Random Thoughts and Musings

Since I’m going to avoid what I’m really thinking about right now, I’ll talk about the minor frustration I’m having instead.

For a long time, I lost the specs to my laptop … I had them in an email, in an account that is no longer open, yadda yadda yadda. I didn’t realize that I had been smart enough to email them to my other three web-based accounts, and all I had to do was search for the right email!

Anyway. I haven’t been able to use the Webcam on my computer since I bought it, because no matter what program I tried using, it always said that no Webcam was found. I wasn’t really worried about it, even though I could clearly see a Webcam eye at the top of my screen. What the heck do I want to Web-chat face to face for? Although I like to get to know the people I’m chatting with, I could care less what they look like, for the most part. Once in a while, I get curious … and if they are camera whores, I LOVE seeing more and more pictures of them, because you can always get a feel for someone’s personality through the pictures they take and are willing to show off. Back to the point. When I looked up the computer I ordered, I saw that it came with a “built-in Webcam.” So, if it COMES with the Webcam, I paid for it dammit, and I want it to work.

So, since I was already writing in to ask for help on the REAL issue I have with my computer - it gets really hot and shuts down (more about that in a few) - I decided to ask them to check into the Webcam dealio too. So, I may eventually have a Webcam that the ‘tween can use to talk to daddy & aunts & uncles & grandparents. Now THAT would be cool. The ‘tween needs that extra little bit of interaction with them.

As for the real problem .. I dunno why, but my laptop gets really hot. For the last year, maybe a little longer, I have been using a Targus Notebook Chillhub to keep it cool (which, despite the price listed on this page, I only paid $10.99+$5/shipping for on WOOT!). This little guy has worked wonders - no more redness on the legs from having a too-hot laptop sitting on them for too long. The Chillhub works miracles, and keeps the bottom of my laptop nice and cool to the touch.

The fact that it is not working anymore, however, brings to question: Is my laptop’s inner fan working well enough? Should my laptop be getting this hot when I use it, even if I only use it for a couple of hours (which, admittedly, doesn’t happen often - I work the heck out of this baby, and it is well worth the bucu bucks I paid for it!)?? I don’t think that the heat this baby generates is normal. I don’t know, because I’m not a computer geek, and I don’t know enough about computers. BUT … I intend to find out. So I posted a question about it on the System76 support board.

BTW, if you’re considering buying a new machine with Linux installed, I do recommend System76. They pre-install the current Ubuntu package into each of their computers.

While their product specs have improved in the nearly two years since I purchased my computer, the prices seem to have gone down. Every time I have had a question, they answer it immediately. They’re a pleasant bunch, and committed to putting out a competitive product with open-source software. Which, by the way, you should totally be getting involved with. More and more large companies are getting involved in the open source movement and getting rid of Windows-based computers (and Macs).

YAY!!! Lo and behold, the damn Targus Notebook Chillhub just started working again, outta nowhere *L*. I love when THAT happens. It makes me happy when I can cross something even this minor off of my numerous lists.

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