Over the last 2 months I have researched many netbooks and with my brother in-laws input, I decided on and MSI WIND u100.  Ultimately I went with the WIND over the HP mini because of disk size and price.  For $439, I purchased the MSI WIND u100 (black) with 1GB of memory, 160GB hard drive, Bluetooth, Windows XP, and an upgraded 6 cell battery.  The HP maxes out at 60GB hard drive and they only offer a 3 cell battery.

I plan on testing the usibilty, battery life, video playback, etc.  I will post a 2-3 part review in the coming weeks.  If you have someting specific you want me to review on the device, please let me know.

I had Red Hat system that needed to be upgrade from running Ruby 1.8.5 to Ruby 1.8.6.  Unfortunately, Red Hat really lags in releasing RPM’s for many packages, and Ruby is one of the packages.

Now I have drunk the Red Hat RPM Kool-aid.  IMHO using RPM’s on your system is the only sane way to manage a Red Hat based system.  Compiling from source is ugly and hard to manage in the long run.

I called tech support (google.com) and found an RPM based solution to upgrade, but I ran into a few problems that I could find no solution for through “tech support”  I am going to walk you through installing ruby 1.8.6 on a Red Hat system using RPM’s and solving a little issue after you have installed it.

First, I decided the best approach for the upgrade was to find a source RPM for ruby 1.8.6.  In my investigations, I also found a couple of large bugs in ruby 1.8.6 below patch level 230, therefore I looked for a Red Hat source RPM for ruby 1.8.6 above patch 230.  Unfortunately, none exist, however Fedora Core 9 is close enough for this process.  Here are the steps I followed to upgrade to 1.8.6 patch level 287:

First, there were some prerequisites:

yum install tk-devel tcl-devel emacs ncurses-devel


Now get the srpm:

cd /tmp
wget ftp://ftp.pbone.net/mirror/download.fedora.redhat.com/pub/fedora/linux/releases/9/Everything/source/SRPMS/ruby-1.8.6.287-2.fc9.src.rpm

Now that we have it, let’s install it:

rpm -ivh ruby-1.8.6.287-2.fc9.src.rpm

Okay, source RPMS is installed, now let’s build the actual binary RPM’s:

cd /usr/src/redhat/SPECS/
rpmbuild -bb ruby.spec

Now the RPM’s are built, we can install all of the RPM’s:

cd /usr/src/redhat/RPMS/i386
rpm -Uvh ruby-1.8.6.287-2.i386.rpm \
ruby-debuginfo-1.8.6.287-2.i386.rpm \
ruby-devel-1.8.6.287-2.i386.rpm \
ruby-docs-1.8.6.287-2.i386.rpm
ruby-irb-1.8.6.287-2.i386.rpm \
ruby-libs-1.8.6.287-2.i386.rpm \
ruby-mode-1.8.6.287-2.i386.rpm \
ruby-rdoc-1.8.6.287-2.i386.rpm \
ruby-ri-1.8.6.287-2.i386.rpm \
ruby-tcltk-1.8.6.287-2.i386.rpm

This should give you ruby 1.8.6 patch level 287:

ruby -v

“ruby 1.8.6 (2008-08-11 patchlevel 287) [i386-linux]”

Oh joyful day! I figured it out! However, later, I tried to access the console using:

script/console production

I received:

/usr/lib/ruby/1.8/irb/completion.rb:10:in `require': No such file to load -- readline (LoadError) from /usr/lib/ruby/1.8/irb/completion.rb:10 from /usr/lib/ruby/1.8/irb/init.rb:218:in `require' from /usr/lib/ruby/1.8/irb/init.rb:218:in `load_modules' from /usr/lib/ruby/1.8/irb/init.rb:216:in `each' from /usr/lib/ruby/1.8/irb/init.rb:216:in `load_modules' from /usr/lib/ruby/1.8/irb/init.rb:21:in `setup' from /usr/lib/ruby/1.8/irb.rb:54:in `start' from /usr/bin/irb:13

I poked around quite a bit and found this solution:

find / -name readline -print
cd /usr/src/redhat/BUILD/ruby-1.8.6.287/ruby-1.8.6-p287/ext/readline
ruby extconf.rb
make
make install [do this as root/admin]

That should have worked, but it did not. I then turned to tech support (google.com) and found no good answer. This should work since I did have both readline and readline-devel installed:

rpm -qa | grep readline

readline-devel-5.1-1.1
readline-5.1-1.1

I did notice that when I ran “make” and “make install”, it did not do anything. I then decided to search for readline.h:

find / -name readline.h

No result?(!)

