China Romance
General Discussion and Useful Links => The Campfire => Topic started by: rockycoon on February 15, 2010, 11:03:46 pm
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I am going to get a new laptop..this one has had the route. I want one
with a camera and mic, and lots of memory and a huge hard drive. Does any of you experts out there have any suggestions what I should
get or look for ?
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I just got this netbook to keep in touch with my kids while I travel. Toshiba had a new laptop out that looked interesting. I don't remember the processor it used but it had 4 gigs of memory and a big head disc drive, dual layer dvd writer, built in camera with microphone... It was at best buy. It was not a large laptop either. 14" or 16" screen I think. This was about 2 weeks ago that I saw it. Hope this helps.
Dave C
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Lenovo (yeah, a chinese company to-boot!) G series or SL series. Or HP (non Pavillion) or Asus are good. As long as you get a business version of the operating system (64-bit if possible). The home versions (the "Home" version of windows) drive me nuts when something goes wrong. You have to work around certain limitations with those.
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I loved my LG laptop. I miss it, but I get to see my darling from it's camera sometimes.
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Toshiba has had many problems with a delicut power board ( the connection breaks?) not worth the trouble.
HP is good and the few "chinese" models (Mustfocus I think Asus is chinese too?)
Look up the laptop and check reviews.
I looked into some and I think I'll be getting another Mac? just a laptop this time.
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Lenovo is chinese...
Asus is based out of Taiwan but most of it's stuff is out of China...
Acer is also based out of Taiwan...
LG is korean...not sure where their plants are...
Samsung is korean... also not sure where their plants are...
Fujitsu is japanese, but their plants are usually out of China or Malaysia.
MSI is out of Taiwan, but the stuff is out of China
Toshiba is japanese, but their units are built out of China, Indonesia, Malaysia or Mexico (don't ask)
HP is american, but the units are usually out of China
Dell is american, but I'm not sure where their factories are now (the commercials all show americans doing the assembly, but I'm not sure where the units are actually out of).
Did I miss anyone?
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Lets see... IBM, Sony, ?? I think that's it?
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IBM doesn't make laptops anymore (sold to Lenovo several years ago). Sony...japanese, although I think it's out of China as well...but they might have some plants in Japan.
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I would do this. Write down what you want. HD, ram, camera, Mic, DVD writer, etc. Stay with the name brands and shop around for the best price you can find. You can even try E Bay. Be careful there though because you may find an unbeatable price only to find it has no operating system. Make sure you read all of the specs on it. If you are really concerned you can buy the extended warranty. Places like Office Supply have reliable warranties. I wouldnt own any laptop with Vista on it. If you find one with Windows XP pro or Windows 7, those are the ones to go to. I hate Vista. Windows 7 is really good so far. I upgraded my desktop and dual boot between XP and Windows 7. 7 is by far faster on the boot up and operations although some programs wont run on it. One other thing about a laptop. Battery. the bigger the screen the shorter the time on. My laptop is a 17" Toshiba. While I love the big screen, there are two downfalls to it. One is it will only last about 1/2 hour on a full charge and it is heavy. I have not had any trouble with my Toshiba, I have had 3 of them. I have actually given them away to the kids before they even wear out. My step grandson has one I gave him 3 years ago. it is now 7 years old and still running great. My Toshiba I have now is 3 years old it has traveled to China with me 4 times and all across the US,and not a glitch of any kind.
Good luck on your hunt.
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Hi !
JimB summs it up pretty good. Make sure you get the Windows 7, i will belive all new computers are sold with that by now. Also consider who you buy from, it might be worh a few extra cents to by from a local physicall store that you know and trust. So it will be easier if you run into trouble later. (That said, most name brand latops today are reliable and does not break down unless treatet roughly, normally)
Also remember you get good antivirus software for free online, we covered that one another post a few days ago ;) So you have an alternative to pay subscription fee to the antivurs companys.
