Back to the 1980's/1990's

Recently I've come across this really funky artist. He pretty just writes songs with 8-bit tracks. It's truly phenomenal. I would usually just download his stuff rom media fire or youtube, but i realized that this guy did a lot of work. That's why i'm proud to say that I paid $6.00 for his $4.00 album. You can listen to it here. It's really nostalgic. Kind of reminds me of playing NES.

Laptops vs. Desktops

Often times when people are going to buy a new computer, they'll ask me about recommendations. This, and real statistics based off of the 4th Quarter Apple shares from 2010, is how I've learned that laptops control the market. But do they really? Laptops may be for the home, but i can assure that more companies and private industries and especially public companies use desktops. Here's the thing though; as i said in my last post, laptops make no sense to me. They're illogical (for the most part). My opinion on the whole scenario is that laptops are good for the traveling individual. And by traveling, I mean you go out of town more than 3x/year. Other than that, don't waste your money on an electric heat pad. Besides the fact that desktops way out-last laptops, they are more efficient. Especially if you do a lot at home and never travel (like me). For students to buy a laptop computer for use in middle school and high school, that's stupid. You will never benefit from it, and you'll end up leaving it on the couch uncharged, making it inconvenient for everything else. If your in college, Laptops are a must. From what I hear my siblings say, they would be doomed if they couldn't record their classes. But anyway, that's just my input, and this can be argued for hours about which one is better, but personally, i like desktops.

Peace.

Working in the Help Desk

If there's one thing about working in a help desk, it's explaining problems that I don't even comprehend. However, what i've come to realize is that people are so clueless that you can pretty much tell them anything, and they'll buy it as long as it sounds reasonable. Another thing I've iFigured (haha) out is that it's particularly the fact that we have laptops that we have so much. If we had 1,300 desktops, things would surely be better, because, let's face it, desktops are just better machines. I feel bad for anyone who has a laptop as his main computer. That's miserable. If i'm going to waste countless hour behind the screen, i'm going to want a power house with good sound, screen-space, a proper keyboard, and a legit mouse. Think about it.

-SpenceMachine

Why this Article is Wrong

So I kind of raged and went off of the deep end earlier today. Please read this link and then come back and read my response.

I would also like you to comment with your opinions on the subject.

First off, we don't all talk like 8th graders. When we text, we typically use proper English. This guy seems to stereotype all teenagers as stupid kids who don't know how to write. His line about how half of today's students don't read books except when they're made to really bothers me. I'm sure half of the kids of thirty years ago didn't read books, unless they were made to, either. Besides that, there was also a lot less to do around that time period -- of course the internet wasn't even thought about, TV only had 5 channels, and pay phones were still a common thing. "Especially terrifying to me as a professor is the fact that two thirds of college freshmen read for pleasure for less than an hour per week. A third of seniors don’t read for pleasure at all." Well perhaps this is because you load them down with so much crap that they don't have time to read. I've had four old siblings go to college, three of which have already graduated, and I know that they have a busy schedule. College is a lot of work, and they surely aren't going to waste their valuable free time reading useless ish that they can't even comprehend without and English teacher making up excuses for every piece of symbolism in the book (E.g.: The curtains are blue. What your English teacher thinks: 'The curtains represent his immense depression and his lack of will to carry on.' What the author meant: The curtains were blue.). Today's kids don't like reading because it's a waste of time. And who can blame them? With the internet out, why would I read about some made up character, who I don't care about, and who will never exist, whenever I could be sharing information and learning about new technologies online? As a closing remark, from this guys picture, I feel it's logical to say that he is probably a pretty old. If teenagers in this generation don't like reading, then just step back and look in a mirror, buddy, because you raised them.

Thanks, Spencer

Easiest ways to make your computer faster

All the Time i hear the saying, "Well, my computer is too slow to do that," or "Can you make my computer faster?" I've heard it so much in the past week, i finally just broke down and decided to make this blog. I will tell you a few tips to keeps your computer running in good shape. Now, if your computer is more than five years old, this might help you, but i will guarantee it for newer computers.
1 - Remove old programs that you do not use anymore. Especially if they are large and you have a newer version; just be careful not to remove something you didn't mean to remove.

