It's Boogie Time!

Media players come in many wrappings and selections. Their main purpose is to play music and some make a good effort to handle video too. Every human has his own likes in tonal quality, timbre, mix, audible range, etc. You have to play around with each interface and find what meets your needs and suits your nature.

Windows Media Player is the most popular. You'll know why a few sentences down. Make sure you have the latest version that matches your operating system. Also, do updates. You don't have to worry about downnloading it, the WMP comes installed on Windows automatically. Now you see why it hits the top of the list? This is a great player, the later the version the better. It's ability to seek is very good and playback quality is very, very good. Be forewarned; This player uses a lot of resources. Make sure you have enough memory and CPU if you want to play music in the background while gaming. It's a hoot to see how your favorite tunes will match your game of choice!

JetAudio has had many loyal users for quite some time and will work on all Windows platforms from 98 through Windows 7. The sound quality is outstanding. It's not much of a resource hog either. A feature that makes this player stand out is its sound effects. Not only do they work, Cross-fader, Reverb and Wide Sound can really enhance listening. Start small and slowly when using these tools. Have fun and see what results you get. Nice interface too.

Winamp is another player that has been around for a while. Many like its file system while others like all the neat "skins" available. One neat feature is that Winamp can track your listening history. This could be useful on several levels. This is one of the oldest players around and has proven worthy in sound quality and ease of use.

Songbird is an open source extremely versatile media player. As are many open source applications this will work across Windows, Linux, Apple, etc. It even works on some cell phones. This is a neatly constructed site and something that may interest all you iDarthphone and Crackberry users. Still playing with it. More later. Used it? Tell me about it in the comments.

I have to mention Quicktime and iTunes. Many people like the iTunes filing system, but, sorry, the sound quality won't even come close to many others. No need to fuss at me and there's no need to offer links. If you are an Apple person you have all this information. Personally I think the WMP filing system blows iTunes away. Remember, this is just one man's opinion.

Download at your own risk. Don't whine to me if you mess something up. Always be on the lookout for malware, READ the Privacy agreements. I know many have been left out. This post is meant to get you curious. If you have a favorite please comment and let us know! Online streaming radio is a discussion for another time. We will talk about Pandora, etc. at a later date.

"Billy Gibbons often uses a peso instead of a guitar pick for his guitar. The peso helps produce a distinctive chirping sound which can be heard on La Grange as well as other songs. Drummer Frank Beard, curiously, is the only band member who does not wear a beard. ZZ Top is the only known American rock band to have the same main band members (3) for a over 35 years."
~ZZ Top trivia

He's Not Back; He Never Left (It's a Guild Wars Thangy)

In the words of Oliver Hardy, "Well, well, well." Contrary to popular belief, my Necromancer Prime is back and busting some asses. Ashy and I sat for less than 1/2 hour and reminisced about old builds and I remembered my Mancer #2 (Nightspore Tormance) being a strong Soul/Rit. After a few wiki investigations and several thousand virtual coins later Maskull Tor is back on track living a larger health bar and fighting with a heart as cold as Arctic ice. Well, well, well. The naysayers and doubting Thomas's must not have read the last line of the first paragraph in just this last Thursday's post. It very plainly says, "My mancer WILL survive."

Sometimes these whine-fests are venting and sometime they happen because I don't like that cretin Izzy. In spite of his lardass-ship I'll achieve all titles with Maskull Tor if the Good Lord is willin' to let me have that much time. I still challenge the Iz-puke to a boxing match with all proceeds going to a great charity like St Jude's phenomenal research that helps cure diseases that take our little ones. He's probably got at least 100lbs on me. I have not an ass hat, but an ass sombrero waiting for him.

Ashy. Thanks for a great assist. Couldn't have done it without you. Us old ones can still conspire, lol!

"Worry ducks when purpose flies overhead."
~C. Astrid Weber

Ahhhh Fridays!