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I use an Abacus for my laptop. Works great for counting but no web cam. :fi_lone_ranger:
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What is wrong with vista and laptops?
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Vista? Seriously, very bad idea...Vista was written as a kludge...assembled from bits and pieces and never really optimized. It's a bloated operating system that introduced many bugs into the mix. That's why most corporations didn't get into it and waited for Windows 7...it's lighter on resources and works better.
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Give me some specific problems one might encounter. My computer has issues and vista. Just wondering if the issues are caused by vista. The biggest problem I have is my memory being near zero most of the time. I have 1 gig. I run Speed it up and it helps but I will run it at the end of each day only to have 16meg when I log in the next morning.
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For Vista (or Windows 7) you need a minimum of 2Gb. But with 7, you will notice it's faster than Vista. Vista is a memory hog, especially if you have the special effects turned on. Compatibility-wise it's also not a fun toy to play with.
Often the "speed up" stuff like Readyboost will cause the computer to lock up when it's rebooting.
Security updates get stuck on Vista quite often and have to be deleted (and the system sometimes recovered).
I could keep going on...
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Thanks
Don, I have it on good authority to not buy anything with Vista on it.
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I run vista haven't had any problems with it.
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Shaun, I will take your advice and go with 7. Now, how big of a hard drive do they make for the laptops ? I've been out of it for
years now, and haven't kept up. Also memory, how much is much ???
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Laptop hard drives go up to 500Gb right now. But something you have to consider before you rush out and get a laptop with a huge HD. Human nature is to not do anything like backing up. If that's you, remember something. If the HD crashes and you don't have a current backup, you could lose a lot of information. That said, most people make do with 160 to 250Gb... (especially if they back everything up).
As for RAM, 3-4Gb is plenty.
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Memory is the cheapest upgrade there is. These days there really is no reason to have less than 3 gigs (go with 4 if you're running a 64 bit operating system), or even 8.
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WOW! I feel like I'm in the stone age? It might be the difference between Mac and PC programs? I have a desktop with a 40 GB HD, and 702 MB ram. On my HD I have 30 GB Available (free space). I can't imagine having that much on your hard drive that you need over 100 gigs? I have many programs, Photoshop, Print Shop, all the IM's, Printers, you name it? Thousands of photos, gifs and other things I use to make things. 100's of MPG clips, WMV convertor. I may get a laptop with higher gig HD and memory but I don't think much would b used?
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Vince,
Most people won't make use of most of all those resources. That said, if you were working with 1Gb images (common with graphic artists here), then 40Gb would be too small. If you look at the current common configurations of macbooks, 250Gb is the smallest hard drive you can get and it comes with 4Gb RAM standard.
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I have some knowledge of graphic artistry and the other Adobe programs used. The 1Gb image is possible when making something like a banner or a large sign which the company I get work from does. But the more common Ad's like a sheet doesn't carry that amount of space. Besides, how many graphic artists are there buying computer that it is a common sale with such high gigs? A wise old jewish guy once told me "Buy what you need" and I understood this and stuck to it. Good advise. I may get a laptop with high gig? but only because that was the only thing available. Not because it is so big. (bragging right type thing).
