new laptop...need advice

[aaron burr]

ok software geeks - just got a new lapper - demanded windows XP of course...loaded by boot copies of Photoshop and Audition...dammit since it's the first "new" new comp i ever done owned i didn't realize i'd have to zoom all over and install things like zip progs and FTP site stuff...

for a journalist/reporter nerd also taking photographs with a camera that costs more than my car and doing interviews (audio) and hopefully some video (spooner?) what else do people recommend I make sure i have on this thing so I don't end up without something when it comes, as they say on The Mighty Boosh, to "the crunch"?

[Belasco]

You've already negated any audio/video recommendations I could give you by going with Windows. Sorry.

[the deta]

ok software geeks - just got a new lapper - demanded windows XP of course...loaded by boot copies of Photoshop and Audition...dammit since it's the first "new" new comp i ever done owned i didn't realize i'd have to zoom all over and install things like zip progs and FTP site stuff...

for a journalist/reporter nerd also taking photographs with a camera that costs more than my car and doing interviews (audio) and hopefully some video (spooner?) what else do people recommend I make sure i have on this thing so I don't end up without something when it comes, as they say on The Mighty Boosh, to "the crunch"?


one of these.....


http://fishtrain.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/08/apple_logo.jpg




:dance: :dance: :dance:

[Booze]

They're probably right, Aero. But free shit is a lot easier to find for yer Windows PC. I'd recommend a nice juicy copy of Sony Soundforge for your audio editing.

[aaron burr]

You've already negated any audio/video recommendations I could give you by going with Windows. Sorry.


i know you motherfuckers...don't you think i wanted to go Mac?? it's media geeks gold standard - but it's not the TRAVELLING media geek's gold standard... here's the deal though:

a) if i'm in vietnam or dubai or daghestan (where I WILL be) i can get a PC serviced much easier than a Mac...

b) i'd weep like a child if some asshat press scrum bully with NBC swung his elbow and dented my Mac...a PC i don't give a tinker's cuss about...

c) i dropped all the $ on an effing camera that is so sweet that you'd drop to your knees, beg me to extend the zoom lens fully, hold it crotch level and fellate the fuck out of it.

and another thing, at least i made the store manager cry in making him ensure I had xp over vista lest i smash his well groomed pimples that he obviously wants to pop in the sexy comfort of his room in his mom's basement.

hey Booze, i'm all good with Adobe Audition and since i use it at work i know it inside out...

if anyone here was going to use a photo sharing site, would it be flickr? picasa? other? i need something I can put as a badge/widget here (http://www.globalpundit.org)


but i'm also talking little items here and there to simplify wi-fi usage and another big one, since Windows BLOWS THE BIG ONE...can anyone recommend a free media format converter so i can go from wmv to avi for example?

y'know, shit like that...

[the deta]

I hear ya.


























http://fishtrain.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/08/apple_logo.jpg

[Jdiggity Dee]

aaron, get you a good free Antivirus with a small footprint, I reccommend http://free.avg.com/ (be sure to get the free version and not the trial). Don't rely on Norton or whatever bloatware that will charge you for updates. run regularly.

Turn on XP's built in firewall.

Use Opera (http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&ct=res&cd=1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.opera.com%2F&ei=0l2rSJOzJZq0sQOCwpjrDg&usg=AFQjCNGxN8XXYIZ2mq1WZD8EnnkPBOJBpg&sig2=caUINz3rHNTGEAaJU2lTUA) for you browser for P@rn, and use Firefox or whatever for work. Keep em separate.

If you think you've got spyware, run "Spybot, Search and Destroy" (http://www.download.com/Spybot-Search-Destroy/3000-8022_4-10122137.html?hhTest=1). Heck, run it and Immunize your system as a precaution.

Remove items from the dock which will open automatically when you click on the associated file type anyhoo, Realplayer and Quicktime and others. Leave the programs just remove em from the startup, or click preferences and have them NOT start with windows. Other than the anivirus icon you don't need much by the clock.

Since you'll be traveling, don't turn on automatic updates in xp b/c you don't want it squeezing your bandwith trying to download 'improvements' when your in Bumfukistan. Do they same for you programs that might try to get updates, AVG in particular. tries to update new virsus definitions everyday which although it's a small file is overkill.

------

I jumped the XP ship to Apple a while ago for my principle system but these tip should work and help you.

[Booze]

Some sound advice there, JD.

Also, Aaron, when you pick up young Asian runaways from the bus station, always ask them if anyone knows where they are.

[Dr. P]

And if girls are underage, they have to tell ya if they're a cop -if you ask. Trust me.

[aaron burr]

And if girls are underage, they have to tell ya if they're a cop -if you ask. Trust me.


good advice all - got avg and spybot goin' first day, with WS FTP from oldversion.com...firefox is already done and even judging by my online mag stats, more people use firefox than ie6 and 7 combined...that tells ya something!

still can't find a halfway decent media file converter though...driving me nuts...forced to use mydeo to upload and interview w/ slide show for youtube (posted an interview), and the freaking format was so lossy and bad for 'effffs sake.

other than Pshop for photos what do y'all use? as in, Picasa?? Flickr? are there better ones?

found a great plug in for wordpress - podpress totally rawks Wp and lets you bundle it to the itunes store

so that's about it for now? can i trust Windows (haha) to help me deal with using free WiFi in different cities?

and is it a good idea to haul around an ethernet cable in case? what experiences have u had to face ?


havin a new cmp from scratch is nice, but i feel like i;ve neglected to launch or run something

[Spooner]

Get a freakin' Easynews account, Burr. It's the best $9.99/mo. you'll ever spend. Then just go fishing for anything you want and you won't need to post requests. "You want Pretty Polly? Ya TAKE it."