Search results

  1. Z

    Anxiety and panic attacks..

    I know this isn't the best place for advice on medical issues, but I'm trying to figure out the next step to fix this crap.. Since I was in high school I've had anxiety problems - a feeling like no matter what I do it's never good enough, that sort of thing. It was always mild, and I felt...
  2. Z

    Going skiing one time - Should I rent gear?

    I'm going on a ski trip for 2 days in the middle of December. I realized that I don't have a ski coat or anything.. What's the best way to deal with getting gear? Buy cheap? Do most lodges rent a coat and pants? What about a ski mask? (I'm a snow n00b..) Thanks! Edit: Ok - I...
  3. Z

    Decent quality portable tabletop FM radio?

    I'm looking for a decent tabletop radio for my father for xmas - he likes my Tivoli isongbook, but I had no idea the damn thing was $400. I'm looking for something in the $100-$150 range - I was considering the Tivoli model one or an iPal but they look somewhat dinky next to my songbook...
  4. Z

    Recommend me a 'low stress' video game..

    Any thoughts? I'm looking for something that is a bit less stressful than half-life 2 and other fps.. I never really got into the warcraft style games.. How about the sims? My girlfriend used to play it, seemed pretty low stress Edit: I've played a lot of these: Portal - beat it...
  5. Z

    Why has the microwave not been improved?

    I know about convection ovens, but it's surprising to me that I can't stick something in a microwave, hit reheat, and it come out perfectly warmed without any stirring. Why are we stuck in the 60's with microwave technology?
  6. Z

    How to deal with extra headphone wire?

    I have about 2 feet of excess headphone wire - I saw a site a few weeks ago that explained how to tie it into a 'ball' that wouldn't come loose or snag on anything.. I can't for the life of me find it again - anyone know what I'm talking about?
  7. Z

    earphones with mic for use on motorcycle?

    I'm desperately trying to find a good solution for listening to music while riding. My requirements are: Ability to play/pause while riding Doesn't block ALL noise (i.e. the canal phones are out - they block too much noise. However, the in-ear type with a rubber cushion is fine because I...
  8. Z

    Good coffee beans to buy online?

    Can someone recommend a good place to buy coffee beans? I'm going through about 1lb a week, there must be a place online that's cheaper than the $8 I'm paying for dunkin donuts..
  9. Z

    Ductwork in attic - strapped to the roof joists?

    energystar.com recommends covering accessible ductwork with insulation - I have the 'soft' style ductwork in my attic and I live in a very hot and humid climate (southeast). Right now the ductwork is strapped to the top of the attic - the hottest part. That seems surprising to me, but I...
  10. Z

    Inexpensive plain analog tuner?

    Does one not exist? I'm trying to find a decent Vista-ready analog tuner. Nothing fancy - a hybrid tuner would be nice..
  11. Z

    Stuttering Ranger?

    I have a 1998 Ford Ranger 2.5l lima with 110k miles on it ? oil changed regularly, plugs/wires changes 30k ago. It has had a slight stutter for about 15k miles or so ? it?s most noticeable when going at a steady speed while going up a hill.. It feels somewhat like a slightly clogged fuel...
  12. Z

    Cool uses for extra usb flash drives?

    Over the past couple years I've acquired a few usb flash drives - I have a 16gb as my 'main' flash drive with my usual apps (hijackthis, spacemonger, vnc, etc) but I also have 2 or 3 8gb drives just sitting around.. Anyone doing anything cool with usb drives nowadays?
  13. Z

    How do you create your playlists?

    I can't be the only one in this situation... I've somehow accumulated over 3000 songs - about half of it is stuff I rarely want to listen to, but want to keep for when I'm in the mood for slow or oddball music. So how to you trim 3000 songs down to a playlist of 100 or so songs? I care...
  14. Z

    Sound card with 5.1 support for blu-ray?

    I have a spare pc that I want to setup primarily as a blu-ray player. I've already purchased an internal drive, and have realized that my plain jane audigy doesn't have drivers for Vista (I've played around with the hacks to force x-fi drivers but it just isn't worth the instability). So...
  15. Z

    Good socket organizer?

    I've tried almost every socket organizer known to man (I think anyway...).. from magnets to clips to trays etc etc.. Everyone single one seems to have a major flaw - trays are nice except not portable. Magnet type are portable but IME too heavy/ackward. The cliprails (...
  16. Z

    Should I get a Ducati 1098 or a car?

    A bit of background: I currently have a 1998 Ford Ranger - it has ~100k miles (so plenty of life left..) with nothing wrong w/ it other than a dent that's not worth fixing in the side and it's a 5-speed.. I have an 80 mile daily commute and would prefer an auto.. I'm thinking about getting...
  17. Z

    Vista Media Center, 360, PS3, Blu-Ray, and Me.

    First off, to the 'wrong forum' nazi's - this post is as about as general as it gets.. it has to do with windows, a/v, console gaming, and off-topic. Gen Hardware is about the only place for it to go. I'm trying to figure out the best way to watch blu-ray.. My current setup is: PC in...
  18. Z

    Serious question about applying for patent

    I came up with an idea for a product that (I seriously doubt) has ever been thought of. How do you start with nothing but an idea and go from there? I don't know anyone in this business or field - or have enough money to get started. How do people approach investors without worrying about...
  19. Z

    Things to do in Las Vegas?

    Any tips on fun things for a couple to do in Vegas? Also, I've never been to a casino.. and hints with that? I know how to play poker, and blackjack.. but know nothing about casino games. Is it acceptable to just show up as a n00b or what...
  20. Z

    "High Index" eyeglass lenses - distortion?