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Vince, don't forget speed, mine is running 2 Ghz and is sooo slow, those mac's are fast fast, so you won't know this until you
start running those app's and opening other windows. That is my problem, as the more windows I open and work with the
slower the system is, just drags it down with only 2 windows running, I am wondering how slow it will run if I am also running
QQ at the same time. When I get on youtube, or anything that is video, I can expect the video to stop every 3 seconds to reload
and this makes the video so choppy, that at times it is not worth watching. I hate this. Got high speed internet, so that is not the
problem, no bugs or virus's....:dodgy: I watch these other guys just zip right through all of this with no problems, so got to be the
computer. I'm in the stone-age with you...:s
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Rocky, believe it or not your light years ahead of me, in some ways. Your running at 2 Ghz? I'm running at 400 Mhz. But it runs fast I can run several programs at the same time without it slowing down. The only time I get reminded it's a slower CPU is on youtube or other videos. They run OK just choppy sometimes. This the reason I haven't put a webcam on here. But speed wise? I can have every large program open and zip through them one to another. Internet windows open in a second or so and the internet connection isn't the top speed either (1.5)
Hardware Overview:
Machine Name: PowerMacG3series
Machine Model: PowerMac1,1
CPU Type: PowerPC 750 (2.2)
Number Of CPUs: 1
CPU Speed: 400 MHz
L2 Cache (per CPU): 1 MB
Memory: 704 MB
Bus Speed: 100 MHz
Boot ROM Version: 1.1.1f4
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It's not the cpu speed, it's the bus speed. You can only go as fast as your bus speed, cpu can crunch numbers fast, fast, fast but the damn bus slows things down. Your mac has that really fast apple chip in it, I think it's a motorla chip, and that is so quick, it made the
Intel chips of that time look really slow. But once you move up to a faster chip, after a while, it is so slooow. The mac was used for
graphics and design and so was quick, while the IBM was made for games, school (to catch up with apple), and odd ball stuff. to this
day, publishing is best left to a mac, which was unbeatable, although they made them to also run IBM software. This is the part where
they got ahead of me and I lost track.
As mine is "choppy" on youtube and all other videos, I think it is the memory thing and catched memory.
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I think all the new macs are intel now? But anyway, I keep any crap off the computer. Keep the HD clean. Anything that grows to much I put on another disc and off the HD. I think this helps big time for I worked on other Macs, newer and they're slower. One guy has so much crap on it? I keep asking him WHY? Like if he has a picture he'll make 10 copies and they're placed all over the place. In folders a few on the desktop and in places they shouldn't be?
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for us guys wanting to upgrade our laptop and arent to computer savy you
might want to post something like what vince did with what we should look
for in way of the info and items on the laptop we would want to buy
i know i would use the info as i want to upgrade this year
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If no one figured it out by now? I love the Mac. I tolerate windows when I have to. When I work with windows? I swear it's not five minutes before I'm cursing up a storm and ready to throw it out a window. I figured that's why they named it this? The computer is suppose to make things easier for you, with windows you work for the computer, with Mac it works for you. On windows I've had things come up like "would you like to open blab blab" I click "NO" and it opens anyway? On my Mac I'll do something I need to do. It takes like 5 minutes and it's done. On windows (and I've used windows for many years) the same project takes like an hour. All these wrong things opening can't get the info I'm looking for, etc. To much work. But the Mac isn't cheap either. That's why I buy used. The laptop I found a guy here that it falls off the back of a truck at half price? So I'll go with it.
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I've worked with both for over 15 years. I've worked with MacOS (before 10 and after), DOS, Windows of various flavours, OS/2 (yeah, I know, I'm dating myself), Linux (well, to a lesser extent) and even Amiga and Atari computers (way back when...all the way to the Pet). I've slogged away on RealPC, VirtualPC, Parallels, Citrix and VMWare (virtual computing). I prefer to use the right tool for the right job. For graphics (which I really suck at), Mac was good. For general use (gaming, office and whatnot), Windows. I'm not sure why Vince has had so many bad experiences. My computer is only slow if I don't flush memory-leaky programs out the system (usually with a reboot). I can do what I need as quickly as I need to (well, limited to physical limitations...slow printer is a slow printer).
All computers have their pros and cons. In the end, people just want their computers to work. The difference is what happens when things go wrong. Many people might not like windows, however they have to admit, at least if there is something wrong, you can figure it out. With a mac, half the issues are cryptic and hard to extract. How do you figure out what the broken glass sound means? (yes, I know what it means, I'm using it as an example).
All I am saying is that you should evaluate each platform based on your needs and pick what suits you, not what suits the other users. If you want advice on how to approach things (like which anti-virus, office program, etc.) then do ask... But in the end, you should decide. You'll be much happier that way.
