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I just upgraded to Mandriva 2010.   I don’t usually use the year version of Mandriva and wait for the spring version, but I wanted to see how KDE 4.3 is.  It is pretty decent.  I only had one problem with the video card, but it is resolved now.  The interface is clean and modern.  Now all I need is a more modern video card to run it all.

Now, I want to pass on some knowledge that is applicable to Windows and Linux users in terms of DVD burning:

1)   Always run the latest firmware for your burner.  It makes a big difference!  It will usually turn a quirky drive into a reliable one and solve many problems with not being able to read and write to some brands of DVD’s.

2)  Always burn at HALF of the rated rate of the disk. If it is a 16x disk, burn at 8X.  It’s not a race, so let the burner take a little longer to get better results.  You don’t save any time making coasters.  Force your DVD program to burn at a lower speed.  This disables the OPC, which is the Output Power Check, which can take time and stresses your drive.

3)   Try to buy decent, name brand media, if you can.   You will usually get better results.  Often, when on sale, name brand media will be the same price as the no name brands.

If anyone needs to contact me, please use this blog or e-mail me.

The “wash me’ theme was screwing with my formatting, so I had to change it.  I like the new look, what do you think?

Went out trick or treating with Glenn, doesn’t he look cute?

He got lots of compliments and candy. It was a little cold, but he was a real trooper. Chocolate is a great motivator.  People were very impressed with his outfit.  The costume is very well made and looks pretty legitimate.  We picked up the costume (with helmet) last year and added the axe.  It is about he safest costume I have ever seen, with the green stripes be actual retro reflective material like the real thing.

The funniest costume we saw when we were out was this one:

Yep, that’s a real monitor shell and Dell keyboard. Tiff and I had a good laugh at that one. The man inside was an adult with a full beard.

Loaded up Windows 7 on Tiffany’s computer, she is very happy with it.  It only took Mircosoft 8 years to produce a decent operating system.  It is slick, nice, and steals ideas from just about everyone.  But, I guess imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.  It is one of the few times we went with the latest anything.  XP was getting too old.  With my computer, I am still typing happily away with Mandriva Linux 2008.1.  I think I will wait for 2010 to come out before I update again.  I am looking forward to trying KDE 4.3. or 4.4, and there are no plans to backport it to 2008.1.

I must say, I really like being on the lagging edge of technology.  My 19″ LCD monitor is 8+ years old and has outlived 5 computers!  No 16:9 for me, 4:3 baby.  My computer case has seen 3 motherboards and processors, 4 power supplies, a 52X CD-ROM, a 16X CD-RW, a DVD-ROM, and 2 DVD-RW’s.  It has seen a floppy drive come and go (replaced with a card reader). All in the same steel case.  No aluminum here.  The case weighs about 18lbs, empty, and has 4 5.25″ bays,  8(!) 3.5″ bays and spaces for 4 80mm fans.  They don’t make ’em like this anymore, sonny.

Our netbook is not the latest and greatest, but very mature when we purchased it, with lots of reviews. 

My LCD TV is no name and works just fine.  I just got rid of my surround system, never used it.  My newest game console is a PS2. 

My point is, don’t go with the bleeding edge.  I wish I could find the article in Wired about always buying 2 year old technology, if you can.  It makes sense.
You know what this all adds up to?  Reliable technology and money in the bank.  I would much rather collect some more watches (that last damn near forever and will never be outdated) than the latest gadget.