Three Microsoft engineers and three Apple employees are travelling by train to a computer conference. At the station, the three Microsoft engineers each buy tickets and watch as the three Apple employees buy only a single ticket.
“How are three people going to travel on only one ticket?” asks a Microsoft engineer. “Watch and you`ll see,” answers the Apple employee.
They all board the train. The Microsoft engineers take their respective seats, but all three Apple employees cram into a restroom and close the door behind them.
Shortly after the train has departed, the conductor comes around collecting tickets. He knocks on the restroom door and says, “Ticket, please.” The door opens just a crack and a single arm emerges with a ticket in hand. The conductor takes the ticket and moves on.
The Microsoft engineers saw this and agreed it was quite a clever idea. So after the conference, the Microsoft engineers decide to do the same on the return trip and save some money.
When they get to the station, they buy a single ticket for the return trip. To their astonishment, the Apple employees don`t buy any ticket, at all.
“How are you going to travel without a ticket?” asks one perplexed Microsoft engineer.
“Watch and you`ll see,” answers an Apple employee.
When they board the train the three Microsoft engineers cram into a restroom and the three Apple employees cram into another one nearby. The train departs.
Shortly afterward, one of the Apple employees leaves his restroom and walks over to the restroom where the Microsoft engineers are hiding. He knocks on the door and says, “Ticket, please…”
Jul 31, 2009
Mac funnies – MacTalk Forums
Jul 19, 2009
The Great CPU Caper – Intermission (Alternate title: WTF, Intel.)
For the first post in this series, see The Great CPU Caper, Part I here.
Like every good geek, I did some research before buying my E8400.
What I found wasn’t pretty – apparently, Intel changed the reference design of the stock heatsink/fan that came with every CPU that they sold.
The pictures speak for themselves, so I’ll let them do the talking:
The HSF on the left is from my E8400. Note how it does not have a copper core or base, and how it is half the height difference of the HSF on the right, which I presume is from a previous-generation of Intel CPUs, such as the E6600 or similar.
This is bad for two reasons – copper is a far better conductor of heat than aluminium is. The second reason is that by halving the heatsink module, they’ve essentially halved the surface area that will contribute to the dissipation of heat produced by the HSF.
Jul 16, 2009
The Great CPU Caper, Part I
Folks, I’d like for you to meet the latest additions to the Ling family.
Fawkes, and Voldemort.
We’ll start with Fawkes, because he’s definitely the most impressive of the two.
CPU: Intel E8400 3.0GHz/1333MHz FSB/6MB L2 Cache, $220
CPU HSF: Artic Cooling Alpine 11, $10.50
Mobo: XFX 780i SLI, $150
RAM: Team Xtreem Dark 4GB kit, $50
GPU: Asus EN9800GT 512MB, $100
HDD1: Western Digital 320GB WD3200KS, $40
HDD2: Western Digital 150GB Velociraptor, $130
Case: Cooler Master CM-690, $109
PSU: Cooler Master 460W, $30
Other: 2x Xigmatek 140mm fans, $44
OS: Windows 7 RC1, 64 bit edition, $0
Total Cost: $783.50
It’s not too bad.
Jul 15, 2009
Too many updates infrequently? (Alternate title: Less Pressing, More Blogging)
You might have noticed that I’m updating the blog a lot.
Problem is, in my humble opinion it’s happening far too infrequently – blog 600 articles one day, 0 the next, 542 the day after that, and so on and so forth.
I think the issue here is that I’ve lost sight of what this blog was created. It’s not supposed to be an internet scrapbook where I keep all my links so I don’t forget them. It’s not a place where I can just put stuff up ‘cos I think that it’s awesome (although that’s certinaly a part of it, there’s far too much awesome stuff on the internet these days to keep putting it up here).
No, dear reader.
Let me remind you of why this blog came about in the first place – those words uttered by Steve Jobs; “Computers are like a bicycle for our minds.”
It’s not because it was said by Steve (although that makes it slightly more awesome).
It’s not because I don’t want to share awesome things with you guys, I really do.
I feel as though there’s not enough “me” in these posts. Press This, while being the most awesome blogging tool ever invented, has made me a lazy blogger, and I’m sorry to admit it.
While I feel that there’s always a little I can add on to each Pressed post, I haven’t been out of sheer laziness.
It’s time that changed.
From now onwards – less Pressing.
More blogging.
Alright?
