Windows Vista Ultimate + TV Tuner Card = Awesome
9/4/2008 9:47:04 PMAs a web developer, application developer, and business owner, I have the opportunity to participate in obscene amounts of Microsoft surveys/promotions/conferences/events. Sometimes there's freebies involved or at the very least deep discounts. Through all of these things I've ended up amassing 21 legitimate copies of Microsoft's latest OS offering Windows Vista.
All of these, save for 1, were Vista Business edition -- a version that cuts some of the advanced crypto functionality, and most noticably Windows Media Center. I've lived without it since it was created, so I did not figure it was that big of a deal.
Recently, Katie and I set up a new computer that had a TV-Tuner card built-in. Since it had the TV-Tuner card, I decided to install Windows Vista Ultimate edition on it. It picked up all the over the air stations (we're too cheap for cable), and provided up to the minute information about what we were watching. However, it also allowed us to hit pause, or rewind, or record. If it was recorded, we could fast forward. This sounds like no big deal, until you experience it.
Tuesday night, was one of the first nights that Katie and I had at home where I made dinner and we ate, and there was no TV going on. You might think that's a waste of a TV Tuner card, but it was just the opposite. Our shows don't have to be on durng dinner time anymore. We don't have to watch commercials anymore. We don't have to stay up late to catch the only 10 minutes of an hour long show that we would ever care about. It's been a huge time saver, and has been quite enjoyable.
I highly recommend that you get a TV Tuner and turn your computer into a PVR system, so you can watch less TV. You don't need Vista Ultimate, and you don't even need a desktop computer.
Posted by: nick
Me for President!
8/25/2008 3:09:37 PMhttp://nickandkatie.net/katie4prez.html
Posted by: katie
My First Post on the Company Blog
8/15/2008 3:25:00 PMI wrote my first post on the company blog today. It's definitely worth checking out: 5 Reasons You Should Use the WPF TextBox in Your Next App
Posted by: nick
How We Connect on the Road
7/31/2008 2:00:26 PMI've been meaning to post this for a while now, but haven't gotten around to it.
This is how Katie and I remain connected to the internet(s) while on the road:
http://nickandkatie.net/images/briefcase/P1020490.jpg
http://nickandkatie.net/images/briefcase/P1020491.jpg
I've dubbed it the briefcase of connectivity. It's a briefcase with a clearwire modem, a linksys router, and two myPower All battery packs. It charges in 4 hours, and lasts for 20 hours. Best of all, it works anywhere within clearwire's coverage area.
I'm fairly pleased with the setup, though it doesn't do Netflix streaming at very good quality through our Roku box. Anyway, enjoy!
Posted by: nick
Nick Hauenstein, MCTS
7/25/2008 1:35:52 PMJust to let you all know, housing may be FULL OF FAIL, but I am full of WIN today. I passed my MCTS exam for BizTalk today :-)
Yay!
Posted by: nick