Last night/this morning I found the answer.

The sound of UPS alarms throughout the house is a common thing, you even learn to sleep through them after a couple of months. This morning, they didn’t stop. A glance out the window told me the whole neighborhood was out of power. Soon the family would rise from the dead if I didn’t do anything about the beep beep beep beeps playing at odd intervals throughout the house. This would make for a cranky Snider clan. Daddy sprung into action! Well… argued with his body until it listened…

I knew I had a UPS on my computer, but forgot I had a second one for the modem and second monitor. 2 UPSs so far. I have one that my server and wireless phone share. 3. The TV gets one, the Wii and DVD player both get another one. 5. All was well, I was crawling back into bed when I thought I heard another one… it was coming from the office… my wife mumbles into the pillow that her computer has one, too… that’s right. Hit that switch too. 6. Getting in bed and snuggling with my wife, I heard another one… we don’t have any other expensiveish electronics in the house… what was it? I wandered throughout the entire house stopping in place and waitiing for the beeps to echo off the walls. After 15 minutes, I discovered a very well protected… table lamp! 7.

I wondered when I would realize I had too much technology. 7 UPSs. That’s enough.

As I’ve been a computer tech for many years, I get asked a lot about what type of computer to buy. Here’s a handy guide for you to run through if you don’t know what to buy:

Who to buy from?
Dell. Period.
I’ve been buying Dell machines for years. Nearly every IT professional uses them as well. The components are generally a grade above the competition and the machines are usually easier to perform maintainence on.

How much stuff do I need to buy?
If you want to do anything but the latest games and graphic design, generally the cheapest you can find. Honestly. You can get a computer these days for less than $500 that comes with a new display (aka monitor). Let’s work through a few more details though…

Windows vs Mac
I can fix both machines and they both are good and bad. Personally, I favor Windows machines. Sure, you can be trendy and buy a Mac, but look at the software you use at work and see if it’s available on the Mac platform. Unless you’re in design as a profession, chances are no. I’m a senior webdesigner and I use all sorts of art and design applications and I personally have found that they, as well as most other programs, are better on a Windows platform than a Mac. This is my personal preference, so YMMV.

Windows Platform
If you go Windows, you’ve got 3 different Operating Systems to choose from:
1. Windows XP. Venerable but trusted. Several of my machines still run XP. It’s very stable and does what most want it to.
2. Windows Vista. Shiny and good. Vista got a bad rap because manufacturers, not Microsoft, didn’t catch up. Vista had some issues here and there, but it was not Microsoft’s fault. I have a machine with Vista and it runs just fine.
3. Windows 7. 7 is rumored to be out Summer of 2009 and is essentially rebranded Vista. Honestly. Microsoft is trying to recover from the negative image Vista obtained and move forward with a new name.

32-bit vs 64-bit?
The bottom line: buy whichever is cheapest.
A slightly longer explination: the number of bits is how much information the processor can process per clock cycle (there are 16 clock cycles per second).
If you’re going to want more than 4 gigs of RAM, you’ll need 64-bit.

RAM (aka memory)
If you’re getting Windows XP, 2 gigs is fine, 4 gigs would be a bonus.
If you’re looking at Vista or 7, you will need 4 gigs minimum. 6 or 8 would really future-proof your investment.

HDD (aka hard drive or storage)
If you’re not going to get every music track, get the smallest size available. Most of my clients never use 10% of their drive. If you have internet-savvy kids, you’ll want to go larger. Most people won’t use more than 10 gigs their entire life. I’ve seen internet-savvy kids use in the thousands of gigs (basically 1 thousand gigs is called a terrabyte or TB).

Display Adapter (aka video or video card)
Are you going to play those really intense shoot-em-ups? Do you need to have 2 or more monitors? If no, whatever comes with it is just fine for you.

If you need 2 monitors, look for a "dual head" display adapter.
If you need games, look forward to spending at least the price (sometimes 2x!) of the computer’s price again on the latest and best.

Display (aka monitor)
Let’s get some terms out of the way… "Flat Screen" is not the same as "Flat Panel". The original displays (CRTs or cathode-ray tubes), when they were huge had a curved glass front. Eventually a method to have a flat piece of glass came out called "Flat Screen". Now we have these skinny little panels 1-2 inches wide. These are called "Flat Panels". They also have flat screens, but that’s not what you call it.

