Hail forumers.

So we all have something in common; computers. Heck, some of us may prefer console gaming, but at the end of the day, you're most likely reading this from your computer (laptop, desktop, and yes, even tablet!).

Some of us love discussing computers, and anything related to that topic. Specs, software, programming, technology, etc.

So I am starting a new thread, that will hopefully have some active discussions for a bit.

Topics can include anything computer related; specs, software, programming, technology, hardware, ASSISTANCE/HELP with any related topics, etc.

And by computer, that refers to laptops, desktops, tablets, and yes, even (smart) phones.

So I'll go ahead and start with something I am interested in!

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I was browsing the book store today when I came upon a book on software and wireless exploitation, low-level © programming, assembly, and a few other neat topics.

The book specifically is Hacking: The Art of Exploitation, 2nd Ed. by Jon Erickson.

I saw it for the first time months ago, and I saw it again today, and upon revisiting reviews, it's more or less overwhelmingly well received.

I'm not interested in the book so much as to wireless exploitation, as much as I am interested in software reverse engineering, learning C as a method to communicate with the computer in the specified reasons, learning Intel assembly, and programming shell scripts.

The book is highly praised even in the non-hacker IT circles as teaching fundamental topics to understanding how a computer essentially works (at its core), and it's said to further develop one's IT competency.

I'm super excited to learn about how computers work, and how to work with computers in this, more machine-oriented, arena, about the fundamental knowledge, learning some C, and software reverse engineering/writing better code.

Anyone have anything to add about computers in this environment?

All topics are welcomed, at any time!

Oh, I also have another topic to add.

Adding Ubuntu to my repertoire.

So I've been reading a lot about Ubuntu, and it's well-received voice amongst programmers/coders as it's very coding friendly, especially with it's Software Center.

I'm mainly wanting to use Ubuntu due to its more secure environment (as opposed to Windows 8.1) and to be more friendly when working with programming (Ruby, Python, Rails, JS, some HTML/CSS, MySQL).

However, I am having some issues installing it. I formatted a USB to act as a live environment, was able to boot off of the USB, test drive it, and decided I'd love to give it a full go. However, when it comes to installing it, as it is supposed to recognize any other OS at the partitioning phase of installation, it doesn't recognize Windows, and wants me to repartition harddrive space from already partitioned space. Which is fine, if I knew what I was doing.

I don't feel comfortable, or knowledgeable enough at this point, to install Ubuntu, and correctly.

Anyone who can offer some helping hand in this matter?

Well, you should be able to simply select the drive that you want to partition from and set a partition size, but it's been years since I've run Linux as a partition, so I'll defer to someone else on that regard. Iirc, during the install process it should ask you if you want to install to a drive and reformat or create a partition. Don't quote me on that, though. If it doesn't recognize Windows... check to make sure you downloaded the 64-bit installer, as well. That might be a problem. Lastly, make sure you're trying to install 14.04 Trusty Tahr. That's the most recent and earlier versions might have a problem detecting Windows. Best thing to do would be to head over to the Ubuntu forums. Those guys know their OS and have gotten me out of a ton of binds.

One thing to keep in mind before I say this next part, because the thing with the Linux community is that we all have our favorite distros, but you might want to check out Mint. It's a lot like Ubuntu, but I find the interface cleaner, and it's more user-friendly in a roundabout way. It's got everything that Ubuntu has, and does away with a lot of the problems. All I know is that I've used both of them recently, and I found Mint to be much freer and simpler. Mint 17 came out pretty recently.

You need a subscription to 2600 Magazine

http://www.2600.com/

The reason that is happening is because firstly Linux does not have native support NTFS to fully modify and create new files and directories. As such it needs create/reformat a partition. If you had created a blank partition, you could install to that, otherwise you'll need to first shrink Windows' partition, create a new partition, and then format it in a Linux-friendly filesystem and install to there.

Hmm. That makes some sense. I'll head over to the Ubuntu forums then to inquire more about creating a new partition.

As for Mint. I've heard of it. I haven't really looked into it. Like I mentioned before, I am looking for a more secure OS with which I find both pleasing to surf the internet on/other casual PC tasks, and to program on.

I'll have to check out Mint then.

I guess a new (at least, to me) frontier for information.

Don't we already have a thread about computers?

I searched, and didn't find one.

Excuse me if there is one, yet in the depths of the forum history.

If so, I'll just see if I can reliven it up.

There's one for tech issues, as far as I know, but I think that's "I has problem, plz to halp" whereas this is meant to be a higher level discussion of computers as a whole.

I am currently planning out my next pc build. It will have a tiny dollhouse style living room in it

It's also for general discussion as well.

http://www.gamesas.com/topic/1503793-the-community-tech-thread-no-141/page-4?hl=%2Bcommunity+%2Btech+%2Bthread#entry23711727

Can anyone recommend me a good gaming laptop? I require at least a 16.5 inch screen.

Good gpu, at least an i5, and 6+ gigs ram.