Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Computing/2009 December 18

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December 18

Universal Parallel Bus

Why doesnt some on create a universal parallel bus, the parallel vewrsion of a universal serial bus (USB)that runs in a similar fasion to a USB but sends one byte at a time rather than one bit by having multiple D+ and D- cables in parallel. This could create a high speed cable that could end up as being as muulti-purpose as modern day USBs. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 74.67.89.61 (talk) 00:47, 18 December 2009 (UTC)

I cant find some evidence on this, but I heard some years ago, that at USB-speed of transfer it is very difficult to synchronize the data on parallel wires. Lukipuk (talk) 01:26, 18 December 2009 (UTC)

USB 3.0 will support up to 3.2 Gbit/s. If anyone was working a new parallel interface, it would be the IEEE, but the Printer Working Group doesn't show any activity there. ---— Gadget850 (Ed) ^talk 01:39, 18 December 2009 (UTC)

You are assuming a parallel channel would mean faster communication, but as our Serial communication article states, it often isn't so: At first sight it would seem that a serial link must be inferior to a parallel one, because it can transmit less data on each clock tick. However, it is often the case that serial links can be clocked considerably faster than parallel links, and achieve a higher data rate. A number of factors allow serial to be clocked at a greater rate... Tempshill (talk) 05:12, 18 December 2009 (UTC)

'Are you sure?' notifications in Vista

These 'are you sure?' notifications in Vista have a reason to be there, and that is well understood, but sometimes they are taking the mick. When trying to install something by clicking on an icon which has the little Vista shield on it, generally it takes a few seconds for the notification to come up - invariably I will click 'yes' - but sometimes it will take up to 20 or 30 minutes, during which time I have a little circle next to my pointer every time I go near the desktop (and the PC slows down). Unfortunately, I have not found a way to cancel the install at this particular point, as this part of the install doesn't show up in Task Manager. Is there something in the Processes tab that I can cancel or is Restart just becoming a way of life? Cheers! --KageTora - (影虎) (Talk?) 04:49, 18 December 2009 (UTC)

You are referring to User Account Control warnings, which should not be taking 20 or 30 minutes. What installer does this? Are there any other circumstances in which an app freezes for an interminable period? Tempshill (talk) 05:14, 18 December 2009 (UTC)

See [1] —Preceding unsigned comment added by 82.43.88.54 (talk) 11:12, 18 December 2009 (UTC)

Web pages and images randomly not loading

Hello, I have a refurbished PC I just up recently. When I browse the Internet via Firefox, sometimes web pages do not load. The same thing happens with images, particularly on Facebook and in Google Image Searches. This did not happen with my laptop or my Linux box. It seems to be a network problem, and I'm not sure how to troubleshoot it. Does it have to do with router settings? (My laptop and Linux box plugged into the router just fine.) Does it have to do with browser settings? (Problem happens in IE, too... just had trouble loading images in a GIS.) I have a feeling it's a simple solution. Can anyone suggest any kind of approach? (If I need to divulge my PC information, I can do that.) 69.143.24.5 (talk) 04:50, 18 December 2009 (UTC)

Sometimes Facebook gets overloaded and images just don't load. Is the problem consistent with the same set of images or is it intermittent? Tempshill (talk) 05:16, 18 December 2009 (UTC)

Intermittent problems. It seems like I need to flush or reset something network-related, though I'm not sure what. Like I just logged into Netflix, and a lot of DVD cover images won't load. What can I do? 69.143.24.5 (talk) 12:41, 18 December 2009 (UTC)

This could be a connection time-out problem. There are settings in each major browser that control how long it tries to grab images and such before "giving up" and moving to the next. Google search "your browser time-out settings" and see what you can find. 61.189.63.170 (talk) 00:39, 19 December 2009 (UTC)

will windows 7 work well on 1366*768 resolution only?

I am having a 1024*768 desktop. And also plan to buy a 1280*800 laptop. Currently I am using vista; I just want to know whether windows 7 work fine on any resolution or only on 1366*768.