Hope everyone's Friday is TGI. Trying to schedule my weekend, but non-answer of phone calls is making the agenda change. Was gonna' get several things done, but may just get away and finish priorities. Pulled the back out again about 4:00AM and just now able to walk upright. Guess I shouldn't have thrown that old computer carcass across the shop, lol. Looking for a backplate for Mudslingr and a Northbridge fan for Red Dragon. Thought I might have both. Of course neither part was available. Will be extremely busy this weekend, but taking all calls. Have had to cancel several things so I can be ALONE and resolve several PC and network issues. If y'all will hang in there it'll make things smoother for me and more can be accomplished. Please, no unannounced visits. Besides there's a good chance I might be out (hmmmm, that has several meanings).

Guild Wars ppl, here's my post on the discussion page about this week's upgrades and downgrades (i.e., Demonic Flesh) on the guildwars.com wiki:

Finally find a great blood build and they absolutely demolish the core skill. Worst nerf for Necros since they limited minions to 10.--Dockvudu 20:44, 26 February 2010 (UTC)

Hang in there, we're all in this together.

"You've got a lot of choices. If getting out of bed in the morning is a chore and you're not smiling on a regular basis, try another choice."
~Steven D. Woodhull

EDIT: Is anyone else hearing voice over ads when on the guildwiki-wiki? Very irritating...

Guild Wars Rant

Have a theory - Nerf of Demonic Flesh = Izzy. They come out with a long explanation about making blood mancers stronger and absolutely kill our best skill!!! Doesn't matter if it's not Izzy the PvP Nancy. And please DON'T try to console me with suggested subs. Yuck! So now I have to basically abandon something that has worked well and rack my feeble brain. It's been racked enough this week. Don't know what I am talking about? Look at your GW updates today. My mancer WILL survive!

Enough.

"The above emoticon is for Izzy and all the other 'rocket scientists' that participated in the nerfing."
~Billy Wobblynife

Hey Big Man, Lemme Hold a Dolla'!

Today was a long one. Actually resolved some problems and should catch up over the weekend. It'll involve some travel, but trying to pull out of a financial abyss is tough. Isn't it? My laptop's age is hurting some of my capability, but so far I've been lucky. Thinking about putting that mayonnaise jar, with the slot in the top, back on the veranda. All contributions accepted. There will be no withdrawals. Let's see, think I will call it the poor and pitiful whine of laptop fund. PAPWOLF. Does it pop? Of course it will be an empty Blue Plate jar.

As you can tell it's time for rest. Later.

"(v. t.) To ask from with earnestness; to make petition to; to apply to for obtaining something; as, to solicit person for alms."
~Definition of Solicit

Guild Wars Spoiler (Sorta')

To all fellow Guild Wars players: You might be interested in this link. Thanks goes out Forest Whistler, Ranger Extraordinaire, for a very awesome heads up. Can I get an Amen on Izzy stumbling on his steps and being out of commission? Dude is a complete jerk! And what happened to Regina? Is she dating Izzy now?

Will try to be broader in things tech tomorrow. Late and need to crash. Had an extremely long day and will tomorrow too. All y'all know I love it. Later.

Grease the Treads

WARNING: General Patton uses some profanity'

Chances are you haven't heard anything like this:




WE who have served, salute you! God help you live through your time defending our great country. God help you not get anything purple with George Washington on it. You have my prayers and my utmost respect. Thanks out to Red Dragon (he wears the purple George too) for a great link.

Late Night Notes

Just a short note let everyone know that I am still working on a tutorial for CCleaner. Assembling screen shots, inserting tips on install and usage takes some time. Meanwhile, back in the jungle, I am re-installing Vista Business after saving data then moving data back to a laptop. Thank goodness it's a loaded Toshiba Satellite Pro. Great machine for the business person. So the CCleaner post is on the back burner again. It is coming to Cybersouth soon. Great program, but the initial setup and maintenance is important.

Sleep calls.

"Those who think they have not time for bodily exercise will sooner or later have to find time for illness."
~Edward Stanley

Very hectic week. Working then coming home and crashing. This is not good for the sleep cycle. The phone outage seems to have disappeared. Not losing any calls except those few that have experienced consistent problems in the past. Again, something is back to the sub-normal level, lol.

