The <off topic> thread

[Zagna]

Yesterday it was a lovely -31C and right now it's only -9C... I welcome this change in weather

Edited January 22, 2016 by Zagna

[Pixey]

I can't find where @Red posted on his frustration about the Windows 10 pictures being un-named.  I wonder if he complained?

 

See this today:

 

 

 

 

 

[Red ochre]

 

I can't find where @Red posted on his frustration about the Windows 10 pictures being un-named.  I wonder if he complained?

I haven't seen that picture yet and can't remember if I complained ... I probably did... Ah, the power of Pdn royalty

[toe_head2001]

A few days ago, Xamarin announced a new 2D graphics API for .NET.

https://blog.xamarin.com/cross-platform-2d-graphics-with-skiasharp/

Thought I'd pass along the news, in case anyone else is interested.

I'm going to try it out tonight, and see how its output compares to System.Drawing.

------

EDIT: At this point, it's more trouble than it's worth.

Hidden Content: Playing with Skia

Edited February 25, 2016 by toe_head2001

[toe_head2001]

If anyone is looking for a dead-simple Macro Recorder/Re-player, I discovered a really good one today called TinyTask. https://www.tinytask.net/

Edited March 16, 2019 by toe_head2001
Update TinyTask url

[Collagemaster]

hey sup all. just passing by this late night.

[Ego Eram Reputo]

Be VERY afraid - the power team is in the house

 

 

[Collagemaster]

skia eh? i dont think my pc can handle any 2d or 3d application..besides,thx to pdn i have more than enough plugins to create best art since 2008

[Pixey]

On 9/12/2016 at 8:35 PM, Ego Eram Reputo said:

Be VERY afraid - the power team is in the house

 

 

 

'tis why I didn't log on

[Collagemaster]

have a great day PDN friends.

[toe_head2001]

3 hours ago, Collagemaster said:

... I don't think my pc can handle any 2d or 3d application ...

 

Umm, paint.net is a 2D application.

[Collagemaster]

scratch that, i meant 3D sorry. i hear a lot of put downs over PDN on other forums. PDN is easy on my system with a weak gfx card. ive got every known plugin saved. allows me to create and expand my art projects.ive got all your plugins toe_head mate

[HELEN]

I need to replace my laptop with a desktop PC. However, before making a purchase I thought I'd ask here.

 

I need a durable computer, affordable, not a Mac computer, and a PC that has great memory, space, etc. I do a lot of drawing on the computer, but not to the point where I need to spend thousands of dollars on a PC. 

 

Which one is best for graphic design, illustrating, etc...?

[Pixey]

54 minutes ago, HELEN said:

I need to replace my laptop with a desktop PC. However, before making a purchase I thought I'd ask here.

 

I need a durable computer, affordable, not a Mac computer, and a PC that has great memory, space, etc. I do a lot of drawing on the computer, but not to the point where I need to spend thousands of dollars on a PC. 

 

Which one is best for graphic design, illustrating, etc...?

 

I eagerly await replies to this question @Helen, as I too need to buy a new desktop PC as mine crashed a few months ago.  It was a Dell Hewlett Packard and I loved it, but it only lasted 4 years .

Edited October 24, 2016 by Pixey
Gave wrong PC name

[nitenurse79]

Any reason why a PC ? 

I have a HP Pavilion 15-AB270SA laptop (A Red one  ) with 8gb RAM and a 1TB HDD, graphics are really good, it is fast, it has great battery life too. 3X USB ports, bluetooth and all the other bells and whistles to go with it. I payed   3069.00 Swedish Kronor (May 2016) A decent price for a really powerful allrounder. I would never go back to owning a PC now.  

[Ego Eram Reputo]

I've always had good experiences with Acer desktops. I've had two - both are still running fine (XP and Win10).

 

I find the Acer PCs about the best bang you can get for your $$$. 

 

I'd pick something with 8gb RAM from this range http://www.acer.com/ac/en/CA/content/models/desktops/aspirex (probably the AXC-780-EB11 for $550)

 

There is nil configuration, just take it home and plug it in.

[toe_head2001]

Good for you! Laptops are overrated, and under powered. Seriously.

My currently laptop has a Core i7 and a Samsung SSD, and I still think it has lousy performance. I use my desktop 90% of the time, and just use the laptop when I don't want to sit at my desk.

 

I've alway assembled my own desktops with the components I liked, so I don't really have any strong opinions about different OEM brands (HP, Dell, Asus, ect).

For laptops, I like Dell business class laptops. Their consumer class laptops are no where as good though. You get what you pay for...

 

Stay away from those Desktop All-in-ones. They are Laptops in desktop bodies. No joke. They use laptop CPUs, GPUs, memory. Not to mention you can't upgrade them.

[lynxster4]

@HELEN  I have to agree with toe_head...building your own computer is the way to go....and it doesn't have to be expensive.

