Comments on: Tools of the Trade http://alexking.org/blog/2005/09/13/tools-of-the-trade Alex King, Denver Web Developer Wed, 23 May 2012 22:34:02 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: alexking.org: Blog http://alexking.org/blog/2005/09/13/tools-of-the-trade#comment-8657 alexking.org: Blog Fri, 14 Oct 2005 15:59:19 +0000 http://www.alexking.org/blog/?p=1505#comment-8657 <strong>Let Down</strong> I was all ready to order my new development system, but the rumored dual-core PowerMacs were conspicuous in their absense at the “one more thing” event this week. Combine that with the Dell deal being back, and I’m wondering how long... Let Down

I was all ready to order my new development system, but the rumored dual-core PowerMacs were conspicuous in their absense at the “one more thing” event this week. Combine that with the Dell deal being back, and I’m wondering how long…

]]> By: christopher baus http://alexking.org/blog/2005/09/13/tools-of-the-trade#comment-8080 christopher baus Fri, 16 Sep 2005 20:15:11 +0000 http://www.alexking.org/blog/?p=1505#comment-8080 I have a dell 20" and 24", and I can say that not only is the 24" bigger, it has a far better image with a lot less back light bleed. I'm using my DELL laptop for development which includes some big C++ builds, and generally it is ok, but storage is a problem. I tried to get a PCMCIA sata card to work, and eventually gave up on that. I'm now using a USB harddrive which isn't optimal but works. I have a dell 20″ and 24″, and I can say that not only is the 24″ bigger, it has a far better image with a lot less back light bleed.

I’m using my DELL laptop for development which includes some big C++ builds, and generally it is ok, but storage is a problem. I tried to get a PCMCIA sata card to work, and eventually gave up on that. I’m now using a USB harddrive which isn’t optimal but works.

]]> By: eric http://alexking.org/blog/2005/09/13/tools-of-the-trade#comment-8029 eric Thu, 15 Sep 2005 20:27:06 +0000 http://www.alexking.org/blog/?p=1505#comment-8029 Modern Dell towers are virtually silent. It's almost freaking how quiet they are. Modern Dell towers are virtually silent. It’s almost freaking how quiet they are.

]]> By: Alex http://alexking.org/blog/2005/09/13/tools-of-the-trade#comment-8005 Alex Wed, 14 Sep 2005 18:41:44 +0000 http://www.alexking.org/blog/?p=1505#comment-8005 If the Dell 9100 + 24" display deal comes back, I could get a decently equipped 9100 + 2 of the 24" displays for ~$2500. That is hard to beat. If the Dell 9100 + 24″ display deal comes back, I could get a decently equipped 9100 + 2 of the 24″ displays for ~$2500. That is hard to beat.

]]> By: Joe Casabona http://alexking.org/blog/2005/09/13/tools-of-the-trade#comment-8003 Joe Casabona Wed, 14 Sep 2005 17:21:44 +0000 http://www.alexking.org/blog/?p=1505#comment-8003 I'm not a big fan of Dells in general, as from what I have seen, they tend to malfunction easily. I would also recommend an IBM, as they are great performance wise, and probably easier to upgrade that a Dell, if you needed to. Me personally: I have a laptop for school and a built my desktop, which I am currently using for gaming purposes, but after I reformat it will probably be my main development machine. I’m not a big fan of Dells in general, as from what I have seen, they tend to malfunction easily. I would also recommend an IBM, as they are great performance wise, and probably easier to upgrade that a Dell, if you needed to. Me personally: I have a laptop for school and a built my desktop, which I am currently using for gaming purposes, but after I reformat it will probably be my main development machine.

]]> By: echeng http://alexking.org/blog/2005/09/13/tools-of-the-trade#comment-7995 echeng Wed, 14 Sep 2005 04:49:41 +0000 http://www.alexking.org/blog/?p=1505#comment-7995 I'm a big fan of the file server approach, even for home use. I have a bunch of machines that I basically use as beefy thin clients (except that I cache working files and use sync tools to keep them backed up). the big machine with lots of fans in it is tucked away under the stage. My favorite selective sync tool is <a href="http://www.scootersoftware.com/">Beyond Compare</a>. With gigabit become cheap, it all starts to work, even with large files. I’m a big fan of the file server approach, even for home use. I have a bunch of machines that I basically use as beefy thin clients (except that I cache working files and use sync tools to keep them backed up). the big machine with lots of fans in it is tucked away under the stage.