Just a note FYI. Glad the USA is doing good in the Olympics. Hope to be able to watch some this weekend. Did see interviews with Lindsey Vonn and Shaun White on news. Missed the one with Shani Davis. Go LV, Big Air and Shani!!!!

Gotta hit the tracks early. Later.

"Don't aim for success if you want it; just do what you love and believe in, and it will come naturally."
~David Frost

TV Installation Problems?

On occasion I am asked about home theater. After all these years people in the local area have warmed up to the idea about multi speakers and integration of audio video, computer products into one system to make home movie watching a tremendous experience. Kim Komando has an excellent link about how to set up a system without spending elaborate costs to technicians that usually know how to take things out of their boxes and hook them together then walk off. Folks, that ain;t the way you do it! Not all are that way, but most chain stores utilize this approach. Obtaining the services of a specialist that has recommendations from their clients is a better way to go if you don't want to tackle all the wires. If you are brave enough to try it on your own take a look at My Home Theater. It has many tools including a viewing distance calculator. This may help decide what size screen you need for you home location. I subscribe to Kim's newsletter and get wonderful tips all the time. Check it out.

Long day today. Non functioning cell phone and truck had me doing the freak out dance around the beach house yesterday. Both are now in working order (update: truck has not started - yet). First time in years I've had major phone problems. AT&T was having some issues and I found this out after visiting one of their stores and standing in line. They did test my phone at no charge though. The truck needs major work and it has many band aids on it. Another was wrapped around it yesterday. Money is tight and extremely hard to come by these days. Gosh, can't wait for the next elections. Then you'll see major changes into the hands of sincere, capable people and the existing crew of baboons can go back to making misery on the sidelines instead of at a national level. I despise socialism more every day. Enough. Hope the tips help. Kim's site is great. Be sure and give it a visit!

"I don't know why it is we are in such a hurry to get up when we fall down. You might think we would lie there and rest for a while."
~Max Eastman

Sometimes You Need to Let Go, Sometimes Not

I watched a 747 lift off from the Honolulu airport. This song played on the car radio. It was early and I stood at the end of the runway to be closer to her as she left. Oh God, how my heart hurt and somehow left with that departure. Knowing she'd be there after my last tour in Vietnam, well, it helped me keep that heart pumping

Work through ALL the difficulties of relationships. Screw a bunch of ego. Don't you think this is a Music Monday that is great to follow Valentine's Day?

Love enough. Never hold back. God will bless you in love...good times and bad times.

"There is no surprise more magical than the surprise of being loved. It is God's finger on man's shoulder."
~Charles Morgan

Give Me the Chocolate

Love, true love is an amazing thing!

"We are all a little weird and life's a little weird, and when we find someone whose weirdness is compatible with ours, we join up with them and fall in mutual weirdness and call it love."
~Easley

Need Your Comments!

Spammers have hit here a few times. BTW, we caught one. Let him off with a warning to not do it again and his ISP is watching. Found him through his ISP after some major vuduing. He made the mistake of coming back to check hits on Cybersouth and the snare worked. Let's just say there are some kewl ISP people in Minnesota. I am adamant about privacy and what is morally right with the web. Please keep commenting. Your input drives this site. It's wayyyy more fun to read the comments I think.

Casual is good for Saturday. Check out the Olympics in Vancouver. Fun stuff and hate to admit it, but NBC is doing a good job with coverage. That network still has too many bleeding heart liberals. Shucks they all do except Fox. Tickles me that Obama is trying to censure the Fox network the same way Hitler did his press opponents. Strong-arm from a Democrat? Hmmmmmmm...think about that. Yuck! Yuck! Yuck!

Later.

