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RedeyesUK · Post by **RedeyesUK** » Wed Dec 19, 2007 11:34 pm

I picked up the amp today. <img src='http://i2.ifrm.com/html/emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif' />

As I knew I'd be in Buckingham today (just down the road from the seller), I decided to go and pick it up, rather than stump up for the postage. It was supposed to be a quick trip down the M40 and up the road - nice and easy.

Except the M40 was shut, and all the traffic was being diverted right through High Wycombe. It took me two hours to get there, and probably ended up costing more in petrol than it would have been to post it. <img src='http://i2.ifrm.com/html/emoticons/rolleyes.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='rolleyes.gif' />

Never mind, I hooked it up as soon as I got home - even with the same crappy old speakers I've got (complete with sellotape joins on the speaker wires <img src='http://i2.ifrm.com/4013/140/emo/shame.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='shame.gif' /> ), it blows the old stereo into the weeds in every possible way. <img src='http://i2.ifrm.com/html/emoticons/cool.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='cool.gif' />

I is happy now. <img src='http://i2.ifrm.com/4013/140/emo/aha.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='aha.gif' />

RedeyesUK · Post by **RedeyesUK** » Sat Dec 29, 2007 8:27 pm

I finally got round to hooking up the new speakers today, along with some proper OFC cable. They're a bit good! <img src='http://i2.ifrm.com/html/emoticons/cool.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='cool.gif' />

I've had to tweak the equaliser settings a bit - with these speakers, on standard presets (rock, naturally <img src='http://i2.ifrm.com/4013/140/emo/rock.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='rock.gif' /> ) even a low volume produces a bass note that I can feel through the floor in the next room! <img src='http://i2.ifrm.com/html/emoticons/ohmy.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='ohmy.gif' />

Now I'm starting to look a bit closer at TVs - I was originally going to go for a 22" monitor, which logic says should be big enough - but then I don't want to spend the next few years (or however long it takes for me to replace it) wishing I'd got a bigger screen.

CC wrote:Seems like 32" is perfect of an 8 foot viewing distance.

That's about where my screen will be.

Trouble is, a halfway decent 32 incher will be double my original budget! <img src='http://i2.ifrm.com/html/emoticons/dry.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='dry.gif' />

*Hopes to find a half-price offer in the January sales*

belchingmatt · Post by **belchingmatt** » Sun Dec 30, 2007 11:31 pm

TV prices should drop sometime in the new year as new factories come online in asia.

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There are plenty more fish in the sea, get your tackle out and see what bites.

Divers go deeper and stay down for longer.

Post by **JJW009** » Mon Dec 31, 2007 12:25 am

I remember a Russian laser TV being demonstrated on Tomorrows World about 20 years ago. They were finally due for release this Christmas:

http://www.lsrtv.com/

Anyone seen one yet..?

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RedeyesUK · Post by **RedeyesUK** » Wed Jan 09, 2008 9:35 pm

After much thinking, I decided to drop the big TV idea for now - while I have the ?500 or so spare that a decent one will cost, I have other things to be spending it on.

So, I coughed up ?250 and got a nice Iiyama 24" monitor. Along with 2 DVD writers (one for my main rig), a Sound Blaster Audigy card (not a really fancy one, but it has to be better than the existing ancient onboard AC97 setup), and a new audio cable to replace the two old cables hacked apart and spliced into one with sellotape that I currently use. <img src='http://i2.ifrm.com/html/emoticons/laugh.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='laugh.gif' />

It all came today! <img src='http://i2.ifrm.com/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif' />

As you can see, it makes a difference:

<img src='http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y39/re ... CF1496.jpg' border='0' alt='user posted image'>

<img src='http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y39/re ... CF1498.jpg' border='0' alt='user posted image'>

Looking at it, it's about what I thought: Satisfactory, if not amazing. Thing is, a 32" TV (which seems to be the standard these days) might well overpower what is, after all, a fairly tiny room. If I decide to go bigger in a few months, the monitor can go to my main rig to give me some pretty decent desktop space, so it won't be wasted.