My favorite selective sync tool is Beyond Compare.

With gigabit become cheap, it all starts to work, even with large files.

]]> By: Andrew http://alexking.org/blog/2005/09/13/tools-of-the-trade#comment-7994 Andrew Wed, 14 Sep 2005 03:31:58 +0000 http://www.alexking.org/blog/?p=1505#comment-7994 Not so sure on Dell desktops on the noise front but there are alot of low noise options in the beige box stores i.e. cases, power supplies. Certainly dual core CPUs will have plenty of grunt to run the required stuff and maintain the OS / spyware / virii scanners. I've done a mix of development on Linux and Windows. If you don't need full MS Office support then Linux is a good option. Perhaps a file server could alleviate the space issues ? Not so sure on Dell desktops on the noise front but there are alot of low noise options in the beige box stores i.e. cases, power supplies.

Certainly dual core CPUs will have plenty of grunt to run the required stuff and maintain the OS / spyware / virii scanners.

I’ve done a mix of development on Linux and Windows. If you don’t need full MS Office support then Linux is a good option.

Perhaps a file server could alleviate the space issues ?

]]> By: echeng http://alexking.org/blog/2005/09/13/tools-of-the-trade#comment-7993 echeng Wed, 14 Sep 2005 02:34:30 +0000 http://www.alexking.org/blog/?p=1505#comment-7993 Dells are really quiet. I have 4 of them in my loft, and I can't really hear them unless I try to. I've heard the Dell 24" is amazing! I'd love to get two of them on my desk, but I use a notebook for most of my work, and the desktop only for color work, which requires a CRT. yargh. The storage issue is the reason I use a Thinkpad T42. It's 5 lbs, but I crammed a 60GB 7200 rpm drive into it, plus a 100GB drive in the bay, which also takes a DVD writer or extra battery. It's ideal, because it's pretty easy to shoot 30-40 GB in a week out in the field. :) Dells are really quiet. I have 4 of them in my loft, and I can’t really hear them unless I try to.

I’ve heard the Dell 24″ is amazing! I’d love to get two of them on my desk, but I use a notebook for most of my work, and the desktop only for color work, which requires a CRT. yargh.

The storage issue is the reason I use a Thinkpad T42. It’s 5 lbs, but I crammed a 60GB 7200 rpm drive into it, plus a 100GB drive in the bay, which also takes a DVD writer or extra battery. It’s ideal, because it’s pretty easy to shoot 30-40 GB in a week out in the field. :)

]]> By: dotnot http://alexking.org/blog/2005/09/13/tools-of-the-trade#comment-7990 dotnot Tue, 13 Sep 2005 23:07:06 +0000 http://www.alexking.org/blog/?p=1505#comment-7990 <strong>Development Machine Choices</strong> Alex is ruminating on choices for a new development machine, and since he mentioned me in the comments, I thought I might be able to add some fuel to the woodpile, so to speak. First, the comment about VMWare. It is true that the fastest Windows mach... Development Machine Choices

Alex is ruminating on choices for a new development machine, and since he mentioned me in the comments, I thought I might be able to add some fuel to the woodpile, so to speak.
First, the comment about VMWare. It is true that the fastest Windows mach…

]]> By: Joe W. http://alexking.org/blog/2005/09/13/tools-of-the-trade#comment-7989 Joe W. Tue, 13 Sep 2005 22:45:04 +0000 http://www.alexking.org/blog/?p=1505#comment-7989 I recently got an IBM ThinkCentre tower and it is silent. The only sound I ever hear out of it is when a CD is spinning up. I never would have thought to go IBM for a desktop, but it's a really nice machine. I recently got an IBM ThinkCentre tower and it is silent. The only sound I ever hear out of it is when a CD is spinning up. I never would have thought to go IBM for a desktop, but it’s a really nice machine.