"This country has come to feel the same when Congress is in session as when the baby gets hold of a hammer."
~Will Rogers

I Really Really Really Want this Machine

Model
Brand TOSHIBA
Series Qosmio
Model X505-Q860
Part# PQX33U-01G00H
General
Operating System Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
CPU Type Intel Core i5 430M(2.26GHz)
Screen 18.4"
Memory Size 4GB DDR3
Hard Disk 500GB
Optical Drive DVD Super Multi
Graphics Card NVIDIA GeForce GTS 360M
Video Memory 1GB GDDR5
Communication Gigabit LAN and WLAN
Card slot 1 x Express Card
Dimensions 17.40" x 11.60" x 1.63"
Weight 9.70 lbs.
CPU
CPU Type Intel Core i5
CPU Speed 430M(2.26GHz)
Chipset
Chipset Intel PM55
Display
Screen Size 18.4"
Wide Screen Support Yes
Resolution 1680 x 945
LCD Features TruBrite technology
Operating Systems
Operating System Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
Graphics
GPU/VPU NVIDIA GeForce GTS 360M
Video Memory 1GB GDDR5
Graphic Type Dedicated Card
Hard Drive
HDD 500GB
HDD RPM 7200rpm
HDD Interface SATA
HDD Spec TOSHIBA Hard Drive Impact Sensor (3D sensor)
Memory
Memory 4GB
Memory Speed DDR3 1066
Memory Spec 2GB x 2
Memory Type 204-Pin DDR3 SO-DIMM
Memory Slot (Total) 2
Memory Slot (Available) 0
Max Memory Supported 8GB
Optical Drive
Optical Drive Type DVD Super Multi
Optical Drive Interface Integrated
Optical Drive Spec DVD SuperMulti drive with Labelflash supporting 11 formats
Maximum speed and compatibility: CD-ROM (24x), CD-R (24x), CD-RW (24x), DVD-ROM (8x), DVD-R (Single Layer, (8x)), DVD-R (Double Layer, (6x)), DVD-RW (6x), DVD+R (Single Layer, (8x)), DVD+R (Double Layer, (6x)), DVD+RW (8x), DVDRAM (5x)
Use Labelflash media to burn high quality labels directly to disc
Communications
LAN 10/100/1000Mbps
WLAN 802.11b/g/n wireless LAN
Ports
Card Slot 1 x ExpressCard slot (ExpressCard/34 and ExpressCard/54)
USB 4 x USB (3 USB + 1 eSATA/USB combo)
IEEE 1394 1
Video Port RGB (monitor) output port
HDMI-CEC (REGZA LINK)
Audio Ports Yes
Audio
Audio Dolby Home Theater
Speaker Built-in harman/kardon stereo speakers
Input Device
Touchpad Toshiba TouchPad
Keyboard Premium US keyboard
Supplemental Drive
Card Reader Memory Card Reader
Secure Digital, Secure Digital High Capacity, Memory Stick, Memory Stick PRO, Multi Media Card [shared slot]
Webcam Yes
Power
AC Adapter 120W (19V x 6.32A) Auto-sensing ,100-240V/50-60Hz AC Adapter
Battery 12 cell (8000 mAh) Lithium Ion battery pack
Physical spec
Dimensions 17.40" x 11.60" x 1.63"
Weight 9.70 lbs.
Manufacturer Warranty
Parts 1 year limited
Labor 1 year limited



Yes, it's a pipedream, but my laptop is six years old and small problems are beginning to show up. Work is impossible without one. Later, I'd raise the memory to 8gigs. If I find $1200.00 thrown out in my front yard I'll order it now!!!! That's about the only way a starving beach house tech could upgrade. Remember, I have lost 40lbs!!

"If wishes were horses, beggars would ride."
~John Wayne

Latest Work in Progress

Working on a tutorial with pixs (screenshots) about how to install and use CCleaner Slim. It can be found at Major Geeks. Free download. They do take donations. If you are not familiar with this program wait until I post the tutorial. It'll be a rather long one. Put it this way, this is an excellent program to tear up a computer. So be careful. It's also a great program to keep your hdd clean! As usual, if you download it and screw up don't whine to me. Several background functions need to be set up initially. Great program, but not for the novice - translates noobie.

Have a casual Thursday.

