.:Computers and Gadgets:.

Yes, I am yet another cyber-junkie addicted to the 'net and all its forms.

I won't detail what I have computer wise as it is always changing. Suffice is to say that I have a 'ninja' self-built PC as a primary PC and a 2nd PC for LINUX stuff, lots of interesting peripherals (joysticks, pedals, sound system, backup storage device, webcam, etc.).

I spend a lot of time on the Internet - for work and hobbies I use it as a valuable source of information and at home I use it to keep my computer up to date with the latest software programs and drivers for my hardware. I do 99% of all of my banking online (UK and France). I also use it as a form of recreation (i.e. games), let's face it playing against the computer is okay - but killing your friends (or even teaming up to kill others) is loads more fun! Plus I do a lot of shopping over the Internet - and have saved loads of dosh!

Home:

Home Server

HP MediaSmart Server EX475 running Windows Home Server. This transparently manages all of my PC backups, stores all my media files (music, videos, photographs) and software so I can access them from any device in my house PC, Xbox, PS3, phone, etc. or anywhere on the Internet. I can also power on and access any PC in my house from anywhere on the Internet.

Main PC

Runs Windows Vista Ultimate Edition. It has a full-size tower and is build to run quietly. I use it for work and games and gets upgraded approximately every 2 years.

I have 2 x 22" widescreen monitors (with a 2ms refresh rate) which are very good for gaming, multi-tasking, viewing lots of data and coding

Secondary PC Runs Ubuntu LINUX. It is connected to my TV and I use it just for browsing the web and checking e-mail while I'm in my living room

Portable Devices:

Digital Camera (Compact)

Panasonic DMC-TZ3EB-K. World Smallest Camera With 10x Optical Zoom and 28mm Wide Angle Leica Lens, 7 Megapixel and 3 Inch LCD Screen.

I am very impressed with the quality and features of this camera. It is great to also have a small camera that I can take snowboarding, parties, events, or use in conjunction with a physically larger SLR.

Digital Camera (SLR)

Canon 40D. This fantastic camera and has all the features I need. I also have 2 image established lenses (18-85 and 70-300mm), plus a 75-200mm, x2 converter, flash, monopod, mini-tripod, 2 camera bags and a few other accessories. before this I had the Canon 350D and before that the FujiFilm FinePix 6900

GPS
Heart Rate Monitor

Garmin Forerunner 305. A heart rate monitor and watch with GPS. I got this after getting the Polar F6, but it is quite big, so looks a bit too silly to wear in the gym.

Garmin Forerunner 50. A heart rate monitor and watch. Very useful for training and monitoring your progress

Mobile Phone

Personal = HTC TyTn II - has pretty much everything including GPS, 3G, WiFi, Windows Mobile, camera, etc.

MP3 Player

iPod Nano. Good size for the gym. I use it with Sennheiser PMX 70 Sport headphones

I also have the Nike+ system which talks to my Nike+ road running shoes. They measure my speed, distance, running pace, etc. Actually works very well.

Penknife

SOG. One handed operation. Every boy needs a penknife!

Pocket Tool

Leatherman Supertool. Very handy piece of kit

Speed Camera Detector

Road Angel (I am still happy with this - especially the £100 lifetime subscription, most others are about £50 per year!)

Watch

Tissot T-Touch. It has time, date, altimeter, barometer, thermometer, compass, stopwatch, alarm, touch sensitive screen - and I really bought it just because it looks good (honest!)

Computer Games:

PC

The PC is still my preferred gaming platform

Playstation 3

Playstation 3. After buying a 50" Full HD Plasma TV I wanted a Blue-Ray DVD player. There currently isn't a stand-alone BD player that has all the features I want, so although the PS3 isn't the best for picture quality, it is still very good and does have all of the features I currently need, so I bought one until a decent stand-alone BD player comes out

I plan to get the PS3 to run Ubuntu LINUX from a USB Flash disk. Once I do that I won't need the secondary PC

Xbox 360

Although the PC is still my preferred gaming platform, certain types of games are just better on a console and big TV. For example racing car games

Misc:

DigiGuide

DigiGuide is an excellent TV Listing program. It allows you to create a customised TV listing, enable alerts, highlight favourite programs, etc. Try it for free!

Iron

LauraStar Magic Evolution II. Cost me £275. My friends say I was mad to spend that much on an iron, but it's quality!

Work:

Laptop IBM Thinkpad Lenovo T60 running Windows XP Professional. Will soon run Vista
Mobile Phone

HTC P4350 - a cut down version of the HTC TyTn II, but okay for checking e-mails while on the move

 

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