So, I simply did:

yum remove readline-devel
yum install readline-devel
find / -name readline.h

This the results were different:
“/usr/include/readline/readline.h”
w00t!

I ran this again:

cd /usr/src/redhat/BUILD/ruby-1.8.6.287/ruby-1.8.6-p287/ext/readline
ruby extconf.rb
make
make install

Now everything works!!

I hope you found this useful!

Back to my CyberpowerPC.com story.  I spent the last few weeks pricing out rigs and looking at many PC manufactures, I also looked at parts to build my own.  I came to the conclusion that I could buy a system from CyberpowerPC.com cheaper than I could build one, plus I get VIsta (I already have XP for a new PC if I need it) and some nice freebies.

Of course wanting to be sure, I jumped over to resellerratings.com and found very mixed results.  They have been improving over the last 6 months (7.8 ranking) and most of the issues seemed to revolve around tech support.  Since I am pretty handy with computers, and they do have a 30 day money back guarantee (I just have to pay return shipping).  I thought it would be an interesting experience to configure and buy a system and chronicle the purchase on my blog.

With the MaximumPC review in mind, I opted for the CyberPower Gamer Ultimate SLI Quad, however I stepped the configuration down a bit:

• CoolerMaster Cosmos S Gaming Full Tower 420W Case w/ Transparent Side Panel
• (Quad-Core)Intel(R) Core(TM) 2 Quad Q9650
• LG 20X DVD+/-R/+/-RW + CD-R/RW DRIVE DUAL LAYER (BLACK COLOR)
• Round Cable Upgrade for Optical Drive
• INTERNAL 12in1 Flash Media Reader/Writer (BLACK COLOR)
• Asetek Liquid CPU Cooling System (Extreme Cooling Performance + Extreme Silent at 20dBA)
• Extreme Performance (RAID-0) with 2 Identical Hard Drives (300GB (150GBx2) 10,000RPM)
• MOTHERBOARD: (3-Way SLI Support) Asus Striker II Extreme nForce 790i SLI Mainboard)
• 4GB (2GBx2) DDR3/1600MHz Memory Module OCZ-Gold
• Microsoft(R) Windows Vista(TM) Home Premium w/ Service Pack 1 (64-bit Edition)
• Professional Wiring for All WIRINGs Inside The System Chasis with High Performance Thermal Compound on CPU
• 1,000 Watts  Thermaltake ToughPower – Quad SLI Ready
• HIGH DEFINITION ON-BOARD 7.1 AUDIO
• 600Watts PMPO Subwoofer Stereo Speakers
• NZXT Sentry LX Aluminum High Performance Fan Control, Clock, & Temperature Display
• 2 x NVIDIA GeForce 9800 GX2 1GB 16X PCI Express (EVGA Powered by NVIDIA)

And the Freebies:

• FREE! (Age of Conan) Game
• FREE! (Microsoft(R) Flight Simulator X Deluxe) Game
• FREE! 4GB USB Pen Drive
• FREE! CyberPower Multi-Purpose Carrying Briefcase
• FREE! Cyberpower Unleash The Power T-Shirt

All in all, a pretty nice rig.  I used coupon code SMARTCOMPU for a 5% discount, opted for two day FedEx, and with my Tennessee address, no tax.  This rig came in @ just about $3,064.

The system configuration tool was pretty decent (probably overly complicated for a newbie).  The order process was straightforward and I received my order confirmation in less than 60 seconds.  So far the experience has been good.

More later.

UPDATE 9/20/08

CyberpowerPC.com acknowledged my order this morning and gave me an estimated ship date of 10/3/08, which should have my new computer in my hands on 10/7/08.  The date is a bit longer than I had hoped for, but if they hit the promised date, I am okay with it.  I will update shipping status on this post until my new PC  is delivered.

UPDATE 9/23/08

Just to give me some heart failure, CyberpowerPC.com changed my order status from in-process to “Order Received” again. Since there is no description on the order page of what each status means, I called CyberpowerPC, hit “1″ for sales and was immediately connected to sales. Apparently they are working on my order and the “in my hands date” is still tracking for 10/7. He did not have an explanation for why the status changed. It is somewhat confusing, but not a huge issue. On a side note, the charge for the system did hit my Credit Card this morning.

