So I finish drawing Abel's Story, I fire up Photoshop...and I am hit with an activation prompt from Adobe. It asks me to activate online...I try...and it tells me it cannot and my 30 day supposed trial has expired. It then gives me a phone number to try to acitvate with.
I call, I put in the number, it says its too long.
So I load Adobe Acrobat, you know, the free Adobe program? Same prompt, same request for code, same code numbers, same rejections.
So yeah. Apparently I cannot activate the programs I have been using for the past 2+ years on this computer.
In case people are wondering, the promt I get when I try to start a program:
Quote"Your computer's configuration appears to have changed since the time this product was activated. To continue using this product, please click OK to activate it again for your new system configuration, or click Cancel to exit (aka: close everything)"
...I have a sinking suspicion that this may have something to do with several other issues that my computer has been having. I mentioned before I was noticing an odd pixelation and that I thought the graphics card is possibly going out. Well added to that is a recent situation where my computer refuses to shut down proper and the only way to get it to shut down is via holding the button.
I am starting to wonder if my computer is actually just breaking down and this is one of the many indicators. If that is the case...then well...there isn't much I can do at this time.
Needless to say...I am INCREDIBLY displeased at the world, life, and everything in general. This is probably the worst possible time for a computer failure seeing as I just had to throw down 200 narfing dollars on someones pet snake who may never pay me back and my husband got hit hard with a nasty bill have only the 100 from this months donations to my bank account right now and I can't even do a donation drive because I dont have the stuff I already owe done and now I cant even do it because I cant access the stupid program that lets me colour in the first place.
...You know what. Screw this. I am going to bed and waking up Sunday.
Hibernate for the weekend. Sounds like the perfect plan.
Wish I could help you with your problem, but I'm not as much of a computer geek as everybody I know in the real world thinks I would be.
i thought i needed to learn photoshop or something like this, but your post has scared me
i fear graphics programs, for they are mean and wish to destroy all comics we love
I agree with Rakala; hibernate for now. You shouldn't push yourself with this stuff, Amber. You'll end up overwhelming yourself and explode. Exploding isn't good.
:tighthug Hope everything gets better, Amber.
Erk. Not good, not good at all.
I wish I could offer some suggestion, but I don't know enough about Adobe's copy-protection scheme. Whatever it is, it's gone horribly wrong.
But yes, hibernating sounds good.
Don't worry, I (and I believe most of us) are far too much in thrall to you and your work to castigate you for anything borne out of computer problems. Get your equilibrium back, and take it easy till you do.
Wishing you the best from over here.
And people look at me strangly when I refuse to upgrade to these 'new improved' versions of software.
Good luck, see you on sunday
PS I recomend standard windows fix, backup, nuke, reinstall. Though 'other methods' may be required to use the software you already own.
As much as I hate to suggest it, the not shutting down sounds like there's something wrong with your installation of windows, and reinstalling windows might fix it, and may well fix the problem with adobe in the process.
I was thinking of making a donation to the taco drive, now sounds like a good time to do it.
Yeah, I get paid not this weekend, but the next. I'll see how I'm sitting after bills and plop some cash down.
Take the time off and rest Amber. I'm sure I can speak for everyone when I say that we'll see what can be done to soften the blow from the bills.
Please rest up while those of us who can send some tacos :hug
Blarging blarf..
I do hope you get a well needed rest or problem solver soon, Dont you worry..Rest and we will wait for your return
Which version of Photoshop are you using currently?
I wish you the best.
Found this:
http://www.mininova.org/tor/504248
QuoteThis torrent consists of a Windows based patch to fix the problem of being unable to activate Adobe Acrobat 7.x or other Adobe products in the CS 2 catagory. The Error "Your computer's configuration appears to have changed since..." and the effected Adobe application shutting down are the results. This patch is only made available by calling into Adobe technical support and to those with a ligitimate serial number.
QuoteCall Customer Service to request the Adobe License Management 2.70 Patch. Customer Services must make changes to your activation record before you can download and install the patch.
This problem occurs on RAID configurations or when you dock or undock a laptop computer.
*sigh*
Right now its looking like this may simply just be a deathrattle and my entire computer is going belly-up. I had hoped the issue was something I could hold off until the end of the month when money would be a little less tight...but its looking like things are just dying one by one.
Right now I am just trying to save data just to be safe. Odds are I am going to have to take the entire PC in to be examined and its very likely I will be losing programs and data regardless. Which is a strain since my cd of Photoshop I believe has long since disapeered from my posession...meaning I will more than likely have to buy a new version.
It is frustrating since this issue with Adobe literally happened out of the blue today and has more or less crippled me. (Well moreso than I am now that I am stuck wearing a wrist bracer for the next few weeks) It was my goal for September and October to catch up finally with everything I owed people before even attempting another drive of any sort.
So yeah. No Photoshop. No Adobe in general it seems (and no the torrent thing didnt help, but thanks for the try.) And even now Firefox is giving issues.
Honestly, I feel like a complete tool and like the biggest hack on the internet. If i was smart, I should just take this as a sign to curl up and just stop trying anymore and maybe just try to do something that gets me a job at Tim Hortons or something.
But I realize I am also typing while depressed and this may become outdated once I actually sleep some. Still...I am just...miserable.
Quote from: Amber Williams on September 11, 2008, 07:03:40 PM
*sigh*
...
Honestly, I feel like a complete tool and like the biggest hack on the internet. If i was smart, I should just take this as a sign to curl up and just stop trying anymore and maybe just try to do something that gets me a job at Tim Hortons or something.
But I realize I am also typing while depressed and this may become outdated once I actually sleep some. Still...I am just...miserable.
:hug
It sounds like you needed that. Honestly Amber, I think we all understand what it's like having computer issues, and I'm not going to be angry. Trust me, I've done some stupid things with my computer (FYI: Coffee and computers do not mix), and all of this sounds like it was basically out of your hands. Get some rest: you need it.
Don't think that, Amber. We know you're trying your best. And it doesn't matter, as long as you're happy we are. Comic or no. -hug-
AND-
I'm offering to draw full body, inked pictures of people's character (or characters they like) for $20...to Amber.
Amber, did the possible solution I posted above help in any way? Let me know, hunting and fixing inane, frustrating mind boggling and downright infuriating computer problems is something that unfortunately I'm rather good at. Not the first time I've been at odds with Adobe either (the pain of that install, THE PAIN....).
Awwww, I'm really sorry to hear about your 'puter Amber, definitely sounds like it's on its last legs. Mind giving me a little info so I can see if I can help?
How old is the computer?
Do you use disk cleaners, defragmentors, and registry cleaners on a regular basis?
Got anti-virus and anti-spyware installed?
Which paypal should I send the monies to to help buy you a new computer? ;)
:hug :hug
Don't worry amber, I am sure things will work out, Too many people like you for things not to work out.