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Many people might not like windows, however they have to admit, at least if there is something wrong, you can figure it out.
With a mac, half the issues are cryptic and hard to extract. How do you figure out what the broken glass sound means? (yes, I know what it means, I'm using it as an example).
For these two things... (only for the readers that don't know) The statement "you can figure it out" that's the difference. If you don't know windows very well you won't figure it out. But a Mac will tell you.
I'll use your example you gave, "what the broken glass sound mean?" a Mac will tell you and not only in a window message but in a voice if you wish. It will read any window you want including error popups.
Graphics? Yes Mac it the best at it. But I also have MS Office in here too. Word and Excel I use all the time. It's not that Mac can't? Lets not forget a Mac can run windows as well. The difference is what programs are made for computers they make them for windows because that's where the market is (was).
Lets take a simple project that needs to be done like putting a new printer in. The Mac has a list of printers so no need to install the printer program, it's in there already, but you can if you want. To make it the default printer (windows does the same) you go to Apple (start), Preferences, (control Panel) Printer, click on the printer icon to highlight and click apply, that's it. No "what port do you want it on" No digging into window to window to get it to work. Just one click.
And then Mac has the "Dock". Where windows has a list also but it changes with what you use the most, where Mac's only changes when you do it. You can have the dock on either corner legt, right, bottom and bring the mouse pointer to that side and it pops up.
Ah!? Just went to check something and it gave me a list (photos 1, 2, 3) lets see windows do this? It explains all the functions. Instead of copy and paste it here I took a photos from the screen.
[attachment=1565][attachment=1566][attachment=1567]
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Vince,
I'm looking for a free software virus program that was listed on here, can you find it?
I'm also looking for a software program that will get rid of a virus program called ZueS anyone heard of it? I want to get rid of it
not just detect it.
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http://www.avast.com/free-antivirus-download
http://www.avira.com/en/download/index.php
Found it on page...
http://www.chnlove.info/showthread.php?tid=1995&highlight=software+virus+program
you have to read what the program does? If it doesn't say it gets rid of it? What i have seen is none of them are good unless you pay for it? and some of those aren't good either.
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Lets take a simple project that needs to be done like putting a new printer in. The Mac has a list of printers so no need to install the printer program, it's in there already, but you can if you want. To make it the default printer (windows does the same) you go to Apple (start), Preferences, (control Panel) Printer, click on the printer icon to highlight and click apply, that's it. No "what port do you want it on" No digging into window to window to get it to work. Just one click.
And then Mac has the "Dock". Where windows has a list also but it changes with what you use the most, where Mac's only changes when you do it. You can have the dock on either corner legt, right, bottom and bring the mouse pointer to that side and it pops up.
Ah!? Just went to check something and it gave me a list (photos 1, 2, 3) lets see windows do this? It explains all the functions. Instead of copy and paste it here I took a photos from the screen.
A USB printer? That's just plug it in and if the drivers are installed, it's done by default. If it's not, then insert disk and then connect printer... It'll default itself.
You can put the taskbar on any side of the screen you want and the start button list lists the most commonly used programs...you wouldn't put rarely used programs on that list anyway... And with a simple addition, you can have a dock if you really want one.
Regardless, I'm sure you and I could debate mac versus pc til the cows come home and then some...trust me, I've heard it all and I'm sure you have as well. Let's let the others decide... :icon_cheesygrin:
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Vince got the new pc (I'm using it now) it's a HP-DV7-3165 DX, which has camera (when I learn to use it) and comes with a 16x9 led screen (wide) 500 gig hard drive
128k screen cache, and I think he said 4 gigs of memory, but can be upgraded to 8 (he didn't have the upgrade chips).