Thanks in advance. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 59.92.109.249 (talk) 08:48, 18 December 2009 (UTC)

Any size within a wide range of that is fine Dmcq (talk) 11:27, 18 December 2009 (UTC)

Just to add to this, the operating system has nothing to do with the resolution, which is dependant on your graphics card and more so your monitor. Sandman30s (talk) 20:50, 18 December 2009 (UTC)

I don't agree. In addition to the graphics card and monitor, any O/S will also have a minimum screen resolution. For Windows XP the minimum is 800×600: (see item 11 from the 2nd list, near the bottom: [2]). I can't find the minimum for Windows 7, but I'm sure there is one. StuRat (talk) 03:14, 19 December 2009 (UTC)

Technically that's correct, but I don't think the OP was thinking about minimum resolution. Nor was I, sorry. Sandman30s (talk) 15:21, 19 December 2009 (UTC)

Pistol-grip 'keyboard'

For small computing devices, the problem is that shrinking the keyboard makes it difficult and slow to use. Why does nobody use a device like a pistol grip with about four buttons on it, one for each finger? Pressing a pattern of four buttons would give 16 different signals, pressing them in pairs would give 256 signals - more than enough for an alphabet. 89.241.43.33 (talk) 12:52, 18 December 2009 (UTC)

Because memorizing those patterns would be a horror, worse than the current approach of using numeric keypads? Read The Design of Everyday Things sometime. —ShadowRanger ^(talk|stalk) 13:44, 18 December 2009 (UTC)

The only thing i can think of that came close was Steven Roberts' various computer enable bikes. Winnebiko II and Behemoth both had handlebar mounted chorded keyboards. Nanonic (talk) 13:48, 18 December 2009 (UTC)

And then from rooting around - Keyer a pistol grip keyboard type affair just as you describe. Nanonic (talk) 13:52, 18 December 2009 (UTC)

Another early example was the Microwriter. Generic term for such devices is "chorded keyboard". The time and effort involved in learning a lot of different chords probably deters all but the most dedicated users. Gandalf61 (talk) 14:24, 18 December 2009 (UTC)

The Twiddler is popular with wearable computer enthusiasts. APL (talk) 16:41, 18 December 2009 (UTC)

Are all virtual goods just icons and dummy stuff?

This is regarding virtual goods in facebook.com and other sites. Just want to know whether ALL virtual goods are just images and icons OR whether some virtual goods exist which are not images and graphics and icons. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 59.92.113.176 (talk) 14:55, 18 December 2009 (UTC)

What other possibilities do you have in mind? Various online RPGs have (real cash) markets for the trading of weapons and items and characters. These are sets of numbers and a bit of text data, rather than graphics. Does that count? 81.131.31.130 (talk) 16:04, 18 December 2009 (UTC)

Depending on how you define "virtual goods", virtually any form of information would qualify. Images, music, novels, software, all of it can be represented and sold digitally. About the only stuff that wouldn't qualify are things that have chemical or physical properties that cannot be expressed virtually; even then, the line blurs as technology advances. —ShadowRanger ^(talk|stalk) 16:09, 18 December 2009 (UTC)

html

Resolved

In html I'd like to make a drop down box with the options "1", "2", and "3" with the viewer can select, then press "go!". For example:

<form action="http://example.com/???/">

<input type="submit" value="Go!" />

where "???" is the options that get appended to the url when they are selected from the drop down box. How can I do this, and I suck at html? Thank you enormously for your help! —Preceding unsigned comment added by 82.43.88.54 (talk) 15:11, 18 December 2009 (UTC)

I don't think you can do it with HTML alone. Instead, you should post to a script (e.g. PHP or many others) which then looks at the post value and redirects you to the correct location. Javascript would also work, I think. - Jarry1250 ^{[Humorous? Discuss.]} 15:16, 18 December 2009 (UTC)

Here is a Javascript solution. Feel free to ask if you have questions. I wrote it up to be fairly flexible (you could change things around pretty easily, and it is less constraining than your original specifications).

