Tuna Can Org - totally irreleveant stuff

Computers!

Chronicles of a computer geek

Enter the computer geek...

I've grown to accept the fact that I'm a computer geek. I know, people chuckle when they hear me say it, but I say it proudly. I've been a computer geek since my parents bought our first family computer. It's all been downhill since then. *grins* You can learn more about my computer history here at TunaCanOrg.

Along the years I've taught myself a lot of cool skills, and along with the occasional computer college class, I've amassed quite a variety of tech skills that makes me comfortable using a computer. This means that I'm not a single area type of user -- I am quite comfortable doing a lot of things with the computer.

Anyways, I can tell you that I will always be working on something technology or computer related. It's just hardwired into my brain. Here are a few things that I'm currently learning about Linux operating system, the GP2X handheld, database systems (specifically SQL for cross platform flexibility using MySQL), and web application programming. I also dabble with Cisco IOS and system programming with languages like C++, Perl, and Python.

One of my all time favorite projects was an operating system called BeOS, but sadly Be Inc. is no longer around. You can learn more of what I enjoyed about the BeOS at my BeOS page here on TunaCanOrg.

Cool gadgets....

I'm also a gadget geek too, so I love playing with new and exciting computer technologies, things that push the current state. A clear example of this is my current laptop, an Acer TravelMate C200. It's what I call a "convertible" laptop; it changes from a regular laptop to a tablet computer. Tablets use a stylus and touch screen to do things that you would use a mouse or keyboard for. I've long wanted a tablet, but being restricted to just the touch screen was limiting for a keyboard jocky like myself. The convertible laptop was the perfect marriage of the conventional and the unconventional. I purchased my C200 in January 2006 and I've never regretted it.

Cool stuff that didn't make it....

I've long held a fascination with interesting and unique electronic devices. This particular applies to things that take a fresh new look on accomplishing a common task, or something that makes everything convienent. I want to share some of those things that didn't quite make it, for whatever reason.

Psion 5 series - The Psion Series 5 was a very interesting PDA from the early days of the PDA. The popular PDA at the time was the PalmPilot series, but Psion in 1997 Psion launched the new Series 5 line of PDAs.

My mom bought one after PC Magazine did a PDA shootout and gave the Psion 5 some of the highest marks. Mom liked the Psion 5 over the Palm Pilot because of the keyboard and the integral microphone.

What did I like about it? There were a lot of really cool features. The GUI was very conventional looking, but incorporating a touchscreen made it really easy to use. It featured a pretty full featured word processing program and spreadsheet program. There was a Compact Flash card slot that allow for additional storage and for easy file sharing with your desktop/laptop.

One really cool feature was the printing through the infrared port. My old lab printer at work featured an infrared port, so if I wanted to print a document from the Psion to that HP LaserJet 2100N, all I had to do was walk the Psion to the printer and print through the infrared port. The document was transmitted wirelessly and a print was quick at hand.

What do I wish it had? A wireless network option. Even today it could be a useful item to carry everyday if it only had 802.11b/g/n capabilities. I'd probably use it everyday to do a quick check of email or Slashdot. :)

The other limitation was battery life. This system drained batteries at unbelievable rates. It will consume AA batteries and CR2025 back-up batteries.