I'm a voracious reader. I'm also not rich. :)
That said, I'll tell ya, I've gotten to love Books-a-million and Amazon.com.
Books-a-million is a chain that often has books on *great* sales (and a decent selection of books in any case.) Books I wouldn't normally pick up, I'll grab there in hardback for as much as, if not cheaper than, a softcover.
For instance, I just went over there. Got my mom one of the Bourne novels (in hardback) that she hadn't seen for $8. Picked up Sandworms of Dune (I just haven't been fond of how they've been "closing" the series, and was going to just skip this one)... for $7, hardback. Picked up a book I'd never heard of ("Mistress of Dragons) for $4, hardback, and some good Terry Pratchett (all pratchett is good) in hardback... also for $7.
Individually? Each of those go for around $25. So, $100 worth of books for just under thirty bucks, and it'll keep me reading for at least a week. (No, I'm not kidding, I will go through them that fast.)
In addition, the people there generally love books - so I got turned on to a new series (well, old series, but new to me - 1983 or so it looks like) called the "Uplift saga" by David Brin. Well, they didn't have it in stock, and I didn't want to spend a lot of money... so Amazon to the rescue. A penny a piece for the first three, plus shipping. Twelve bucks, three books (the first three, there are more.) This after getting my copy of "At dawn we slept" replaced for five (waiting for it to show up) and "Midway," by the same author... also for five bucks.
Reading is important. Literacy is vital. Cheap is awesome.
Friday, July 17, 2009
Friday, July 10, 2009
A tale of two UPSes
So, living in Florida with the utterly crap weather we get (yes, we do - sorry, it's bake or soak, no matter what the brochures say, with a short period of freezing) a UPS (Uninterruptable Power Supply, or Battery backup) was a must-have for me when building my current system.
(It's my gaming system/main system, since upgraded. Basically, every non-notebook system I make is going to have a UPS to go with it.)
At the time... well, initially I figured "Just something to deal with brownouts and minor power drops" would do the trick, so I got a woefully underpowered ... something... from APC. Bad choice on my part - it didn't have the power to really sustain for more than a few seconds, but it was cheap and at the time all I figured I'd need. But this isn't about that - replace the battery (it's a few years old now) and it'll be great for small electronics, routers, phones, etc. No problem.
No, I went out to Best Buy and bought a Geek Squad 875va UPS. Nice display, decent size, and it does work well - I have (depending on what all I'm doing) 10-15 minutes of power. Plenty to wait out most small strikes, shut down gracefully and the like.
My gripe about it? The horrid software that comes with it (or is available for download.) It doesn't seem to like to start, or stay started, or detect the UPS (connected via USB cable - yes, I've changed the cable, ports, etc.) When it DOES, I frequently get "Cannot detect/Battery detected" back and forth. Not sure why. On top of it, while it does work when the monitoring software RUNS, the software interface wont' CLOSE. How'd they screw that up?
The software is, to me, important - it's what will auto-shut down the system with 5 minutes of battery power left (by how I normally set it.) If it won't run, or can't detect the UPS, well... it's not of much use to me. Uninstall, restart, reinstall every month or every other month just won't cut it.
The software is one of two reasons I didn't go with them for my work system. (The other reason being it's apparently not available now.) I have another, very similar system for working at home. For this, I went with APC - one that's a little lower rated (750va/450volts,) but close enough. (The other system isn't drawing as much anyway.) For that - I get powerchute software. Not only is the interface nicer, but the software behaves very well.
Honestly, if GeekSquad had decent software, I'd have no qualms about buying another UPS from them - but for the next system (whenever it may be,) it's getting another APC UPS. It just feels more reliable, not to mention the information is readily available on them pretty much anywhere. Geeksquad has to get its stuff together.
(It's my gaming system/main system, since upgraded. Basically, every non-notebook system I make is going to have a UPS to go with it.)
At the time... well, initially I figured "Just something to deal with brownouts and minor power drops" would do the trick, so I got a woefully underpowered ... something... from APC. Bad choice on my part - it didn't have the power to really sustain for more than a few seconds, but it was cheap and at the time all I figured I'd need. But this isn't about that - replace the battery (it's a few years old now) and it'll be great for small electronics, routers, phones, etc. No problem.