<html>
<head>
<script type="text/javascript" language="javascript">

function submitform() {
	var selector=document.getElementById("selector");
	var myform = document.getElementById("myform");
	switch(selector.value) {
		case "0": 
			myform.action = "http://example.com/option1/";
			myform.submit();
			break;
		case "1": 
			myform.action = "http://example.com/option2/";
			myform.submit();
			break;
		case "2": 
			myform.action = "http://example.com/option3/";
			myform.submit();
			break;
	}
}

</script>
</head>
<body>
<form id="myform" name="myform" method="GET">
<select id="selector">
<option value="-1">Pick an option</option>
<option value="0">Option1</option>
<option value="1">Option2</option>
<option value="2">Option3</option>
</select>
<input type="submit" value="OK" onclick="submitform(); return false;">
</form>
</body>
</html>

--Mr.98 (talk) 16:27, 18 December 2009 (UTC)

­:D :D :D :D YES thank you!

Which CPU

My brother is thinking of getting either the Alienware M17x or M15x laptop. We're stuck on whether the Intel Core i7 720QM (1.6 GHz, 4 cores) is better than the Intel Core 2 Duo P8600 (2.4 GHz, 2 cores). I've gathered that the quad core is better for multitasking and using a more demanding OS like Vista or Windows 7 and that there are many other improvement on the Intel i7 line over the Core 2. My brother is thinking mainly of playing video games, and basically I'm not sure if the improvements in the 1.6 GHz i7 would make up for it's lower clock speed and make it better for gaming than the 2.4 GHz Core 2. What I'd like most is some simple performance charts comparing the two CPUs running demanding programs. I've also read about "Turbo mode" in the Core i7 line and apparantly it's mostly a gimmick that makes the CPU overclock only when it can afford to, so it would have little or no effect when playing a graphics heavy game. Also, it's sort of besides the point, but if someone has a better recommendation for a gaming laptop I'd like to know. I can't find anything better than what Alienware offers. BeefJeaunt (talk) 15:48, 18 December 2009 (UTC)

Remember, the CPU no longer makes much of a difference for most games; the GPU is what counts. I have my computer (running Vista x64) set up with power profiles that forcibly downclock the CPU (a Core 2 Duo E6600, 2.4 GHz) to 1.6 GHz, and it hasn't made a whit of difference (I have a nVidia 8800GTX graphics card, which is where the power is required). Clock speed doesn't make as much of a difference as speed of memory access (the Core i7 is much better there) and GPU (which the CPU doesn't affect at all). —ShadowRanger ^(talk|stalk) 16:00, 18 December 2009 (UTC)

As for Quad v. Duo... some programs are able to make a big improvement with quad cores, but most aren't. This post is now a couple years old and might be out of date, but poses the right questions. Most games at the time (2007) actually saw zero to negative improvement in going from faster dual cores to slower quad cores. --Mr.98 (talk) 16:30, 18 December 2009 (UTC)

Well both laptops come with the Geforce 240M or better, so I think he's all set there. I've heard that the real benefit of quad core is it takes care of background processes without affecting the game, especially on Wondows Vista and 7. One of the games he wants is Team Fortress 2 though, which I've read relies more on the CPU than the average game. Anyways, by the sounds of it the Core i7 is the better deal. What kind of games do you play and on what graphics settings ShadowRanger? He's specifically interested in Bioshock and Team Fortress 2, so if I knew these could run easily on a 1.6 GHz CPU that would really put my worries to rest. Also thanks to both of you for your input, it's really appreaciated. BeefJeaunt (talk) 16:37, 18 December 2009 (UTC)

Laptops are not ideally suited for games due to large limitations with graphics cards and motherboard (chipset) limitations to a lesser extent. Bioshock will run perfectly well on a 240M at lower resolution. If you want to run modern games at higher resolutions, only a desktop with a proper graphics card will suffice. As the poster above has said, it doesn't matter too much whether you have a duo or quad core CPU; if you're playing a game your computer should not be doing to much else in terms of heavy CPU usage anyway. If you attend a gaming LAN, you don't see any gamers using laptops... Sandman30s (talk) 20:47, 18 December 2009 (UTC)

