Hey there everyone, I (luckily) managed to stumble upon this site and have found it rather useful. I just placed my order this evening for my TR3A which should arive in two days, and excited doesn’t even begin to describe me. I’ve drooled over this computer since back in the day when it was called the Picturebook. I still can’t believe I’m getting one of these breathtaking machines. Anyways, here’s where I stand. I’m going to be a college student using my TR for office programs (Word, etc), some photoediting with Photoshop, and some web design with Macromedia Dreamweaver and Flash. I need it for it’s portability (toting it around campus) and am going to have a 17” flat screen monitor and external keyboard back in the dorm for those long papers and such. I also bought a USB hub for the sake of my Palm pilot, mp3 player, and whatnot. That’s the bulk of my usage beyond instant messaging, websurfing, and bittorrent. I ought to be just fine from what I’ve read so far, correct? Additionally, what are some minor tidbits and advice you could each give me through your experience? I’ve noticed that it is generally advisable to not only follow the instruction manual in setting up the machine, but in making the backup CDs as well. What else can I do either before or when I first get my TR to maximize it’s productivity, lifespan, and my overall enjoyment. I’m really really psyched about getting this computer, and am proud to be gaining access to what seems a wholly beneficial community. Thanks again for any tips you can provide me with.

-Josh (Masculatron)

welcome dude, and congrats on getting a nice computer.  i have the same one. my top suggestions…

* get a usb portable hard drive of at least 40gb in size, for regular backups. i do a lot of photography/web work/etc and the last thing u want to tell a customer is “sorry, my hard drive crashed.” see the forum here for news on hard drive failures.

*compact flash adapter for the pimcia slot. if u are using a digital camera that uses compact flash, then a cheap adapter would make use of otherwise useless pimcia slot and free up a usb connection - and i hate having to have another cable to worry about with my canon 300d.

* cheap external floppy drive if anyone even uses floppies in ur area.  they do here.  ick.

* itunes 4.6 with AIrport Express and   I ordered this and have not yet got, but this will allow u to DJ for the entire dorm.  anyway, iTunes for windows is my favorite program on the TR outside of dreamweaver and adobe CS products.

cheers!

I recommend that, after you burn your recovery CDs, you spend some time un-installing all the programs that you don’t need.  It is nice that the TR comes with a lot of pre-loaded software however I usually don’t need most of what’s installed and prefer my own.  Some of the programs are stripped down versions in order to give you a taste of the application in hopes that you will purchase the full version.  You will probably want to do a little housecleaning in the area of desktop design and streamlining too.  There are a lot of good threads on this site and a lot of very insightful members who can give you some great ideas as well as inspiration.  Enjoy your new TR.

[quote author=“jiggy”]welcome dude, and congrats on getting a nice computer.  i have the same one. my top suggestions…

* get a usb portable hard drive of at least 40gb in size, for regular backups. i do a lot of photography/web work/etc and the last thing u want to tell a customer is “sorry, my hard drive crashed.” see the forum here for news on hard drive failures.

*compact flash adapter for the pimcia slot. if u are using a digital camera that uses compact flash, then a cheap adapter would make use of otherwise useless pimcia slot and free up a usb connection - and i hate having to have another cable to worry about with my canon 300d.

* cheap external floppy drive if anyone even uses floppies in ur area.  they do here.  ick.

* itunes 4.6 with AIrport Express and   I ordered this and have not yet got, but this will allow u to DJ for the entire dorm.  anyway, iTunes for windows is my favorite program on the TR outside of dreamweaver and adobe CS products.

cheers!

Good advice. Thanks a ton.

*If I do get an external hd (which I was considering), I’ll probably make it a firewire one. But because the computer itself cost a good amount, I’m going to hold off for a little bit and just back up to CDs for the time being, but I will keep that in mind once my wallet recovers.

*The digital camera I use is a Sony, so I don’t need compact flash, the memory stick slot suits me well.

*I also thought about the external FDD but decided against it only because it’s been a long time since I’ve seen a floppy be used and for minor transfers between my desktop and the TR I have a 256 MB usb flash drive.

*Can itunes be used well without an ipod? I’m a recent (and very proud, I may add) ownder of a Jukebox Zen Xtra, and it’s software is fantastic for the transfer of music, beyond that I just use wmp.

[quote author=“VAIO Jet”]
I recommend that, after you burn your recovery CDs, you spend some time un-installing all the programs that you don’t need. It is nice that the TR comes with a lot of pre-loaded software however I usually don’t need most of what’s installed and prefer my own. Some of the programs are stripped down versions in order to give you a taste of the application in hopes that you will purchase the full version. You will probably want to do a little housecleaning in the area of desktop design and streamlining too. There are a lot of good threads on this site and a lot of very insightful members who can give you some great ideas as well as inspiration. Enjoy your new TR.

Ahhh, uninstallation of pre-loadeed junk. I guess I assumed that went without saying. I certainly plan on removing the plethora of programs my shiny new TR comes with. Do you have any specific tips for streamlining? I’ve already started scouring sites and threads for various TR desktop backgrounds.

Thanks so much for the well-wishes and advice! Keep it coming! I truly appreciate it!

Welcome, Josh.  Just hang around here long enough and you will undoubtedly benefit from much that dwells here. :D

By the way, what part of Florida are you from?

I appreciate the warm welcome. I definitley get the imperssion there is alot to gain from everyone here.

I’m from the central Florida area. To put it in perspective for most people, like 15-20 minutes from downtown and 45 or so from the theme parks.

*Can itunes be used well without an ipod? I’m a recent (and very proud, I may add) ownder of a Jukebox Zen Xtra, and it’s software is fantastic for the transfer of music, beyond that I just use wmp.

WELL SURE MAN, BUT ITUNES LOOKS GEARED FOR IPOD AS FAR AS SYNC GOES, BUT FOR A MUSIC LIB MANAGER, I FIND IT REALLY EASY TO USE.  IT’S A LITTLE WEAK ON CDDB AUTOTAGGING, OR WHATEVER THAT IS FROM GRACENOTE, MUSICMATCH SMART TAGGING WAS MUCH BETTER, BUT THE INTERFACE IS WHAT I LIKE.  RIPS CDS PRETTY FAST TOO!

Welcome to the boards, Masculatron! Nice, we have the same computer, too! Way to go.

I’m in college, too ( a sophomore at re-entry, however ), and the portability is also the reason why I bought my TR—in fact, I also knew about the TR following the Picturebook from the PCG-C1MVx!! Wow, we have quite a bit in common, lol. Anyways, I’m glad you’ve finally got a TR, and as every TR-owner should be proud of their purchase. Personally, I’ve had no problems with the “additional” Sony proprietary software, but I never really use any of it as well, so whoever suggested deleting them made a good suggestion.

If you’ve got good eyes, the small screen is no hassle, but that 17” screen sounds like it will definitely help in the dorm. My right eye is 20/20 and my lefty is 20/100, but the screen still looks so perfect and very clear, sharp!! The CD-RW/DVD-ROM drive is a blessing to have—it really does bring a smile to the face hearing it make its calm “screech” as it starts revolving. But this computer is truly an all-in-one nifty little gadget. In fact, you might start using it more regularly than your desktop.

iTunes is also a nice piece of software, whoever suggested that, but I don’t use it anymore since I switched over from my Compaq x1010us to my Sony TR—it doesn’t require an iPod connection, but I’m sure you’d want to tote along one of those when you’re not nearby your TR.

Well, congratulations on the purchase, Masculatron. Let us know your first impressions when you receive it!

-best,
Concura

30 June