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So I finally decided to fund my first, fully from scratch, computer.  This project is particularly special, because I’m specifically building an HTPC.

I made a list of features that I wanted it to have:

• Supports 1080p without any lag since it will be connected to my big screen LCD TV.
• Able to play games relatively well.
• Needs to be small (mini-ITX)
• Consumes very low power since I will have it on all the time.
• Generates very little heat (which is pretty much the same as low power)

Based on all of this, I ended up choosing the following hardware:

• Zotac Motherboard, Atom330 Processor, and Nvidia Ion GPU
• 4GB RAM 800 Mhz – Corsair
• 1TB HDD – Western Digital
• USB TV Tuner
• Thermaltake Mini-ITX HTPC Case

It will be running Windows 7, and it’s primary function will be Windows Media Center; however, I will also use it as my primary computer in my room.  I already have a wireless keyboard and mouse that I will continue to use with it, and I’ll use my ipod touch as a wireless media remote.

So far I have received the Motherboard, TV Tuner and RAM, and I’m expecting the HDD tomorrow and the case next week sometimes.  More on this after it all comes together!

I was one of the early adopters of the EeePC.  After having read about this little device I knew that I would have to get one.  When it was finally made available I snatched one of the earliest models, the EeePC 700 (2G Surf).  It came equipped with Xandros Linux, but that was not suitable for my needs so I quickly installed an nlited XP, and it served me well for many months.

Almost two years have gone by, and my first EeePC had been long forgotten, boxed away in my room.  I have since replaced it with a newer, more powerful netbook the 1005HA seashell.  Upon discovering this lost treasure, I decided to try to make some use of it.

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I’m finally ready to purchase a smartphone, but I have a lot of options to consider.  A couple years ago the obvious choice was the iPhone, but for a number of reasons I have decided to never get an iPhone.  That’s not to say that I’m rejecting the best possible option, arguably the iPhone was great when it initially launched, but the competition is better than ever.

So I’ve narrowed it down to several phones either available now or coming soon.

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Social networks have invaded the internet by storm over the past decade or so.  There are way too many to count, but only a few cater to a general audience of any background.  The obvious ones are the big names like Facebook or Twitter, and even MySpace (yes, people still use MySpace!).  There are many more that cater to a select demographic: religions, ethnicity, political opinion, location, … the list goes on.  What we lack is the “one site to rule them all,” let me explain.

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First, here’s a little background: I have been an avid Google Reader user for well over a year now. I subscribe to about ten news feeds of sites that I would previously visit on a daily basis. What I like about Google Reader is that I never miss an article. It has become such an integral part of my life that I find myself checking my Reader at least every hour. Then, I discovered Twitter, and everything changed.

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