What Do I Use?

Well its all fun a games to sit here telling you about new and exciting things that are happening out there; but when it comes down to it what do I actually have and use on a daily basis.

1. Main Desktop Computer

This is a Standard PC that we have built in-shop. It's running an older Intel  E2180 2.0Ghz Processor with 4 GB of RAM, a 160GB Hard Drive and Running Windows 7 Professional

Its by no means of a powerhouse computer however it really is just grabbing data on and off the server all day so doesn't have to be that flash.

2. ASUS N50VC Notebook Computer

I am very impressed with the new ASUS Notebook that I have purchased. It has just the right amount of features that I need in every day usage. It has a Full Size Keyboard (Numeric Pad Included), 4GB of RAM and a reasonable Graphics Card. Again Running Windows 7 it just screams along with whatever I throw at it.

It travels with me to and from work and probably averaged about 12 hours of punishment per day. It connects automatically to the Internet via Wireless at each end; so is pretty much always online.

It has just replaced my previous fantastic LG Notebook that due to LG pulling out of Australia for notebook repairs and sales ans finally gone to silicon heaven. Again it got a beating out of everything that I threw at it and lasted 2.5 years; so I have high hopes for the new ASUS as its a lot more of a solid machine.

3. Apple iPhone 4

This phone does indeed take the mobile phone market to a new level. I find it amazing how often I use it to check my Mail, Browse the Internet, txt the staff, login to the Bank, listen to music & audio books, play little addictive games to pass the time; and sometimes even rarely actually use it for making and receiving phone calls.

Yes its an apple device; and I'm paying the Apple Tax to have such a premium glossy pretty device (Guaranteed to make me look a lot cooler like the Apple Fan Boys); but with all the other smart phones that I have used running windows mobile there is little comparison when compared with the iPhone.

The iPhone run Safari (Apples Web Browser) and its capable of viewing most pages on the internet. It implements the "pinch" to zoom in and out of the page and simply pressing on the links takes you there. Currently it cant display flash animation web sites; however its just been updated to take advantage of HTML 5; so as these new apps start to appear the iPhone should be able to use them.

Its a very good polished off unit that I recommend to anyone who needs more than just a phone; and the ability to sync with the exchange server at work means that my appointments, emails and contacts are always up to date on each device I use.

4. Terrorbyte.com.au Server Equipment.

There is a lot of gear here; but safe to say we have a few servers all running windows server platform operating systems. Small Business Server 2003, 2008, Web Server 2003, Standard Server 2008, Exchange Server, Sharepoint Server etc.

Each server has a role looking after different networks within the shop; however we could not live without our Exchange Server (This manages our emails and calendars, then syncs it between our different computers and pushes it to our mobile phones; and our Internal Intranet that hosts our job management and tracking website

5. My Home Gear. - Windows Home Server

This has been a more recent unit that I have built and runs the not so main stream Windows Home Server software. Apart from being a central Hub to the network at home and a file sharing device. It also does some pretty amazing things with backing up all the computers on the Home Network; and allows me to have access to my content stored on it from anywhere in the world.

Its been rebuilt from my old home desktop PC; and basically sits in the corner of the spare bedroom humming away all day and night. If your interested in a Home Server checkout Microsoft's pages on it, however we can help build and implement it into your house or even small business.

 

6. Media Center PC

This is the single best technology that I have brought into the home. They are more common now; however require a fair bit of work to get everything up and running.  The Media Center streams its content from the Home Server to its TV.

Its very handy for playback of Movies and DVD's so that you can easily put a movie on for the kids when they deserve it; however it also functions as a Digital TV tuner. (In fact 2)

This means that I can record 2 tv shows from Free to Air Digital (Seven, Nine, Ten, ABC & SBS) at the same time; whilst watching something I have recorded earlier. 

The interface is great; and the controls with the Windows Media Center Remote are so easy that often we will catch my 3 year old daughter out of bed and watching kids shows at 9pm :)

It is possible with a bit of configuring to get both an Australian EPG Guide (Digital TV Guide) working; and the ability to connect an Austar box through it. 

I really think that this is the kind of device that will end up in the lounge room around the country in years to come; and if your interested in seeing one in action we have one setup in a cinema setup at the shop; and we have installed them in several home cinema setups around town.

 

7. Media Center Extender Divco Tvix PVR 3330.

These devices are designed to link off the media center and allow you to access its content in another room. Whist technically the Divco doesn't do this in the Microsoft Sense it does stream content off the home server. This allows us to again watch we want out of our DVD and Recorded TV collection whilst keeping the data centralised in the one spot.

The Divco also has the ability to tune in Digital TV stations; record to its own internal hard drive and playback video, audio and pictures. It can output at 1080i using HDMI but also can use component out, S-Video out and old faithful RCA.

We still supply the Divco boxes in-store; however if your interesting in reading more about them view the product sheet for them here

8.9.10. The Rest of the Toys

As for Gaming consoles I now have a Gamecube, PS2 & Wii. I also have a 2 x Xbox 360 that I also use as Media Center Extenders. The game consoles are really used by the kids most of the time. I barely get much time for games these days; but when I do have a spare moment I fire up the epic World of Warcraft (WOW) MMORPG.