This quarter of school has presented me with several team-based projects to complete. Most notably, there are a series of projects in XML and a complete Java-based networked game. The first, obvious, challenge was how to manage file control during development that was cheap (aka, free) and easy for everyone to get set-up, but could also be used for various projects.

I decided that the obvious solution was Subversion (SVN) which is a free, open-source, version control system. Thus far, it has answered the call. Beyond just the benefits of having a version control system, it is one that is well-supported with various UI-based tools and good help documents on the Internet.

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I recently had the opportunity to purchase an eVGA GTX 260 for $209.99 after MIR and instant rebates. I decided to jump on this, as it was from Newegg and also had free shipping with a promo code. A good deal I couldn’t pass up! I received the card a few days later, but had been snuffed out of using it right away because I was in the midst of a RAM RMA. Once I got my ram back, it was locked and loaded, and ready to rock.

Summing up this card is simple, in one phrase: solid as hell.

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If you happen to be a major company that produces a popular development framework, operating system, or even just a popular application, your product is likely a bigger business than what you see on your quarterly statements. In the computer world, where everything complicated is voodoo to those without the knowledge and those with the knowledge are constantly craving a new edge, all manner of books, tapes, videos, and other instructional sets are all the rage.

Whether it’s the latest release of .NET, a new version of Ubuntu, or a new version of Adobe Photoshop fresh off the press, the information industry is gigantic and there are people making easy money simply by knowing how to use your products.

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Item of the Week is a little late this week, my apologies. This week we will look at the Dell Vostro 1400 laptop that I have been using for about a year or so now. Sure, not the newest laptop, but its a business class laptop that finds a home with me, a personal user, and fits exactly what I was looking for.

The Vostro is a sturdy, mid-range laptop that boasts key performance features where other laptops fall short. Though the 1400 no longer exists with Dell, it is a statement as to the power of the Vostro line and shows how strong a laptop can be and how it can fit the niche of computer power where other laptops simply can’t keep up.

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EA says that 99.8% of gamers don’t care about DRM. The only people I know that don’t care about DRM (be it on games, music, etc.) are the people that don’t know what DRM is. In any case, here’s to two more copies of Spore that will never be purchased.

For our first installment of “Item of the Week” we have a PC Power & Cooling (henceforth, PCPC) Silencer 750 watt power supply. I bought this sucker to replace my Silverstone Zues, mainly because I wanted to have a single-rail system with enough power to drive single-GPU rigs for some time coming.

The PCPC Silencer fit the bill and for a mere $91 (after MIR and promo code) at Newegg, who could beat the deal?

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