I'm off to watch a DVD now! <img src='http://i2.ifrm.com/html/emoticons/cool.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='cool.gif' />

Post by **JJW009** » Wed Jan 09, 2008 10:16 pm

The 24" monitor probably has a good resolution too, so it'll be a lot better for browsing and general PC type use. I've been thinking on and off about upgrading this screen or the TV, but there always seems to be something more important. Right now I still can't get this machine to boot off my C: drive <img src='http://i2.ifrm.com/html/emoticons/dry.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='dry.gif' />

Looks nice anyway. When did you last water that fern btw..?!

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RedeyesUK · Post by **RedeyesUK** » Wed Jan 09, 2008 11:55 pm

JJW009 wrote:The 24" monitor probably has a good resolution too

It does indeed - life at 1920x1200 is pretty sweet! <img src='http://i2.ifrm.com/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif' />

It'd be nice to get some decent games on here, but it's only a 750mhz duron, so I'll have to call that a 'future feature - although with the price of hardware at the moment that might not be too far away!

As it is, it does struggle a little with DVD playback, which I thought might be a problem. It'll do for now though.

When did you last water that fern btw..?!

Yesterday!

It's actually half of a bigger plant that I chopped in two - it was dying because it got too big for the pot. It's slowly coming back to life, in a half dead sort of way! <img src='http://i2.ifrm.com/html/emoticons/laugh.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='laugh.gif' />

RedeyesUK · Post by **RedeyesUK** » Sat Oct 11, 2008 9:02 pm

RedeyesUK wrote:I just bought a saw. <img src='http://i2.ifrm.com/4013/140/emo/ninja.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='ninja.gif' />

All I need now is some wood to saw up with it, some screws to hold the whole thing together and some varnish to make it look pretty, and it's all ready to build.

Well, the build is now underway! <img src='http://i2.ifrm.com/html/emoticons/laugh.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='laugh.gif' />

As mentioned in my blog, this is now also going to be housing a fishtank, so the concept has changed a bit.

Measuring:

<img src='http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y39/re ... CF2209.jpg' border='0' alt='user posted image'>

Build underway:

<img src='http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y39/re ... CF2210.jpg' border='0' alt='user posted image'>

A few hours of sawing, hammering and screwing later:

<img src='http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y39/re ... CF2211.jpg' border='0' alt='user posted image'>

Now follows several hours of sanding, staining and varnishing. I hate that bit. <img src='http://i2.ifrm.com/html/emoticons/dry.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='dry.gif' />

Updates to follow! <img src='http://i2.ifrm.com/html/emoticons/cool.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='cool.gif' />

Oh, and the computer is still identical to what it was before. I will upgrade it one day. Honest! <img src='http://i2.ifrm.com/4013/140/emo/shame.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='shame.gif' />

Post by **JJW009** » Sat Oct 11, 2008 10:16 pm

Are there more bits to add? You putting the tank on top?

If so, then maybe some flat sheet on the back would add an enormous amount to the structural integrity. That looks good for about 2 tons, but with that weight on top it would quickly go all parallelogramificated - which would be bad.

<!--emo&

--><img src='http://i2.ifrm.com/4013/140/emo/laughing-fish.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='laughing-fish.gif' />

Have to say, it's about 10x bigger than any project I've ever finished... and in less than a year hopefully! Just today, I added more concrete to the shed base. It's on schedule for... my retirement <img src='http://i2.ifrm.com/html/emoticons/laugh.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='laugh.gif' />

:edit: - just noticed the triangulation on the back, d'oh!

