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Alien Ware Extreme Gaming Notebook M17 17 Inch

PaulNovember 3, 20083 Replies

Looks like they are out of stock on this Laptop but they do have Alienware M17x-2857DSB 17-Inch Laptop (Black) which looks to be an upgraded version of this one!!!

Windows Vista® Home Premium (32- and 64-bit)(default)

Windows Vista® Ultimate (32- and 64-bit)

Intel® Core™2 Duo Or Quad and Extreme Processors (12MB Cache, 1066MHz FSB)
Intel® PM45 + ICH9M-E Chipset up to 4 GB
ATI Mobility Radeon™ HD 3870 (Also Comes with CrossfireX Enabled)

Dual Harddrive In Raid 0 Config or you can have a single hard drive
1. 5400 RPM – Up to 1TB (2 x 500GB)
1. 7200 RPM – Up to 640GB (2 x 320GB)

So I saw this and had to tell people this is a sweet laptop for people who like to go and play games in a large group. You would be able to play for hours on end, all you would need is an power cord. I would love one of these to try out. If you want to go check it out or buy it. Here’s the Alienware M17x-2857DSB 17-Inch Laptop (Black).

Find Other Alienware Products

Windows update is getting a revision!

PaulNovember 2, 2008

[ad#ad2-right]According to Computer World, dated Oct 31, 2008 and I’ll quote:

“Over the next couple of months, we’ll be rolling out another infrastructure update to the Windows Update agent (client code),” said an unidentified Microsoft employee on the Windows Update team’s official blog. “This update makes it possible for users to install more than 80 updates at the same time.”

[via Computer World]

Now if your like me and have several computers who need to be updated at a given schedule, you sometimes worry about these updates that come along that might just break your system. I have been using a program call Offline Updater, which does what Autopatcher does really nicely. So why is Microsoft sending out this patch? Two reasons, one they want you to be able to update your operating System without hurting your system integrity.

Now lets talk about the integrity of having to reboot your system. You see, every time you reboot the system, it causes the system hardware some strain. It is something like having starting up a car, sooner or later you will have the starter go out, because of to much start up.

[ad#ad2-left]Second reason for this is, basically the update software needs to be update yet again for any security flaws or features that might be exploitable. I am sure there are some and Microsoft probably knows about that we do not. So that is the second reason, which it is the most obvious reason yet to push out another revision of the Windows update.

What about stopping the update from effecting your system. The only way that I know of is to prevent Windows from checking for updates. Which is simple:

Windows XP Version:

[Category View and Classic View]

<Start> / Control Panel / Security / Click Windows Updates

For Windows Vista:

<Orb> / Control Panel/ Security Center/ Windows Update / click “change Settings”

With both ways, you will be able to control four ways to handle Windows updating and they are:

Automatic – Will download all necessary updates and install them without your permission or knowledge. Note some of the updates will automatically reboot your system. Most commonly they are set to do this every day in the 12am to 4 am period of time. So when you wake up you would see an log in screen.

[ad#ad2-right]

Download updates but let me choice which ones to install and when – This is most commonly used by people who don’t want to bother having to check manually. It will check and download, then it will let you know.

Check for updates but don’t Download them – This is like the previous one but this will only tell you. The rest of the decision is in your hands not the computer. This is good for people who have limited system resources, like Hard drive space. It still reminds you like the previous one but won’t download any updates.

Never check for updates – This is used for people who don’t want to be bothered with updates and have a way to update manually. This is commonly used by businesses who have several systems on and don’t want to risk an update causing trouble or weigh down the companies internet by downloading updates un-necessarily. This option is not to be messed with because it leaves your system with quite a lot of vulnerabilities. You do this one if you have a set schedule to update each and everyone system. (Extremely Dangerous to do)

With what I talked about, I am hoping you find this useful and to share your discoveries with other people who might want to be able to change how Windows updates are handled on other systems. If you have comments or questions, please post them in the comment section and someone will be more than glad to help you out.

