My Writings. My Thoughts.
Effects of the 2010 US Health Care Bill Explained – Gulf Stream Blues
// March 29th, 2010 // No Comments » // Health, Learning, Sign of the times
So, we’re pretty much at the beginning of this health care reform thing here in the United States.
Here’s an incredibly well written, layman’s explanation from a person that seems to have a solid bead on the ways of the world…
Snake oil?
// March 26th, 2010 // No Comments » // Health, Learning, Science
Does fish oil really offer tangible health benefits? Does aloe vera have powers beyond the skin? You can learn the answers to these questions, and more, with the interactive wonders at Information is Beautiful.
Is Windows Home Server any good?
// February 14th, 2010 // No Comments » // Computers, Server, Windows
Update (March 22, 2017): This article is very outdated and is being preserved as an example of my writing. I do not recommend using the software or hardware referenced in the article as it has been discontinued.
Simple answer, Yes.
Why? Windows Home Server (WHS) has a pretty strong value proposition. Over the past holiday season (December 2009), HP MediaSmart Servers were available for $199 (USD). That’s a complete computer system to store your files, and do some amazing things…
- Remote computer and file access
- Automatic backup of computers on your network
- Third-party add-ons (free) to enable web serving capabilities, BitTorrent client, and more
- Place to run MagicJack without being bothered
- …only limited by your imagination
How? If you want more performance than a nettop-style HP MediaSmart server, you can do that too.
My own WHS is made of spare parts leftover from upgrades to other computers, but still far outclasses the HP MediaSmart servers.
If you go the DIY route, target your hardware to the Windows Server 2003 (32-bit) platform. SBS 2003 (Small Business Server) is at the core of WHS. I gather this is just for the limitations of SBS, as you won’t find Exchange 2003 hiding anywhere.
Where? If you want an HP MediaSmart server, I’d keep an eye on dealnews.com. For the DIYer, an OEM license of WHS is available for about $100 (USD) from newegg.com.
MIT For Free
// February 5th, 2010 // No Comments » // Learning, Science
If you’re the type of person that likes to soak up knowledge, then this is for you. MIT offers course materials online at no cost (you don’t earn college credits either) through their OpenCourseWare program. At 1900+ courses (and growing), the breadth of course material is astounding.
Simply Awesome (Part II)
// November 6th, 2009 // No Comments » // Cars
How-to: Make Pumpkin Spice Coffee
// October 31st, 2009 // No Comments » // Cooking
Brew this:
- 8 tablespoons of medium-dark roast ground coffee
- 2 teaspoons ground allspice
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 8 cups water
- 2 tablespoons half-and-half cream
- 1 tablespoon white sugar or 4 packets artificial sweetener
Simply Awesome
// October 26th, 2009 // No Comments » // Cars
- jonathan sano said: thanks , i was able to fix my old xp pc afteer swa...
- Fernando said: Thank you so much for the aid!!! I was trying to ...
- Philippe said: Thank you so much for the hint... I too was able t...
- Mic Carpenter said: After spending several hours trying to work this o...
- ubworks said: finally... big help for me... thanks....
- Brendon said: This seems to work easier. Found it on another blo...
