Apparently Sony Vaios are overpriced. I've been looking at Dell Inspirons and have found the perfect laptop at a great price. Now all that remains is finding a place to buy it from. Apparently I can order online at kakaku.com, but I will have to check it out. ;)
Timotheos
Change of tack
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Great Big Soup
Read this encouraging story about a big bowl of soup in Auckland.
Also: who is Nick Willis?
Timotheos
Too hot to hoot
Also: who is Nick Willis?
Timotheos
Too hot to hoot
Monday, August 18, 2008
Choosing a Laptop
Choosing the right anything takes research. Knowing your goals helps to make a decision.
When it came to the last monitor I bought, I read reviews, looked up stats and compared prices before deciding on the right one. Suffice to say, I was very happy with the Samsung 20.1" TFT that I chose at the time, and continued to appreciate it up until the day I left New Zealand.
Now, in deciding on a laptop, I looked up a laptop purchasing guide to re-familiarise myself with terminology. I read this alongside the ultimate cpu guide and resolution in relation to gpus and gaming. I also compared the two prominent cpus in my current laptop selection, namely the T8100 and the T9300. Upon reading a thread related to the cpus, I came across this thread, that compares the T8300 and the T9300. It appears that the difference between the 8100 and the 8300 is greater than the difference between the 8300 and the 9300, overall.
As the store that I will purchase my computer from provided me with a Sony Vaio catalogue, and the laptop that I want fits the description of the type A laptops, I decided on the VGN-AR65DB as compared to the VGN-AR75UDB. The 65 has a smaller hard-drive, but this is upgradeable. I will probably go with 4GB of RAM rather than 2GB, simply to save the bother of researching RAM prices and installing an extra 2GB myself.
The biggest differences between the two laptops are the processors and the screen resolutions. The 75 has a WUXGA (1920 x 1200) native resolution. However, WXGA+ (1440 x 900) is perfectly fine for gaming, and in fact may prove to be better, especially considering the GeForce 8600M GT GPU in these machinees -- as outlined in this thread. The 75 is running a Core 2 Duo T9300 (6MB L2 cache), as compared to the 65's T8100 (3MB L2). As the difference between these CPUs is minimal and will not noticeably affect my gaming or video editing performance, it would be wise -- even now -- to go with the cheaper option.
I intend to put what money I save in choosing the mid-range notebook towards a Bluetooth laser mouse (possibly the Logitech V470) or something more suited to gaming (like the VX Revolution) and a notebook carry bag. Eventually, I want to get one of those cool metal cases, but I may have to look around online for something suitable.
17" Sony Vaio, here I come!
Timotheos
Lappy powah
When it came to the last monitor I bought, I read reviews, looked up stats and compared prices before deciding on the right one. Suffice to say, I was very happy with the Samsung 20.1" TFT that I chose at the time, and continued to appreciate it up until the day I left New Zealand.
Now, in deciding on a laptop, I looked up a laptop purchasing guide to re-familiarise myself with terminology. I read this alongside the ultimate cpu guide and resolution in relation to gpus and gaming. I also compared the two prominent cpus in my current laptop selection, namely the T8100 and the T9300. Upon reading a thread related to the cpus, I came across this thread, that compares the T8300 and the T9300. It appears that the difference between the 8100 and the 8300 is greater than the difference between the 8300 and the 9300, overall.
As the store that I will purchase my computer from provided me with a Sony Vaio catalogue, and the laptop that I want fits the description of the type A laptops, I decided on the VGN-AR65DB as compared to the VGN-AR75UDB. The 65 has a smaller hard-drive, but this is upgradeable. I will probably go with 4GB of RAM rather than 2GB, simply to save the bother of researching RAM prices and installing an extra 2GB myself.
The biggest differences between the two laptops are the processors and the screen resolutions. The 75 has a WUXGA (1920 x 1200) native resolution. However, WXGA+ (1440 x 900) is perfectly fine for gaming, and in fact may prove to be better, especially considering the GeForce 8600M GT GPU in these machinees -- as outlined in this thread. The 75 is running a Core 2 Duo T9300 (6MB L2 cache), as compared to the 65's T8100 (3MB L2). As the difference between these CPUs is minimal and will not noticeably affect my gaming or video editing performance, it would be wise -- even now -- to go with the cheaper option.
