computer

[low_delta]

I got my new computer. I had to pick it up on the way home from work, but it wasn't done, so I had to go back. I had to go out to the Highland Games, since my dad won an award (Celtic Person of the Year). But I was late, so missed the awarding of the award.

I took along a flask of Scotch that was half Talisker, half Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban. My dad guessed both distilleries.

So.. computer.

How long has it been since computers stopped coming with Outlook Express? Now I need to figure out how to get my ISP mail.

There are only two USB ports on the front of the box here are only two USB ports on the back of the box, and they're taken up by the mouse and keyboard. There are no alternate ways to plug in the mouse or keyboard, so my old ones are trash. I didn't think I'd had the mouse for very long. The new mouse seems decent, but I want an "ergonomic" keyboard.

Maybe Monday, I can see if I can get my data from the old hard drive.

Antivirus. I bought Trend Micro. Not impressed at the moment. My mom had Kaspersky, and I found it a little annoying at times, but I think I prefer it over Trend. I've had Norton forever, and thought I'd try something different. There's just very little to see on the Trend. No details to control, like when it updates and runs scans. Maybe I'll like it better after a time.

So now I've played around a little. Now I have to get some files on this thing. And start replenishing my favorites/bookmarks.

This new machine doesn't sound like a jet engine when it starts up.

I was using Photoshop CS2. I wanted to upgrade to the latest version, and buy it so I was legit. I knew it would be expensive - I expected around $400. Turns out it was double what I expected. That's a good bit more than the computer cost.

Comments

[mummm.livejournal.com]

I really like the wireless keyboard and mouse that we have here at Riverhome and they don't require any ports... just saying. Of course this is an iMac but we have a wireless mouse for the PC laptop too and it works just fine.

Photoshop has always been over-the-top expensive. It's great but REALLY it's pretty nuts involving $$$.

[cynnerth.livejournal.com]

My wireless keyboard and mouse still require a port for the transmitter to plug into. But it's only one port instead of two.

[pondhopper.livejournal.com]

You beat me to it That's one solution. Another is to get a port hub to which multiple devices can be attached.

[mummm.livejournal.com]

I guess ours are different... no ports required.

[cynnerth.livejournal.com]

Macs vs PCs perhaps.

[mummm.livejournal.com]

You are right! I just realized that there is a little plug in for the PC mouse.

[ranunculus.livejournal.com]

I have to say that I have a LOT of sympathy for the hadn't backed up since Oct. Sure hope you can get some stuff off the old disc.

You might have a look at Gimp. I know there is a Windoz version. A lot cheaper than Photoshop.

Mac's do have wireless keyboard and mouse built in, but then you have to use -their- mouse and keyboard. We have a couple of USB hubs floating around. They come in powered and unpowered versions. I find an unpowered "squid" is enough for me but I'm not doing anything the least demanding with it.

[low-delta.livejournal.com]

Thanks. I'm pretty sure I can get it back, just not sure how much work it will be or how expensive.

I have a pirated version of Photoshop CS2 (I think they're up to CS6, now). That's pretty cheap. ;-) It's just not as nice as the latest version.

I should be okay with the USB ports. I can't think where I'd need more than two at a time. My external hard drives are usually unplugged, and the printer is wireless. It just seemed strange - now that more devices are USB than before, I have fewer ports. But I guess more devices are wireless, too.

[marswalker.livejournal.com]

Not that you're soliciting, but Logitech makes keyboard and mouse combos - wireless - that share a usb "nubbie" transceiver. That would free up one of the ports. The keyboards / mice are all powered by AA batteries, the batteries seem to last a year, give or take. M705 is a "good" mouse, I have an "Anywhere MX" that is terrific and tracks on about everything, a bit more expensive. I have a handful of keyboards as well, K340 is full sized with keypad, works great. The mice use 2AA, the keyboards use 4 I think; battery life is about a year.

You can get USB2.0 USB hubs that will allow 4 or 8 devices to plug in and share a USB port. That would be another way to handle the USB debacle. Powered hubs are nice as they "come up" quicker and they power USB devices plugged into them, so the computer doesn't have that load.

wow... that's an expensive photo software package! yikes!


We use trend micro virus at work, it's okay. I normally don't see much interaction from it. At home I use mcAfee. The nicest thing about the pay-for ones are the automatic updates / automated updates.

[low-delta.livejournal.com]

I'm pretty sure I won't ever need more than two USB plugged in at a time. Nothing ever stays plugged in for very long. And I do have a hub in a box somewhere.

I don't think I want a wireless mouse and/or keyboard, even though my mouse cord isn't quite long enough as I'd like. I'm a luddite that way. I don't like having to use batteries, and Cyn's transmitter has to be about six inches from her mouse (due to our desk configuration - wood gets in the way of the dropped keyboard tray).

I guess the true test of AV software is whether I get a virus or not.