2011-5
31

Hardware: MicroServer Unboxing

Category: Hardware | No Comments

There is nothing quite so cool as getting a gift and unwrapping it.

Same applies to new hardware.

Second only to the thrill of powering it on and using it for the first time is the actual unboxing of the item.

Today I will show you how the HP Microserver is packaged and just how big the machine is in relation to a Coke tin (ok, ok a Coke Light tin).

The Packaging:

As you can see the box has a picture on the side, and then one panel contains information about the system including the serial number and information.  On opening the lid you are greated with both UK and US plugs, as well as documentation on a CD and a quick install guide.  I left mine still sealed – real men don’t read manuals (unless they get stuck) 🙂

There is enough packaging to keep the machine safe and comfortable in the box no matter how far it is being shipped.  The last layer of packaging being removed and it is almost completely exposed.

As you can see the tin of Coke Light is about half the height of the machine.  In case you wondering the blue and yellow behind the grill is just tape securing the drive bays for transport.  A side shot of the machine.

Here you can see the rear of the machine, and the top view.

The machine is just the perfect size, not to small (limiting the upgrade options) nor to big (that it just looks like another PC).

My next post in this series will be on what I loaded and how I went about resurrecting a Windows Home Server that had failed thanks to Seagate Hard Drives.

Till next time…

2011-5
30

Monday Media Mix: Microsoft Adverts

Category: Movies and TV | No Comments

Todays Monday Media Mix is are a whole bunch of Microsoft adverts from over the years, covering a wide range of their products.

Now I have not seen many Microsoft TV adverts locally in South Africa, but in the States it seems like they try pretty hard – sometimes not successfully (the Bill Gates / Seinfeld ads that were canned is one example).

Anyway I hope you enjoy todays ad’s.  I looked for the funny ones…so without waiting any longer, here is todays Monday Media Mix, compliments of YouTube:

 

(1) Microsoft Windows Phone 7 (I better watch out my wife might get me one of these)

[youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHlN21ebeak]

(2) Banned XBox 360 Advert (Apparantly the “violence” and theme were an issue)

[youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ZcNXe20dXI]

(3)  Xbox Life is Short Advert (I remember seeing this one years ago and shows the stages of life)

[youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t6zgQH3tUKk]


(4) Bing.com: Cure for the Search Overload (BING – But It’s Not Google 🙂 )

[youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cAwUUgnBhCU]

 

(5) Unexpected eXPerience – Office XP (Dude – Bing Google “bypass office file password”….)

[youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YEIQN67F9gI]


(6) Microsoft Dog (No it’s not family of Clippy)

[youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOp6v5XKuuI]


(7) Microsoft Flight Simulator X

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUCSzOlCx0c]

 

(Source: YouTube)

 

2011-5
29

Cool Camping “Kombi” Tent

Category: Interesting Finds | 1 Comment

I must admit, the wife and I don’t really camp – in fact we have a 6 man tent still in its box in the wendy house out back, unopened, unused laying there for the last 8 years…

Anyway…

Came across this post about a VW Camper (they used to call them Kombi’s here) styled tent. I must admit if I DID camp I would not mind camping in one of them…

A UK website – Firebox.com – will be selling them from August this year, and yes they offer international shipping…

To quote the website:

If you love music, mud and Mother Nature you’re probably heading to a camp site at some point this summer. But why take shelter in some dull, conventional tent when you can recreate the Summer of Love in the hippie-tastic VW Camper Van Tent.

Officially licensed, this stunning four-man (or lady, natch) tent is a luxe, full-size replica of the iconic 1965 VW Camper Van synonymous with 60s counterculture. It’s so evocative you can almost hear the Mamas and the Papas singing California Dreamin’ every time you feast your eyes on its beautifully breadloaf-ish form. Indeed we half expected Mama Cass to tumble out when we first saw this groovy Vee-Dub. You’ll be the envy of the campsite!

Product Features:

– 1:1 Scale – same size as the original T1 Campervan (1965)
– Officially licensed
– Two zip-separated Double Size rooms
– Doors open, just like on the original
– Fly sheet doors separate inner compartments

Technical Specifications:

– 3000mm x 1000mm Waterproof groundsheet is sewn into the inside of tent
– Sleeps four adults

Contents:

– Tent
– Fly
– Poles
– Ropes & Pegs
– Setup Instructions

Dimensions:

External – measures approximately 398cm(L) x 187cm(H) x 155cm(D)
Internal – measures approximately 388cm(L) x 182.5cm(H) x 145cm(D)
When packed up measures approximately 70cm(L) x 40cm(H) x 40cm(D)
Weighs approximately 12.5kg

Hmmm….almost enough to make me want to go camping 🙂

(Source: Firebox)

2011-5
27

Almost Back…

Category: Eish! | No Comments

From the Eish! DepartmentHave to apologize to if you have been checking in on the blog this week and you have not seen any posts…reason is that the flu virus decided to pay me a visit and from last week Saturday I have not been feeling lekker (“well” for non-Afrikaans readers).

Some may call it Man-Flu, the worse type of flu you can get that strangely only men get; but I really was sick…

I would just like to thank my wife for making sure I had enough tissues / toilet paper and looking after me so well during this trying time – “Man Flu” is not easy to treat.  This while looking after a 3 month old baby and 5 year old that was sick the previous week also with “Boy Flu”.

Also my son for bringing me the Jungle Lite Energy Bars to ensure that when I was awake (and not tripping from the meds and fever of 39.8C),  I could snack without getting out of bed.

And finally my staff – for almost making me believe that I am no longer required at work as they get by quite well without me (and ensuring my office phone was no longer diverted to my cell).

This evening has been the first evening I can sit in front of a PC without toilet paper shoved up both nostrils, and without coughing every 5 minutes, to be able to post something.

Will start posting soon!  In the meantime make sure that you familiarize yourself with Man Flu and the impact it can have on your life…

2011-5
23

Monday Media – Movie Quotes

Category: Movies and TV | No Comments

Today’s Monday Media is dedicated to Movies and the famous quotes that come from them.

Please be warned, not only are some of these clips long (5 minutes+) but some may contain language that you would not want to be playing loud on your office PC  🙂

So here’s todays Monday Media, compliments of YouTube:

1. 160 Greatest Arnold Schwarzenegger Quotes:

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pDxn0Xfqkgw]

2. 100 Best Movie Lines in 200 Seconds:

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9QUT0tweX1M]

3. Famous Movie Quotes:

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hyn8i8AUBLc]

4. The 100 Cheesiest Movie Quotes of All Time:

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mTiAS7cdsYc]

5. The 100 Greatest Movie Insults of All Time:

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSEYXWmEse8]

 

(Source: YouTube]

2011-5
22

Video Game Statistics

Category: Gaming | No Comments

How about this for some interesting stats on video games…

 

Videogame Statistics
(Source: Online Education)