Dave's Workshop - Workbench September 2nd

Workbench

Week of September 2^nd - 8^th 2001

Sunday

Monday

There is never a good time to buy a new computer. Yesterday I ordered parts for a new system and today AnandTech has an article about VIA's "new" KT266A Athlon chipset. Oh well, I actually figured placing my order would trigger the release of motherboards based on nVidia's nForce chipset, but that still looks to be a month or so off. In any case, buying the first motherboards off the line for a new chipset isn't usually the best idea anyway. Unless you're a hardcore enthusiast (i.e. you buy several motherboards a year, constantly staying on the cutting edge), it's usually better to wait several months and make sure the kinks are worked out of the physical layout. You also avoid paying a premium for the latest and greatest. In fact, I also expect AMD to introduce a new desktop CPU now that I've bought a 1.4 GHz (I know I'm contradicting myself by buying the latest and greatest CPU, but prices have fallen so much in the last month there's little difference in price between the 1 GHz and 1.4 GHz models). Anyway more on the new system as I get around to it.

I did find a couple a deals today on things I didn't order for my new computer. I knew I wanted a Sound Blaster Live! sound card, but there are several versions to chose from. I couldn't decide between an "OEM" white box card for around $45 or a retail boxed version close to $90. In the end, I didn't decide, I just put it off. This morning Kara wanted to go to the craft store, so I tagged along, but decided to walk over to Wal-Mart to look at what computer games they had (I've got to get some new games to show off the new system right?). They didn't have much, but as I looked around I saw they had the retail Sound Blaster Live! MP3+ on clearance for $50! Now this isn't the latest model, there is a newer version that adds Dolby Digital 5.1 (and of course they just introduced a new "audigy" line), but at that price it's a great deal. So sound card problem solved, one other issue I had was a CDROM drive. A few months ago the CDROM drive in my main system died. Temporarily, I pulled a 4x drive out of a secondary machine I had sitting around. For my Birthday, Kara bought me a CDRW so I put that in and moved to loaner back. With the new machine I intend to move the current CDRW over, so that will leave my current machine without a CDROM again. I almost ordered a 52x Creative CDROM online, but wasn't sure if I really needed to spend the $50. Sure it's not a lot of money, but it's still $50. So like the Sound Card I waited. After leaving the craft store (and Wal-Mart) we stopped by the Mall. Again looking for computer games, I stopped in Babbage's. Just like online, they had the 52x unit for $50, but they also had a 48x unit for $30 (down from $45). What's more they had some Sound Blaster SBS 20 speakers that are normally around $20 reduced to $5! So not a bad day shopping, good Creative Labs stuff at bargain prices, you can't beat that.

Tuesday

I've got to talk sports today. First, this weekend my Seminoles tock care of business in their opener vs. Duke. I know it was just Duke, but we've got about as young a team as I can remember. And with eleven true freshmen seeing action on Saturday, you might expect some freshman mistakes. There weren't any to speak of though, as after the first quarter the Noles looked pretty good. I thought Rix looked a little tentative in the beginning, but came on as the game progressed. McPherson also looked good coming off the bench in the second half. The defense was solid and what can you say about the special teams; two blocked punts for touchdowns and good aggressive play throughout (although they did give up a punt return for a TD). The only downside I saw was too many drops by the wide receivers. Overall, a very encouraging performance. UAB is up next weekend. While they should present a better test then Duke, at home we shouldn't have too much trouble handeling them.

The big news is my Cardinals getting a no-hitter last night against the Padres. Bud Smith, a rookie pitcher for the Cards, went the distance in only his eleventh major league start. Maybe this can get the Cards going again. They're 6 games out of first in the division, but only 3 back in the wild card. Unfortunately, they haven't played very well on the road and they've got a lot of road games left.

Wednesday

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Week of September 2^nd - 8^th 2001

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Week of September 2nd - 8th 2001

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Week of September 2^nd - 8^th 2001