root of all evil : Computer Tree

Update: Ep5 solution and Computer Tree

root — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 17:04:00 GMT

Either it's my laptops or my webcam, but the video is always jumpy (as most of you suddenly noticed in ep4). My solution? Buy a real videocam (this is just the excuse I've been waiting for).

So searching newegg, I found a possible candidate. My max budget is around 100 dollars. Any opinions?

DXG DXG-506V Silver Digital Camcorder 4X Digital Zoom 1/1.8" CMOS 1.7" LCD

If anyone has any experiences with digivideo cams and know of a product that they want to rave about, comment up.

I'm itching to make ep5 but can't. Annoying. My "budget" won't be available until end of month (beginning of next month) so looking like 2/9/2008 until ep5 (best case scenario). Oh, and just a lil FYI, because I won't be limited to the Webcam (hooked up to the computer), you can eggxpect videos from me that aren't just for The Source. Hmmm, what is this? You will have to wait and see *grin*.

Anyways, at work (where I'm currently living this past month), so must get back.

As I've stated in the Computer Tree thread, I'll be making some decisions on who gets what since BOT has been quite lately. Pending their approval, we should start moving those donations to their new owners soon.

Until next time users,

Root is posting?

root — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 16:47:00 GMT

OK, so it's been a while. Talk about being busy. But hey, Holidays are over and root is back!

Yay!

"Great, another spammer is back"

Speaking over spammers, I noticed GmsCool has over 4k posts... almost 5k? Seriously man. You are the new OldSailor. Congrats (...or should I be congratulating you?)!

After 1 PSU blow out, 1 over heated laptop, and my other lappy having 'issues', I can't seem to get Ep5 out without it being seriously choppy slash having no video at all. I tried last night and it was just bad.

PSU is arriving on the 10th (Newegg FTW!) so my main machine will be back on line, and the hot lappy is cooling off in my freezer (hey, it works). In 4 months I'll have a new work lappy too. Although it's dell.... and vista. Which that combo is just wrong.

Anyways, just wanted to say "hey" and that I'm back. Computer Tree is back in full swing and we should have an announcement next week on who gets what and all the fun-loving people that we will be helping. You should all feel warm and fuzzy inside.

Eggxpect more posts by me this week and hopefully ep5 when I can get a stable machine that doesn't carp out on me when I record video. Maybe I should just get a video camera? Surely there is a cheap one....

Until next time users,

Update: Projects|Life|Shows

root — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 06:14:00 GMT

Some music while you read:

James Blunt and Rap. Yup. That's my eccentric tastes for ya.

So as you may have noticed, this isn't episode 5. That time of year. Christmas, work, family troubles, and A Partridge in a Pear Tree. Good news? The man Pages got a little jump start. Going over the details with the new team. Hopefully we can see something out, officially, by February.

"Did you say February?"

I'm a pessimistic, damnit.

Computer Tree looks like a big hit. Just not enough nominations! But don't worry, if you offered a donation we will end up using it. Just maybe not in time for the holidays. At the time of this posting, we have 2 nominations and 65 computers (laughs). Well, OK, 15 computers. I had to turn down the 50 Dell's. Not enough money to get them shipped, no place to put them, and no one to donate to.

But this leads me to the Big Pictures for Computer Tree. This thought is by no means solely mine, it's been forming in the background by a number of us. It's looking like this could be not just a holiday thing but any day. Have a nomination? We will look into helping your needed friend/family/co-worker/community member/adopted purple alien. Obviously we don't have the money to get everything shipped... nor the man power to get it filtered.

Yet.

Logistics of this is pretty impressive when you actually face them. Also kinda... neat? Perhaps it's the sadistic side of me that enjoys this. But I'll claim it's the puzzle-solving side of me.

Well, it's not at its full potential yet, but it will get there.

Projects... is that everything? Oh, The Source. And Google Workshop. Ep5 will be out probably next weekend. Crunch time at work to get a project done this week. And last weekend wasn't a good one for me. Next weekend might be busy as well but I should be able to get it in Sunday (here's hoping). Google Workshop... maybe on Christmas break. Not that I have one. I picked the short straw and I'm Primary On Call all that week (and the weekend before it). And you wonder why I'm sadistic.