Yeah, but he wants something portable. Thanks for your help anyways. BeefJeaunt (talk) 22:16, 18 December 2009 (UTC)

Sorry for the delayed reply. The most recent games I've played on my machine without a problem at 1.6 GHz (with a monitor running at 1680x1050) are Bioshock and Neverwinter Nights 2. Haven't played Team Fortress 2 though, sorry. —ShadowRanger ^(talk|stalk) 15:23, 22 December 2009 (UTC)

Free Web PAGE host

I'm looking for a free web host, but they're all really complicated. I don't want to host an entire site, I don't care about how many gigabits per month or if it supports mysqls etc I just want to put one single html web page onto the net easily. Anyone know of a good site? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 82.43.88.54 (talk) 16:22, 18 December 2009 (UTC)

Why not just use Wordpress.com? It's easy to set up a one-page "blog" on there, and you don't have to mess with server stuff at all. And it's free. --Mr.98 (talk) 16:31, 18 December 2009 (UTC)

Because I want to use my own html not a blog template —Preceding unsigned comment added by 82.43.88.54 (talk) 16:35, 18 December 2009 (UTC)

There are quite a few available, but nowhere near as many as there used to be, and most of them seem to have restrictions or other disadvantages. You could try www.webs.com (not that I'm recommending it - you will probably find better somewhere else). Dbfirs 17:13, 18 December 2009 (UTC)

Try Google Sites, which is free and does let you insert your own HTML. I'm sure there's a Google frame of some sort placed around it, and I don't know how complex the HTML is allowed to be, but take a look. Comet Tuttle (talk) 21:29, 18 December 2009 (UTC)

I notice from your IP that you're a Blueyonder Telewest/Virginmedia customer, you do get free webspace from you ISP. Settings on how to access it are here. Nanonic (talk) 22:35, 18 December 2009 (UTC)

I don't own the connection, I simply use it. None of these suggestions are helpful, but thank you everyone for trying :) —Preceding unsigned comment added by 82.43.88.54 (talk) 14:15, 19 December 2009 (UTC)

I've used Awardspace.com for this purpose, and it works well. PhageRules1 (talk) 21:31, 23 December 2009 (UTC)

cp source code

Resolved

Where can I download cp's source? I've searched over at http://directory.fsf.org/ but can't find it. Thanks. --59.95.108.200 (talk) 16:59, 18 December 2009 (UTC)

cp is part of GNU coreutils; you can download the whole coreutils src package from gnu.org, or read the source in the GNU Savannah repository here. -- Finlay McWalter • Talk 17:05, 18 December 2009 (UTC)

Thank you. --59.95.108.200 (talk) 17:08, 18 December 2009 (UTC)

You're welcome. If reading that leaves you thinking "heck, there's a bunch of stuff here about weird cases and annoying stuff to do with links, but it doesn't actually do any copying" you'd be right. The meat of copying is done in copy.c --Finlay McWalter • Talk 17:16, 18 December 2009 (UTC)

If you're interested in other *nix implementations (other than GNU's) then take a look at OpenBSD's and OpenSolaris'. -- Finlay McWalter • Talk 17:39, 18 December 2009 (UTC)

Flash to svg, with a transparent background

Resolved

 – ʄɭoʏɗiaɲ ^τ _¢

I use Flash MX to create vector graphics for wikipedia. I then use a program called swf2svg to convert the file. As some people may be aware, Adobe is too stupid to add transparent to the list of background colours, instead putting the burden on the user to code it into the html.

