I should probably be sending this is a "good question", but my only-a-couple-months-old Dell computer seems awfully slow considering how much memory and stuff I packed onto it - dual core thing and the 2 gigs and kind of a lot of whatever else.

Do I really need to get rid of Vista and go backwards in time to 2003?

OR... do I have to sever that little cable connection portion of my relationship with Time Warner? Is it their fault? My old computer's only problem was a horrible horizontal-burned-in-lines monitor that was too proprietary to replace, but it went plenty fast on the internet cable thing, so methinx it mightn't be that.

I'd love to hear what people think about this.

- Curtis

Curtis,

When do you notice the slowness? Is it slow when you're using programs that don't need the internet?

on that same note - how do you get rid of vista and how do you find the older versions? i got a new hp for christmas that has vista on it and i hate it. it's like they changed everything just to be different - like there was no benefit to doing so - and it's hard for me to figure out simple things i used to be able to. my boyfriend is trying to convince me to get linux, but i don't want it. i just want regular windows.

I'm still on my non-fruitful quest to go wireless and to setup an IR repeater.

Does anyone have a recommendation for a lighting control system that works at the outlet, has a remote, and doesn't need to be wired into the electrical system?

If this was my home, I'd wire one in, but I'm living in an apartment that I have no guarantees of living in for more than a year.

Kate,

While they have been around for some time, the X10 controllers work well and don't cost an arm and a leg. If you check out their site (minding the pop-ups of course) they may have a set that works for you. This: http://www.x10.com/promotions/rca_kit_0605.html is a little overkill, but look around.

over the weekend, my brother and i fenegled a way to store the printer, modem, router, and massive amounts of cords in the closet. we made a few holes and voila! power to the closet! it's so nice to not have the really insane nest of wires out in plain view.

i'm also going to buy that cool belkin hideyhole surge protector, however my new DELL XPS powerbrick is just that: a frickin' BRICK. it's so big it might not fit inside that belkin thing.

the new XPS has VISTA and i was so horrified at most of the changes Microsoft did. why do they always fix what's NOT broke, and always break what they won't FIX? um, huh? you get my drift, right? ;)

this new laptop is insane - like a UFO with such huge blinking lights, i had to cover it with a towel while we were watching a movie, it was SO BRIGHT (no wonder the powerbrick is so huge?)

for the people asking about getting rid of vista and putting xp in. i recommend doing it. i've read a few articles on how bad vista is and that microsoft needs to scrap it. These were articles in pc focused magazines.....

If you don't know much about computers you pretty much should not switch back to XP on your own. So that ads in the cost of having someone do it, plus the fact that to buy XP it'll run around $100. So if the cost of hating vista is that high, i'd say go for it. the reason you shouldn't do it yourself is because the entire operating system will have to be removed and the new one put in. plus the fact that you don't want to lose everything you have on your computer.

I've never done the switch myself since i use a mac (yeah i know, haters start hating) but i love OSX. and if i need XP for ay reason, and i do need it sometimes, i have it running inside my mac, so BAM. My mom would like to switch hers though. the person above was right, it seems like they switched things just to do it, without logical reason. when i was trying to remove a program and her computer it took me forever since they got rid of add/delete programs, and called it some new asinine thing.

elizabeth, good to hear from you again. have you got the car stereo installed yet?

to the guy with the dell, have you possibly bogged it up with spyware and all that kind of stuff. try some "spybot search and destroy" on it. i could be paranoid thinking this but sometimes i thin it comes from your internet provider. at home i don't get any problems, i go to my parents house and my computer gets bogged up fast (on my old pc laptop, once again the mac doesn't get that stuff)

also have you filled the hard drive up a lot, storing movies on it or anything. a sad thing about computers is they run faster when hardly any of the space is used, but that defeats the point....

i have not gotten it installed yet - tomorrow!!! (had to wait till pay day)

where do you get old xp? i have misplaced my disk when i installed it on my laptop.

you should be able to order XP online or you should be able to still buy it in a store. Microsoft has not stopped production on it yet, so it should be available. Which if you think about it kind of says something about vista that microsoft isn't even stopping production on their old OS. seems like when you make something new you stop making the old, unless you think the new one is bad too...

if you misplaced your disk you might be able to call them and get a replacement, since what you're really paying for is a serial number, and that is in your computer somewhere, they could help you find it.

Thanks, Frank, for the recommendation. Seems comprehensive and at a very reasonable price point.

Thank you Kate.

X10 technology has been around since the mid 1970's. It makes use of wired or plug-in modules that are "addressable" via your power lines. The link I provided shows one set, but you can order different components and turn on and off coffee pots, the TV or radio, and of course lights. The system I use at home is controlled by a unit that I program from my computer, but other controllers are simple timers that even allow you to make your home look "lived-in" while you are away.

eBay is also a source for modules.

Frank