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12.29.2014

My turn to got database corruption in Daz Studio

I made a huge mistake when installing tons of Daz Studio content: I left the Daz Studio application running.  I didn't know that this was the most common reason why Daz Studio database get corrupted, but now it's too late.

The result was that no matter what I researched in Daz Studio 4.6.x, I got no result regardless of whether I serached file or database within the Content Library.  Smart Content window also showed no result.  I tried Rebuild database, but it has no effect, as I continued to get empty content.

After almost 2 hours of frustration, I did the desperate move: I upgraded the software to 4.7, but explicitly set the content folder to "C:\Users\Public\Documents\My DAZ 3D Library".  That however, did NOT solve the database and search problem.  Eventually I had to install the new CMS system PostgreSQL CMS, And then after I started the application, file search in Content Library worked.  But Smart Content windows shows nothing.  I then went into "DB Maintenance", and then select Reimport Content, and bingo, the process slowly imported a lot of data, and now I am able to search using Smart Content.


12.27.2014

I already have the computer I want

I was shopping for a new laptop so that I don't have to carry my heavy office computer around, but I just found out that I probably already have the computer I want.

The reason of research was trying to find a reasonably priced computer to run Visual Studio 2013 in order to do work stuff.  I do have a work computer: Dell Dimension M6600.  It's extremely capable to do everything I throw at it, but it's just too heavy to carry it around.  So I was hoping to get a computer that is so lightweight that I can bring it everywhere I go.

So first I looked at Lenovo ThinkPad Yoga i7 at Microsoft Store.  I like almost everything of it, but the digitizer problem irritates me.  In fact, I once brought it, used it for a week, and ended up returning it.

Next is Lenovo Y50 4K.  I tried Lenovo Y50 and find it fast, yet having 2 serious problem: keyboard arrangement and worst of all, the lousy display.  Y50 4K at least solved the display problem.  But then I read a lot of review about the yellowish color inaccuracy problem.  Also, the price at Lenovo online store is slightly better, yet I hope that I can just buy it from local store.  Microsoft Store has it, but the price is a bit higher.

Dell XPS 11 seems like a cheap alternative.  But then the CPU was just too slow for my software development need.

Then I turned to Mac.  MacBook Air islight weight enough with super long battery life.  However in order to do my work, and support dual boot to Windows environment, I need at least 8Gb of memory and 256Gb of space, and also a 13 inch screen.  Once I added those, price jumped to $1299.  And then development takes more powerful CPU.  Adding i7 CPU pushes the price to $1449.  Too expansive for my taste.

MacMini is yet another option I looked at.  The lowest model has crappy CPU and only 4Gb of memory, so it's totally out.  $699 Mac Mini has 8Gb and 1Tb harddisk so it seems more reasonable.  However it's not expandable, and any option to improve the item, including adding better CPU, add more memory, instantly brings the device over $1000 mark.  Also, it does NOT have a security lock, and thus makes it not workplace friendly.

After all these researches, I suddenly realized that I had this Asus Eee Slate that has 35Gb harddisk space left, that I may be able to use it as a development laptop.  The problem though is that it doesn't have a big enough screen for my development purpose, and it didn't support DVI connection as it only had a mini HDMI port .... or was it?  I checked and found out that I had a DVI adapter for used with my older but now dead Mac Mini.  I wonder if it would work for my Eee Slate.  I tried ... and .. BINGO .. it WORKED.  So now am able to use it with my monitors at workplace, and thus allow me to use my monitors at workplace.  Nice, and will try set it up this coming Monday when I go to work.

Still, I found ThinkPad Yoga appealing to me as it's easy to upgrade harddisk.  However, memory is soldered on mother board.  So I will be stuck with 8Gb forever.  That makes me uncomfortable of getting it.

So at the end, I probably will not buy any new laptop,or maybe just get a $699 Mac Mini (no additional upgrade no nothing) if I have this super urge to try out Mac OSX application.





12.24.2014

Setting up Lenovo Y50 Ultimate edition

My friend asked me to set up a new Lenovo Y50 for her by wiping off Windows 8.1 and installing Windows 7 Ultimate edition on it.  I always don't understand all the hate toward Windows 8.1, but that's her choice and so I just honored it.

My first impression about the machine is that it's freaking fast.  It's as fast as my Dell Precision M6600, which has a Intel Core i7-2920XM CPU at 2.50Hz.  This Y50 has Intel Core i7-4700HQ CPU with 2.40Hz, and the performance is definitely solid.  However, I am pretty disappointed by the screen.  It looks dim, bad viewable angle compare with all my other laptops and tablets.  I would definitely choose Yoga Pro 2 or even ThinkPad Yoga if I were my friend.  But then, again, different people have different priority.

My another complain about this Y50 is the keyboard arrangement, particularly the direction keys.  They arrange the direction here in a way that it's so easy to accidentally hit on them.  Also, battery life also not good.  Fully charge only gives me less than 3 hours of battery.  Hope she doesn't find it irritating.

So I was trying to wipe the computer clean by booting a Windows 7 DVD disc, but was failed.  Eventually I found out that I need to go to the BIOS (pressing F12) and change the boot setting to Legacy instead of the default one.  I also turned off the secure bootup.  With that I was able to boot up my Windows 7 Ultimate disc and install Windows 7 on it.

Setting up hardware driver is yet another challenge.  The drivers that comes with the machine seems to be designed for Windows 8.  So I had to go to Lenovo web site to seek for explicit drivers for Windows 7.  Eventually I had all driver installed, and with that, my job is done.




12.22.2014

Google Cardboard: definitely a worthy experience

Let me start with conclusion: even though the DoDoCaseVR kit I brought has some serious flaw, I still have no regret getting it from Barnes and Nobles for US$22.  It's a fun experiment and it allows me to experience the future.

So the biggest problem of the DoDoCaseVR kit (1.2) was that capacity touch mechanism.  The paper plus wood stick plus magnetic plastic shit thing button mechanism was a pain to use.  The result was hit and miss, make the VR experience very frustrating because nothing guarantees that the press on the wood lever will cause a button press.  A lot of interactive VR app RELIES on that button tap as the main way to interact with the application.  However, I eventually fixed the problem in a very low tech way thanks to the low tech card board structure: I cut a hold at the bottom of the case, and with that I can use my finger to tap on the screen.  I also need to remove that wooden stick and the magnetic plastic sheet.  But now have a very reliable way to touch on the screen every single time.

VR apps are also ultra battery sucker.  So I won't run them while I am on the road.  But when I am at home, it's fun to mess with it.

I tried a few app, and so far very impressed by the app Chair in a Room and Vanguard VR.  Let me keep trying other apps.