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Archived News starting from 01-13-2005 and earlier
Rating: 3 - Link to this Article 01-13-2005 Upgrade to ITE IT8212 ATA RAID View Webcam for 01-13-2005 3 COMMENTS
Before the LAN Party, I was under the impression that RAID disk controllers were only useful for redundancy and stability. That changed after the rantings of Zorka regarding his new Serial ATA RAID0 array. RAID0 stripes across multiple drives and actually load balances the work between them, resulting in a performance boost. After running a base benchmark I discovered my single WD1200JB drive was half the speed of his array. Like an annoying mosquito the potential gains I could achieve from a RAID0 setup kept buzzing in my ear. I finally gave in and bought an identical WD1200JB drive, which has an 8MB cache and decent specifications (and is affordable) but nowhere near the speed realized with a faster Serial ATA drive. Still excited, I setup both drives as master on separate IDE controllers. I debated using the same controller with a master/slave configuration but using my experience from single drives decided separate controllers would be optimal (if you know something I don't please email me!). The GA-7N400 Pro2 motherboard in my computer has a built in ITE 8212 GigaRAID controller that was just waiting to be configured, which I did. The setup was simple, and wiped my existing drive clean (yes it was backed up silly!). After a little research I found the "Mass Storage Driver" required for WinXP (why do we still need to load 3rd party drivers from floppies?) and reloaded the computer with the new improved RAID0 array. While the load seemed somewhat faster, nothing spectacular occurred. However, the new benchmark results was definitely an anticlimax. The new setup gave me an extra 20MB/s average read speed (significant) but actually went down in burst and random reads. However the graph does show a more sustained rate for the RAID as compared to the single, which is hopefully an indication of better archive decompression speeds (my primary need for speed). While the RAID0 now means I'm more vulnerable if a drive failure occurs (complete data loss instead of a bad block) the cool factor and marginal improvement are enough to justify the risk. Yes I know what you want now, so here it is: an animated benchmark comparison. I used HD Tach for the benchmarks, send me yours so I can gloat or cry accordingly.
User Comments for 01-13-2005:
hmmm... more suceptible to data loss, lower burst speed, at least your ass looks better now that it needs to hold a lighter wallet....
PuckPuck
Been there done that. Do a raid 1 and i'll be impressed.
stavos
Do RAID5 on a SCSI controller, and I'll be impressed. Speed AND redundancy!
brain

Rating: 3 - Link to this Article 01-09-2005 The Jan LAN Part 1/2 View Webcam for 01-09-2005 4 COMMENTS
The Jan LAN Party was last night with a pretty good turnout. Highlights include the attack of the walking eyeballs, anti-wall destruction league, suicide jeep jump and toilet throwing fury. A blown fuse, clogged toilet, and odor dispersing fan signaled a successful event. Part 2/2 follow-up is next weekend.
User Comments for 01-09-2005:
It was a rocking good time! Glad you invited me. I'm sorry I will be in Mexico for part 2 or Id be there with more eyeball killing action.
Excelcier
you should retire to Mexico and live there $14 a day which includes housing, food, entertainment, and servants. However the downside is: random power cutoffs, Mexican gangs, poor water quality, and the usual plague.
Stavos
Actually, things here in Mexico are alot better than they used to be. I rather enjoy it down here. I almost bought a house here a few years ago. http://www.excelcier.com look at the link for Guaymas
Excelcier
Shameless plug... http://www.detroitarchive.com
Stavos

Rating: 3 - Link to this Article 01-06-2005 Anemometer Frozen View Webcam for 01-06-2005 2 COMMENTS
Contrary to what the weather station may be reporting lately, my house has not been surrounded by a wind-proof bubble. Nor do I have magic fairy gnomes spinning the wind direction sensor, both of which would have to occur to generate the readings it's been reporting. In fact, the recent rain followed by the freeze immobilized the wind speed sensor which apparently isn't as well protected against rain as the wind direction sensor. I know these reading put many of you in a panic so I thought I would clarify the situation. If anybody has good aim launch a snowball at the thing next time you're near my house. Maybe that will free it up and we can once again resume our normal lives.
User Comments for 01-06-2005:
Why don't you fly your helicopter into it?
Stavos
Hahahaha... if it'll ever get off the ground! I haven't tried mine yet.
Excelcier