Anyway, I'm in the process of setting it up and thought I'd let you know. Pretty fancy machine, lots of lit up buttons to get in trouble with...haha
I bought a copy of "Webroot antivirus and spy sweeper" and your right, it detects the cookies and viruses, but does not eliminate them, it marks them as no-no's on
the hard drive only. But it does block cookies that report on your wherebouts and stops them. I was looking to destroy the viruses on the hard drive and also the cookies
but "best buy" didn't have anything except this and Norton. And I don't think norton does it ether. Will try both of those you sent me, but I don't think they destroy
ether.
By the way, picked up a wireless mouse. Damnest thing, but takes up a usb port. I don't like that.
also, what kind of photoshop program are you using (I know you have a dandy) and what is it's name? The HP came with windows 7.32 so I am playing with it
now. (thanks shaun!) It's different, and will take a few days to get used to.
Thanks for your help Vince and to all the other brothers who put there two cents worth in. It was a big help.
By the way, it came with a "Blue-Ray" RW-drive, will have to figure
that out also...haha
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The HP was a good choice. Looked at them for myself as well. Most of the AV's put the contaminated into a folder not useable? (something like that?) AS for the spyware (this tracks where you go) and unwanted cookies? Most browsers, (you have most likely IE?) in there preference have a list you could change on accepting cookies. On mine (Mac Safari) I have it where it only accepts from the sites I go to. So a pop up (which is also close off) can't put a cookie in for the second it's there.
I don't know if the browser (like mine) can take out some unwanted cookies? I go through a list and leave the ones I know are needed and take out the rest. What I know of the window is it deletes "ALL" cookies? and then it takes longer to open websites as it reinstalls the cookies. The one thing I liked about the Norton (I don't know if it still does this) is it will erase what has been deleted. After you delete something it's still on the HD. There are other ways of getting it off (cleaned), they have HD cleaners that is suppose to do it.
The RW-drive? Is that a DVD RW? or a CD RW? This is the only thing I did to my computer, I installed a DVD RW drive and took out the CD writer. I had to place a circuit board in called a PCI which I had in my other Mac when I upgraded it back then. So I just needed a new ribbon (wire). But that's it on this one. Ain't computers fun?
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All anti-virus programs will do what you tell them depending on the settings (delete, "ask me", quarrantine, do nothing). Be very careful of the programs which are automatically set to delete everything as (and I've said this before), you can get false positives and if you delete the wrong file, you could disable your computer.
There is a part of spybot which should help protect your system settings (it's called Tea Timer), but be careful of using it because it will generate lots of warnings whenever something wants to change a system setting.
8Gb is a lot of RAM on any computer, most people don't need that much (bragging rights really...unless you're a graphic artist or a hardcore gamer).
Finally, the best thing to do if you want to keep your system up and running is just do regular monthly (or quarterly) maintenance. Delete cookies and spyware, flush out the cache (temporary storage for the browser or windows) and possibly defragging of your system if you constantly install and uninstall software or move around lots of files... That'll help keep your system clean...
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:@yea i found that out last week deleted and disabled
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Rocky, sorry I didn't answer one of your questions? Forgot? :blush:
My Photoshop is the older pro program. It's not the CS you buy now. This one (when new) was a $800.00 program in todays prices it's got to be $1500. now? at least. I had one before this and all the tools are listed. On this one most are listed but you have to dig for the one you want. Exp: there is a pencil, with the pencil you can change the color pixel by pixel. Mine has it too but you have to know where it is. I don't think the new ones has it at all ( from what I'm told?). So there are minor differences to new but I like this one for everything it has and I'm not spending big cash for another.
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I have dicovered correl ware on here, which is the big huge photo shop type program with more buttons than the space shuttle. If i remember correctly,
correl was way back when, one of the top of the line expensive drawing and picture programs. Autocad was big back then to, guess it still is if your an
engineer. But this correl ware even lets you take pictures and copy movies from youtube and all others. You can even make and download and upload movies with
it. It's going to take a long time to figure this one out.
