[mdlug] President's mail bag - Store to offer Linux preinstalled
ebradley01 at wowway.com
ebradley01 at wowway.com
Fri Jun 1 13:10:40 EDT 2007
<snip>
We are also considering offering preloaded laptops. Currently
I have an Ubuntu 7.04 system decked out with the full Compiz/Beryl 3D
desktop. The reaction to it has been overwhelmingly positive. It is
helping to show that Linux is ready for home use.
The Sytem Specs are:
AMD Athlon 64 3200+
1 GB DDR2 Memory
80 GB SATA2 Hard Drive
18X Dual Layer DVD Burner
MSI Nvidia 7300GT PCIe Card
We are selling the system for $399.
</snip>
This seems like a really good deal to me...at least, when taken at face-value.
Anything other than the above specs that should be considered when pricing a
laptop for general usage purposes? (Internet, email, multimedia playback, no
games...)
Just looking to get everyone's opinion...
Evan
--
"The road of life is rocky, and you may stumble too. So while you point your
finger; someone else is judging you." --Bob Marley
---------- Original Message -----------
From: mdlug-request at mdlug.org
To: mdlug at mdlug.org
Sent: Fri, 01 Jun 2007 12:00:01 -0400
Subject: mdlug Digest, Vol 10, Issue 1
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> Today's Topics:
>
> 1. Converting DVDs to play on a Palm (Ingles, Raymond)
> 2. President's mail bag - Store to offer Linux preinstalled
> (Raymond McLaughlin)
> 3. Forget Perl, I'm switching to LOLCODE! (Wolfger)
> 4. Re: Forget Perl, I'm switching to LOLCODE! (Robert Adkins)
> 5. Re: Forget Perl, I'm switching to LOLCODE! (Michael Corral)
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Message: 1
> Date: Thu, 31 May 2007 18:03:18 -0400
> From: "Ingles, Raymond" <Raymond.Ingles at compuware.com>
> Subject: [mdlug] Converting DVDs to play on a Palm
> To: "Mdlug (E-mail)" <mdlug at mdlug.org>
> Message-ID:
> <41C33488FEC67C43BC564F5F086C21FF03A33DAB at nasa-dtw-ex001.nasa.cpwr.corp>
>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
>
> I got a spare 512MB SD card and decided to try this out, since I'd
> heard of people doing it. So, I did some googling and put together a
> script or two to handle this.
>
> Basically, you use "mencoder" to read the DVD and convert it to
> DIVX format, scaling the video to fit the 320x320 screen. I also
> compress the audio to 128Kbit MP3 format, since I don't need a Dolby
> soundtrack. :-> I've had very good results with a 224Mbit/sec video
> rate. It looks quite good on the screen, better than VHS (certainly
> richer color).
>
> Last night I converted the movie "Aliens". It's a 154-minute movie
> in 16x9 format. It converted down to a 320x180 image, and takes up
> 403MB on the card. That took approximately an hour and twenty
> minutes on my dual-2GHz Athlon system. (If I used one-pass encoding
> it would have been about half that.)
>
> I let the movie run all the way through (two hours and 34 minutes)
> today as the Treo 650 sat on my desk as I worked (with the sound
> muted) and my battery went from 99% to 77%. Not bad.
>
> It's a toy, sure, but might be fun on a long trip. I could fit five
> or six half-hour TV shows on my card easily. Anyway, if anyone's
> interested, the script I use is below.
>
> Sincerely,
>
> Ray Ingles (313) 227-2317
>
> "Computers let you make more mistakes faster than any other
> invention in human history, with the possible exception of
> handguns and tequila." - Mitch Radcliffe
>
> ---begin dvd2palm.sh---
> #!/bin/sh
>
> # Converts DVDs to AVI files suitable for viewing on a Palm w/TCPMP
>
> # If you're skipping frames, increase FPS. If duplicating, decrease FPS.
> # Usual values are 24000/1001 (23.976), 24, 25 (PAL), 30000/1001 (29.97), 30.
> FPS=24000/1001
>
> # My Palm has a 320x320 screen. If you have a 480x320 screen, try "480" here.
