Possible Patch Problems

3-28-2012: Digital Fruit has had two Windows 7 computers come in with unexplainable mid-operation shut-downs.  They seem to be associated with a Windows patch from about a month ago.  We are still looking into the cause, but the update seems to be the only thing they have in common.

Addictive Hobby

So, I've been working on reviving a site I created back in my youth.  It was a collection of images of collectible cards from collectible card games.  I'm looking for suggestions for a website name, and what you readers would like to have the site do.  Leave you suggestions on in the comments section.  Any suggestions are welcomed.

New Images

So, to indulge my habit of chronicling junk, I've put up some new images on the picapedia.info site.  Most of them are of random packaging, and, though it may seem random, there is rhyme behind the madness.  I plan to set up some pages on design theory and packaging as it pertains to marketing.  I'll be using some of the images a example material.

First Solar Panel

Yep, you read that right.  In our efforts to bring about a better digital age, Digital Fruit has taken its first step towards environmentally responsible computing.  We have obtained our first solar panel, and will be working towards a storage battery and an inverter next.

If you want to help participate in the Digital Fruit responsible computing initiative, just head to our website, www.digitalfruit.biz, and give us a call for pick up on any aluminum recycling you have.  And thank you for all of those already participating, our efforts are already paying off!

LAN Party Today

So today is the ides of March, and we're celebrating by throwing our monthly LAN party.  Admission still stands as usual, bring your own computer, and we are collecting donations for the soda fund.

Most Atrocious Use of Linux

So, I have come to the personal opinion that I have found the most atrocious use of the Linux kernel to date.  Gtech lottery systems.  Now, I don't know if its as bad on all of Gtech's products, because my only experience is the ones in Washington. 

But goodness, I didn't think it was possible to make a system more finicky and unstable than Windows ME.  This thing absolutely stinks.  And the major problem, Java.  Its what the whole system is running on.  There is a quick boot from the bootloader, then its on to a Java interface, and this thing is buggy as hell.  Sometimes the system I work with prints mystery tickets, sometimes it won't print tickets at all.  It will crash if communication with Olympia gets cut off.  Its a nightmare to deal with some days.

So, as this seems to be the most shameful misuse of the Tux logo, I'm giving it two fruit, as it is still more secure than the NPC windows units Wal-Mart used.

Product Pick: Rosewill RC-215

So, here we are again with another product pick, this time I'm reviewing the Rosewill RC-215, a SATA 1.5G/ATA raid card.  Now, this pick will be short and sweet.  Windows 7 automatically detected the hardware and set it up in-system, but this raid controller gets an automatic fail, 1-fruit listing.  Why?  Because the bios wasn't installed on the chip, and I haven't been able to find a way to flash the rom with the update.  Even Rosewill's own Rom update couldn't install it.  Till next time, catch you on the flip-side.