The "Quick-Question" Thread- please see guidelines in 1st post

[Julio]

Commercial food service places should have them...Geanel is one of the companies I have used in the past. Prepare for it to be darn expensive tho.

Or you could look at something like this. http://www.walmart.com/ip/Hamilton-B...aster/14711468

[Sliver]

That Hamilton Beach one seems to be too light duty to mix ice cream, unfortunately (read the reviews). I'll check out Geanel. Thanks!

[Jacks]

Originally Posted by sa226

I'm looking to build a HTPC to add to my home network on a budget. I have everything mostly taken care of, except for allocating storage.

Basically I have just shy of 2TB of storage, which is plenty for me but it is in the form of random hard drives that come in all shapes and sizes:

128gb SSD
750gb 3.5"
500gb 3.5"
256gb 3.5"
320gb 2.5"
and I think a 40gb 2.5 inch kicking around somewhere

My main PC is already using the SSD for the OS.
My plan was to find a decent 60gb SSD for the HTPC OS, so that both systems OS's are running on SSD's and then compile the remaining HDD into the main storage for all of the media.

What I'm wondering is what is the best way to put these random sized HDD's to good use? They would probably be inefficient in RAID, I'm on a budget, so I don't really want to build a NAS. Could I throw them all into my main PC and run them in the network from there? Can you compile them all so that they appear as one partition?

Thanks

Haven't set up a RAID array in awhile but I'm pretty sure you can do that as JBOD (just a bunch of disks). It's not really a RAID array but it can be done with a RAID controller. All the drives would be combined into a big partition as far as the computer/network would see. The problem with this is that if one drive goes down you lose everything. The more drives you add the better the chance of having a failure, especially if they are a bunch of old used drives.

[AMG_G]

Originally Posted by Sliver

That Hamilton Beach one seems to be too light duty to mix ice cream, unfortunately (read the reviews). I'll check out Geanel. Thanks!

Check out Brown's Restaurant Supply next to Bookers Crab Shack.

[Sr. Mints]

In about six months, I'm going to become the coolest uncle ever, and I'm looking to set up some kind of way that would allow me to buy stocks/bonds/GICs/whatever for my soon-to-be niece or nephew for birthdays/Christmas, etc., that would allow me to do it without involving my brother or his wife every time I do a transaction.

Is this possible? Can anyone point me in the right direction?

[Wormius]

Originally Posted by Sr. Mints

In about six months, I'm going to become the coolest uncle ever, and I'm looking to set up some kind of way that would allow me to buy stocks/bonds/GICs/whatever for my soon-to-be niece or nephew for birthdays/Christmas, etc., that would allow me to do it without involving my brother or his wife every time I do a transaction.

Is this possible? Can anyone point me in the right direction?

Would setting it up in your own name until he is old enough not be an option? Or is it important that it be theirs from the start?

Your family could start an RESP for him, but if your intent isn't for school only, that might not work.

Maybe make him one of your beneficiaries or something? Sorry if that sounds morbid, but just another thought.

[ken0042]

Originally Posted by Sr. Mints

In about six months, I'm going to become the coolest uncle ever, and I'm looking to set up some kind of way that would allow me to buy stocks/bonds/GICs/whatever for my soon-to-be niece or nephew for birthdays/Christmas, etc., that would allow me to do it without involving my brother or his wife every time I do a transaction.

Is this possible? Can anyone point me in the right direction?

When I became a godfather for my one nephew- I bought him shares in Disney.
http://www.disneyshareholder.com/

I called them and they helped me through the setup. $250 gets you started; $15 of that goes into admin fees. 1 year later and my nephew's plan is now worth about $280. Only catch- they wouldn't take a cheque drawn on my us$ account. Needed a money order.

There is a plan where you are the adult on the plan, and it is in your newphew's name.

