Posts from — November 2008

So when we are asked to design an Xsan system for a client, we always include separate Xserve’s for the Metadata Controller and the Open Directory Controller.  In most cases, we even have a backup for each as well – that means 4 total Xserve’s. . . . Primary MDC, Backup MDC, Primary ODC, Backup ODC.  Some people are surprised at seeing so many Xserve’s on the quote and question whether they can afford to have all those servers.  The true question, however – and I know this sounds cliché but the True Question is: Can you afford NOT to?

If down time isn’t an issue then sure – the problem is that I have yet to meet a client that didn’t equate time with money.  If your Xserve fails and it is acting as Primary MDC and ODC and you have no backup then you’re in for a world of hurt.  We had just such an incident occur to one of our favorite clients.  Rather than repeat the entire tale here, I’ll send you over to Silverado’s main blog authored by it’s head, Torrey Loomis.  Torrey was the unfortunate soul who was called out to deal with the issue which quickly became a nightmare!  Bottom line . . . Find the budget for at least two Xserve’s!  Check out the horrible chain of events HERE.

TB

Prop’s to my cousin Steve for telling me to go check out Travis Rice’s new flick That’s It, That’s All.  I’m a huge fan of Mack Dawg Productions and thought that anything else was pretty much 2nd best but the guys at Brain Farm took things to a whole other level.  I’m not sure what they shot on but they gave it a very cinematic look that I love.  Hit the link above to check out the Trailer.  I downloaded it from iTunes for $7.99 but I have to get my hands on an HD version.  Seriously, go check it out!

TB

So some of you may have heard that Apple has released a new 24″ LED Display and it looks pretty cool to me.  Yes I know it has a glass display which will wreak havoc in natural light but still – seems like a pretty solid unit.  Earlier this week, Apple quietly discontinued their existing 23″ Cinema HD Display which means all of my orders with that model will be upgraded to the 24″ LED no questions asked.  Cool, right?  Well, it would be if the new displays were compatible with Mac Pro’s.  Yes, that is correct. . .   The new display that Apple released to REPLACE their existing display, the display that 90% of my clients buy with their MAC PRO based edit systems is not going to be compatible with their computers – from Apple, the same people that released the new display and. . . . Getting angry!

Now I have it on good authority that a fix is in the works for January but that doesn’t help me now with the orders I’ve placed that have a 23″ Display with a Mac Pro to be used together.  If I hadn’t jumped in, Apple would have upgraded the 23″ to the new 24″ and my clients would have received a Mac Pro with a worthless display.  The reason I posted this and titled it a mistake is not because I think buying the new display would be a mistake, it’s a solid display – the reason is because Apple doesn’t mention that it wont work with Mac Pro’s.  In their defense, they do say that it is only compatible with the MacBook, MacBook Air, and MacBook Pro systems with Mini DisplayPort.  But like me, I’m sure many people will think it too far fetched to not assume that it wont also work with their Mac Pro or Mac Mini.  Even my distributor tried to upgrade me to the new 24″ LED “for the same price” and had no clue it wouldn’t work with the Mac Pro’s.  Ok, enough venting for today.  Apple, if you’re listening, please find a solution for this so we can continue to keep our editors happy!

[Update 01/06/09] Macworld came and went without a new Mac Pro or Mini Display Port adapter for current Mac Pro’s . . .  Kong getting angry!!!!

TB

 As if RED ONE weren’t crazy enough, Jannard and crew decided to completely ignore what people thought was currently possible with todays technology and jump to what we imagined 2015 might look like.  Today they announced a completely new set of possibilities with Scarlet and Epic.  Needless to say, I wants one!  Check out the official announcement HERE.

TB

Since we plan on moving to a new location soon, we figured it would be a good time to start getting rid of some gear.  The less gear we have, the less gear we have to move up and down the stairs!  Check out some of the smoking deals on our website HERE.  They wont last long.

TB