No, I went out to Best Buy and bought a Geek Squad 875va UPS. Nice display, decent size, and it does work well - I have (depending on what all I'm doing) 10-15 minutes of power. Plenty to wait out most small strikes, shut down gracefully and the like.
My gripe about it? The horrid software that comes with it (or is available for download.) It doesn't seem to like to start, or stay started, or detect the UPS (connected via USB cable - yes, I've changed the cable, ports, etc.) When it DOES, I frequently get "Cannot detect/Battery detected" back and forth. Not sure why. On top of it, while it does work when the monitoring software RUNS, the software interface wont' CLOSE. How'd they screw that up?
The software is, to me, important - it's what will auto-shut down the system with 5 minutes of battery power left (by how I normally set it.) If it won't run, or can't detect the UPS, well... it's not of much use to me. Uninstall, restart, reinstall every month or every other month just won't cut it.
The software is one of two reasons I didn't go with them for my work system. (The other reason being it's apparently not available now.) I have another, very similar system for working at home. For this, I went with APC - one that's a little lower rated (750va/450volts,) but close enough. (The other system isn't drawing as much anyway.) For that - I get powerchute software. Not only is the interface nicer, but the software behaves very well.
Honestly, if GeekSquad had decent software, I'd have no qualms about buying another UPS from them - but for the next system (whenever it may be,) it's getting another APC UPS. It just feels more reliable, not to mention the information is readily available on them pretty much anywhere. Geeksquad has to get its stuff together.
Saturday, July 04, 2009
Disappointment, happiness... hey, it's life.
Well, seems I had a few.
Yes, I got my monitor back from Viewsonic. It generally works - though I can't say as well as it used to. Give me a dark background - of some sorts, a black and white picture shows it - and it "sparkles." But not often enough to really figure out what's doing it. I have a feeling I'll be looking for a monitor soonish. Fortunately, the same size and 1680x1050 resolution isn't as expensive as a few years ago.
Then there's artwork. Over a year ago (yes, I know) I saw a post from a friend who has a DeviantArt account about someone trying to get together money for books for school, and so was having a sale. New-ish artist, cheap sale, so sure, why not. Well... because it's an experience that will, at times, keep people from trying new artists. She goes by "Miserie." It's been, as mentioned, over a year (end of April 08 to the "Forget it, I give up, let's call it closed" note I sent on July 1 this year.) Two pieces *were* delivered - not spectacular, one actually rather disappointing - and this after being in "sketching" since October, finally seeing drawings earlier this year down to a "They just need coloring, I should be done soon!" about three or four times. No communication (until you get ahold of Paypal, then oh gee, her email that wasn't working suddenly is!) and lots of promises with little delivery. Talking to someone else on her list, I got the same "Yeah, I pretty much gave up on ever seeing the piece(s)" as well. So, if you're looking for an artist for a quick commission, avoid Miserie.
OK, enough grousing. I've had good stuff happening as well. Since I ended with art, I'll start with it, too - another artist that *did* pay off for me to try out, and who I've gone back to for my characters multiple times, Semaj007 over at DeviantArt. He's inexpensive, fast, and turns out pretty decent pieces. I've certainly been happy with what he's given me. Such as the piece to the left, two of my Dominators (a City of Villains archetype.) This is one of the latest I've gotten from him. I've had several pieces done by him, and have yet to be disappointed.
I've got to say, in general, that's my experience with the various people I commission over on DeviantArt. I do, admittedly, go back to the ones I like repeatedly. Not all are fast, or cheap, but I've rarely been disappointed. Most are a pleasure to work with, and - the biggie for me - communicate with you throughout the process. It makes the entire experience enjoyable.
Other good news is actually getting a job - actually getting one and switching to another. I started out on a temporary (two month) contract. I actually probably would not have taken it, given how it would affect my unemployment (break, then probably not able to resume) but I had to bring in some money and I was hoping to get my foot in the door at the company. Well, just after starting, I got another call - one I'd almost given up on, but right now am glad I didn't. I now do tech support (still,) but I work from home. Yes, I telecommute. And I fix peoples computers remotely. Obviously can't do much if hardware's broken, but there's a lot I can do. Enough it surprises folks. Just barely into it, and their training could use a little work, but I'm getting settled in and comfortable, and I'll be trying to speed up what I'm doing (not that I can always help it when the receiving end is a slow computer) and taking multiple people at once. Yeah, don't even need them on the phone most of the time. Just point us at the computer, we'll call when we're done. It's nice, at least for now.
