” ” Placing search phrases in quotes searches for that exact phrase.

OR Placing OR in a phrase searches for either term. (must be capitalized)

… Placing … between numbers searches for numbers in that range.

site: Search within a specific web domain. For example: site:garrettkelley.com

link: Search for sites that link to another site.

related: Search for results that are related to that site.

~ Placing ~ in front of a word searches for that word and all of its synonyms.

- Placing a – in front of a word excludes that word.

define: Get word definitions from several sources.

time: Get the current time for any location.

info: Get information about a website.

convert Google can convert different units for you. Example: convert 10 miles to kilometers

If you would like more tips and tricks for using Google, check out GoogleGuide.com.

Last Friday the renovation work on my Mom’s kitchen began. Which means I have been assisting with that project. I went shopping with Mom on Saturday for a new over the range microwave and dishwasher. Several hours and 4 stores later we settled on a Kenmore dishwasher and GE microwave from Sears. Overall, it is a pretty large project. The kitchen is being gutted with the wall between the kitchen and dining room being removed. The sink and dishwasher will now be in an island. New cabinets along with a pantry and broom closet will be installed. The carpet in the dining room is going and the hardwood floor beneath will be resurfaced. All in all it should be an excellent change for her.

My latest project has been the configuration of an AsteriskNOW server. I’m hosting the Asterisk server inside a VMware Server virtual machine. The server is configured to use SIP and I currently have 5 extensions configured for myself and a few friends. I’m using a Cisco 7970, my roommate a Cisco 7960, and another friend is using the X-Lite soft phone. The project has presented a couple of challenges. One is configuring phones outside of my local network to work properly with NAT. Secondly, the configuration for a 7970 is different than that of a 7960. The 7970s now use XML files for all of its configuration. Nonetheless the 5 extensions work and can call each other. The next phase of this project is to integrate the Asterisk box with my VoicePulse account. This will allow us to make calls on the PSTN and also receive calls from the PSTN. I’ll provide another update as to how that goes.

Sorry for the long post, I needed to bring you all up to speed on what I’ve been up to.

I certainly feel better knowing that my computer is way ahead of the curve in regards to the hardware stats!
Link: Steam hardware survey

This is a WHQL-certified driver for GeForce 200-series, 9-series, and 8800-series desktop GPUs.

Exciting New Features:

• Enables NVIDIA SLI technology on SLI-certified Intel X58-based motherboards with the following GPUs: GeForce GTX 280, GeForce GTX 260, GeForce 9800 GX2, GeForce 9800 GTX+, and GeForce 9800 GTX. Learn more here.
• Enables NVIDIA SLI Multi-monitor support, giving you the ability to use two monitors with your GeForce graphics cards in SLI mode. Now you can easily switch between multi-monitor desktop mode and full screen 3D gaming mode. Learn more here.
• Enables NVIDIA PhysX acceleration on a dedicated GeForce graphics card. Use one card for graphics and dedicate a different card for PhysX processing for game-changing physical effects. Learn more here. (Note: GPU PhysX is supported on all GeForce 8-series, 9-series and 200-series GPUs with a minimum of 256MB dedicated graphics memory. This driver package automatically installs PhysX System Software version 8.10.13).

Blazing Fast Performance:

• Boosts performance in numerous 3D applications. The following are some examples of improvements measured with Release 180 WHQL drivers vs. Release 178 WHQL drivers (results will vary depending on your GPU, system configuration, and game settings):
  • Up to 10% performance increase in 3DMark Vantage (performance preset)
  • Up to 13% performance increase in Assassin’s Creed
  • Up to 13% performance increase in BioShock
  • Up to 15% performance increase in Company of Heroes: Opposing Fronts
  • Up to 10% performance increase in Crysis Warhead
  • Up to 25% performance increase in Devil May Cry 4
  • Up to 38% performance increase in Far Cry 2
  • Up to 18% performance increase in Race Driver: GRID
  • Up to 80% performance increase in Lost Planet: Colonies
  • Up to 18% performance increase in World of Conflict

And More:

• Supports single GPU and NVIDIA SLI technology on DirectX 9, DirectX 10, and OpenGL, including 3-way and Quad SLI technology.
• Supports CUDA.
• Supports Folding@home distributing computing application. Download the high performance client for NVIDIA GPUs here and join the NVIDIA team: #131015.
• Supports GPU overclocking and temperature monitoring by installing NVIDIA System Tools software.
• Includes numerous 3D application compatibility fixes. Please read the release notes for more information on product support, features, driver fixes and known compatibility issues.

I decided to perform some further investigating. What I found: NVIDIA currently has drivers in beta that support multiple displays when is SLI is enabled. Hurray! I now have a dual display configuration once again. I can live with 2 displays, but 3 displays are REALLY nice. The second display gives me a place to throw things which I like to keep an eye on. Applications such as the Trillian Astra chat client, the Windows Vista sidebar, and twhirl all find a home on the second display.

Edit: Here is a great article regarding the new 180.xx beta drivers from NVIDIA over at PC Perspective.

Don’t believe me? Check out ExtremeTech’s in-depth review!