I intend to put what money I save in choosing the mid-range notebook towards a Bluetooth laser mouse (possibly the Logitech V470) or something more suited to gaming (like the VX Revolution) and a notebook carry bag. Eventually, I want to get one of those cool metal cases, but I may have to look around online for something suitable.
17" Sony Vaio, here I come!
Timotheos
Lappy powah
Thursday, August 07, 2008
Updatezor!
Well, I said that I probably won't update this particular blog, as my Nippon no Tabi one is now my main blog and documents my life as it is -- after all, who updates two blogs? It makes sense to put everything into my current blog rather than keep it specific to my role in Japan and then post personal stuff to a different place.
That said, I have so much free time right now, waiting for the school year to start up again after Summer here in Japan, that I want to post to this blog. I haven't played World of Warcraft in about two months now -- not since my subscription ran out sometime in June. I am missing out on playing the WotLK beta, and on everything that I could be doing in-game.
I suppose that when I get a laptop (hopefully in less than two weeks), I will have Internet connected at my house and will be able to play the game again. What I would like is to join a raiding guild again -- especially for the expansion. I've missed out on so much progression and raiding experience since the release of the last expansion and our disbanding ofUnknown.
Perhaps I could use this blog as a kind of World of Warcraft wishlist or gear and achievements site. It would be fun to just keep track of all my characters in one place. Renaming the blog could also work, as its original purpose no longer applies. Since letting this blog rest in peace, it no longer has a real purpose.
As a kind of teaser, following is a wishlist of mage gear. Had I been able to be a part of a large raiding guild and continued with 25-man progression through Black Temple and the Sunwell, I may have seen some of this gear. As it is, it didn't happen; which is why I dream! This wishlist will no longer apply in a few months when the expansion goes live, but it is a time killer and gives me something to do for part of this afternoon. ^^
Gaiwyn -- Level 70 Human Mage (2/48/11)
Head: [Dark Conjuror's Collar]
Enchant: [Glyph of Power]
Gems: [Ember Skyfire Diamond] [Forceful Seaspray Emerald]
Neck: [Amulet of Unfettered Magics]
Shoulders: [Amice of the Convoker]
Enchant: [Greater Inscription of Discipline]
Gems: [Reckless Pyrestone] [Reckless Pyrestone]
Back: [Tattered Cape of Antonidas]
Enchant: [Enchant Cloak - Subtlety]
Gem: [Reckless Pyrestone]
Chest: [Sunfire Robe]
Enchant: [Enchant Chest - Exceptional Stats]
Gems: [Reckless Pyrestone] [Reckless Pyrestone] [Reckless Pyrestone]
Wrists: [Bracers of the Tempest]
Enchant: [Enchant Bracer - Spellpower]
Gem: [Reckless Pyrestone]
Hands: [Sunfire Handwraps]
Enchant: [Enchant Gloves - Major Spellpower]
Gems: [Reckless Pyrestone] [Reckless Pyrestone]
Waist: [Belt of the Tempest]
Gem: [Reckless Pyrestone]
Legs: [Leggings of Calamity]
Enchant: [Runic Spellthread]
Gems: [Reckless Pyrestone] [Reckless Pyrestone] [Reckless Pyrestone]
Feet: [Boots of the Tempest]
Enchant: [Enchant Boots - Boar's Speed]
Gem: [Reckless Pyrestone]
Finger: [Ring of Omnipotence]
Enchant: [Enchant Ring - Spellpower]
Finger: [Ring of Ancient Knowledge]
Enchant: [Enchant Ring - Spellpower]
Trinket: [Shifting Naaru Sliver]
Trinket: [The Skull of Gul'dan]
Weapon: [Sunflare]
Enchant: [Enchant Weapon - Sunfire]
Off-hand: [Heart of the Pit]
Wand: [Wand of the Demonsoul]
Gem: [Reckless Pyrestone]
Funfun!
Timotheos
That said, I have so much free time right now, waiting for the school year to start up again after Summer here in Japan, that I want to post to this blog. I haven't played World of Warcraft in about two months now -- not since my subscription ran out sometime in June. I am missing out on playing the WotLK beta, and on everything that I could be doing in-game.
I suppose that when I get a laptop (hopefully in less than two weeks), I will have Internet connected at my house and will be able to play the game again. What I would like is to join a raiding guild again -- especially for the expansion. I've missed out on so much progression and raiding experience since the release of the last expansion and our disbanding of
Perhaps I could use this blog as a kind of World of Warcraft wishlist or gear and achievements site. It would be fun to just keep track of all my characters in one place. Renaming the blog could also work, as its original purpose no longer applies. Since letting this blog rest in peace, it no longer has a real purpose.