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RedeyesUK · Post by **RedeyesUK** » Sat Oct 11, 2008 11:13 pm

Actually, that diagonal bit is just a temporary bracer to keep everything square while I build it up. It was supposed to be at the back, but then I screwed some uprights in the wrong place, so now it's at the front. <img src='http://i2.ifrm.com/html/emoticons/laugh.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='laugh.gif' />

There is going to be some more going onto it, namely a top, a bottom, some sides, and the back. As it stands, it's already amazingly solid - I sat on it earlier while having a tea break, it didn't shift a millimetre. Compared to the crappy chipboard fishtank stands you can buy in shops, it's well overengineered - but considering the possible impact of 50 odd gallons of water hitting the floor, I'm playing it safe! <img src='http://i2.ifrm.com/html/emoticons/blink.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='blink.gif' />

The problem is, half of the back of it needs to be open to allow for hoses, cables etc. Plus the PC will actually be hanging out the back a couple of inches. I did buy some fibreboard for the back panels, but I think I might ditch that in favour of something a bit more solid. Or maybe I'll work out some sort of diagonal bracing as a permanent fix. Watch this space!

How long have you been building that shed for? <img src='http://i2.ifrm.com/html/emoticons/laugh.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='laugh.gif' /> <img src='http://i2.ifrm.com/html/emoticons/rolleyes.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='rolleyes.gif' />

Post by **JJW009** » Sat Oct 11, 2008 11:45 pm

You'd only need to put a back on a couple of sections to keep it square, although some nice sturdy bracing would give it a really good look. It'll be fun working out what angles to cut the two ends to too <img src='http://i2.ifrm.com/html/emoticons/tongue.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tongue.gif' />

50 gallons is (counts on fingers) three Redeyes and a cat!

Look forward to seeing the progress. I guess you have 10 days; kinda like ground-force for fish <img src='http://i2.ifrm.com/html/emoticons/laugh.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='laugh.gif' />

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Mrs Redeyes · Post by **Mrs Redeyes** » Mon Oct 13, 2008 6:37 am

<img src='http://i2.ifrm.com/html/emoticons/blink.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='blink.gif' />

What happened to the "Master Procrastinator" that I know and love?

I missed these pics yesterday, I've never logged on from here before so the system wouldn't show me the unreads <img src='http://i2.ifrm.com/html/emoticons/sad.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='sad.gif' /> I'm terribly impressed, can't wait to see it and the tank in person, well, you know what I mean.... <img src='http://i2.ifrm.com/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif' /> It's looking really good and the fact that you're making it from plans in your head makes it even better.

Well done Mr Red <img src='http://i2.ifrm.com/html/emoticons/wub.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='wub.gif' />

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<div class='signature'>"Why do the people who know the least, know it the loudest?"

"Illegitmi non carborundum est!"

<img src='http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w165 ... Icon-1.jpg' border='0' alt='user posted image'>

RedeyesUK · Post by **RedeyesUK** » Mon Oct 13, 2008 10:16 pm

JJW009 wrote:some nice sturdy bracing would give it a really good look. It'll be fun working out what angles to cut the two ends to too? <img src='http://i2.ifrm.com/html/emoticons/tongue.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tongue.gif' />

Pah. Easy. <img src='http://i2.ifrm.com/html/emoticons/tongue.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tongue.gif' />

<img src='http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y39/re ... CF2219.jpg' border='0' alt='user posted image'>

As you can see, I've just been cutting up some plywood to fit the base. Surprisingly easy, and took about half the time I was expecting. Gotta love power tools! <img src='http://i2.ifrm.com/html/emoticons/cool.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='cool.gif' />

<img src='http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y39/re ... CF2217.jpg' border='0' alt='user posted image'>

So I spent the rest of the evening staining:

Doing the first coat:

<img src='http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y39/re ... CF2220.jpg' border='0' alt='user posted image'>

Seven coats later <img src='http://i2.ifrm.com/html/emoticons/blink.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='blink.gif' /> :

<img src='http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y39/re ... CF2223.jpg' border='0' alt='user posted image'>

