HTPC Part 1 - Intel Atom
January 28, 2010

 Intel AtomThis is the first part of a multi-part guide to putting together an HTCP. My goal was to put together a cheap(~$200), small, quiet, and efficient HTPC. The CPU dictates the rest of the hardware so let's start there.

Intel Atom processors are by far the most commonly used processor in netbooks because they are small, cheap, and don't use a lot of power. Because the HTPC I wanted was going to be sitting under my TV and on a lot, I didn't want a huge, loud, and expensive PC. Naturally, the Intel Atom was at the top of my list, but would it be able to handle media, specifically HD content?

Read the rest of this post.
| 0
Apple Tablet? I Rather the Lenovo IdeaPad U1.
January 16, 2010

Lenovo IdeaPad U1As we get closer to Apple's January announcement, I'm reading more and more articles speculating about the Apple "Tablet" or "iSlate": How big will it be? How will you type on it? How much will cost? Is it just a giant iPhone? What is it going to be used for? Do we need a tablet?

I have the answer to all those questions: the Lenovo IdeaPad U1. It was unveiled at CES 2010 in Las Vegas last week and it has stolen the show amongst the geeks. The U1 came out of nowhere with little fan fare and it was met with a unanimous reaction of "that makes sense, why hadn't anyone else thought of it?"

Read the rest of this post.
| 0
New Articles are Coming
December 1, 2009

Breaking NewsI know that I haven't posted anything new in a long time. My excuse: I moved and I ran out of stuff to post.

Last week I noticed that a few people had found my old guides and had requested more of them. They're coming.

Since my last guide, I've learned a few new tricks and will be sharing them weekly. The first few posts will be about HTPC's, specifically:

Read the rest of this post.
| 0
Firefox + Firebug + Web Developer Add-on = Easily Edit and Save CSS on Live Sites
March 3, 2009

Mad ScientistI would pay to be able to edit the CSS of live sites and see the CSS take affect. I would pay but I don't have to with Firefox and the Firebug and Web Developer add-ons. I have written about Firebug before, which has been both a life saver and a productivity booster in that it gives you the ability to quickly identify elements within a design. Web Developer is an add-on I feel that I should have known about and am kicking myself for not knowing about it sooner. Besides the plethora (been waiting to use that word) of options, it gives you the ability the see and edit the CSS files affecting the page you're on and the edits affect the site live.

Read the rest of this post.
| 6
New Mac Minis Released, Still Doesn't Make us Nerds Happy
March 3, 2009

Apple's Mac MiniSince the first Mac Minis were released, I've been combing the Internet for a deal. I don't really need another computer but there is something about having this tiny, quiet box on my desk. The price has always been holding me back: it's not in the $400 sweet-spot for a computer. Yes, I know that Apple is not a lower-end brand but the pricing on the Mac Minis compared to its features, including the hardware revisions released today, is ridiculous. 

Read the rest of this post.
| 6