The Personal Computer Enthusiast

Welcome to my blog. This blog will generally focus on PC and internet use for the "average" user, but may be able to help influence the computer-illiterate (if they ever make it here) or even the more advanced.

Knowledge is important. So stick around...maybe you'll learn something :)

Tuesday, October 17, 2006

Downloading from rapidshare

So you noticed a lot of links are on rapidshare, eh? Aye. That's a lot of files to handle. And with rapidshare's restrictions... a lot of work! Now lets make this simple. Download a program called rapget from http://rapget.com/en/download.html , go to settings and check "watch clipboard." Okay, now all you need to do is copy the rapidshare links and presto! your movie links will download automatically as long as you keep your computer on.

(optional) Rapidshare uses a combination of IP checking and cookies in order to disallow free users from downloading too much. So in order to get around this, you will need to change your IP (view your ip at www.whatismyip.com -- you can only download once every couple hours unless this number changes). Now there are a bunch of methods to change your IP, however, it depends on YOUR setup. Since there are too many dependencies, I will not explain it -- although if you can find some proxies which will handle SSL (or use openssl) then that'll always work (advanced users only!).
|| JSD, 8:29 PM || link || (0) comments |

Time to get down and dirty with movies

What do the abbreviations mean?

CAM - A cam is a theater rip usually done with a digital video camera. A mini tripod is sometimes used, but a lot of the time this wont be possible, so the camera may shake.

TELECINE TC - A telecine machine copies the film digitally from the reels. Sound and picture should be very good

TELESYNC TS - A telesync is the same spec as a CAM except it uses an external audio source ie the audio jack in the chair for hard of hearing people

SCREENER SCR - A pre tape, sent to rental stores for promotional use. A screener is supplied on a VHS tape, and may display information about copyright and piracy

DVD-SCREENER DVDscr - As above, but transferred off a DVD

DVD-RIP - Ripped straight from DVD
|| JSD, 7:18 PM || link || (0) comments |

Tuesday, July 11, 2006

HD DVD vs. Blu-ray

In the near future, we will be forced to decide between Sony's Blu-ray disc and Toshiba's (along with others such as Microsoft) HD DVD. Either way, it sounds like CDs are more and more quickly becoming with the way of the tape cassette or vinyl record (whatever that is). Both of these new high capacity DVDs will be able to hold storage of over 50GB!! which, in my opinion, is more than anyone would ever need considering most personal hard drives aren't even that large. Now the downside to this battle between the new standards is that the consumer will be forced to choose and buy one set of hardware making it so it is compatible with only one of the two mediums. This proprietary hardware seems to be holding back technology as a whole because the ideas are so similar that it's such a waste that they must compete. Reminds me of the struggle between VHS and Beta.

More info can be found at:

|| JSD, 10:01 PM || link || (0) comments |

Friday, July 07, 2006

Getting you started

Here is software that I use on my personal setup of Windows XP. I highly recommend all of the following software for anyone and everyone.

There is also Google’s suggested software which has some good picks, but of course many of these items are not necessary (i.e. Google Talk is supported inside of GAIM).

|| JSD, 9:48 PM || link || (0) comments |

Thursday, July 06, 2006

The Wonders of Open Source…

The following are compilations of work by thousands of computer development experts.
Some open source projects that YOU should know about:

For more specific open source applications, you can visit:

Now these topics can be somewhat controversial so I'll spare the details for now. But for a good start, I highly recommend using Firefox over Internet Explorer since it will offer many things that Internet Explorer cannot. The biggest threat with Internet Explorer, in my opinion, is the use of ActiveX which allows webmasters to install unwanted spyware/malware onto your comp if you settings are not set correctly. Firefox also has a huge database of user-submitted extensions (plugins) which makes almost anything possible. I'll probably create a post on Firefox in more detail later – possibly after Internet Explorer 7 is officially launched with Vista (Jan. 07).

Got other suggestions on what should be in this list? Leave a comment!

|| JSD, 6:59 PM || link || (0) comments |

Wednesday, July 05, 2006

Software, free! NO JOKE!

In today's world of relatively no transaction costs of transferring data, almost everything virtual is free. Luckily, with help from talented coders who believe in open source distribution, or even organizations who choose to remain proprietary but give out software for free, you should never have to pay for anything again. The purpose of this is to help you get the knowledge you need in order to keep up to date with the fast paced world of virtual PC Technology by means of security, entertainment, or just plain efficiency.

Now there are two ways to get essential software for free. Legally or Illegally (assuming you are in the U.S. or another place where these laws exist). I’ll try to teach you how to get what you want - for free - but I refuse to promote any illegal activity. I’m reminded by that saying: “Give a man a fish and he’ll eat for a day. But teach a man to fish and he’ll eat for a lifetime.” The topics that I’ve planned out to cover over the next few posts are:

|| JSD, 5:58 PM || link || (0) comments |