I also got the camera working, god it almost broke the lens when my face came up...hahaha now I really need that photoshop program...haha. It does everthing
and will put pictures of you live in different hats, locations, etc. I will have to work with that one also. So much to learn ( agian).
Does QQ take control of your camera and you can adjust it from qq or not, or do you have to bring your camera on line first then invoke qq ???
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QQ will start the camera for you. Not sure if it will let you add effects though. Test it out with one of the guys first so you can get comfortable with it. My qq# is in my profile (click my picture).
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Rocky, I had/have Corel (Gallery 2) I haven't used it or loaded into my computer in years. It's good for graphics and a load of other things. I do graphics for fun, as a hobby of a hobby? :huh: One of my hobbies is photography, the graphics is just a sub of it. As for Photoshop? They have a $100. program (CS) that has the basics and some other fun things to do. I bought this for my daughter(s) that are into photography also. (I bought it for one but they both use it). Strange thing that happen was I was looking at my daughters photos she took and they were almost a copy of mine? Same subject and almost the same location where I took mine?
Adobe has many programs from inexpensive to very. For those that don't know, Photoshop is made by Adobe that's why the mention. I've played with most of them and it looks like they are geared for those that need to do different projects. Illustrator is another adobe program, it's a mix of graphic and photoshop. I have that also but these programs use so much space I leave them off.
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Vince and the guy's,
What I am looking for is the photo shop program that you can put your face up there and it will remove all
the rough spots, like CHN uses for the girls to make them pretty, even if their not..haha :icon_cheesygrin:
or younger.
The one I want is the one that will make a pass and reduce age or add age to a picture. Hell, I might use it
to get back at CHN...:icon_cheesygrin:
By the way vince, it is a DVD/CD type of drive that does blue ray, in fact I think it does it all, will have to read
the instructions and let you know more. Right now, I'm building
on the house and haven't had time to do anything. I'll settle down
in a few weeks...:icon_cheesygrin:
Thank you Neil, but do you buy QQ in a store or download it
from the web site? Will try the web site first, what is the best
way to do it?
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Rocky, I think you watch to much TV/movies. No program just changes the photo. You have to do it and know all the tools needed to do t it too. It's a whole library of filters, masks, color adjustments and layers. I've been at it for ten years and still learning. But if anything get the program I think it's called CS Elements? I'm putting pic of the Photoshop window. Notice the menu and the tools on the left. Each tool has a submenu to more tools. Each menu submenu has between 3 to 12 things you can do. I'll put your pic here to with a few different filters.
[attachment=1582][attachment=1583][attachment=1584]
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Thanks Vince, guess I'll just play with correl for a while see what happens. Wonder what the chinese on CHN
use? They seem to really know how to doctor up a picture.
Wow, looks like I'm on drugs (and good ones :icon_cheesygrin:)
in those pictures...that middle one makes me look a lot better..:icon_cheesygrin:
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rockycoon,
A lot of the agencies use photo studio's, (and there just about on every street corner over there). If the lady is naturally pretty, they will maybe touch up bits and bob's in-house.
Hahaha!!, you'ld be amazed at what some of these photo studio's can do to a lady's photo. Somewhere on the treads here there is 2 photo's of Willy's original lady. One of them from the agency profile and the other taken in normal circumstances. If you want a good idea of what can be done to a photo in the way of photoshopping, then look at these two photo's, and see if you would say, ...they are the same lady!!!!
David.....
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Just wanted to show different effects they have. Most of it I never use. I guess if your some kind of artist and wanted that water effect? (middle photo) then it's good, but me? I like real photos that you can see is the subject.
For instance the profile photo of me was taken with a cheap crappy camera and the photo was very grainy, also larger there's a buddy from high school standing next to me. I took it and cleaned it up . But it loses sharpness for it?