]]> By: Christian http://alexking.org/blog/2005/09/13/tools-of-the-trade#comment-7988 Christian Tue, 13 Sep 2005 22:06:22 +0000 http://www.alexking.org/blog/?p=1505#comment-7988 I don't know anything about Macs, but here in Germany, there were quite a few mags with stories like "Mac Mini as File Server". Maybe that's an option? Especially as they are available with AirPort/Bluetooth... :) I don’t know anything about Macs, but here in Germany, there were quite a few mags with stories like “Mac Mini as File Server”. Maybe that’s an option?
Especially as they are available with AirPort/Bluetooth… :)

]]> By: Scott Sanders http://alexking.org/blog/2005/09/13/tools-of-the-trade#comment-7987 Scott Sanders Tue, 13 Sep 2005 21:59:21 +0000 http://www.alexking.org/blog/?p=1505#comment-7987 I don't think you would 'enjoy' the Linux experience. Polish isn't one of its strong points, and I think that would be a huge sticking point for you. I made up for that in the total command line immersion, and Emacsey goodness that Linux afforded me. Given that half of any Windows box' CPU/disk is busy with the anti-virus/etc, I would reccomend the G5 and 30", unless you just can't pull the trigger on that. If not, the $1100 Dell deal will be back soon, I have been watching, and it comes about every three weeks. Of course, on the other side of the fence, with an $80 firewall, you can shut off antivirus on Windows, since I know you won't be installing the original virus, Outlook ;) I don’t think you would ‘enjoy’ the Linux experience. Polish isn’t one of its strong points, and I think that would be a huge sticking point for you. I made up for that in the total command line immersion, and Emacsey goodness that Linux afforded me.
Given that half of any Windows box’ CPU/disk is busy with the anti-virus/etc, I would reccomend the G5 and 30″, unless you just can’t pull the trigger on that. If not, the $1100 Dell deal will be back soon, I have been watching, and it comes about every three weeks.
Of course, on the other side of the fence, with an $80 firewall, you can shut off antivirus on Windows, since I know you won’t be installing the original virus, Outlook ;)

]]> By: Paul Explains Nothing http://alexking.org/blog/2005/09/13/tools-of-the-trade#comment-7986 Paul Explains Nothing Tue, 13 Sep 2005 20:46:38 +0000 http://www.alexking.org/blog/?p=1505#comment-7986 <strong>Desktop vs. Laptop</strong> Alex King is considering the Tools of The Trade and debating about moving to a desktop or staying on a laptop for development. I'm shocked that this is even a debate. I have friends who like to develop on laptops Desktop vs. Laptop

Alex King is considering the Tools of The Trade and debating about moving to a desktop or staying on a laptop for development. I’m shocked that this is even a debate. I have friends who like to develop on laptops

]]> By: Adam Tow http://alexking.org/blog/2005/09/13/tools-of-the-trade#comment-7984 Adam Tow Tue, 13 Sep 2005 20:24:14 +0000 http://www.alexking.org/blog/?p=1505#comment-7984 I am going through the exact same issue as you are Alex. I've been waiting to see what, if anything, will be released at the Apple Expo in Paris. I figure if a nice G5 desktop is released, I'll drop some money on either that computer or snag a reduced price listing on the previous generation. That desktop should last me for the next few years, until Macintel comes up to speed. My desktop is almost 4.5 years old now and it's definitely showing its age when crunching through 16-bit TIFFs and RAW images from my camera! As far as monitors go, I think I'll go for a 23"-24" monitor from either Dell or Apple. I'd love to have the 30", but that display behemoth is not in the cards right now. I am going through the exact same issue as you are Alex. I’ve been waiting to see what, if anything, will be released at the Apple Expo in Paris. I figure if a nice G5 desktop is released, I’ll drop some money on either that computer or snag a reduced price listing on the previous generation. That desktop should last me for the next few years, until Macintel comes up to speed. My desktop is almost 4.5 years old now and it’s definitely showing its age when crunching through 16-bit TIFFs and RAW images from my camera!

As far as monitors go, I think I’ll go for a 23″-24″ monitor from either Dell or Apple. I’d love to have the 30″, but that display behemoth is not in the cards right now.

]]> By: Alex http://alexking.org/blog/2005/09/13/tools-of-the-trade#comment-7983 Alex Tue, 13 Sep 2005 20:11:37 +0000 http://www.alexking.org/blog/?p=1505#comment-7983 At a BigCo in a previous life, <a href="http://dotnot.org/">Scott</a> had a powerful Linux box running Windows on VMWare and he said it was the most stable and best performing Windows experience he'd ever had. Maybe I should consider going that route too. :) At a BigCo in a previous life, Scott had a powerful Linux box running Windows on VMWare and he said it was the most stable and best performing Windows experience he’d ever had. Maybe I should consider going that route too. :)

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