"Never let a computer know you're in a hurry."
~D. Neal Jennings

An Explanation

No, I am not perishing immediately, the Good Lord willin'. Since jw-kit ripped Cybersouth - from the Saltillo Beach House apart a few months ago (without warning) repairs have steadily been underway. The main body is down so I can make some changes. It will be back. I have a cold and am running behind so it will take a few days to finish. My apologies about being abrupt. Writing HTML is not easy at times and Cybersouth is incorporating the new layout format being offered by Google. Please bear with me and everything will return to normal (sub-normal) soon. Posts will reappear, etc. Efforts are being made to recover all the older comments that mysteriously disappeared. Again, sorry about being so short, but was pretty much put out with the js-kit, Haloscan, Echo or whatever they are calling their bowl of idiots today. Thanks for your phone calls and emails. Nice to know that people care.

Now excuse me while I take my ZiCam and see if this fever has dropped. Stay casual...enough stress here for all of us.

Enough

Cybersouth is indefinitely suspended by owner

Ear Heaven

I've used this song before with different people playing and singing. Lee Ritenour is in all of them. He's the guy in the blue shirt playing guitar. This is a star line up of great musicians and by far the best version. Don't miss the last few seconds when Mr. Phil Perry, the lead singer, will blow your socks off with incredible vocal range. One thing about Lee and the musicians that surround him is they are always smiling. Blessed by God I'd say:

Even though this is an up tempo positive song, tears come to eyes from the sheer emotion I feel when hearing music that is this beautiful. This well defines tears of joy. Hope you like it as much as I do. BTW, if you are a Gershwin fan Beagle (she's at the top of the links list) has Rhapsody in Blue posted today. It's awesome.

"My heart, which is so full to overflowing, has often been solaced and refreshed by music when sick and weary."
~Martin Luther

Pandora and the Blue

Wow!!!!!! No this is not a post about the Saints winning the Superbowl. I attended 2001 A Space Odyssey, Star Wars (the real first one in 1977), all the Lord of the Rings movies, and they were movies that had a tremendous impact on the industry. The viewing public too. Earlier today I attended a movie in Corinth, Ms., at the Malco Theater. I refuse to watch any movie in the Cinemark in Tupelo. It's downright nasty. We also have a Malco and I've been there several times. It's not nasty. I still think the one in Corinth is the best. Anyway, got off on a tangent.

James Cameron was born in Canada and made a living driving a truck. His family moved to California and Cameron developed an interest in moviedom. He's had many hits that were blockbusters and is rumored to be hot tempered and hard on cast and crew members. That aside, he has changed movie making and viewing forever. Don't believe me? Go see Avatar in RealD 3D. After sitting for 2 hrs 40 mins we walked out of the theater in awe of what we had just experienced. This is not some cheesy 3D film from the '50s, but a major innovation in movie making. You will truly want to reach out and try to touch things. The plot is good, the pace is exciting, the acting is brilliant and the special effects don't seem like trickery on camera. They seem to be genuine.

If this movie doesn't win major Academy Awards then the Hollywood hafwits that vote should be put on a rocket and shot into the moon. This is by far the best movie going experience to date. It is now my all time favorite movie. Go see it before it leaves the RealD 3D theaters.


"The Possible's slow fuse is lit
By the Imagination."
~Emily Dickinson

Friday FYI

My apologies for not posting. It has been a hectic week. Have the Thursday post drafted and it will show up on Cybersouth soon. I've traveled over 500 miles this week and no need to give details. Thanks out to all that have been concerned about my well being. Your emails and phone calls are always appreciated. Give me some time and everything will be published over the weekend...probably.

TGIF. That means only 2 more days to work this week.

"I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain."
~Frank Herbert, Bene Gesserit Litany, Dune

Some Things Just Don't Make Sense

Please DON'T text me. I am a luddite when it comes to this goofy form of communication. Good Lord! If you have time to punch in a bunch of doodoo on a ridiculously small keypad then put the damn thing to your ear and call me! Sheesh! I hate it. AT&T delivers messages at their own will. The cell communication is so bad on AT&T towers in this area a good friend of mind saw an AT&T tech using a Verizon phone that he admitted was furnished by the company!?!?!?!?!? I may get 5 texts today that were written last week! It infuriates me to receive a plea of help 7 days later knowing they can use the below email address. I never check text, but check email at least 10 times a day.

Either call or use my gmail address. THAT ADDRESS IS cybersouth@gmail.com. C'mon people, it's that easy.

