Computer Questions Not Worth Their Own Thread II

[aimeeandbeatles]

Just because it's the "newest" doesn't mean it's the "best."

 

[CivOtaku]

No it doesn't, but if you look at the hardware it is the best.

 

[Genocidicbunny]

Sounds like not all the hardware is functioning.

 

[aimeeandbeatles]

I broke Linux again. I'm back on Vista for now. Any tips on how NOT to break perfectly functioning operating systems?

EDIT: Maybe I should just stick with a virtual machine for now. LOL. Especially since the computer makes this terrible high-pitched beeping noise EVERY FRIGGEN TIME I REBOOT AND ITS IRRITATING.

 

[PeteAtoms]

Use common sense? Know what you're doing before trying anything.

 

[aimeeandbeatles]

Who needs common sense when you have backups!

 

[aimeeandbeatles]

Can somebody figure out this conversation?

Mom: Linux is CRAP!
Me: No it isn't.
Mom: When I put it on my computer, THE INTERNET DISAPPEARED! IT'S CRAP!
Me: If it's crap, why does Google use it?
Mom: (goes quiet)
Me: (starts laughing...can't help it)
Mom: (shoves me into a wall)

 

[Cutlass]

Your mother is an abusive idiot. Call social services to deal with her, or just avoid her and avoid talking to her to the greatest extent you can until you're an adult and can leave.

 

[PeteAtoms]

Can somebody figure out this conversation?

Mom: Linux is CRAP!
Me: No it isn't.
Mom: When I put it on my computer, THE INTERNET DISAPPEARED! IT'S CRAP!
Me: If it's crap, why does Google use it?
Mom: (goes quiet)
Me: (starts laughing...can't help it)
Mom: (shoves me into a wall)

I'm sure that is something that you'll be paying a psychologist to do in years to come.

 

[aimeeandbeatles]

Abusive? I thought it was just overreaction.

 

[Cutlass]

Abusive? I thought it was just overreaction.

Go back over all of the things you've posted on CFC about your mother and see if you don't recognize a pattern of abuse.

 

[aimeeandbeatles]

I don't know, to be honest.

 

[Methos]

Can somebody figure out this conversation?

Mom: Linux is CRAP!
Me: No it isn't.
Mom: When I put it on my computer, THE INTERNET DISAPPEARED! IT'S CRAP!
Me: If it's crap, why does Google use it?
Mom: (goes quiet)
Me: (starts laughing...can't help it)
Mom: (shoves me into a wall)

First off, I'm not just bothered by the abuse, but by the fact you don't recognize it as such. Future relationships could be very troubling for you.

Regarding the conversation, there are some things you need to consider. How tech savvy is your mom? Linux isn't for everyone and most computer users desire their computer to just work and don't like having to work to get the computer to do what they want. If this describes your mother, then I suggest installing linux on a virtual drive or a separate partition that isn't the OS that automatically loads when the computer starts. In other words, keep it so what your mother needs to do on the computer doesn't change and you'll keep her from getting so frustrated with your curiosities.

You can still change things, just make sure its still easily accessible for your mother. It keeps her less frustrated and she won't be so bothered by your modifications.

 

[aimeeandbeatles]

Well, my mom is on a seperate computer than me. But I think I just stick with virtualmachine for now

 

[shortguy]

I've been looking at new laptops. I can manage my way around processors and graphics cards ok, I think, but I don't really know what the deal is with some other components. Is DDR2 vs. DDR3 worth worrying about? What about a 7200 vs. 5400 RPM hard drive?

 

[Ulyaoth]

Faster rpm means faster loading. DDR3 is faster than DDR2, but for some reason I can't remember, the lower speeds are actually slower than the higher speed DDR2s, so get high speed DDR3s if possible.

 

[GVBN]

DDR3 has higher clock frequency but also higher memory timings than DDR2. Same thing with DDR2 and DDR

 

[shortguy]

I don't really need to understand how it works, I just need to know how much value it has. Say, if an otherwise decent/suitable computer had DDR2 and/or a 5400 RPM hard drive, would you consider that a significant knock on its suitability?

(If the answer is price dependent, assume we're talking $1000 US or so)

 

[aimeeandbeatles]

I have a program I use frequently, which I'd like to put in the system tray. How do I do this?
I googled it and got some programming stuff, other OSes, specific programs, and a shareware.

 

[Genocidicbunny]

Do you mean the taskbar? Cus if so, you can just drag a shortcut down to it. As for system tray ( the area on the right of the taskbar near the clock), it only shows running processes. You cant put shortcuts into it. The program also has to be coded to have an icon in the system tray.

I've been looking at new laptops. I can manage my way around processors and graphics cards ok, I think, but I don't really know what the deal is with some other components. Is DDR2 vs. DDR3 worth worrying about? What about a 7200 vs. 5400 RPM hard drive?

Neither of those are worth worrying about it. Unless you have a gaming laptop, your laptop will likely be bottlenecked by other components before your RAM. DDR3 is faster than DDR2 but at the same time, its more expensive because it needs a chipset that supports DDR3 and it needs DDR3 RAM which is more expensive right now. Still, if the two are at a comparable price, id go with DDR3.

As for the HDD speed, it doesnt overly matter. You need to look at their transfer rates and access speeds. A good high-density 5400 rpm HDD can keep pace with an older 7200 rpm one. Either one will be plenty fast to play large media files, transfer files over network. The only place you would lag behind a bit is in loading times, but those are significant with even a 7200 rpm HDD. Go with whichever one is cheaper, either way it will work just fine for pretty much any task you'd be doing.