Rating: 3 - Link to this Article 01-03-2005 Weather Station Active View Webcam for 01-03-2005 3 COMMENTS
Tonight I finished setting up my WM-918 Weather Station consisting of an Anemometer, Rain Collector, and Thermo-Hygrometer. The end result being some very detailed measurements of the weather occuring around my house. Of course, no new toy is worth much unless you can generate an interactive website from it, so I give you the AtomicInternet Weather Station. Currently just a hacked piece of HTML which I hope to soon integrate with the Gnome Cam for a full weather experience. Those of you sufffering 70 degree weather can now experience the virtual dreariness that is Michigan.
User Comments for 01-03-2005:
lol sweet Brad
Zac!
finally something more accurate then weather.com!
Stavos
This could replace my weatherbug icon!! NOT!
Excelcier

Rating: 3 - Link to this Article 01-01-2005 Happy New Year! View Webcam for 01-01-2005 8 COMMENTS
A visit from my floridian friends created a change in my new years plans. Originally slated to occur at the haus o' Downey, the last minute change turned out better than expected. We drank, we danced, we played foozball/air hockey and best of all, we violated the light-up deer in my front yard. I hope all who participated enjoyed themselves or used alcohol to forgot. The downside of the floridians leaving is the temperature is sure to drop down from the fabulous 63 degrees we had today. Anytime you come to my house make sure you demand that Missy wear her sailor mercury costume, for my benefit (and yours).
User Comments for 01-01-2005:
I've seen it!! Believe me, it's WORTH IT! http://bradlloyd.com/photos/CHRISTMAS_2004/DSCN5186.JPG
Excelcier
why didnt she wear that at the super hero party?
Stavos
Good question!
AtomicInternet
Didn't get it in time!
Missy
I remember a certain someone saying "No, I don't want to wear that!" a full 2 months beforehand, which would have been plenty of time to order it for the party. I finally ordered it anyways while she still said she wouldn't wear it.
AtomicInternet
Yes, its true! But it doesn't matter! I'm Missy!
Missy!
Can't argue with that
AtomicInternet
Women.... can't live with them.... can't kill them.... pass the beer!
Excelcier

Rating: 3 - Link to this Article 12-26-2004 ELECTRON Upgrade View Webcam for 12-26-2004 6 COMMENTS
Among the things Santa delivered to me for Christmas was a quiet power supply and a K7N2 Delta2 Motherboard. Both vital components for the new, faster ELECTRON media machine. My old Asus A7V board was maxed out and could only run at 4x AGP, 133Mhz FSB and limited my Athlon XP2500+ processor to 1666Mhz. Despite the choice Mhz number, it wasn't fast enough. Especially after seeing Steve's MCE machine equipped with an XP2500+ at full speed. The new configuration is definately much faster and quieter. I have a few more silencing upgrades left before I'm done. One neat thing about this motherboard is when it goes into suspend the whole computer shuts down. Fans, hard drive, everything. Once MCE signals a wakeup it all starts up again and records whatever show is scheduled. Definately a good feature when you're cheap on electricity like myself.
User Comments for 12-26-2004:
Your miniscule 2500+ is wussy compared to the 3200+ in the Leisure Suit Larry gaming machine! I installed four new high-output fans to increase the noise in the office by a magnitude of 10!
bdowney
Your no match for my CAK486 Global Win Fan with a Max Air Delivery of 68.1 CFMs and not to mention a horrible headache from the annoying sound drone with a 52.5 DBA sound level!!! oooo scary!
Stavos
I have my computer set up to shoot my 9mm once every 15 minutes so its REALLY loud!
tim
I think everyone needs a Proliant 6000 sitting in their computer room to fully understand "noise".
brain
you guys have never met my wife ;)
purposely anonymous
I like to perform fellatio on men.
SLAPPY, BABY!!