As a kind of teaser, following is a wishlist of mage gear. Had I been able to be a part of a large raiding guild and continued with 25-man progression through Black Temple and the Sunwell, I may have seen some of this gear. As it is, it didn't happen; which is why I dream! This wishlist will no longer apply in a few months when the expansion goes live, but it is a time killer and gives me something to do for part of this afternoon. ^^
Gaiwyn -- Level 70 Human Mage (2/48/11)
Head: [Dark Conjuror's Collar]
Enchant: [Glyph of Power]
Gems: [Ember Skyfire Diamond] [Forceful Seaspray Emerald]
Neck: [Amulet of Unfettered Magics]
Shoulders: [Amice of the Convoker]
Enchant: [Greater Inscription of Discipline]
Gems: [Reckless Pyrestone] [Reckless Pyrestone]
Back: [Tattered Cape of Antonidas]
Enchant: [Enchant Cloak - Subtlety]
Gem: [Reckless Pyrestone]
Chest: [Sunfire Robe]
Enchant: [Enchant Chest - Exceptional Stats]
Gems: [Reckless Pyrestone] [Reckless Pyrestone] [Reckless Pyrestone]
Wrists: [Bracers of the Tempest]
Enchant: [Enchant Bracer - Spellpower]
Gem: [Reckless Pyrestone]
Hands: [Sunfire Handwraps]
Enchant: [Enchant Gloves - Major Spellpower]
Gems: [Reckless Pyrestone] [Reckless Pyrestone]
Waist: [Belt of the Tempest]
Gem: [Reckless Pyrestone]
Legs: [Leggings of Calamity]
Enchant: [Runic Spellthread]
Gems: [Reckless Pyrestone] [Reckless Pyrestone] [Reckless Pyrestone]
Feet: [Boots of the Tempest]
Enchant: [Enchant Boots - Boar's Speed]
Gem: [Reckless Pyrestone]
Finger: [Ring of Omnipotence]
Enchant: [Enchant Ring - Spellpower]
Finger: [Ring of Ancient Knowledge]
Enchant: [Enchant Ring - Spellpower]
Trinket: [Shifting Naaru Sliver]
Trinket: [The Skull of Gul'dan]
Weapon: [Sunflare]
Enchant: [Enchant Weapon - Sunfire]
Off-hand: [Heart of the Pit]
Wand: [Wand of the Demonsoul]
Gem: [Reckless Pyrestone]
Funfun!
Timotheos
Monday, October 15, 2007
It's been a while...
I don't post here anymore, but you can check out my latest plans and my new blog at The Japan Journey. It won't be updated as regularly as I used to post here, but I don't intend to revive this blog anytime in the near future.
After reading through some of my past posts, it's funny to think that a year ago I was levelling my rogue to 60. She actually hit level 60 after seven days of play time. I'd have reached it before the New Year if I hadn't gone away over that time. The funny thing is, I have five level 70s now (Mage, Hunter, Warrior, Rogue and Priest). However, over these last few weeks I've eased off playing. I no longer raid but my warrior and priest are pretty well geared and are able to run heroics and the easiest ten-man instance, Karazhan.
My mage is fully epicced and could safely do Tempest Keep and Magtheridon, if not Hyjal and the Black Temple. She's still my main toon. I got her to 70 in one week after the expansion came out and had an epic flying mount the following week (costing 5,200g), with a Netherdrake two weeks after Netherwing rep became available.
As I said, I don't raid anymore, and I also don't play nearly as much as I used to. I enjoy healing on my Draenei Priest and tanking on my Human Warrior, but just don't want to find the time to play these days. I'm levelling a shaman (level 31), simply because I enjoy levelling characters, but I've decided that when this current subscription runs out I won't be renewing it until at least the start of next year, if not leaving it in limbo until the next expansion, Wrath of the Lich King comes out in Nov 2008.
Then it will be a matter of deciding which toon(s) to level to 80. Imagine six level 80s, hahaha >.> Don't think even I'm quite that crazy :o
Anyway, shoot over to my Nippon Tabi blog, because that's where my updates are going to be. Hopefully by this time next year I will be in Japan!
Peace.