Why do you want a new display even though your huge old CRT display works just fine aside from that smudge no amount of Windex can get off? It’ll save you on your power bill. Not only does that huge monster cost more to power, it lets off copious amounts of heat which your A/C has to combat, costing you more money!

More programs, games and website are being designed with the 16:10 widescreen format in mind. Things won’t look right soon enough if you don’t catch up. 19" is the standard of today. If you’re buying for someone with poor eyesight, you may want to go bigger.

Software (aka applications and programs)
You don’t need to drop tons of cash to make your computer do what you want. There are tons of free games and programs out there. You don’t need Microsoft Office, you can get by with OpenOffice.org.

Conclusion
Don’t spend money if you don’t need to. You shouldn’t expect to spend more than $500 on a machine. It’s easy to spend alot but you really don’t need to.

At 11:45am Eastern Time, I sat with anticipation as I watched a man walk out of a hall who did not smile a victory, who did not gloat or high-five people. He walked with a determined stride and confidant look on his face.

Millions of Americans in Our Nation’s Capitol frantically waved flags, showing their support.

11:49am: Pastor Rick Warren offers a prayer and encouraging words. Words met cheers from citizens and tears from my own face. I don’t attend church, but if Pastor Warren was in South Florida, I’d seriously consider it. When he finished, I clapped at my computer screen as I watched the streaming video @ hulu.com.

11:54am: Aretha Franklyn sings "My Country Tis of Thee." Patriotic images flood past the screen as she sings in the background. Proud Americans shed tears along with me, others smile uncontrollably. President Elect looks at the signer with admiration.

11:57am: As every American in the audience stands, Paul Stevens swears Joe Biden into office as Vice President. Biden speaks with great conviction and authority.

Noon: An assembly of talented musicians including Yo-Yo Ma, plays an amazing classical piece composed by John William. If not for their playing, you could hear a pin drop. Enjoying the performance, they smile to each other as they play.

12:04pm: As Mrs. Obama holds a Holy Bible, John G. Roberts, Jr. swears Barack Hussein Obama into the office of the President of the United States of America with a little verbal stumbling. Cannons fire. Hail to the Chief plays. Americans everywhere cheer.

12:08pm: President Obama addresses the crowd, "My fellow citizens…" Indeed. His voice did not tremble once. He addressed the war in the Middle East. He discusses the economy, jobs, home losses, health care, education and more. He promises our challenges will be met. "…[we will] begin the work of remaking America." Despite reading from prompters, his words are passionate, commanding. He tells us that America will lead once more.

Nineteen minutes later, the crowd erupts into thunderous applause. Obama walks to former president and vice president Bush & Cheney, offering them hugs, then to his wife for a kiss.

12:29pm: A poet speaks and Obama watches her. Frankly, I’m already tired of her after 20 seconds. She seems to pale in comparison to President Obama. Three minutes later, she leaves and people clap. So do I. She’s done. I clap.

12:33pm: Reverend Lowery delivers a benediction. The interest of many Americans seems to wane as he speaks and they begin to disperse. Like them, I’m consdiering the rest of my day now. Everyone to follow is sure to offer praise to the new Presidency.

12:35pm: I’m done watching now. The neighbor’s little yippy dogs are barking at each other and I’m focusing on other things now.

Dear President Obama,

I look forward to seeing the words from your great speech put into action. I look forward to Our Nation leading the world as you have promised and I will help you where I can, when I can. I look forward to your good health and that of your family, much as I do my own.

I embrace this new beginning.

Thank you,
Walt Snider

In 1949, Samuel S. Wurtzel opened the first Wards Company retail store in Richmond, Virginia. By 1959 Wards operated four television and home appliance stores in Richmond. The company continued to grow and acquire more stores in other locations including Albany, New York; Mobile, Alabama; Washington, DC; and Costa Mesa, California. During the 1970s and early 1980s it also sold mail-order under the name Dixie Hifi, advertising in the hifi magazines of the day. In Richmond, Wards experimented with several retail formats including smaller mall outlets branded "Sight-n-Sound", "Circuit City", and lastly "Ward’s Loading Dock", its first big box format. The large format store clicked with consumers, as did the Circuit City name. They were combined into the retail format "Circuit City Superstore", which then went national.