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Rocky, I think you watch to much TV/movies. No program just changes the photo. You have to do it and know all the tools needed to do t it too. It's a whole library of filters, masks, color adjustments and layers. I've been at it for ten years and still learning. But if anything get the program I think it's called CS Elements? I'm putting pic of the Photoshop window. Notice the menu and the tools on the left. Each tool has a submenu to more tools. Each menu submenu has between 3 to 12 things you can do. I'll put your pic here to with a few different filters.
I have to say that picture #2 is a vast improvement. Can it run like that real time? Don might be able to catch a few honeys like that. :angel:
Shaun
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Photo realities: The guy to Vinces right is holding a gun, the person who is taking the picture is his naked
wife, that is why Vince is smiling...:icon_cheesygrin:
Thanks Shaun, I think #2 makes me look better also...don't know if I can hold off the women with that one
:icon_cheesygrin::icon_cheesygrin::icon_cheesygrin:
By the way, I found a qq web site, but didn't look like the
real thing and had an african web address for downloading
it from..."red light" Any one got a decent web address for the
orginal or safe download?
By the way, according to the "african connection" qq does not
work with window's 7 only xt and 2000 versions.
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http://www.imqq.com
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give me some time to set it up and figure out how to use the damn thing...haha
By the way, did I say Thanks a bunch...
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Wow!!! That was easy? With all the crap I went through trying to fix the problem of "Can't sign in?" I just re-registered got a new number and that's it. No deleting the program and reinstalling it?
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Sorry go nothing to say on this but thought I would put something on the last thread even if it was just to say Ni Hao!!!
Willy
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im still waiting if someone would post a good list of what i should look for in a new laptop
to buy
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Hey Ted,
Depends on if you're going with a consumer level notebook or a business class notebook. Since you're in China, I'd probably go Lenovo. RAM, 4Gb or more... Hard Drive... 250 should be enough...just remember to get an external hard drive to back up your data... Wireless is good...beyond that, it's really up to you...stick with Intel CPU if you can.
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thanks
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Ted, I got a HP and it's great, comes with 250 gig hard drive, very wide screen, windows 7, full keyboard, got a
nifty button to shut down the mouse touch pad so you can run a wireless mouse (which it does well), got
4 gig of memory upgradeable to 8 gig, bells-buttons-whistles for everything, what a machine. The guys turned
me onto it. Checked it out and was amazed. Boot-up time is non-existant, got ton's of protection with it, and
the sound ain't to shabby. It's also got a blue-ray drive that plays and records regular cd/dvd's, and also the
blue-ray disks (although I haven't played with this feature much. The machine didn't cost that much and also
got wireless mouse, printer, cables and a few other goodies, all for about a grand here in US.
Probably a lot cheaper there. It's a HP Pavilion DV7-3165 DX. Go check one out before buying anything, and
I think you'll be pleased.
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Rocky, I like the international version of QQ the best. It allows you to put real pics in it as your photo. I have a pic of myself, my wife and step daughter in it.
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http://www.imqq.com Yeah, that's the link you want to use. It's free, and easy to set up.
I installed skype last night. Damn that's a slick program. You can make the first phone call for free, so I phoned Nina's cell phone. I could hear her fine and she could hear me, just like a regular phone call. I'm not sure what the price would be, but I would imagine the calls are dirt cheap compared to regular long distance direct calls.
Ted, don't worry too much about specs. Decide on a price range you want to spend, find a company you can trust to not rip you off by selling you garbage, and that will repair or replace it if there are problems. Then make sure it has a webcam built in. Don't buy the cheapest machine and don't buy the most expensive. Stick to your price range.
I bought my laptop in Future Shop. I set my price at $800 and found the best of the $800 models. It is fast, stable and has a great camera so I can see Nina. They had the laptops on display so you could use them and compare responsiveness. Lift them, use them and open and close the lid. Pay attention to quality. If it looks cheap, flimsy or low quality, go with your gut and skip it. Try the keyboard - you'll be typing a lot. I used my brother's laptop one night and was disgusted with the keyboard. If the salesmen aren't helpful, go somewhere else.