There's actually a plan in motion. Check for tonight's update to see what's going on.
Quote from: Darkmoon on September 11, 2008, 08:51:23 PM
There's actually a plan in motion. Check for tonight's update to see what's going on.
*throws a salute* Yes, sir!
In all seriousness, I eagerly await more info.
:hug
Just an extra hug, Amber.
Quote from: Darkmoon on September 11, 2008, 08:51:23 PM
There's actually a plan in motion. Check for tonight's update to see what's going on.
Let us know if there's anything we can do to help, right?
Aww, and here I had an interesting idea I wanted to try and get some art out of ya.
And it is the right time of year for depression to sink in. Hope ya feel better soon. And watch out for Adobe ;p
PS: If you are looking to replace the graphics card, what sort of graphics card did you have? I've got an old AGP card that I'm looking to ditch.
oh yes the incredible things DRM does for you.
don't know about ya guys but if I were facing this situation and coudn't find a straight way to solve it I would engage "fuck this" mode and crack the damn thing, if I paid for a software I would expect it to work regardless of running a proper install or a modified one.
Still it's really sad (and curious) seeing amber having her computer dying, given some time ago the previous one got fried with a thunder. some artists have no luck with PCs I guess
Quote from: Ghostwish on September 11, 2008, 08:16:00 PMHow old is the computer?
Do you use disk cleaners, defragmentors, and registry cleaners on a regular basis?
Got anti-virus and anti-spyware installed?
Which paypal should I send the monies to to help buy you a new computer? ;)
Knowing she had her previous PC fried around an year ago, it's not very old, I assume.
I've never, EVER heard of defragmentors or data cleaners in general solving problems other than performance drops
I really don't think graphical failures are likely caused by viruses
If you're donating, you can just go to the front page and click where it says "feed the mows"
"Arrrrrrr...."
It's pretty ridiculous what they make you do but it's all in an effort to stop people like me.
Photoshop CS2 and previous versions have this huge process to activate yet the brand new CS3 has just a key, nothing more. Adobe sucks.
Getting a disk for your version may not be that hard. It may have technically come from an illegal source but your license key would still be legal and it would all wash out.
Upgrade versions are fun, or at least they used to be.
The computer issues definitely sound hardware based. I'm thinking ram myself, explains the most symptoms. It's less then a year old though?!
If your planning on scrapping the whole thing it must be rather serious.
Condolences and time to reassociate that credit card with paypal.
You shouldn't ever feel like a failure for things like this, there's a great number of things that can fail just fine all by themselves. Computer happens, it just does. :|
It could be just a couple key components going bad. If I remember right you built that machine not too long ago, so most of that is probably salvageable. Graphics cards are getting cheaper than ever and I bet you could find a motherboard replacement for that thing for ~$100 or even less. I forget if it's a 939 socket or the one more recent than it, but even a new motherboard + CPU combo would be only ~$200 or so. RAM is probably transferable given the time frame, the GPU is almost definitely transferable (if I remember right you went with a GF7900 which I *THINK* was PCI-Express only, so that's no problem), HDDs and optical drives are easy to swap out, the PSU and case are still good. That computer is recent enough that you can probably get away with just replacing the faulty parts.
But seriously, that was a relatively recent build so it's surprising that it died so quickly. I think Amber has an anti-technology field around her. Fear not Amber, you are not alone. A friend of mine has managed to crash a calculator before!
Good luck! Get some rest!
Quote from: Cvstos on September 12, 2008, 12:08:29 AM
Fear not Amber, you are not alone. A friend of mind has managed to crash a calculator before!
All I did was try to divide by zero.....under water.....
(seriously, how DO you "crash" a calculator? tear out the batteries?)
Quote from: Cvstos on September 12, 2008, 12:08:29 AM
I think Amber has an anti-technology field around her.
What have you done?!?! (http://www.collectedcurios.com/SA_0435_small.jpg)
I... I have locked up a digital/analog watch before. It only has four buttons! :U
I would have suggested a similar course of swapping out the bad stuff but I am unsure on their computer repair capabilities. Besides I myself have gotten to the point of not wanting to actually fix anything, I just want it to work!
For those of you who don't know you'd be surprised how a small error in a stick of ram can cause catastrophic, sometimes, failure. And a malfunctioning, not failed, power supply can sometimes be just as bad as a motherboard failure. If you don't have conclusive diagnostics; instinct, experience, and a hell of lot of dumb luck make it work out. Server at work right now could use some dumb luck :P
I don't work on 'em anymore, much, just build 'em.
Yeah I've seen these kind of issues before. Although this seems like an intersection of unlucky software and hardware problems.
I'll be donating tomorrow.
I should note, this kind of DRM stuff is part of the reason I've been using Linux - the other part of the reason is that my Win2000 CD can't install on large Hard drives.
I've found GIMP (100 percent free) to be a nice replacement for many functions in Photoshop, though I have no idea what functions Mab would be using that may or may not exist in GIMP.
-Seth
Quote from: Seth C Triggs on September 12, 2008, 02:07:13 AM
Yeah I've seen these kind of issues before. Although this seems like an intersection of unlucky software and hardware problems.
I'll be donating tomorrow.
I should note, this kind of DRM stuff is part of the reason I've been using Linux - the other part of the reason is that my Win2000 CD can't install on large Hard drives.
I've found GIMP (100 percent free) to be a nice replacement for many functions in Photoshop, though I have no idea what functions Mab would be using that may or may not exist in GIMP.
-Seth
Please, can we not turn this into a Linux vs Microsoft Discussion, let alone a GIMP vs Photoshop, those things rarely go well... AT ALL.
it really does sound like your system's about to crap out Amber, either way, i hope the best for ya, even if i cannot help at this juncture right now. :<
What will be interesting is when the Krita port to Win32 is completed. While it won't be a full 1-1 replacement for Photoshop, it does seem to have mimicked the user interface (to the point at which I can't use it effectively, just like the real thing) so might be handy at a pinch.
On a more practical note, I - and others - might be interested to see the contents of Amber's event log. Certain kinds of hardware and software failure will leave traces in it.
In the Control Panel, choose Administrative Tools -> Event Viewer. Right-click on 'System', and save the event log to a file. Put that on the website somewhere we can get at it, and maybe it'll give us an idea of what's going on.
Another idea is to run memtest for an hour or so and see if it finds anything (e.g. if it's a memory-based issue).
That can be found here: http://www.memtest.org/
While I do agree that Linux and Gimp are nice(I am a Gimp user), I also think it would be counter productive to start a discussion about the pros and cons in this thread.
The issue is Amber's computer curling into the fetal position.
I would bet 2 to 1 in my favor that I could fix or accurately diagnose what the issue is over the weekend if I had my hands on it(what can I say, it is a hobby of mine)....but Amber and her computer are a thousand miles away in another country(well, several hundred at least)!