I can’t say that I’m sad… virtually every time I’ve been to a Circuity City, I’ve been disappointed, insulted, accosted and ripped off. In fairness I can’t say Best Buy was significantly better, but it has always been better.

The problem now is that Circuity City is liquidating all its assets and is out of business. Here in South Florida, Best Buy is the only major competition and with it gone, prices are sure to skyrocket. With the economy what it is today, I don’t know that we’ll see viable competition. Here’s for crossing my fingers.

Source: The history portion was taken from Wikipedia.

Update: The Consumerist has published an interesting blog post on the subject.

I was happy when my friend, Mark Reed, asked me to help out here and there (small things like reviewing, graphics/layout advice and so on) with his company’s RPG book, Bounty Head Bebop .

I’m further happy to see it hitting print as well!

Mark’s a great guy and this is a great, solid book. If you like RPGs, give the PDF a look. If you’re more into getting a freebie, subscribe to our RPG gameplay podcast where we’ll be giving away a couple copies (I think April or so).

Bounty Head Bebop Core Book as PDF $14 | Print $25
Bounty Head Bebop: Jacked Up! (supplement) as PDF $4

I hope you’re happy, healthy and looking forward to a new year! Things may not be as bright as we’d all like, but if we all move forward with a positive attitude, it will be a great year!

I’m one of those people that doesn’t watch television outside of an occasional episode of Lost or America’s Funniest Videos, but I know a lot of people aren’t like me in that I constantly make sure I’m busy with something . I know I’m the one-percenter and I’m OK with that.

From dtv2009.gov:

At midnight on February 17, 2009, all full-power television stations in the United States will stop broadcasting in analog and switch to 100% digital broadcasting. Digital broadcasting promises to provide a clearer picture and more programming options and will free up airwaves for use by emergency responders.

So what’s that mean to you? If you have a television more than a couple years old, on 2/17/2009, you will be watching the snow channel all day long. Even in the Summer. Isn’t life wonderful?!

How can this affect you? If you have standard (analog) cable, digital cable or satellite television, you don’t have to worry about it. Note: You may still want to take advantage of this coupon program (more info below) because with times getting harder and harder, dropping subscription television is becoming a good idea. (Most people pay $1,500 or more a year!)

Be warned: Cable companies are trying to scare consumers into saying their old analog cable TV signal will not work as of February 17. This is complete fallacy. They are simply trying to get more money out of you. Do not let them do it!

How can you make sure you can still watch open-air broadcasts?
You need a converter box. Converter boxes take the newer, digital method of broadcasting and convert it into a signal older televisions can understand and then show you visually. Some people will be lucky in that they will only need the converter box, most will, even if you live in a dense population area, need a digital antenna.

The old, analog, broadcast method is onmi-directional: the signal shoots out in a circle from the antenna. Anyone within the radius, the closer the better, gets the signal.
The newer, digital, broadcast method is fixed-directional: the signal shoots out in a straight line, somewhat triangular toward the end. If you’re in the line, you win! If you’re a bit outside of the line, not so much on the win thing. This is where your digital antenna will come in handy.

Your converter box (we’ll get to that in a minute) has a small, low powered antenna, antenna that does its best, but won’t be perfect. After you get your box set up, if the signals aren’t coming in all that clearly, you’ll want to head to the store.

From dtv2009.gov:

Congress created the TV Converter Box Coupon Program for households wishing to keep using their analog TV sets after February 17, 2009. The Program allows U.S. households to obtain up to two coupons, each worth $40, that can be applied toward the cost of eligible converter boxes.

A TV connected to cable, satellite or other pay TV service does not require a TV converter box from this program.
Consumers have a variety of options. Options to explore include:

1. Keep your existing analog TV and purchase a TV converter box. A converter box plugs into your TV and will keep it working after Feb. 17, 2009, or
2. Connect to cable, satellite or other pay service, or
3. Purchase a television with a digital tuner.

