4/22    In the old days there was VGA and life was fine. DVI was quite
        tolerable. Then Mac f***ed it up and came up with mini-DVI
        and I had to get new connectors. Then DVI to VGA to my
        older monitor. Now I have to deal with a bunch more shit
        like displayport, mini-displayport, HDMI, and mini-HDMI.
        Sometimes you can't even go the other way, like from
        DVI to displayport. I now have no choice but to buy a
        shitload of new connectors and cables. I hate progress.
        \_ I'm still using VGA between my PC and my 22" LCD display.

5/22    Are LED monitors much better than LCD monitors?
        \_ OLED is still too new to know.  They're direct emitters, so don't
           have a backlight, and can turn completely off, hence better black.
           The early news was that blue pixels burn out relatively quickly.
           \_ FWIW, Zune HD will use OLED.
        \_ Dunno, but I saw a very nice LED TV for just $2K. Wouldn't that
           pretty much completely kill LCD and plasma and that price?
           \_ LED (not OLED) monitors means it's an LCD monitor with
              an LED backlight (as opposed to older monitors which had
              a florenscent backlight).  LED backlights look better, are
           \_ LED (not OLED) monitor means it's an LCD monitor with
              an LED backlight (as opposed to older monitors which have
              florenscent backlights).  LED backlights look better, are
              stronger, and last last longer than florescents, and are
              quickly becoming the standard for anything but the cheapest
              of displays.  OLED tech is much more cutting edge/expensive
              and high resolution displays are still crazy expensive.
              \_ I see. I was wondering because I saw an "LED TV" for $10K
                 just a few months ago and now they are $2K, but the
                 former was probably OLED and the latter is definitely LED.
                 I still use CRTs, man, and my TV has an analog tuner and
                 no cable, which means I have no TV in about 3 weeks.
                 \_ You didn't apply for the $40 coupon for a D->A converter?

5/20    Linux question.  my laptop has a Nvidia 8400M GS chipset.  For a
        while I was excited about the fact that Nvidia actually has
        Linux driver for such.  But after I used it for about 2-3
        weeks, I realize that this Nvidia driver is the reason why my
        Ubuntu is keep crashing.  I would like to swtich to a
        open-source driver, idealy, capable of leveraging some degree
        of 3D acceleration built into the hardware.  Does such thing
        exists?  and/or what is the keyword for it?  I don't know the
        keyword hence I have no idea how to google it.  Thank in
        advance.
        \_ Geez, 80 columns man.
        \_ Are you sure?  I have never had any trouble with the nvidia drivers
           on Linux.  Admittedly I don't have an 8400M GS, but still.  For me
           they work fine.  Are you sure that the chipset isn't bad in some
           way?  Does it work correctly on Windows?
           \_ How would I know if the chipset is bad?  when the computer
              crashes, it doesn't crash elegantly.   If there is a way to
              turn on a log of some sort which I can point out that it is
              the nvidia chip or driver related issue, do please let me know.
              and to answer your another question.  It seems to work under
              windows.  But I only use Windows to play games, then
              boot back to Linux immediately.  So, I nver got the chance
              to use Windows long enough to tell.   Yes, my mainboard got
              replaced once already due to graphic chip issue.  but how do
              i prove it is the hardware issue again?
              \_ What are you doing when it crashes?  How often does it
                 crash?
                 \_ everytime it crashes when I was doing some compiz-fusion
                    movements.  Is there a way I can view a sys log to prove
                    that it is a crash?  -op
        \- you realize there is some litigation going on over faulty Nvidia
           chips, right? --NVDA stockholder
           \_ yes, My Dell M1330's motherboard already got replaced
              once due to faulty graphic chip.  I do suspect it's hardware
              problem.  but there is no way I can prove it.   -op
        \_ FWIW there are open source drivers for AMD/ATI chips.  They lag
           in features though.  I have no idea how usable they are, I think
           it depends on the particular chip.
           \_ the keyword is "nouveau"  I found it.  but it doesn't have any
              3D features yet.  and no, not even my propreitary driver works
              now.