And seriously, Amber, you seem to have no luck with computers. How many have you gone through in the last 5 years? I am typing on the same one I have had for the last ~5 years.
In my experience, at least on the hardware level, I don't usually have failures except only very rarely(had 1 hard drive and 1 stick of ram go bad this past Christmas, but that was it).
Any software problems are almost invariably my fault, due typical to my fiddling a little too much with the settings of some software.
Tapewolf: The event log probably would be useful(why didn't I think to ask for it...).
I am not sure how technically confident Amber is as memtest can seem a bit daunting if you haven't used it before. But memtest is the best way to see if it is a memory(errors sequentially or in the same spot after a loop)/memory controller issue(randomly occurring errors).
Quote from: Valynth on September 12, 2008, 12:16:03 AM
Quote from: Cvstos on September 12, 2008, 12:08:29 AM
Fear not Amber, you are not alone. A friend of mind has managed to crash a calculator before!
All I did was try to divide by zero.....under water.....
(seriously, how DO you "crash" a calculator? tear out the batteries?)
He found a way.
Quote from: Valynth on September 12, 2008, 12:16:03 AM
(seriously, how DO you "crash" a calculator? tear out the batteries?)
Holding down multiple buttons simultaneously will often generate invalid logic combinations which will cause them to behave strangely.
Also, partially covering the solar cell (if your calculator is so equipped) can reduce the voltage to threshold levels which will result in data corruption and often a lockup.
I have a speaking clock which has often been known to do strange things. The Christmas when I got it, we had a lightning storm. Since it is battery-powered, that's probably just coincidence, but there you go. There was a power surge which crashed my computer (a BBC Micro at the time), so I sat down to read. From out of the blue, the clock uttered the words "Three, oh, oh, teen." I grabbed it - the display at the bottom was blank.
Asking it the time when it is low on power can be interesting as well... as with the calculator, it can get confused about the logic levels and you end up with data corruption. For such a reason it once got stuck in a loop saying "It's twelve oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh" until I took the batteries out.
I have also managed to crash my tape deck (the one in my signature). Unplugging the remote control while the system is running, will cause the CPU to lock up. I guess you are not supposed to do that.
Might be worth getting out the universal boot cd and running memtest86 over the machine.
If it comes up with some of the memory being duff, you can start removing one at a time (or two, if they're installed in pairs) and seeing if you can locate which chip is busted.
If you do that, it might all magically start working again...
while it seems possible to do the kind of coloring amber does using free tools, switching softwares because of a DRM glitch seems overkill. I still say crack the f****** thing until an official solution pops out.
Quote from: Valynth on September 12, 2008, 12:16:03 AMWhat have you done?!?! (http://www.collectedcurios.com/SA_0435_small.jpg)
Amazingly true. I'm an artist but thankfully I also irradiate a proggrammer's aura which negates the effect completely
Typing from the husband compy, this weekend looks to be a wierd one.
Status Update: From what I am gathering...either from deduction and from other peeps commentary is that the problem is looking to be twofold and a mix of probably both some hardware going bluggy and the registry going wonky.(possibly from the hardware going buggy) so the priority is going get the computer working without issues first, then deal with the software. Cause it makes no sense trying to fix the Adobe situation if the glitchy hardware may just rebugger it up.
I will likely be taking the compy in to a place tomorrow. Its a good place, not corporate owned and the guys know what they are doing so odds are they will do a full checkover and give a complete what-need.
BEST CASE SCENARIO:
I am expecting the graphics card, the power supply, and possibly one or two other things need replacing. More than likely they are going to reinstall windows and do something to try to fix the registry and if that repairs, its possible that may handle the adobe problem.
Either way its looking like my actual files are still ok so whatever is wonking, it isn't eating my stuff. But yes, I have all my art files backed up on CD so if in case of bad, I will be able to restore all them. But my poor game files are gonna take the brunt...not that I have been able to play a computer game on this thing in months....
WORST CASE SCENARIO:
Total system wipe and I will have to reinstall everything. Which is gonna suck cause like all geniuses...all my cds are somewhere in a little box in Indiana most likely and it would prolly take a week+ to get them up here. So its more than likely I will either have to rebuy (again) things like Photoshop...or I just finally give the finger to Adobe and go the pirates life for me.
All in all, I am not fully sure what to be expecting...
I will update more on the situation come Monday and when I get word from the guys over what is going on.
Either way...I am still really sorry this sort of dropped out of the blue. It looks like I wont be getting tacos afterall. X_x
Quote from: Amber Williams on September 12, 2008, 04:04:22 PM
All in all, I am not fully sure what to be expecting...
I will update more on the situation come Monday and when I get word from the guys over what is going on.
Either way...I am still really sorry this sort of dropped out of the blue. It looks like I wont be getting tacos afterall. X_x
Well, that all sucks. Good luck with everything, Amber! And we don't blame you for this, really we don't: it's just a bunch of things that went bad fast, it's not your fault. Here, have a hug. :hug
... We need a taco smiley so Amber could get a taco.
You're going to have to reinstall everything. I've done these things before. GIve up trying to salvage Windows at this point.
Urk. The Registry truly is the Achilles' heel of Windows. Here's hoping it makes a swift and relatively painless recovery.
Quote from: ShadesFox on September 12, 2008, 04:44:41 PM
You're going to have to reinstall everything. I've done these things before. GIve up trying to salvage Windows at this point.
Sadly, this is probably the case.
I'd say ask someone to look into posting you your cds now, rather than monday. At least get it in train, as it were.
If nothing else, if they locate the cd's and can read off the photoshop number off the back, you might be able to find a copy of the same cd in the place where you're taking your machine, and install with your key. Possibly...
Quote from: llearch n'n'daCorna link=topic=5040.msg226262#msg226262Sadly, this is probably the case.
I'd say ask someone to look into posting you your cds now, rather than monday. At least get it in train, as it were.
If nothing else, if they locate the cd's and can read off the photoshop number off the back, you might be able to find a copy of the same cd in the place where you're taking your machine, and install with your key. Possibly...
Unfortunately, it isn't simply that easy. My mom recently moved house and so I am not even 100% where the cds are or if I lent them to a friend and forgot because this was all over 2 years ago when done.
So I highly doubt I would be able to find them in a short time much less get them sent up here. More than likely I will simply just attempt to repurchase windows and look into rebuying the programs one by one. Which really isn't all that much. The only real baddy is Photoshop itself...
Ah.
Sucky. :-/
I have on transit Photoshop 7. Worst case I go back to using that for an indefinate amount of time. It isn't like I have been using the amazing powers of CS2 to their full potential. :U
Course ugh...I am going to lose my filter programs. Which is going to make Fi's glow a helluva lot more tricky.