I LOVE this time of year (and yes, I'm hitting that sarcastic button like the good button masher I am)

Speaking of love. Looks like a lot of shows are wrapping up or just starting. My top 2 shows I've really gotten into this year is Dexter and Journeyman. Obviously two really different shows, but I love them. Journeyman I'm a bit worried. It's an AWESOME show that everyone should watch... but NBC doesn't seem to think so. They passed on the option period to pick it up for a second season. Perhaps another station will pick it up? If you haven't heard about it, or watched it, get into it! Now! Hack, steal, buy, whatever you have to do, watch it. By 3rd episode I promise you will be hooked.If not, watch 3 more *grin*.

Think a modern day Quantum Leap with a twist... or three.

And Dexter... well if you don't have Showtime, then you might not know what it's about. If you can get past the sickening part of it all, it's a hilarious show. Granted I have a habit of loving dark humor. Cold Blooded was one of my top movies of all time. Hmmm, and Dead Like Me. Anyways, Dexter is a serial killer who has to kill, but he only kills bad guys. So if you liked the anime Death Note, you will LOVE this show. You will find yourself rooting for the bad guy. And his view on life is just plain funny.

As for the show that my avatar is based off of, The Avatar, it hasn't been the best season. But definitely not horrible. Good news? Chuck and Life got a second season pick up! So I'm not that PO'ed at NBC. They at least did 2 things right. I just can't wait until Burn Notice comes back. But will the WGA strike effect them? argh.

After writing this post, I've come to two conclusions.

1) My tastes are varied by extreams

2) I watch too much TV

So I will try and save myself by ending this with the new official trailer to The Dark Knight.

You know.

Because that's not TV.

c**p.

Until Life settles down,

The Source: Episode 4 "Oh God that hott"

root — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 12:37:00 GMT

Part 1:

Part 2:

Part 3:

Show Notes

Corrections (last Episode):

Verizon's wireless is not free

700MHz bidding starts at 4.6billion, beings in Jan 24th. (Updated: Bluff?)

rjbass for whitebooks.

Announcements/News

Happy Birthday to Wendy!

Prtuc2 - leaving us for a time. sad to hear you go.

New mail box for the show, TheRootSource@gmail.com. For voice mails, shout outs, and comments!

From my book library: Jim Butcher - Codex Alera Series

WGA: Strike still on, standstill

Car, MX-5 hard top convertible.

My Own Projects

Computer Tree, green light!!!

Google Workshop

The man Pages

Blogs

Brands, Which are your favorites? -Rjbass

Threads

Hardening your network, by me

Polls

Black Monday - results

COD4 or Crysis?

Root's Shirt

Last Episode: Ipood
This Episode: I'm only here because my server is down

The Source: Episode 3 "You know. Awesome.&quo

root — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 01:11:00 GMT

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! Too busy to post up a proper post. Will do so later this week. Here are the quick links. EggXpert, what about a tool that creates the YouTube code? I hate being busy... I'll edit it later with the right links.

Part 1:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=Ms795O0F3CU

Part 2:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=BZGP6XtOWzo

Part 3:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=_u_1Geq9qj8

Until I get my act together,

The Source: Episode 2 "Etc. Etc." (3 Parts)

root — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 22:44:00 GMT

Part 1:

Part 2:

Part 3:

Show Notes:

Have an idea for the newsletter? Contact Auden or Ning.
Computer Tree
Announcement Thread
CAGG Labs
Are we too paranoid?
WGA strike information
AMD's future chapter 11?

http://www.anandtech.com/cpuchipsets/showdoc.aspx?i=3153 (EDITED)

Root's Shirt:

Pirates are way cooler than ninjas

Until next time users,

Update: Ask Root|Special Editions|Computer Tree

root — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 03:06:00 GMT

Well we have a few ideas in the works!

Our next Ask Root post will be about installing a brand spanking hard drive (both SATA and PATA) from physically putting them into your case to installing them on a major OS (Windows XP/Vista, Linux).

This spurred off the idea of having a number of Special Editions where we cover all the basics of building a PC from the ground up. After the hard drive install, we will be showing how to install the OS. And now we are thinking about recording it and using YouTube embedded videos (less picture taking that way).

The last idea that's in the works is the Computer Tree. I won't go into the details but think Angel tree for the people in need of a computer this holiday season.