But, as you know, there is no html involved here. So, my question is, is there any way to make the swf transparent, and if not, is it possible to use a program such as inkscape to cut out the white background and make it transparent? - ʄɭoʏɗiaɲ ^τ _¢ 19:36, 18 December 2009 (UTC)

If you can show me an example of the SVG you've generated in this way, I'll take a look at it in Inkscape. Assuming the "background" is an object (or a sensible number of objects) in SVG, deleting them (making for an SVG with no background) should be very straightforward. -- Finlay McWalter • Talk 19:49, 18 December 2009 (UTC)

This is the picture here. The white that is within the trapezoid should be there, but the slivers outside of the trapezoid should not. - ʄɭoʏɗiaɲ ^τ _¢ 01:24, 19 December 2009 (UTC)

I deleted the background layer and used the Live Paint Bucket Tool to fill in the sign again in using Adobe Illustrator: --Drknkn (talk) 04:13, 19 December 2009 (UTC)

I also did the same. I opened it in Inkscape. Selected/deleted the white background. Selected the trapezoid and set the fill to white. No problem. If you are willing to use Inkscape, I suggest using it for the entire SVG development. -- kainaw™ 04:16, 19 December 2009 (UTC)

For some reason inkscape really confuses the crap outta me, but perhaps I should try to learn it inside out. - ʄɭoʏɗiaɲ ^τ _¢ 08:13, 19 December 2009 (UTC)

It's definitely a different interface paradigm than Flash. Personally I think it is much better for precise diagrams of the sort you are making — it's much easier to make sure everything is symmetrical and lined up. (Easier than even in Illustrator, frankly.) --Mr.98 (talk) 14:27, 19 December 2009 (UTC)

I really doubt that. Does Inskscape have smart guides, rulers, and snapping? Also, there are quite a few video tutorials for Illustrator on Adobe TV, Lynda.com, Total Training, VTC, and so on. That's one reason that I use Adobe products almost from end to end. I rarely have to read a boring book, and can instead watch a video. There may be a more powerful product available in certain cases (e.g., Autodesk Combustion vs. AfterEffects), but that product is never an open-source product like Inkscape or GIMP, and Adobe products integrate seamlessly with each other. Further, from what I've read, Inkscape crashes and has fewer features. The only drawback for Illustrator that I've noticed is that it's bloated and takes a long time to start up.--Drknkn (talk) 20:46, 19 December 2009 (UTC)

You ask if Inkscape has smart guides, rulers, and snapping as though you know the answer is "no" so you can berate the product. That is a rather pathetic form of argument. Just because they are called a different name in Inkscape does not mean they aren't there. As for tutorials - how many do you need? None of the first 2,000 tutorials found by Googling "Inkscape tutorial" will do? Yes, Illustrator is prettier and has more books like "Adobe Illustrator for Ignorant Morons who are Mostly Incapable of Pressing the Power Button on the PC." If that is your factor in choosing a product, then by all means choose Illustrator. If you are looking for snapping or tutorials, there isn't a clear preferable product. -- kainaw™ 21:05, 19 December 2009 (UTC)

Obviously guides and tutorials aren't my only concern. I was simply addressing 98's statement about making sure everything is "symmetrical and lined up." Illustrator does an excellent job of that, and I was actually asking a question. I also mentioned crashes. Illustrator also has the ability of exporting animations (which I know for a fact that Inkscape can't do) and gives you far more control over typography (kerning, etc.). As for SVGs, Illustrator can add JavaScripts to them. Can Inkscape do that? To be honest, I haven't used Inkscape that much. In fact, I spend more time in Photoshop, Flash, and Premiere than Illustrator. So, I find the recommendations in this forum for GIMP over PS more objectionable than Inkscape over AI.--Drknkn (talk) 21:31, 19 December 2009 (UTC)

Drknkn, that was rude and uncalled for. You launched a lengthy attack on a personal opinion that is completely unrelated to the OP's question, to the point of berating 98's opinion and imply that for our OP, who only want to make simple diagrams, the $599 Adobe Illustrator is better than the free and open source Inkscape? (or do you want him/her to pirate AI?) Does our OP require or care about integration with other Adobe products, or animation, or adding Javascript to SVG? How many bells and whistles does one need to create a simple diagram like that? PS: "from what I've read" is not a reliable source. There are plenty of webpages documenting AI crashing too if you really wanted to know --antilived^{T | C | G} 02:55, 20 December 2009 (UTC)

Wow. It's free and open source?! Sign me up. I don't need to get any work done, anyway. I'll try any old piece of shit so long as it's open source.

