Christmas Funnies
It’s time to relive those funny Christmas moments from yesteryear. These home videos always make me laugh.
And the ever classic, Christmas Gift Prank.
Enjoy!
Life
Converting a Heretic
With your Dell Inspiron Mini 10v
I started with Gizmodo’s article, How To: Hackintosh a Dell Mini 10v Into the Ultimate Snow Leopard Netbook but also took hints from MyDellMini.com. As described in my previous notes post, here are some of my experiences:
- Downgraded the BIOS from A06 to A04. Some articles say this is necessary, some recommend keeping the latest A06. If you do downgrade, be ready for lots of loud beeping as the firmware updater runs.
- Be sure to have a flash drive for the BIOS updater and another drive for the Mac OS X install files. You might be able to create a single drive that does both, but the Mac OS X installation files need lots of space (~16 GB). Since I don’t have a big flash drive, I used an old 20 GB external USB hard drive for the OS X install files.
- Use Netbook BootMaker to modify the Mac OS X install files (after copying the the files from a Snow Leopard install DVD). Use Netbook Installer after Mac OS X is installed.
- I had to use Netbook BootMaker 0.8.2 to prep the Mac OS X install files. I had initially used the latest 0.8.3RC4 version which didn’t work, causing kernel panic errors at the start of Mac OS X installation. Note: Netbook BootMaker and Installer 0.8.3RC5 have just been released, but I haven’t check them out yet.
- While I don’t recall installing the trackpad fix as described in the Gizmodo article, I think I let Netbook Installer 0.8.3RC4 handle the trackpad fix.
I have a few more notes here, but in general, everything in the Gizmodo howto worked and after several hours, you should see something like this.
Congratulations! The scariest part is done, and you’ve now got a Hackintosh!
Sinning with a Dell Inspiron Mini 10v Series
Sinning with a Dell Inspiron Mini 10v
Forgive me Steve for I have sinned. I have not been true to my values and have had an unfaithful transgression. I have befriended a heretic and willingly welcomed this heathen into my home. But Steve, please accept my humble apologies and understand the true reason for this crime – to convert this pagan to the light, the light of Mac.
Yes, dear readers, I am now an owner of a Dell computer along with Windows 7. I’ve never owned a non-Apple computer in my life until now. So what happened and why the change? Hackintosh happened is what. Some smart people out there figured how how to install Mac OS X on Intel-based hardware made from vendors other than Apple. So my Dell Mini Inspiron 10v is no longer running Windows 7 but is purring along with Snow Leopard (Mac OS X 10.6).
I’ll be writing a few posts about my experiences with my Hackintosh, so you can see if this is for you.
Why a Hackintosh?
The first obvious question is why? Why a Dell (or other vendor) and not stick with Apple? Well, I still have my Apples but was essentially looking for a disposable secondary computer. Have you ever been on a trip where a computer would be handy, but you didn’t want the hassles? Do you risk leaving the computer in the hotel room or bring it with you to Disneyland? What about all those digital pictures you’re taking? What if your camera’s memory card gets swiped out? There goes all the memories? Wouldn’t you want a backup of these keepsakes? Wouldn’t access to email, directions, Facebook, and in general, the Internet be very useful while on travel. You with me?
Now, do you want to bring that $2000+ MacBook Pro with you? Sure it’s high speed and portable but not that portable. You’d be lugging the computer around, possibly damaging it or losing it or worse having it stolen? Is your beloved Apple worth that worry? Maybe not, but a $300 Netbook sure is. Though very small and admittedly underpowered, a Netbook is just right as a secondary disposable computer.
For my Hackintosh Netbook, I went with the popular Dell Inspiron Mini 10v which is well documented as a Hackintosh. Note: the 10v model number is 1011. Available at Amazon.com for just under $300, this Netbook features:
- 10-in screen
- 1 GB of RAM
- 160 GB hard drive
- built-in webcam
- one VGA port
- 3 USB ports
- SD memory card reader
- RJ-45 jack
- WiFi (802.11b/g)
- Bluetooth
You can customize a Mini 10v at Dell’s web site, but this stock configuration
In the next few posts, I’ll be writing about:
- Converting to Mac OS X
- Interfacing with a diminutive Netbook
- Software (and installing software)
- My observations
Stay tuned and sin with me!
Christmas Lights in Kaneohe
This one street in Kaneohe takes its Christmas lights seriously. Almost every house was decorated and lit up unlike this one Mililani home from back in the day. Cars cruised by, families walked the street, and even tour trolleys made visits!
Some shots taken with a Canon EOS Rebel T1i
Second Funniest Thing I Heard from a Non-Geek
The second funniest thing I heard a non-geek say:
Non-geek: Can you lookup information on my friend on Facebook?
Me: But I’m not her friend on Facebook.
Non-geek: You mean you can’t see information about everyone on Facebook?
Probably funnier if you were there.
Funniest Thing I Heard from a Non-Geek
Probably the funniest thing I heard a non-geek type say:
Amazon? What’s that?
Yes, this person didn’t know about this popular online store. No joke.
To My Fam, Friends, and Fans…
If you need to buy something from Amazon.com, consider Pulpconnection’s Amazon Store with products featured on this blog. Click on the AMAZON STORE link in the header to enter the store.
Or you can enter with this link. Thanks for your support!
Beaten by Brother
Not talking about the brotherly rivalry between the Voltaggio brothers of Top Chef but being beaten by my Brother printer. My trusty Brother HL-1670N laser printer started flashing an E52 Service Call error and wouldn’t print. I tried these instructions to repair this common error code without any luck.
So the hunt for a replacement printer is on. What I’m looking for:
- Black and white. Color would be nice, but the supplies and consumables are probably too expensive. Upkeep of color printers also seem more of a hassle.
- Laser. Inkjets just seem to clog and not work more often than not.
- Duplex. Once you enjoy double side printing, you can’t go back. Saves paper and saves carrying around a bunch of paper.
- Network. With more than one computer in the household, a networked printer is a must. Wired or wireless is fine.
- Resolution. Don’t really care since current printers print in a higer res than my broken Brother.
- Speed. Not too much of a factor since we don’t print that much stuff.
- Cost. Cheaper is definitely better but going too cheap could be a waste too. I don’t want some flimsy printer that’s “disposable.”
- Multi-function. No need. I already have a working scanner for copying, and I haven’t faxed in years.
After doing some quick research (looking at the best rated and reviewed on Amazon), Brother printers continue to lead the way in personal/home office printers. I’m leaning towards the Brother HL-5370DW
Collection of Hawaii Business Memorabilia
My small collection of memorabilia from Hawaii businesses.
The rebranding of AIG Hawaii to Farmers Insurance Hawaii is coming up in January 2010. They have some little goodies ready to go with the launch.
And they light up! Oooohhhh!
From the previous merger between City Bank and Central Pacific Bank (CPB) comes this distinctive blue bench.
And of course, don’t forget the collection of Club 939 calendars. Autographed too!
The Club 939 calendar for 2010 unleashes this week!
Juxtaposing Victoria’s Secret and Ho’s
Juxtaposing Victoria’s Secret and ho’s gives you this!
What were you expecting? Ho, ho, ho, Merry Christmas!
When You Need Big Pieces o’ Pus
When aural pleasures won’t do, and you need big pieces o’ octopus, head to Shirokiya. They got you covered with big pieces of octopus.
Why and what for, I don’t know.