2 - Turn off Start up items. If you've seen this before, it's because it works.

1. Use the System Configuration Utility to safely turn off programs that start-up through the Windows Registry. Access this utility by going to the Start-->Run
2. Type msconfig and press Enter.
3. Under the Startup tab there is a list of all the programs that start in the Windows Registry. By unchecking many of the programs you can speed up the launch time of Windows. Also, have caution when playing with the services tab. This regulates your background tasks. If you want to disable it, just be sure to make sure it's not important before you disable it.

3 - Defrag your hard drive. This usually makes things much faster. You can find MS Disk Defragmenter under Start>All Programs>Accessories>System Tools. Just be warned, defragging your hard drive is a very SLOW process. Try to turn it on before you go to bed. That usually works well.

4 - Make sure your hard drive is in good condition. Please See Here

5 - Clean off your desktop. Slow computers are caused by Slow desktops. Use folders to organize. Also, don't put too many files in just one folder. Use Sub-Folders.

6 - If you've got a few extra bucks around, consider upgrading your ram. It's a very simple process and it by far the best way to make a computer faster without a major overhaul. Ram is usually pretty cheap. Just make sure that if you are running XP, try to get at least 1gb of Ram. 512mb just doesn't cut it, anymore. If you would like to see MY favorite ram website please click here. It has a good reputation and good prices. Most computer builder know of this website.

7 - Make sure you have no viruses. Those things will kill your computer's speed. You can download the AVG free trial. It's great. Google it for a download.

I hope this helps your computer run smoother. If you have any additional ideas, drop me a line. Comment.
--Spencer Chance

Build a Hackintosh for Less than $350 (Including shipping)

Everyone i know wants a Mac, but they all have one thing in common. THE PRICE. The prices this -- blah blah blah... Well, today i will show you how to build a Hackintosh (If you have never heard of the name, see here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OSx86) for less than 350 dollars, including shipping. First off, you need the following. You are free to change what you need, but idk if it will work. I built one with this same configuration, and everything works except for the sleep button (easy solution!!! don't sleep!). Anyway, this is what i configured for a pretty good Hackintosh.

Motherboard: Ecs 945GCT w/1333 FSB (this board can't be overclocked, so get a good processor) For $43
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813135068

Memory or Ram: 2 gigs Crucial memory For $22
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820146526

Processor: 2.8GHz Core 2 Duo For $120
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115206

Case: Linkworld computer case w/front usb For $24
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811164121

Power Supply: Athena 300w Power Supply with SATA connectors for $21
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817338031

Hard drive: 500GB Seagate SATA HD For $65
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148395

DVD/CD Drive: Liteon DVD burner for $21
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106228




For The guide on how to install with this board, visit here. http://www.insanelymac.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=82928

PS -- If you know NOTHING about computers, just buy a Mac. This isn't for you. iT get's pretty technical.

How to make a Frappucinno

There's one time in every persons life when they have been to a coffee store.  If you have have been to CiCi's and the tried the Mochassippi or have been to Starbucks and tried the Frappucinno, you can say they taste very similar.  The first time i had a Frappucinno, I had the Double Chocolaty Chip, and I thought it was great.  That is why today I will say how to make  Frappucino at home because spending $3.78 every day will sure make you go broke.  I mean, if you bought a Frappucino every day for an entire year, that would be about $1,400.  The reason im not posting a Mochassippi is because I don't know the recipe, and prefer a Frappucinno.  Making your own Frappucinno,every day, for an entire year is probably about $150, which is some substantial savings.  And just so everyone knows, I did NOT work at Starbucks or CiCi's.  These are just my home instructions I got from reading some other blogs that said this.  They didn't taste EXACTLY like a Frappucinno, but i tried to get it as close as possible.  

You will need:

1/4 cup of strong coffee or expresso

1/4 cup of milk or skim milk (I use 2%)

1 table spoon of regular white sugar

1 1/2 table spoon of chocolate syrup (I prefer Hersey's)

1-2 Cups of ice

Optional:

About 15-20 Chocolate chips

Whipped Cream

Put everything you need into the blender and blend on high until you can hear the ice stop crunch.  

Top with Whipped cream and Hersey's syrup for extra flavor!