[soulfly22583]

Well I was looking around and saw IC Mag had no Computer section so I spoke with Skip and he was gracious enough to grant us a sub-forum for just this topic.

I have been into tech and computers since I was a kid. I have a bachelors degree in Information Systems and am working toward a second bachelors in Information Technology.

Anyone else out there a major tech nerd? Or work in the industry?

[El Toker]

I've been working in IT for the last twelve years, although I've been a geek all my life. I was an IT Manager for a couple of large businesses, but now I'm and independant contractor and work a lot from home.

Oh and I'm and Micrsoft Fanbois, I think we need a microsoft vs Linux vs Apple thread.

[soulfly22583]

haha, im sure an apple vs. linux vs. windows thread will start soon enough =)

Glad to see another tech head here

[kp^]

Woa coool!! THanks skip!

Self taught IT guy here...

Been in the industry for about 15years now... All hands on experience, no certs, some school, but was a waste of time and money...

Windows/Linux/Virtual worlds etc.. I do software and hardware.. Everything from websites to full server rack configurations.... I have 2 42u racks in my garage for all my sheeeet!

Currently unemployed tho.... :(

If you're a true Geek, you would goto Defcon... Biggest underground hacking convention in the world @ Vegas every year.. My roomie has gone for the past 10yrs, I've been going for the past 5yrs... Yall should check it out!!

Take it easy!!!!

[fred b]

good call there!

i've been a geek all my life kinda, theres even photos of me when I was 2 years infront of one of my dads computer. I guess it's in my genes

I even control and monitor my growroom using a laptop

i also work in the IT industry, but I don't want to go into detail on that.

[kp^]

Originally Posted by fred b

good call there!

i've been a geek all my life kinda, theres even photos of me when I was 2 years infront of one of my dads computer. I guess it's in my genes

I even control and monitor my growroom using a laptop

i also work in the IT industry, but I don't want to go into detail on that.

Control? What are you using or is it custom? My buddy and I were pondering ways to control and monitor. Buying something is just way to much, would have to customize a solution..... any help/suggestions?

[fred b]

hi kp,

i use a old laptop with a stripped down windows xp as host.
for controlling I use two gembird SIS-PM USB Powersockets. its a 6 connection plug board, of which 4 are controllable via USB. actually it would also be able to program timers right into the plug board but to be honest i wouldn't recommend gembird. they're products are miserable and their forum is full of support requests and annoyed customers. the only way getting it work the way I want, was coding a custom USB driver for the thing that allows virtual unplugging of the device. unfortunately that also made the shortest ON/OFF intervall 3 seconds. secondly, I am more a programmer than a hardware guy so I wanted to code the controlling app etc myself and not rely on some crappy gembird software so i would recommend getting some better USB controlable powerplug. theres really good one from anel elektronik USB-PwrCtrl but they're abit pricey and it's a german store.

for monitoring/controlling I am using a USB connector + sensors from pcmeasure.com

the apps are all selfcoded in csharp and are pretty customed to my setup

i am missing a ph sensor that can be used via USB, but that's not really necessary for me at the moment.

hope i could help you abit,

feel free to pose any questions

greets
fred b.

[kp^]

Hey Fred, Thanks for helping with the details. I will show this post to my buddy, and see what we can come up with... Prolly not for a little while untill we start, need 1-2 more grows out the door before we can afford.

Thanks again, and K+

[tequila_sunrise]

Hey all IT Geek here sharing the love

No degrees but who needs one anyways

[soulfly22583]

Nice to see you around these parts tequila!