"There is nothing worse than aggressive stupidity."
~Goethe

568A or 568B?

Let's talk about software and hardware. These are two COMPLETELY different worlds. By virtue of the fact that I am trained in the assembly of servers (most use some version of Windows Server software), how to network a TCP/IP Dynamic or Static protocol, assembly of client workstations and the repair of them - this means I am a hardware person. If I could retain all knowledge about operating systems, applications and proprietary software my office would be in Redmond, Washington. The campus of my facility would be larger than that of Microsoft. In plain words no one can know all forms of software. Nor hardware.

Yet, I am a hardware person. I build good machines. They last. Most problems that arise are due to UIC (user in chair). With the advent of reasonable prices from retailers and online suppliers my computer building is limited to servers and higher end gaming machines. Being a hardware person since before Bill Gates ever dreamed of Windows, I have seen a lot of changes down through the past few decades. There is one consistent through all this time. Software people really know nothing about hardware and always try to find fault with equipment instead of admitting their mistakes. There, I said it. Some of them are downright liars. Some go off into the purple haze and will say anything to their clients. A good 95% of software people have horrible attitudes and no respect for their customers.

Ask me a question to which I haven't an answer and I will tell you just that. I don't know the answer. But...I'll do my best to find you an answer. As long as you're polite to me you will be afforded the same in return. If I tell you that something is fact you can take it to the bank. No need to be wishy-washy. If I wanted to be that way the software industry is always calling. I refuse to work at a business that uses more than one network technical firm. Tech companies have different attitudes and many of them work well. There are many approaches to getting the job done not just one.

So the next time you talk to a software geek and a hardware nerd, you'll stand a much better chance of hearing the truth from the latter. Oh yes, the title. 568B is the industry standard for attaching a RJ45 connector to a CAT5 or 6 network cable. 568A is the second alternative. It has to do with how you arrange the 8 wires according to color. Next time you speak to a "mighty" software demi-god ask him to explain the difference. Betcha the hardware person knows!

Now I must finish a server assembly and read up on the PC-BSD operating system. This is my opinion and I am stickin' to it. Hope this helps.

"Every path hath a puddle."
~George Herbert

Phil Say's Another 6 Weeks

Phil's official forecast as read February 2nd, 2010 at sunrise at Gobbler's Knob:

Hear Ye Hear Ye Hear Ye

On Gobbler's Knob on this glorious Groundhog Day, February 2nd, 2010, Punxsutawney Phil, Seer of Seers, Prognosticator of all Prognosticators awoke to the call of President Bill Deeley and greeted his handlers, John Griffiths and Ben Hughes.

After casting a joyful eye towards thousands of his faithful followers, Phil proclaimed, "If you want to know what's next, you must read my text. As the sky shines bright above me, my shadow I see beside me. So six more weeks of winter it will be."

Well, there it is for what it's worth. This was gleaned from Phil's web page. Have a casual Tuesday and don't store away that jacket too soon.

"There's one good thing about snow, it makes your lawn look as nice as your neighbor's."
~Clyde Moore

A Grand Dance It Is...

Gráinne Ní Mháille was an Irish pirate queen noted for her negotiations with Queen Elizabeth I. Her anglicized name was Granuaile which basically interprets to mean short hair. To further confuse things her later name somehow turned into Grace O'Malley. This is probably because people that speak English today have a hard time with Gaelic pronunciations. It is history that she negotiated the release of several Irishmen and had the Bristish appointed governor of Connacht, Richard Bingham, removed from his post. It is rumored she met with Queen Elizabeth not wearing shoes. For some reason this impressed the English Queen. The negotiations were mutually successful. I think this may be why Máiréad Nesbitt is barefooted while playing this song:



Please click on the two above links if you'd like to learn more about the colorful pirate queen or the beautiful violinist in the video. Máiréad Nesbitt is not only a pretty face, she's talented and intelligent. Her's is just as interesting a story as that of Granuaile. At least, it is to me.

"Gaelic: Is maith an scéalaí an aimsir.
Translation: Time is a good story teller.
Meaning: Stories become embellished with time."