Update: 09/23/08 12:05pm

My status has changed back to the in-process screen. I do not know if my call caused that to happen.

UPDATE 10/9/08

My new PC was supposed to ship 10/3/08.  As of today (10/9/08) the status still says expected ship date 10/3/08.  No additional information.  It is crazy that their order status screen (designed to keep people like me from calling them) is not smart enough to update.

This afternoon I called CP and rang directly to Steve.  Steve was puzzled by WHY my order had not moved and put me on hold.  Steve came back and let me know that my processor (Q9650) had been back ordered and they just received shipment today.  He stated that they were working on my PC and it would ship Friday or Monday at the latest.  He immediately apologized and offered me a 5% discount on my purchase (wow!).

Minutes after the call to Steve, Steve called me back and let me know that since I already had used the 5% off coupon code, they were unable to offer me an additional 5% discount, however he would credit me $30 once I received my system.  No big deal to me, since I was calling for a status and I was not looking for a discount.

However, I am interested in how they can charge me in full for a system they have not started to build.  I will ponder that one for a bit (while I am waiting for my system to ship).  So far, their order status frontend is less than elegant.  The jury remains out on CP, however Steve was very polite and responsive.

Now read part 2 ,the unpacking HERE

Today I was chatting with Matt and he was complaining about how Godaddy’s web hosting service kind of sucked for WordPress.  Things like ftp uploads did not set permissions correctly on his files and permalink redirects taking 3+ hours to change.

I have a GoDaddy virtual server running CentOS (which effectively is my own Linux server on the Internet).  I offered to let Matt use my server for his blog.  I did this because he is a friend; it will not cost me anything; he turned me on to WordPress; and he did build a pretty awesome hockey site.

From the moment Matt said okay, I have:

• Added a directory for his new site (muelface.com)
• Created a blank database for WordPress
• Gaven Matt the IP address of the server
• Configured Apache for Matt’s site
• Downloaded the latest version of WordPress
• Dropped WordPress to the appropriate directory
• Connected to muelface.com admin screen, and configured the database

This entire process took less than 4 minutes.  WordPress was up and rockin, waiting for Matt to put his theme in and blog his first post!

I want to share with all of you just how awesome WordPress is, GoDaddy virtual servers are, and give Matt a little motivation to get that theme in place and get his first post up SOON. 

Good luck Matt!

6 Weeks ago, my boss decided he needed a new phone.  While he was happy with his Samsung Blackjack, he wanted an Iphone.  I ordered him one and went ahead and ordered one for myself.  My IT guys support everyone else, but my boss views me as his own personal IT person, so I figured I might as well be familiar with the device and I thought it would be nice to eliminate the need to carry my trusty Ipod Nano.  Here is what I found:

Pros:

• The web browser is totally AWESOME!  Opera is nice, but I never have experienced such seamless web browsing from a mobile device.
• The new Exchange plug-in is pretty, reading email and displaying attachments is pretty darned slick.
• Once you get the hang of the layout, it is fairly easy to navigate the phone.

Cons:

• You MUST have Itunes to activate your Iphone (We have a corporate account, so we did not need to go to an AT&T or Apple store).  This is a pain in the butt in a corporate environment.  There really are no management tools for Itunes, so I doubt these phone will make it across our corporation.
• No wonder there is a program called “jail break”.  I felt like I was in jail using this phone!  There are limited applications (most a not free), you can not edit Word documents, Excel files, etc. etc.
• Notes do not sync with Outlook, that totally sucks
• The phone crashes more often than my Windows Based phone (WOW!!)
• The Ipod functionality IMHO sucks, I prefer the interface of the wheel over the touch interface.
• I could find no functional voice dialing option.  I love Microsoft Voice Command, it works in conjunction with my Motorola H700 Bluetooth head set seamlessly (until the H700 died last week!)
• You cannot add attendees to a meeting you set up on your Iphone (total suck)

All and all, I liked the Iphone, but not enough to keep it.  If you want a read only device that displays thinks beautifully and you do not need a mobile computing platform, the Iphone is the bomb.  If you need a mobile computing platform, the Tilt with a custom ROM is AWESOME. I can recommend a ROM if you want!