I guess I can always rebuy Eyecandy and such...but bleh. I swear next time I get cds like this I am just going to put them in a black box or something. :<
Anyways, for those wondering this is the place I will be taking my compy: http://megacomputer.ca
Quote from: Amber Williams on September 12, 2008, 08:54:39 PM
I have on transit Photoshop 7. Worst case I go back to using that for an indefinate amount of time. It isn't like I have been using the amazing powers of CS2 to their full potential. :U
Course ugh...I am going to lose my filter programs. Which is going to make Fi's glow a helluva lot more tricky.
huh, always thought you used a layer style for Fi's glow..
Quote from: Turnsky on September 12, 2008, 10:10:00 PM
huh, always thought you used a layer style for Fi's glow..
Nah. I tend to only use that for the text bubbles. For some reason it never looks very good when I tried to use it on Fi.
Hmmm.... Well you already gave your money for those programs. So technically you would not be pirating in the sense you never gave them proper compensation.
If you indeed do need to acquire these programs from bittorrent (http://www.utorrent.com/)then I suggest using Peer Guardian (http://phoenixlabs.org/pg2/) to help hide your traffic. Also if needed I can provide an invitation to Demonoid for a more secure set of torrents.
While the pirates life isn't free from possible capture it's darn tempting. I fear for some people, they do this and fill 500Gb drives in a week. My friend is probably gonna get picked up in a month for overdoing it.
Well, easiest way to keep updating would to just have the comics in Black and White until you can color them, then upload them again in color when you can do so.
Quote from: Minishear on September 12, 2008, 10:42:48 PM
Well, easiest way to keep updating would to just have the comics in Black and White until you can color them, then upload them again in color when you can do so.
I agree . Amber can upload them however she did with her computer since she draws them by hand, and since shes using her hubby's computer, the way she uploads shouldn't have to change... I think.
Quote from: Amber Williams on September 12, 2008, 10:24:48 PM
Quote from: Turnsky on September 12, 2008, 10:10:00 PM
huh, always thought you used a layer style for Fi's glow..
Nah. I tend to only use that for the text bubbles. For some reason it never looks very good when I tried to use it on Fi.
well, i guess you do learn something new every day.. :3
as with Photoshop 7, it's not too far removed from the CS series, particularly CS1, To be honest, i'm having trouble getting used to CS3 =p
(on an unrelated note, i still envy how you draw wings >.> )
:( Poor Amber, its not fair at all. And don't worry, you're not a hack, you've just been betrayed by your own machine.
I know you lasso and color as part of your arting for comics... have you tried other programs? I find Sai to be pretty good, but I'm not sure if it'd do what you need it to.
Good luck regardless. >_<
Is it just me or did the donations hit over $1300 in less than 12 hours?
I'm clearly in the wrong buisness.
Quote from: Pheonix-IV on September 13, 2008, 12:37:31 AM
Is it just me or did the donations hit over $1300 in less than 12 hours?
I'm clearly in the wrong buisness.
No, it isn't just you. The donations did hit over $1300 in less than 12 hours, either that or were both just crazier than the rest of them. :B
Quote from: Pheonix-IV on September 13, 2008, 12:37:31 AM
Is it just me or did the donations hit over $1300 in less than 12 hours?
I'm clearly in the wrong buisness.
It's not that you're in the wrong business. It's that Amber is very very good at hers.
Take Turnsky, for example. If he put up a wallpaper war, he'd probably get something like "almost but not quite enough to pay for making the war image in the first place" - and he's not the worst of webcomic authors by a hell of a long way.
Amber is in a very very select group of webcomic artists who can make a living doing what she's doing. Lots and lots and lots of people are failing at what she's doing. (And, to give fair reasoning, she's not succeeding all that well, either. The reasons for that are manifold, and not to be gone into here.)
Also bear in mind that the strips that Amber does, she gets paid, on average, something like $3-5/hr for doing. On average.
Often it's worse.
Quote from: llearch n'n'daCorna on September 13, 2008, 06:51:57 AM
It's not that you're in the wrong business. It's that Amber is very very good at hers.
Take Turnsky, for example. If he put up a wallpaper war, he'd probably get something like "almost but not quite enough to pay for making the war image in the first place" - and he's not the worst of webcomic authors by a hell of a long way.
In the webcomics world money is the "would be nice" part of the job, if you're in it for the money, you're clearly in the wrong line of work.. truth be told i've had readers go to bat for me now and again, During my power supply troubles, for instance.. it's not a lot, granted, but it's enough to keep me going just that little while longer.. To be fair, if i -did- make any money out of Foxfire, it'd all go to the bills, i prolly wouldn't profit any at all, really.. I envy Amber to some degree because of her success, and i wish her all the best because of it.
i should try a 'wallpaper war' one day, but given the nature of my comic, i'm not sure how that'd work..
Quote from: llearch n'n'daCorna on September 13, 2008, 06:51:57 AM
It's not that you're in the wrong business. It's that Amber is very very good at hers.
Take Turnsky, for example. If he put up a wallpaper war, he'd probably get something like "almost but not quite enough to pay for making the war image in the first place" - and he's not the worst of webcomic authors by a hell of a long way.
Amber is in a very very select group of webcomic artists who can make a living doing what she's doing. Lots and lots and lots of people are failing at what she's doing. (And, to give fair reasoning, she's not succeeding all that well, either. The reasons for that are manifold, and not to be gone into here.)
Also bear in mind that the strips that Amber does, she gets paid, on average, something like $3-5/hr for doing. On average.
Often it's worse.
Exactly, cause you have to have a helluva lot of good to make a living off of a web comic. Amber seems to be doing OK by herself (what with the wallpaper wars an such), and she also has whatever her husband brings in.
And if I may ask, why does this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0RK_4siHF4M) song seem to keep me in a state of depression? And why do I like it?
the way I see it, given amber's income is not steady at all, and usually makes at best around 1000 a month (exceptions when she says she'll be on hiatus if money/computer problems are solved) I don't view it really as a good business, altough an good side job if you are able to manage it while doing a more steady-income work
I assume you do actually realise that was a joke.
Quote from: Jack McSlay on September 13, 2008, 10:14:16 AM
the way I see it, given amber's income is not steady at all, and usually makes at best around 1000 a month (exceptions when she says she'll be on hiatus if money/computer problems are solved) I don't view it really as a good business, altough an good side job if you are able to manage it while doing a more steady-income work
considering I make only about 200-400 dollars a month.... That would actually be a step up for me. *starts trying to grow his mad artz skillz*
Quote from: Pheonix-IV on September 13, 2008, 11:28:32 PM
I assume you do actually realise that was a joke.
Nope. You missed the smiley off the end.
Sorry, we're not Cubi here. You do have to actually talk...
Oh, right of course, i don't have my Pedobear avatar here so it's possible to take me seriously.
I can see that was a tactical error.