Even if you don’t need a converter box right now, take advantage of the 2 coupons . You’ll have 3 months to use them. If you have to drop cable/satellite in the next 6 months, you’ll wish you took advantage of the free converter box !

Claim your two $40 coupons!

Before you get your converter box, you’ll want to do some research on what’s available. cnet offers darn good reviews on all sorts of items , including the converter boxes.
1. Check your local stores to see what models they have in stock
2. Write down the manufacturer, model and price
3. Look at cnet and see what the reviews are on the units. How noisy are they? Do they get hot? If you lose the remote, can you manually control the channel on the box itself? Will a universal remote work with it? Can you buy extra remotes?
4. Who has the best price on your favorite converter?
5. Use your coupons and buy your boxes. Consider 2 different ones – one may not work perfectly whereas the other may. This will let you know what is best for you.
6. Do this before February! Everyone will be in stores on the 18th! Don’t get caught in line, get your boxes early!

Dropping cable/satellite
There are alternatives to using cable and satellite for entertainment.
* ABC offers most of their boadcast catalog via streaming at http://abc.go.com/ . You’ll have to install a plugin to view the content, but it’s free.
* CBS offers shows as well at http://www.cbs.com/ . No plugin necessary.
* Hulu.com is my favorite spot for stuff online as it’s got shows like Heroes, The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, The Simpsons, Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, SNL and so much more. http://www.hulu.com/
* Podcasting is free to listen to as well. You can find several great shows, mostly audio, online for your listening and watching pleasure. Consider The Kore New Media Podcast Group for some great podcasts on funny news, music, movies, storytelling and much, much more at http://www.KoreNewMedia.com/

My best friend, Benjamin Adams, is going to be a husband today.

I’m very happy that he has found the right woman and will move forward never alone again.

I am honored that he offered me to be his groomsman.

Congratulations, Brother.

Update December 21, 2008:
Here are 2 great photos I took of Ben and Lara

Photo 1 | Photo 2

My friend Steve Shurmatz (who I met when I designed a website for his company) told me some time ago about his long-time girlfriend Tracy and that she had some difficulties that didn’t let her work. He seemed upset by it so I changed the subject and we moved on to something else.

A couple months ago, Steve asked me for a quote for a website to raise awareness for Tracy and her condition. After giving me some details on what she was going through, chroic headaches and consistent pain, I quickly understood why Steve was upset years earlier. It was hard for me to hear let alone him speak about. After hearing the first 5 minutes about Tracy’s Story I told him I was on board and didn’t need any further convincing. Despite his repeated demands, I told him I was doing the website design and hosting for free.

I asked them to type up what Tracy had been through, the treatments she’d dealt with and medications she’s endured. I read it as I built the website and I’ve got to admit, I was in tears thinking that someone had to go through this for a few minutes, let alone years.

The site needed to be completed by December 7, because that was the date of a benefit concert a local pub, Cheers, arranged a half-dozen bands to play and raise money for a very special lady. The website was referenced on flyers and throughout the benefit, driving people to learn more about Tracy’s yet-undiagnosed suffering.

Steve invited me to come participate and I was glad I did, I got to meet his mom, greeted the members of the band he plays drums with, Wrecktifier and sat at a table with his best friend since school, Chris. The music played throughout the night was top notch and a just tribute to Tracy.

I was very impressed that all the bands traded instruments and stage with each other. In the past, I’d only come to see Steve play but a few other groups got a new fan that night. Their generosity amongst each other was brotherly and inspiring which set the mood for the night.

I was further impressed that people who’ve never met Steve or Tracy sent money to help. People from out of state. Wow.

My grandfather was not a prophetic man, but when I was little, he once told me something to the effect of, "In the absence of light, hope still shines." I am glad to have been able to help Tracy. She’s a delightful girl and despite what she’s going through, is still keeping her spirits up.

Sadly, the guest of honor that night wasn’t able to come. She was at home, trying to deal with the pain.

Please, go read about Tracy’s Story at her website and tell a doctor about her. She’s not asking for a handout, she’s asking for a diagnosis for what’s plagueing her. In the absence of medical attention, I am putting a PayPal donation button on the site with 100% of the proceeds to help Tracy Goldbach. This was my idea, not theirs. I know folks will want to do something. Please help.