> SCALEW=320
>
> # Set audio mode - these are arranged in decreasing order of likelyhood
> # to sync properly
>
> # Full AC3 audio, takes up a fair amount of space.
> #AUDIO=copy
> # Constant bit rate MP3, the 'br' field sets the bit rate
> AUDIO="mp3lame -lameopts cbr:br=128"
> # Average bit rate MP3, the 'br' field sets the bit rate
> #AUDIO="mp3lame -lameopts abr:br=128"
> # Variable bit rate MP3, sometimes has sync problems
> #AUDIO="mp3lame -lameopts vbr=3"
>
> # Set crop, if needed
> # Get these numbers by running the command: mplayer -ss 60 -vf
scale=320:-2,cropdetect dvd://[track number]
> #CROP=",crop=320:160:0:28"
>
> # For mixed progressive/telecined content
> #PULLUP=",pullup,softskip"
>
> # Set video bit rate, feel free to experiment here to see what fits
> VBITRATE=224
> #VBITRATE=336
> #VBITRATE=448
>
> # Use DIVX
> DIVX="-ffourcc divx"
>
> # These are the key parameters we gotta have from the user.
> # Spaces in the output file name are probably not a good idea.
> DVDTITLE=$1
> NEWNAME=$2.avi
>
> # These are optional parameters that can be tweaked but have default values.
> # You might want to change the default to match your system.
> DVDDEV=${3:-"/dev/dvd"}
> # 128 is the default audio track on a DVD, usually
> AUDIOTRACK=${4:-128}
>
> # Make sure we got the minimum info needed.
> if [ -z "${DVDTITLE}" -o -z "$2" ]; then
> echo "Usage: " $0 " dvd-title output-name [dvd-device] [audio-
> track]" exit -1 fi
>
> # Just in case one's left over from a previous encoding run.
> rm -rf divx2pass.log
>
> # Two-pass encoding, takes longer but produces best quality for a given bitrate
> mencoder -dvd-device ${DVDDEV} dvd://${DVDTITLE} -aid ${AUDIOTRACK} -
> ovc lavc -lavcopts vcodec=mpeg4:vpass=1:vbi trate=${VBITRATE} -ofps
> ${FPS} ${DIVX} -oac ${AUDIO} -vf scale=${SCALEW}:-2${CROP}${PULLUP} -
> o /dev/null
>
> mencoder -dvd-device ${DVDDEV} dvd://${DVDTITLE} -aid ${AUDIOTRACK} -
> ovc lavc -lavcopts vcodec=mpeg4:vpass=2:vbi trate=${VBITRATE} -ofps
> ${FPS} ${DIVX} -oac ${AUDIO} -vf scale=${SCALEW}:-2${CROP}${PULLUP} -
> o ${NEWNAME}
>
> # Clean up after ourselves.
> rm -rf divx2pass.log
> ----end dvd2palm.sh----
>
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> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 2
> Date: Thu, 31 May 2007 23:45:25 -0400
> From: Raymond McLaughlin <driveray at ameritech.net>
> Subject: [mdlug] President's mail bag - Store to offer Linux
> preinstalled
> To: "mdlug at mdlug.org" <mdlug at mdlug.org>
> Message-ID: <465F9655.8010007 at ameritech.net>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
>
> Mr. Hughs,
>
> Thank you for contacting me. I find your idea both intriguing and
> exciting. Right now I am swamped with other pressing business, but I
> hope to be able to provide more extensive input in the next few weeks.
>
> For the time being I will pass your letter on to our membership. I must
> tell you that Computer Builders Warehouse got something of a bad
> reputation in our group a couple of years ago. If I recall they were
> promoting questionable MS 'facts' of some sort. I don't recall the
> details off hand. Your project could go a long ways toward changing this.
>
> I hope to be able to drop by your store some time in the next few weeks.
> Is there any chance that your store could accommodate a "mini
> meeting" of about a dozen people? Just a thought. In the mean time I
> suggest that you join one or more of our mailing lists to get an
> idea of our group's inclinations. Be warned that purely commercial
> postings are considered spam, and greatly frowned upon.