That said, I have *got* to start making more money. I've been in the mid-teens, salarywise, for quite some time. And yeah, working at home is nice - I put about $10-$15 aside for gas, which more than covers me for the week, pick up stuff to make for lunch at home and such, so I have fewer costs - but that said, I should be making much more by now. So, I'll be trying to find a way to do that. While I'm at it - ESPECIALLY since I'm working from home - I've got to find a way to get exercise in. I really need to work on it - too many years of sit-down jobs have taken their toll, and now I don't even have to move far to go to work. Plus, after all, my high school reunion is next year... I've got a lot of work to do on me. :)
So good, bad, and "know I need to do." What can i say, isn't it that way for everyone?
Yes, I got my monitor back from Viewsonic. It generally works - though I can't say as well as it used to. Give me a dark background - of some sorts, a black and white picture shows it - and it "sparkles." But not often enough to really figure out what's doing it. I have a feeling I'll be looking for a monitor soonish. Fortunately, the same size and 1680x1050 resolution isn't as expensive as a few years ago.
Then there's artwork. Over a year ago (yes, I know) I saw a post from a friend who has a DeviantArt account about someone trying to get together money for books for school, and so was having a sale. New-ish artist, cheap sale, so sure, why not. Well... because it's an experience that will, at times, keep people from trying new artists. She goes by "Miserie." It's been, as mentioned, over a year (end of April 08 to the "Forget it, I give up, let's call it closed" note I sent on July 1 this year.) Two pieces *were* delivered - not spectacular, one actually rather disappointing - and this after being in "sketching" since October, finally seeing drawings earlier this year down to a "They just need coloring, I should be done soon!" about three or four times. No communication (until you get ahold of Paypal, then oh gee, her email that wasn't working suddenly is!) and lots of promises with little delivery. Talking to someone else on her list, I got the same "Yeah, I pretty much gave up on ever seeing the piece(s)" as well. So, if you're looking for an artist for a quick commission, avoid Miserie.
OK, enough grousing. I've had good stuff happening as well. Since I ended with art, I'll start with it, too - another artist that *did* pay off for me to try out, and who I've gone back to for my characters multiple times, Semaj007 over at DeviantArt. He's inexpensive, fast, and turns out pretty decent pieces. I've certainly been happy with what he's given me. Such as the piece to the left, two of my Dominators (a City of Villains archetype.) This is one of the latest I've gotten from him. I've had several pieces done by him, and have yet to be disappointed.I've got to say, in general, that's my experience with the various people I commission over on DeviantArt. I do, admittedly, go back to the ones I like repeatedly. Not all are fast, or cheap, but I've rarely been disappointed. Most are a pleasure to work with, and - the biggie for me - communicate with you throughout the process. It makes the entire experience enjoyable.
Other good news is actually getting a job - actually getting one and switching to another. I started out on a temporary (two month) contract. I actually probably would not have taken it, given how it would affect my unemployment (break, then probably not able to resume) but I had to bring in some money and I was hoping to get my foot in the door at the company. Well, just after starting, I got another call - one I'd almost given up on, but right now am glad I didn't. I now do tech support (still,) but I work from home. Yes, I telecommute. And I fix peoples computers remotely. Obviously can't do much if hardware's broken, but there's a lot I can do. Enough it surprises folks. Just barely into it, and their training could use a little work, but I'm getting settled in and comfortable, and I'll be trying to speed up what I'm doing (not that I can always help it when the receiving end is a slow computer) and taking multiple people at once. Yeah, don't even need them on the phone most of the time. Just point us at the computer, we'll call when we're done. It's nice, at least for now.
That said, I have *got* to start making more money. I've been in the mid-teens, salarywise, for quite some time. And yeah, working at home is nice - I put about $10-$15 aside for gas, which more than covers me for the week, pick up stuff to make for lunch at home and such, so I have fewer costs - but that said, I should be making much more by now. So, I'll be trying to find a way to do that. While I'm at it - ESPECIALLY since I'm working from home - I've got to find a way to get exercise in. I really need to work on it - too many years of sit-down jobs have taken their toll, and now I don't even have to move far to go to work. Plus, after all, my high school reunion is next year... I've got a lot of work to do on me. :)
So good, bad, and "know I need to do." What can i say, isn't it that way for everyone?
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