Rating: 3 - Link to this Article 12-23-2004 Fun in the Snow View Webcam for 12-23-2004 5 COMMENTS
Today was a major snow day as you can see from the webcam. Last year I had a 4x2 pickup truck which was a lot of fun. This year I have a new 4x4 pickup which is mathematically twice as much fun. I was able to prove this hypothesis today when instead of doing small circles in the snow I was able to perform four wheel drifts in ever increasing larger circles. Unfortunately my fun was short-lived as the parking lot began to fill up, but I can now confidently recommend 4x4 vehicles to anyone who wants to drive like a maniac in the snow. As is tradition, Stavos and I will be out making videos again at some point this year.
User Comments for 12-23-2004:
We will be selling the snow drifts on DVD for the Atomic Price of $9.99
Stavos
I bet Myrone will buy some. I have my camera with me and I'm in town so I can make a video too please! I feel a litle left out when I read this stuff so it'll be nice to play with ya'all.
tim
I'm up for multiple angles on snow drifts! Come along!
Stavos
I finall figured out Final Cut Pro, so we can make it look like your truck explodes when it hits a snow bank.
bdowney
poker party
poker party

Rating: 3 - Link to this Article 12-16-2004 PROTONX Connection Outage View Webcam for 12-16-2004 4 COMMENTS
After my server alert network called and left me messages I realized this server was down, and had been down for over an hour. I left work and came home for lunch to find the cable modem flashing and laughing at me (integrated taunting voice chip). After contacting Road Runner I learned the outage was area wide with no estimated down time. With more than 45 minutes left in my lunch, I decided to try using my phone as a modem for a short while to see if it would work. Surprisingly Verizon doesn't block any incoming port request and between 11:45 and 12:15 the server again had connectivity. Once I realized I only have 200 peak hour minutes the excitement faded and connectivity was again dropped.
Initial Outage: 10:00am - 11:15am
Second Outage: 12:15am - 3:56pm
Also: Happy Birthday Missy!
User Comments for 12-16-2004:
My server was down all day aswell, but I do have some good news.... I saved a lot of money on my insurance by switching to Geico
Stavos
I don't seem to have these problems. Only when hurricanes come
tim
Brad's the man! He saved my ass using his phone to get me online to get something quickly.
Excelcier
Happy Bday Melissa!
Stavos

Rating: 3 - Link to this Article 12-10-2004 Goodbye Wireless, Hello Wired View Webcam for 12-10-2004 5 COMMENTS
After many problems with my attempt to go wireless, I finally admitted defeat tonight. While the 11Mbps and 54Mbps speed networks may be stable enough to use, they just aren't fast enough. The 108Mbps version I tried is definately not stable enough for me, and the advertised speed only occurs when you are right next to the router. I typically saw 54-75Mbps max, for unsustained periods. The good news is how easy it actually was to run cable through my house. I took the cheaters route and ran it through the return vents in my house. I had some help patching the panels which shortened the time to less than an hour. I also found some interesting things in my return vent system. Now I'm back to good old 10/100 Ethernet and it's giving me my old familiar feeling of stability and speed.
User Comments for 12-10-2004:
Not to mention security.
bdowney
Yes Salsberry Dr is a huge wireless hotspot in the hacker community
Stavos
Do you really transfer files that often between machines that you must be wired? I think wireless is the best thing since sliced bread... even 11mbps is still faster than your inet connection... nothing like taking my laptop to the backyard and surfing the net.
PuckPuck
I do still have wireless for my laptop, but my main PC is wired. No way I would have Transferred your ISO to my server over a 11Mbps connection.
AtomicInternet
Agreed 11Mbps is extremely slow for transferring large files which I also do between my main PC and my server, that’s why they're wired. However my wife’s computer and my media machine are wireless because I rarely transfer any huge files between those.
Stavos

Rating: 3 - Link to this Article 12-09-2004 Youth of Britain Song View Webcam for 12-09-2004 NO COMMENTS
Watch this flash video and you'll be hooked too.
No Comments Entered for 12-09-2004

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