Time to Change your clocks.

PaulNovember 1, 20081 Reply

Time to change those clocks of ours

[ad#ad2-right]Having been looking at one of my old clocks that would automatically change for Daylight Savings Time, I’ve had to keep reminding myself that it is an hour off. Starting tonight at 2 PM, it will be right. So I thought I would help people keep there computer clocks up to date by suggesting some good programs to us to keep your system having the right time. So people know what dates are being affected according to the Greenwichmeantime they say this:

Beginning in 2007, Daylight Saving Time is extended one month and the schedule for the states of the United States that adopt daylight saving time will be:

2 a.m. on the Second Sunday in March
to
2 a.m. on the First Sunday of November.

So that saying goes it “Fall back, Spring Forward” So now here are some great programs to better help you get your computer clock up to snuff:

[ad#ad2-left]

Worldtimeclock Atomic Clock Sync Program – It is a free program for you to use with your Windows. Although you have to make sure your selected the right timezone once it is installed all you will need in an internet connection to sync your windows time with the atomic clock.

PC Atomic Sync – It is an atomic clock synchronizer with some useful features (time offset, synchronize periods, etc.). The main idea of the program is to synchronize your PC’s clock in the most reliable and resource-saving way.

These programs will help keep your system from having the wrong time. Don’t forget to install the Microsoft updates(Window XP and Server 2003) to fix your operating system with the new Daylight Savings Time dates.

Mahalo Lay’s off around 10% of it’s workforce!!

PaulOctober 23, 2008

[ad#ad2-left]In an email he sent to the readers of his publication, Jason Calicanis talks about having to lay off around 10% of people from Mahalo. Here’s the quote:

We’ve laid off a just under 10% of our full-time staff, cut our overhead by doing smart things like renting desks (we have six desks/offices available fyi), and reorganized our editorial department to focus on freelance positions over in-house editors. The net result
of the effort is we are giving Mahalo another year of “dry powder” (or runway) to complete our mission.

This is not to be unexpected after all the talk about the recession coming our way. It does however emphasizes the need for companies to consider there profit margins and accounting strategy.

Mahalo was launched in May 2007 as an Alpha test. That is to say only a select number of people were able to access the site and create feedback to the development of the site. As of January of 2008 it is in what we call the Beta test phase. Which means more people are testing it out and find out it’s flaws to report back about where they need to improve. Mahalo’s directory employs human editors to review websites and search engine results.

[ad#ad2-right]Saying that Mahalo is in Beta still doesn’t lessen the fact that they are worried about there revenue model and expect a drastic decrease in revenue over the next 2 years due to the Recession still hanging over our heads. This is where it comes to pure talent and understanding that most people in the business has to worry being laid off for example Merck Laid off 13% of it’s workforce. Most people know the dread and fear of having the possibility of a Layoff hanging over your head and it is bound to affect even the most stubborn person and independent person. It is going to come at a time like Christmas or the first a year and you will have to scrounge around and try to find another job. It’s tough and I’ve got a list that will help you :5 ways to improve your chance of getting hired.

With this list you will be able to get a better grip of the future and maybe create a better future in the process.

Mahalo is still in it’s infancy and will still need time to grow and mature and with this recession looming over everyone’s head they will have quite a time making heads or tails of the future. So why try to create the future if you don’t know what will happen? That comes with the territory of blogging and website that are 2.0. It’s a hit or miss when it comes to people finding the best content and sometimes finds the worst content. This is where you as a reader have to choice what to listen to and who to listen too. I don’t say that will be easy but it is essential in finding what you need at the time you need it.

If we don’t do anything, this will be the last you will see of some of these big name sites. We need to gather around them and show our support, by reading there content and providing feedback if there is something that needs to be change. That is your power to help these websites become the best they can. So go comment on your favorite website, tell them something you think they can do to better the content. So why aren’t you doing that now?