Even if it means sacrificing updates for days on end. Even if it means you won’t see the merely entertaining stuff, just the mega-awesome-zomg-that-was-incredible-stuff.
Less Pressing. More blogging.
Jul 15, 2009
Ample Eye Candy
I saw the new Transformers movie today with a friend. It was pretty good – say what you will about the plot (holes), Michael bay’s performance as a director, but there’s no denying that however bad Megan Fox’s acting is, she provided ample eye-candy.
As did Isabel Lucas, I might add. She’s hawt.
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via Wait, Uni again? So soon? » freshbytes.
It doesn’t need to be said that I’d have a hard time choosing between Megan Fox and Isabel Lucas.
Or does it?
Jul 15, 2009
The Joy of Tech comic… a Twitter wedgie
via The Joy of Tech comic… a Twitter wedgie.
It’s beyond me why this is titled “a Twitter wedgie”, but hey, whatever.
Jul 15, 2009
Kibardindesign – Black and White Clock
Digital clock: only figures, no case, only the necessary – only accurate time. Each figure has self-contained power supply and independent control, it can be fixed to any surface autonomously. A light sensor will switch the clock to an invert mode: the figures are white in the dark time of day and black at daytime.
via Kibardindesign.
I’ll take two. However; more concerning is this:
Status of project: searching for manufacturer.
Looks like I won’t be getting them anytime soon ![]()
Jul 15, 2009
Daring Fireball: Mobile Phone Keyboards
Are software touchscreen keyboards good for everyone? Certainly not. But this is another aspect of the Apple Way. Apple tries to make things that many people love, not things that all people like. The key is that they’re not afraid of the staunch criticism, and often outright derision, that comes with breaking conventions.
via Daring Fireball: Mobile Phone Keyboards.
..and you know what?
He’s damn right – Apple products aren’t for everyone, and that’s okay.
No, it’s not about “maintaining exclusivity”, or anything like that. It’s not about “being of a higher status” than someone else. Mostly, it’s just about having quality.
People have said that the Mac is a way of life – once you go Mac, you won’t go back and all that – but it’s more than that.
There’s a heap of people out there that shop on price alone. And that’s totally okay – everyone loves a good bargain, and it doesn’t make sense to be ripped off.
However, I get the feeling that those that compare spec for spec don’t take into account the other things – things like the OS, design, all the R&D money, etc. It’s those things that make the whole package, and one of the things that appeal the most to new Mac users.
Jul 14, 2009
A day in the iLife
via diesel sweeties: 8-bit robot romance webcomic and geeky t-shirts : A Day in the iLife.
Even if you haven’t worked in an actual Apple Retail store, it’s still damn true.
Jul 14, 2009
Update on Windows 7 RTM – Windows 7 Team Blog
We are close, but have not yet signed off on Windows 7. When we RTM you will most certainly hear it here. As we’ve said all along, we will RTM Windows 7 when it’s ready. As previously stated, we expect Windows 7 to RTM in the 2nd half of July.
[...]How do I get a 64-bit copy of Windows 7?
The Upgrade and Full packaged retail product of Windows 7 Home Premium, Windows 7 Professional, and Windows 7 Ultimate will come with both 32-bit and 64-bit DVDs. With Windows Vista, the 64-bit version was only available with Windows Vista Ultimate. Due to the incredible adoption of 64-bit today and customer feedback, we decided to change this for Windows 7. Now all copies of Windows 7 in developed markets will ship with both 32-bit and 64-bit DVDs.
via Update on Windows 7 RTM – Windows 7 Team Blog – The Windows Blog.
1. There’s a Windows blog?
2. Good news for those that want a 64-bit version of Windows 7, now you don’t have to buy both copies!
Jul 13, 2009
Teen dies after being sucked into pool pump
Nathan Clark, 14, died after lifting a grille in a pool at a Thai water park in an attempt to retrieve his goggles.
He was sucked into the pool’s pumping system and it took 30 minutes for pool engineers to check the pump room.
When they did, Nathan’s body slid into view of the engineers and his horrified father, who claims lifeguards ignored his pleas for help.
via Teen dies after being sucked into pool pump | World News | News.com.au.
This sorta stuff shouldn’t happen.
Regardless of the boy’s actions, he shouldn’t have paid the price of his stupidity with his life – in my humble opinion, that’s just far too high a price to pay.
Shame on the guards, and rightly so. Would it have killed them to waste a precious minute to check?



