Anyone want to help me kill my computer?
Monday, January 16, 2006 by lifehappens | Discussion: Personal Computing
I have Vonage and get phone service without interuption, so I know the modem and router are working fine. But somewhere between the router and the computer it all goes to heck. The computer says I have a LAN connection, but I can't access the internet. The only think that works is turning everything off and rebooting....to include unplugging the modem and router.
I've tried everythingk I know to figure out the problem. Sometimes i get a warning that no IP connection can be established and than other times I see a warning about a gateway. i am very frustrated. HELP!
And for bonus credit, I could use advice on whether I really need to upgrade. I run Adobe Photoshop CS2 and I'm locking up the computer constantly. I've tried to not mulittask too much, but I'm still running very slow. I have 1gig of ddrsdram and a 200 gb hd I have an AMD Athlon 64 3400+ (Emachines T6520) Do I really need a new graphics card and more Ram? I know I have 2 512 sticks so I'd have to buy 1 gig sticks and lose out on the money I paid for the 512s.......right?
I confess, I'm an idiot when it comes to the magic workings of computers....I know they work, I'm just not big on knowing how. But if you could explain it to me or give me an affordable recomendation.....I'd really be grateful.
PART 3 -My windowblinds Anti-Tutorial Tutorial
Po' Frames
Saturday, January 14, 2006 by PoSmedley | Discussion: WindowBlinds Tutorials
What I Didn't Know-
The WB5 version of SKINSTUDIO allows you to make skins for WB5 AND previous versions of WB. Well, I knew that. What I didn't know is that you can make a skin for either version, say...you don't want to get mixed up in all the new stuff v5 has to offer and you want to keep it simple...or you want to make a skin only WB5 can run. OR make one skin that works well in both. This last one is the rub.
If you want to make a skin that works for both and or all...you essentially have to make 2 copies of everything for the WINDOW FRAME/BORDERS. (See opening statement..only talking about the frame here)
Having gotten frustrated trying to work with MagicPink on my STARTMENU, I decided to try TGA and PNG format, being under the impresion that I would NOT need the MagicPink. Which I wouldn't...IF...
I were making JUST a wb5 skin.
What I tried to do was this..(I told you I would flaunt my errors..lol) I attempted to use PNG and TGA formats in the WRONG skin format. If you are not making a WB5 skin, you will have to use the MagicPink for your frame. Here is a pic of what I kept getting.
That was trying to use TGA. When I tried to use PNG, I got a little black corner instead of a white one. For anyone using MagicPink and getting a pink corner...stick with ME, I'll get to that.
Now, after some whining and tylenol..it was explained to me that TGA and PNG were for the WB5 skins when making the frame. In SkinStudio's preview window, there are 4 sub-pre-views in the dropdown menu. Idiot I am, assumed they just SHOWED your skin in different states. And they do! But they are also there to APPLY AND/OR/EDIT your images for each of those states.
So I scrapped my mess and started a new one (skin, not mess. Not yet, anyway). I used PNG's in the per-pixel states as applies to WB5.
As you can see, the corner is much better. (This is the same template as previous image, just different color)
To do the same skin for versions previous to WB5, I will have to go back to BMP and MagicPink..but I can include both versions in the same wb file.
There are some differences in making the images,(You can save your files as PNG's in your Image Editor...SKINSTUDIO will convert them to TGA for you!) and I strongly urge you to read the following tutorial several times to understand this. Plus, it will make clearer what I have said here.>>Link
Now if you are still with me...
Those pesky corners and such in the frames. No matter what format you are working in...pixel, pixel, pixel...MagicPink, TGA,PNG, or BMP...pixel, pixel, pixel.
As I was advised when I started this..PIXEL BY PIXEL.
Let me put it this way...BE THE PIXEL!
You can easily skip over this and that, a detail here and there..etc. IT WILL show in the end and you WON"T like it. You might TELL yourself you do, but you won't.
My Pixel Problems-
Look at the right edge of my image. See how it's slightly transparent. You won't notice it unless you zoom in on it in whatever image program you use. But you will notice it when you try to use it in your skin. Like here...
I couldn't understand why I was getting that white line when my I set my margins correctly.
To correct this I have tried 2 different things. This is where the pro's may cringe and say 'There's a better way" and I hope they will let us know in this thread if there is. What I did was either go pixel by pixel with my eraser...OR..duplicate the layer. Both worked, depending on waht I image I was working on. Sometimes just 'sharpening the edegs will work'.
Now, I have been 'cutting' my images with a template. Look at this...
See that shadow around the top bar...that kept screwing up my cuts, often creating the semi-transparent pixels like in the previous image.
The fix..(which may be VERY common knowledge...but wasn't for me as I am still learning with Photoshop)...when you create your drawing your template files and you set the size for the image, enable the 'snap to pixel' and your image will come out with edges like in the bottom bar.
Finally...and I'm sorry, I must have deleted the images I would have used for this. When working with MagicPink and you get those pink corners and edges...open the image back up in you image editing program and get in close. The SLIGHTEST varience in that 255/0/255 setting will show. Sometimes the effects (ie, shadows, outer/inner glow, etc) can be MagicPinks enemy. A little outterglow bleed over and it's not true MagicPink anymore.
So, you get in there on those corners and go PIXEL BY PIXEL with that pencil or brush set at 1px. Can't get to that one in the corner or the edge...make a new layer, make your square, and scale it to fit if you have to.
Last time...BE THE PIXEL! Take the extra 5 minutes on an image and check those edges. It's almost amazing how a few changes on a few pixels makes such a difference when you reapply it to the skin.
