Biggs' Zone

A Geek's Cogitations, Conjectures and other Cortical Experiences

Biggs On: Laptops

By

On August 28, 2015

In Biggs On, General Cogitation, Technology

broken-surface-2-appleI know, why would I write an opinion post on something that has been around for 40 years??! Since the birth of the iPad technology has been trending away from the nostalgic old desktop PC. Tablets and laptops (and other forms of mobile devices) are becoming more popular by the hour. The truth is, I’m not really a fan of laptops. Sure I use a laptop for work because it’s easier as a consultant to have your trusty computer with you when you need it, but work is the only occasion where I feel like having one is warranted.

My home PC is a custom built desktop. The key word there is custom. I like knowing exactly what is in my computer and I like that I am the person that put it there. I have never bought a mass manufactured desktop PC (emphasis on PC, because I do own a Mac-Mini). I have never needed a reason to buy a laptop to use as my primary computer. Granted, I do have a laptop that I take with me on extended vacations, but when I’m home I will only use my desktop; and to be honest I think I would be just fine without one while on vacation. I typically spend more time doing touristy stuff or reading books when I’m on vacation. If I want to look something up when I’m away from the computer, I reach for my iPad and thus have never wished it were a laptop.

The two primary functions of my home computer is for gaming and programming. Honestly I just think using a desktop is the best hardware for both of these functions. Granted a laptop can be used for software development (obviously since I use one for that purpose at work), but it needs to be a fairly well specced laptop, one I definitely couldn’t afford on my own (which is why I make sure I take very good care of the one provided to me from my employer). How people use laptops for gaming (especially MMOs) is almost beyond my capacity, unless they are plugging peripherals in. They almost have to be using an unattached keyboard and mouse, I just don’t see how any other configuration would be efficient and comfortable. In fact, when I am using a laptop, I always try to plug in a keyboard and mouse if its possible because I don’t like typing on most laptop keyboards and I loathe the touch pad.

I know people make it work somehow and that’s fine, as far as I’m concerned. My desktop is like a muscle car, I like to beef it up, make it glow. I want it to have presence <insert manly Tim Taylor grunts>. But to each their own.

/cheers

[P.S. The Surface Pro laptops look awful and make laptops even less endearing; I’d rather have an Etch-a-Sketch.]

Let’s Light the Night!

By

On August 27, 2015

In General Cogitation

PrintGreetings friends, family and site patrons.

As some of you know, every year I participate in the Light the Night walk for a cure. It’s a charity event orchestrated by the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Participants raise money from donations by folks, like you, to sponsor those of us walking for the ones that survived, are currently battling or in memory of the ones we have lost. This walk means a great deal to me as I walk in memory of my brother-in-laws wife who lost her battle to Sub-cutaneous T-cell lymphoma back in 2013. She left behind a loving husband and two girls, the eldest of which is my goddaughter.

This is Natalie with her girls, a year before she lost her battle with lymphoma

This is Natalie with her girls, a year before she lost her battle with lymphoma

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society funds research that will one day put an end to blood diseases and cancers. Your donations, which sponsor me in the 2 mile walk on October 15th, will go toward the funding for that research. This is an event I have been participating in for a couple of years, even prior to Natalie’s passing. I would have walked a marathon if it would have made the difference in her prognosis.

Over the next several weeks you will probably see me posting about donations quote often. I will try not to be too obnoxious about it, but I am setting a lofty goal of raising $1,500 this year. I hope that you will be able to help me out this year. You can make a donation on the following web page: http://pages.lightthenight.org/soh/Cinci15/MVleaminck or by clicking on the widget in the top right corner.

Your donation and support means a lot to me!

Thank you.

For the Love of Writing

By

On August 26, 2015

In General Cogitation

Minion-reading-iconI don’t know how to describe what it is about writing that I enjoy – I can’t seem to find the words (hah!). There is something elusive and cathartic about putting “pen to paper” (err.. “text to screen”?) I’ve sometimes wondered if there is a career out there that would allow me to just write, besides writing a book. I don’t have the imagination to write a book. I doubt I can be creative enough to keep a reader’s attention for 300+ pages (although I seemed to have a knack for creative writing back in Honors English in high school). If I had the literary and mental capacity to constantly be writing, I would. I just don’t have enough complete thoughts in my head to do that. Also, I know I make way to many grammar errors.

I think that is why I enjoy this blog so much. It allows me to filter out my thoughts into (hopefully) cohesive posts. I think I have read somewhere that sometimes simply writing essentially helps organize your brain. It’s a form of cortical defragmenting. They also say that if you are an aspiring writer that you should write for an hour at least once a day, it doesn’t matter what you write about, just as long as you write something. It will help to organize your thoughts and hone your skills. As I said before, I’m not really “book writing material” but the exercise has helped me on a daily basis to problem solve and write more robust code.