Isn't it always? ;-]
I don't laugh at the Pedobear, I fear it. And must destroy it! :nuke
It still urks me about her computer though, what the hell could it be this quickly?!
I have my suspicions but I can't wait for the answer. :eager
I'll destroy pedobear for money.
Quote from: Gamma on September 14, 2008, 01:57:15 PM
I don't laugh at the Pedobear, I fear it. And must destroy it! :nuke
It still urks me about her computer though, what the hell could it be this quickly?!
I have my suspicions but I can't wait for the answer. :eager
I destroy pedobear for money. And you might as well speak your suspicions, I dont see the harm in it. :3
I already did, earlier post I talked about ram or the psu. But I guess I can elaborate.
Ram fits the best though, easily could go bad this quickly and cause all sorts of random problems from OS to individual programs, like photoshop activation.
PSU if not feeding the rails enough current but the right voltage could still work but be sporadic in problems. Making it pretty tough to find sometimes. It also can mimic or cause other part and OS failures.
Motherboard is actually pretty unlikely. If you change it as a "Hail Mary" it still might have solved the problem but it may have actually been a loose connection to the PSU, CPU, Ram, drive cable, and rarely the thing wasn't getting the proper grounding connection from case standoffs.
I've seen three machines that just didn't like their case either, two from work and our first pc a "Packard Hell."Some times the things optical drive wouldn't work when you put the case lid back on.
Been changing ram since I was 12, love my PUTERS! :cvheart :compbash
Sounds complicated. And yeah I'm real sure you love your computers.
Of course. Take it from Alexsi. Love is like a giant mallet...
Minor update:
My husband did a few things to the computer. Mainly he did a full system restore back to the first of August and then he used a program called C-Restore I believe to try to fix any registry redundancies.
At the time it seems to have fixed the issue where I wasnt being able to turn off my computer properly and also the thing where firefox, aim, and several other programs were refusing to start in general.
Both Photoshop and Acrobat are still on the fritz though. I was able to install Adobe Reader 9 which seems to run no problem so I am optimistic that I will be able to regain Photoshop by uninstalling/re-installing. Its just a matter of either finding where my disks are at and having them mailed, or yarring it up.
However I figure I wont bother trying to re-install anything until after the computer is back cause if there is something that requires me to pretty much wipe the system, I dont want to bother installing the thing twice.
NEW ISSUE:
Adobe Acrobat 7. The other program that has been giving me trouble along with Photoshop. (in many ways its this lil bugger that kickstarted the fiasco since it was the first program to freak out on me) HOwever, unlike Photoshop...for the life of me I cannot find a way to actually uninstall this lil terror. There is actually no uninstall file in its folder and when I go to control panel/remove programs/etc, it doesnt even show up in the listing.
It's like...it is there enough to try to wrest control over my PDF files from Reader, but not there enough to actually remove it from my computer. And its bugging the hell out of me.
I don't think you can uninstall Adobe Acrobat, I think its just there cuz it needs to be for the comp to run right. If you upgrade it, I think it effectively removes the previous version though.
What you regained control of helps support my failed ram idea. Registry clean/repair programs can undo damage from incorrect read/writes on ram. As long as a program doesn't use the bad block of ram again it shouldn't foul up.
It's possible a read/write error ate part of the uninstall wizard for Acrobat 7 when it's programing got borked. It's entry may have still been available but nonfunctional. The registry cleaner probably removed the invalid uninstall entry. If that's the case then a reinstall of Acrobat 7 should bring it back to working order once the hardware issue is sussed out. Assuming other parts of the program don't inhibit a reinstall. Adobe's good like that, uninstall borked, can't frigging reinstall. It's a needless integration with windows.
I've also seen program suites integrate multiple programs with one uninstaller, think Office or Adobe CS3 Master Collection (Arrr...)
No you can uninstall Acrobat, it's unnecessary, in fact for reading them I recommend Foxit reader (http://www.foxitsoftware.com/pdf/rd_intro.php) if you don't need a write program. Apparently you do though since you had it.
What is nice as far as OS reinstalls are concerned, since it sounds to be a custom built machine you can always do a repair install of windows or reinstall over the top of it. Programs would still need reinstallation but files would still be where you left them.
Final update before the computer drop-off:
Just called the place. They can take the compy in though its estimated it will be about 2-3 days before they finish. This is partially due to them having a few other computers already in queue.
Right now the compy seems to have gotten over its registry snafu thanks to the restore and C-clean...so I am optimistic in that it may not need a complete windows reinstall. But I guess I will wait and see what the peeps say.
I am hoping to replace the graphics card and possibly the power supply if that is being a bugger. (And maybe investing in a UPS, I think the term is?) Also really looking into upgrading the cooling because several times I have noticed my computer likes to randomly restart and I am getting the feeling it is the "oh crap too hot! *reboot*" variety.
If all goes well, I will get my compy back and it will be better than ever and not require me to reinstall everything. But odds are I will be re-installing Photoshop. And possibly Acrobat if only so I can get a stupid uninstall file. :U
Well whatever happens I wish you the best of luck. As do we all. :)
ok, randomly restarting is either heat or RAM or PSU related, usually. Usually heat, but not always.
If the output temp of your machine is up there, then heat may well be cooking your RAM. It'd be worth running a ram checker over it (the UBCD I mentioned earlier; I can provide a link if needed) just in case; even if nothing else, confirming that the RAM is ok takes one variable out of the list, and means you can concentrate on other things. Plus when it's grinding away (after about a half hour or so) you can check the temp of the air being blown out the back, and see if that's too hot. Two birds, one stone...
If your PSU is underpowered, then that could be triggering things. That's a bit harder to test, though.
Oh, and as far as cooling stuff goes? Get the biggest fan you can fit in the box - a larger fan makes less noise and moves more air.
I could waffle on for hours, but I suspect you're probably bored of me already. ;-]
I figure worst case is I could always just buy a mini fridge and stuff the computer into that. :U
I keed! I keeeeed!
There are people who've done just that.
... some people just have more time on their hands than they should...
... Like my brother... But hey, if sticking it in a mini fridge works, then go for it.
I have the lm_sensors package installed on my Linux box, so I can keep an eye on temps and fan speeds (CPU @ 44 C, CPU fan 2566 RPM at present in a computer desk enclosure with the door open). The ABIT motherboard I had in my pervious computer had monitoring software for Windows available for download on their web site.
in any case, it's a good idea to grab what ever monitoring software your motherboard manufacturer provides, so you can keep track of any behavior that could lead to another system barf.
*typing from ze husband compy*
Wellp the computer is in the shop. Odds are I will be getting a call tomorrow or the day after to tell me what exactly is wrong, how it can be fixed, and how much that will cost.
I told them the issues it was having and they are running a full diagnostic so that should in theory shake out any of the problems.
So here's hoping for good news.
