Thursday, December 17, 2009

Introducing: Hostetler Master Control

Let's take a tour around our newly upgraded workspace, shall we?



1. We got a new computer. Curt would tell you all of the specs, but I'll just tell you that it kicks butt. I *love* it. The computer we replaced was over 7 years old, ancient in computer years. This new computer is so speedy gonzales in comparison.

2. Dual Monitors. My favorite thing about this new computer (besides the fastness). Our old (singular) screen was 15 inches. Each new screen is 21.5 inches. My budget spreadsheet now has so much space to spread out that I can see over a whole year all at once. Sweetness.

3. We were able to get Adobe Creative Suite 4. It rocks.
Adobe InDesign CS4
Adobe Photoshop CS4 Extended
Adobe Illustrator CS4
Adobe Flash CS4 Professional
Adobe Dreamweaver CS4
Adobe Fireworks CS4
Adobe Acrobat 9 Pro
with Adobe Bridge CS4, Adobe Version Cue CS4, and Adobe Device Central CS4.

Do I know how to use all of these programs? Absolutely not.
But I am sure having a blast learning. So many capabilities!

4. The computer has a TV tuner. So I suppose we now technically have a TV. We still only watch Survivor. But hey, now we have options, even if we don't exercise them.

5. Negative Scanner. I love love love pictures. The idea of old pictures/negatives out there degrading pains me. So when my dad approached me to digitize some old stuff I jumped at the chance. I mean, just look at this! Aunt Marsha and Uncle Vance when they were younger than I am now (I think, circa 1983 anyways). Aren't they cute? This is from a negative about the size of my fingernail. Pretty good.




6. Curt introduced our networked storage device here. My version of why it's cool? All of those pictures I love so much take up a lot of space. This enables my obsession. The best part is that we have a terabyte of storage right now and we only have one out of two hard drive spots filled, so for $80 we can add another terabyte, or however much is economically feasible at the time (which may be way more space seeing as how space just keeps getting better and cheaper).

7. Messy Cords. One of the drawbacks to having so much electronic equipment is the fact that you have to plug all this stuff in. I plan on getting this thingie from IKEA that mounts to the underside of the desktop to organize/hide the rat's nest.
Well, that concludes the tour today.

Electronics that possibly make the "to buy in 2010" list:
1. New mini laptop for Curt. The one he's limping along with cannot for any reason be unplugged for a milisecond or it dies.
2. A laser printer. I highly dislike ink jet and ours currently is disagreeable when asked to work. When asked to do anything looking vaguely professional it flatly refuses.
3. Someday I would like a nice digital SLR camera, but there really is no need so I don't think this will happen.



2 comments:

Monica said...

Carmen do you know that ~j is my sister in law? I just saw your comment on her blog and had one of those 2 worlds colliding moments. There is always the chance that you found her through my blog, but either way I did find it to be amusing.

I love you, bytheway. I never comment because I always read your blog through reader. You have amazing skills. I wish I could do half the stuff you do around your house (especially since I just took dinner to our friends to repay him for fixing the plumbing in our kitchen).

So since I am actually at your site, I'll take the time to tell you how much I enjoy your blog.

Carmen said...

Monica!

Sorry for the ...way... delayed response. Thanks for all the nice things you have to say, seriously makes my day. Coincidentally, I wandered that day onto your sister-in-law's blog through CJane, but I had seen the link on your blog and your mother's. I didn't know what your connection was, so it's fun to have my curiosity sated.

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