not my blog

Completed the x64 changeover today. Started Sunday with backing up all my data (damn 300GB takes a long time to complete!), which I had to borrow my Dad’s new machine to find the space for all of it. Got the system loaded on Sunday as well and started getting everything up and running. Seems there was some strange issue with the ATI x300 and the Microsoft Drivers that come with x64. Wouldn’t bring up a picture. Booted to safe mode, disabled anything that wasn’t working properly, got into Windows after that and started installing drivers.

Did I mention I forgot how much iTunes HATES large library imports? I did come across one bonus though, seems during the time period between my eval and when I setup the system, x64 drivers became available for my printer! That means I don’t have to go and buy a new one. Save some money there.

Also seems that my evaluation of CA’s AV was a little off, since I can no longer find the x64 version. Not that it matters a whole lot. Evaluating Nod32 right now, and if I decide it’s not for me, move on to a Kaspersky. If that doesn’t work for me, I’m going with AVG. I decided I’m actually going to buy my AV now. Something with realizing that now that I have some spendable money, I really need to start supporting companies that produce quality software that I enjoy. Must be a maturing with age type of deal.

As for x64, almost no difference from Windows Professional. Although it does seem a bit faster, on the seat of the pants eval, only time will truly tell.

For those of you not in the know, read this previous post regarding my night out with the wife at Bahama Breeze. To summarize, it was less than stellar. So I went to their site and filled out the feedback form and just sent them a msg that said my post should cover it and a link to my blog posting. About a week later I get a email back from their customer service department:

We are very sorry your first visit to Bahama Breeze was much less than you expected. We strive to provide a combination of food, service and ambiance that adds up to a special dining experience. Please accept our apologies for failing to provide that type of experience for you.

We are sharing your experience with our management team so that your concerns will be addressed with the appropriate staff. We would welcome an opportunity to make a better impression. As our invitation to try us again, a gift card has been mailed to your postal address. We would be interested to hear your comments following your return visit.

Thank you for choosing Bahama Breeze and having confidence in us to correct areas in which we have fallen short. We look forward to the privilege of serving you again.

Darlene
Bahama Breeze Guest Relations

Wow! I’m always so impressed by the offer of compensation when none is asked for! Possibly one of the best things you can do to really impress me is give me something I never asked for (had a great experience like that at a Baja Fresh a couple years back…). Little was I prepared for what I was to recieve. A $100 gift card to their restaraunt! I am very very impressed. Obviously they take great pride in their restaurant and truely believe that they will be able to win me over on the second visit. I decidedly don’t think my last visit was $100 bad, but for that the wife and I (and maybe some friends) will decidedly have to return to give them another try. Hopefully the staff at the restaurant can live up to their potential. We’ll have to try them on an off night like a Wednesday or something.

Thank you Bahama Breeze. Please, give the people in your customer service deparments of a raise. It’s very very rare to be that impressed by the level of customer service from a large company these days. I now look forward to visiting them again soon.

Got another new beer today. Sampling another brew from Stoudt’s in PA. Was somewhat surprised at the cost with it being $10 for a six pack. Doesn’t say on the packaging or bottles but the Belgian Abbey-Style Ale tastes very much like a generic German Wheat Bear. From reading the description on their website, it would most likely stem from the fact that it is unfiltered. It’s also quite strong at 9% alcohol! Wow, I think that’s a new record for me in terms of strength. I don’t know if it’s worth the $10, but it is pretty decent. It does probably help that two bottles a night will work well for me, so it will last me longer than most six packs. If I had to say off the top of my head after the first bottle, probably won’t buy again. Value != price. In the end, Stoudt makes another decent beer, but not quite up to the quality if the first one I sampled.

So I saw this vehicle over in the parking lot where our office is today from a company called PC-CPR. No biggie, typical single man PC repair service from what I can see, only charges $70/hour too. Poor guy. So I got home this evening and was taking a look at the website and came across the Terms of Service. I started reading it and just could not shake the feeling that I had read that entire TOS before. So I sat and thought about it for a moment when it hit me.

GEEK SQUAD!

If you visit Geek Squad’s website and check out their TOS you will see word for word that they are both exactly the same. So out of pure curiousity I had to check the Privacy Statements (PC-CPR, Geek Squad) and Legal Notices (PC-CPR, Geek Squad). What do you know, both are exactly the same! So is this guy just that dumb to rip something off from a multi-billion dollar corporation with an on staff legal team? Kinda makes you wonder what he would do to your computer if he can’t even get out on his own.

And the thing that just killed it for me is the Partner Page. I’m sure Slashdot is a huge contributor to this guys business.

Well, I got my RAM today. Much earlier than anticipated! First thing I did tonight after dinner was slap in those bad boys! Went from 1GB of DDR-2 533 to 2GB of DDR-2 667! I am officially a 2GB Beotch! Now I just need the HDs and I’ll be ready for XP Pro x64.