If you're buying online, stick with reputable companies like Dell. I've owned 3 dells and never had problems.
Oh, Mustfocus has a good point about the cpu. Intel is good. Intel and AMD both make low end mobile chips that absolutely stink. Used to be called Celeron from Intel, I'm not sure what they're called now, but skip that. Quad core, dual core are good choices for multitasking, but you get what you pay for.
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I think Skype is good value. Free chatting computer to computer with webcam as well and it will find you wherever you are in the world.
I also have mine set up so I can make calls to any landline phone in the UK and anyone can ring a London number and it comes through to me in China. Good for business and good value at 35.oo a year. And the sound is crystal clear.
I can make calls to anywhere in the world to cell phones at low prices but have to buy credit for that first.
Willy
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Neil, according to my sources at intel, the Celeron chip was just a fancy 486 with wifi installed from the R&D department. It was not
any faster nor was it a move up, just somthing they had to come up with quick. It quickly lost popularity due to the hard ware installed
in it, that would automatically report to intel every key stroke you made. When people found out about this, the R&D department (even
after a lot of advertising) dropped the chip in favor of the first pentinum. I would assume that they still produce them, as they are
small and put out less heat than the pentinum does. Since then, they have made many versions of the pentinum, all bigger and faster
and with more goodies built in. They have stayed away from the reporting part of it, as even Computer Shopper was sniffing around
for a juicy artical about it (they are the ones that broke the news about the celeron). Where does Intel get there ideas for better
chips?
From you of course. My friend works in the R&D department and he says that they get most of the great idea's from people like you
and me. They are idea-less, and so pick the brains of others and incorporate it into the next upgrade of the chips. Makes them
look good to the boss I guess.
I used to work there, but for another company. Still have my Intel ID card (for show and tell) as it's a "green card" and allowed me
access to anywhere in the plant....cool huh...:icon_cheesygrin: Just thought you'd like to know. By the way, they do have a huge
room full of line printers that are for "logging" users wherebouts, I know it logs more than that. Probably still there. The company
I worked for was building a huge add-on plant for more chips to be made in. Anyway, like I said, just thought you might like to
know....
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Ted, you can get a decent laptop for less than 3K RMB in GZ. If you don't plan to move it, get a large display (17") and that will give you a full sized keyboard, negotiate warranty with the shop and know the Chinese brands are actually quite good, I wouldn't pay the premium for HP/Toshiba/Sony's unless you fall in love with one of them, they're all made in China as well. The shop should be able to install Win7 in English for you, a fake but which will update. Ask the sales guy for a quiet model, some CPU coolers will drive you nuts, at least they drive me nuts. 3-4 Gig of RAM is standard now, and a 320GB WD hard drive costs under 400RMB with external USB enclosure (a 2.5" model powered over USB) for backup if necessary. Any dual core will be fast enough for Web and the likes.
We can have a look together in April if you like, I should be there then ...
Frank
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Great Frank see you in April. I can take you to the electronics area in GZ were people come from all over
the world to buy items in quantity. very large and would take 2 days to completely go thru if you were
buying for a large store that you had. maybe we can spend the afternoon there looking and talking to
them. right now i have an HP laptop with a large screen but it is 4 years old so i am looking for a newer
version laptop with more of what i dont know a lot about on it.
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I see what you're getting at, I saw the clone area in Shenzhen ... quite impressive! Looks like I need a new laptop for my love too, so we can do some bargain hunting :icon_cheesygrin:
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buying 2 laptops at the same time will reduce the price in
the bargaining
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yeah like 1.5% ... margins are low in that business, except for the big shots like Intel or MS (or Apple who manage to pull off double prices on the same hardware as PCs :D)
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Frank, What are the dates in April? Maybe we can get a group discount. Peggy would like a new computer too. I have been reluctant to get her one until we meet face to face.
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Shaun, I think first half of April is the plan, depending on how I progress with the single certificate.