Done completely (I hope)

[altivo]

The replacement disk drives I ordered Friday arrived this afternoon and I had just enough time to install them in the two deficient machines (thanks, Dell, for cases designed for fast maintenance) and slap the new software on. So all sixteen projected seats are now converted and running. No major user complaints yet either. Mostly it looks the same to them and just works.

Those Dell cases are a wonder. The first time I had to open one (without an owner's manual handy) I cursed and swore at them for reinventing the Chinese puzzle box. But after looking it up on their web site I realized how clever they really are. The "press here while pulling there" approach makes them resistant to children and idle vandals (and they can be locked with a lock if you insist) and you can change out any interchangeable part with just a pocket screwdriver. Often you don't even need that. You can swap floppy drives or CD/DVD drives with no tools at all. The HD or a PCI card does take a screwdriver.

By contrast, my old Compaq requires the removal of probably 20 screws, some of which are Torx or other odd types, in order to swap a drive. We won't even think about the Amiga 2000, which is so hard to take apart and reassemble that mine lived in a perpetual state of partial undress. ;P

In a sense, it's a return to the old S-100 bus machines, which required so much fiddling that they were made for easy access. I rather enjoyed that, though I don't miss the roaring of the ventilator fans.

I nabbed Diana Wynne Jones' Howl's Moving Castle at the library today so I can see just how well the book relates to the film. I'm guessing no more than half will match. Having read other works by the same author, I expect a coherent plot and character development in the book.

Off now to get some spinning or knitting done before bed, hopefully...

[Edit] Lest I forget, if you like comic style artwork or are interested in gaming commentary that is literate and far-reaching, you should check out miktar's newly reorganized web site. I'm no gamer, as most of you know, but I really enjoy his art.

Comments

[niko-winterset.livejournal.com]

The few times I have had to open up one of our Dells I have been pleased at how easy they made them to work on. You really can do a great deal with minimal effort and tools.

[hrrunka]

"I expect a coherent plot and character development in the book."

Let us know what you think. She usually writes a good story.