But, wait being honest is rude? No... If you guys want to bash Illustrator, then you should make sure you get your facts straight, because I will point out any lies posted here, whether you think I'm being rude or not. I told you that Inkskape was buggy, and you responded by lying in this post, glossing over that fact. See the post below for the results of your comments. You should have recommended either Illustrator or CorelDraw. I'm the only person here who has actually fixed his picture, by the way. Apparently, all you can do is talk.--Drknkn (talk) 12:15, 22 December 2009 (UTC)

"I'm the only person here who has actually fixed his picture, by the way. Apparently, all you can do is talk."

Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime. (also kainaw might disagree with you about being the only one) Of course, you're welcome to provide Flyodian a free copy of AI or do all 60 signs for him. But otherwise, most of what you said applies more to yourself than anything. --antilived^{T | C | G} 00:16, 23 December 2009 (UTC)

Everyone has a favourite guys, no need to bash. But can someone walk me through / point to one of these millions of tutorials, as to how I delete all the white (got that so far, yay me!) and fill the inside of the sign with it, without filling the number and the text as well? - ʄɭoʏɗiaɲ ^τ _¢ 02:26, 20 December 2009 (UTC)

In Inkscape, you open the SVG that needs to be processed. Usually SVGs have all their elements grouped together so you need to ungroup them first. Press Ctrl+A to select all the elements and press Ctrl+Shift+G (or right-click/Ungroup) to ungroup them. Click on the background where it should be transparent, and you'll select a rectangle that's the same size as your document. Delete that, and your SVG is now transparent. Then click the shield's background, and click white in the colour bar near the bottom of the screen. That'll change the shield to have a white-fill instead of being transparent. If the white fill blocks other elements simply lower it to the bottom by pressing Ctrl+Shift+End (or Layer/Layer to Bottom). Unfortunately your trapezium isn't constructed properly and one of the side is not connected to the rest of the trapezium. You can fix it by first ungrouping the trapezium again, and deleting the right, unconnected side. Then use the Edit Path tool below selection (the second one from top), hold shift to select the top-right and bottom-right points of the broken trapezium. Finally, press the button in the tool bar that looks like to join the two points together. --antilived^{T | C | G} 02:55, 20 December 2009 (UTC)

Awesome. Thank you very much everyone (and esp. Antilived for the thorough walkthrough). One down, fifty-nine to go! - ʄɭoʏɗiaɲ ^τ _¢ 03:09, 20 December 2009 (UTC)

RCA Adaptor issue

I have a 3.5mm adaptor that splits to 2 female 3.5mm jacks, which I can use to split a source into two similar sources - for instance one mp3 player to two headphones.

Can I use the same adaptor the other way, if I plugged in the white and red outputs from a single phono source into the female ends and then the male end into a 3.5mm jack of, say, an amplifier?

Thanks 213.105.213.164 (talk) 20:33, 18 December 2009 (UTC)

Yes, you can use an RCA connector splitter cable in this way to combine left and right stereo into a single mono signal. I'm sure the audiophiles would be dismayed, of course. Comet Tuttle (talk) 21:28, 18 December 2009 (UTC)

Not a great idea. The two channels will be fighting each other. This is much more likely to lead to problems than connecting a single source to more than one amplifier input. --Jc3s5h (talk) 21:32, 18 December 2009 (UTC)

This can create weird effects. In many stereo songs the "center track" will be obliterated, since this tends to be the vocals, you probably won't like the effect. (On the other hand, if you're into karaoke, maybe you'd love it.) APL (talk) 23:19, 18 December 2009 (UTC)

Oh. What I just said applies only if you're combining the signals into a mono signal, as Tuttle implied. If your adapter is stereo, I might work fine. It might not, depending on if you've got mono 3.5 plugs or jacks at any point. They may electrically connect the two channels in an undesired way. APL (talk) 23:21, 18 December 2009 (UTC)

Comet Tuttle seems to be talking about an adaptor that has a two female RCA connectors and one male RCA connector like this, or two male RCA connectors and one female RCA connector like this. However, despite the fact the title of this section says RCA in it, 213.105.213.164 seems to be talking about an adaptor that has a stereo male plug on one end and two stereo female jacks on the other end, like this, so two people wearing stereo headphones can both hear an MP3 player in stereo. This type of adaptor isn't really designed to combine two mono signals back into stereo.