There was a time when I considered applying for a blog writer position with Massively (back before AOL pulled the rug out from under them and who is now Massively Overpowered). They were looking for a Star Wars columnist to blog about everything Star Wars and Star Wars MMO games. This was clearly something that seemed right up my alley considering how much of a Star Wars nerd I am and how much I enjoy playing MMOs. I almost wrote a sample to submit but talked myself out of it because I felt there are far more gifted writers out there that deserved less competition (not that I would have been any competition at all). I think Larry Everett does a fantastic job with the Hyperspace Beacon column so I’m glad he’s doing it and not me.

Maybe one day, if/when I get out of programming, I may find some way of monetizing my thoughts and words. Until then blogging will be my outlet and everything geek and gaming will be my muse. Thanks for reading.

/cheers

minion_keboard_smI could get so much more accomplished if I only had minions!

The MMO Times: Tom Brady Sucks!!

By

On August 26, 2015

In Gaming, MMO Times, MMORPG

lord-belichick-3Issue 128: Yes, I know, the title has absolutely  nothing to do with MMOs or gaming (unless you to make the gentle leap to Madden NFL), but I like to take any opportunity to express my unrelenting disdain for Tom Brady (and Bill Belichick). I’m sorry that I may have subjected you to unrelated editorial venting, especially if you are not a football fan (which is a travesty). Be that as it may, we are here to talk about gaming, our love of gaming, and why gaming will, one day, save mankind (i.e. Ender’s Game).

Quick PSA for those playing WoW (so skip if you don’t care): If you haven’t heard, patch 6.2.2 will be released September 1st (next Tuesday). I believe this is the patch that will contain the world event that will link Warlords of Draenor to Legion. So prepare to be invaded (although I’m sure Illidan believes you are not prepared)!squirrel

I really do enjoy writing these posts and I hope there are people that enjoy reading them, even if its only one or two of you. I love finding the really fun and/or obscure headlines to stick in from time to time, hence the Halo headline in this issue. And the one about Duck Hunt. Oh, and the SlightlyImpressive machinima! I know, I’m easily amused and often distra … SQUIRREL!

KCGO.

Read More

Using Your FitBit to Get Fit

By

On August 24, 2015

In General Cogitation

my-fitbitOne of the most common things I hear from people who are trying to exercise more by using a fitness device, such as a FitBit, is that they always forget to wear it, charge it, etc. Granted some of the reasons I’ve heard are legitimate (i.e. battery life is terrible – most common reason with FitBit Zip), but forgetting to wear it is something that can be fixed. My secret was forcing myself to be OCD about checking for it in my pocket.

I don’t mean a casual pick-it-up-with-my-wallet-and-watch kind of OCD. I’m talking Melvin Udall (As Good As It Gets) tap-my-pockets-every-hour kind of OCD. I will seriously check for my FitBit more often then I will check for my wallet. I’m telling you, it sounds crazy, but it works. I have had the same FitBit since January 2013 and it’s on my person 98% of the time. If I’m not wearing it, then I’m not moving!

Once I have successfully developed an OCD for carrying it, then I develop and OCD for reaching that daily goal. I think the trick to setting that goal is don’t make it an easy goal. The average person walks about 5,000 steps a day. Challenge yourself by trying to double that (which is why I think 10,000 is the default step goal with new FitBits). If you are easily within 90% of your step goal on a regular basis, then add another 1,000 steps. When you see that you need more steps, then you start inventing ways to get additional steps. It might mean parking farther away or taking the stairs everyday (if its feasible) or using that treadmill or stationary bike more often.

Two final (and fairly obvious) things to note:

  1. Wearing a fitness device probably won’t be the only thing that you have to do to get into better shape. It’s just one tool in an arsenal (i.e. diet, regular exercise, etc).
  2. FitBit isn’t the only fitness device you can choose from, it’s just the one I prefer and recommend.

So there you have it. If you are the kind of person that has an addictive personality, embrace that attribute and use it to your advantage, that’s essentially what I did. I’ve been down 55 pounds for going on two years now.

Empire (In Her Name: Redemption)

Book Review: Odd Thomas

By

On August 21, 2015

In Book Review

Odd ThomasOdd Thomas by Dean Koontz

My rating: [rating=5]
(Click here to see this review on Goodreads)

Dean Koontz proves once again why he is one of my favorite authors. I probably enjoyed this book about as much as I enjoyed The Door to December (which is my favorite Koontz novel). I think I read this book fairly quickly because I was hooked fairly quickly. In fact he pretty much hooks you right at the beginning when you learn about Odd Thomas’ gift.

I have to admit, this was the first time I was feeling a little choked up at the end of a Dean Koontz novel. It was an ending I wasn’t expecting. I think [possible spoiler alert, here] my heart bottomed out just as Odd’s did when reality set in. I think Koontz handled the character relationships extremely well, hence my feeling of deep sorrow at the end.

I understand now why so many people fell in love with Odd Thomas and I’m looking forward to reading the other books. If you are a Koontz fan, then you need to read this book (if you haven’t already).

View all my reviews

Page 107 of 182

Previous

Next

Powered by WordPress & Theme by Anders Norén