So a funny thing happened on my way to Hi-HO....

31 August 2007, 07:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by KFC[iDub]

I'm trying to revive my brothers old P1 166MHz, ftl! Windows Millenium boot disk that comes with no format.exe, wtf!

Cuz its FORMAT.COM, silly

31 August 2007, 17:19

After having 2 maxtor HDs fail on the same day on my build machines at work I really wish I hadn't bought a maxtor as my 500gb external drive. Too bad I couldn't get the pricematch on the WD drive I really wanted at the time.

KY, you still replacing a lot of IBM 40GB DeathStars these days? Based on what I've seen it's Maxtors that litterally cook themselves to death. I stressed one in a PC I was loaned while my build machine was being rebuilt and I got the drive temp up to 70+C (max operating temp is supposed to be 55C) before I decided I'd better not kill another drive so soon. I have a feeling the case design on the dell Optiplex systems sucks including the fact that they have plastic mounting rails which means the heat has no-where to go.

31 August 2007, 17:49

So what's the best brand these days? I have a quantum fireball still ticking.

31 August 2007, 17:54

WD or Seagate, depends on speed or warranty

First time on the bike last night and I can tell I suck arse on balancing at slow speed - slalom with one hand proves to be not doable, let alone holding a cone and swing the arms in a circle when doing the slalom. I think I can handle the bike at 20Kmh but nobody drives at that speed once they get their license. We will see about tonight on the clutch control and maybe I will see some shifting. Dehydration was probably kicking in and it definitely did for my sister

31 August 2007, 18:37

Seagate FTW. My 4-year old Samsung is doing pretty good in my enclosure running 24-7 for the past year or so.

LaterZ!
Darren!!

31 August 2007, 20:19

Joe, yeah, I've had several rides on the HSR. I like it. In fact, I love it. It seems like the only reasonable way for me to travel at a decent speed without feeling like I'm trapped in a buring postbox filled with crying babies, SARS carrying old folks who refuses to cover their mouths when coughing, stinky students and c-lais with a bunch of veggies. I just wish the other half of Taiwan would stop bitching about it and instead bitch about real crap like Taiwan Rail, the highway coach buses, or the Taipei Metro (which recently built a gondola that IMO serves as a solution to a non-existent problem in addition to being down on average like once a day). I'm planning my next trip out in Oct. Where are you again? It's either HK or Japan for me, but HK tickets tends to be cheaper.

Darren, the stupid shippers finally started e-mailing me this week. I'll let you know once things start shaping up.

31 August 2007, 21:51

Looks like official details on the next A4 are coming out.
The bad:
No DSG.

2.0T is being replaced by a 1.8T.

The Good:
60/40 torque split for quattro

3.0TDI is faster in 0-100km/h than the 3.2FSI. (But I bet we won't get it here.)

01 September 2007, 01:03

Even though the 3 series diesel is rumoured to be out in North America?

01 September 2007, 01:14

Well, I just read too that people are predicting the 335d will make it to Canada, but that seemed to be speculation based on the fact that BMW said they will bring a diesel and the 3 series accounts for 62% of BMW's sales. I think it's more likely to show up in an X-series.

I suppose if it is the 335d Audi may bring the A4 3.0TDI to compete. Performance numbers look very close, at least in terms of 0-100km/h being a hair over 6 seconds. The BMW has around 40 ponies more though.

01 September 2007, 23:35

Man, I just missed out on a $50 roof rack rails for Subarus. Someone on Craigslist was selling his old one, but we couldn't find a mutual time to meet this week. C'est la vie.

LaterZ!
Darren!!

02 September 2007, 02:04

Just finished my first road ride today, and man was it a work out - went out to North Van, Burnaby, Port Moody, touching New West. Was on a 500cc at the end there and it was fun - I'm pretty sure at this point I won't go too fast as the wind can make shoulder checks difficult, but the slow stuff still needs to be worked on

02 September 2007, 02:40

So I went to Nara Subaru yesterday...

Why is it that Subaru dealers always seem to be combined with Volvo dealers? Is this some kind of unholy alliance?

The pit guys all have rally blue Subaru jumpsuits, of course.

Service entrance. Yes that's an STi forester.

Parts pickup counter.

Some kind of hatchbacky thing...

New multilink rear. Looks pretty wimpy to me.

Weird "ECO" button in centre console for increased fuel economy. In Japan there's a perception that Subarus are gas guzzlers so I guess this is some kind of attempt to deal with that.

My ride in front of the Subaru car wash. Note ghetto ass DIY mylar window shade, back and side.

Score! Lanyard for KGB, check.
Strap for Penphoe, on order.
Roof rack for Ashton, on order pending stock check.
(purchased at a different time, a little somethin somethin for KY and Bruceybruce)
Hey you guys, let me know what you want from Japan!!
* TRICKY
* KFC
* BOOOONoe
* PETTER

Bonus, this is my 300-meter ish walk from my parking space to the apartment. The rice is almost ready.

And here we go, as I was approaching this thing in Osaka from the front I thought I was finally looking at a 22b ... what a disappointment, oh well.

22b's are still on the used car market for around $30K in what seems to be pretty darn good condition. In 5 years they will be registerable in Canada. Interested, anyone??? Hehehe

02 September 2007, 06:53

WOW! That's one mean looking beatle!

LaterZ!
Darren!!

02 September 2007, 19:31

Whoot! Nothing for me Joe

'Tis all good!

02 September 2007, 22:12

Speaking of nothing, you get those brakes done yet Petter? Sorry I couldn't come by on Friday.

LaterZ!
Darren!!

04 September 2007, 04:01

Hi HO! Tricky sighting going up Royal Oak hill tonite around 5:40ish. Nice trailer!

LaterZ!
Darren!!

04 September 2007, 14:59

Hey guys are you free on the evening of [EDIT - see below]? Or is Saturday better? Maybe we can have a lil get together at my place? Or karting? Or ... LASER TAG???

04 September 2007, 15:36

Ha, speaking of karting...

A couple of co-workers (fellow editors and our photographer) drove a couple of hours to go karting last Friday. The course was one of the closest to Taipei even though it's probably farther than Mission in Vancouver scales. Anyways, let's just say that in the mean time there's no doubts about my speed around the office. Now the challenge is out for the end of the month, and hopefully another editor can join us (he's got a FIA rally license or something like that).

I still doubt that he can beat me karting though. I'm like karting extrodinaire now. I'll grab the pics from my work laptop tomorrow and upload some of it. It's so nice to be able to take different lines and go 3-wide into a turn...

Oh, and I forgot to say... I get to lay my hands on a XKR/911 tomorrow. Yeeeehaw!