Jeffs Reviews

I review computer hardware and software, consumer electronics, kitchen gadgets and tools. Almost all I know about computers comes from hands on learning on the internet on my own, no classes or college in computers. I have built a few computers on my own and do all the work for all the reviews I write, contacting the companies myself and asking for things I am interested in purchasing myself. I work hard to bring you my opinions of the things I review and hope you enjoy my writing.

Thursday, December 21, 2006

New Computer

I think I have decided to go with CyberPower for my new desktop computer. They offer the best selection for the exact things I want. I am trying to get the best processor, best motherboard for upcoming video upgrades and memory but not all the other stuff and most companies offer the complete package or lower versions. They usually have their web sites set up so you get a good rounded package and not like what I want. Oh well, I will continue to look but I do want to get a good CPU, the AMD Athon 64 x2 5000+ looks to be about the best for my needs. I want a good high end cpu but I don't want to overclock it so I am better off with the AMD instead of the Pentium, the Pentium is more expensive as well. I won't be overclocking my PC for several reasons, one is I don't want to change the system for my reviews and overclocking would not be a fair way to judge many of the things I review. Another reason is I don't trust myself and fooling with the overclocking that much. I am not so much afraid that I'll burn my computer out but it does take a toll on the life span of the computer, especially the CPU so I don't want to have to buy a new one in two years. I expect to get a few years out of any system I buy now, at least three or four. I want to be able to at least use it for some games in a few years. By then I will be far enough along in my reviewing that getting another system will be a part of my business.

Wednesday, December 20, 2006

Memory Upgrade

Is your computer slow starting up, loading web browser pages on Internet Explorer or loading programs? You may need memory that is an easy installation and fix for a slower computer. You need to know a few things before upgrading and the most important part of this is to make sure if you can install more memory and then to get the right kind. Your bios will tell you what type of memory you have and how much. When you press the power button on your computer enter the Bios of your system before Windows boots. Different computers use a different key to start into the Bios, F1, F2, F10 or another combination may be used. Check with your computer manufacturer to make sure of the exact key along with the type of memory your computer needs. The Bios will also list this type but you should make sure you get the right type. You will need to open your computer and possibly remove one stick to replace it with another but this is very easy to do. Sometimes you may need to move components inside such as sliding the rack holding the drives but this is also easy. Do not let the insides of your computer scare you into not upgrading it or making changes to things. Researching this you will find plenty of easy to follow guide to help you, but you can upgrade your own computer instead of paying someone else to do it. Just make sure you fully understand what you are doing and unplug the computer before you start.

Tuesday, December 19, 2006

Racism and exactly what I mean.

I just read a very good, even though controversial, article on Associated Content called White Discrimination: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/101507/white_discrimination.html
One thing that he points out and is, I think, very correct with many people and their talk of racism is they identify themselves first with their ethnic background and whether people discriminate against them because of that. African American is the term he used, why not call yourself American of African descent to show first and foremost you are an American and your race doesn't matter so much as the fact that you are a proud American. I think people use their ethnic background for their own purposes and often use this to define who they are. Myself, I try to use my brain for something other than hatred or conclusion jumping by talking and getting to know the person, I see the person as someone standing in front of me. I listen to them and hear what they have to say and I don't judge them on their appearance, race, or sex. I know people will say this is not true and you are racist because of the things you say. You couldn't be more wrong, just look at my wedding party and see one of my groomsmen, an American of African descent who was a coworker and friend when we worked in the United States Air Force. One thing that I see often and people use it to their advatage when they want, they use their skin color, heritage and other attributes that they cannot change to define who and what they are instead of using their morales, abilities and intelligence to show who and what they are in their heart and soul. Wouldn't this world be a much better place if people used the heart and soul to show who they are instead of using their race as a way to show how everyone else has put them down. If they did their best, forgave those who are not as good as they are and had a truly generous heart they wouldn't have to spout racism.

Monday, December 18, 2006

Politically Correctness

I know the words I used in the title are not correct, but it's my blog and there is nothing you can do about it except complain or go elsewhere.

I hate political correctness. It's really very simple, live and let live, let bygones be bygones. Whatever you want to call it, I just do not like it when people start spouting the political correctness card when a matter of race, religion or any of the other gazillion things come up and people get their dander up.

If some comedian flew off the handle and made some stupid comment, then apologized afterwards fine. He should be sorry for saying something that hurt someone else. But it should end there. Get over it.

