In response to Fred

I wish I could comment on the fast duo over the slower quad. When I bought mine last year nothing was really optimized to use the 4 cpus so a fast duo made sense. Now tho, the quad may be a better way to go, they've had more time to utilize it and moving forward quad would prob be the way to go.

I always like buying my cases with the PS already installed, never had a problem and I don't like messing with the added hassle...I know it's no big thing but it's what I'm used to now.

I've never used a gigabyte MB...I always use intel boards with intel CPUs and ASUS boards with AMD. Once again, just something I've had success with and grown comfortable with.

I don't know how much RAM is costing but I'd go 8 gig...you are using win7 64 bit right?

If you're following the ARS build you should be good to go tho.

1	OCZ ModXStream Pro OCZ500MXSP 500W Power Supply compatible with core i7 Item #:N82E16817341016 Return Policy: Standard Return Policy		-$30.00 Instant $25.00 Mail-in Rebate Card	$89.99 $59.99
1	GIGABYTE GA-P55-UD4P ATX Intel Motherboard Item #: N82E16813128400 Return Policy: Standard Return Policy Intel Core i5-750 2.66GHz LGA 1156 95W Quad-Core Processor Item #: N82E16819115215 Return Policy: CPU Replacement Only Return Policy OCZ Obsidian 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Item #: N82E16820227495 Return Policy: Memory Standard Return Policy		-$10.00 Instant -$42.00 Combo $20.00 Mail-in Rebate Card	$463.97 $411.97
Grand Total:				$471.96

A morning with Clonezilla

I can't believe software this powerful and effective is free.

It's not the most user friendly software in the world, but once you mess with it and get an understanding of how it works......wow.

I took an older laptop running XP, booted up with the clonezilla(cz) CD and created an image of the HD to a USB connected external HD. The xp box disk usage was at 29.6 gigs, the image cz created was 16.3 gigs (very nice)

I then overwrote the XP box with data using killdisk rendering it useless, wouldn't boot...no OS, no data to speak of, just zeroes from the overwrite.

Booted up with the cz disk, selected to clone the image that I had created on the USB HD to the local drive and the process began. About 30 min later the clone was complete..I rebooted and there it was, the XP box back to it's original state. XP did feel the need to run a CHKDSK on first boot however, no biggie.
Data is there, programs run, no issues that I can see.

From this point on, the last piece of my build doc will include imaging the disk.
I'm impressed. Please bear in mind that I have no experience with any other imaging software so I really don't have anything to compare this to, but damn it....it works.

The Perfect Desktop ?? - Ubuntu Studio 9.04

Fred this isn't directed at you, just my thoughts in general.

At first glance it looks like Ubuntu Studio 9.04 is a kind of image of JJ with it's own wallpaper, colors etc and goes on to indicate a whole bunch of useful items that go with it but from what I can tell, it just looks like JJ reskinned. The website guides you through the install then presents a laundry list of items that should be installed seperately after Ubuntu is set up.

Why aren't these items included in the image? So instead of an actual build, I have to install Ubuntu, add repositories then go and install scads of additional programs that they feel should be installed for the perfect desktop.

Meh. M....e.....h, meh.

Why yesterday was a PITA

Saturday 4/26 quick rundown as I don't want to spend all morning typing.
Go to pick up the new puppy at DFW for a flight at 730 AM. No puppy at terminal, somalli pirate (english mother fucker, do you speak it?!?) tells me its at AA cargo but he doesnt know where that is. 45 min later I find it but the puppy isnt there either, it's at AA priority shipping. 845 finally pick up the dog.

Lunch time, out to pick up mommas pizza and some delicious cherry Dr Pepper.
citgo doesnt have it
7-11 doesnt have it
QT doesnt have it (urge to kill rising)
exxon doesnt have it
texaco has it...finally

Out for a late dinner at saltgrass, heading down I30 to Arlington. I'm in the middle lane, speed limit is 60MPH, I'm traveling at approx 64. Big ass tractor trailer is behind me and closing, and closing... like 5 feet from my bumper at 64 fuck this assclown, I slow down to 60 and he's like inches away..then come the high beams. Please bear in mind, im in the center lane of the 3 lane highway, there is traffic in the slow lane, but the PASSING lane is wide open. I'm pretty pissed at this point and decide that I dont care and I hope he nudges me (thought about a brake check but that would have been bad, very bad) Finally he passes me in the passing lane, gets back in the middle lane and proceedes to go approx 64ish MPH, about 59 up the next hill. Fuck you asshole! So I pass him and go on my merry way.

saltgrass in N arlington had a fire and will be closed for about a month, we're hungry and wtf. Next choice is texas land and cattle. Theres a reason I havent gone there in about a year (lunch with Fred) We get seated....7-10 minutes goes by without anyone even coming over to our table. Unacceptable. As I'm walking out I see 2 food servers standing at our booth with a puzzled look. Staci continues outside while go back and let them know what I felt about their crappy service.

Headed up 360, to the grapevine saltgrass ( we really like their cheesecake) ate dinner, had dessert and finally all was right with the day, made it back home without incident and today I may not leave the house.

I didn't re-read this and I'm not concerned with spelling or punctuation.

What a douchebag may look like