-Timotheos
Five 70s FTW
After reading through some of my past posts, it's funny to think that a year ago I was levelling my rogue to 60. She actually hit level 60 after seven days of play time. I'd have reached it before the New Year if I hadn't gone away over that time. The funny thing is, I have five level 70s now (Mage, Hunter, Warrior, Rogue and Priest). However, over these last few weeks I've eased off playing. I no longer raid but my warrior and priest are pretty well geared and are able to run heroics and the easiest ten-man instance, Karazhan.
My mage is fully epicced and could safely do Tempest Keep and Magtheridon, if not Hyjal and the Black Temple. She's still my main toon. I got her to 70 in one week after the expansion came out and had an epic flying mount the following week (costing 5,200g), with a Netherdrake two weeks after Netherwing rep became available.
As I said, I don't raid anymore, and I also don't play nearly as much as I used to. I enjoy healing on my Draenei Priest and tanking on my Human Warrior, but just don't want to find the time to play these days. I'm levelling a shaman (level 31), simply because I enjoy levelling characters, but I've decided that when this current subscription runs out I won't be renewing it until at least the start of next year, if not leaving it in limbo until the next expansion, Wrath of the Lich King comes out in Nov 2008.
Then it will be a matter of deciding which toon(s) to level to 80. Imagine six level 80s, hahaha >.> Don't think even I'm quite that crazy :o
Anyway, shoot over to my Nippon Tabi blog, because that's where my updates are going to be. Hopefully by this time next year I will be in Japan!
Peace.
-Timotheos
Five 70s FTW
Monday, November 13, 2006
Final Freighting
Lots of FFX.
The usual World of Warcraft raiding, though recently we have been cutting back to four scheduled raids a week instead of five. I've been easing off on Mon and Tues nights, too.
Handed in my resignation at work on Saturday. I am going back to full-time tomorrow. My last day will be Saturday, 16 December. We should be heading up North not long after that to visit mum, dad and the family; to spend Christmas with them. I hope to get in some fishing with Matt while we are in Taupo.
Nick is moving to Hamilton this coming Friday. We are trying to sell our furniture but so far it's not going so well. May have to shift it all to Lish's and sort it out from there. Oh yeah, and I'm moving back to Lish and Matt's next Monday. My tenancy will expire the following Mon, as I had to give 21 days notice, so that gives me a week after my move to finalise shifting stuff and get the whole place spic 'n span.
I played drums at church three Sun mornings in a row. It'll be good to take a break this coming Sun. We had our last service at Wai-iti Cres yesterday. Hutt CCC no longer exists. Bring on Hope Centre! It's gonna be great moving to a new spot for church. A little harder for me to attend music practice but I'm sure I can sort something out for that.
-Timotheos
Boxes
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
Renzokuken
It has been a while since I last updated this. There are two reasons: I've spent too much time playing and doing other things to put aside 15 mins to Blog; last time I went to write an entry, the site was down.
A couple of weeks ago, a Korean lady from next door came over to ask for help with English. We are making it a weekly thing. She came over last night with a few pieces of chocolate cake, and spent two hours here, instead of the usual one. It was her birthday, which explains the cake. She also brought over a little so-ju (alcoholic rice beverage), which I hadn't had since I was in Korea - and then, only once that I recall.
WoW is just humming along. The expansion has been pushed back to at least January 2007, which means a few more months to level my rogue - who is now 30 - and to get more epics on my mage, to help with levelling her to 70 when the time comes.
Recently (from Sunday, actually), I have been playing Final Fantasy X again. My most recent game wasn't too far in, but since then I have made a fair amount of progress. Not too long until I have the airship and pretty much free reign, meaning I can really uber out my characters, play Blitzball and fight captured fiends ^^
I had an exam last Thursday. I think it went ok. I have my last one this Thursday, and then I have a week off before starting back at work full-time for the Summer. That will mean less WoW, but the ability to actually survive due to getting money. My student allowance gets cut off soon, so hopefully I can get enough hours at work from the 12th of Nov until my course starts up again next year. Speaking of which, I really must sort out exactly what I'm going to be doing next year...
I'm borrowing Lish's car this week. They went over to Fiji on Friday, with Reuben. The price I have to pay is dropping Nick at work, but hopefully I can put it to some good use by buying myself a tv whilst I have the transport - or something. Because we seriously need a new tv. Not that I use it all that much, but I do watch Stargate regularly, and will hopefully be getting into some more anime - plus, of course, there is FFX; and FFXII, when it eventually gets released.
Well, back to FFX.