If that is not feasible, before my son and I started building our own, we purchased 'customizable' or 'made-to-order' computers from these people:

 

http://www.magicmicro.com/pricelist.asp?cid=9

 

They are out of Cleveland, OH

I used that computer for eight years before I built my own. And that was my choice....their computer was still running, but the components were getting outdated.

 

I wish you luck, Helen!   (If we were close-by, I'd build you one!)     

 

[Shochi]

Hi HELEN

I could recommend for you from my personal experience through the years:

 

My first computer was based on AMD motherboard. I didn't knew well computers, so i bought what the seller recommend. after a while i discover that these kind of computers is getting hot and false the hardware for operation because of the processor. So if someone recommend for you AMD don't buy one, not the processor and not the motherboard.

 

My second PC was based on INTEL processor:

Processor: i3-2130 / 3.4ghz,  Dual core . based INTEL motherboard

with 6GB DDR3 memory and simple graphic card of Nvidia

and OS of windows on 120GB SSD hard drive+ 1TB simple Hard disk

AND 350W power supply.

this PC cost me 650$ before 5 years and this piece of Technology was the best i could buy then in my budget. it didn't false the Operation even once over the 5 years. all my  graphics design i make on it and all the game i wish to play and was "Heavy requirements" , i was able to play on it. I have it still if you ask

 

My third PC i bought based on INTEL Processor as second: but it's an upgrade of all the system.

Processor: i7-6700 / 3.7ghz, Quad core based on Gigabyte motherboard.

With 16GB DDR memory and GTX950 Graphic card.

250 SSD hard drive + 2TB HARD DISK

and 500W power supply

This piece of Technology cost me 1000$ before a month. yea.... just new.   i bought it cause i love to play "Heavy games" with 'maximum performance'  and "maximum quality".

and its doing his job  i can tell.

 

So this is it, finally i could recommend you: INTEL for processor, Gigabyte for Motherboard, Graphic Card = Geforce GTX series : memory 8-16 DDR4,  and for fast Operation you can use only SSD HARD DRIVE/DISK. 

 

Enjoy!

 

And yeah i build Last 2, i recommend to build it your own

Edited October 25, 2016 by Shochi

[HELEN]

All very good suggestions! Buying a computer is always a little nerve-wracking for me. 

 

I recently bought an all-in-one computer, but I brought it back because it was giving me issues and never mind in the long run.

 

 

[DrewDale]

Just like @toe_head2001 My PC Tower was built to my specifications, but this was done purely for the purpose of  recording using A DAW for music production with x2 40 inch monitors. Studio speakers and all... That said it did cost me a a lot of money (I won't divulge) Having posted 2 sentences of drivel here, I can only suggest you have a PC built to your needs.

I use a laptop for day to day use (internet / PDN / Office etc..) and find them to be ideal for that purpose, anything on a pro level you really need to spend a little more to get the set up that you really need for your line of work or hobby.  

[Red ochre]

Good question Helen! - informative replies from all too.
 
- I run Pdn4 via a laptop, but I had to buy a big HD monitor to see what I was doing!... and a mouse... monitor bracket, build a trolley, buy cables etc..
In retrospect, I wish I had gone for a desktop, but most people buy laptops, so they seem cheaper and more available (from 'real' retailers).
Presumably those that build their own have to include the price of the O.S. too? (far more in the U.K than U.S., I believe?) ... and few options if the build goes wrong?

[DrewDale]

15 hours ago, Red ochre said:

Presumably those that build their own have to include the price of the O.S. too? (far more in the U.K than U.S., I believe?) ... and few options if the build goes wrong?

Personally speaking, my system was constructed to my spec by a company called Carillon, this included sound card / graphics card / ram and HDD's capacity of choice. The OS was installed by the builders and did come with the same cover as if I had bought an off the shelf unit.
I can't say for sure, but I would guess if you was to build a PC at home the only thing you would have a warranty / fallback on would be the OS ? 

[toe_head2001]

22 minutes ago, DrewDale said:

I can't say for sure, but I would guess if you was to build a PC at home the only thing you would have a warranty / fallback on would be the OS ? 

 

No, all components have warranties. I've never seen a manufacture that didn't provide one. Most warranties last for two years, but it depends on the component and manufacture. Many Power Supplies are warrantied for 8+ years. Hard Drives and are usually 3 years. SSDs are usually 5 years. It just depends.

 

Mailing one failed component, and receiving a working one is vastly cheaper compared to the alternative:

Shipping entire desktop tower, having some Joe Shmoe at Dell/HP/ect. swap out the part, and then ship the tower back to you.

 

 

---------

As for my Windows license, I got my current one back in 2009 when Microsoft had that 3-pack deal. 3 licenses for $150. I split the cost with two friends.

[Eli]

23 minutes ago, toe_head2001 said:

Hard Drives and are usually 3 years. SSDs are usually 5 years.

Does it mean that SSDs are more reliable than Hard Drives?  That SSDs are better for storing files that you want to keep till the end of your life?  I ask this because the Hard Drive in my PC is about 10 years old and I want to buy another one before it breaks but I do not know what to choose.