I don't know if I have helped anyone, so as always, feedback is welcome. And I aplogize for my lack of knowledge in what could have been better terminology and wording on the technichal stuff. I will leave it to the experienced people to fill in what I may have missed. For their help and info I have provided here, I would like to thank Boopish, Bushman, and Night Train. If I left anyone out, I apologize.
PowerUser.TV scoop: Microsoft confirms Aero glass for Vista
Windows Vista user interface finalized
Tuesday, January 10, 2006 by Draginol | Discussion: Personal Computing
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Back in 2001 Microsoft's early betas of Windows XP contained a user interface dubbed "Watercolor". But only months before the operating system shipped Microsoft completely replaced it with an entirely different look and feel called "Luna" which became known as "Windows XP Style". |
Adobe Provides Beta Lightroom App.
Monday, January 9, 2006 by Patriots | Discussion: WinCustomize Talk
Don't know if anyone has posted this yet. So, thought I would. Adobe provides Public Beta of Lightroom Application for Photographers.
The new application is designed to meet the workflow requirements of professional digital photographers and complement the abilities of Photoshop.
Check it out
Budget Cards - Sometimes You Get What You Pay For
Sunday, January 8, 2006 by LittleBearJason | Discussion: nVidia
I thought this would be fine as an upgrade to play older games , and improve overall system performance. Yes and No. While it has nice things such as digital vibrance controls , and improved TV Tuner and video playback image quality , its sad to say that my built in graphics (Intel 865G) Perfoms way better in games then this card did. I guess it has mainly to do with the PCI and 32 bit memory interface on this video card I bought. The price was $41 after shipping and tax. So while this was a cheap upgrade , this was also a bit of a let down. Its no big deal , I guess I was expecting more. Just shows in this case you definently get what you paid for
CES: The show in pictures..
The sights, the sounds, the noise!
Friday, January 6, 2006 by Frogboy | Discussion: Personal Computing
It's been quite a show. CES is a computer nerd's dream. Every kind of gadget and gizmo you could imagine is there.
Outside the show there was a Microsoft tent that looked pretty cool. Windows Vista is EVERYWHERE and looking fine.
Another look from outside.
1080p TVs were everywhere.
Several members from the Windows community there. Neowin.net, TweakXP.com, OSNN, Bink, Longhorn blogs, and more.
Chris Pirillo and Jen from Microsoft. Sure, I stole Chris's chair but my feet were sore.
Las Vegas!
Pretty lights..
CES: Brad's Day 2 adventures
And hangovers
Friday, January 6, 2006 by Frogboy | Discussion: Personal Computing
For me, the big thing is being able to record HD content from various sources and save it to a hard drive or stream to other places in the house. The UI is very slick and if you have an XBOX 360 then all the better.
My travels did lead to some sight seeing after the show. Jed Rose (one of the masterminds behind bringing in various Windows communities to the show) set up a number of really impressive gatherings for the various net community leaders who were there.
Steve and Marcel from Neowin were there. Nate from Betanews was around. Robert from Longhorn blogs was also there and of course Chris Pirillo who has dyed his hair red!
Kristin Hatcher from PowerUser.TV was also there. We decided we may need to get headphone based microphones for the podcast at the Microsoft booth so that we can all hear each other talk.
Now, if I can just recover from the world trying to spin. Oye.
CES: Gates owns Balmer on Xbox
Heh.
Wednesday, January 4, 2006 by Frogboy | Discussion: Personal Computing
Bill Gates CES keynote summary
The future is gadgety!
Wednesday, January 4, 2006 by Frogboy | Discussion: Personal Computing
Tonight Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates presented the keynote address here at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas. WinCustomize.com is there in the press room blogging live from the event right now!
Windows Vista as well as gives a vision on how personal computing technology will go in the future.
During his demo, Mr. Gates was able to integrate his information and data seamlessly across a cell phone, tablet PC, and his desktop PC that was connected to a 40 inch monitor that divided the display into 3 work areas.
During the upcoming announcements, Microsoft showed up the new Windows Media Player which is a lot cleaner than previous versions. The next Windows Vista explorer provides a host of useful features for modifying data such as being able to crop and do basic editing on images without having to load a graphics editing package.
Internet Explorer 7 was shown off with its Firefox-like tabs but with some very interesting twists.
Much of the push on Windows Vista so far has highlighted a cleaner, faster, more polished look combined with a heavily revamped plumbing underneath. GDI and the myriad of vulnerable networking APIs are gone and replaced with a new architecture.
Those who were worried that Vista was just Windows XP with a new look have nothing to fear, it's a very definite change for better.
Keep an eye on the coverage in the Articles tab here on WinCustomize.com
CES Day 1 report
Consumer Electronics Show!
Wednesday, January 4, 2006 by Frogboy | Discussion: Personal Computing
Survived the trip to Las Vegas. I hate traveling. And being cramped in a seat for 4 hours is no fun. To small too tight fitting to be comfortable with. Which brings me to a related issue - young overweight females should not wear tight fitting shirts that don't cover their bodies completely. It's yucky, gross, and just wrong.
As soon as we got to the hotel, ran into Steve and Marcel (Neowin admins) along with other friends from the community. Went to the Vista lab with them and the others to get the latest goodies on Windows Vista. A lot of it is under NDA but Microsoft certainly has an ambitious vision going on.
It's ironic but Microsoft has a mockup of IE7 that is clean and simple -- what people really want. They use the mockup to display screenshots of web pages. I wish they'd replace IE7's UI with that.
My cell phone died yesterday which really really stinks. And the hotel I'm in has no internet access unbelievably. Normally I'd just hook in my SprintPCS Samsung A800 multimedia phone to the laptop and voila. But without that cell phone, I'm somewhat crippled.
I will try to find a way to get a better phone or some internet solution. After all I'm at CES.