>
> I hope to see you soon
> Raymond McLaughlin
> President MDLUG
>
> Rich Hughes wrote:
> > >
> > > Hello Mr. McLaughlin,
> > >
> > > My name is Rich Hughes, I manage the Computer Builders Warehouse store
> > > inside Great Lakes Crossing. I also run www.linuxtechdaily.com
> > > <http://www.linuxtechdaily.com> and have written for other Linux
> websites.
> > >
> > > I'm writing to announce to you and your group that my store in Great
> > > Lakes Crossing has been approved for a pilot program, offering Linux
> > > based systems. If it is successful it will expand to our other
> > > locations. We are also considering offering preloaded laptops. Currently
> > > I have an Ubuntu 7.04 system decked out with the full Compiz/Beryl 3D
> > > desktop. The reaction to it has been overwhelmingly positive. It is
> > > helping to show that Linux is ready for home use.
> > >
> > > The Sytem Specs are:
> > > AMD Athlon 64 3200+
> > > 1 GB DDR2 Memory
> > > 80 GB SATA2 Hard Drive
> > > 18X Dual Layer DVD Burner
> > > MSI Nvidia 7300GT PCIe Card
> > >
> > > We are selling the system for $399. We have the ability to custom build
> > > any system and load any version of Linux on it, but are trying this
> > > combo out to see how it does. I believe our non-propriatery, open
> > > architecture systems are a perfect match for Free Software.
> > >
> > > Frankly, I'm asking for MDLUG's support. I think there is enormous
> > > potential for success here. With the failure of Vista, and the strides
> > > Linux is making, I think now is the time. I'd love to get your members
> > > out here into the store to check out this system.
> > >
> > > I'm also interested in feedback in what systems people might be
> > > interested in. Distro, system specs, etc...
> > > If anyone wants to check out our website www.cbwstores.com
> > > <http://www.cbwstores.com> , look at our stock and let me know what they
> > > would be interested in, I'd be happy to email back a coupon. My email is
> > > rhughes at cbwstores.com <mailto:rhughes at cbwstores.com> .
> > >
> > > I appreciate your time, I hope your group gets excited about this. I
> > > think it is a great opportunity for the community, and for our stores.
> > > Feel free to call at any time or drop me an email.
> > >
> > > Thank You,
> > >
> > > Rich Hughes
> > > Store Manager
> > >
> > > Computer Builders Warehouse
> > > Great Lakes Crossing
> > > 4354 Baldwin Road - Ste. 708
> > > Auburn Hills, MI 48326
> > > Tel: (248) 334-3061
> > > Fax: (248) 334-5373
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 3
> Date: Fri, 1 Jun 2007 07:32:17 -0400
> From: Wolfger <wolfger at gmail.com>
> Subject: [mdlug] Forget Perl, I'm switching to LOLCODE!
> To: "MDLUG Main" <mdlug at mdlug.org>
> Message-ID:
> <3b00b3330706010432q6a974415r469a306223debc4c at mail.gmail.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
>
> http://lolcode.com/home
>
> --
> Wolfger
> http://wolfger.wordpress.com/
> http://1fjordaroad.wordpress.com/
> AOL IM: wolf4coyot
> Yahoo!Messenger: wolfgersilberbaer
> Skype: wolfger88
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 4
> Date: Fri, 01 Jun 2007 08:41:06 -0400
> From: Robert Adkins <radkins at impelind.com>
> Subject: Re: [mdlug] Forget Perl, I'm switching to LOLCODE!
> To: MDLUG's Main discussion list <mdlug at mdlug.org>
> Message-ID: <466013E2.2000208 at impelind.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
>
> Is it wrong that I actually understand the "code"?
>
> Wolfger wrote:
> > http://lolcode.com/home
> >
> >
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 5
> Date: Fri, 1 Jun 2007 10:35:59 -0400 (Eastern Daylight Time)
> From: Michael Corral <micorral at comcast.net>
> Subject: Re: [mdlug] Forget Perl, I'm switching to LOLCODE!
> To: MDLUG <mdlug at mdlug.org>
> Message-ID:
> <Pine.WNT.4.64.0706011034140.2540 at w2zzzp0601.amer.corp.eds.com>
> Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII; format=flowed
>
> Wolfger a ecrit:
> > http://lolcode.com/home
>
> Well, it is more readable...
>
> Michael
>
> ------------------------------
>
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