www.ply.me.uk My computers

My computers and other hardware

Desktop machine

Asus M2N motherboard, AMD Athlon 64 X2 dual core 5600+ 2.8GHz CPU, 4096Mb DDR2 RAM, NV44 graphics card, 200GB IDE HD all in an Antec P180 case running Debian Wheezy linux

Backup machine

Asus M2V motherboard, AMD Athlon 64 X2 dual core 3600+ 2.0GHz CPU, 2048Mb RAM, 160GB HD running Microsoft Windows XP Professional and Debian Wheezy linux

Laptop

Acer Travelmate 4400, AMD Turion T 64 Mobile 1.6GHz CPU, 1536Mb RAM, 80GB HD with Microsoft Windows XP Professional and kubuntu linux

Firewall

PCEngines Alix 2D3 running embedded Monowall IPv6 capable software.

TV & media - no longer used as I find so little worth watching.

MSI Hetis 865GV Giga micro-ATX barebone case and motherboard, Intel Celeron CPU 2.00GHz CPU, 1024Mb RAM, 160GB HD and Hauppauge Nova T-500 (twin tuner) and DVB-s cards running Debian linux with VDR

Router

Zyxel P660R-D1 connected to 7Mb/s ADSL from Andrews and Arnold

RiscPC

StrongARM CPU at 203 MHz, sadly not used much these days but was a great workhorse for nearly 10 years. RISC OS 4

Handheld

Ipaq 2210, 400 MHz Intel XScale PXA250 CPU, Microsoft Pocket PC 2003

Other hardware

Laser distance meter

Leica Disto Plus

Total station

Leica Builder RM200

Laser printer

Samsung ML1610 - works well under linux but graphics are rather poor.

Inkjet printers

Epson Stylus Photo 890 - an excellent printer, works well under linux but ink cost is high.

Epson Stylus Color 3000 - a rather old large format printer that will print up to A2 size.

Cameras

I have owned a number of digital cameras. All have lasted well, especially considering they have been used extensively for photographing architectural, structural and other elements of construction sites and projects.

My first was an Olympus C-900 zoom 1.3Mpixel, bought new, shortly after its release and very expensive. However it lasted me well and for many years until the plastic front slide broke.

Pros: Standard batteries. Excellent focusing in low light.
Cons: Allows only small size memory card.

Konica Minolta Dimage 7i which is a rather bulky 5Mpixel camera but very versatile and produces excellent images. I also have a Konica Minolta Program / Maxxum Flash 5600HS(D) for use with this camera. It has had a hard life but not suffered too badly. The body is alloy, but the mode dial release button on mine has split in two and the rubber eyepiece hood has also suffered. I guess I'll have to look at replacement sometime, but Konica Minolta have ceased producing cameras, perhaps I should look at the Sony α series compatible with the flash.

Pros: Standard batteries and CF memory card.
Cons: Poor focusing in low light. Requires high power batteries for useful sessions.

Konica Minolta Dimage X31 a very small and compact 3.2Mpixel camera which fits easily into the smallest pocket.

Pros: Standard batteries and SD memory card.
Cons: Poor focusing in low light.

Olympus mju 400 similar in style to the C-900 Zoom above but much smaller physical size and 4Mpixel.

Pros: Excellent focusing in low light.
Cons: Proprietary battery pack. xD memory card.

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Software I have found useful

Bricscad

A very capable and reasonably priced CAD package. 3D work is almost intuitive although I have never worked with anything acad-like before. This is now the program I'm using for all my CAD work and now I can use the Bricscad version that runs natively under linux.

Bricscad Architecturals

Architecturals is a 3D modeler for DWG that offers real connectivity between all the elements. When you move a floor or a complex roof, all connected walls modify themselves, or if you move a wall, windows and doors move along. Microsoft Windows.

Sketchup

A very useful application ideal for the conceptual stages of design, it is powerful yet easy-to-learn 3D software at very good price. Microsoft Windows.

Copilot Live

Satellite navigation software for PC and Ipaq which is usually on when I'm in the car and has saved me much time and many wasted miles travelling to various sites. Microsoft Windows and PocketPC.

gramps

gramps is a Free Software Project for genealogy, offering a professional genealogy program. It is a community project, created, developed and governed by genealogists. linux, though also possible to run on Microsoft Windows.

nvu and kompozer

A complete Web Authoring System for Linux desktop users as well as Microsoft Windows and Macintosh users. Nvu (which stands for "new view") makes managing a web site a snap. Now anyone can create web pages and manage a website with no technical expertise or knowledge of HTML. kompozer is a bug-fix and updated version of nvu which has now ceased development. Microsoft Windows and linux.

planner

Planner is the GNOME project management tool. linux, though also possible to run on Microsoft Windows..

IPCop

IPCop Linux is a complete linux distribution whose sole purpose is to protect the networks it is installed on, linux.

At the time of writing, the developers appear to have very little interest in supporting IPv6. As my home network and internet connection is IPv6 I am now running Monowall.

SMEserver

SME Server integrates easily with Microsoft Windows, Macintosh, and Unix/Linux clients, and within a Windows network environment. It's as simple to use as a server appliance, but unlike a 'sealed-box' appliance the entire system is modular and extensible, so it can be tailored to the needs of individual businesses. linux.

OvationPro

An excellent and very versatile desktop publishing application. Risc OS and Microsoft Windows.

Accountz

Business and home accounting software. linux, Microsoft Windows and MacOS. I use the business version as well as the older personal version for accounting and to keep track of expenditure and bank accounts.

Support is good, but sadly the forums can be overrun with spam posts overnight and at weekends.

Monowall

m0n0wall is a complete, embedded firewall software package that, when used together with an embedded PC, provides all the important features of commercial firewall boxes (including ease of use) at a fraction of the price (free software).