Another Word for Nerd

For Sale: Sony Vaio Picturebook PCG-181P “netbook”

mrbill — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 02:26:56 +0000

This was Amy’s laptop a year ago, and I just want to get it out of the house.

Sony Vaio Picturebook PCG-181P
733Mhz Transmeta Crusoe TM5800 CPU
1280×600 LCD (no dead pixels)
384M RAM, 20G hard drive
Built-in Webcam & Memory Stick reader, 1 USB port
Windows XP Pro w/SP3 installed
Sony drivers & utility installers installed, included in folder on HD
Linksys PCMCIA wireless card included
Two AC adapters – Sony factory one and an “iGo” universal model

$150 plus shipping. Email me if interested.

More pictures here.

Upcoming Review: Rhodia Webnotebook

mrbill — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 04:05:38 +0000

After I have enough time to finish the review of the Clairefontaine “Basics” notebook, I’ll be giving my opinions on this:

The new Rhodia “Webnotebook” that uses 90g Clairefontaine paper. I purchased it from The Daily Planner.

Depending on how much I like it, this may replace my last Moleskine, one that I purchased in 2004 and is pretty beat up but not full yet.

Dell Mini 9 Hackintosh

mrbill — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 00:32:14 +0000

Thanks to a kind soul, I’ve been fiddling around with this since earlier this week:

A Dell Mini 9, refurb from the Dell Outlet. 1024×600 screen, 16G solid-state disk, and an Atom N270 CPU. I’ve upgraded it to 2G of RAM, and just today installed the “US-International” keyboard to have a more “standard” layout.

I used this method to install Mac OS X on the system. It runs great – for the sort of things that I use it for, the performance is just as good (not as fast, but “just as good”) as my circa-2006 Core Duo 13″ MacBook.

Apple does not condone “hackintoshing”, but I would buy an Apple portable in this form factor if they would release one. I’ve owned thirteen different Apple systems in the past ten years.

The Mini 9 was discontinued a few weeks ago, but Dell replaced it with the Mini 10v. Three guys from my Masonic lodge have now ordered Mini 10v systems after seeing my Mini 9 earlier this week.

Maybe I need an intervention

mrbill — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 04:09:16 +0000

Is there a 12-step program for people who like color variety?

My fountain pen ink collection:

Noodler’s:

Vintage Parker Quink Blue-Black:

I guess it’s official.

mrbill — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 02:33:57 +0000

My certified copies of Amy’s death certificate arrived today.

I miss things like human touch, hugs, or someone asking me how my day went when I get home from work.

More pictures from Gray Lodge

mrbill — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 08:30:44 +0000

Today I was the designated picture-taker for the Installation of Officers at Gray Lodge #329 for the 2009-2010 year. One of the Brothers brought his Nikon D60, and I used it instead of my Canon S3 IS. This was my first time using a SLR camera, and I’m smitten.

The pictures are here. I took right around 300 pictures, and ended up keeping most of them.

Now I really really want a Nikon D40, but can’t afford one for 2-3 years.

Pen/Ink/Paper Reviews and such will continue this week

mrbill — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 05:49:10 +0000

I’m going to try to get the Moleskines shipped out this week, and get the promised “long term” review of the Clairefontaine “Basics” notebook up in some fashion or form.

I hope it’s understandable that I’ve had some extenuating circumstances over the past couple of weeks that took priority over everything else.

It’s. Just. Not. My. Day.

mrbill — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 15:20:56 +0000

Sitting here last night on the computer, and my 1KW APC UPS starts beeping. I look over and it’s claiming “OVERLOAD”, although it has less of a load on it than it has supported for the past year.

I ended up having to completely unhook it and use a power outlet strip in its place temporarily. Why does the expensive stuff have to die at times like this when I can’t afford to replace it?

Please feel free to harass me

mrbill — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 02:59:02 +0000

My mother goes home tomorrow morning, so Friday night will be the first evening I’ve spent in this house alone since Amy’s passing.

Please feel free to harass me via Twitter, IM, Facebook, Myspace, and email. I’ll need it.

Morbid Books about losing a spouse

mrbill — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 16:41:08 +0000

Currently accepting donations of books about “what to do when your spouse dies”. I’ll give them critical, sarcastic reviews.

http://wishlist.mrbill.net