The Setup

Thanks to Simon over at webdemar.com for pointing me in the right direction. His solution envolved forcing the parent of the menu (in our example div.site-nav-content) to a higher z-index level than the content being served up. In my specific instance it wasn’t quite enough so i had to take it one step further.

The Solution

In my IE7 specific Screen style-sheet I created a couple entries:

1. Create a default z-index for everything *{z-index:1;}
2. Set a high z-index for my menu container .site-nav-content{z-index:900;}
3. Set a high z-index for everything within my menu container .site-nav-content *{z-index:900;}

Final Source

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I say fuck you Mr. President (Bush / Obama doesn’t really matter S.S.D.P.). Expansion of federal powers, the shredding of our Constitution, and the global war machine that has screwed up so many of my friends and my country for decades. I read a story this morning of a Executive Ordered assassination of a US Citizen, where was his trial? I also saw the 1520 clause of the health care bill ram rodded through by the president authorizing his own personal army in the event military command refuses orders during times of civil unrest. Hitler had a private army called the SS, what do you call yours Mr. Obama?

To all of our Senators and Congressmen that worry more about being re-elected than doing whats right, Fuck you. Take a good hard look at Sen. Ben Nelson (D-NE), he crossed the people he swore to represent and now he will pay for it. Come re-election time we will see to it.

To the Federal agents raiding Militias (which by the way are protected by the Second Amendment, in case you forgot.) all over the United States on trumped up terrorism and sedition charges, Fuck you. At least they are willing to exercise their rights as free Americans instead of embracing this mockery of a “Republic”. And yes I saw the purchase order for two 10mm anti-material rifles in camo paint with suppressors for the FBI, I guess banks need protection from tanks.

And to all of the people who feel entitled to be called “Americans” without having to fight or sacrifice for it, Fuck you. I will take a Pakistani goat herder who saved everything to bring his family here for a chance. He took the tests, stood in lines, raised his right hand to swear his allegiance, and every morning flies an American flag on his front step because he knows the Constitution by heart. He is more American than you will ever be. Am I wrong, what was the last thing you did for this country other than feel entitled?

Stand up, support your states rights, and remind your representatives that it is your breath on the back of their neck. Let them know how you feel about a bill, and that there are consequences for political agendas.

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Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

INGREDIENTS

• 1 cup canned pumpkin
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1 egg
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon milk
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Directions

1. Combine pumpkin, sugar, vegetable oil, and egg.
   
2. In a separate bowl, stir together flour, baking powder, ground cinnamon, and salt.
   
3. Dissolve the baking soda with the milk and stir in.
   
4. Add flour mixture to pumpkin mixture and mix well.
5. Add vanilla, chocolate chips and nuts.
6. Drop by spoonful on greased cookie sheet
7. bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for approximately 10 minutes or until lightly brown and firm.

Vanilla Cookie Glaze

This vanilla glaze recipe is the fastest, easiest white cookie frosting there is. Almost any cookie, cupcake, or brownie recipe can be made even more special by putting this vanilla glaze on top.

Makes About 1/2 Cup of Vanilla Cookie Glaze

Ingredients

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1 1/2 tablespoons milk
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Preparation

Combine powdered sugar, milk and vanilla extract in small bowl; mix well.

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Description

• AMD Phenom II 3.0 GHz Quad Core
• 8GB DDR2 800 RAM
• Two 74GB 10k Raptor SATA Drives (RAID 0, for OS and installs)
• Radeon HD4670 1GB Video Card
• 7.1 HD Xonar  Sound Card
• DVD +/- SATA Burner
• 68 n 1 Media Reader
• Wrapped in a Lian Li Chassis
• Three 1TB SATA Drives (RAID 5, data)

Estimated Price:  <$1500

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http://ericmiller.tumblr.com/

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Problem

On catalyst load DVI fails to respond to signal. A VGA adapter to cable solution works but does not send a digital signal.

Update April 2nd, 2009

The engineers have been able to reproduce my issue and are going to ship me a couple cards to test in my configuration.  I will keep you guys updated on the solution when I have it.