Quote from: Amber Williams on September 15, 2008, 04:37:45 PM
*typing from ze husband compy*
Wellp the computer is in the shop. Odds are I will be getting a call tomorrow or the day after to tell me what exactly is wrong, how it can be fixed, and how much that will cost.
I told them the issues it was having and they are running a full diagnostic so that should in theory shake out any of the problems.
So here's hoping for good news.
C'mon! Big money, big money, no whammy, no whammy, STOP!
Well, good luck Amber! Don't forget to keep us updated, okay?
Yeah, a full diag should shake all the monkeys out of the trees.
Best of luck with that.
All the best Amber, I hope everything goes swimmingly.
Two words:
Water. Cooling.
Solves all problems by looking awesome.
Quote from: Pheonix-IV on September 15, 2008, 11:21:30 PM
Two words:
Water. Cooling.
Solves all problems by looking awesome.
But done wrong and...
It's best not to talk about such things. Amber's been through enough already. D:
Quote from: DarkAudit on September 15, 2008, 11:52:31 PM
Quote from: Pheonix-IV on September 15, 2008, 11:21:30 PM
Two words:
Water. Cooling.
Solves all problems by looking awesome.
But done wrong and...
It's best not to talk about such things. Amber's been through enough already. D:
To be fair, it doesn't matter what it is you're doing. If you do it wrong it's not going to be awesome.
Quote from: Pheonix-IV on September 16, 2008, 12:55:51 AM
If you do it wrong it's not going to be awesome.
I beg to differ. Sometimes doing it wrong is the most awesome way of all.
(http://it-he.org/si/grimbrdg.gif)
Quote from: Tapewolf on September 16, 2008, 04:22:13 AM
Quote from: Pheonix-IV on September 16, 2008, 12:55:51 AM
If you do it wrong it's not going to be awesome.
I beg to differ. Sometimes doing it wrong is the most awesome way of all.
At first, it's ooh and ahh as you watch the fireworks. And then the screaming starts. And when you see your house on network news, you start feeling really down.
Quote from: Tapewolf on September 16, 2008, 04:22:13 AM
Quote from: Pheonix-IV on September 16, 2008, 12:55:51 AM
If you do it wrong it's not going to be awesome.
I beg to differ. Sometimes doing it wrong is the most awesome way of all.
(http://it-he.org/si/grimbrdg.gif)
In which case, by definition,
you're doing it right.
Quote from: Pheonix-IV on September 16, 2008, 07:18:54 AM
In which case, by definition, you're doing it right.
Depends on your point of view. Building a staircase out of fish and people you killed so you can climb onto the mountainside and reach parts of the game which you're not supposed to would make for a very contorted definition of 'right'....
Quote from: Naldru on September 16, 2008, 06:44:08 AM
Quote from: Tapewolf on September 16, 2008, 04:22:13 AM
Quote from: Pheonix-IV on September 16, 2008, 12:55:51 AM
If you do it wrong it's not going to be awesome.
I beg to differ. Sometimes doing it wrong is the most awesome way of all.
At first, it's ooh and ahh as you watch the fireworks. And then the screaming starts. And when you see your house on network news, you start feeling really down.
I've seen my house on the front page of the local paper underneath the day's main headline. Not fun. D:
Quote from: Tapewolf on September 16, 2008, 07:27:55 AM
Quote from: Pheonix-IV on September 16, 2008, 07:18:54 AM
In which case, by definition, you're doing it right.
Depends on your point of view. Building a staircase out of fish and people you killed so you can climb onto the mountainside and reach parts of the game which you're not supposed to would make for a very contorted definition of 'right'....
The awesomeness of that succeeding means you are indeed doing it right.
Minor minor update:
Called the PC place earlier today and they said my computer was next in line. Which means I should be getting a call on Thursday with the tally of what is wrong and what needs fixings and how much it will cost. Which means things should be getting resolved pretty quick if I know the place well enough. (The longest part is simply them getting to your computer. Once they get going, they usually have it done relatively soon)
Not sure if I will be back by Friday. But I am pretty confident it will be back before/by the weekend. Meaning if anything, the comic should resume Monday at the latest.
But I realize this is me being cocky and assuming the optimistic path. Not to mention I still am likely going to need to re-install Photoshop upon its return and goodness knows what kind of obstacle course THAT is gonna be. :U
Quote from: Dagardo on September 14, 2008, 05:29:42 PM
I don't think you can uninstall Adobe Acrobat, I think its just there cuz it needs to be for the comp to run right. If you upgrade it, I think it effectively removes the previous version though.
You're thinking of Internet Explorer. :B
(Though it is technically possible to remove it... if you don't like windows updates)
(if Windows came with Acrobat reader, I wouldn't have version 8 on mine, I'd have version 6 because that's what was out at the time the disk I installed windows from was pressed.)
Most companies install acrobat reader on new computers they sell, because it's free and almost everyone needs it at some point.
Quote from: Amber Williams on September 15, 2008, 11:48:45 AM
(And maybe investing in a UPS, I think the term is?)
You should get a UPS. They don't solve problems with computers, but they prevent problems from happening. The power coming out of the outlet isn't always the proper voltage. Sometimes it is a little low, sometimes it is a little high. And that can cause problems with your computer after it has been used for a while.
The biggest reason for getting a UPS is avoiding the painful screams and gnashing of teeth that occurs when you spend four hours adjusting a picture and the screen goes blank (due to a power outage or somebody tripping over the power cord) before you can save it.
Quote from: Naldru on September 18, 2008, 01:19:39 PM
The biggest reason for getting a UPS is avoiding the painful screams and gnashing of teeth that occurs when you spend four hours adjusting a picture and the screen goes blank (due to a power outage or somebody tripping over the power cord) before you can save it.
Exactly, but if you spend four hours ajusting a picture I have to wonder how much of a perfectionist you really are.
Mini-update:
Got a call back from the comp place. Right now they are cleaning the computer cause its pretty dusty as all getup. They are suspecting that it may be playing a part in that its causing a good chunk of overheating. So they are doing a heavy duty clean and also are installing a new fan to help with the airflow.
Once they get that done, the guy is going to try putting the computer through a stress test and finish the diagnosis to see if there is any power supply related things as well as just check the overall system.
Nothing really has shown up in regards to the registry so the system restore followed by a C-cleaner thing may have helped with that. But that likely means that I will be needing to re-install Photoshop once I get back. (Blaaaargh)
On the plus side, it does seem like I wont be having to re-install Windows or have to re-install every product that I have ever owned.
But I guess we shall see. Once the cleaning is done and the new fan is installed, they are going to put it through a grind to see if they can shake out anything as well as do a proper test of the system. (Right now they can't do much because the dustiness is playing too much a factor)
They are optimistic about the computer possibly being done tonight. But we shall see.
Yay! All basically good news! Good luck with the computer, Amber!