He should not have to talk to the "leaders" of that political movement to try and patch relations and smooth feathers. He can move on with life and it will soon be forgotten.

When people of one race, nationality or ethnic background keep bringing it up, they are using there grouping against their own cause. Why do people have to keep bringing the stuff back up and rubbing salt in the wound. Rubbing nothing, some are grabbing the bag and pouring it on.

If you want to make a statement the fewer words you say the more it will be remembered. A speech is remembered not for its words but for its content. Do you remember the last sermon that a pastor gave, probably not. But if he got up there and said, don't be bad. I bet you'd remember that one. Same thing here.

The people that use race or whatever and keep saying others are putting them down, that may be true, but how much. How many people go out of their way to use race against others. Some would say it happens everyday and in every situation, they are probably right to some extent.

I heard something the other day and I do have to agree, everybody is prejudiced to some degree. Like it or not we all are. Not to the same degree and with a majority of people it is not something that affects anybody in any way but we all are to some extent.

Now some people also use this prejudice for their own ends and to further the cause they see as right. When someone tells us that people are doing so many things because of racism it gets to be a bit ridiculous. Racism was not so much a factor in so many things as some would like you to believe.

I am also getting tired of those that are continuing to cry for help after they have long since shown that they do not deserve it. I know there are people who need help and who deserve it. I am not going to say who does and who does not deserve help. I have lived all my life helping others more than many people. I give when I can, help out when I can and don't ask for anything in return. I just cannot sit back and watch as so many people use the system and our generosity to their advatage without at least saying something.

Take Katrina; racism was not the factor some would have you believe it was. I am sure at some time people got more help because they were in the better neighborhoods or lived near the rich end of town, but everyone got help.

It is now time to say Katrina is over, we need to move on. We are going to pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off and start over.

I cannot stand the ones who are still whining that they did not get the help that they should and they need more. The storm is long over, the seas are calm and skies are clear. It is now time to get a job, work hard and make something of yourself.

For those that are still complaining that they did not get help for the storm and aftermath, you need to stop holding out that hand and use that hand to do something. Swing a hammer, put groceries into a bag or shake hands at the store doors. But do something instead of holding that hand out for more.

Sunday, December 17, 2006

Email Hatred & New Computer

It's really early, 4:30 AM and I couldn't sleep with my cold. I checked my email and found 14 junk mails waiting for me, the usual garbage of get a bigger *, by using our new meds, probably make it fall off instead of get bigger. Or the mortage ones that are just trying to get your info.
I just hate junk email with a passion. I get all kinds of junk, but it does go into my junk email folder. I wish the rules for Outlook would work better. Most of the time I set a rule and it doesn't work until I run it. No automatic running and the stuff I really want gone doesn't permanently delete. But you have to live with the good and the bad I guess.

I'm looking into getting a new computer, a really good one. I have an AMD Athlon 2600+ with a Nvidia 6600 video card. With my writing reviews and such I need to get something better and was thinking of a Maingear Prelude, AMD Athlon 64 X2 5000+, 2 Gig memory and a Nvidia 7950 video card. I won't be getting anything else in the way of audio cards or anything because I'll get to review better stuff than I can afford. All I need to do is wait for taxes and hope my kid's college doesn't lower our tax return. He started college this past year and with the deductions for all that I'm not sure what that will do to my tax status.

Christmas is coming and I am looking forward to a nice dinner. My relatives on my wife's side will all be together for a day and we will all exchange gifts and have a nice dinner. We all get to pick names and each adult gives one gift to another. Keeps the cost down for everyone. My son, the one in college is starting this fun tradition and doesn't really like it. Before he got to get gifts from everyone and all of a sudden he has to throw his name in the hat and pay for a gift for one of us. No one said growing up was fair. He's learning things he never thought he would as an adult, stuff not taught in college as classes.

My family has two dogs, peacefully snoozing on the couch at the moment. Some nights the springer spaniel border collie mix that is my older sons will sleep with him but sometimes she will stay on the couch. The little cairn terrier usually sleeps on the couch or on our bed. She will sneak up to our room about ten minutes after we go to bed and nose her way into our room. She is so cute. When I eat carrots or sesame sticks she goes nuts, begs and whines with this sick sounding bark that is more of a huff than a real bark. Her breed isn't supposed to bark when they hunt so they have an inbred thing with not barking for things they want. And she really wants sesame sticks and carrots. The other one could care less about the sesame sticks but they both love carrots, go figure.