[TheGrimm]

Originally Posted by Jacks

Haven't set up a RAID array in awhile but I'm pretty sure you can do that as JBOD (just a bunch of disks). It's not really a RAID array but it can be done with a RAID controller. All the drives would be combined into a big partition as far as the computer/network would see. The problem with this is that if one drive goes down you lose everything. The more drives you add the better the chance of having a failure, especially if they are a bunch of old used drives.

Yea, JBOD is what you are looking at, and like Jacks said it's only as reliable as your worst drive. It will work fine but make sure you backup anything important onto disk. (Blu-ray burners are cheap these days)

Also, check out XBMC for your GUI, I use it at home and am pretty happy with it (you can run it on windows or linux).

[return to the red]

Originally Posted by Sr. Mints

In about six months, I'm going to become the coolest uncle ever, and I'm looking to set up some kind of way that would allow me to buy stocks/bonds/GICs/whatever for my soon-to-be niece or nephew for birthdays/Christmas, etc., that would allow me to do it without involving my brother or his wife every time I do a transaction.

Is this possible? Can anyone point me in the right direction?

Can't you set up An RESP in a direct investing account in the child's name? As long as your niece/nephew has a SIN it should be possible as far as I know

[ah123]

My 3 year old is going for her first skating lessons on Saturday - where do I go to find a good pair of used skates...or should I be buying new?

[Slava]

Originally Posted by Sr. Mints

In about six months, I'm going to become the coolest uncle ever, and I'm looking to set up some kind of way that would allow me to buy stocks/bonds/GICs/whatever for my soon-to-be niece or nephew for birthdays/Christmas, etc., that would allow me to do it without involving my brother or his wife every time I do a transaction.

Is this possible? Can anyone point me in the right direction?

You could also set up an account that is in trust for the child.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by ah123

My 3 year old is going for her first skating lessons on Saturday - where do I go to find a good pair of used skates...or should I be buying new?

Depends where you are. If in YYC then check out play it again, there is one in Shawnessy.

If would by used (if in good condition). MOst kids out grow them before the wreck them.

[Coach]

Yup most Play it Again Sports have a wall of used skates. I got skates from there until I was 13.

[troutman]

Where can you get your car washed inside and out? The place I used to go at Crowfoot (Bucket?) is gone.

[Rathji]

Bubbles, but its not real close to you.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by troutman

Where can you get your car washed inside and out? The place I used to go at Crowfoot (Bucket?) is gone.

The petro down in Mission near 17 used to do it as well.

or this place http://www.supershinecarwash.ca/

[REDVAN]

I'm going to Houston (from Calgary) for 3 months... and wondering what people think is the best way- driving or flying?

My company will pay for me to fly there, but they will not cover my costs to drive. That said, 3 months is going to be brutal in Houston without a car. Any ideas?

[Rathji]

Tell them to pay the (reduced cost) of driving.

edit:

Apparently it might not cost that much more to fly. Assuming you are booking at least 2 weeks in advance, looks like Air Canada is $408 for a direct flight. 3600km, at 10L/100km is $430 (at Canadian fuel prices, which are way higher than in the US), plus there are obviously extra costs like hotel, etc.

Still, unless the flight is free, prepaid, or otherwise severely discounted it doesnt make sense for them not to do it.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by REDVAN

I'm going to Houston (from Calgary) for 3 months... and wondering what people think is the best way- driving or flying?

My company will pay for me to fly there, but they will not cover my costs to drive. That said, 3 months is going to be brutal in Houston without a car. Any ideas?

Make a business plan for the one you want. Focus on the costs.

ie: flight + taxi's is more $ than the gas you will use to drive down and around there. Don't forget to include you hotel(s) for the trip up and down.

[Coach]

Originally Posted by Rathji

Tell them to pay the (reduced cost) of driving and stop being idiots.

I dunno, depending on the cost of the flight (and they may even get some type of corporate deal) it could be a pretty good difference. Espeically if he's driving a car that costs $100 to fill. Not saying he does, but even if it costs $50 to fill your probably looking at $300-$500 just in gas.