Refer to TRS connector#Tip/ring/sleeve terminology for a nice picture of stereo and mono male plugs. Based on that, here's what I think will happen: If you plug two mono male plugs into the adaptor's stereo female jacks, then the two mono signals (tips) will be mixed into the adaptor's male plug's left channel (tip). I think this should work, but might cause strange effects, like center vocal removal APL mentioned above. However, the adaptor's male plug's right channel (ring) will also be connected to both of the two mono male plugs' grounds (sleeves). I don't know if that will cause a problem or not. --Bavi H (talk) 03:19, 19 December 2009 (UTC)

Thanks, you are quite right, I put in RCA referring to what I wanted to use it for, rather than what it was already designed for - is this what I want? 213.105.213.164 (talk) 11:26, 19 December 2009 (UTC)

That looks like it will work. A little lower down on the page, I saw this one, which is color coded white and red.

One other thing I thought of: You might want to investigate if the phono signals are compatible with your amplifier. I have an amplifier that has phono RCA input jacks with a CER / MAG switch next to them. I'm not sure what it's for. When I plugged a normal sound source (like my TV) into the phono jacks it sounded funny. A quick search found this: Phono CER and MAG, which suggests record players may use "phono level" signals directly from the ceramic or magnetic pickup cartridge, instead of a "line level" signal. Someone else know more about this? --Bavi H (talk) 18:59, 19 December 2009 (UTC)

The cartridge on a record player is usually connected directly to the appropriate input on a receiver. The level of the cartridge depends on whether it is ceramic (higher level, cheap, don't know if they make these anymore) or magnetic (lower level, higher quality). In the 70s and 80s, all good quality receivers had a magnetic phono input, but recent ones do not. You can by a small external amplifier to boost a magnetic phono signal so it is strong enough to drive a line level input. I believe these amplifiers do not have a constant gain vs. frequency; some frequencies are boosted more than others to compensate for the characteristics of magnetic phono cartridges. --Jc3s5h (talk) 19:26, 19 December 2009 (UTC)

Upgrading an XP laptop to Win 7 via Vista

I'm curious if anyone's tried upgrading an XP machine to Windows 7 by first upgrading to Vista and then upgrading to Win7. If so, how did it go? A Quest For Knowledge (talk) 21:14, 18 December 2009 (UTC)

Can I customise "Save As" in XP?

If I want to save things like webpages, textfiles, etc, I get a "Save As" box. On the left of the box are a few links I can choose. Is it possible to customise those links - adding other ones I want, removing those I never use? 89.243.91.31 (talk) 21:42, 18 December 2009 (UTC)

That "save as" option is a property of the applications you're using, not of XP. Different applications support different file types for input and output (you can't get Word to save as a .wav file; it doesn't know what that would mean). So, in general, no. -- Finlay McWalter • Talk 21:45, 18 December 2009 (UTC)

I think the OP means the "favorite places" options, not the ability to customize filetypes (which you're right, are specified by the applications calling the "Save As" dialog). --Mr.98 (talk) 23:30, 18 December 2009 (UTC)

It's been a while since I've used XP. In Vista at least, you could be referring to the "Favorites" folder for links. And you can add/delete/modify links in that folder, just right-click and select "Open Favorites folder" (I hope it's something the same as in Vista). 198.161.238.18 (talk) 22:23, 18 December 2009 (UTC)

Timesaving Computing Tips - Customise the Places Bar says "To customise your Places Bar, download the Tweak UI powertoy." --Bavi H (talk) 01:44, 19 December 2009 (UTC)

Thanks, I have used TweakUI and done what I wanted. 84.13.56.95 (talk) 11:18, 19 December 2009 (UTC)