kimnach.org
My Home Office PC
When not using my Amigas (yes, I still use them), I
have a Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3P motherboard-based system. I dual-boot
it
between linux (Kubuntu) and XP (64-bit) Pro. I'll admit that
currently
Kubuntu is a sporadically-used novelty which
arose from my desire to install linuxmce
on my HTPC. Over the
years I've dabbled with linux (on both the x86 and 68k platforms),
but only enough to be considered "an advanced beginner" with any of the
distributions I've used.
Software which I use on the XP platform:
- I use Cutlist Pro to optimize
the cutting of sheet goods for my woodworking projects.
Eventually this application will go onto a computer in my outbuilding.
- Legacy Family Tree for genealogy.
- DVD Shrink -- to rip DVD titles. Dr. DivX, DivX Converter,
and Auto Gordian Knot are used
to convert ripped DVDs to DivX and Xvid
formats, which are then served from my HTPC
to the Hauppauge MediaMVP.
- Scenalyzer to
transport the
video from my GV-D200
Digital8 deck (not from the DCR-TRV740
nor DCR-TRV-840
camcorders)
to the computer for editing with Power Director. Scenalyzer
breaks up the stream into smaller files which are based on content.
- Pro-Show Producer slide show editing.
- X10
Active Home Pro for home automation. (Read
about my experience with this package on my home automation
pages.) Before I got this, I had used one of my Amigas and a package which eludes me right now.
- Open Office, including Nvu.
- Mathcad,
Simulink,
and Electronic Workbench.
Sometimes I
have to work on problems at home, because I wouldn't be able to sleep
otherwise. Can you relate?
Hardware configuration
I recently replaced the P4C800E Deluxe with a Gigabyte
GA-EP45-UD3P motherboard. It has an E8500 dual core processor
with 8GB RAM. I upgraded from the AIW 2006 AGP card to an nVidia
GeForce 9400GT (PCI-express x16). There now
are five
internal hard drives only for a total of roughly 1TB, an external 1394
chassis which accepts SATA drives, an external USB
floppy drive, a multi-format
card reader in a 3.5"bay, two removable
hard drive trays for SATA
drives, two DVD R/W drives (Lite-on and Samsung). I upgraded to
XP 64-bit to accomodate the extra RAM.
The P4C800E which was showing its age was bequethed to my 7-year old as
a Christmas 2008 present. A couple of new drives, DVD-ROM, case,
keyboard/mouse, and XP home are now in his possession. Oh, he
also got my Idek 17" monitor which was used with my Amiga 2000.
That Amiga will be getting a new flat panel soon.
Questions, comments, or concerns? e-mail me.