Eaurgh... dust. Blasted crap gets everywhere.
Indeed.
*makes a note to remind Amber in 6 months to blow all the dust out of her PC*
Sounds like good news. And yes, dust is evil.
Quote from: llearch n'n'daCorna on September 18, 2008, 02:26:56 PM
Indeed.
*makes a note to remind Amber in 2 months to blow all the dust out of her PC*
FTFY
Better safe than sorry. 8)
pfft. She's had it for a year, how dusty can her place be?
.. actually, yeah, ok, 2 months. ;-]
Before you go to it with a vacuum cleaner, open the case (after unplugging it) and grab what dust you can by hand. I had a case where the inside literally had a half inch of dust. If it has an air filter, you might want to check that every once in a while. (You might also want to take it outside while removing the dust unless you want to start sneezing.)
To Dagardo, I was thinking of adjusting a picture with Photoshop when I mentioned hours. Ask Amber how long she spends on each image for the strip. Maybe four hours is an exaggeration. But when you're tweaking items for use in a web site, an hour can go by quickly.
Update!
The compy is back! Well...sorta. Its back in that its running again and seems to be running well. Course the biggest issue is will it still do its freeze thing or restart which is what I will be spending all night tonight and tomorrow trying to do.
From the looks of it, dust may have been the biggest culprit. Though apparently there was a lil malaware hiding out in my computer as well. The guy did a full clean and dust-job and also painted some sort of silvery stuff on the heat things...I am not sure exactly what it was called at this time. He also said since I use Photoshop and am working with big files and whatnot, that upgrading the memory some would possibly help out as well.
So right now the PC is back but I we'll find out in a day or so if its going to have any of its old problems most likely.
However yeah...the programs on my PC had to go. Thankfully I didn't have to buy a new copy of Windows since it re-registered no problem. But Adobe and several other programs needed to be removed and will need to be re-installed. But since I am lacking not only the disks but the knowledge of where those disks are...I am sort of fussing about how to go about with Adobe. I considered just sucking it up and buying CS3...but to get it here I would have to pay pretty much $700. Which is still flooring me I gotta say.
I mean...I was given donations and have enough to do it...but its suprisingly hard to want to pick up a box and pay $700 for a single program when you know you could do a whole lot with $700. Thats like...a month of groceries or new tires for the car or bills paid for two months. And its more than double the amount it cost me to actually fix my computer at this time. (Though I am still holding my breath and waiting to make sure the computer is in fact OK)
I am going to sit and wait a day or so on this. I figure depending on how things go, I will either just suck it up, be the big adult I should be and buy the narfing thing and freaking tattoo the serial code onto my thigh just in case...or I will become a big old honking hypocrite and consider the alternate route of program gaining.
Either way...its not happy times for me. But either way unless disaster impends, the comic should be back in action on Monday.
You're almost there, don't lose hope.
Quote from: Amber Williams on September 18, 2008, 09:43:50 PM
Update!The guy did a full clean and dust-job and also painted some sort of silvery stuff on the heat things...I am not sure exactly what it was called at this time.
probably thermal compound for an easier heat flow between cpu and cooler, purpose is just to fill the empty spaces between them (because air insulates :B
example: http://www.arcticsilver.com/as5.htm (NEEEEEEEEEEERD)
good luck and have fun with the reinstalling I guess :U
Quote from: Amber Williams on September 18, 2008, 09:43:50 PM
I am going to sit and wait a day or so on this. I figure depending on how things go, I will either just suck it up, be the big adult I should be and buy the narfing thing and freaking tattoo the serial code onto my thigh just in case...or I will become a big old honking hypocrite and consider the alternate route of program gaining.
well technically they were paid for once.. i'd hate to use dubious morality here, but it would tide you over until you located your originals.
I admit I have considered the "Talk like a pirate day" tomorrow to perhaps be a sign of what I may be doing tomorrow... :U
Truth be told I would much rather try to stay the line of legit. The place I live in is a college town and I am currently seeing if any of my friends have someone attending courses who may be able to score me a college discount. Cause my original copy of Photoshop is pretty outdated and an upgrade may be nice. But not nice enough that I can easily slam down 700 bucks on.
If I must, I must. Cause after all the donations were done to help me get back and running and get the comic going again ASAP. So I dont feel right dawdling an extra week while I wait for a copy of Photoshop to mail its way over to me.
Its just....waaaah! I could feed myself for a month and pay my monthly bills and then some with that much! :cry
Quote from: Amber Williams on September 19, 2008, 02:02:54 AM
I admit I have considered the "Talk like a pirate day" tomorrow to perhaps be a sign of what I may be doing tomorrow... :U
Truth be told I would much rather try to stay the line of legit. The place I live in is a college town and I am currently seeing if any of my friends have someone attending courses who may be able to score me a college discount. Cause my original copy of Photoshop is pretty outdated and an upgrade may be nice. But not nice enough that I can easily slam down 700 bucks on.
If I must, I must. Cause after all the donations were done to help me get back and running and get the comic going again ASAP. So I dont feel right dawdling an extra week while I wait for a copy of Photoshop to mail its way over to me.
Its just....waaaah! I could feed myself for a month and pay my monthly bills and then some with that much! :cry
if you can get your mits on the academic discount by all means, do it, might as well have your proverbial cake and eat it too. :3
Thats pretty much what Friday and Saturday are gonna be. Staples sells Photoshop and will likely be open all weekend so come Sunday if I cannot wrangle out a college kid who is willing to help a sistah out for a free dinner, then I will suck it up and buy it. But I am hoping I can wangle a bargain cause I sure wouldn't mind having 200-300 dollars that I can tuck away for a rainy day. :eager
Quote from: Amber Williams on September 19, 2008, 02:15:12 AM
Thats pretty much what Friday and Saturday are gonna be. Staples sells Photoshop and will likely be open all weekend so come Sunday if I cannot wrangle out a college kid who is willing to help a sistah out for a free dinner, then I will suck it up and buy it. But I am hoping I can wangle a bargain cause I sure wouldn't mind having 200-300 dollars that I can tuck away for a rainy day. :eager
Well... I may have decided to hold off on buying my copy of Photoshop until my birthday in three weeks, but that doesn't mean I can't donate a little more. For the Rainy Day fund. And Tacos.
Quote from: Jairus on September 19, 2008, 02:21:55 AM
Well... I may have decided to hold off on buying my copy of Photoshop until my birthday in three weeks, but that doesn't mean I can't donate a little more. For the Rainy Day fund. And Tacos.
When I upgrade the Mac OS it's going to kill Photoshop dead. Like Amber, I'm on V7 and a full upgrade is an expense I simply can't justify given that I only use it for corner cases where GIMP isn't good enough.
Hence, my plan - when I get around to it - is to buy the latest version of Elements. It might not work well enough for Amber, but it worked well enough for RJ so it'll probably work well enough for me.