5/6     My new Dell UltraSharp 2408WFP finally arrived. While it's only
        1/2 the cost of an Apple LED Cinema Display 24, it has very rich
        colors and is super bright. However, it is HUGE. It's about 5 inches
        thick and looks uber ugly on my little desk. Functionally, it
        does what it does well, and the specifications are superb. But
        it's like a PC-- full of features (CF card, SD card, 4 USB, VGA,
        displayport, DVI), 110% color gamut, etc etc etc. Yes on paper the
        specs look good. But it is nothing compared to Apple's 24 inch.
        I still think the Apple color looks better. More eye pleasing,
        less strains on the eyes, more crisp text display, more accurate
        colors. If it weren't for the fact that I can't do DVI->displayport,
        I'd get an Apple. Dell 2408WFP-- looks good on paper, but it's
        like a typical PC, loaded with features but lacks substance. I
        guess I'll just use this POS until I get a new laptop with
        displayport built in.
        \_ Dell brightness really hurts:
           http://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/showthread.php?page=4&t=1908075
           Total piece of shit.
        \_ I have a dell 2405FPW, its an older model, I've had it almost 2
           years now, and it is still doing great.  It looks fine and I
           actually use the USB and CF slots in it.  I dismiss you as an
           apple fanboi.
           -ERic
           \_ No. The Dell is to the Zune as Apple Cinema is to iPhone.
              If you can't tell the difference, good for you. But to
              me, the Dell is just harsh on the eyes and badly built. By
              the way I'm not trying to insult you. Some people can't tell
              the difference between Merlot and Cabernet, and some people
              don't care. I don't know which category you fall into, but
              I can tell the difference, and I care. To each his own.
              \_ I think you mean the Dell is to Apple Cinema as the
                 Zune is to the iPhone.  The Dell compares to the Cinema
                 display, the Zune compares to the iPhone.  Back to the SAT
                 prep classes with you.
              \_ This is a terrible analogy on so many levels. For starters,
                 the Zune isn't a phone. So an iPod would be a better analogy.
                 But the iPod is not just an output device, there are actual
                 usability components, so it's not just straight technical
                 specs, industrial design, or quality of components to compare.
                 I work at Apple and like my 23" cinema display at work, but
                 at home I have a Dell 2005FPW and it's quite fine. OTOH, I
                 don't know how much you'd have to pay me to use a Zune.
           \_ I had a 2405 years ago.  I replaced it with an Eizo model
              within a couple of weeks and never looked back.  It's not
              just about the LCD panel (same Samsung panel in both).  The
              thing is cheaply designed using cheap components.  Lamp
              driver or some other high frequency switching circuit in it
              was emitting annoying high-pitched sound.  It was
              completely unacceptable to me.  Apparently, a lot of people
              are deaf thanks to the kinds and methods of music listening
              these days and can't hear it.  FYI, if I knew Eizo was
              going to release a 24" model within weeks of my 2405
              purchase, I wouldn't have even considered the Dell.
           \_ I have an Apple 23" and compared to my brother's 24" Dell,
              images on the Apple look better.  Still, if I had to replace
              my 23", I'd go with the Dell b/c it is so much cheaper. (I
              would probably have bought a Dell 24" in the first place, but
              I managed to get a huge discount on the Apple, so I got it
              instead).

4/27    I love the new Mac 24" Cinema display, but it only takes in Apple's
        proprietary mini DisplayPort plug. Is there such a thing as VGA-to-
        DisplayPort adapter out there? I can only find the reverse online.
        \_ You want a DVI to DisplayPort adaptor.  VGA is ancient.

4/10    What consumes less power on a LCD screen, showing an
        all white scren or showing an all black screen?
        \_ Depends what kind of LCD it is.  Twisted-nematic displays (used in
           everything from digital watches to good-quality monitors) use more
           power for black, as you can guess by looking at a watch.  In-plane
           switching displays (popular in more expensive monitors) use more
           power for white.  Either way, it's a pretty small effect; most of
           an LCD's power usage is the backlight.  Here are some actual power
           comparisons: http://techlogg.com/content/view/360/31
        \_ Depends on the LCD technology.  Twisted-nematic displays (found
           in everything from digital watches to good-quality monitors) use
           more power for black, as you can guess by looking at a watch.
           In-plane switching displays (popular in more expensive monitors)
           use more power for white.  Either way, it's a pretty small effect;
           the main power consumption is from the backlight.  Here are some
           actual power comparisons: http://techlogg.com/content/view/360/31
           \_ Some LCD screens (ones with "dynamic contrast ratios") will dim
              the backlight for dark/black images.