The flash has kinda screwed up the colouring, it's actually a lot darker than that. The far end is a bit closer to reality. I'm trying to get the same sort of colour as the existing tank stand (which is actually less red than that <img src='http://i2.ifrm.com/html/emoticons/rolleyes.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='rolleyes.gif' /> ), and so far it's a pretty good match. I just hope I don't get up tomorrow to find it's dried a different colour! <img src='http://i2.ifrm.com/4013/140/emo/whip.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='whip.gif' />

Oh, and a piccie of the tank itself (got it yesterday):

<img src='http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y39/re ... CF2213.jpg' border='0' alt='user posted image'>

<!--emo&

--><img src='http://i2.ifrm.com/4013/140/emo/laughing-fish.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='laughing-fish.gif' /> <!--emo&

--><img src='http://i2.ifrm.com/4013/140/emo/laughing-fish.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='laughing-fish.gif' />

Right, now I'm off to try and clean my hands! (Note to self: Wood stain doesn't just stain wood <img src='http://i2.ifrm.com/4013/140/emo/shame.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='shame.gif' /> )

RedeyesUK · Post by **RedeyesUK** » Mon Oct 13, 2008 10:27 pm

Mrs Redeyes wrote:<img src='http://i2.ifrm.com/html/emoticons/blink.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='blink.gif' />

What happened to the "Master Procrastinator" that I know and love?

Don't worry, he'll be back in no time! <img src='http://i2.ifrm.com/html/emoticons/wink.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='wink.gif' />

I'm terribly impressed, can't wait to see it and the tank in person, well, you know what I mean....  <img src='http://i2.ifrm.com/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif' />  It's looking really good and the fact that you're making it from plans in your head makes it even better.

Well done Mr Red <img src='http://i2.ifrm.com/html/emoticons/wub.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='wub.gif' />

Thanks dearest, but don't get too excited until you see the finished article!

JJW009 wrote:
Look forward to seeing the progress. I guess you have 10 days; kinda like ground-force for fish <img src='http://i2.ifrm.com/html/emoticons/laugh.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='laugh.gif' />

Except Mrs Red knows all about this. Sort of spoils the 'reveal' really!

I'll be updating whenever I've done something worthwhile. Watch this space!

Mrs Redeyes · Post by **Mrs Redeyes** » Tue Oct 14, 2008 12:25 pm

RedeyesUK wrote:Seven coats later <img src='http://i2.ifrm.com/html/emoticons/blink.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='blink.gif' /> :

The flash has kinda screwed up the colouring, it's actually a lot darker than that. The far end is a bit closer to reality. I'm trying to get the same sort of colour as the existing tank stand (which is actually less red than that <img src='http://i2.ifrm.com/html/emoticons/rolleyes.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='rolleyes.gif' /> ), and so far it's a pretty good match. I just hope I don't get up tomorrow to find it's dried a different colour! <img src='http://i2.ifrm.com/4013/140/emo/whip.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='whip.gif' />

Oh it looks really good, especially with the staining, I'm so excited to see it. You know we're going to have to buy a load more of that colour stain, between the cabinet and all the new fishtank lids we'll really be going through it!! <img src='http://i2.ifrm.com/html/emoticons/sad.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='sad.gif' />

I bet you're glad I'm out of the way now <img src='http://i2.ifrm.com/html/emoticons/tongue.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tongue.gif' /> no-one vacuuming up sawdust behind you while you work... <img src='http://i2.ifrm.com/html/emoticons/ohmy.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='ohmy.gif' /> not that I would... much

Keep the pictures coming you talented wossname <img src='http://i2.ifrm.com/html/emoticons/cool.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='cool.gif' />

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<div class='signature'>"Why do the people who know the least, know it the loudest?"

"Illegitmi non carborundum est!"

<img src='http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w165 ... Icon-1.jpg' border='0' alt='user posted image'>