HTPC Guide: Part 2, XP vs. Vista
By Jeffrey | May 21, 2008
We’ve already discussed what hardware you’ll want to have in Part 1 of this guide, so now it’s time to consider what operating system you’ll be wanting to run on it.
What system you’ll want is really dependent on what you’ll be wanting to do on the machine and which operating system you are partial to. So, if you use Windows as your primary system, then you probably won’t want to jump into another OS for your HTPC, as you’ll have to figure out how to use that OS as well as how to properly set up the computer.
Obviously the comparison between running OS X, your favorite flavor of Linux, or Windows could go on for quite some time, but, leaving aside basic desktop duties such as browsing and word processing, what it will really come down to is whether you’re wanting to play recent games on the box.
If so, then Windows is really your only option. I promise this is the one time throughout the guide that we will break our “free software” rule.
So the question now is: XP or Vista?
Topics: Guides | 2 Comments »
HTPC Guide: Part 1, The Components
By Jeffrey | May 19, 2008
Not so many years ago people who had a passion for movies, music, and photography would store their collections on rows and rows of shelves. The more obsessed ones would require entire rooms to house their media library.
But today, thanks to the low cost of hard drive space and the advanced capabilities of computers, we can compile an infinitely larger collection, and keep it all in a space no larger than a computer case.
Of course, that is nothing extraordinary today. People have had digital collections since the first media player was coded.
But now I’m going to show you through a series of guides how to watch and record TV, professionally upscale DVDs, organized and view your media collection, and tie it all together in a specialized computer known as a Home Theater PC - all using free software.
Topics: Guides | 6 Comments »
If Nintendo Made Halo
By Jeffrey | May 10, 2008
A pretty well made video asking “What If?” Thank heavens they didn’t…
Topics: Video Of The Week | 2 Comments »
VOTW: Batman Vs. Alien Vs. Predator
By Jeffrey | May 8, 2008
Ok, we all know how hard it is waiting for the Dark Knight to come out, especially after seeing the latest trailer, but until then here’s a pretty decent fan film to tide you over. It’s no Heath Ledger, of course, but it’s passable, especially for YouTube.
Anyway, enough talk, let’s let ol’ Batsy work.
Topics: Video Of The Week | No Comments »
ATI Fix Your Drivers!
By Jeffrey | May 2, 2008
I tend to play older games at least as often as modern games. Of course, I use modern programs to make those older games’ graphics look better - such as Doomsday for Doom and ePSXe for my Playstation games - and those programs and games often use OpenGL to display their graphics. No problem, right? Well, yeah, as long as you’re not running an ATI video card.
It seems that ATI has, for whatever reason, had absolutely terrible support for OpenGL in their latest drivers. Polygons are missing, missing textures, graphics look weird, and ATI has done nothing to fix it.
So, on behalf of other classic gamers like myself: ATI fix your drivers!
Read on for images that show what I’m talking about, and a possible fix for you XP users.
Topics: Rants | 1 Comment »
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