Thanks for the detailed info

Post #39,222 by ben_tilly 5/19/02 4:24:24 PM Reply	Thanks for the detailed info My current thinking is to skip the backups. Get both a SCSI and an IDE drive, use the SCSI and back up the first onto the latter. Then use CDs if I have anything that I really want to keep. I don't keep anything on my home computer that would really kill me to lose. And if there was something that I created, then it won't be large. (Takes a whole lotta text to go past 100 MB. I am not running a server...) Beyond that what do I gain with full system backups? The ability to recover my system as is if I buy another just like the old. But I don't have that other machine to recover onto. And I probably wouldn't mind the opportunity to install a better system. If I was doing anything that I cared about (my own email, archives, a code repository, finances) then I would have regular automatic backups. But I am not. Someone could toast my computer right now and my lack of a backup would not bother me. I don't see that changing. Any thoughts on other consumer items? Should I bother with a DVD drive? (How accessible are admittedly illegal programs to let me play them on my nicer monitor?) How well do things like scanners, digital cameras, etc work with Linux? Cheers, Ben "... I couldn't see how anyone could be educated by this self-propagating system in which people pass exams, teach others to pass exams, but nobody knows anything." --Richard Feynman
Post #39,225 by SpiceWare 5/19/02 5:56:44 PM 5/20/02 12:04:14 AM Reply	DVD player software [link\|http://www.linuxjournal.com/\|Linux Journal] has a nice [link\|http://www.linuxjournal.com/article.php?sid=5644\|review] of Linux DVD player software. edited to fix review link Darrell Spice, Jr. [link\|http://home.houston.rr.com/spiceware/\|SpiceWare] - We don't do Windows, it's too much of a chore Edited by SpiceWare May 20, 2002, 12:04:14 AM EDT Expand All History
Post #39,226 by ben_tilly 5/19/02 6:11:06 PM Reply	Goodie Then I think a DVD player is a worthwhile addition. :-) Cheers, Ben "... I couldn't see how anyone could be educated by this self-propagating system in which people pass exams, teach others to pass exams, but nobody knows anything." --Richard Feynman
Post #39,242 by static 5/20/02 1:32:31 AM Reply	On speakers. If you think you might be playing music or watching movies on your new fangled PC, you'll be wanting some speakers. That is, if you don't intend to plug it into your stereo. So don't go cheap: if you don't want the ear disappointment, spend a few hundred on computer speakers. (My dad used to say that when you're buying HiFi system (out of components), spend half your budget on the speakers. While the ratio doesn't work so well for computers, the intent of the advice is still sound.) Wade. "All around me are nothing but fakes Come with me on the biggest fake of all!"
Post #39,233 by folkert 5/19/02 9:42:20 PM Reply	Please check your link to the review... It should be [link\|http://www.linuxjournal.com/article.php?sid=5644\|[link\|http://www.linuxjournal.com/article.php?sid=5644\|http://www.linuxjou...php?sid=5644]] Just being helpful here... `greg, curley95@attbi.com -- REMEMBER ED CURRY!!!`
Post #39,240 by tonytib 5/20/02 12:27:23 AM Reply	Cameras shouldn't be a problem Because the way to go is to use memory cards (unfortunately, there are four in use -- Compact Flash (most popular), Smart Media, Memory Stick (Sony only), and MMC/SD (mainly Matsushita)). I haven't tried a USB flash card reader on Linux yet, but I'd guess there are drivers. I'm pretty sure there are also Linux USB drivers for a variety of cameras, but I prefer the flash card approach (no stupid little proprietary cables to worry about). For CF, the cheapest way to go is to get a CF-to-PCMCIA adapter ($12 or so) -- that should work fine! Also, I highly recommend you at least look at LCD monitors. I love my 17" Planar LCD. Tony
Post #39,462 by a6l6e6x 5/21/02 11:19:33 PM Reply	Dittos on 17" Planar LCD I "sprung" for [link\|http://www.planar.com/monitors/CT1744Z.asp\|this] one, and love it. It has a small footprint, is quiet, and wakes up quickly from sleep mode. It is close if not equal to 19" CRT monitors in viewing area. The only complaint is that the speakers are a bit tinny compared to my old Nokia monitor speakers. Not a big deal, really. I am not a "gamer" and do not want to waste desk real estate on speakers. Alex "Men occasionally stumble over the truth, but most of them pick themselves up and hurry off as if nothing had happened." -- Winston Churchill (1874-1965)

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