-Timotheos
A couple of weeks ago, a Korean lady from next door came over to ask for help with English. We are making it a weekly thing. She came over last night with a few pieces of chocolate cake, and spent two hours here, instead of the usual one. It was her birthday, which explains the cake. She also brought over a little so-ju (alcoholic rice beverage), which I hadn't had since I was in Korea - and then, only once that I recall.
WoW is just humming along. The expansion has been pushed back to at least January 2007, which means a few more months to level my rogue - who is now 30 - and to get more epics on my mage, to help with levelling her to 70 when the time comes.
Recently (from Sunday, actually), I have been playing Final Fantasy X again. My most recent game wasn't too far in, but since then I have made a fair amount of progress. Not too long until I have the airship and pretty much free reign, meaning I can really uber out my characters, play Blitzball and fight captured fiends ^^
I had an exam last Thursday. I think it went ok. I have my last one this Thursday, and then I have a week off before starting back at work full-time for the Summer. That will mean less WoW, but the ability to actually survive due to getting money. My student allowance gets cut off soon, so hopefully I can get enough hours at work from the 12th of Nov until my course starts up again next year. Speaking of which, I really must sort out exactly what I'm going to be doing next year...
I'm borrowing Lish's car this week. They went over to Fiji on Friday, with Reuben. The price I have to pay is dropping Nick at work, but hopefully I can put it to some good use by buying myself a tv whilst I have the transport - or something. Because we seriously need a new tv. Not that I use it all that much, but I do watch Stargate regularly, and will hopefully be getting into some more anime - plus, of course, there is FFX; and FFXII, when it eventually gets released.
Well, back to FFX.
-Timotheos
Thursday, October 19, 2006
Overhaul
It's been a while - yet again. So here's an update:
On Sunday night I was promoted to Mage Officer for my World of Warcraft guild, Unknown. It's a big responsibility, but one that I am willing to, and able to, undertake . It doesn't mean I automatically get better geared up, but it does mean that I am in a position of respect and am expected to assist and attend ^.^
I wrote a 2,000 word essay on the merits of a formulaic approach to genre, taking the slasher genre as the main focus and using an example of the film Scream. IMO, it turned out pretty well. Not the most solid essay, but then: it can be hard to write 2k words on such a topic and keep it interesting. It's due in tomorrow - I wrote it on Wednesday.
I picked up my Athlon X2 Dual Core 4200+ CPU on Tuesday and spent the next two days backing everything up. I installed my 7600 GT graphics card and the CPU today and formatted my SATA's. Spent a lot of time trying to get the nVidia RAID controller to work, but to no avail; so I ended up using the Silicon Image one instead, which is what I had before. As I reinstalled Windows - my legit copy of Professional - it meant getting all the up-to-date drivers for everything - and setting my preferences again, too.
So yeah, my whole evening has been spent setting my computer up. The sad thing is, a lot of the data and media that I backed up has been lost due to poor quality DVD's. I'm going to have to work my way from the ground up with a lot of things. Meh, it's only stuff. So long as I can get WoW working flawlessly, I'll be happy ^^
-Timotheos
Do over
On Sunday night I was promoted to Mage Officer for my World of Warcraft guild, Unknown. It's a big responsibility, but one that I am willing to, and able to, undertake . It doesn't mean I automatically get better geared up, but it does mean that I am in a position of respect and am expected to assist and attend ^.^
I wrote a 2,000 word essay on the merits of a formulaic approach to genre, taking the slasher genre as the main focus and using an example of the film Scream. IMO, it turned out pretty well. Not the most solid essay, but then: it can be hard to write 2k words on such a topic and keep it interesting. It's due in tomorrow - I wrote it on Wednesday.
I picked up my Athlon X2 Dual Core 4200+ CPU on Tuesday and spent the next two days backing everything up. I installed my 7600 GT graphics card and the CPU today and formatted my SATA's. Spent a lot of time trying to get the nVidia RAID controller to work, but to no avail; so I ended up using the Silicon Image one instead, which is what I had before. As I reinstalled Windows - my legit copy of Professional - it meant getting all the up-to-date drivers for everything - and setting my preferences again, too.
So yeah, my whole evening has been spent setting my computer up. The sad thing is, a lot of the data and media that I backed up has been lost due to poor quality DVD's. I'm going to have to work my way from the ground up with a lot of things. Meh, it's only stuff. So long as I can get WoW working flawlessly, I'll be happy ^^
-Timotheos
Do over
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