    I've spent some time with google and was unable to provide a get a definitive answer - My vision is 4.0 in one eye and 4.25 in the other. The optometrist at Costco really pushed their high index lens along with another option that makes the edges of the lens even thinner.. I asked if this...
  21. Z

    I just realized what lobsters REALLY are.

    Cockroaches. I was watching the Alton Brown show on lobsters... Think about their body structure, what cockroaches look like when squished - they both 'scream' when in pain... the juice on the inside Gross. I'm ruined as far as eating lobster for awhile, at least, is concerned.
  22. Z

    nm <delete>

    nm <delete>
  23. Z

    Anyone using sharepoint services 3.0?

    I'm in the process of setting up a basic WSS 3.0 installation. The company has AD organized using OU's (most likely since the company I work for actually owns several smaller companies). We're an exchange shop and thus have perfect distribution groups. Even though the differences are, imo...
  24. Z

    Tax Question - unemployed for part of last year..

    I know about the thread but have an appointment with H&R Block in 30 minutes, so I'm looking for a quick answer :) I own a home (purchased 3 years ago). I was unemployed for about 4 months last year. I am a full time student. I work full time. I have 2 w-2's (2 different employers), a...
  25. Z

    New mini-suv - Rav4, CR-V, or other?

    It's time for a new car - trying to help the girlfriend decide between a Rav4, CR-V, or Element. The Element is pretty much eliminated. She really likes the way it looks, but apparently the inside seems cheap and gimmicky - compared to the CR-V it's horrid. She likes the CR-V interior the...
  26. Z

    Help with song title..

    I'm trying to think of a song where the chorus has something similar to "I can't ____(sing?), and I can't ____(dance?)...." Not much to go on, but it was at one point a fairly popular song..
  27. Z

    Ideal media center solution - other than MCE

    I need to be able to stream tv to two other locations. Currently I have a vista pc that serves up MCE to one other tv (with an xbox 360 as an extender). However, my 360 has recently bit the dust. On top of that, I don't want to have to run MCE on my main pc. It's a pita to back up all of...
  28. Z

    Could someone recommend a free hardware 'stress test' utility?

    One of my users has a Sony TZ laptop - the lcd is "washing out, hard to read" while he is using outlook. I can't make it happen to determine what's causing it.. It's not the brightness level either.. I'm wondering if the vid card is overheating and am trying to find a good way to do an...
  29. Z

    Does the PS3 have "media center" like capabilities?

    I currently use my xbox 360 as a media center extender about 90% of the time. I very rarely play games on it, and even then mostly live arcade. It's started acting up (screen artifacts) and I have a best buy warranty - the store manager told me I can get a PS3 if I pay the difference.. So -...
  30. Z

    Post your DVR scheduled shows:

    If you have figured out how to view scheduled series and it's somewhat complicated with your setup please post how. I have media center (vista) and you go to Recorded TV, click 'view scheduled' at the top, and finally - series. This is also the order of priority. Post like this (in order...
  31. Z

    Riding on a jesus horse, you and me, every day is like christmas with Mike Huckabee!

    In reference to my original thread, which composed simply of this link: " http://www.superdeluxe.com/sd/...1B620A014D35576FA505B0 " I would like to add my honest (and original) opinions and/or thoughts: I really don't keep up with politics. Therefore, rather than delve into a...
  32. Z

    Riding on a jesus horse, you and me, every day is like christmas with mike huckabee!

    http://www.superdeluxe.com/sd/...1B620A014D35576FA505B0 So many reasons to choose for locking this but I'll use this one. Please Include Your Own Input with Links and Articles. Anandtech Senior Moderator Red Dawn
  33. Z

    "Stress relief" game?

    I just received an 8800gts and I'm looking for a good stress relief game.. I bought crysis and have played through a good bit of it, but is there anything more like serious sam that's current? I kinda just want to walk around and blow sh!t up without worrying about ammo or dying..
  34. Z

    Transferring saved games/live arcade to new xbox

    My xbox 360 is starting to get kind of flaky - it displays odd textures and stuff like it's overheating even though I've kept it spotless. I have a best buy warranty so it's not a big deal.... ....except for all of my saved gamed and live arcade The xbox I have now is the 20gb version...
  35. Z

    Is there any point in keeping an up-to date pc when I have a 360?

    I have a 360 - but for some reason it seems like I 'get into' pc games more.. I'm faced now with upgrading my old pos 6600 to an 8800 - but ~$270 for a video card is a lot.. Opinions? Are the graphics better for one versus the other? (360 is hooked up to a 720p plasma)
  36. Z

    8800 GT vs 8800 GTS fiasco

    Ok... I bought a Dell outlet pc that came with a decent quadro card which I'm going to sell on ebay. So, I need a video card. I play half life 2: orange box, and would like to play crysis. I typically don't care about the 'waiting to order since something new is about to come out' but...
  37. Z

    Anyone mess with hauppauge and RCA inputs w/ MCE?

    I bought one of those wireless security camera setups intending to use my pvr500 (two pvr150's on one card) as an input. However, I'm not seeing where MCE will let me use composite inputs on the card... I thought it would be channel 0 but no luck..
  38. Z

    XM radio that can go from car to motorcycle?

    I have a really... really... really... long commute. It's really not that bad except that morning radio is a hit-or-miss sorta deal. I already have a navigon 2100, so I don't really need another gps unless there's a gps/xm combo that's just fantastic. The head unit in my car has rca inputs...
  39. Z

    Will there ever be a way to hide avatars again?

    You used to be able to hide avatars in threads - will this ever be possible again?
  40. Z

    Does onboard raid still suck?

    Title says it all - Trying to decide whether to use the intel 82801 onboard raid controller w/ two striped 80gb drives (I'm not all *that* worried about reliability since I store everything on another drive) OR to use my wd2500ks (250gb se16 drive) as my system drive.