Update April 6th, 2009

Installed the 512mb version of the 4870 that the guys over at AMD sent me to test.  Intersting note, VGA and DVI connections are now both detected in Catalyst Control Center, but DVI still has “No Signal”.

Update April 13th, 2009

The guys over at AMD have sent me a registry hack that they claim resolves the problem. I am going to go ahead and dump it in and if it works I will let you all know and post the hacks.

Update May 12th, 2009

ATI engineers resolved the problem, they will be pushing a hotfix in the next couple weeks. Be patient guys.

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Introduction

Project Overview

In this scenario I am building a custom AMD Phenom II (AM3) solution to serve as a high end development / gaming machine and compete with Intel i7 machines in the same bracket.

Project Goals (in order)

1. Build a quiet replacement PC for my aging P4.
2. Build a System under $2k including new large format monitor.
3. Make it as child proof as possible (8 month old daughter)
4. Reduce or eliminate visual effects such as LED’s & fans
5. Get a good grasp on the AMD overclocking utilities and push the stock 2.6GHz processor to 3GHz or more running on air.

Parts Overview

• Antec P182 Chassis (Gun Metal Black) with Upgraded Scythe Gentle Typhoon 120mm case fans
• ASUS M4A79T Deluxe AM3 Motherboard
• AMD Phenom II 810 2.6 GHz Quad Core Processor with Upgraded Xigmatek HDT-S1283 CPU cooler
• 8 GB OCZ HPC Reaper DDR3 1600 Dual Channel System Memory
• Sapphire Radeon HD 4870 1GB Video Card
• Cooler Master 700 watt modular power supply.
• 600GB Western Digital Velociraptor (2x Drives in RAID0)
• LG SATA DVD +/-  Burner
• Sabrent Internal Card Reader
• Windows Vista Ultimate SP1 (64 bit)
• ASUS 24″ Widescreen LCD Monitor (DVI)

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• 10 minute prep time
• 15 minute cook time
• Serves 2

What your Kitchen Needs

• Large Mixing Bowl (preferably glass)
• Glass Liquid Measure Bowl
• Grill, Griddle, or even a Skillet
• A chef not worried about getting dirty

Shopping List

• 1 lb. Ground Beef
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup bread crumbs
• 1 tbsp. Worcestershire Sauce
• Fresh Ground Sea Salt
• Black Pepper
• Garlic Powder
• Onion Powder
• 1 tbsp. Margarine or Butter

Instructions

1. Place Meat in Mixing bowl (Thaw meat if necessary, I buy my beef half a cow at a time so the freezer is always full of it. Be sure not to cook it, we want our meat nice and pliable.)
2. Melt the margarine or butter in the measuring bowl.
3. Crack the egg and add to the mixing bowl (double check for shells in the egg) and beat with a fork until liquefied.
4. Mix in the 1 tbsp. Worcestershire Sauce.
5. Pour contents of measuring bowl over meat in mixing bowl.
6. Kneed the meat with your hands until well blended. The meat should be saturated with liquid.
7. To get the meat to stick together correctly add the breadcrumbs, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Continue mixing with your hands.
8. Once thoroughly mixed the meat should start sticking together into a giant ball. Roll it together picking up all the stray pieces of meat.
9. Separate the ball into two smaller balls, these will later become your patties.
10. Over a pre-heated grill or griddle flatten the ball in your hand to create a patty about half an inch thick and slightly larger than your palm. If you have small hands you can use a plate as a surface to work with.
11. DO NOT THROW THE MEAT DIRECTLY ON THE GRILL/GRIDDLE,  using a paper towel brush some olive oil onto the hot surface before the meat to prevent sticking.
12. Place the patties on the grill/griddle and let cook. Every Five minutes turn the patties until the juices run clear. If it stops producing juices its too dry, if its pink its not done. Should take about 15 minutes.

Add fresh lettuce, tomato, cheese, mushrooms, etc. You will not be disappointed.

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