If saving several hundred bucks means extending the hiatus through the weekend, DO IT. :eager
Might I also suggest a can of compressed air for cleaning out your compy? I've never been fond of the idea of dust busters or vacuums inside of my computer and have found that this is a viable and somewhat safer solution due to the lack of static build up that vacuums are prone to. If you want to go one up from that I would recommend foam cleaning swabs (not cotton, those leave lint and such behind). It's a little more time consuming, but it's much safer, as long as they're not treated with any sort of cleaning solvent.
what they really need to make available to the public is keyboards that are a flat surface, no raised keys and definitely no gaps crud can fall under the keys.
ive seen pictures of them, and it looks like such a good concept i have no clue why most computer stores don't carry them.... as a guy who sheds on his keyboard a lot i can see the value in it.
Quote from: Brunhidden on September 19, 2008, 09:35:40 AM
what they really need to make available to the public is keyboards that are a flat surface, no raised keys and definitely no gaps crud can fall under the keys.
http://www.nvg.ntnu.no/sinclair/computers/zx80/zx80.htm
Basically, the problem is that flat keyboards with no tactile feedback are horrific to actually use.
Quote from: Tapewolf on September 19, 2008, 09:44:09 AM
Quote from: Brunhidden on September 19, 2008, 09:35:40 AM
what they really need to make available to the public is keyboards that are a flat surface, no raised keys and definitely no gaps crud can fall under the keys.
http://www.nvg.ntnu.no/sinclair/computers/zx80/zx80.htm
Basically, the problem is that flat keyboards with no tactile feedback are horrific to actually use.
you forgot the "virtual" keyboard
(http://www.fahad.com/pics/bluetooth_laser_virtual_keyboard.jpg)
Ugh, that thing would bust up my touch typing so bad... home keys? What home keys?
Quote from: Turnsky on September 19, 2008, 10:24:30 AM
Quote from: Tapewolf on September 19, 2008, 09:44:09 AM
Quote from: Brunhidden on September 19, 2008, 09:35:40 AM
what they really need to make available to the public is keyboards that are a flat surface, no raised keys and definitely no gaps crud can fall under the keys.
http://www.nvg.ntnu.no/sinclair/computers/zx80/zx80.htm
Basically, the problem is that flat keyboards with no tactile feedback are horrific to actually use.
you forgot the "virtual" keyboard
(http://www.fahad.com/pics/bluetooth_laser_virtual_keyboard.jpg)
That thing looks like a major pain in the posterior to use. I'm sure most of us would rather use a normal keyboard, spaces for dust and crap to fall in and everything.
Quote from: Amber Williams on September 19, 2008, 02:02:54 AM
Truth be told I would much rather try to stay the line of legit. The place I live in is a college town and I am currently seeing if any of my friends have someone attending courses who may be able to score me a college discount. Cause my original copy of Photoshop is pretty outdated and an upgrade may be nice. But not nice enough that I can easily slam down 700 bucks on.
You should check with upgrade pricing. I think Adobe does discounts if you have an older version. I don't know what they need in order for the conditions of the upgrade to be met, but hopefully all they need is the serial number.
Hopefully.
Quote from: Madd the Sane on September 19, 2008, 12:04:18 PM
You should check with upgrade pricing. I think Adobe does discounts if you have an older version. I don't know what they need in order for the conditions of the upgrade to be met, but hopefully all they need is the serial number.
Hopefully.
It's still £188. but how much of that is UK price gouging and how much of that is MacOS price gouging is something I can't answer.
Little bit of both probably.
As far as keyboards are concerned, every thought of a washable keyboard (http://www.allelectronics.com/make-a-store/item/KBD-24/WASHABLE-COMPUTER-KEYBOARD/1.html)? Um, the one review is a tard btw.
That place has a lot of random surplus electronic stuff. Tapewolf, you might be able to find something useful there. ;)
Just for you guys information CS3 runs much faster then CS2, even on a 3 year old laptop with 512 ram. :U Arr!!
Quote from: Naldru on September 18, 2008, 01:19:39 PM
The biggest reason for getting a UPS is avoiding the painful screams and gnashing of teeth that occurs when you spend four hours adjusting a picture and the screen goes blank (due to a power outage or somebody tripping over the power cord) before you can save it.
Why would you want to run your power (or any other) cords where someone can trip over them? If you really need to cross a walkway with cords, there's cord runners you slip over them to give protection. Even running it under a piece of carpet would be a great help.
I turned to this thread thinking there might be discussion of the filler strips/pics... maybe I need to look in another.
Try here (http://clockworkmansion.com/forum/index.php/topic,5068.0.html)... ;-]
Quote from: AmigaDragon on September 19, 2008, 07:49:35 PM
I turned to this thread thinking there might be discussion of the filler strips/pics... maybe I need to look in another.
Try Filler Comics. (http://clockworkmansion.com/forum/index.php/topic,5068.0.html) No real discussion yet, but it's there.
EDIT: Ninja'ed by the Box! On International Talk Like a Pirate Day!
http://www.techeblog.com/index.php/tech-gadget/flexible-illuminated-keyboard-is-nearly-indestructible
That one is lighted. I however have an older model of the same type, which is not illuminated. They are fully washable, have *some* tactile response, are rollable, and fairly hard to break. (Be careful with knives/scissors around it though).
A UPS is certainly handy to have - When your power goes out for a couple of minutes, or even just for ten seconds, it will kick in and power your computer from its internal battery, and when power is restored, it automatically starts recharging the battery, and again powers the computer right off the grid like before. Most also have some sort of surge-protection built in, and some of them also have power boosting/cleaning capabilities so you don't have to worry about glitches in your computer during brownouts, or when your fridge starts up.
They may cost a little, but aren't *that* expensive. A smallish model, like what I have, will power your computer for at least 15 minutes, enough to save and shut down if the power doesn't come back in a couple of minutes.
Surge protectors/power strips are different - They just protect against power surges(High voltage), but do nothing during low voltage. You should be using one of these at the very least, and if you can get your hands on one, a UPS.
One other suggestion: Perhaps you could get some filter material and duct-tape it over your computer's fan grills - This *should* help to keep dirt and dust out, and when it does get dirty, its easy to replace.
-RobbieThe1st
Quote from: RobbieThe1st on September 20, 2008, 12:13:23 AM
One other suggestion: Perhaps you could get some filter material and duct-tape it over your computer's fan grills - This *should* help to keep dirt and dust out, and when it does get dirty, its easy to replace.
pain to mount, though.. you'd be better off getting a case later on with one already fitted..
alternatively, invest in a can of air and a small paintbrush, then one can clean Dust out the DIY method..
Don't know much about Photoshop, but I use GIMP.
By the way. What happened with Photoshop? Did you get the old copy working/reinstalled, or did you buy a new copy?